Sports

Both OCHS basketball teams are ranked in Class A Division I. Jaelin Lumpkin and the Patriots (3-0) are No. 1 in the MaxPreps ranking and in the top 10 in other rankings. The OCHS Lady Patriots (2-0) are No. 5 and No. 7 in two state rankings. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Both OCHS basketball teams are ranked in Class A Division I. Jaelin Lumpkin and the Patriots (3-0) are No. 1 in the MaxPreps ranking and in the top 10 in other rankings. The OCHS Lady Patriots (2-0) are No. 5 and No. 7 in two state rankings. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Prep Roundup: Patriots No. 1 in MaxPreps ranking

News Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Oglethorpe County’s state ranked basketball teams continued their hot starts during the Thanksgiving break.   The Patriots (3-0) are No. 1 in the MaxPreps Class A Division I ranking, No. 7 in the GHSA Top 10 and No. 9 in Score Atlanta ranking.
Jake Turner (2) stomps into the end zone for his third touchdown in the Patriots’ 56-0 win over Athens Christian School this fall. OCHS will join Athens Christian and Athens Academy, among other area schools, in Region 8-A Division I next year. LAUREN HILL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Jake Turner (2) stomps into the end zone for his third touchdown in the Patriots’ 56-0 win over Athens Christian School this fall. OCHS will join Athens Christian and Athens Academy, among other area schools, in Region 8-A Division I next year. LAUREN HILL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Sports Roundup: GHSA denies OCHS appeal to change regions

News Staff
Sunday, November 26, 2023
GHSA denies OCHS appeal to change regions   The Georgia High School Association denied Oglethorpe County’s appeal to switch regions for the 2024-26 academic years on Nov. 16.
Oglethorpe Sports

Oglethorpe Sports

Prep Roundup: OCHS to appeal new region

News Staff
Friday, November 17, 2023
Oglethorpe County plans to appeal its placement in Region 8-A Division I, co-athletic director Mike Holland said Tuesday.   OCHS was moved to Region 8-A Division I during the Georgia High School Association reclassification on Nov. 9.
Javaun Pittard (3) attempts a 3-pointer in Oglethorpe County’s 72-68 victory over Hart County in a scrimmage on Nov. 9. Pittard averaged 18 points a game to lead the Patriots in scoring last year. (LAUREN HILL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Javaun Pittard (3) attempts a 3-pointer in Oglethorpe County’s 72-68 victory over Hart County in a scrimmage on Nov. 9. Pittard averaged 18 points a game to lead the Patriots in scoring last year. (LAUREN HILL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

‘Championship DNA’ key for Patriots this season

Trevyn Gray and Lauren Hill
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Oglethorpe County’s boys basketball coach Larry Brown said he believes his team “plays with championship DNA.”    A state championship is the primary goal in the Patriots’ line of sight this season.    “In the last couple of seasons and last summer, we’ve gotten used to winning,” he said.
Ashton Sexton (14) gets lifted into the air by Keymon Pass (7) after scoring the game-winning touchdown to defeat Jasper County 35-28. Both players were honored before the game during the senior night ceremony. (Lauren Hill/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Ashton Sexton (14) gets lifted into the air by Keymon Pass (7) after scoring the game-winning touchdown to defeat Jasper County 35-28. Both players were honored before the game during the senior night ceremony. (Lauren Hill/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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PHOTOS: Oglethorpe County football's last second victory

News Staff
Friday, November 10, 2023
Kenzie Henderson is one of Oglethorpe County's five returning starters, but the only junior. That core led the Lady Patriots to the Class A Division I Elite Eight last season. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Kenzie Henderson is one of Oglethorpe County's five returning starters, but the only junior. That core led the Lady Patriots to the Class A Division I Elite Eight last season. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Veterans propel Lady Patriots' expectations

Trevyn Gray and Lauren Hill
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Experience is at the forefront of the Lady Patriots’ pursuit of another playoff run this season.
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)

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‘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)

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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.