Sports

Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Catchings & Company

Loran Smith
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The last home game of the basketball season had something for everyone, including a malfunctioning clock and one or two negatives, each of which was blown away by Catchings & Company, a one-man firm if you peruse the stat sheet — but in actuality, a cog in the well-oiled team machine of one Coach...
Elbert County’s Zy Belcher (23) drives to the basket, contending with Putnam County’s De’Nadia Dunn (25) and Eriyana Little (12) in the paint. Courtesy of BO UNDERWOOD/Elberton Star

Elbert County’s Zy Belcher (23) drives to the basket, contending with Putnam County’s De’Nadia Dunn (25) and Eriyana Little (12) in the paint. Courtesy of BO UNDERWOOD/Elberton Star

Lady War Eagles fall in Final Four

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Putnam County’s historic postseason journey came to an end March 7 in the Class A Division I Final Four, as No. 12 seed Elbert County upset the No. 8 Lady War Eagles 48–45 in a thrilling semifinal in Fort Valley.
Gatewood sophomore Connor Mitchem totaled four hits and two RBIs over three games last week. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood sophomore Connor Mitchem totaled four hits and two RBIs over three games last week. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gators even record after three losses

Trey Norris
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
It was a week of growing pains for Gatewood, which suffered three consecutive losses after a 3-0 start.The Gators fell 8-2 at Augusta Christian last Monday, then dropped a heartbreaker on the road against rival Piedmont on Tuesday, losing 3-2 on a walk-off in the bottom of the seventh.
Putnam County senior midfielder Jared Arreola has scored five goals — second on the team — while leading the squad with seven assists so far this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior midfielder Jared Arreola has scored five goals — second on the team — while leading the squad with seven assists so far this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam boys soccer rolls to No. 1 ranking

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Putnam County boys soccer team is off to a scorching start in 2026.The War Eagles entered this week with an 8-0 record, earning the No. 1 spot in Class A Division I, according to Scorbord.com. They’ve overwhelmed opponents, outscoring them 31-11 through eight games.
Putnam County freshman Jaydah Baker (20) scored a team-high 24 points, as the Lady War Eagles held on late to defeat Heard County. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County freshman Jaydah Baker (20) scored a team-high 24 points, as the Lady War Eagles held on late to defeat Heard County. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County girls edge Heard County, advances to Final Four

Lance McCurley
Thursday, March 5, 2026
The Putnam County Lady War Eagles are headed to the Final Four after pulling out a thrilling 55–53 victory over Heard County Lady Braves in the quarterfinal round of the GHSA Class A Division I state playoffs.
Gatewood catcher Connor Mitchem blocks a Strong Rock runner at the plate in the Gators’ season opener last week in Eatonton. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood catcher Connor Mitchem blocks a Strong Rock runner at the plate in the Gators’ season opener last week in Eatonton. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood baseball off to strong start

Trey Norris
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
After winning the last three GIAA Class AA state championships, Gatewood baseball has opened the season with another hot start, going 3-0 so far with no less than 10 runs scored in each game.
Putnam County senior pitcher Ethan Whatley (12) gets set to deliver a pitch during a recent road game against Athens Academy. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior pitcher Ethan Whatley (12) gets set to deliver a pitch during a recent road game against Athens Academy. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam baseball readies for region

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The Putnam County baseball team has shown noticeable improvement this season, even with a 3-6 record heading into this week. The War Eagles are proving they can compete against strong opponents and keep games close.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: New UGA track

Loran Smith
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The University of Georgia’s new track is as spectacular as some of the athletes who cast their lot with the Bulldogs to have the best opportunity to train to become world-class performers.
Gatewood junior Lauren Paxson (center) was the Lady Gators’ leading scorer against Brentwood, contributing 10 points, eight rebounds, and a block in the loss. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood junior Lauren Paxson (center) was the Lady Gators’ leading scorer against Brentwood, contributing 10 points, eight rebounds, and a block in the loss. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Brentwood beats Gatewood in Final Four

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The Gatewood girls basketball team saw its postseason run end in the GIAA Class 2A semifinals last week.The Lady Gators fell to eventual state champion Brentwood Academy, 44-30, Feb. 26, at Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton. Brentwood went on to defeat Southwest Georgia Academy in the state final.
A golfer at the inaugural Project Putnam Golf Tourney hits a ball out of a sand trap at URGC in Eatonton. GORDON COLUMBINE/Staff

A golfer at the inaugural Project Putnam Golf Tourney hits a ball out of a sand trap at URGC in Eatonton. GORDON COLUMBINE/Staff

URGC hosting 3rd annual Project Putnam tourney

Gordon Columbine
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Born of the 2023-24 Leadership Putnam class, the 3rd annual Project Putnam Golf Tournament returns this month to the historic, 9-hole Uncle Remus Golf Course (URGC) in Eatonton.
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