Sports

Zion Pass and Oglethorpe County upset state-ranked Rabun County in a Region 8-A Division I game in October. The schools will remain region foes in 8-AA the next two years. (Photo/Ashleigh Johnston)

Zion Pass and Oglethorpe County upset state-ranked Rabun County in a Region 8-A Division I game in October. The schools will remain region foes in 8-AA the next two years. (Photo/Ashleigh Johnston)

OCHS will face familiar foes in jump to 8-AA

Andy Mathis
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Oglethorpe County High School athletics will enter the 2026-27 school year under a new Georgia High School Association region alignment and playoff structure, a shift that looks significant on paper but will feel familiar in practice for many of the school’s programs.
Lili Holt (from left), Abby Hormeku and Kensie Brown, Oglethorpe County’s first FCA Cheer All-Americans, smile on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium sidelines during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl festivities last year. Holt and Brown will return to the Peach Bowl as All-Americans next month. (Photo/Submitted)

Lili Holt (from left), Abby Hormeku and Kensie Brown, Oglethorpe County’s first FCA Cheer All-Americans, smile on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium sidelines during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl festivities last year. Holt and Brown will return to the Peach Bowl as All-Americans next month. (Photo/Submitted)

All-Americans again: Brown, Holt earn second trip to Peach Bowl

Grace Burnett
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Oglethorpe County’s Kensie Brown, a senior cheerleading captain, and Lili Holt, a junior, will make their second appearance as Fellowship of Christian Athletes Cheer All-Americans at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Friday, Jan. 9.

Wrestling team posts two wins at Eberhardt Classic

Andy Mathis
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
The Oglethorpe County wrestling team posted two dual wins and closed the Doug Eberhardt Classic with a competitive loss on Friday. The Patriots opened the meet with a 56-9 victory over Duluth and followed with a 59-17 win against Eastside before picking up a 48-33 loss to T.L.
Members of the OCHS basketball cheer squad, including (from left) Shyanne Spade, Za’Nijha Carter, Zariah Johnson (partially hidden back row), Ambreia Kelley, Tori Clark, Kyra Edwards (partially hidden back row), Shayla Richardson and Krysten Jones encourage the Patriots during a game last week. Clark comes up with the cheers and helps teach the routines. (Photo/Ty Johnston)

Members of the OCHS basketball cheer squad, including (from left) Shyanne Spade, Za’Nijha Carter, Zariah Johnson (partially hidden back row), Ambreia Kelley, Tori Clark, Kyra Edwards (partially hidden back row), Shayla Richardson and Krysten Jones encourage the Patriots during a game last week. Clark comes up with the cheers and helps teach the routines. (Photo/Ty Johnston)

Clark shows leadership as coach on the court

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
While coaches typically take charge of their teams, the Oglethorpe County basketball cheerleading squad operates differently, with leadership coming from the athletes themselves.  “I'm really more of an administrator,” coach Ruth Wilson said.
Oglethorpe County’s Isaiah Ross returns for his senior season, which is the second year for coach Carlos Strong. The Patriots are 2-6 heading into Friday’s game at Banks County. (Photo/Ty Johnston)

Oglethorpe County’s Isaiah Ross returns for his senior season, which is the second year for coach Carlos Strong. The Patriots are 2-6 heading into Friday’s game at Banks County. (Photo/Ty Johnston)

Strong looks for Patriots to make strides in second year

Andy Mathis
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The Oglethorpe County boys basketball team has stability across its rotation and a shared understanding of the program’s standards in coach Carlos Strong’s second year. Strong said the difference is rooted in familiarity.

Patriots to honor Eberhardt with eighth annual classic

Andy Mathis
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The Oglethorpe County wrestling program will host a strong field in the eighth annual Doug Eberhardt Classic on Friday. The invitational is expected to draw programs from across Georgia and South Carolina, offering the Patriots a midseason test against varied classifications and styles.
Oglethorpe County High School boys basketball roster and remaining schedule

Oglethorpe County High School boys basketball roster and remaining schedule

Trio of OCHS wrestlers shine at Buford invitational

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Paris Crowder, Keyvon Gresham and Tanner Mckie won their weight classes at the Aaron Kirkland Invitational at the Buford Arena last weekend. Crowder (144 pounds), Gresham (138) and Mckie (215) were three of only eight Oglethorpe County wrestlers who competed in the 21-team tournament.
Elin Turner drives around an Athens Academy player in the Spartans’ 81-60 victory over the Patriots on Tuesday. The OCHS basketball teams don’t play again until Dec. 19, when they’re at Banks County. (Photo/Ty Johnston)

Elin Turner drives around an Athens Academy player in the Spartans’ 81-60 victory over the Patriots on Tuesday. The OCHS basketball teams don’t play again until Dec. 19, when they’re at Banks County. (Photo/Ty Johnston)

Goller, Crowder, Mckie spark OCHS wrestling

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Andrew Goller, Paris Crowder and Tanner Mckie each went 8-1 in their matches to lead the Oglethorpe County boys wrestling team to a sixth-place finish at the Jeff Davis Yellow Jacket Duals in Hazlehurst last weekend.
Coach Josh Austin (back middle) and the OCHS girls wrestling team won the area dual title last year, a feat he hopes to build on this season. He has to be flexible with his roster since there are only 14 girls on the team. (Submitted Photo)

Coach Josh Austin (back middle) and the OCHS girls wrestling team won the area dual title last year, a feat he hopes to build on this season. He has to be flexible with his roster since there are only 14 girls on the team. (Submitted Photo)

Girls wrestling looks to grow numbers, confidence

Andy Mathis
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
The Oglethorpe County girls wrestling program has entered this season with modest numbers, a young roster and a clear theme set by coach Josh Austin: growth. Austin, in his fourth year guiding the program, said the team’s progress last winter set the foundation for what he wants to build.
Clint Graham is one of six Oglethorpe County football players selected to the Region 8-A Division I first team. He led the Patriots with 89 tackles this season. (Amelia Durden/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Clint Graham is one of six Oglethorpe County football players selected to the Region 8-A Division I first team. He led the Patriots with 89 tackles this season. (Amelia Durden/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sports Roundup: Six OCHS football players are first-team all-region

News Staff
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Six members of the Oglethorpe County football team were selected to the Region 8-A Division I first team.