Sports

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior CJ Willingham runs during the track events at the Bo James Invitational at Rabun County High School on April 2. Willingham set new Bo James Invitational records for the 100 and 200-meter races with times of 10.81 and 21.94, respectively.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior CJ Willingham runs during the track events at the Bo James Invitational at Rabun County High School on April 2. Willingham set new Bo James Invitational records for the 100 and 200-meter races with times of 10.81 and 21.94, respectively.

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RCHS, Rabun Gap track surge at Bo James

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 9, 2026
TIGER – Rabun County High School track and field hosted the 11th annual Bo James Invitational on Thursday, April 2, as the meet included four teams, including two who excelled from Rabun County.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Ashden Denning smiles as he is recognized for senior night before Rabun County’s match versus Commerce on April 2. Denning has played tennis at RCHS since his sophomore year.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Ashden Denning smiles as he is recognized for senior night before Rabun County’s match versus Commerce on April 2. Denning has played tennis at RCHS since his sophomore year.

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RCHS tennis takes ‘Senior Night’ wins over Commerce

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 9, 2026
TIGER – The Rabun County boys and girls tennis team both earned wins over region foe Commerce on “Senior Night” in the Wildcats’ final matches of the regular season, 5-0 and 4-1, respectively, on April 2.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore Carlos Lopez-Justice navigates the White County defense in Rabun County’s 1-0 win against White County on April 3. Lopez-Justice drew multiple fouls throughout the contest, creating scoring opportunities for the Wildcats and frustrating the Warriors’ defenders.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County sophomore Carlos Lopez-Justice navigates the White County defense in Rabun County’s 1-0 win against White County on April 3. Lopez-Justice drew multiple fouls throughout the contest, creating scoring opportunities for the Wildcats and frustrating the Warriors’ defenders.

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RCHS boys soccer claims ‘Senior Night’ win

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 9, 2026
TIGER – The Rabun County boys soccer team picked up a win on “Senior Night” on April 3 over White County, 1-0, improving to 6-9 on the season. The victory was the third straight for the Wildcats, who have won five of their last seven games and have rebounded from an 0-6 start.
TFS Athletics. DJ Broome and Shepard Crumley of Tallulah Falls School capture state runner-up and qualify for nationals for bass fishing on Lake Hartwell. This marks the third top-10 state finish for Broome and Shepard and their best ever showing.

TFS Athletics. DJ Broome and Shepard Crumley of Tallulah Falls School capture state runner-up and qualify for nationals for bass fishing on Lake Hartwell. This marks the third top-10 state finish for Broome and Shepard and their best ever showing.

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Broome, Crumley finish state runner-up; earn national championship qualification

News Staff
Thursday, April 9, 2026
The Tallulah Falls Bass Fishing finished second overall on Lake Hartwell in the GIAA state championship on April 4. The Indians finished runner-up in an incredible day on the lake, simultaneously earning All-State honors for 2025-2026.
TFS Athletics. With the sun going down at the course on March 25, Maeve Hatcher and Handley James were even-par, placing second, at the West Hall Scramble at Flowery Branch

TFS Athletics. With the sun going down at the course on March 25, Maeve Hatcher and Handley James were even-par, placing second, at the West Hall Scramble at Flowery Branch

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Lady Indians second, Indians third in West Hall Scrambles

News Staff
Thursday, April 9, 2026
The TFS golf teams played in the West Hall Scramble on March 25 at Flowery Branch. The Lady Indians finished second, while the Indians tied for third. Maeve Hatcher and Handley James were even-par, placing second. Alex Rokasko and Kathi Ishaque teamed up for an eighth-place finish (20-over 93).
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head football coach Rance Gillespie smiles while addressing his team after its 14-3 road victory over Bremen on Sept. 12, 2025. Gillespie and the Wildcats will begin spring practice on May 4 in preparation for 2026 and Gillespie’s second season as the RCHS head coach.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head football coach Rance Gillespie smiles while addressing his team after its 14-3 road victory over Bremen on Sept. 12, 2025. Gillespie and the Wildcats will begin spring practice on May 4 in preparation for 2026 and Gillespie’s second season as the RCHS head coach.

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Rabun football announces spring practice dates, White County scrimmage

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 2, 2026
School’s football team is already beginning its preparation for the 2026 season. In May, the program will hit the next stage of those preparations when spring practice begins. The GHSA allows for football teams to have 10 practice sessions spread across 13 consecutive school days in the spring.
Submitted. The Rabun County boys basketball team will receive these championship rings pictured above once the rings are completed later this year. The Wildcats went 30-2 this season, winning the Class A Division I state title over Southwest on March 13 in the Macon Coliseum for the school’s first-ever hoops championship.

Submitted. The Rabun County boys basketball team will receive these championship rings pictured above once the rings are completed later this year. The Wildcats went 30-2 this season, winning the Class A Division I state title over Southwest on March 13 in the Macon Coliseum for the school’s first-ever hoops championship.

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Rabun County reveals rings for boys basketball state title

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 2, 2026
TIGER – During the March 26 championship celebration for the state championship-winning Rabun County boys basketball team on campus, RCHS gave a preview of the Wildcats’ state title rings.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County High School basketball team walks onto the floor for its championship celebration on RCHS’ campus on March 26.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County High School basketball team walks onto the floor for its championship celebration on RCHS’ campus on March 26.

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Honoring your Wildcat hoops champions

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 2, 2026
TIGER – The celebrations continued for the state champion Rabun County High School boys basketball team on Thursday, March 26, when RCHS hosted a championship celebration for the team and community on campus.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Denise Zaldivar and Hayden Bass were among the Lady Cats who walked with Rabun County Recreation Department soccer players as part of “Rec Night” on March 31 at Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Denise Zaldivar and Hayden Bass were among the Lady Cats who walked with Rabun County Recreation Department soccer players as part of “Rec Night” on March 31 at Frank Snyder Memorial Stadium.

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Lady Cats roll past Banks County on ‘Senior Night,’ ‘Rec Night’

Wesley Branch
Thursday, April 2, 2026
TIGER – The Rabun County High School girls soccer team improved to 7-7 on the season on March 31, as the Lady Cats picked up a dominant 7-0 victory over region foe Banks County at home for “Rec Night” and the girls’ “Senior Night.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Senior second baseman Ty Truelove tries to convince the umpire he got the tag on Elbert County baserunner Brody Baker, but Baker is called safe in the Blue Devils’ 7-3 win over the Wildcats on March 31.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Senior second baseman Ty Truelove tries to convince the umpire he got the tag on Elbert County baserunner Brody Baker, but Baker is called safe in the Blue Devils’ 7-3 win over the Wildcats on March 31.

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Wildcats drop home game 7-3 to visiting Blue Devils in first-of-three series

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Rabun County dropped a tough game to region foe and No. 10-ranked Elbert County at home 7-3 Tuesday evening, but the Wildcats -- now 8-12 -- provided they can go toe-to-toe with the Blue Devils.