Sports

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Millie Southards and Athens Academy’s Millie Pugmire fight for a loose ball on the final possession of Rabun County’s 51-48 win over Athens Academy on Jan 13. Southards knocked the ball free on the last possession, sealing the win for the Lady Wildcats.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Millie Southards and Athens Academy’s Millie Pugmire fight for a loose ball on the final possession of Rabun County’s 51-48 win over Athens Academy on Jan 13. Southards knocked the ball free on the last possession, sealing the win for the Lady Wildcats.

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RCHS girls & boys hoops capture close victories over Athens Academy

Wesley Branch
Thursday, January 15, 2026
TIGER – There was no shortage of nail-biting basketball in Tiger on Tuesday night, as both the Rabun County boys and girls basketball teams made a key defensive stop in its respective wins over Athens Academy.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior Lydia McNabb fights off a Carolina Day defender in Rabun Gap’s 59-27 win over Carolina Day on Jan. 8. The Lady Eagles had over three weeks in between games due to the holiday break.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior Lydia McNabb fights off a Carolina Day defender in Rabun Gap’s 59-27 win over Carolina Day on Jan. 8. The Lady Eagles had over three weeks in between games due to the holiday break.

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RGNS basketball pick up first wins in new year after return from break

Wesley Branch
Thursday, January 15, 2026
RABUN GAP – After a three-week break from the court, Rabun Gap boys and girls basketball made their return to the hardwood on Jan. 8 versus fellow NCISAA opponent Carolina Day.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Reid Giles looks to the sideline in Rabun County’s 49-42 win over Dalton on Sept. 5. Giles was named Georgia High School Football Daily Player of the Week for his performance versus Dalton and was named All-State this season.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Reid Giles looks to the sideline in Rabun County’s 49-42 win over Dalton on Sept. 5. Giles was named Georgia High School Football Daily Player of the Week for his performance versus Dalton and was named All-State this season.

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Rabun County’s Giles earns All-State football honors

Wesley Branch
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Although the high school football season ended in December, the awards continue to pile up for Rabun County senior Reid Giles. Last week, Giles earned two more impressive honors, as he was named All-State by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Recruit Georgia.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County boys head basketball coach David Adcock presents Hayes Free with a commemorative basketball for scoring his 1,000th point in his career in Rabun County’s 64-59 win over Chesnee (S.C.) in the championship game of the Battle of the States Tournament on Dec. 30. Free was also named MVP of the tournament and received the trophy that he is holding in the photo.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County boys head basketball coach David Adcock presents Hayes Free with a commemorative basketball for scoring his 1,000th point in his career in Rabun County’s 64-59 win over Chesnee (S.C.) in the championship game of the Battle of the States Tournament on Dec. 30. Free was also named MVP of the tournament and received the trophy that he is holding in the photo.

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Rabun County Wildcat Free earns career point 1,000

Wesley Branch
Thursday, January 8, 2026
HIAWASSEE – In the midst of Rabun County’s intense Battle of the States championship game against Chesnee (S.C.) on Dec. 30, senior Hayes Free etched himself into Rabun County basketball history. With 2:29 remaining in the game, Free put in an easy layup that gave the Wildcats a four-point lead.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Reeves Page hoists the Battle of the States championship trophy while he and Cal Burrell (left center) celebrate with the Rabun County boys basketball team on Dec. 30 after its 64-59 win over Chesnee. The Wildcats will be at home again on Jan. 13 versus Athens Academy.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Reeves Page hoists the Battle of the States championship trophy while he and Cal Burrell (left center) celebrate with the Rabun County boys basketball team on Dec. 30 after its 64-59 win over Chesnee. The Wildcats will be at home again on Jan. 13 versus Athens Academy.

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RCHS boys win 31st annual Battle of the States Tourney

Wesley Branch
Thursday, January 8, 2026
HIAWASSEE – No moment is too big for the Rabun County boys basketball team. On Dec. 30, that moment was the championship game of the Battle of the States Tournament against Chesnee (S.C.). After trailing by eight in the fourth quarter, Rabun County stormed back and came out on top 64-59.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Gunner Stockton celebrates in the end zone after a rushing touchdown in Georgia’s 43-35 win over Ole Miss on Oct. 18. Stockton finished top-10 in Heisman voting as the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Gunner Stockton celebrates in the end zone after a rushing touchdown in Georgia’s 43-35 win over Ole Miss on Oct. 18. Stockton finished top-10 in Heisman voting as the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs.

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Stockton shines in first season as UGA starter

Wesley Branch
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Although Georgia’s season came to an end on Jan. 1 in the Sugar Bowl, former Rabun County and current UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton provided plenty of exciting moments that made Bulldog fans leap from their seats and Rabun Countians proud of their hometown QB.
Tony Walsh/UGAAA. Current UGA and former Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton in Georgia’s practice session before the Sugar Bowl versus Ole Miss on Jan. 1. Stockton had 223 total yards and three touchdowns in Georgia’s 39-34 Sugar Bowl loss.

Tony Walsh/UGAAA. Current UGA and former Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton in Georgia’s practice session before the Sugar Bowl versus Ole Miss on Jan. 1. Stockton had 223 total yards and three touchdowns in Georgia’s 39-34 Sugar Bowl loss.

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Georgia, Stockton’s season comes to an end in Sugar Bowl

Wesley Branch
Thursday, January 8, 2026
No. 3 ranked Georgia had its season come to an end on Jan. 1, once again in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, this time at the hands of Ole Miss, 39-34.
Photo courtesy RGNS. Marlin Klein gains yardage for Rabun Gap in the 2021 state championship game. Klein, who played collegiately at Michigan, has announced he will enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

Photo courtesy RGNS. Marlin Klein gains yardage for Rabun Gap in the 2021 state championship game. Klein, who played collegiately at Michigan, has announced he will enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Former Rabun Gap’s Klein declares for NFL Draft

Wesley Branch
Thursday, January 8, 2026
The golden age of Rabun Gap football is heading to the highest stage of the sport this April. On Jan. 2, current University of Michigan and former Rabun Gap tight end Marlin Klein announced via his Instagram he is entering the NFL Draft and forgoing his final season of NCAA eligibility.

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Hiawassee announces inaugural half marathon & 5K on March 14

Thursday, January 8, 2026
Looking for a fitness goal to kick off healthy habits in 2026? Why not run or walk a scenic, local road race for a good cause. A brand-new event is coming to Hiawassee, Ga., on March 14, 2026, featuring a half marathon (13.1 miles) and a 5K (3.1 miles).
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) will lead the Bulldogs against Ole Miss in the College Football Playoffs on Jan. 1 in New Orleans in the Sugar Bowl. Stockton got his first collegiate start in last year’s Sugar Bowl. Stockton has been the starter throughout this season, finishing seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) will lead the Bulldogs against Ole Miss in the College Football Playoffs on Jan. 1 in New Orleans in the Sugar Bowl. Stockton got his first collegiate start in last year’s Sugar Bowl. Stockton has been the starter throughout this season, finishing seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting.

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New Year’s is gameday for UGA, Stockton in Sugar Bowl

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The No. 3 seed Georgia Bulldogs will face Southeastern Conference opponent the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels on New Year’s Day in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.