Derrick Arrington

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

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.
Putnam County freshman guard Jaydah Baker (20) has proved to be a player the Lady War Eagles can rely on down the stretch. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County freshman guard Jaydah Baker (20) has proved to be a player the Lady War Eagles can rely on down the stretch. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lady War Eagles ready for region tournament

As the region tournament nears, the Putnam County girls basketball team sits atop the Class A Division I state rankings and heads into postseason play as one of the programs everyone is chasing.
Putnam County freshman point guard Jaydah Baker (20) goes up for a layup over a Lamar County defender in a 70-56 win over the Lady Trojans on Jan. 28. Baker led the Lady War Eagles with 24 points in the win. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County freshman point guard Jaydah Baker (20) goes up for a layup over a Lamar County defender in a 70-56 win over the Lady Trojans on Jan. 28. Baker led the Lady War Eagles with 24 points in the win. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady War Eagles hold off Lamar to secure top spot in region

The Putnam County girls basketball team used a strong start and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch to earn a 70–56 victory over Lamar County on Jan. 28, securing sole possession of first place in the region.
Putnam County freshman Jada Baker brings the ball up the floor in transition during a game earlier this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County freshman Jada Baker brings the ball up the floor in transition during a game earlier this season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam girls resume action after long break

The Putnam County girls basketball team returned to the court on Jan. 23 after not playing for two weeks.The top-ranked Lady War Eagles faced Utopian Academy at home in Eatonton and easily won 75–1, improving their overall record to 14–1 and 3-0 in region play.
Putnam County junior Journey Waller has been one of the team's top scorers so far this season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County junior Journey Waller has been one of the team's top scorers so far this season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Lady War Eagles open region play with two Ws

The Putnam County girls basketball team suffered its first loss of the 2025-26 season to Jones County on Jan. 3 but rebounded with two commanding road wins last week over Towers and McNair to begin region play.
Putnam County senior guard Jmari Greene (3) drives the lane against a Morgan County defender in a win over the Dogs on Nov. 20. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior guard Jmari Greene (3) drives the lane against a Morgan County defender in a win over the Dogs on Nov. 20. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

What’s next for Putnam County's basketball teams?

At the midpoint of the 2025-26 season, Putnam County’s basketball teams sit in a good place.Entering week seven, SandysSpiel.com ranks the girls No. 1 and the boys No. 2 in Class A Division I.The Lady War Eagles are 11-0 and have dominated the competition for the most part.
Putnam County boys senior forward Shamar McClendon goes up for a layup inside the paint. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County boys senior forward Shamar McClendon goes up for a layup inside the paint. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam boys, girls sweep Morgan

The Putnam County basketball teams swept Morgan County Saturday, Dec. 13, in Madison.The Lady War Eagles started the night with a captivating 51-48 victory over the Lady Dogs, improving to 10-0.Putnam played a solid first half, leading 30-16 at the end of it.
A pair of Putnam County defenders double-team an Arabia Mountain guard as she tries to advance the ball up the court. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

A pair of Putnam County defenders double-team an Arabia Mountain guard as she tries to advance the ball up the court. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lady War Eagles dominate on defense

Putnam County plays an intense, suffocating style of basketball that has already led to several wins this season.The Lady War Eagles favor applying a man-to-man press on their opponents.
Putnam County senior forward A’ziyah Williams (23) dribbles the ball inside the key past a Morgan County defender in last week’s win over the Dogs on Nov. 22. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior forward A’ziyah Williams (23) dribbles the ball inside the key past a Morgan County defender in last week’s win over the Dogs on Nov. 22. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam girls take different approach to 2025-26 season

The Putnam County girls basketball team had a successful 2024-25 season, finishing 16-10 overall and advancing to the second round of the state playoffs. This year, the War Eagles want to accomplish more.
LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

McCurley: Kudos to Putnam High basketball

I rarely write columns, but I felt like I had to this week.I’ve had the pleasure of covering Putnam County High School’s basketball teams for the past three years, and the 2024-25 season was the most fun. This year’s teams were the most enjoyable to cover because each team had a lot of success.