Sports

OCHS cross country runners Julian George (from left) John Adams and Payton Duvall run during practice at the new cross country course at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Tuesday. The course was completed in early April. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS cross country runners Julian George (from left) John Adams and Payton Duvall run during practice at the new cross country course at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Tuesday. The course was completed in early April. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

New cross country course ready for first race

Ethan Greene
Thursday, June 25, 2026
For the first time in four years, cross country runners in Oglethorpe County will have the chance to compete on their own turf. The Fast Feet XC Summer Series will host a public 2-mile race at the new cross country course at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Saturday, June 27.
Campers and staff members pose for a photo after the second annual Bonds Movement Youth Football Camp at Oglethorpe County High School in Lexington on Saturday. Bonds, an OCHS alum who created and runs the camp, currently plays for South Carolina State. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Campers and staff members pose for a photo after the second annual Bonds Movement Youth Football Camp at Oglethorpe County High School in Lexington on Saturday. Bonds, an OCHS alum who created and runs the camp, currently plays for South Carolina State. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Football camp gives kids chance to learn from local athletes

Ethan Greene
Thursday, June 18, 2026
As nearly 60 kids gathered on the Oglethorpe County High School football field last Saturday, South Carolina State defensive tackle and 2022 OCHS graduate KB Bonds asked if anyone had questions. One camper looked up at the 285-pound Division I lineman: “Do you have a scholarship?
Stanley Lattimore returns to OCHS as the wrestling coach, taking over for Steve Mason. Lattimore will also serve as the defensive line coach for the football team. (Submitted Photo)

Stanley Lattimore returns to OCHS as the wrestling coach, taking over for Steve Mason. Lattimore will also serve as the defensive line coach for the football team. (Submitted Photo)

Lattimore’s return among OCHS coaching changes

Ethan Greene
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Co-athletic director Michael Holland and the OCHS administration needed to fill four spots — boys basketball, boys wrestling, boys soccer and basketball cheerleading — for next year.  Two of those spots have been filled; two remain open.
New Oglethorpe County High School boys basketball coach Dayon Toomer, shown with his fiancé Antorya and children Carson and Cionni, was hired on April 28. Toomer's eldest children, Chassity and Mason, aren’t pictured. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

New Oglethorpe County High School boys basketball coach Dayon Toomer, shown with his fiancé Antorya and children Carson and Cionni, was hired on April 28. Toomer's eldest children, Chassity and Mason, aren’t pictured. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Toomer wants to create family culture with OCHS boys basketball

Ethan Greene
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Dayon Toomer has yet to lead a practice at Oglethorpe County High School, but he’s already established the objective of his tenure: to coach young adults, not just basketball players. Toomer was hired to lead the boys basketball team in April following the departure of Carlos Strong.
Defensive back Nicah Pass reaches for the ball during football practice on May 15. Pass, a senior, plays alongside his brother, Zion, a sophomore. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Defensive back Nicah Pass reaches for the ball during football practice on May 15. Pass, a senior, plays alongside his brother, Zion, a sophomore. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS football team looks to build on 2025's success

Ethan Greene
Thursday, May 21, 2026
The Oglethorpe County football team wrapped up a 10-day, no-pads installation camp last week as the Patriots look to continue to build on last year’s momentum, despite losing key players on both sides of the ball.
Oglethorpe County’s Nicah Pass competes in the high jump at the Class A Division I meet at UGA on Tuesday. Pass finished 11th and the OCHS boys were 23rd. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County’s Nicah Pass competes in the high jump at the Class A Division I meet at UGA on Tuesday. Pass finished 11th and the OCHS boys were 23rd. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Turner, Burgess shine, but girls are 14th, boys 23rd

Ethan Greene
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Michael Holland said he wasn’t disappointed by the Oglethorpe County girls’ 14th-place finish at the Class A Division I Track and Field Championships on Tuesday. “I think that the girls came out and performed to their potential,” said Holland, who co-coaches the girls' team.
Ke’mauri Brown lands in the sand pit while practicing the long jump two years ago. He qualified for state in the long jump and the 100 meters, and is on both the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams. (Samuel Higgs/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Ke’mauri Brown lands in the sand pit while practicing the long jump two years ago. He qualified for state in the long jump and the 100 meters, and is on both the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams. (Samuel Higgs/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS track athletes qualify for next week’s state meet

Echo Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Oglethorpe County track and field athletes are heading to the Class A Division I state track and field meet at the new UGA track on Tuesday, May 12. For the boys, Ke’mauri Brown and Nicah Pass each qualified in four events at the Class A Division I sectionals in Bremen on Monday.

Prep Roundup: OCHS hires Toomer as boys basketball coach

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Dayon Toomer has been hired as the new boys basketball coach at Oglethorpe County High School. Toomer replaces Carlos Strong, who led the program for two seasons. The Patriots were 2-22 overall and 0-12 in Region 8-A Division I this past season.

Sports hall of fame nominations end May 2

Echo Staff
Friday, April 24, 2026
Nominations are being accepted for the Oglethorpe County High School Sports Hall of Fame through May 2. The hall recognizes individuals (athletes, coaches and community members) who have made significant contributions to the OCHS athletic program between 1970 and 2020.
Elin Turner won the 100- and 300-meter hurdles as the OCHS girls track and field team captured its sixth straight region title at Banks County on Monday. Turner was the high-point winner for the meet. (Submitted Photo)

Elin Turner won the 100- and 300-meter hurdles as the OCHS girls track and field team captured its sixth straight region title at Banks County on Monday. Turner was the high-point winner for the meet. (Submitted Photo)

Turner sparks girls track to region title

Echo Staff
Friday, April 24, 2026
Elin Turner was the high-point winner to lead the Oglethorpe County girls track and field team to the Region 8-A Division I title on Monday in Homer, their sixth consecutive region championship.