Ferdinand Farley

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.

The Lady Gators, including Lauren Paxson (1), Avery Hill (13), Lily Huskins (4), Sylvie Huskins (2), and Riley Roberts (3) run off the court following a recent win in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady Gators prepare for late-season surge

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

With the final stretch of the regular season coming, the Gatewood girls basketball team appears to be finding its stride at exactly the right moment.The Lady Gators entered this week with a 15-4 overall record and a 4-2 mark in GIAA Region 2-AA play.

Senior Natalie Sills is one of the team’s best all-around players. DR. BOB BETZEL/Contributed

Defense leads Lady Gators to fast start

Lance McCurley

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

The Gatewood girls basketball team is off to a 10-1 start to the 2025-26 season.The Lady Gators have had a lot of early success this year due to head coach Ferdinand Farley’s emphasis on defense.

Gatewood freshman Bela Smith (5) has been a consistent performer this season, providing an offensive effort that promises to get even better as her high school career progresses. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady Gators lose heartbreaker in region tournament

Ian Tocher

Thursday, February 20, 2025

With the score tied at 45, the buzzer sounded, and the crowd held its collective breath as the ball arced toward the basket.

Lady Gators head coach Ferdinand Farley credited the leadership of team captain Natalie Sills (22). IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady Gators take two from Trinity Christian

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Gatewood’s Lady Gators recently played a home-and-away series against Trinity Christian. They won 47-40 at home in Eatonton on Jan. 24 and then narrowly defeated the Lady Crusaders 36-35 on Jan. 27 in Dublin.

Freshman Bela Smith scored the game-winning basket with this free throw that put the Lady Gators up 33-32 over the visiting Lady Cavs from Mount de Sales. Gatewood won the game 36-32. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Mixed results for Lady Gators to start 2025

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Gatewood girls basketball started 2025 with a 36-32 win over Mount De Sales last Friday at home, but a day later, it dropped a 39-36 road decision to Presbyterian Day in Macon.The game in Eatonton started slowly.

Lauren Paxson made an impact as a freshman shooting guard last season and should be even more impactful this year. (File Photo)

Lady Gators bond under new coach

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Gatewood girls’ basketball has been doing a lot of team bonding this summer under new coach Ferdinand Farley.Farley, who coached the Lady Gators as an assistant the past few years, took over from Jordan Walters.

Ferdinand Farley (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Gatewood introduces new girls’ basketball coach

Lance McCurley

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Gatewood recently announced its new girls’ head basketball coach in the promotion of assistant coach Ferdinand Farley Jr.Farley replaces Jordan Walters, who recently stepped down after serving as head coach for the past six seasons.

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