Sports

Seniors Samantha Amos (28) and Sofia Horsley (27) helped lead the Oglethorpe County volleyball team to the Elite Eight of the Class A tournament. They joined Kenzie Henderson as the team’s only seniors. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Seniors Samantha Amos (28) and Sofia Horsley (27) helped lead the Oglethorpe County volleyball team to the Elite Eight of the Class A tournament. They joined Kenzie Henderson as the team’s only seniors. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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OCHS volleyball team’s historic season ends in state Elite Eight

Audrey Pfitzner
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Oglethorpe County volleyball made history this season by reaching the Elite Eight of the state tournament for the first time. OCHS defeated Haralson County and ACE Charter in the first two rounds, winning in straight sets.
Carey Paul has coached at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department since 2012. Since his start, Paul has coached over 75 teams in several different sports, including soccer, softball, volleyball, baseball and basketball. (The Oglethorpe Echo/Submitted Photo)

Carey Paul has coached at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department since 2012. Since his start, Paul has coached over 75 teams in several different sports, including soccer, softball, volleyball, baseball and basketball. (The Oglethorpe Echo/Submitted Photo)

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Paul’s joy of coaching knows no bounds

Audrey Pfitzner
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Sometimes a sports season isn’t about championships, but about beating the coach in checkers.
Before games on Friday nights, the Oglethorpe County football team congregates in the school’s cafeteria for a pregame meal donated by a local sponsor. Local churches have played the biggest role in meal donations, OCHS coach Mike Holland said. (JACK KEYS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Before games on Friday nights, the Oglethorpe County football team congregates in the school’s cafeteria for a pregame meal donated by a local sponsor. Local churches have played the biggest role in meal donations, OCHS coach Mike Holland said. (JACK KEYS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Churches, others boost Pats with pregame meals

Jack Keys
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Starting at 3:30 p.m. on football gamedays, the Oglethorpe County High School cafeteria is filled with teenagers breaking bread and enjoying each other’s company.  For winless Oglethorpe County, the football season hasn’t exactly gone to plan.
Sydnie Henderson finished 11th with a time of 20:21 at the North Oconee Invitational on Oct. 19. Cory Tillman, who finished in 18:46, had the top time among the OCHS boys. (STEVE COLQUITT/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Sydnie Henderson finished 11th with a time of 20:21 at the North Oconee Invitational on Oct. 19. Cory Tillman, who finished in 18:46, had the top time among the OCHS boys. (STEVE COLQUITT/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Prep Roundup: Volleyball team advances to Elite Eight

News Staff
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Oglethorpe County volleyball coach Brianne Harrison said she’s “99% sure” this year’s volleyball team has advanced farther than any other team in program history.
Members of last year’s esports club practice their skills in the computer science lab. The computers, dual monitors, keyboards and computer mice were paid for by grant funding and also allow for a game design class. (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Members of last year’s esports club practice their skills in the computer science lab. The computers, dual monitors, keyboards and computer mice were paid for by grant funding and also allow for a game design class. (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Esports goes from club to GHSA sport at OCHS

Saylor Williams
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Epic battles, magical abilities, entrenched rivals and covert alliances can all be found at Oglethorpe County High School — in digital form, of course.
OCHS junior Elizabeth Cook is the Area 8-A player of the year. Teammates Kenzie Henderson and Sofia Horsley are on the first team and Brianne Harrison is the area coach of the year. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS junior Elizabeth Cook is the Area 8-A player of the year. Teammates Kenzie Henderson and Sofia Horsley are on the first team and Brianne Harrison is the area coach of the year. (Submitted Photo)

Prep Roundup: Cook selected area player of year

News Staff
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Oglethorpe County’s Elizabeth Cook was selected as the Area 8-A player of the year on Saturday. Cook, a junior, led the Patriots to a third-place finish in the area tournament. The Patriots were to host Haralson County at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the first round of the Class A state tournament.
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved a $22,300 multi-purpose batting cage for the Oglethorpe County High School at their September meeting.

The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved a $22,300 multi-purpose batting cage for the Oglethorpe County High School at their September meeting.

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Programs look forward to new batting cage

Audrey Pfitzner
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Principal Bill Sampson said the construction of a multi-purpose batting cage at Oglethorpe County High School is "part of a big vision."  “We want to do everything we can and put everything we can into it so that we have a good product — a product we can be proud of,” he said.

Prep Roundup: Volleyball team hosts Commerce in tourney

News Staff
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
The Oglethorpe County volleyball team will host Commerce at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the second round of the Area 8-A tournament. The Patriots finished the regular season at 17-6 and 9-1 in the area, losing only to Providence Christian on Oct. 3.
Payton Prince runs for yardage during Oglethorpe County's game against Elbert County on Sept. 20. Prince has been one of the key players in the Patriots’ running attack this year. (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Payton Prince runs for yardage during Oglethorpe County's game against Elbert County on Sept. 20. Prince has been one of the key players in the Patriots’ running attack this year. (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Patriots face tough road for first victory

Jack Keys
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
With six games in the rearview and four left to play, Oglethorpe County is still searching for its first win of the season. The Patriots will travel to 10th-ranked (Class A Division 1) Rabun County on Friday hoping to avoid their first 0-7 start since 2018.
OCHS seniors Samantha Amos (left) and Sofia Horsley (right) encourage each other after the Patriots scored a point in a scrimmage against Rabun County this summer. OCHS seeks to win its second consecutive area championship this fall. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo File)

OCHS seniors Samantha Amos (left) and Sofia Horsley (right) encourage each other after the Patriots scored a point in a scrimmage against Rabun County this summer. OCHS seeks to win its second consecutive area championship this fall. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo File)

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Strong connection leads to volleyball team’s win streak

Saylor Williams
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Coach Brianne Harrison’s mindset is that “you learn a lot from losing,” but the Oglethorpe County volleyball team has been doing quite the opposite.  The reigning area champions are on a seven-match win streak and plan to keep the momentum going into the state playoffs.