Sports

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

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

OCHS Hall of Fame is taking nominations

College football announces its hall of fame class every January in Atlanta. In Massachusetts, basketball notifies its newest class during April.    Now, you can have a say in finding Oglethorpe County High School’s newest class.
Jim Finch (Submitted Photo)

Jim Finch (Submitted Photo)

OCHS grad is new GHSA president

Jim Finch was selected as Mr. OCHS and Prom King during his senior year In 1989. His new title has more significance.   Finch, a three-sport athlete and 1989 graduate of OCHS, was selected as president of the Georgia High School Association in April.

Track teams head to Class AA meet

The OCHS boys track team qualified athletes in 14 of 18 events for the Class AA state track meet. The girls team qualified athletes in 17 of 18 events. Both teams will compete in the meet at Kinnett Stadium in Columbus on May 12-14.
Mike Holland enters his second season as the head football coach at OCHS with increased numbers and excitement around the program. (File/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Mike Holland enters his second season as the head football coach at OCHS with increased numbers and excitement around the program. (File/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Football team prepares for new region, new season

Oglethorpe County football coach Mike Holland and his staff ran into a good problem when they held a meeting earlier this semester: 85 players to fit into 50 varsity jerseys.
Oglethorpe County's Russel Smith follows the flight of the ball in the first game of the Class AA playoffs against Toombs County last week. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Oglethorpe County's Russel Smith follows the flight of the ball in the first game of the Class AA playoffs against Toombs County last week. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Baseball team looks to build on big year

The Oglethorpe County baseball team had two main goals before the season started: Host a playoff game and win a region championship.   “If your goal is not to win a championship I think you’re selling yourself short,” coach Kris Patel said.

Track teams win Region 4-AA titles

The Oglethorpe County track teams made it 2-for-2 last Friday. The girls and boys track teams each won the Region 4-AA titles and advanced athletes to the Class AA sectionals at East Laurens this Saturday.   It’s the second consecutive region title for the girls, who scored 249.5 points.

Senior-laden baseball team to host playoff doubleheader Thursday

The Oglethorpe County baseball team will feel right at home in the first round of the Class AA playoffs.   The Patriots (16-14, 8-2 in Region 4-AA) will host a playoff series for the first time since 2003 when they play Toombs County in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 28.
Coach Mary Kate Shealy led the OCHS girls soccer team to a 12-3-1 record and the Region 4-AA title this season. (Photo/Ralph Maxwell)

Coach Mary Kate Shealy led the OCHS girls soccer team to a 12-3-1 record and the Region 4-AA title this season. (Photo/Ralph Maxwell)

Q&A: Winning, character a strong tandem for OCHS girls soccer

Oglethorpe County girls soccer coach Mary Kate Shealy reflects on her program and this season, which included a Region 4-AA title and a 6-0 loss to Pace Academy in the second round of the Class AA playoffs.    Comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Pickleball players take the court earlier this week at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department. The group plays as often as four mornings a week in the new gym. (Photo/Mackenzie Tanner)

Pickleball players take the court earlier this week at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department. The group plays as often as four mornings a week in the new gym. (Photo/Mackenzie Tanner)

There's a new game in town

Wanda Ashworth has found a new way to work on her pickleball game.   “I've been practicing my backswing with the carpenter bees at my house,” she said.
Tom Tisdale, the new Oglethorpe County High School trainer, has worked in minor league baseball. (Submitted Photo)

Tom Tisdale, the new Oglethorpe County High School trainer, has worked in minor league baseball. (Submitted Photo)

Rehab, relationships key for new athletic trainer

Oglethorpe County High School recently hired Tom “Tiz” Tisdale as the first full-time athletic trainer in school history. OCHS previously had two part-time athletic trainers working with its student-athletes.