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.In a tightly contested game that went back and forth throughout the night, Putnam County...
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.The Lady War Eagles ended the regular season with a 17-1 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in region...
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.The win carried added significance for the Lady War Eagles, who were swept by Lamar...
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.Class A Division I’s top-ranked Lady War Eagles improved to 13-1 overall and 2-0 in the...
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.