Sports

Putnam County’s Lily Armistead tries to pin her opponent during a match earlier this season. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County’s Lily Armistead tries to pin her opponent during a match earlier this season. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam wrestling sends nine to sectionals

Lance McCurley
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Last week, Putnam County’s wrestling teams competed at the Area-4A traditionals tournament.The War Eagles sent five wrestlers to the sectionals round, and the Lady War Eagles had four advance.
The student section at Gatewood deserves credit for cheering on their Gators all season long, head coach Don Keiser said. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The student section at Gatewood deserves credit for cheering on their Gators all season long, head coach Don Keiser said. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators solidify playoff position

Ian Tocher
Thursday, February 6, 2025
The Gatewood Gators (17-4, 5-2) earned a little payback Friday night in Eatonton with a 77-70 win over the Brentwood War Eagles (17-3, 4-3). Early last month, Gatewood fell 81-67 to Brentwood in Sandersville.The win maintained their perfect record at home so far this season at 10-0.
Stephen Phillips is Putnam County baseball's new head coach. CONTRIBUTED

Stephen Phillips is Putnam County baseball's new head coach. CONTRIBUTED

New coach brings new plan for Putnam baseball

Lance McCurley
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Last summer, Putnam County High School hired Stephen Phillips as its new head baseball coach. Phillips replaced Mike Phiel, who led the War Eagles to several playoff appearances. The 2025 season begins Feb. 11, and Phillips wants to build on that success and elevate the program.
Gatewood wrestler and football team member Blake Daniel was escorted by his parents Lorraine and Roger, with K-5 buddy Averly Smith. Blake plans to attend Emmanuel College to earn a degree in business management. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood wrestler and football team member Blake Daniel was escorted by his parents Lorraine and Roger, with K-5 buddy Averly Smith. Blake plans to attend Emmanuel College to earn a degree in business management. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Photos: Gatewood honors senior fall athletes

Ian Tocher
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Gatewood’s senior athletes from fall sports, including the basketball, shotgun, and wrestling teams, were recognized alongside parents and K-5 buddies from the Gatewood grade school on Jan. 24 between the girls’ and boys’ basketball games that night.
Gatewood head coach Don Keiser (green shirt) enjoyed a moment with his players, including his son, Kaden (13), after they delivered his 300th career win with a 72-53 finish over the visiting Trinity Christian Crusaders. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood head coach Don Keiser (green shirt) enjoyed a moment with his players, including his son, Kaden (13), after they delivered his 300th career win with a 72-53 finish over the visiting Trinity Christian Crusaders. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators cruise to win over Crusaders

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Last Friday night in Eatonton, the Gatewood Gators earned a 72-53 victory over the Trinity Christian Crusaders while delivering to head coach Don Keiser his 300th career win as a high school basketball coach.
Putnam County’s A’ziyah Williams gets set to attempt a free throw. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County’s A’ziyah Williams gets set to attempt a free throw. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam girls, boys sweep UAA

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
The Putnam County basketball teams swept the Utopian Academy of the Arts last Friday at home.The Lady War Eagles (12-6) opened up the night of competition with an easy 57-10 victory. The War Eagles (19-1) followed that impressive performance in the nightcap with a dominant 100-43 win.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Super Bowl musings

Loran Smith
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
We are one step closer to the upcoming Super Bowl when Georgia will extend its record to 24 straight seasons with a former player in the NFL’s championship game. Georgia is the only school to boast such an impressive streak.
Lady Gators head coach Ferdinand Farley credited the leadership of team captain Natalie Sills (22). IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady Gators head coach Ferdinand Farley credited the leadership of team captain Natalie Sills (22). IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady Gators take two from Trinity Christian

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Gatewood’s Lady Gators recently played a home-and-away series against Trinity Christian. They won 47-40 at home in Eatonton on Jan. 24 and then narrowly defeated the Lady Crusaders 36-35 on Jan. 27 in Dublin.
Chase Lundy (right) has been named the new Putnam County Middle School baseball coach. LANCE McCURLEY/ Staff

Chase Lundy (right) has been named the new Putnam County Middle School baseball coach. LANCE McCURLEY/ Staff

Lundy hired as Putnam middle school baseball coach

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Putnam County Middle School recently named Chase Lundy its new head baseball coach.Lundy, who teaches at the middle school, has been an assistant coach there for the last three years and is now the head coach. He was previously an assistant at Putnam County High School.
The Putnam County girls wrestling team placed third at the area team duals tournament. The Lady War Eagles will next compete at the area individuals tournament this Friday at Westside High School in Augusta. CONTRIBUTED

The Putnam County girls wrestling team placed third at the area team duals tournament. The Lady War Eagles will next compete at the area individuals tournament this Friday at Westside High School in Augusta. CONTRIBUTED

Lady War Eagles wrestling see success on the mat

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
The Putnam County girls wrestling team has had a successful 2024-25 season, and it’s not over yet.The Lady War Eagles recently competed in the area team duals tournament, placing third overall.Although that wasn’t good enough to advance to the state competition, coach River Vaughn was proud.
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