Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. A smiling Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade from Turks and Caicos cuts Rabun Gap boys assistant basketball coach Darrick Cureton’s hair in the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School locker room on Jan. 12. Lacossade has been cutting hair for several years now, cutting his own hair and other students at RGNS.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. A smiling Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade from Turks and Caicos cuts Rabun Gap boys assistant basketball coach Darrick Cureton’s hair in the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School locker room on Jan. 12. Lacossade has been cutting hair for several years now, cutting his own hair and other students at RGNS.

Rabun Gap’s Lacossade’s journey to 1,000 points

Wesley Branch
Thursday, January 15, 2026
RJ Lacossade left his home in Turks and Caicos at the age of 14 to pursue a higher level of basketball. Just over three years and more than 1,000 points later, he is still chasing his dream and striving to make his family, and country proud.
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. The Lady Eagles, who had not played in 22 days after their loss to Winston Salem Christian on Dec.
File/Wade Cheek/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Adelyn Thompson celebrates with Addy Beth Owens after knocking down the game-winning shot against Armuchee High School in the first round of the state playoffs last season. The Lady Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight for the 10th time in history.

File/Wade Cheek/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County’s Adelyn Thompson celebrates with Addy Beth Owens after knocking down the game-winning shot against Armuchee High School in the first round of the state playoffs last season. The Lady Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight for the 10th time in history.

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Reviewing a year of the emotions of sports

Wesley Branch
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
As 2026 arrives, The Clayton Tribune is highlighting important sports moments from 2025 for our area schools and student-athletes – Rabun County High School, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and Tallulah Falls School.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. abun Gap junior Joonatan Tartu shoots over Rabun County freshman Cord Burrell for a contested layup against Rabun County on Dec. 19. Rabun County took the win 64-59, improving to 9-1 while Rabun Gap fell to 10-5.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. abun Gap junior Joonatan Tartu shoots over Rabun County freshman Cord Burrell for a contested layup against Rabun County on Dec. 19. Rabun County took the win 64-59, improving to 9-1 while Rabun Gap fell to 10-5.

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Burrell’s spinning late layup lifts Rabun County over Rabun Gap

Wesley Branch
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
TIGER – Knotted at 59 with just over a minute to play Friday night, it was Rabun County junior Reed Burrell who delivered – as he did all night – to give Rabun County a late lead and eventual 64-59 win over crosstown opponent Rabun Gap.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade flies in for a dunk in Rabun Gap’s 55-53 win over Carmel Christian on Dec. 5. Lacossade scored 24 points in the win and scored the game-winning basket with 39 seconds remaining.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade flies in for a dunk in Rabun Gap’s 55-53 win over Carmel Christian on Dec. 5. Lacossade scored 24 points in the win and scored the game-winning basket with 39 seconds remaining.

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Lacossade’s last second put-back lifts RGNS over Carmel Christian

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 11, 2025
RABUN GAP – In what was a back-and-forth contest all night, Rabun Gap boys basketball turned to senior captain RJ Lacossade, who delivered with the game on the line, leading to a 55-53 win for the Eagles.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School senior wide receiver and Wake Forest signee Walker Bryson celebrates after a touchdown catch in Rabun Gap’s game against Grayson on Aug. 22. Bryson signed with the Demon Deacons of the Atlantic Coast Conference on Dec. 3, just days after being told Indiana, where he previously committed, was “moving on.”

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School senior wide receiver and Wake Forest signee Walker Bryson celebrates after a touchdown catch in Rabun Gap’s game against Grayson on Aug. 22. Bryson signed with the Demon Deacons of the Atlantic Coast Conference on Dec. 3, just days after being told Indiana, where he previously committed, was “moving on.”

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RGNS’ Bryson takes late commitment to Wake Forest

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Just three days before signing day, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School football senior Walker Bryson announced his verbal commitment to Wake Forest. On signing day, Bryson made his verbal announcement official by putting pen to paper and signing with the Demon Deacons.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap quarterback Gavin Owens runs into the end zone for a rushing touchdown in Rabun Gap's 42-0 win over Christ School on Oct. 17. Owens officially signed with Memphis University last Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap quarterback Gavin Owens runs into the end zone for a rushing touchdown in Rabun Gap's 42-0 win over Christ School on Oct. 17. Owens officially signed with Memphis University last Wednesday, Dec. 3.

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Rabun Gap signal-caller Owens signs with Memphis

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School 3-star quarterback Gavin Owens made his pledge to Memphis University official on Wednesday, Dec. 3, the first day of the early signing period.