RCHS girls & boys hoops capture close victories over Athens Academy

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Millie Southards and Athens Academy’s Millie Pugmire fight for a loose ball on the final possession of Rabun County’s 51-48 win over Athens Academy on Jan 13. Southards knocked the ball free on the last possession, sealing the win for the Lady Wildcats.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Reed Burrell contests Athens Academy’s Bo Rentz on Rentz’s game-tying 3-point attempt with just seconds remaining in Rabun County’s 43-40 win over Athens Academy on Jan. 13. Watching the action in the background is RCHS Principal Justin Spillers.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Hayes Free soars for a dunk in Rabun County’s win over Athens Academy. Free made the go-ahead layup with 1:36 remaining and knocked down two key free throws in the win.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Addy Beth Owens surveys the floor during Rabun County’s 51-48 win over Athens Academy on Jan. 13. Owens led the Lady Wildcats with 23 points and added five steals.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County freshman Trace Adcock fights through contact while driving to the basket in Rabun County’s 43-40 win over Athens Academy on Jan. 13. Adcock is second on the Wildcats in scoring and is shooting a team-high 53 percent from the 3-point line this season.