Sports

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Huey Blalock sizes up Commerce defender Jeremiah Jarrells in Rabun County’s 62-50 win over Commerce on Feb. 12. Blalock scored a game-high 29 points in the win.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Huey Blalock sizes up Commerce defender Jeremiah Jarrells in Rabun County’s 62-50 win over Commerce on Feb. 12. Blalock scored a game-high 29 points in the win.

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Rabun County boys hoops secures No. 1 region seed

Wesley Branch
Thursday, February 19, 2026
TIGER – The No. 3-ranked Rabun County boys basketball team continued its hot streak last week, going 3-0 on the week and earning major milestones along the way. With the Wildcats’ win over No. 2 Commerce on Thursday, Feb. 12, Rabun County secured the regular-season region championship and No.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County bench erupts after a made 3-pointer in the Lady Cats’ 68-26 win over Commerce on Feb. 12. The Lady Cats are the No. 1 seed in this week’s region tourney, being played at Piedmont University.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County bench erupts after a made 3-pointer in the Lady Cats’ 68-26 win over Commerce on Feb. 12. The Lady Cats are the No. 1 seed in this week’s region tourney, being played at Piedmont University.

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Lady Cats roll past Commerce, Oglethorpe County

Wesley Branch
Thursday, February 19, 2026
TIGER – The No. 5-ranked Rabun County girls basketball team added to its winning streak last week, completing the regular season with three straight victories to push its winning streak to seven in a row right before postseason play.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade fights through the Covenant Day defense for a layup in Rabun Gap’s 56-49 win over Covenant Day School on Feb.17. Lacossade, a captain for the Eagles, has helped lead the program to the state playoffs each of the last three seasons.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade fights through the Covenant Day defense for a layup in Rabun Gap’s 56-49 win over Covenant Day School on Feb.17. Lacossade, a captain for the Eagles, has helped lead the program to the state playoffs each of the last three seasons.

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Rabun Gap hoop teams advance

Wesley Branch
Thursday, February 19, 2026
RABUN GAP – The Rabun Gap boys and girls basketball teams earned first-round playoff victories over Covenant Day School at home on Tuesday night, advancing to the quarterfinal round of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) class AAAA state playoffs.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Senior Reid Giles and his Wildcat teammates were all smiles after Rabun County’s Nov. 21 playoff shutout of Berrien County to reach the Elite Eight. In the game, Giles had 175 yards rushing, an interception and a blocked field goal. The All-State player now will play collegiately at Erskine College in Due West, S.C.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Senior Reid Giles and his Wildcat teammates were all smiles after Rabun County’s Nov. 21 playoff shutout of Berrien County to reach the Elite Eight. In the game, Giles had 175 yards rushing, an interception and a blocked field goal. The All-State player now will play collegiately at Erskine College in Due West, S.C.

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Rabun football’s Giles commits to Erskine College

Wesley Branch
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Rabun County football announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Feb. 11 that senior Reid Giles had committed to Erskine College, continuing his football and academic careers at the next level.
Photo courtesy Austin Poffenberger. Klara Dvorakova led the way for the Lady Indians in the Tallulah Falls School’s 53-43 win over King’s Academy. She had 18 points.

Photo courtesy Austin Poffenberger. Klara Dvorakova led the way for the Lady Indians in the Tallulah Falls School’s 53-43 win over King’s Academy. She had 18 points.

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Dvorakova, Kafsky pace TFS into Elite Eight

(not verified)
Thursday, February 19, 2026
For a second straight season, the Lady Indians (7-13) are heading to the Elite Eight of the GIAA state playoffs. Tallulah Falls traveled to King’s Academy on Tuesday and earned a 53-43 win to advance. Klara Dvorakova and LB Kafsky combined for 34 points in the victory.

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RGNS’ Brackett wins indoor state championships

Wesley Branch
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Rabun Gap junior Bailey Brackett added to her already impressive resume once again on Thursday, Feb. 12, as she took home two more state titles at the NCRunners Independent Schools Indoor Track & Field Championships in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Submitted photo.

Submitted photo.

10U boys capture ‘Battle of the Best’ tourney title

News Staff
Thursday, February 12, 2026
The Rabun County Recreation Department 10-and-under All Star boys basketball team won four straight games in Dawsonville, Ga., in the “Battle of the Best” to claim the tournament championship over the weekend. The 10U boys won the games over a three-day span.
TFS Athletics. Indians capture back-to-back state swimming championship at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

TFS Athletics. Indians capture back-to-back state swimming championship at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

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Tallulah Falls swim teams sweep at Georgia Tech to defend state titles

(not verified)
Thursday, February 12, 2026
For the first time in school history, an athletic team has won back-to-back state titles at the Tallulah Falls School.  Tallulah Falls was successful in defending its championships in both girls and boys swimming.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County softball senior Presley Burrell signs her letter of intent to Georgia Southern University East Georgia while accompanied by her family on Rabun County’s campus on Feb. 5. Burrell earned All-Region second-team honors in her senior season.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County softball senior Presley Burrell signs her letter of intent to Georgia Southern University East Georgia while accompanied by her family on Rabun County’s campus on Feb. 5. Burrell earned All-Region second-team honors in her senior season.

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RCHS Wildcats Truelove and Burrell sign letters of intent on ‘National Signing Day’

Wesley Branch
Thursday, February 12, 2026
TIGER – Rabun County seniors Ty Truelove and Presley Burrell were celebrated on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 5, as they signed their letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level.
Submitted photo. New Rabun Gap director JC Gonzalez takes over the Eagles’ soccer programs after over 20 years of coaching experience. The girls’ program and Gonzalez will make its debut on Feb. 12 at Whitefield Academy.

Submitted photo. New Rabun Gap director JC Gonzalez takes over the Eagles’ soccer programs after over 20 years of coaching experience. The girls’ program and Gonzalez will make its debut on Feb. 12 at Whitefield Academy.

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Get to know new Rabun Gap Director of Soccer JC Gonzalez

Wesley Branch
Thursday, February 12, 2026
With the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics, JC Gonzalez knew that after over 20 years of coaching college soccer it was time for him to return to the high school ranks, where he got his start.