Sports

Gators coach Don Keiser singled out “big man” Trey Wiggins (21) for his physical play and scoring touch in a 71-36 win over Westfield last Saturday night in Eatonton. Meanwhile, Gatewood’s top scorer Matt Allen (12) continued to rack up points, scoring 31 for the home team. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators continue streak with 3-in-a-row

Ian Tocher

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Gatewood’s boys basketball team improved its record to 12-1 last week with consecutive-day wins over Thomas Jefferson Academy, Windsor Academy, and Saturday night versus Westfield School.

Landon Bonner (2) scored a team-high 35 points in the loss to Thomson last Saturday. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles come up short against No. 1 Thomson

Lance McCurley

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Class AA’s top-ranked Thomson defeated Putnam County 87-85 last Saturday in a last-second thriller. After trailing 71-62 entering the fourth quarter, the War Eagles battled back but fell just short. They had a chance in the closing seconds, but their last-second attempt bounced off the backboard.

Putnam County freshman Journey Waller (10) scored a team-high 19 points in the loss to Thomson this past Saturday

Lady War Eagles’ winning streak snapped with loss to No. 3 Thomson

Lance McCurley

Thursday, January 18, 2024

No. 3 Thomson snapped Putnam County’s eight-game winning streak on Jan. 13 with a 70-62 win. The Lady Bulldogs led 43-42 after the third quarter, but their defense took over in the final period. Thomson outscored the Lady War Eagles down the stretch to help secure their 14th win of the year.

Carly Cannon (shown) accounted for 15 of the Lady Gators’ 44 points against Westfield last Saturday, with fellow senior London Darden scoring 12 and up-and-coming sophomore Natalie Sills contributing nine points

Gatewood girls win two, then lose at home

Ian Tocher

Thursday, January 18, 2024

After securing a pair of high-flying road wins over Thomas Jefferson and Windsor Academies last Thursday and Friday, Gatewood’s Lady Gators basketball team was brought back down to earth with a very close loss at home to Westfield on Saturday. “What killed us today was free throws.

Gators’ head coach Jeff Ratliff poses with his outgoing seniors. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators banquet caps state runner-up season

Ian Tocher

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Looking a lot younger and smaller than they appeared on Dec. 2 last year in a tough 16-10 loss in the state championship game, members of the 2023 Gatewood football team assembled one last time on Jan. 10 for their wrap-up awards banquet.

The Lady Gators high-five after a game last week. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Lady Gators back on winning path

Ian Tocher

Thursday, January 11, 2024

The Gatewood girls’ basketball team opened the 2024 portion of its season with a 41-35 loss at home on Jan. 3 to First Presbyterian Day (FPD), out of Macon. Despite the loss, Gatewood head coach Jordan Walters said she was proud of the way her team played against a higher-ranked opponent.

Journey Waller (10) goes for a layup against Westside-Augusta last Tuesday

Lady War Eagles continue winning streak with Ws over Westside-Augusta, WaCo

Lance McCurley

Thursday, January 11, 2024

The Putnam County girls’ basketball team (13-2, 3-1 Region 4-AA) continued its success and winning streak this past week with region victories over Westside-Augusta and Washington County. Entering this week, the Lady War Eagles have won seven straight contests, dating back to Dec. 16.

Loran Smith/Columnist

Smith: Orange Bowl and spring practice

Loran Smith

Thursday, January 11, 2024

The Georgia football team, following another head-turning successful season, will have a few days to regroup and begin classes, then segue into winter workouts. Interestingly, it has always been that way, but for different reasons.

Putnam County junior Jaylin Harper (5) goes up a contested layup against a pair of Westside defenders. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles facing recent struggles

Lance McCurley

Thursday, January 11, 2024

As of late, Putnam County basketball has struggled, losing three straight games heading into this week. The War Eagles fell to region opponents Westside-Augusta and Washington County at home last week. So, they’ll quickly try to rebound and fix things as they face Thomson and Glenn Hills this week.

Sophomore Matt Allen (12) looks better each time out this season, leading the Gators in almost every offense statistic.Sophomore Matt Allen (12) looks better each time out this season, leading the Gators in almost every offense statistic. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood boys on a roll in new year

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Three up, three down, that’s been the fate of the Gators’ basketball opponents since New Year’s Day, as the Gatewood boys have convincingly beaten First Presbyterian Day (FPD), Briarwood Academy, and Georgia Military College so far in 2024. FPD visited Eatonton on Jan.

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