Sports

Putnam County’s No. 1 singles team of Addie Grace Usry (left) and Joelle Lukens (right) high-five after winning a point for the Lady War Eagles against Social Circle on Monday. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County’s No. 1 singles team of Addie Grace Usry (left) and Joelle Lukens (right) high-five after winning a point for the Lady War Eagles against Social Circle on Monday. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam girls finish second in region

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The Putnam County girls tennis team turned in a strong performance at the Region 4-Class A Division I tournament earlier this week, finishing as the runner-up and positioning itself well for the upcoming state playoffs.The Lady War Eagles entered as the No.
Gatewood sophomore Ben Pearson pitched five innings against region rival Brentwood and allowed just two hits and three runs while striking out six Eagles in a 10-3 win for the Gators. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood sophomore Ben Pearson pitched five innings against region rival Brentwood and allowed just two hits and three runs while striking out six Eagles in a 10-3 win for the Gators. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood perfect so far in region

Trey Norris
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Since Gatewood’s baseball team (9-4, 5-0) got back on track with a 16-0 win at Central Fellowship Christian Academy (CFCA) on March 20, the Gators have strung together two more wins for a three-game win streak and a 5-0 record in region competition.
Puntam County senior pitcher Ethan Whatley in the wind-up during a game earlier this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Puntam County senior pitcher Ethan Whatley in the wind-up during a game earlier this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam coach recognizes challenges as season wanes

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The Putnam County baseball team appears to be hitting its stride at just the right time.Last week, the War Eagles dominated a three-game region sweep of Towers, defeating the Titans 19-0, 21-2, and 15-0, improving to 9-8 overall and 4-2 in region play entering this week.
Westminster junior striker Faith Lawhead (24) dribbles the ball past Gatewood senior forward Natalie Sills (18). LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Westminster junior striker Faith Lawhead (24) dribbles the ball past Gatewood senior forward Natalie Sills (18). LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lady Lions roll past Gatewood in pivotal region match

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
WATKINSVILLE — Westminster Christian Academy’s Lady Lions made a statement Friday, March 27, taking control early and rolling to a 5-0 victory over the Gatewood Lady Gators in a key region matchup.
Putnam County junior Bryson Brown (left) with a coach (right) from Wofford University during a practice. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County junior Bryson Brown (left) with a coach (right) from Wofford University during a practice. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam’s Brown gains exposure through spring visits

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Putnam County junior Bryson Brown is beginning to make his way onto the football recruiting radar.The talented two-way player for the War Eagles has been making visits this spring to learn more about different programs while working to get his name out to college coaches.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: The catch

Loran Smith
Thursday, March 26, 2026
As I sat in the Georgia dugout with Cole Johnson and reminisced about his game-saving catch last Sunday against Tennessee, I thought about how nice it would have been if Jimmy Dorsey’s rendition of his 1957 hit, “So Rare,” had been the musical backdrop to the glorious scene that brought about...
Gatewood senior Ben Brannen rounds the bases after hitting his first home run of the season on March 13 against Trinity Christian. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood senior Ben Brannen rounds the bases after hitting his first home run of the season on March 13 against Trinity Christian. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gators rack up region wins on the diamond

Trey Norris
Thursday, March 26, 2026
With a pair of wins over region foe Trinity Christian of Dublin two weeks ago, the Gatewood baseball team set their league record at 2-0, then added a third region win last Tuesday in Eatonton with a 16-1 decision over Central Fellowship Christian Academy (CFCA).
Putnam County senior Bill Waters clears 6-feet, 6-inches on the high jump event at a home meet earlier this season. KIM CASH/Contributed

Putnam County senior Bill Waters clears 6-feet, 6-inches on the high jump event at a home meet earlier this season. KIM CASH/Contributed

Putnam T&F showing pride and promise

Lance McCurley
Thursday, March 26, 2026
With a roster dominated by freshmen and sophomores, the Putnam County track and field team is leaning on growth and development this season, with early returns being encouraging.
Anchored by the surprising play of redshirt rookie goalkeeper Lauren Paxson (00), the Gatewood girls soccer team has opened its 2026 campaign at 3-3 overall and 2-0 in region play. CONTRIBUTED

Anchored by the surprising play of redshirt rookie goalkeeper Lauren Paxson (00), the Gatewood girls soccer team has opened its 2026 campaign at 3-3 overall and 2-0 in region play. CONTRIBUTED

Lady Gators start season with mixed results

Lance McCurley
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Through the first six matches of the 2026 season, the Gatewood girls soccer team has experienced a little bit of everything — big wins, tough losses, and valuable lessons against strong competition.The Lady Gators enter the weekend with an even 3-3 record.
Putnam County senior Jackson Dodd had a big series at the plate against Social Circle last week. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Putnam County senior Jackson Dodd had a big series at the plate against Social Circle last week. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Putnam drops region series to Social Circle

Lance McCurley
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Putnam County may have fallen short in its region series against Social Circle, but the War Eagles showed plenty of fight across the three-game stretch.
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