Sports

Putnam County senior Wyatt Suggs tries to pin his opponent from Southwest (Macon) at the area duals tournament last Thursday in Social Circle. LANCE McCURLEY/ Staff

Putnam County senior Wyatt Suggs tries to pin his opponent from Southwest (Macon) at the area duals tournament last Thursday in Social Circle. LANCE McCURLEY/ Staff

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War Eagles place third at area duals

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Last week, the Putnam County wrestling team placed third at the area duals tournament in Social Circle.The War Eagles finished behind Social Circle and Jasper County, going 3-2 on the day.Putnam County started by defeating Southwest (Macon) before losing to Social Circle in the winner’s bracket.
LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

McCurley: In the wake of tragedy

Lance
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
NEW ORLEANS, La. — I don’t know where to begin, but I will try.The tragedy that struck New Orleans hit a little too close to home for me.
Gatewood head coach Don Keiser talks with leading scorer Matt Allen during a break last Friday night during a game against Mount de Sales Academy out of Macon. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood head coach Don Keiser talks with leading scorer Matt Allen during a break last Friday night during a game against Mount de Sales Academy out of Macon. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood gets back to winning ways

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
After ending 2024 with a loss to Athens Academy on Dec. 28, Gatewood returned to winning ways last Friday with a 74-53 win over Mount De Sales. The Gators followed up the next day at First Presbyterian Day, boosting their season record to 10-2 with a dominating 67-27 victory in Macon.
Putnam County sophomore Jaylen Nelson goes up for a layup in a win over Jones County. He had seven points against the Greyhounds. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Putnam County sophomore Jaylen Nelson goes up for a layup in a win over Jones County. He had seven points against the Greyhounds. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

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War Eagles survive first punch, defeat ‘Hounds

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
The Putnam County boys basketball team completed the sweep of Jones County on Jan. 4 with a 71-60 win.In mid-November, the War Eagles opened the 2024-25 regular season with a 67-49 win over the Greyhounds. They’ve since won 14 straight contests to reach a 15-0 record.
Freshman Bela Smith scored the game-winning basket with this free throw that put the Lady Gators up 33-32 over the visiting Lady Cavs from Mount de Sales. Gatewood won the game 36-32. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Freshman Bela Smith scored the game-winning basket with this free throw that put the Lady Gators up 33-32 over the visiting Lady Cavs from Mount de Sales. Gatewood won the game 36-32. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Mixed results for Lady Gators to start 2025

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Gatewood girls basketball started 2025 with a 36-32 win over Mount De Sales last Friday at home, but a day later, it dropped a 39-36 road decision to Presbyterian Day in Macon.The game in Eatonton started slowly.
Robertson played quarterback and safety for the War Eagles the past four years. FILE PHOTO

Robertson played quarterback and safety for the War Eagles the past four years. FILE PHOTO

‘J-Rob’ focused on future following injury

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Last fall, Putnam County quarterback Jamarion Robertson saw his senior football season cut short due to an injury.A 6-foot-3, 180-pound prospect, Robertson broke his jaw during the first drive against Haralson in the War Eagles' fourth game of the 2024 season.
Sonny Smart, father of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, passed away in New Orleans last week. UGA ATHLETICS

Sonny Smart, father of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, passed away in New Orleans last week. UGA ATHLETICS

Charles Winslette shares memories of late friend Sonny Smart

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
According to a University of Georgia press release, Sonny Smart, father of Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart, died Saturday in New Orleans. He was surrounded by his wife, Sharon, and their three children, Kendall, Karl, and Kirby.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) gets set to snap the ball during the third quarter of the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame. (LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff)

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) gets set to snap the ball during the third quarter of the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame. (LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff)

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Georgia’s luck runs out against Notre Dame

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
No. 7 Notre Dame took advantage of a few key mistakes by No. 2 Georgia to capture a 23-10 victory in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Garret Milan (center) of the Rock Lobsters celebrates after scoring on Mississippi goalie Edward Coffey in the first period of the two teams’ New Year’s Eve game at Akins Ford Arena in Athens. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Garret Milan (center) of the Rock Lobsters celebrates after scoring on Mississippi goalie Edward Coffey in the first period of the two teams’ New Year’s Eve game at Akins Ford Arena in Athens. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Rock Lobsters enter 2025 with shootout win

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
The Rock Lobsters, Athens’ new pro hockey team, sent about 2,000 fans out to happily celebrate New Year’s Eve after a shootout win over the visiting Mississippi Sea Wolves at Akins Ford Arena.
Putnam County sophomore Journey Waller (10) scored a team-high 18 points against Jasper County on Dec. 21. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County sophomore Journey Waller (10) scored a team-high 18 points against Jasper County on Dec. 21. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Lady War Eagles jump all over Jasper County

Lance McCurley
Thursday, January 2, 2025
The Putnam County girls' basketball team was victorious on Dec. 21, defeating rival Jasper County on the road. The No. 7 ranked Lady War Eagles beat the Lady Hurricanes 54-43, improving to 9-3 overall.
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