Sports

UNC head coach Mack Brown (left) poses for a photo with Gatewood’s Evan Bennett (right) at Kenan Memorial Stadium over the weekend. CONTRIBUTED

UNC head coach Mack Brown (left) poses for a photo with Gatewood’s Evan Bennett (right) at Kenan Memorial Stadium over the weekend. CONTRIBUTED

Evans embraces UNC commitment in first official Chapel Hill visit

Gatewood football linebacker, running back and wide receiver Evan Bennett ended his football recruitment earlier this year when he committed to play collegiately at the University of North Carolina.
Lawson Wooten (15) hauls in a pop-fly.

Lawson Wooten (15) hauls in a pop-fly.

Six Gators named All-Region, five All-State

After the most successful season in more than three decades for the Gatewood baseball program, the Gators were able to bring home their first state title since 1990. And the accolades did not stop there.
Gatewood rising 10th-grader Lily Huskins attempts a jump shot during Tuesday’s practice. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood rising 10th-grader Lily Huskins attempts a jump shot during Tuesday’s practice. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady Gators seek excellence over summer

The Gatewood girls’ basketball team is ready to take the next step. The Lady Gators have been practicing hard individually during the off-season months and recently started summer workouts with the goal of improving as a team.
State Farm agent Tim Broyles’ table set up at the tournament. CONTRIBUTED

State Farm agent Tim Broyles’ table set up at the tournament. CONTRIBUTED

War Eagles’ football hosts golf tournament

The Putnam County Touchdown Club and football team hosted a fundraising event in the form of a golf tournament on June 10, at Eatonton’s Uncle Remus Golf Course. The 4th-annual War Eagle Scramble drew many golfers to make it an overall successful event.
Halana Griffin dribbles the ball up the court against a North Oconee defender. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Halana Griffin dribbles the ball up the court against a North Oconee defender. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lady War Eagles look to grow over summer

Putnam County girls’ basketball has been busy over the past couple of months since its season ended. The Lady War Eagles got in the gym a few times in the spring before starting summer workouts last week. They also began to compete against other teams in summer league basketball games.
Messiah Walker (11) at the top of the key defending a Toombs County player in the first round of the 2022-23 Class AA state playoffs. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Messiah Walker (11) at the top of the key defending a Toombs County player in the first round of the 2022-23 Class AA state playoffs. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagle boys make transition to summer league

Following a buzzer-beater loss in overtime during the Sweet 16 round of the Class AA state playoffs against Dodge County in March, Putnam County has been working hard to get back on the court.
Loran Smith/Columnist

Loran Smith/Columnist

Smith: Remembering Missouri summers

Owing to a golf friendship, there was an annual trip to Kansas City in June for several years, which allowed me the opportunity to explore the Show Me State, which reminded me so much of our own Peach State. Missouri and Georgia feature almost identical geography.
Jason Hasty (left), the athletics history specialist for UGA’s Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, describes items in a case highlighting UGA women’s sports to Tyler Van Dusen, defensive coordinator for Gatewood Schools’ football team. IAN TOCHER /Staff

Jason Hasty (left), the athletics history specialist for UGA’s Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, describes items in a case highlighting UGA women’s sports to Tyler Van Dusen, defensive coordinator for Gatewood Schools’ football team. IAN TOCHER /Staff

UGA sports history on display at library

In a statewide traveling program initiated by University of Georgia (UGA) Athletics History Specialist and collection archivist Jason Hasty in 2016, several unique reminders of the school’s sporting success were on display last Friday at the Eatonton-Putnam County Public Library.