Several of the winter sports teams had stellar seasons. Some stood above the rest. Here are the Winter Sports Teams of the Year for 2025-26.

BOYS BASKETBALL

RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS

Coach: David Adcock
Record: 30-2
Accomplishments: 1A DI State Champions, Region 8-A DI Champions, #1 State Ranking

There was almost never a doubt. This Wildcats team contained the Fab Five of seniors Huey Blalock and Hayes Free, junior Reed Burrell, and freshmen phenoms in Trace Adcock and Cord Burrell. Together, along with a gritty talent like Landan Bedingfield, they gelled all summer leading up to the season. Going 30-2, the team only lost to Gainesville (5A school that was undefeated into the Final 4) and Commerce (who became the #1-ranked team for a moment). Rabun avenged the loss to Commerce by beating them twice, including in the region title game. The playoff run was special, as the Wildcats played at their peak all the way through, beating Southwest Macon in the State Championship. Blalock was the MVP of the game, and he and Free averaged nearly 20 points per game. Blalock dished out fancy assists (behind the back, between the legs, off the backboard, etc), driving layups, midrange buckets, and pullup 3’s, Free provided the dunks and splashes from deep, and Adcock led the state in 3-pointers (top-15 in the nation), while also winning the GHSA 3-Point Competition State Championship. It was an unforgettable team who made more than good on the hype and expectations.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

RABUN COUNTY LADY WILDCATS

Coach: DeeDee Dillard
Record: 24-6
Accomplishments: 1A DI State Elite 8, Region 8-A DI Runner-Up, #2 State Ranking

DeeDee Dillard pieced together another fantastic season for Rabun County. The Lady Wildcats went 24-6 overall and were the regular season region champs before finishing Runner-Up in the tournament. Behind a dominant season from freshman Millie Southards and standout juniors Adelyn Thompson and Addy Beth Owens, Rabun County rode all the way to the Elite 8, and at one point were ranked #2 in the state. Other key playmakers included Madison Houck and Conley Spivey among others.

BOYS WRESTLING

JEFFERSON DRAGONS

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

Perhaps no surprise anymore, it’s always still so impressive when Jefferson sweeps in both Duals and Traditional. Jefferson proved to be the best in the Peach State, running the state of Georgia in both meets and earning more hardware for the trophy cases. In the Traditional meet, the Dragons had a stunning eight individual champions: Roman Belardo, Cruz Hezel, Tanner Hunt, Danny Krutules, Ty Murray, Dallas Russell, Fischer West, and Clifford Williford. The dynasty rolls on!

GIRLS WRESTLING

LUMPKIN COUNTY LADY INDIANS

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

The Lady Indians won both the Duals and Traditional, securing #1 state rankings in both parts. 4-time individual State Champion Greta Garbuzovas did it again, while Faith Jones won an individual title as well. Nora Garbuzovas was a state RU, and Mattie Mendoza (4th) and Caroline Cunningham (5th) also were top-5. It was a tremendous season for the program.

SWIMMING

TALLULAH FALLS

Coach: Chris Kafsky
Accomplishments: GIAA State Champions, #1 State Ranking

Both the Indians and Lady Indians defended their State Championships in 2025-26. TFS dominated the pool, while the boys had two individuals and two relays win gold. The girls had two relays win. Several athletes placed in the top-5 in their events, and over a dozen were in the top-10.

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