Sports

Slow start for baseball Gators

Trey Norris
Thursday, February 23, 2023
The Gatewood Gators have endured a tough start to their season, facing Loganville Christian Academy twice in a home-and-home series and losing both times.
Members and coaches of the championship-winning boys’ and girls’ basketball teams from Putnam County Middle School were recognized during Monday night’s Eatonton City Council meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Members and coaches of the championship-winning boys’ and girls’ basketball teams from Putnam County Middle School were recognized during Monday night’s Eatonton City Council meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

PCMS brings home twin hoops titles

Ian Tocher
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams at Putnam County Middle School (PCMS) wrapped up Piedmont Athletic Conference championships on Feb. 4, at Youth Middle School in Loganville.
Putnam County senior Jacob Grimes (20) eyes down a Banks County pitcher. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Putnam County senior Jacob Grimes (20) eyes down a Banks County pitcher. TREY NORRIS/Staff

War Eagles out to rough start on the diamond

Trey Norris
Thursday, February 23, 2023
The Putnam County War Eagles baseball team got off to a rough start this season with an 0-4 record before finally scoring their first victory Monday night with a 17-4 decision at home against Athens Academy.
Putnam County senior Eren Banks (1) lines up a free throw shot in a win over Butler last week in the Region 4-AA semifinals. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior Eren Banks (1) lines up a free throw shot in a win over Butler last week in the Region 4-AA semifinals. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles are 'hungry' as state playoffs begin

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Putnam County boys basketball enters the Class AA state playoffs as a two-seed after falling to Westside (Augusta) 81-63 on Friday night in the Region 4-AA championship game. Now, the War Eagles (21-6) are set to face No. 3 seed Toombs County (20-8) in the first round of the playoffs.
Putnam County point guard Keyni Crawford (4) pulls up for a 3-pointer in the second quarter of the War Eagles' 52-41 win over Butler in the Region 4-AA semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 16. He scored a game-high 19 points as Putnam County advances to the final against Westside (Augusta) on Friday. BRENDAN KOERNER/Staff

Putnam County point guard Keyni Crawford (4) pulls up for a 3-pointer in the second quarter of the War Eagles' 52-41 win over Butler in the Region 4-AA semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 16. He scored a game-high 19 points as Putnam County advances to the final against Westside (Augusta) on Friday. BRENDAN KOERNER/Staff

Crawford steps up to lead War Eagles past Butler

Lance McCurley
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Putnam County senior Keyni Crawford scored a team-high 19 points, leading the War Eagles to a 52-41 victory over Butler in the Region 4-AA tournament semifinals.  In the Class AA top 10 clash, Crawford stepped up when leading scorer, Eren Banks, got into foul trouble early on.
Loran Smith/Columnist

Loran Smith/Columnist

Smith: Herb White

Loran Smith
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Every now and then, I will get a call from Herb White, the “Elevator from Decatur.” He calls from his home in Mexico, where he literally can play golf every day of the year. He lives in the region of Lake Chapala, which is 30 miles west of Guadalajara, which is 791 miles southwest of San Antonio.
The Gators rely on senior Jackson Morris (1), but players like Walker Roberts (3) are important contributors, too.

The Gators rely on senior Jackson Morris (1), but players like Walker Roberts (3) are important contributors, too.

Region Champs: Gators capture regular season league title

Lance McCurley
Thursday, February 16, 2023
The Gatewood Gators basketball team wrapped up the 2022-23 regular season on a high note last week. With wins over Westminster Christian (66-45) and Brentwood Academy (70-64), Gatewood secured the GIAA Region 2-AA regular season title for a second-consecutive year under Don Keiser.
Eren Banks (1) controls the tempo of the game and cuts through Glenn Hills defense. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Eren Banks (1) controls the tempo of the game and cuts through Glenn Hills defense. ARELLA CASH/Staff

War Eagles begin region tourney as No. 2 seed

Lance McCurley
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Putnam County ended its regular season on a high note last week with two region wins. The No. 6-ranked War Eagles (20-5, 11-3 Region 4-AAA) closed with a pair of tune-up games against Glenn Hills (77-41) and Josey (95-43) before the start of the Region 4-AA tournament.
BJ Ruff (13) gets set to make a play on the bag in a game last season. FILE PHOTO

BJ Ruff (13) gets set to make a play on the bag in a game last season. FILE PHOTO

War Eagles set to begin baseball season

Trey Norris
Thursday, February 16, 2023
In 2023, the Putnam County War Eagles baseball team has its sight set on big opportunities ahead. With a good mix of young and veteran players in its lineup, Putnam is hungry for a strong rebound season.
All-Region player Trey Wiggins (25) will once again be called on as a leader on the Gator's squad this season.

All-Region player Trey Wiggins (25) will once again be called on as a leader on the Gator's squad this season.

Gatewood's Brandon Moss confident as baseball season begins

Trey Norris
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Last May, the Gatewood Gators came up short of a state championship in game three of a series against Terrell Academy, but they had already exceeded many of last season’s expectations.
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