Sports

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.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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.

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

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County girls basketball bench celebrates a basket in Rabun County’s 66-46 win over Providence Christian Academy on Feb. 4. The Lady Cats are 19-4 with two games remaining in the regular season.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rabun basketball stays hot with home victories over Banks

Wesley Branch

Thursday, February 12, 2026

The state-ranked Rabun County girls and boys basketball teams continued their winning streaks on Tuesday night with victories over region-rival Banks County. The Lady Cats held off a comeback attempt by Banks in the fourth quarter after leading for the majority of the game to win 52-46. The No.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap head football coach Derek White (center) poses with Rabun Gap seniors CJ Willingham (left) and Devon Holly (right) on Feb. 5 at Rabun Gap’s signing day recognition for Willingham and Holly. Willingham will continue his football and academic careers at Columbia University, while Holly signed to North Carolina A&T.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Two Rabun Gap athletes ink to next level on signing day

Wesley Branch

Thursday, February 12, 2026

RABUN GAP – Two more Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School athletes signed to continue their athletic and academic careers on signing day on Wednesday, Feb. 4, and were highlighted with a recognition on the school’s campus on Feb. 5.

Photo courtesy Rabun Gap Athletics. Rabun Gap basketball seniors pose for a picture with first-year head coach Devin Liferidge (center) ahead of the Eagles’ 59-46 win over Asheville School on Feb. 7. The Eagles are 16-9 on the season with two games remaining before the state playoffs.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rabun Gap basketball picks up ‘Senior Day’ wins

Wesley Branch

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Both Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s boys and girls basketball teams picked up wins on Saturday, Feb. ,7 over Asheville School on “Senior Day.” The Lady Eagles – who now sit at 15-9 on the year – were victorious 53-40, redeeming a previous loss to Asheville School.