Sports

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County freshman Millie Southards surveys the court in Rabun County’s 50-38 loss to Athens Academy in the region title game on Feb. 20 at Piedmont University. Southards and the Lady Cats are the No. 7 seed in the state playoffs, which started on Tuesday. RCHS would defeat Armuchee 63-42 in the playoffs opening round.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County freshman Millie Southards surveys the court in Rabun County’s 50-38 loss to Athens Academy in the region title game on Feb. 20 at Piedmont University. Southards and the Lady Cats are the No. 7 seed in the state playoffs, which started on Tuesday. RCHS would defeat Armuchee 63-42 in the playoffs opening round.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Cats fall in region title game

Wesley Branch
Thursday, February 26, 2026
DEMOREST – The Rabun County girls basketball team fell in the region championship game to No. 2 seed Athens Academy, 50-38 on Feb. 20 at Piedmont University. The loss dropped the Lady Cats to 22-5 on the season and was their first loss to the Spartans after sweeping the regular season series.
Submitted. Tallulah Falls’ Waldon McIntosh readies for his race.

Submitted. Tallulah Falls’ Waldon McIntosh readies for his race.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Young swimmers progressed, veteran leaders made sure there was no drop-off

(not verified)
Thursday, February 26, 2026
The old adage ‘it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish’ is only partially true. For Tallulah Falls, the swim teams literally opened and closed the GIAA state championship meet with first-place finishes in relay races.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Huey Blalock flexes after a basket in Rabun County’s 57-45 Feb. 4 win over Providence Christian Academy. Blalock earned Region Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Huey Blalock flexes after a basket in Rabun County’s 57-45 Feb. 4 win over Providence Christian Academy. Blalock earned Region Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rabun County hoops earns several All-Region honors

Wesley Branch
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Eight players across the girls and boys basketball teams at Rabun County High School have earned All-Region honors, as announced last week around the conclusion of the region tournament.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Back-to-back Elite 8 runs highlight historic boys season for Tallulah Falls

(not verified)
Thursday, February 26, 2026
The record books were altered significantly for the TFS Indians in the 2025-26 season. Milestones came for individuals, while the team set a record that proved it was one of the best programs in the state. A second straight Elite 8 run is a first for Tallulah Falls.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Young players, newcomers push TFS to second straight girls Elite 8

(not verified)
Thursday, February 26, 2026
The Lady Indians shoved the narrative that they were too young to compete or go far in the state tournament. Despite having one senior in standout guard Lia Sanjur, Tallulah Falls built around a solid core and made a second straight state quarterfinal run.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior defensive lineman TJ Hibler sacks Providence Christian Academy quarterback Riley Braiden in Rabun County’s 62-21 win over PCA on Sept. 26, 2026. Hibler announced his commitment to Cumberland University last week.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior defensive lineman TJ Hibler sacks Providence Christian Academy quarterback Riley Braiden in Rabun County’s 62-21 win over PCA on Sept. 26, 2026. Hibler announced his commitment to Cumberland University last week.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lineman Hibler commits to Cumberland football

Wesley Branch
Thursday, February 26, 2026
The Rabun County football program had its third member of its senior class commit to a collegiate football program last week, as defensive lineman Takeo “TJ” Hibler announced his commitment to Cumberland University on Feb. 19 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

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.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

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.