Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School

Schedules updated for winter sports after snow storm

With the impacts of the heavy snowfall of Winter Storm Gianna, several sports events in Rabun County over the weekend and early into this week have been rescheduled or canceled for Rabun County, Rabun Gap-Nachoochee School and Tallulah Falls School.

Schedules updated on local sports after winter storm

As Rabun County continues to recover from the impacts of Winter Storm Fern, changes have been made to the sports schedule for the three area schools – Rabun County, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee and Tallulah Falls. These schedule amendments were provided to The Clayton Tribune as of press time.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap Director of Soccer and Assistant Athletic Director Bart Sasnett speaks with the Rabun Gap boys soccer team before its game versus Christ School on Sept. 11, 2025. Sasnett led the RGNS soccer program for three years, winning two state titles with the boys team. Sasnett will take over as the head men’s coach at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, Fla., on Feb. 1.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap Director of Soccer and Assistant Athletic Director Bart Sasnett speaks with the Rabun Gap boys soccer team before its game versus Christ School on Sept. 11, 2025. Sasnett led the RGNS soccer program for three years, winning two state titles with the boys team. Sasnett will take over as the head men’s coach at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, Fla., on Feb. 1.

Sasnett leaving Rabun Gap for return to college coaching

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Director of Soccer and Assistant Athletic Director Bart Sasnett is making a return to the college coaching ranks.
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

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.

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

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.
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.

Reviewing a year of the emotions of sports

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.

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

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.

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

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.