Several basketball, wrestling, and swim teams had stellar seasons. Some stood above the rest. Here are the Winter Sports Teams of the Year for 2023-24.

BOYS BASKETBALL

HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS

Coach: Tommy Yancey
Record: 20-8
Accomplishments: 5A Rnd 1, Region 8-AAAAA Runner-Up

The Raiders had a star-studded roster that was deep. It showed, as Habersham Central won 20 games for the first time in decades while making a third consecutive state playoff run. Playing for a region title was also a first in as far back as we can go. Junior stars Enzo Combs, JoJo McCurry, and Justus Gober were very good, and senior Brannon Gaines ended his career with another solid year. The supporting cast included Dayden Roland, Judge Wilbanks, Elliot Yancey, Caden Garrison, and others. An 11-game win streak from late November and all of December was a high point, as was a win over #2-ranked Shiloh on the road. The Raiders lost to Langston Hughes in the home playoff game in the first round. The offense rolled to 61.2 points per game.

Honorable Mentions: Towns County (Reg Szn Region Champs; Sweet 16); Lumpkin County (Sweet 16); Dawson County (Sweet 16); Rabun County (Sweet 16); Union County (Reg Szn Region Champs; Rnd 1)

GIRLS BASKETBALL

RABUN COUNTY LADY WILDCATS

Coach: DeeDee Dillard
Record: 24-7
Accomplishments: 1A DI Final 4, Region 8-A DI Champions, #3 State Ranking

The Lady Wildcats were never outside the top-5 in the state polls. Rabun County lived up to the hype with the leadership of McDonald’s All-American nominee Lucy Hood and fellow All-State selection Ellie Southards. Hood was good for over 20 points per game and Southards not far from that. Senior Mili Watts, junior Jacie McCall, and rising stars Addybeth Owens and Adelyn Thompson made for a dynamic group. Despite falling to top-ranked Athens Christian in both regular season meetings, they beat them when it mattered most for the Region Championship. Rabun had an 8-game win streak early on, and won its final 7 games until the Final 4 against Galloway. DeeDee Dillard eclipsed 400 career wins, and had an offense that reeled off 63.7 points per night against just 50.3 allowed. The girls doubled up on Jasper County in the first round, won by 13 against Mt. Pisgah in the Sweet 16, and had a shocking 26-point win in the Elite 8.

Honorable Mentions: Banks County (Region Champs; Elite 8); White County (Elite 8); Jefferson (Region Champs; Sweet 16); Dawson County (Sweet 16); Union County (Sweet 16); Commerce (Sweet 16); Towns County (Rnd 1); Habersham Central (Region RU; Rnd 1)

SWIMMING

TALLULAH FALLS

Coach: Tamara Griffis
Accomplishments: 1A-3A State 6th (Girls); 8th (Boys); 2 Individual State Champion Events

Tallulah Falls had a historic season under first-year coach Tamara Griffis. While it wasn’t limited to one swimmer, there’s no denying the prowess and leadership of Madison Dampier. She won the state title in the 100 Fly and 200 Free, and had qualifying cuts in several more events. She also was a huge part of the 200 Medley Relay (4th), 200 Free Relay (5th), and 400 Free Relay (9th). Mattie Patterson had a couple of top-10 finishes at state as well, with Carsyn Griffis competing individually. The Indians leaned on Henry Rickman, who competed in a couple of individual events, then helped with the 200 Medley Relay (3rd), 400 Free Relay (6th), and 200 Free Relay (8th). With Rickman as the lone senior, the best may still be next year and beyond.

Honorable Mentions: Jefferson – Boys 7th; Girls 10th; Habersham Central – Boys/Girls 28th; Lumpkin County – Girls 20th; Union County – Boys 25th

WRESTLING

LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS / LADY INDIANS

Coach: Sean Hage (Boys), Scott DeGraff (Girls)
Accomplishments: 3A State Champions (Duals); State Runner-Up (Traditional); Girls 3rd

Lumpkin County earned a State Championship in Duals, and finished as Runner-Up in Traditional. Nathan Nielsen won the state title at 144 LB. AJ Scott and Jonah Holmes were Runner-Up, and Kerwin Martinez (3rd), Mike Nichols (3rd), Austin Marshall (5th), and Hayden Roy (5th) were all top-5. The Lady Indians featured Greta Garbuzovas (State Champion), Nora Garbuzovas (3rd), and Gwennie Wight (3rd), along with qualifier Monica McClendon.

Honorable Mentions: Jefferson (Duals 4th; Traditional Runner-Up); Banks County (Duals 3rd; Traditional 6th); Union County (Duals 5th; Traditional Runner-Up); Commerce (Duals 3rd; Traditional 3rd); White County (Traditional 10th)