Five local teams this winter met the criteria to be included in the BLITZ Hall of Fame!

BOYS BASKETBALL

UNION COUNTY PANTHERS

Coach: Corey Garrett
Record: 26-6
Accomplishments: 2A State Runner-Up, Region 8-AA Runner-Up, #2 State Ranking

Corey Garrett knew this team was destined for something special. Houston Henry, Hayden Hughes, and the rest of the team made sure that was the case. The Panthers pulled off some monumental victories while gathering up a 26-6 overall record that included a Region RU finish. The high-octane offense was one of the best in the state, and dual 1K-point scorers Henry and Hughes were complimented by the likes of Maddox Young, Kaden Combs, Vince Marevka, and Holden Payne among others. The playoff run was magical, and dominant. Union County got back to the State Championship for the first time in about 50 years, and finished as the State Runner-Up.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

BANKS COUNTY LADY LEOPARDS

Coach: Jason Gibson
Record: 25-6
Accomplishments: 1A DI State Runner-Up, Region 8-A DI Champions, #2 State Ranking

The Lady Leopards had the state’s most dynamic offense with the Murphy twins – Ryleigh and Reese both finished as 1,000-point scorers. Transfer point guard Ansley Moore, along with freshman phenom Janakate Gibson all teamed up with the likes of Marleigh Dale, Cannon Collier, Maggie Irvin, and Emmie Chitwood to put together a run to the state title game for the second time in three years. New coach Jason Gibson led the program to a 22-game win streak that spanned from December 20 until the State Championship game, a tough loss to Fannin County after holding a lead for more than half the game. Banks County was about unstoppable at home (10-1) and just rolled through the state playoffs in a run that included an Elite 8 victory against rivals Rabun County.

BOYS WRESTLING

JEFFERSON DRAGONS

Coach: Kyle Baird
Accomplishments: 3A State Champions! (Duals & Traditional), #1 State Ranking

The Dragons continue to stretch out their dynasty run that spans decades now. To see that trophy case at Jefferson with more state titles in wrestling than nearly every school in the state has in TOTAL state trophies is astounding. Kyle Baird once again had a fantastic run with his program, as Jefferson won the duals tournament and the traditional. The team’s prowess was on display when five individuals (Roman Belardo, Cruz Hezel, Dallas Russell, Fischer West, and Cap Benson) all won titles. Russell is one of the best to ever suit up for Jefferson, and Belardo (BLITZ Wrestler of the Year 3-Peat) is a 3-time state champ as well.

GIRLS WRESTLING

LUMPKIN COUNTY LADY INDIANS

Coach: Scott Degraff
Accomplishments: 3A State Champions, #1 State Ranking

The expectations were sky-high for the Lady Indians this year with sisters Nora and Greta Garbuzovas anchoring the team. They didn’t disappoint. Lumpkin County won the Duals and Traditional state title for the girls, as Greta (BLITZ 3-time Wrestler of the Year) went 33-0 and Nora 28-1, both winning titles. Mattie Mendoza and Faith Jones were others who stood out for the team.

SWIMMING

TALLULAH FALLS

Coach: Tamara Griffis
Accomplishments: GIAA State Champions (Boys and Girls), #1 State Ranking, 8 State Championship Events

Tallulah Falls won its first-ever state title in swimming after being close the last several years. Both the girls and boys did it. The Lady Indians blew away the field, as senior Madison Dampier (University of Cincinnati) won five state titles this go-around, giving her eight for her career. She won four in about an hour’s span, and three individually. A pair of girls relay teams won gold, and Lucia Roser de Hoyos won an individual event as well. Selah Wiltshire, Carsyn Griffis, Isabella Berzal Toledo, and Mattie Patterson all were instrumental. Meanwhile, the boys had tons of top-10 and top-5 finishes as well as two relay golds. Caden Polley, Grayson Penland, Clay Kafsky, and Jeremy Hassell were consistently near the top in their events.