Sports

(De Turner/The Oglethorpe Echo) Senior Claire Gabriel, left, and junior Abby Jones work on a fielding drill together during practice. The pitcher and catcher have played together for several years.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Gabriel’s pitching prowess shines during senior season

De Turner

Friday, September 9, 2022

Members of the Oglethorpe County High School softball team wrote goals on poster boards at the beginning of the season; some for the team and a few individual ones for each player. Senior pitcher Claire Gabriel wanted an ERA under 1.00 for the season.

(Logo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Patriots optimistic for Friday’s game

Maggie Ruland

Friday, September 9, 2022

Oglethorpe County football players are thinking positive thoughts heading into their game against Lake Oconee Academy at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Patriots are coming off a 21-14 loss to Banks County to fall to 1-1 this season, but have an opportunity for the program’s first 2-1 start since 2012.

(Donny Faust/For The Oglethorpe Echo) Michael Fleming, Joseph Turner and LT Faust gang up to tackle a Banks County ball carrier. Oglethorpe County scored first, but lost 21-7 on Friday.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Patriots fall in first road test of season

LJ Jackson

Friday, September 9, 2022

Oglethorpe County was looking for its first 2-0 start since 2005 Friday night, but couldn’t muster enough offense to come up with a win. Banks County grinded its way to a 21-14 victory in Homer, following miscues by the Patriots.

Melissa and Luke McGarity stand in front of Luke’s cross country banner at OCHS stadium after a recent cross country practice. Melissa has been Luke’s coach throughout his high school career. (Maggie Ruland/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Last lap for Luke, Melissa McGarity

Maggie Ruland

Thursday, September 1, 2022

When Oglethorpe County High School senior Luke McGarity started running, his goal was simple: be faster than his mom. One day after school, Luke tied his laces and took his mom’s watch to track his time.

Chuck Thornton opened Athens Paintball on his family’s land in Winterville in 1992, soon after graduating from high school. (Submitted Photo)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Athens Paintball keeps going through economic hits, misses

Kyle Soto

Thursday, September 1, 2022

Chuck Thornton has lived on the same property in Winterville his entire life. It’s his home, but it’s also the home to Athens Paintball, which Thornton founded in 1992.

Quarterback Will Sampson, left, and lineman K.B. Bonds get fired up before Oglethorpe County’s season-opening 16-7 victory over East Jackson. The Patriots are 1-0 for the first time since 2011. (Jack Casey/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Pats hope to add tombstone for Banks County

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, September 1, 2022

Oglethorpe County’s optimism is high heading into Friday’s game at Banks County. Senior defensive end Tanner Nation said coaching changes — including Mike Holland and his staff coming in in 2021 — have helped create a culture where players want and work to succeed.

(Submitted Photo)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Prep roundup: Cross country starts with strong results

Echo Staff

Thursday, September 1, 2022

The Oglethorpe County girls cross country team opened its season with a second-place finish at the North Georgia Championships hosted by East Jackson at Lamar Murphy Park in Jefferson on Saturday.

OCHS principal Susie Johnson said the school’s hall of fame shows students “the winning history of Oglethorpe County athletics.” (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

OCHS sports hall selects seven for 2022 class

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Seven former Oglethorpe County High School athletes will soon join the ranks of other Patriot legends.

Senior Cayla Gibson had two hits to help the OCHS softball team improve to 8-1 with a 10-2 victory over Clarke Central on Monday. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Prep Roundup: Softball moves to 8-1 after win over Clarke

News Staff

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Nichole Hill had three hits and four RBIs to lead the Oglethorpe County softball team to a 10-2 victory over Clarke Central on Tuesday to improve to 8-1 this season. Claire Gabriel (Photo/Jack Casey) Claire Gabriel struck out seven and walked one in six innings.

Oglethorpe County opened this season with a 16-7 victory over East Jackson for the program’s first season-opening win since 2011. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Patriots ride high at 1-0

Thomas Ehlers

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Mike Holland said it had been a while since the Patriots had won a home opener. Last Friday, his team did it. Oglethorpe County defeated East Jackson 16-7 in front of an excited home crowd. Holland said the Patriots kept a steady head afterward, showing development from last season.