Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. RCHS celebrates after a three-run home run by junior River Evans, center, of the Lady Cats’ win over Clarke Central on Oct. 5. Rabun County’s season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County softball team celebrates after a three-run home run by junior River Evans, left, in the sixth inning of the Lady Cats’ 15-10 win over Clarke Central on Oct. 5. Evans’ home run was part of a nine-run sixth inning. With the victory, head coach Jessica Evans collected her 200th career win.

Submitted Photo. Jessica Evans has begun her third season as the Lady Cat softball head coach. Front Row: (From left) Addison Patton, Kynzlie McCall and Mattie Scott. Middle Row: Jalynn Gragg, Charley Weaver, Kenlee Hedge and Capi Welch. Back Row: Coach Makenna Talcott, Kyla Shook, Cecelia Fields, Aubrey Colbert and Head Coach Jessica Evans. NOT PICTURED: River Evans.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County softball team celebrates River Evans’ go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning of the Wildcats’ 15-14 win against East Jackson on Aug. 3. Evans, a junior, went 3-for-4 on the night with a single, double and grand slam.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Jaylynn Gragg receives a high five after completing an inning in the Lady Cats’ 20-3 win over Tallulah Falls on Aug. 16, 2025. Gragg will be one of four potential starting pitchers for RCHS this upcoming season.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County and Habersham Central players gather to pray together after the teams completed their July 20 scrimmage at Rabun County High School. The Lady Cats are led by third-year head coach Jessica Evans.

Submitted Photo. Former Rabun County High School teacher and coach Janice Wayne (center) poses with the Rabun County softball team after throwing the first pitch at a game during the 2025 season. Wayne, the first-ever softball coach at RCHS who also assisted athletics in a plethora of ways, passed away on June 24 at the age of 72.

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.

Photo courtesy of Von Watts. Rabun County senior Chloe Shirley poses with her parents, Maria and Josh on Jan. 23 at her signing day ceremony on Rabun County’s campus. Shirley signed to continue her athletic and academic careers at Georgia Southern University East Georgia. Shirley played first and third base for the Lady Cats.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Softball sophomore River Evans and senior Presley Burrell talk on third base during Rabun County’s 20-3 Aug. 16 win over Tallulah Falls. Both players earned all-region honors this season.