Sports

Submitted photo. Recent Rabun Gap graduate RJ Lacossade (center) high fives teammates during a practice with the Turks & Caicos national team in preparation for the 2029 FIBA AmeriCup Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers. Lacossade, who is signed with Southern Wesleyan University, was born in Turks & Caicos and left his home country at the age 14 to chase his basketball dreams.

Submitted photo. Recent Rabun Gap graduate RJ Lacossade (center) high fives teammates during a practice with the Turks & Caicos national team in preparation for the 2029 FIBA AmeriCup Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers. Lacossade, who is signed with Southern Wesleyan University, was born in Turks & Caicos and left his home country at the age 14 to chase his basketball dreams.

Rabun Gap graduate to represent Turks & Caicos in international games

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Nacoochee School graduate and Southern Wesleyan signee RJ Lacossade is taking his basketball talents on to the international stage. This week, July 8-12, Lacossade will suit up for the national team of his home country, Turks & Caicos, for the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap players run onto the field ahead of kickoff before the Eagles’ game with Christian Brothers College on Oct. 3, 2025. Rabun Gap will face CBC once again this season, as well as four other nationally ranked teams. The Eagles are the preseason No. 115 team in the nation.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap players run onto the field ahead of kickoff before the Eagles’ game with Christian Brothers College on Oct. 3, 2025. Rabun Gap will face CBC once again this season, as well as four other nationally ranked teams. The Eagles are the preseason No. 115 team in the nation.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

RGNS football earns No. 115 preseason national ranking

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 9, 2026
As the countdown to football season rolls on, High School Football America released its preseason top-300 rankings on June 27, featuring the top high school football programs in America. For the third consecutive season, Rabun Gap was featured amongst those top programs.
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.

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.

Long-time Rabun coach, teacher Wayne passes

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 2, 2026
A fixture in Rabun County for decades and beloved by the community, Janice Wayne passed away on Wednesday, June 24, at the age of 72. Wayne – who many will remember as “Coach Wayne” – moved to Rabun County in 1976 and spent 38 years as a teacher and coach in the Rabun County School District.
Submitted. Simeon Conjagic works at the AC Milan camp as a coordinator and safeguarding officer.

Submitted. Simeon Conjagic works at the AC Milan camp as a coordinator and safeguarding officer.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

As world watches soccer, TFS grad builds his career in global game

News Staff
Thursday, July 2, 2026
When Simeon Conjagic left his hometown of Sabac, Serbia, to attend Tallulah Falls School, he brought with him a passion for soccer, learning, and life itself. That journey has since carried him to Belgium, Italy, and the world of professional soccer.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Huey Blalock (center) poses with his family for a photo after being administered his oath of service at VFW Post 4570 in Clayton on June 24. Blalock, who is a midshipman candidate, will head to NAPS, the Naval Academy’s 10-month preparatory school. Blalock was an All-State basketball player for Rabun County.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Huey Blalock (center) poses with his family for a photo after being administered his oath of service at VFW Post 4570 in Clayton on June 24. Blalock, who is a midshipman candidate, will head to NAPS, the Naval Academy’s 10-month preparatory school. Blalock was an All-State basketball player for Rabun County.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Blalock takes oath of service for Naval Academy

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 2, 2026
CLAYTON – Recent Rabun County graduate and basketball standout Huey Blalock was administered his oath of service to the United States Naval Academy at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4570 in Clayton on Wednesday, June 24.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County campers perform their routine in front of a large crowd inside the Rabun County Elementary School lunchroom on June 25 at the RCHS lil’ Wildcats cheer camp. The Wildcat campers aged 3-13 participated in cheer classes, dance classes, arts & crafts and more during camp.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County campers perform their routine in front of a large crowd inside the Rabun County Elementary School lunchroom on June 25 at the RCHS lil’ Wildcats cheer camp. The Wildcat campers aged 3-13 participated in cheer classes, dance classes, arts & crafts and more during camp.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Wildcat Cheer hosts summer camp, camp showcase for community

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 2, 2026
TIGER – The Rabun County cheer program hosted its “Lil’ Wildcats Cheer Camp” last week at Rabun County Elementary School from June 22-25, as a record 88 campers attended.The total was the largest turnout the camp has ever had, Rabun County High School head coach Cristina Weber said.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap linebackers Kaylan Brown (left) and Praise Chane (right) close in on a Christ School ball carrier in the Eagles’ 42-0 regular season win over the Greenies on Oct. 17, 2025. Brown announced his commitment to East Tennessee State last week and Chane announced his commitment to Navy.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap linebackers Kaylan Brown (left) and Praise Chane (right) close in on a Christ School ball carrier in the Eagles’ 42-0 regular season win over the Greenies on Oct. 17, 2025. Brown announced his commitment to East Tennessee State last week and Chane announced his commitment to Navy.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Four Rabun Gap football seniors announce college commitments

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Four more Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School rising seniors announced their college football intentions last week as the peak of recruiting season continues. The Eagles’ football program now has seven rising seniors who have committed to Division I programs, with more collegiate decisions still expected.
File Photo

File Photo

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Independence road races at lakes Saturday

News Staff
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Saturday, July 4, Rabun Ramble Road Race, 5K and 10K races begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Lake Rabun Pavilion. Registration opened on April 1 at Active.com. It is now $45 from until July 3; and $50 on July 4, which is race day. Details: rabunramble.com.Saturday, July 4, Lake Burton Fun Run & Fireworks.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Former Rabun County standout and current University of Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton takes a selfie with youth participants of the Gunner Stockton Football Camp sitting on the field at Lakeview Academy on June 20 in the background. This is the camp’s second year.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Former Rabun County standout and current University of Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton takes a selfie with youth participants of the Gunner Stockton Football Camp sitting on the field at Lakeview Academy on June 20 in the background. This is the camp’s second year.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Gunner amps up youth football camp

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, June 25, 2026
GAINESVILLE, GA – Fresh off a Southeastern Conference-winning season, former Rabun County record-setter and current Georgia Bulldog quarterback Gunner Stockton for a second consecutive year got to meet his younger fanbase first-hand at his youth football camp.Heading into Year Two as the Dawgs’...
File/Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. At last year’s Rabun Ramble, 5-year-old Carver Harris, runs toward the awaiting arms of her mother Courtney Harris following their 5K runs at the event in Lakemont. This year’s Rabun Ramble will be Saturday, July 4.

File/Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. At last year’s Rabun Ramble, 5-year-old Carver Harris, runs toward the awaiting arms of her mother Courtney Harris following their 5K runs at the event in Lakemont. This year’s Rabun Ramble will be Saturday, July 4.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rabun Ramble running strong at two decades

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, June 25, 2026
What started two decades ago as an idea among friends now has become one of the annual highlights of the Independence Day celebration at the lake in the Northeast Georgia mountains.The 20th race of the Rabun Ramble will be on Saturday, July 4, starting at 7:30 a.m. as both the 5K and 10K start and...