Sports

Brielle Jones bends her knees in preparation to jump into the standing jump pit as Dwight Howard Sr. watches on April 17. Jones won the fourth heat of the girl’s standing long jump event at the North Georgia Youth Track and Field Championship on April 19. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Brielle Jones bends her knees in preparation to jump into the standing jump pit as Dwight Howard Sr. watches on April 17. Jones won the fourth heat of the girl’s standing long jump event at the North Georgia Youth Track and Field Championship on April 19. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Rec track team focuses on the fundamentals

Anna Izquierdo and Mitchell Stone
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Dwight Howard Sr. had a goal with the creation of the first recreation track and field program in 2024: to prepare athletes for competition prior to middle school.
Oglethorpe County senior Kenzie Henderson is shooting for her fourth state high jump title to cap her high school athletic career. She’s also excelled in volleyball and basketball at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County senior Kenzie Henderson is shooting for her fourth state high jump title to cap her high school athletic career. She’s also excelled in volleyball and basketball at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

Henderson’s legacy as a quiet leader, gifted athlete

Kayda Hammock
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Whether sprinting down the track, digging a volleyball or dropping double-doubles on the basketball court, senior Kenzie Henderson is a multi-sport athlete who has done it all.  Even more important, she said being an athlete in Oglethorpe County has impacted her for the better.

Prep Roundup: Girls soccer team nears playoffs

News Staff
Thursday, April 17, 2025
The Oglethorpe County girls soccer team used last week to prepare for the Region 8-A Division I playoffs, but first will play at Meadowcreek at 8 p.m. Friday. The Patriots headed into the week at 7-5 and 3-4 in the region.
Coach Michael White and the combined Major League teams stand on home plate following the home team's 7-1 win on April 12. White said he was the only coach present at the game because of the rainouts on March 10. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Coach Michael White and the combined Major League teams stand on home plate following the home team's 7-1 win on April 12. White said he was the only coach present at the game because of the rainouts on March 10. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Teams combine for rescheduled Opening Day

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Michael White was determined to host the Little League Opening Day on April 12, especially after three rain delays last year meant no Opening Day at all.  “We were so deep in the season after that, we just couldn’t get it done.
Oglethorpe County pitcher JW Derry fires home in the Patriots' 8-5 loss to Bank County in the first game of a doubleheader last Friday. OCHS will play at Providence Christian on Friday. (Photo/Ty Johnston)

Oglethorpe County pitcher JW Derry fires home in the Patriots' 8-5 loss to Bank County in the first game of a doubleheader last Friday. OCHS will play at Providence Christian on Friday. (Photo/Ty Johnston)

Prep Roundup: OCHS baseball team struggles against Banks

News Staff
Thursday, April 10, 2025
The Oglethorpe County baseball team fell to 9-16 and 4-11 in Region 8-A Division I after being swept by Banks County last week.The Leopards, who are No. 4 in the state and lead the region, defeated the Patriots 6-0, 8-5 and 9-1 last week.OCHS plays a doubleheader at Providence Christian at 5 and...
ANNA IZQUIERDO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

ANNA IZQUIERDO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Bryan Park expands parking lot and road

Mitchell Stone
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Bryan Park has added space for 70 more cars following the completion of a gravel parking lot and widened the road by the outdoor basketball court, baseball and soccer fields. The project was part of the park’s original master plan, which was created 20 years ago.
Jordan Johnson sits on his dad, James Johnson's, shoulder after a little-leauge football game. (Submitted photo)

Jordan Johnson sits on his dad, James Johnson's, shoulder after a little-leauge football game. (Submitted photo)

‘Joe Been Working:’ Senior has left his mark on three OCHS sports

Avery Cameron
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Oglethorpe County High School senior Jordan Johnson isn’t just a standout athlete, he’s a tone-setter. Whether it’s on the football field, basketball court, or track, Johnson, who teammates call “Joe,” has built a name for himself as a competitor and someone younger athletes gravitate toward.
Seniors on the OCHS track teams were honored at the Gary Mathews Invitational on Saturday. Both teams won the meet at Patriot Stadium. (Submitted Photo)

Seniors on the OCHS track teams were honored at the Gary Mathews Invitational on Saturday. Both teams won the meet at Patriot Stadium. (Submitted Photo)

Prep Roundup: Gresham’s two wins lift boys track team

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Keyvon Gresham won the 110-meter hurdles and the 300 hurdles to lead the Oglethorpe County boys track team to victory in the Gary Mathews Invitational on Saturday. Jordan Johnson won the 200, Corey Tilman won the 3,200 and the 4x100 relay team set a team mark in its victory.
Right fielder Delaney Weibe, who is 6, stands in the batter’s box last Thursday against the Franklin County Mighty Ducks. Her mom Angela Frazier said Weibe’s confidence has grown “a lot,” and she “seems to enjoy the game a lot more than she understands.” (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Right fielder Delaney Weibe, who is 6, stands in the batter’s box last Thursday against the Franklin County Mighty Ducks. Her mom Angela Frazier said Weibe’s confidence has grown “a lot,” and she “seems to enjoy the game a lot more than she understands.” (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

8u rookie softball team focuses on fundamentals

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Courtney Kitchens has one goal in mind while coaching an Oglethorpe County 8u rookie softball team:  to teach the fundamentals of softball and prepare the team for the minor league games at the end of the season.  “We teach them proper fielding, batting, batting stance, throwing skills,” she said.

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Prep Roundup: Turner sparks girls track to victory

News Staff
Friday, March 28, 2025
Elin Turner won the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the triple jump to lead the Oglethorpe County girls track team to victory over Madison County and Elbert County, and Athens Christian School on March 20. Turner finished with 18 points.