Sports

Oglethorpe County junior Sydnie Henderson rounds a bend in the first lap of the 5K course at the 1A Division 1 Region 5 cross country meet in Social Circle, Georgia, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. Henderson placed first in the girls race with a time of 20:07, 48 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

Oglethorpe County junior Sydnie Henderson rounds a bend in the first lap of the 5K course at the 1A Division 1 Region 5 cross country meet in Social Circle, Georgia, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. Henderson placed first in the girls race with a time of 20:07, 48 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

PHOTOS: Oglethorpe County XC runners shine at region

Cassidy Hettesheimer
Thursday, November 2, 2023
OCHS wrestling coach Tim Stoudenmire teaches his team a new move with help from senior Tanner Mask. Stoudenmire said there are more experienced wrestlers on this year’s team than last year. (LAUREN HILL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

OCHS wrestling coach Tim Stoudenmire teaches his team a new move with help from senior Tanner Mask. Stoudenmire said there are more experienced wrestlers on this year’s team than last year. (LAUREN HILL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

‘Hungry’ wrestlers ready for season

Lauren Hill and Trevyn Gray
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
The Oglethorpe County wrestling team began practice last week with one goal: winning another state championship.    “We want to hang another banner,” coach Tim Stoudenmire said. “We want to be in the conversation for state championships.
Junior Kenzie Henderson spikes the ball during Oglethorpe County's first-round Class A Division I tournament win over Rabun County on Oct. 18. The Patriots advanced to the Sweet 16, but fell to Whitefield Academy on Saturday. (CASSIDY HETTESHEIMER/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Junior Kenzie Henderson spikes the ball during Oglethorpe County's first-round Class A Division I tournament win over Rabun County on Oct. 18. The Patriots advanced to the Sweet 16, but fell to Whitefield Academy on Saturday. (CASSIDY HETTESHEIMER/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Patriots aim to build on Sweet 16 berth

Trevyn Gray and Lauren Hill
Friday, October 27, 2023
The Oglethorpe County volleyball team achieved its goal to advance past the first round of the state playoffs, but it fell in the second round, ending its statement-making season.
Oglethorpe County head coach Michael Holland speaks to his players after a recent practice. The Patriots will play host to Prince Avenue, the defending Class A Division I state champion, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (LAUREN HILL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Oglethorpe County head coach Michael Holland speaks to his players after a recent practice. The Patriots will play host to Prince Avenue, the defending Class A Division I state champion, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (LAUREN HILL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Patriots open region play against No. 1 Prince Avenue

Lauren Hill and Trevyn Gray
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Oglethorpe County is preparing for one of its toughest opponents this season. The Patriots play host to No. 1 and defending state champ Prince Avenue Christian on Friday night.    “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best,” senior running back Jake Turner said.
Tennis pro Lloyd Martin teaches student John Utley, who is 12, proper swing techniques during a recent practice at Bryan Park. There are three tennis sessions throughout the year at the park. (Jordyn Gershoni/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Tennis pro Lloyd Martin teaches student John Utley, who is 12, proper swing techniques during a recent practice at Bryan Park. There are three tennis sessions throughout the year at the park. (Jordyn Gershoni/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Tennis program expands, thanks to grants, support

Jordyn Gershoni
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Tennis in Oglethorpe County is growing.    The addition of a third yearly tennis session, plans to resurface the courts, recent grants and a vision for tennis in schools have started to foster a tennis culture within the county.
The OCHS boys cross country team consists of Nathen Reesman (from left), Landon Mallonee, Dominic Piscitelli, Ethan Dodd, Cory Tillman, Logan Tatum, Peyton Duvall, Phil Paradise, Josiah Young, Ethan McLean and Luke Holbrooks, and Logan Grier (front).

The OCHS boys cross country team consists of Nathen Reesman (from left), Landon Mallonee, Dominic Piscitelli, Ethan Dodd, Cory Tillman, Logan Tatum, Peyton Duvall, Phil Paradise, Josiah Young, Ethan McLean and Luke Holbrooks, and Logan Grier (front).

Prep Roundup: Cross country teams gear up for postseason

News Staff
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Oglethorpe County’s Sydnie Henderson ran a season-best 20:05 to finish fifth in the Jefferson Invitational held last Friday at the Jackson County Airport.
Kenzie Henderson soars for a kill during Oglethorpe County’s victory over Aquinas last week. The Patriots earned a No. 1 seed for the Class A tournament and will host Rabun County on Wednesday, Oct. 18. (DIANA LOPEZ CRUZ/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Kenzie Henderson soars for a kill during Oglethorpe County’s victory over Aquinas last week. The Patriots earned a No. 1 seed for the Class A tournament and will host Rabun County on Wednesday, Oct. 18. (DIANA LOPEZ CRUZ/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Patriots ready for playoff run

Trevyn Gray and Lauren Hill
Thursday, October 12, 2023
One thing has been on the Oglethorpe County volleyball players’ minds all season: Advance past the first round of the Class A state tournament.    That’s the goal for the Patriots (22-3), who play host to Rabun County in the first round on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Co-athletic directors Michael Holland (left) and Brianna Dickens were promoted to the position in June, becoming the fifth co-ADs in the past eight years. Holland also is the head football coach and Dickens is the head coach of the girls basketball and softball team. (LAUREN HILL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Co-athletic directors Michael Holland (left) and Brianna Dickens were promoted to the position in June, becoming the fifth co-ADs in the past eight years. Holland also is the head football coach and Dickens is the head coach of the girls basketball and softball team. (LAUREN HILL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Co-ADs learn new job on the run

Lauren Hill
Friday, October 6, 2023
Small, but necessary, changes are being made to Oglethorpe County High School athletics as the new co-athletic directors adjust to their roles.
Oglethorpe County’s Quentin Nash tracks down Riverside Military Academy’s Jacques Chiller in the Patriots’ 57-0 homecoming victory on Friday night. OCHS had eight tackles for loss, two safeties and an interception. (NATHALEE SIMONEAU/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Oglethorpe County’s Quentin Nash tracks down Riverside Military Academy’s Jacques Chiller in the Patriots’ 57-0 homecoming victory on Friday night. OCHS had eight tackles for loss, two safeties and an interception. (NATHALEE SIMONEAU/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Unusual defense shines in shutout

Lauren Hill and Trevyn Gray
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Oglethorpe County’s defense might look a bit peculiar, but it’s by design.    The Patriots run a 3-3 defense, which isn’t conventional. But using that scheme, the defense shut out Riverside Military Academy 57-0 in Friday night’s homecoming game to improve to 2-3 this season.