Since the 2006-07 season, we have covered some amazing teams! The following are enshrined in our Hall of Fame forever! Who will be next?
SPECIAL – ALL-DECADE PROGRAMS (2010s)
CRITERIA
- MUST be in our coverage area: Habersham Central, Stephens Co (since 2014), White Co, Jefferson (since 2018), Dawson Co, Lumpkin Co, Rabun Co (since 2013), Union Co, Banks Co, Towns Co, Commerce & Tallulah Falls (since 2016) [a few exceptions to this rule with explanations provided!]
- MUST have made it to a State Championship game or Semifinals (Final 4) game for all sports except football (Quarterfinals is enough to get in for football, though not automatically; Semifinals for other sports, though not automatic). For the sports of cross country, golf, track & field, wrestling, cheer, teams must be state champs or runner-up.
- Dynasties are marked appropriately and contain a string of Hall of Fame teams lumped together.
What makes a dynasty?
- In football – 3 or more Hall of Fame team qualifications in a row or 4-year span (Quarterfinals or deeper)
- In softball, basketball, baseball, soccer, and tennis – 3 or more HOF team qualifications (Semifinals or deeper) in a row or 5-year span, or consistently making the quarterfinals
- In cross country, wrestling, track & field, golf, and cheer – 3 or more HOF team qualifications (state championships or runner-up) in a row or 5-10-year span of being among the top 10 finishing at state
FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2023 & 2024 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Travis Noland
Record: 13-1 (2023); 11-4 (2024)
Accomplishments: 3A State Runner-Up (2024); 5A Semifinals (2023), Region 8-AAAAA Champions (2023-24), #1 State Ranking (2023-24)
2024: The Dragons were at it again in 2024. Despite entering ‘Life Without Sammy Brown’, Jefferson and legendary coach Travis Noland held a #1 state ranking and re-tooled the offense accordingly. The result (32.7 pts/game) didn’t quite match last year’s (38.0), but Gavin Markey truly emerged as an elite QB in the state with his ability to pass and run (1,551 pass yds, 16 TD; 1,659 rush yds, 24 TD). He was complimented with a stable of ball-carriers like Dallas Russell, Mickell Pittman, and Rett Hemphill. Talan Childress, Dalton Dye, and RJ Hinton headlined the receiving group, and Hemphill teamed up with Power 4 prospect Max Brown, 4-star Kelan Butler, and Jayden Yang to create an insane defense (16.2/game) that allowed 14 or less 9 times. Jefferson went perfect at home (9-0) and rolled through the region until a hiccup in the regular season finale against Oconee County in an OT loss. The pair met again in the second round of the state playoffs a few weeks later, and the Dragons proved that to be a fluke. The playoff run was a thing of beauty, as Jefferson outscored opponents 150-53 in the first 4 games leading up to the State Championship. The Dragons fell 20-7 to Calhoun at the Benz.
2023: The Dragons were electric. All season long, Jefferson was the BLITZ #1 team in the Power Rankings, and never wavered. In total, Travis Noland’s team went 13-1 all the way to the Class 5A Semifinals, carrying a #1 state ranking and an offense and defense that were some of the best units in the state, ranking inside the top-10 all season in both. Sammy Brown (2,289 rush yds, 36 TD) led an offense that went for 532 points (38/game), and his 153 tackles led a defense that gave up just 11.93 per contest (167 overall). The 2023 Dragons were only the 5th team in school history to score more than 500 points, and only the 3rd to also allow less than 200 in the same season. The average margin of win going into the Semis was 28.92 points, and only one game aside from the loss was within 10 points. In a word, it was domination. Jefferson had a perfect regular season that resulted in a second straight Region 8-AAAAA title, and also rolled through the playoffs until the contest against Creekside. The Dragons took down ranked teams Hiram and Harris County during that run. Noland collected his 200th career win early in the year, and Brown took home BLITZ Player of the Year honors, was named an All-American, and won the prestigious Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker.
2024 STEPHENS COUNTY INDIANS
Coach: Wesley Tankersley
Record: 8-5
Accomplishments: 2A State Quarterfinals, Region 8-AA 3rd, #2 State Ranking
The Indians had an up-and-down season. The important thing is they finished strong while making a bit of history. In fact, the season really featured bookends of success with mixed results in the middle. After a 3-0 start, Stephens County held a #2 state ranking. Then came a game at #1 Jefferson where the Indians lost in the second half late. What followed was another defeat to Oconee County and blowout losses to both Prince Avenue Christian and Hebron Christian with a win over Franklin mixed within. Granted, all the losses were to state-ranked teams. But suddenly the team was 4-4 with a couple games left. A gritty 3-point win over rivals Hart County got them back on track, and they won the finale against East Jackson before a historic playoff run. First came a win over North Murray, then a shocking upset at #3-ranked Callaway to propel Stephens into the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2005. 3-star RB Javin Gordon finished off his career with a stellar season, rushing for 1,064 yds and 17 TD along with 558 rec yds and 3 TD, a passing score and a return for a TD. SR Tripp Underwood (2,466 pass yds, 25 TD), SR Brock Tankersley (600+ offensive yds, 8 TD; 162 TKL, 2 INT) and brothers SR Jonah Swinton (838 rec yds, 11 TD; 4 INT) and JR Davon Swinton (541 rec yds, 5 TD) as well as SR Jakob Lunsford (93 TKL, 24 TFL, 5 Sacks) led the team.
2023 LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS
Coach: Heath Webb
Record: 12-1
Accomplishments: 3A Quarterfinals, Region 7-AAA Champions, #5 State Ranking
It was a magical run in Gold City. Heath Webb’s persona and his ‘Hard Work Pays Off’ motto rubbed off on his program, and Lumpkin County reaped the benefits for a second straight year. This 2023 season though was something to behold. A perfect regular season of 10-0 came with the school’s first state ranking since 1967, and a first-ever Region Championship. The offense and defense were special, both ranking inside the top-10 in the state all season long. The offense, behind Mason Sullens (2,281 rush yds, 33 TD) and Cal Faulkner (1,706 pass yds, 19 TD, 1 INT; 929 rush yds, 17 TD) racked up 546 points (42/game), and the defense (19.7/game) was among the best in the state until the final couple of games inflated the numbers a bit. The Indians thrilled the fans several times, with a 4 OT win at home against White County in a 61-55 doozy, a 34-23 revenge win over rivals Dawson County to clinch the region title, and a 45-42 OT win over Oconee County in the second round of the playoffs to avenge the first round loss from the year before while also sending Lumpkin to its first-ever Quarterfinals game. The Indians played all 3 playoff games at the Burial Grounds, stomping Gordon Lee in the first round for what was the school’s first-ever playoff win. Despite a tough battle, they fell to Savannah Christian in the Quarterfinals, but the legend of this team will live on forever.
2023 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Mark Hollars
Record: 11-2
Accomplishments: 1A DI Quarterfinals, Region 8-A DI Champions, #2 State Ranking
The Tigers had an unbelievable run all the way to the State Quarterfinals, carrying a #2 ranking with them. Commerce put together its best season to that point under coach Mark Hollars, going 11-2 overall while leaning on their running back duo of Jaiden Daniels (1,965 yds, 23 TD) and Tysean Wiggins (1,493 yds, 14 TD). And don’t forget Jacari Huff (496 yds, 7 TD). That offense averaged 33.4 points per game (434 pts) as a top-10 unit in the state. Defensively, the Tigers were stingy at 15.6 on average. Commerce won back-to-back games to open up against out-of-state powerhouses Southside Christian (SC) and Murphy (NC) and hit one bump with a 10-point loss to Hebron Christian. After that, it was smooth sailing, as Commerce won out (9 straight until the Quarterfinals). That included wins at Elbert County in the Granite Bowl (by 28 points) and a gritty overtime win over Rabun County to secure the Region Championship. Commerce rolled through Jasper County and Dade County in the first two rounds of the playoffs, then lost an 8-point game to Bryan County in the Quarterfinals.
2015-2023 RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS
Coach: Lee Shaw (2015-18); Jaybo Shaw (2019-21); Michael Davis (2022-23)
Record: 103-16
2023: 9-4 (QTR) // 2022: 12-1 (QTR) // 2021: 11-2 (QTR) // 2020: 12-2 (SEMIS) // 2019: 12-1 (QTR) // 2018: 11-2 (QTR) // 2017: 14-1 (STATE RUNNER-UP) // 2016: 11-1 (QTR) // 2015: 11-2 (QTR)
Accomplishments: Where to begin? 9 straight Region Championships from 2014-2022. But the 9 seasons to date since 2015 were extra special, all resulting in Quarterfinal or deeper runs. This was highlighted by the 2017 State Championship game team and the 2020 Semifinals run. During this dynasty run, Rabun County was ranked #1 in the state on multiple occasions, had at least 11 wins in each season from 2015-22, and 4 undefeated regular seasons (’16, ’17, ’19, ’22). The offense during this run has been among the best in state history (2017 group was 6th highest-scoring offense ever {45.6 per game}), and 2020 group (50.3 PPG) was 3rd best in state history. The 2021 version averaged 48.6 per game, one of the tops in state history as well. These teams were led by the likes of QB Bailey Fisher (c/o 2018, Tennessee Tech & Gardner-Webb), who tallied over 12,000 yards of offense and 170 total TD in his career, as well as QB Gunner Stockton (c/o 2022, 5-star UGA commit), who owns the state record for passing TD (177) all-time, and 2nd all-time in passing yards (13,652). Overall, Stockton tallied state records of 18,024 yards of offense and 254 total TD. Do-it-all athlete Charlie Woerner (c/o 2016, UGA), ATH Austin Jones (c/o 2019, Furman), WR Braxton Hicks (c/o 2020, UGA), WR Jaden Gibson (c/o 2023, Virginia), WR/DB Willie Goodwyn (c/o 2024, Cincinnati) among many other next-level players. Gibson finished as the state’s all-time leading receiver in yards (5,124) and receiving TD (59). That includes the 2nd-most yards in a single season at 1,950 in 2022, and his 29 TD that season are a state record as well. This dynasty really can go back further if it had deeper runs in ’14 and ’13, but this Wildcat program didn’t lose a region game from 2014-2022, spanning exactly 50 straight region wins. Even after the change in guard from the Shaw era to Michael Davis taking over, the 2022 unit reloaded with Gibson and Keegan Stover (90 total career TD) and others to go unbeaten in the regular season, win the region title, and go back to the quarterfinals. In 2023, the Cats went 9-4 and finished 3rd in the region, but made a 9th consecutive Quarterfinal berth behind young stars Ty Truelove and Reid Giles along with Goodwyn and others.
2019-2020 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Gene Cathcart
Record: 24-3
2020: 14-1 (STATE RUNNER-UP) // 2019: 10-2 (QTR)
Accomplishments: In 2019, the Dragons were seconds away from stamping their ticket to the Semifinals before falling to Crisp County. Colby Clark led Jefferson to 10 straight wins following a season-opening loss. The result included an outright Region Championship (8-AAA) and a #3 state-ranking. Playmakers like Kade McNally, Malaki Starks, Jordan Perry, Rem Maxwell, and others contributed heavily along with Clark. In 2020, Starks (c/o 2022 5* recruit), Perry, Kam Robinson, Paxton Corkery, Jaheim Hardy and others gave the Dragons one of their best seasons ever, as they won the region title and went unbeaten for 14 straight until falling in the title game to Marist.
2014-2020 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Michael Brown
Record: 66-21
2020: 11-2 (QTR) // 2019: 9-3 (S16) // 2018: 10-3 (QTR) // 2017: 8-3 (S16) // 2016: 9-3 (QTR) // 2015: 9-4 (SEMIS) // 2014: 10-3 (SEMIS)
Accomplishments: Back-to-back 1A State Semifinals runs (’14-’15) were the highlights, with a region title in 2014 in 8-A. The 2015 squad allowed only 184 pts all season (14.2 per game allowed). Caleb Brooks, Cole Chancey, J’varius Wood, Will Thomas, and Lane Sorrow were some of the key players, as well as Nate Ray and others. The Tigers have been ranked #1 in Class 1A Public in a couple of the seasons, and have not dropped out of the top-10 during this span. In 2019 it was an early exit, but 2020 saw the Tigers tear through nearly everyone, claiming a region championship and advancing to the Quarterfinals behind play of Sammy Brown, Trey Huff, Dreylan Martin, and Tyelon Brock.
2015 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
Coach: Sid Maxwell
Record: 9-3; Quarterfinals
Accomplishments: Sid Maxwell’s first season at Dawson was unforgettable, as his son Tucker Maxwell proved an elite receiver to pair with sophomore QB Coey Watson (the best player in program history) and Hunter Mitchell, Andrew Young, and many others. The Tigers won the school’s first-ever football Region Title (7-AAA), and made its first-ever Quarterfinal run. The playoff run also included the Tigers winning their first-ever (and second-ever) playoff game at home. The team set a then-record 63 points in the first round win over Ringgold.
2008-2013 GAINESVILLE RED ELEPHANTS
Coach: Bruce Miller
Record: 72-11
2013: 12-2 (SEMIS) // 2012: 12-3 (STATE CHAMPIONS) // 2011: 12-2 (SEMIS) // 2010: 10-2 (S16) // 2009: 14-1 (STATE RUNNER-UP) // 2008: 12-1 (QTR)
Accomplishments: 72 wins over a 6-year span is ridiculous. This includes a State Championship in 2012 with now-NFL starting QB Deshaun Watson (2x Heisman finalist at Clemson & National Champion) as well as an appearance in 2009 in the Georgia Dome. This Dynasty run won 5 straight region titles despite jumping from 3A to 5A in a one-year span. Ironically, the only year in their Dynasty they didn’t win the region title was the State Champion 2012 version, which lost the region title game to Flowery Branch. Other stars beside Watson included his predecessor Blake Sims (c/o 2010, Alabama), Tailer “TJ” Jones (c/o 2010, Notre Dame, NFL WR), AJ Johnson (c/o 2013, Tennessee, NFL LB), and Jeremiah Ledbetter (c/o 2011, Arkansas, NFL LB) among many others.
*EXCEPTION: This was one of the few times we stepped outside of our coverage area and followed Watson every chance we could, as well as Blake Sims before him…how could you not?!?
2012 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: T. McFerrin
Record: 14-1; 2A STATE CHAMPIONS
Accomplishments: McFerrin’s last year, with stud QB Bryant Shirreffs leading the way. This group was phenomenal, winning a Region 8-AA title and rolling through the playoffs to the Georgia Dome, winning it all as the #1-ranked team in the state!
2008-2009 FLOWERY BRANCH FALCONS
Coach: Lee Shaw
Record: 12-3 in 2008 [3A STATE RUNNER-UP]; 10-4 in 2009 [3A STATE SEMIFINALS]
Accomplishments: One of the most fun football groups to watch in the last decade, the Connor Shaw-led Falcons couldn’t seem to win the Region 7-AAA title playing in the same group as Gainesville, but when the playoffs hit, they were true road warriors. Flowery Branch used guys like Shaw, Daniel Drummond, Will Monday, Imani & Izaan Cross and plenty of other talented players to get to the Georgia Dome in ’08, where they fell to Cairo. In 2009, they played maybe the best game of all time at Gainesville in the 3A Semifinals, where the Red Elephants won to get to the Dome on a last-second TD to beat the region rivals in front of some 9,000 people flooding the stadium. What was crazy was that just weeks prior in the defacto region title game at Flowery Branch, Gainesville destroyed the Falcons…Flowery Branch made HUGE adjustments to nearly topple the Red Elephants.
*EXCEPTION: Before we established our coverage area firmly, we had begun by following this team in 2007-2009. It’s where it all started for BLITZ, and this was a fun team to watch.
2006-2007 HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS
Coach: Gene Cathcart
Record: 11-2 in 2007 [QTR]; 10-3 in 2006 [QTR]
Accomplishments: Tavarres King, who finished his career with well over 3,000 receiving yards and over 30 TD catches, led the Raiders to a two-year unforgettable run that included Region Championships in both years. QB Bo Hatchett (5,500 pass yds) was instrumental as well, and so were guys like Zach Chitwood, Daniel Franklin, and others during this run.
SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2023 & 2024 BANKS COUNTY LADY LEOPARDS
Coach: Rhett Carroll
Record: 24-7 (2023); 31-6 (2024)
Accomplishments: 2A 3rd Place (Final 4) (2023), 1A DI 4th Place (Final 4) (2024), Region 8-AA Champions (2023), Region 8-A DI (2024), #2 State Ranking (2024), #3 State Ranking (2023)
2024: The Lady Leopards were unbelievable. With an ace like SO Peyton Gaylor (26-3, 1.42 ERA, 191 K) and star hitters such as SR SS Desiree Trudel (.451-13-35), SR 3B Allison Murphy (.306-4-26), SR OF Reese Murphy (.345-2-33), SR 1B Cylee Whitfield (.340, 36 runs) and SO 2B Tylee Strickland (.315-7-32), this group was loaded. Banks County blasted opponents, outscoring them 274-102 while going 17-2 on the home field and 31-6 overall, working a 13-game win streak, and winning yet another Region Championship! In the playoffs, the Lady Leopards demolished rivals Commerce in the first round, outscoring them 20-3 in a sweep. Vidalia was a similar result in the second round, as Banks swept behind a 15-5 total score. That got the team to Columbus. An opening win over Haralson County, 9-7, propelled them closer to a state title. A loss to eventual Runner-Up Toombs County pushed them to the elimination bracket. They rebounded with a 3-2 win over Social Circle before falling to Bremen to finish 4th in the state.
2023: Banks County went 24-7 with a well-balanced team. The Lady Leopards were the undisputed Region Champions, marking the 7th in a 10-year span. Rhett Carroll took them in his first season to 24 wins, the most since the 32-win State Championship year in 2019. After going 8-1 in region play and winning the region title, the Lady Leopards hosted their regional round while holding a #3 state ranking. In the Banks County Regional, the Lady Leopards opened with wins over Haralson County and Redan, the latter a 17-1 blowout. A 2-1 win against Haralson again clinched the regional and sent Banks County to Columbus. Once there, a 4-2 opening win over Toombs County was followed by an 8-0 victory against Vidalia. Banks then fell to both Appling County and Jeff Davis to finish 3rd in the state tournament. The lineup, anchored by Mary Faulkner (.494-3-25) notched 204 runs, averaging 6.6 per game, while Payton Gaylor (20 wins, 2.00 ERA, 176 K) led the pitching efforts as the Lady Leopards allowed just 3.3 per contest.
2017-2020 BANKS COUNTY LADY LEOPARDS
Coach: Tony Bowen (’17-’18) & Kelby Cronic (’19-’20)
Record: 26-9; 2A STATE 3RD PLACE in 2017; 29-10; 2A STATE RUNNER-UP in 2018; 33-3, 2A STATE CHAMPIONS in 2019; 17-15, 2A STATE ELITE 8 in 2020
Accomplishments: Region 8-AA champions in ’17, ’19, and ’20, and runner-up in ’18, #1-state ranking, Top-10 National Ranking (2019), Final 4 run in ’17 after not making state the previous year, going from 8-12 in 2016 to 26-9 to the semifinals. Followed that up with a 29-win ’18 season that ended in the state title game. Stars Jaycie Bowen, Tybee Denton, Abbie Bailey, Kya Santiago, and Madison Cronic were the main culprits that year. All but Bowen returned for 2019, where the Lady Leopards under new head coach Kelby Cronic dominated wire to wire.
Tybee Denton (.423 AVG, 12 HR, 41 RBI; 29-3 W-L, 1 Save, 0.47 ERA, 412 K), Jill Martinet (.480 AVG, 9 HR, 46 RBI), and Madi Cronic (.460 AVG, 2 HR, 14 RBI) led the way. The playoff run was unlike any that’s ever been seen in state history. Complete domination to the tune of 97-1 as a score differential against competition. To cap it off, the Lady Leopards were forced to play the final 3 innings of the final game at home, when in Columbus rain halted their championship game with just a few frames to go. The agonizing wait was well worth it to do something no other team gets to do…win a state title in front of the home crowd. The following season was much more difficult, though Banks was ranked #1 early and ended up winning the region title and making another quarterfinals run with Madi Cronic leading the way.
2019-2020 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Melissa Mullis
Record: 46-22-1
2020: 23-13-1 (State Runner-Up) // 2019: 23-9 (State 3rd Place)
Accomplishments: The Lady Tigers slugged the ball for all of 2019 and 2020, leading the world in homeruns. Players like Rachel Morgan, Maggie Mullis, Carson Hobbs, and many others were mainstays in the lineup and pivotal to the success of the team. A state runner-up finish in 2020 and 3rd place in 2019 were huge achievements for a team that won the region title each year from 2017 to 2020 (4 straight). That came with a #2 state ranking in multiple seasons.
2018 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
Coach: Kacie Bostwick
Record: 30-8
Accomplishments: The Lady Dragons averaged over six runs per contest en route to a state title game appearance. Region 8-AAA Champions, 3A State Runners-Up, #2-state ranking. Seniors Emily Perrin and Sam Vinson, along with a slew of other young players were the key cogs driving this machine.
2017 STEPHENS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Katie Jo Gentry
Record: 25-10; 4A STATE RUNNER-UP
Accomplishments: Region 7-AAAA runner-up, #2-state ranking, and the second straight Elite 8 run in school history (back-to-back seasons). Clemson commit Emma Whitfield and freshman Jasmine Lowery led the team to the title game.
2010 WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
Coach: John Brown
Record: 30-6; 3A STATE CHAMPIONS
Accomplishments: Stephanie Satterfield smashed 16 homers (a then-state record) and the Lady Warriors went on an unforeseen tear once they got into the playoffs. The homerun power by Satterfield, Callie McDonald, Kristen Mullis and Morgan Jacobson was unreal! It all ended with a 12-11 slugfest win over Alatoona in the championship game, leaving White County as the #1-ranked team in Class 3A.
2010 UNION COUNTY LADY PANTHERS
Coach: Jessica Stewart
Record: 32-4-1; 2A STATE RUNNER-UP
Accomplishments: Playing in the same region as Buford doesn’t help. While they won the region title (going undefeated in the regular season in region play), they fell in the state championship to…you guessed it — Buford! The Lady Panthers suffered three of their four losses in 2010 to the Lady Wolves. This team was led by star pitcher Angie Hughes, who left as one of the state’s all-time top strikeout leaders.
VOLLEYBALL HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2024 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
Coach: Brittani Lawrence
Record: 36-5
Accomplishments: 3A State Champions!, Region 8-AAA Runner-Up, #1 State Ranking
The Lady Dragons played with heart, as the program always focuses on, and this year’s motto ‘Seize the Moment’ was so fitting. Jefferson, ranked #1 throughout the season, didn’t win their 6th straight region title, but rebounded to make a magical playoff run. In the end, Brittani Lawrence’s team won their first State Championship after going 36-5 overall and dominating to the tune of 87-16 in sets overall. Rematches in the postseason run included taking on Chestatee in the Elite 8 and White County in the Final 4, as well as Calhoun in the State Championships. Jefferson repeated the previous results with wins, including a 3-0 win over White and 3-0 over Calhoun to finish as dominant as they had been the whole season. Region POY, SR OH Kaytlin Johnson (435 Kills, 216 Digs, 63 Aces), SR S Eva Claire Nelson (980 Assists, 134 Digs, 103 Aces), SR MH Amelia Pilgrim (196 Kills, 36 Blocks), and others like SR OH Jolie Guenther and JR MH Hannah Howard were instrumental to the team’s special run.
2024 WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
Coach: Yarixa Oakes
Record: 32-10
Accomplishments: 3A State Final 4, Region 6-AAA Runner-Up, #2 State Ranking
The Lady Warriors were phenomenal all season long, going 32-10 in total while holding a #2 state ranking at White County’s peak. The girls won 71 of their 108 sets overall, and had a 12-match win streak during the season. In the playoffs, the Lady Warriors beat Cedar Grove, Monroe Area, and then LaFayette in the Quarterfinals to reach the Semis. They dropped the finale to Jefferson, but had a fantastic run. The senior trio of Jenna Pratt (294 kills), Emma Kerley (286 kills), and Sarah Jarrard (272 kills) led the offense, while Pratt had 105 aces as well. Kerley (69 blocks), SR Mya Yeh (404 digs), and SR Baylie Rae Vandiver (237 digs) were leading defensive players, and Vandiver (394 assists) and SR Kalynn Watkins (494 assists) set the table.
2022 TALLULAH FALLS LADY INDIANS
Coach: Matt Heyl
Record: 35-11
Accomplishments: 1A DI State Champions, Area 8-A DI Champions, #1 State Ranking
This team has been well documented in a BLITZ exclusive interview with coach Matt Heyl and stars Sarah Jennings, Addy McCoy, and Kitty Rodenas. SEE HERE. In short, the Lady Indians were playing their usual solid volleyball, boasting a nice record, a top-10 state ranking, and coming off a 6-match win streak. But the team explained that they weren’t having fun doing it. Once they decided to get back to having fun and enjoying their time together, coach Heyl told the team to go for 16 in a row. That would mean winning every game including the state championship. Well, Tallulah Falls went 15-1 (losing only to eventual 3A champs Morgan County), and shattered individual and team records along the way. TFS had never won an Area Championship or made it past the Sweet 16 hump, though getting there several times before and being Area RU a handful of years in a row. The team put up records of wins (35), win percentage (.761), sets won (84), wins over ranked opponents (8), and everything past the Sweet 16 was a new experience, including a #1 ranking to close it out. Heyl eclipsed 100 career wins early in the year, and Jennings set the all-time records in kills (1,000-plus) and digs (1,000-plus), as well as aces. She was named Area Player of the Year, and Rodenas set the single-season aces and assists records, while McCoy had a sensational season as well.
2022 WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
RECORD: 34-14
HEAD COACH: Yarixa Oakes
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Region 7-AAA Champions, 3A State Final 4, #3 State Ranking
The Lady Warriors already had a solid program that jumpstarted in 2015. White County had only missed the playoffs twice from 2015-2022, and first-year coach Yarixa Oakes took a group that went 16-16 in 2020 and lost in the first round to their best season ever in 2022. The Lady Warriors won a program-best 34 matches while earning their first-ever region championship. A deep playoff run got White County into the Final 4 for the first time, and the girls closed with a #3 state ranking. One of the key players on the team was setter Linsey Burke, who was instrumental in guiding the team to new heights.
2020-2022 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
RECORD: 80-29 [31-8, Region Champs, Final 4 in ’22 // 20-12, Region Champs, Quarterfinals in ’21 // 30-9, Region Champs, Final 4 in ’20]
HEAD COACH: Brittani Lawrence
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3x Region Champions, 2x Final Four (once in 4A, once in 5A), 1 Quarterfinals, #1 State Ranking
The Lady Dragons played with full hearts in 2020, and secured a second-straight 30-win season. After losing in the Sweet 16 in 2019 despite being heavy favorites and having 35 wins, the Lady Dragons were determined that 2020 go more according to plan. A #1 state ranking and playoff run (for an 11th straight season) was just the beginning, as the girls went all the way to the Semifinals. In 2021, it was a more meager 20-12 overall record, but still carried a #3 ranking, region title, and quarterfinal run, and led to a 31-8 2022 season in which the Lady Dragons were #2 in the state, again won the region crown, and got to the Final 4 after jumping up a whole classification. Several players were key to this 2022 run, including one of the best in the region, Kaytlin Johnson.
2020-2021 UNION COUNTY LADY PANTHERS
RECORD: 37-17
HEAD COACH: Anna Chapman
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Back-to-Back Region Champions, Back-2-Back 2A State Final Four, #4 State Ranking
First-year head coach Anna Chapman took a young program and went for a ride in 2020. It was a rocky start actually that saw Union get off to an 0-4 start and 2-6 through the first 8. After that, Union won 17 of its last 20, including the region title and all the way to the Semifinals. In 2021, the team did essentially the exact same thing prior to the resignation of Chapman at the end of the season.
2019 RABUN COUNTY LADY WILDCATS
RECORD: 17-21
HEAD COACH: Reggie Rider
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Area Champions, 2A State Final Four, #4 State Ranking
This is crazy, because this team wasn’t our pick for Team of the Year for Fall 2019 (that honor went to Habersham Central). The roles were reversed. These Lady Cats didn’t have the record a HOF team might, but they won the games that mattered most. Destiny Deetz was one of the leaders on this stout squad that has made deep playoff runs a thing of habit lately.
This “DYNASTY” includes making state in 6 out of 7 years from 2013 to 2019, including Elite 8 trips in 2016 and 2018, and the Final Four in 2019. The girls won 4 straight area titles from ’16-’19, and were ranked in the top 10 each season.
CROSS COUNTRY HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2024 DAWSON COUNTY LADY TIGERS
Coach: Jonathan Tinsley
Accomplishments: 3A State Runner-Up, Sectionals 5th Place, #2 State Ranking
The expectations were always high for #2-ranked Dawson County. The Lady Tigers delivered, finishing as the State Runner-Up, stepping it up after a 5th-place run at Sectionals. At state, JR Hayden Hand (7th), JR Addison Smith (22nd), and SO Maria Gloeckner (23rd) were solid, with JR Ryleigh Adamson and freshmen Ella Carrington and Sarah Carrington, and SO Caroline Hughes all placing in the top 63.
2023 LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS
Coach: Logan Turner
Accomplishments: 3A State Runner-Up, Region 7-AAA Champions, #2 State Ranking
With a talented 1-2 punch the likes of Wyatt Windham and Ben Sherrill, it was no surprise to see Lumpkin County have so much success. Windham (Region RU; State 4th) and Sherrill (Region 3rd; State 7th) guided the Indians to a Region Championship in 7-AAA and a Runner-Up finish at the GHSA State Championships, finishing as the #2-ranked program. Logan Turner’s team dominated nearly every course they ran on in 2023.
2020 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
Coach: Charles Beusse
Record: 3A STATE RUNNER-UP
Accomplishments: Region 7-AAA Champions for the fourth time in six seasons, #2-state ranking, and a second-place finish at the 3A State Meet. Led by Luke Hamby, Sam Hulsey, Wiley Dennis, and Ethan Smith.
2020-2021 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
Coach: Timothy Lees
Accomplishments: Back-to-Back 4A State Runner-Up, Back-to-Back Region 8-AAAA Champions, #1 State Ranking
Led by Katherine Law and Caitlin Schroeder, the Lady Dragons were extremely dominant, finishing just shy of a state title, though Law won the individual honors as the 4A Champion in 2020. In 2021, Law led the team to another region title and state runner-up finish. She came in 5th, and teammate Kiley Powell was also an anchor for the Lady Dragons.
2018-2019 UNION COUNTY PANTHERS
Coach: Paige Dyer
Accomplishments: 2A State Champions (2018) & Runner-Up (2019), #1 State Ranking, Region Runner-Up (2018) & 3rd Place (2019)
The Panthers took Class 2A by storm in 2018. Despite a second-place finish in Region 8-AA, the boys saved their best for last, winning the 2A State Championship, becoming Union’s first-ever state title winning program.
From the onset of the 2019 season, it was a #1 state ranking for Union County’s boys that meant they were going to have a great year. They did just that. Despite an upset at the region meet, where they finished 3rd, the boys went to state and behind Luke Gambrell and Hunter Hartzog, came in second.
2019-20 COMMERCE BOYS / GIRLS (2019)
COACH: Mark Hale
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: GIRLS (2019): Area 3rd Place; 1A Public State Runner-Up; #2 State Ranking // BOYS (2019-20): Area Champions 2x; 1A Public State Champions 2x; #1 State Ranking
Commerce girls weren’t our Team of the Year (that went to Jefferson), but a Runner-Up finish at state fits the criteria for Hall of Fame Team induction. Paden Bell, a sensational freshman, nearly won a state title individually in 2019. The girls took 3rd at area and Runner-Up at state.
The Tigers also weren’t our Team of the Year (that went to Union), but you can’t deny this group that was led by State Champion Brandon Martin and Runner-Up Demarco Hernandez. A great season for the Area and State Champions! In 2020, the Tigers again won the title, and again it was Martin leading the way to an individual championship, while JJ Morris was right on his heels.
2017 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
Coach: Charles Beusse
Record: 3A STATE RUNNER-UP
Accomplishments: Region 7-AAA Champions for the third straight season, #2-state ranking, and a second-place finish at the 3A State Meet. Led by Cody Wood, Ben McGinnis & Christoper Shelp.
2016-2017 BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS (BOYS) / 2017 GIRLS
Coach: William Foster
Record: BOYS – 2A STATE CHAMPIONS (2017) & RUNNER-UP (2016) | GIRLS – 2A STATE RUNNER-UP (2017)
Accomplishments: They deserve to go together! It was a dream finish for both programs, Leopards earning the state title and Lady Leopards a runner-up finish. Both of course won region as well. Allison Smith (6th) led the girls; Griffin Stephens (3rd) & Jimmy Cochran (4th) led the boys! The prior season (’16) the Leopards were Runner-Up, and the 2018 season saw Stephens (who eventually won an individual state title as a senior in 2019) and the Leopards finish 3rd.
2012-2017 WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
Coach: Sam Borg
Record: 4A STATE 3RD PLACE (3X), 4TH PLACE (1X), 5TH PLACE (1X) & 10TH (1X)
Accomplishments: Borg’s girls…unbelievable all these years! Starts with Jenna Gearing (five-time state champion & eight-time region champion). Carried on by girls like Kristen Mitchell, Rachel Gearing, Jaelen Alexander and many others! If not for being in Class 4A, they’d probably have won a state title or two.
2012-2016 TOWNS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Jeannie Ledford
Record: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS [5 CONSECUTIVE]
Accomplishments: Area Champions three of the five years, but winning all five that mattered the most, ending with the #1-ranking in the state in 1A Public cross country. This group began with the Ansley Vardeman & Caitlin Sheffield-led years and finished with the Hannah Whitehead-led teams. A true dynasty!
COMPETITION CHEER HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2019-2021 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
COACH: Christy Potts
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1 State Championship, 2x State Runner-Up, 3x Region Champions, #1 State Ranking
The Jefferson competition cheer team placed second at state in the 3A classification, and earned a region championship and #2 state ranking in the process in both 2019 and 2020. Head coach Christy Potts guided the girls to three straight region titles, and took the program to a new level with back-to-back state runner-up finishes, which bested 2018’s version, which finished 4th. Then came 2021’s team, that made their dreams come true with a state championship and yet another region title, which came with a #1 state ranking.
2018-2021 DAWSON COUNTY LADY TIGERS
Coach: Kim Fleming
Accomplishments: 3A State Champions, 3A State Runner-Up, 2x 3A State 3rd Place, 4x Region Champions, #1 State Ranking
The Lady Tigers earned the 3A State Runner-Up finish and a Region/Area Title to boot! Incredible season by the girls, and Nicole Mulkey, who was named All-State. This program won 5 region titles (’14, ’15, ’16, ’18, ’19, ’20, ’21), placing sixth or better at state each time. In 2018 it got real, as the team was runner-up, followed by back-to-back years at 3rd in 2019 and 2020. Then Kim Fleming’s team finally did what they always knew they could, and won the 2021 state championship.
2012-2021 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Dianne Cottrell
Accomplishments: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS [3 PEAT ’13-15]; 1A RUNNER-UP [’12, ’18, ’19, ’21]; 1A 3RD [’17], 1A 4th [’20]; 1A 5th [’16]
One of the top programs in Georgia – State titles in Class 1A from 2013-15, runner-up finishes in ’12, ’18, ’19, and ’21, and three other top-fives in ’16-17 and ’20.
BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2024-25 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.
2024-25 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.
2020-23 LUMPKIN COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: David Dowse
Record: 26-5 [STATE RUNNER-UP] in ’22-’23; 30-1 [STATE CHAMPS] in ’21-’22; 25-5 [STATE FINAL 4] in ’20-’21
Accomplishments: 3A State Champions; 3A State Runner-Up; 3x 3A Final Four, 3x Region 7-AAA Champions, #1 State Ranking all 3 years
One of the state’s top offenses, this tight group of talented players came together with a common goal to “Hang A Banner” for the first time in 30 years (the last time the Lady Indians had a region championship). With a #1 state ranking most of the season, the girls didn’t disappoint. They rolled to a 25-win season, winning the regular season and tournament championship, and went all the way to the Final Four, where a buzzer-beater kept them from the state title game. Isabel Davenport won her second straight BLITZ POY honors, and Averie Jones, Makenzie Caldwell, Lexi Pierce, and Mary Mullinax were ridiculously good! An encore in 2021-22 had the motto “Play 32” (32 minutes in a game, max of 32 games in a season). Though the team only played 31 games, it accomplished EVERYTHING it set out to do. It didn’t come without drama, as head coach David Dowse resigned two games into the season and the team went 1-1 without him before he returned. They never lost again, winning an insane Class 3A bracket and defeating GAC in the title game. A region title and #1 state ranking from start to finish came with it, and BLITZ Player of the Year Mary Mullinax teamed up with Lexi Pierce, Averie Jones, and Kate Jackson to form a quartet unmatched in the state. With the entire group rolling it back in 2022-23, the Lady Indians used “SAQUU” as their motto, which means ‘one’ in Cherokee. The Fab 5 of Mullinax, Pierce, Jones, Jackson, and Ciera Brooks rode all the way to the state title game once again, but fell to powerhouse and undefeated Hebron Christian. The girls were 26-5, won the regular season region title, and were ranked #1 for quite awhile. Mullinax, Pierce, and Jones all eclipsed 1,000 career points, and Jackson was 50 shy despite missing her entire sophomore season. The era ended with Dowse retiring at the conclusion of the season, and Mullinax (back-to-back BLITZ POY), Pierce, and Jackson all going off to college. Jones and Brooks returned to lead the team into a new era.
2022-23 BANKS COUNTY LADY LEOPARDS
Coach: Steve Shedd
Record: 28-4
Accomplishments: 2A State Runner-Up, Region 8-AA Champions, #1 State Ranking
The Lady Leopards made history by making just their second-ever Final 4 run and first-ever State Championship game appearance. Banks County earned a #1 state ranking and really took off after a big win over #2-ranked Rabun County early in the season. It was part of a 21-game win streak, as Steve Shedd and his Lady Leopards powered on to an undefeated region slate, winning the regular season and tournament Region 8-AA Championship, and then marched through North Murray, North Cobb Christian (Sweet 16), Central Macon (Elite 8), and Josey (Final 4) into the title game against a 32-1 Mt. Paran juggernaut. The Lady Leopards featured the Region Player of the Year in seniors Kamryn Grier (14.0 PTS, 10.0 REB, 2.0 STL, 2.0 BLK) and Madison Adams, juniors Addison Hoard (11.0 PTS, 4.0 AST, 4.0 REB, 4.0 STL) and Carley Segars (8.5 PTS, 7.5 REB), and sophomores Rylee and Reese Murphy. The future is bright with so many players coming back next season.
2021-22 RABUN COUNTY LADY WILDCATS
Coach: DeeDee Dillard
Record: 24-6
Accomplishments: 2A State Runner-Up, Region 8-AA Champions, #1 State Ranking
The Lady Wildcats ran through the regular season with ease for the most part, and showed great bounce-back ability in the few games they did drop. Rabun County was either ranked #1 or only as low as #3 in the state polls throughout, and took down eventual State Champions Elbert County twice (one for the region title) before losing to them in the title game. Rabun County was 5-1 in region play, losing just once to Elbert in the regular season. The offense averaged 61 points per game, and DeeDee Dillard recorded her second-ever state championship game appearance. A talented senior class that included Gracie Deetz, Carley Haban, Sophie Woodard, Sara Kate Roberson, and others were just phenomenal. Those players who will return next season include Lucy Hood, Ellie Southards, and Mary Lovell who will all be relied heavily upon.
2020-21 TOWNS COUNTY INDIANS
Coach: Rob Benson
Record: 25-3 [STATE CHAMPIONS!]
Accomplishments: 1A State Champions!, Region 8-A Champions, #1 State Ranking
The #1-ranked team for most of the season did not fold under the pressure. It was a team that already had Elite 8 or Final Four written all over it with Kolby Moss, Collin Crowder, Aidan Berrong, and Kyle Oakes. Add in NC transfer Jake McTaggart and Hayden McClure, and it pushed the team over the top. The Indians lost only 3 times, and had no problem in the region (11-1), taking the regular season and tournament championships, then going all the way and knocking off defending state champs Hancock Central in the title game in Macon! Moss was named BLITZ Player of the Year.
2020-22 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Brad Puckett
Record: 14-15 [STATE FINAL 4] in ’21-’22; 19-11 [STATE FINAL 4] in ’20-’21
Accomplishments: 2x 1A State Final Four, 2x Region 8-A Runner-Up, 2x #4 State Ranking
This Lady Tigers team got hot at the perfect time, and were led by Bryanna Sanders, Carson Hobbs and others in ’20-’21. The girls finished as Region Runner-Up and rolled through the playoffs to the Final Four for the first time since 1989. It was an incredible run for a very talented group. The following season was even more surprising, as the team went only 14-15 overall, though another Final Four run, another Region RU finish, and another #4 state ranking came anyway. Lauren Massey and Carson Hobbs were unreal, leading a fairly young team once again got to the Final Four.
2019-20 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Kevin Morris
Record: 22-8 [STATE RUNNER-UP]
Accomplishments: State Runner-Up, Region Champions, #2 State Ranking
The Dragons got hot at the absolute perfect time, and made an historic run to their first-ever State Championship game appearance in Macon. They won 13 straight to get there. Heading into the final minutes of the title game, Jefferson even held a lead. The Dragons lost the season-opener to powerhouse Banks County, and dropped 5 of their first 9 games of the year. On December 10 after losing to Franklin County by 8, Jefferson was a modest 4-5 and 0-2 in region play. Hardly impressive. Something changed, as Jefferson went 18-2 the rest of the way. Key players of this team included Jacob Radaker (reached 1K pts), Owen Parker, Daniel Parker, Spencer Darby, Malaki Starks, and others.
2018-19 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
Coach: Chad Pittman
Record: 27-5 [FINAL 4]
Accomplishments: The Tigers brought in a flux of talent from elsewhere prior to the season. Nearby Dawson Christian Academy shut its doors, so highly-touted senior Luke Chism, and players like Eli Burruss and Ahmad Kamara joined him. Also, Jefferson’s best player, Jasper Gibson, came over with his dad to Dawson. The group, which included returnees Campbell Reed and Trey Pruitt among others, gelled quickly. The Tigers were ranked as high as #2 in the state, and won 11 straight through the region and state tournament until a Final Four loss. Dawson beat #1-ranked GAC, who were the defending state champions, to claim the Region 7-AAA title, and rolled into the first Final Four in team history. Luke Chism was also named Co-Region and Co-BLITZ Player of the Year.
2015-2019 RABUN COUNTY LADY WILDCATS
Coach: DeeDee Dillard
Record: 106-16
28-2 in ’18-19 [QTR]; 24-7 in ’17-18 [QTR]; 29-3 in ’16-17 [STATE RUNNER-UP]; 25-4 in ’15-16 [QTR]
Accomplishments: The Lady Cats were at multiple times ranked #1 in the state, as recent as the ’19-20 season. This dynasty includes some 261 wins SO FAR, and Region Titles in 3 of those seasons (’15-16; ’16-17; ’18-19) and quarterfinal or deeper runs each time. That includes the historic 2016-17 State Championship game team. The girls pulled of 26 straight wins in ’18-19 until losing in the Quarterfinals. The roster was loaded with talent, which consisted of all-state guard Georgia Stockton, Brooke Henricks, Savanna Scott, and Laken Stiles, all 1,000-point scorers.
This dynasty (4 straight 20-win seasons) could easily go back to 2006-07. Since that time, the Lady Cats under Dillard have won 297 games prior to the ’19-20 season, and were ranked in the top 10 in all but two of those seasons. That run has netted 8 Region Championships, 2 Sweet 16s, 6 Elite 8s, and the Championship Game as part of 12 playoff runs and 8 20-win campaigns.
2012-2019 DAWSON COUNTY LADY TIGERS
Coach: Steve Sweat
Record: 149-62
22-9 in ’18-19 [QTR]; 15-13 in ’17-18 [RND 1]; 12-18 in ’16-17 [QTR]; 24-5 in ’15-16 [S16]; 29-1 in ’14-15 [QTR]; 20-10 in ’13-14 [S16]; 27-6 in ’12-13 [STATE RUNNER-UP]
Accomplishments: Where do you start? Legendary coach Steve Sweat has turned Dawson into an elite program really starting in the ’12-13 season in which the girls went to the State Championship game behind leader Carly Gilreath, Ashley Parker, Sheyenne Seabolt, Karlie Bearden, and others. Fast forward a couple of seasons, and it was Bearden, Parker, and Seabolt that led the Lady Tigers to a 25-0 regular season and 29-game win streak, complete with a Region Title and #1-ranking prior to a loss in the Quarterfinals. The team still made the Sweet 16 the next season, and made the Quarterfinals twice more (’16-17, ’18-19) with perhaps to best player in program history in Kaylee Sticker. We’re talking 5 20-win seasons in this dynasty that still lives on…
2010-2014 TOWNS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Jim Melton
Record: 95-24
19-10 in ’13-14 [QTR]; 26-5 in ’12-13 [FINAL 4]; 23-7 in ’11-12 [S16]; 27-2 in ’10-11 [S16]
Accomplishments: Stephanie Patton (2K point scorer) and Eryn Cochran (1K pts) were dominating opponents in this magical run. We can’t also forget Jordan Moss and 3-point sniper Gabby Arencibia. This dynasty run included 4 straight Sweet 16 or further runs, and Region Championships in each season. The region record was stellar (49-3) over that span, and consisted of 3 20-win seasons and a #1-state ranking.
WRESTLING HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2018-25 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Doug Thurmond (’18-19); Kyle Baird (’19-Present)
Record: 3A & 4A STATE CHAMPIONS, DUALS [’18-’19; ’20-’21; ’22-’23; ’24-’25 & RUNNER-UP ’21-’22] & TRADITIONAL [’20-’21; ’22-’23; ’24-’25 & RUNNER-UP ’21-’22; ’23-’24]
Accomplishments: The Dragons made it 18 consecutive state titles when they won the Duals 3A Tournament in January 2019. It was a narrow win over North Hall to give them the top spot. In Duals, Jefferson wasn’t able to win it all, but still placed third in a stacked class. The team had three champions (Ryan Hurd [BLITZ Wrestler of the Year], Mason Mingus, Gavin London) and three finish as individual runner-up. The Dragons won both Duals and Traditionals again in 2020-21 to keep the Dynasty alive! Though they were runner-up in Duals and Traditionals once again in 2021-22, with Sammy Brown, Davis Dendy, Davis Dollar, Creed Thomas, and Luke Cochran all earning individual gold. Though Doug Thurmond retired after the 2018-19 season, the program has continued to do big things under Kyle Baird. He led the Dragons to state titles (both in Duals and Traditional) in 2022-23, as Jefferson had 7 individual champions in Brown, Dollar, Thomas, Cochran, and freshmen Roman Belardo and Dallas Russell and senior Chaz McDonald. The Dragons then swept Duals and Traditional in 2024-25, with five individual champs also.
2024-25 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.
2013-2021 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Kendall Love
Record: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS, DUALS [6 YRS STRAIGHT, 1 RUNNER-UP] & TRADITIONAL [7 YEARS STRAIGHT]
Accomplishments: Perhaps the greatest dynasty of all that we cover is Commerce wrestling since the 2012-13 season and running until now. We’re looking at 13 team state championships, winning Duals 6 consecutive times from 2012-13 until the 2018-19 season. They were runner-up in that tournament in 2019-20 and 2020-21. The Tigers had won Traditional each year for 7 straight years before coming in 3rd in 2020-21. They also have had a pair of four-time individual state champions in Chance McClure and Dalton Flint.
2013-2014 BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS
Coach: Kasey Hanley
Accomplishments: STATE CHAMPIONS (DUALS) & RUNNER UP (TRADITIONAL)
The Leopards put together an historic season, winning the State Title in Duals and finishing as Runner-Up in Traditionals. This included an area championship in both events. It stands as the apex of this program.
SWIM HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2024-25 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.
BASEBALL HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2024 TALLULAH FALLS INDIANS
Coach: Justin Pollock
Record: 27-12
Accomplishments: 1A DI State Runner-Up, Region 8-A DI Runner-Up, #2 State Ranking
The team of destiny…Tallulah Falls honored former player Jeremy Medina, who died tragically. They wore ‘4 Jeremy’ shirts under their jerseys every game, and passed the #4 jersey from player to player throughout. Fueled by honoring him and his family, the Indians knew they were going to have the best year in school history. But no one could have predicted this run. The offense was lethal, averaging nearly 8 runs per game (294 total), and the pitching allowed just 168 runs (just a tad over 4 per game). Region POY and JR OF Danny Grant (.424-2-32) anchored an offense that included SO IF Ashton Roache (.274-7-23), star SR catcher Caden Walker (.327-2-32), clutch-hitting JR OF BJ Carver (.352-1-15), and several others. Cole Bonitatibus (8-2, 1.26 ERA, 105 K, 3 Saves), Chase Pollock (7-3, 1.95 ERA, 74 K, 2 Saves), and Andrew Skvarka (5-2, 3.28 ERA, 41 K, 2 Saves) were a 3-speared rotation that dominated. Handfuls of team and individual records were set, including the team gathering 9 wins over top-10 ranked teams. Overall, TFS went 27-12 with a pair of 6-game win streaks, earned a #2 state ranking, Region Runner-Up finish, and State Runner-Up finish. The Indians made quick work of Oglethorpe County in the first round of state, then hit the road and used a walkoff hit by Carver in game two at #4-ranked Pepperell to force and win game three. A sweep of #8-ranked Swainsboro at home in the Elite 8 included a 4-run comeback in game two. Beating #2-ranked King’s Ridge on the road in two straight, including a 6-run comeback in game one and a 7-run first to open game two got TFS into the title series against Prince Avenue Christian. After leading by 2 heading into the final inning of game one, the Indians saw Prince Ave storm back to win in extras, then clinch in game 2. Regardless, this team is one of the best we’ve ever seen.
2022 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Steve Cotrell
Record: 26-14
Accomplishments: 1A Final Four, Region 8-A Champions, #4 State Ranking
The Tigers went 26-14 overall, won a second consecutive region championship, and marched all the way to the state semifinals before falling to Metter in the Final Four. That resulted in a #4-state ranking. Coach Steve Cotrell continued to cement his legacy with this run, and he had a talented offense behind a trio of All-State players: BLITZ Player of the Year Hampton Hutto, Coleson Smith, Cayden Lord, and Ryan Cooper – all underclassmen. Others like Coy Argo, Landon Bunn, Brayton Purcell, and Jaxon Foster were all key cogs in this machine. After starting the season 1-4, although early, some doubted the prowess of this team. The Tigers won 11 of the next 12, including reeling off a 9-game win streak. After ripping through the region to a title there, Commerce defeated Armuchee in the first round of state, Irwin County in a 3-game thriller in the Sweet 16, Emmanuel County Institute in the Elite 8 (also a 3-game series), and fell to Metter in two games to close out the season.
2015 RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS
Coach: Daniel Young
Record: 21-7; 2A STATE SEMIFINALS
Accomplishments: Region 8-AA title, #3-state ranking, 2A Semifinals run with a great senior class! This team was loaded with talent: Colin Grant, Stetson Scott, Alden Wright, Trey Wilcox, Eli Gipson, Jacob Sego and others!
BOYS SOCCER HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2025 TALLULAH FALLS INDIANS
Coach: Jeremy Stille
Record: 19-2
Accomplishments: GIAA 4A State Final 4, Region 4-AAAA Champions (3rd straight), #1 State Ranking
Once again, Jeremy Stille’s team was loaded and dominant. The senior class was gigantic, led by Region POY Clay Kafsky. The Indians went 19-1 in making their fifth straight playoff push and securing their third consecutive region title. Ranked #1 for nearly the entire season, TFS set team records in wins (19), wins over ranked opponents (5), and goals (128). Kafsky (24 G, 29 A), Bogdan Jesic (35 G), Jorge Gomez Prieto (6 G, 25 A), and Kale Borchers (28 G, 6 A) led the offense, which overcame season-ending injuries to Landon Hall and Jackson Cording, while the defense was anchored by Jared Mullis, Alvaro Garcia Breton, and others. Javier Bachiller Mateo was incredible in goal, and the Indians rolled into the playoffs. From there, TFS advanced to their first Final 4 prior to dropping the finale to St. Anne Pacelli.
2025 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Tyler Pineda
Record: 12-7
Accomplishments: 3A State Final 4, Region Runner-Up, #4 State Ranking
In Tyler Pineda’s first season over the Dragons, Jefferson had some highs and lows, but peaked at the end. Overall, the boys were 12-7, and were 4-1 in a tough region to finish as Runner-Up. The Dragons scored 46 goals and allowed 32, and were road warriors (7-3 away versus 5-4 at home). JHS beat Harlem 8-0 in the first round, then SE Bulloch 4-1 in the Sweet 16. In the Elite 8, it was a historic and thrilling 1-0 win over Islands before falling in the Semis to NW Whitfield by a 1-0 final. Aidan Trammell was the Region POY, and Dylan Edmonds, Minro Sweeney, Andrew Sorah, and Ian Johnson were among the standouts for this team.
2023 UNION COUNTY PANTHERS
Coach: Tim Hunter
Record: 12-4
Accomplishments: 2A State Final 4, Region 8-AA Runner-Up, #3 State Ranking
Union County went 12-4 overall and rode all the way to the Final 4. The Panthers did it with an incredible defense first and foremost, as the team only scored 47 goals all season. However, Union allowed just 25 scores, and had a 7-match win streak early in the season. After falling to third in the region, the Panthers went on a tear in the playoffs, earning 3 straight 1-0 wins over North Murray (first round), Walker (Sweet 16), and Putnam (Elite 8). Game-winning goals, in order, came from Benton Gregory, Zuriel Mancillas, and Evan Bohms. The loss to Tattnall County in the Final 4 saw Union take an early lead before giving up 3 straight in the second half. Standouts included SR keeper Trent Baker (3 GA, 0.51 GAA, 6 Shutouts), JR CM Bohms (9 G, 7 A), JR CM Mancillas (5 G, 9 A), SR D Isaiah Ortiz (1 G, 2 A, 6 Shutouts), and SR F Wilson Walker (17 G, 4 A).
2021 TOWNS COUNTY INDIANS
COACH: Rollie Thomas
RECORD: 11-3
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Region 8-A Championship, #2 State Ranking, Class 1A Final Four
The team was incredibly talented, and it all started with Peyton Barrett and Jensen Brown, who were undisputed leaders and the best players in the region. The season ended in a loss to the eventual state champs in the semifinals at home in Hiawassee, and came with a #2 state ranking. For the Indians, it was only the second-ever playoff run, and far and away the greatest season in school history. This was a close call, as we could easily seeing going with Jefferson as well.
2019 UNION COUNTY PANTHERS
Coach: Leland Sarrell
Record: 13-5
Accomplishments: Region 4th, 2A State Runner-Up, #2 State Ranking
The Panthers didn’t have the greatest regular season, especially within region play (5-2), but did just enough to earn the final spot in Region 8-AA to get into the playoffs. Once the boys got there, senior Brian Smith (22 G, 5 A) and fellow star Kobi Robbins took over in what became a legendary cinderella run.
Union County (13-5) used dramatic finishes to get past #5-ranked Lamar County (2-1) and #8 Gordon Central (3-2), both on the road. Then came a rare 4-versus-4 matchup with Jefferson Davis, which saw Smith go for the hat trick in a 4-0 win to punch a semifinals ticket for the first time ever. The 3-0 win over #6 Vidalia (also on the road), advanced the Panthers to the title game. What makes all this so much more special is the fact that the Panthers missed state last year altogether with a 5-8-1 overall record, including going 0-6 in region play. It proved to be one of the best one-year turnarounds we’ve seen.
Union fell 2-1 in the state championship after Smith had scored an early goal in the first half to put the boys up 1-0. Thomasville struck back with a late first half goal. It remained tied at 1, even after an overtime period. That forced PKs, where Thomasville won 4-2.
2019 & 2021 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Casey Colquitt
Record: 35-11-4; 11-6-2 (2021); 7-2-2 (2020; COVID-shortened); 17-3 (2019)
Accomplishments: Region Champions (2019), Region RU (2021), 3A State Semifinals (2x), #3 State Ranking
It was a solid two-plus year stretch for Jefferson, who advanced to the semifinals twice (2019, 2021). Casey Colquitt’s group grabbed 35 wins and earned a Region Title (2019) and Runner-Up finish (2021). The #4-ranked Dragons advanced all the way to the semifinals of the 3A bracket in ’19 before falling to top-ranked Westminster. Jefferson’s Javy Flores and Roberto Quintal (16 G, 4 A) were unbelievable, and between the pipes Flores had 13 shutouts in 2019. Jefferson, the 8-AAA Region Champions in 2019, went 17-3, rolled through the first three rounds of state without allowing a goal, and made the first Final 4 in school history. In 2021, the team made a second straight Final Four run (excluding Covid-shortened 2020), earning a region runner-up finish along the way. Players like Sean Childs and Adam Hayes (star GK), and Kupa Katompa paved the way.
GIRLS SOCCER HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2019-25 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
Coach: Molly McCarty
Record: 17-4 (2025); 18-1-1 (2024); 12-2-1 (2023); 14-4-1 (2022); 12-4 (2021); 9-0-1 (2020*); 14-5-1 (2019)
Accomplishments: Region Titles (2020, 2024, 2025); State Finals (2022, 2025); Final 4 (2019, 2024); Sweet 16 (2021, 2023); #1 Rank (2024, 2025); Top-5 Rank (2019-2025); #7 National Ranking (2024)
2025: Another incredible team coached by Molly McCarty, the Lady Dragons went 17-4 all the way to the State Championship game, falling 1-0 to region rivals Oconee County in a tough overtime loss. Jefferson obliterated playoff opponents on the way to the big one, taking down previous #1-ranked teams Lumpkin and Dawson, and held a final goal count of 91-9. All-time great GK Ella Sellers was phenomenal, and Ava Rodriguez, Gabby Garnett, Khloe Robertson, and Arielle Vermillion were the leaders for this team. Others like Lily Gaddy, Evie Johnson, Maryn McCarty, Mia Smith, and Clarie Gilstrap were all pivotal as well. This team was unforgettable.
2024: The Lady Dragons were absolutely dominating, outscoring opponents 95-5, going 18-1-1, losing only once in the Final 4 in PKs to GAC, the eventual state champions. Jefferson won the region title and held a #1 ranking in Class 5A all season, and even peaked at #7 in national polls. Several key playmakers got it done for coach Molly McCarty, including SO Gabby Garnett (23 G, 28 A), the Offensive POY for the region. Overall Region POY and freshman Samme Suppes (30 G, 4 A), Region GK of the Year JR Ella Sellers (16 Shutouts), SO Khloe Robertson, SR Kate James (3 G, 8 A), SO Ava Rodriguez, and many others were critical to the success. 16 shutouts for this group, who gave up hardly any goals. The playoff run included wins over Tri-Cities, Chattahoochee, and Northgate leading up to the Final 4. This goes down as one of the most dominant girls soccer teams our area has seen.
2022: The Lady Dragons under coach Molly McCarty had a goal to win ‘from the start’ as their motto indicated. The team went 14-4-1 overall, and were 5-1 in region play to earn a runner-up finish in a tough region. A tough non-region slate helped prepare Jefferson for a deep playoff run, and the girls used such talent as Abbey Eison, Ella Parker, and Carter Drake on the way to a state title game appearance. The #2-ranked Lady Dragons outpaced opponents 108-15, and Eison (33 goals) and Parker (21 goals) led the offense. The defense was phenomenal, and Jefferson reeled off eight straight wins early in the season. In the postseason, the Lady Dragons went through Hapeville Charter 11-0 in the first round, Columbus 2-1 on the road in the Sweet 16, Luella 10-0 on the road in the Elite 8, and Northwest Whitfield 5-0 again on the road in the Final 4. Marist defeated Jefferson 1-0 in overtime in the title game.
2019: These Lady Dragons (14-5-1) were ranked #4 in the state and rode to a region runner-up finish. Following that, a sweep through the playoffs to the semifinals occured. This included wins over top-five teams Dawson County (#2) and Pike County (#3). Coach Molly McCarty’s group featured some talented players like Abbey Eison (21 G, 6 A), Margo Perry (13 Shutouts, 0.6 GAA), and many others.
2021-24 TOWNS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
COACH: Clay Livingston
RECORD: 8-7 in 2021; 14-5-1 in 2022; 8-6-1 in 2023; 11-3 in 2024
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: #4 State Ranking in ’21; #3 in ’22, #2 in ’23; #1 in ’24; Class 1A Final Four in 2021, 2022, 2024; State Runner-Up in 2023
2021: The Lady Indians earn the distinction after advancing all the way to the Final Four in 2021. They got hot at the perfect time, and players like Jayden Taylor were instrumental in getting this team to uncharted territory. Though the 8 wins weren’t too flashy, there’s no denying that the girls were one of the best in the state.
2022: The Lady Indians made it back-to-back to the Final Four, falling eventually to region foes Commerce in the semifinal round. It was a stellar output for the team throughout 2022, which went 14-5-1 overall, and outscored their opponents 75-38. Players like Rylie Livingston (defensive leader, seven shutouts) helped the team hold a 1.75 goals against average. Sarah Shook finished with 14 goals and eight assists, Bazya Smith had six goals and 16 assists, and Miranda Spain had eight goals and 14 assists. The Lady Indians were unbeaten the first eight matches, and were on the road for the entire playoffs. Towns took down Armuchee in the first round of state. That was followed by another road win, 5-0, over Treutlen in the Sweet 16. In the Elite 8, the girls won 1-0 over Academy for Classical Education (ACE), advancing to the semifinals. A 5-1 loss to Commerce ended the historic run.
2023: Towns County’s record doesn’t show how good this team was. Everyone knew the slow start was due to Towns County’s girls basketball team making a deep playoff run into the Elite 8. It was only a matter of time before the Lady Indians got their core players such as Sarah Shook and Laura Mauldin back into the fold. So a team that started out 1-5-1 with losses to Hart, Rabun, Banks, Aquinas, and Lake Oconee Academy, and earned a draw against Franklin suddenly turned on a dime. Towns got the whole group together and won 7 straight games until the season-ending playoff loss in the State Championship to Aquinas. Seniors center mid Shook (11 G, 11 A), defender Alana Stowers (3 G, 4 A), and forward Jayden Taylor (21 G, 6 A) led along with Mauldin between the posts. Towns County earned a first round bye before an 8-3 win in the Sweet 16 over Portal. That was followed by a 2-0 Elite 8 win over Hawkinsville and a win in PKs over Lake Oconee Academy in the Final 4. A first-ever State Championship match came next and was a tough loss to Aquinas. It was a remarkable season for a veteran team that put up 3 straight Final 4 runs.
2024: The Lady Indians had one of their best seasons in school history, rolling up an 11-3 overall record. Despite finishing 3rd in the region, Towns County, ranked during the season at #1 for a couple of weeks, rolled through the playoffs all the way to the Final 4. In a rematch with Aquinas, the eventual state champs who beat Towns in 2023 in the title game as well, it was a tough 1-0 loss to end the season. Towns had 8 wins in a row prior to that, and had a total goal count of 49-10 with 8 shutouts. Of the many playmakers, Elizabeth Edwards (D), Abby Gardella (23 G, 4 A), Emma Lallement (6 G, 10 A), Drew Livingston (0.6 GAA), and Laura Mauldin (0.6 GAA) stood out among the rest. It marked a fourth straight Final 4 or deeper run for Towns County!
2024 DAWSON COUNTY LADY TIGERS
Coach: Chess Hamby
Record: 14-5
Accomplishments: 3A State Final 4, #2 State Ranking
The Lady Tigers resided in the ever-tough Region 7-AAA, and went 4-2 against that field. After winning the first 7 games of the season, Dawson took a loss to eventual Region Champs Wesleyan. A PK loss to rivals Lumpkin came a few games later. A pair of wins came after, but then back-to-back non-region losses against nationally-ranked Jefferson and then Creekview helped get the team ready for a massive run in the state tournament. It started with a 4-2 win over Adairsville on the road despite being the 3-seed. Then a home win of 6-1 over Stephens County, followed by an Elite 8 victory of 3-2 over Pike County to advance to the team’s first-ever Final 4. Oconee County, ranked #1 in the state, won 1-0 in the Final 4, and went on to win the State Championship. The young Dawson team was led by SO Harper Dussouy (27 G, 12 A), FR McKinley Adamson (22 G, 7 A), and SO Hayden Hand (9 G, 2 A). Every single goal (all 76 of them) came by underclassmen, with all but one of the 49 assists coming by underclassmen as well. Freshman keeper Lucy Purdum was sensational, and was surrounded by a great wall of defense.
2022-23 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Scott Tolbert
Record: 21-2 in 2022; 19-2 in 2023
Accomplishments: 1A State Runner-Up (2022); 1A DI State Final 4 (2023), Region 8-A Runner-Up (2022); Region 8-A DI Champions (2023), #1 State Ranking (2022-23)
2022: The Lady Tigers shook off a disappointing 2021 finish in the Sweet 16, and proved how insanely good they were. From wire-to-wire, Commerce was ranked either #1 or #2 in the state, and lost only twice all year – both times to region rivals Social Circle. That included falling to them in the state championship game, in overtime. Commerce outscored opposition 171-19…read that again! After splitting with Social Circle in the regular season, the Lady Tigers were region runner-up. The team had started out 10-0 before the first loss, and went 14-1 in region play. Scott Tolbert’s team dominated once they got into the playoffs. Trion was the first victim, an 8-1 win. Then came a 14-0 Sweet 16 win over Montgomery County. The first road test was an Elite 8 game at Claxton, and that resulted in a 10-0 win. In the state semis (Elite 8), the Lady Tigers bested region foes Towns County 5-1, and held the lead at the half of the state championship over Social Circle before the game went into OT. Ivy Tolbert blasted home 104 goals and added 42 assists, as she was named BLITZ Player of the Year. Teammate Chloe Diaz joined her as career 100-goal scorers, and Kate Hill had 35 goals and 49 assists for a team that was loaded with talent.
2023: Fresh off a State Runner-Up finish, the Lady Tigers were ranked #1 in the state nearly wire-to-wire. National Player of the Year Top-50 Watch List and Ivy League commit Ivy Tolbert (Cornell) had a sensational season once again. The junior midfielder posted 87 goals and 50 assists, and senior midfielder teammates Chloe Diaz (47 G, 41 A) and Kate Hill (32 G, 31 A), as well as sophomore center back Sara English guided Commerce to the Final 4. The team outscored opponents 172-25 throughout the season, went 10-0 at home, and 19-2 overall while taking the Region 8-A DI title with ease. A 19-match win streak was alive until the 3-2 Final 4 loss to Mt. Vernon. Prior to that came an 11-1 win over Pepperell in the first round, 3-2 win over Atlanta International in the Sweet 16, and a 10-0 blanking of Bleckley County in the Elite 8.
2015 LUMPKIN COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Don Brock
Record: 17-1-1; 3A STATE FINAL FOUR
Accomplishments: A perfect regular season, capped by a shocking Region 7-AAA title. The Lady Indians’ lone blemish came in the State Semifinals to Blessed Trinity. Alexis Satterfield scored 32 goals on the season to lead the girls to unprecedented heights!
GOLF HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2025 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
Coach: Matt Sims
Accomplishments: 3A State Champions!, Area 3rd, #1 Rank
These girls were fantastic and never waivered at the state tournament. After finishing third in a tough area, Jefferson kept laser focused at the GHSA State Championship. There, the Lady Dragons got a few top-10 individual finishes, with Rylee Brown (5th), Anna Kate Patton (7th), and Addison Taylor (8th) pacing the team to a title, etching their name in history.
2017-25 WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
Coach: Darren Sledge (2017-2022); Esta Johnson (2023-24); Jay Stowe (2025)
Accomplishments: CHAMPS in 2021; Runner-Up in 2023; 3RD in 2018, 2019, 2024, and 2025; 5th in 2017; 6th in 2022; 3x Area Championships (2021, 2023, 2024)
The Lady Warriors have a pair of state championship individual golfers in sisters Caroline and Catie Craig. The latter, won the title with big sister, junior Caroline, finishing sixth overall in ’18. In ’19, Catie finished as runner-up by a single stroke. Caroline, a UGA commit, won the title as a sophomore in ’17, and is ranked the #7 golfer in the state, with Catie at #20. The team finished third, missing second place by a single stroke in both 2018 and 2019. The 2017 group is also included here, as the “dynasty” the girls have built continues to flourish, improving from fourth that year to third in 2018. With both Craig girls, Erin Dorsey (T-10 in ’18), and Grace Jones, this program is now in the Hall of Fame for 2017-19 success. Others who were 2017 graduates Karson Kimsey and her sister before her, Candler Kimsey (2014), as well as Brittan Slaton (2014) and Hannah Wall (2015) who built this program into what it became.
The Lady Warriors were probably favored from the opening swing to claim the state championship in 2021. Incredibly gifted golfers Catie Craig (state runner-up) and Erin Dorsey & Rylee Adams (both top-10) paved the way to huge success for White County, as the girls grabbed their long-awaited state championship! It came in dominant fashion, winning by 30 strokes. In 2023, new coach Esta Johnson guided the Lady Warriors to a State Runner-Up finish and Area Championship as well, as the team featured such talents as Cameron Kimsey, BilliKayl Allison, Layne Graham, Aubrey Free, and Maddie Kate Hall. That group returned for 2024 with another Area Championship and finished 3rd at state, with Graham leading the charge by coming in 9th. In 2025, Allison, Kimsey, Graham, Free, and Hall finished 3rd at state and were Region Runner-Up.
2021 TALLULAH FALLS LADY INDIANS
COACH: Allen Campbell
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1A State Runner-Up!, Area Champions!, #2 State Ranking
The Lady Indians grab a share of the honors after a truly dominating season in which Maggie Jackson (state 4th) and Brinson Hall (top-10) proved to be an electric 1-2 punch. Both are going Division-I, and even took one head-to-head win over White County, as the schools faced each other a few times throughout the season. Tallulah finished as state runner-up (school record) and earned the area title as well. Hannah Lundy, the team’s third member, improved dramatically throughout the course of the season.
2021 & 2019 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Warren Standridge
The Lady Tigers, just like White County, finished one stroke off a runner-up finish in Class 1A public in 2019. The girls were led all season by veteran McKenzie McRee (11th-place), and sophomore star Cameron Ford, who finished 3rd as an individual and Kristin Tash (5th). Ford completed her high school career in style with a state runner-up finish as a team and 4th as an individual in 2021. She and Tash (Area Champion & 8th at state) played unbelievably well.
2015 TOWNS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Keller
Record: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS
Accomplishments: An area title and 1A Public State Championship led by Kenzie Jenkins and Danielle Diehl.
2014 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Josh Shoemaker
Record: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS
Accomplishments: Area champions became 1A Public State Champions, leading to a #1-ranking in the state. Akyn Trudnak (IND state champion) and Hannah McRee led the girls to new heights!
TENNIS HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2025 TALLULAH FALLS INDIANS
Coach: Anthony Cox
RECORD: 16-2
Accomplishments: GIAA 4A State Runner-Up!, Region 4-AAAA Champions, #2 State Ranking
The Indians were guided by a veteran lineup that included a quartet of seniors who had played for so long together. Formerly winning middle school championships, their journey culminated in a State Runner-Up finish in GIAA, as the team went 16-2 while winning a second region title in a 3-year span. Tanner Davis and TJ Cox at 1- and 2-singles both tallied a school single-season record 18 wins, while Petar Ratkovic had 12 of his own. Zach Carringer and Jake Owensby came up with 10 wins together for a third straight season at 1-doubles. The team’s 16 wins was a record, and everything about the tournament run was a program-best.
2025 TALLULAH FALLS LADY INDIANS
Coach: Anthony Cox
RECORD: 14-1
Accomplishments: GIAA 4A State Final 4, Region 4-AAAA Champions, #3 State Ranking
The Lady Indians played up to the hype with a 14-1 season that included a third straight region title and a first-ever Final 4 run, carrying a program-best #3 ranking. Singles star and region individual champion Jaeda-Lee Daniel-Joseph racked up a school record 21 wins, while fellow junior Azaria Junaid had 15. The doubles lines were fantastic, with the combo of Landry Carnes and Keira Webb posting a record 17 wins together and winning the doubles region title over teammates Ava Carnes and Charlotte Stafford (14 wins). The girls made a great run at state, advancing to the semifinals and narrowly missing a state title match appearance.
2023-24 LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS
Coach: Paul Hoch
Record: 17-5 in 2023; 20-5 in 2024
Accomplishments: 2023: 3A State Final 4, Region 7-AAA Runner-Up, Top-10 State Ranking; 2024: 3A State Runner-Up, Region 7-AAA Runner-Up, #2 State Ranking
2023: Despite being denied a Region Championship in a tough Region 7-AAA, the Indians shrugged off a Runner-Up finish to get all the way to the Final 4, and take a tough 3-2 loss to Savannah City Day to close out with a fantastic season. Lumpkin went 17-5 overall and 5-1 in region play, and just rolled through the playoff bracket with wins over Franklin County (Rnd 1), Bremen (Sweet 16), and Morgan County (Elite 8). The strength of the team was in the doubles lines, where Will Bicknell and Jack Lowry teamed up to go 9-2 overall and 4-0 in the state tourney at 1-doubles. The senior duo was followed by the 2-doubles team of brothers Will (JR) and Jack McKinney (SO), who were 11-1 overall and 4-0 in the tournament. Sophomore Bricen Popko at 3-singles was solid at 13-4 overall, and went 3-1 in the state playoffs as well.
2024: The Indians were just about unbeatable in 2024. Going 20-5 and earning a Region Runner-Up finish meant having a pretty good draw in the State Tournament. The SR/JR brother 1-doubles combo of Will & Jack McKinney went 20-4 on the season, while JR singles standouts Axel Tillery (19-6 at 2-singles) and Bricen Popko (17-5 at 3-singles) did their thing. The result was a run to the Class 3A State Championship match, where Lumpkin fell to Columbus 3-0. The Indians beat Ringgold 3-0, Oconee County 3-2 in the Sweet 16, Savannah Country Day 3-2 in the Elite 8, and rivals Dawson County 4-1 in the Final 4. It was nothing short of the best season in school history and will live on in legend.
2024 WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
Coach: Chris Dotson
Record: 8-6
Accomplishments: 3A State Final 4; Region 7-AAA 3rd; #4 State Ranking
Talk about a team peaking at the right time. The Lady Warriors were just 8-6 on the season, but won when it counted the most. Navigating a tough Region 7-AAA to get a 3rd seed was the first step. Once there, White County rolled to the Final 4. It took a gritty 3-2 win over Ringgold in the first round, a 3-1 win over Monroe Area in the Sweet 16, and a 3-0 win over Thomasville in the Elite 8. Eventual State Runner-Up Oconee County won 3-0 in the Final 4. JR Aubrey Bolton (10-3 at 2-singles) was 3-0 in the state tourney, and JR Maggie Anglin (6-8 at 1-singles) as well as JRs Maddie Bunch & Mattie Browning (4-8 at 1-doubles) were key to the success. The unlikely Final 4 run netted a #4 state ranking. The Cinderella run by White County is what makes them the Team of the Year.
2022 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Charlie Smith
Record: 15-5
Accomplishments: 1A Public Final 4, Region 8-A Runner-Up, #3 State Ranking
Commerce girls tennis had a spectacular run, as #1 singles player Kamden Cotton was brilliant, along with BLITZ Player of the Year Carson Hobbs, who went 19-0 overall. The Lady Tigers were region runner-up in 8-A, and in the playoffs blasted their way to a Final Four appearance and #3 state ranking.
2022 RABUN COUNTY LADY WILDCATS
Coach: Bryan Getty
Record: 6-1 (known record)
Accomplishments: 2A State Final 4, Region 8-AA Champions, #4 State Ranking
Rabun County’s girls tennis team had a historic season, complete with a Final Four run under coach Bryan Getty. The team earned a region championship, and were ranked #4 in the state on the way to the semifinals before falling to Lovett in that Final Four match.
2022 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Dawson Bryan
Record: 15-10
Accomplishments: 4A State Final 4, #4 State Ranking
Talk about a team that welcomed the opportunity to play on the road! The Jefferson Dragons under coach Dawson Bryan went 15-10, which is definitely respectable. However, when the stage got bigger, the team played better. Jefferson opened the state tournament with a 4-1 road win at Druid Hills, then took down West Laurens on the road in a slim 3-2 outcome. In the quarterfinals, the Dragons won 3-0 at NW Whitfield before falling at Columbus in the Final 4. Aaron Eason at #1 singles went 14-9, and Luke Forrester and Nick Yath combined to go 7-2. Roman Smith and Grant Morrow were 10-4 together, and the team played so well down the stretch.
2021 STEPHENS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
COACH: Debby Williams
RECORD: 17-4
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Region 8-AAA Runner-Up, #3 State Ranking, 3A State Final Four
This program hit new heights with a Final Four run in which the Lady Indians fell to GAC. Overall, it was a 17-4 season, and 5-1 within region play. The deep playoff run is one that won’t quickly be forgotten, especially with the dominance of leader Madison Rogers.
TRACK & FIELD HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2025 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Amos Tift
Accomplishments: 3A State Runner-Up!, Region 8-AAA Champions, #2 Ranking
The Dragons absolutely dominated at the Region Championship, winning easily. That carried over to State, where Jefferson was Runner-Up. At the region level, the team had five 1st-place event finishes, led by Michael Roberts’ titles in the triple jump and 400. He then won state in the latter, and the 4×800 Relay was unbelievable while helping secure the team’s runner-up trophy. Brock Brush, Kameron Bailey, CJ Jeffords were among those who excelled at state aside from Roberts.
2021-22 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
COACH: Brandon Vinson/Timothy Lees
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4A State Runner-Up, Region 8-AAAA Champions, #2 State Ranking in both ’21 & ’22
In 2021, the Lady Dragons capped off an incredible season with a Runner-Up finish at state behind the performances of Katherine Law, Jada Pittman, and Abbey Howard to name a few. The region championship was followed up with a state runner-up finish and #2 state ranking. In 2022, the team was loaded with talent. It truly starts and ends with the dynamic duo of seniors Jada Pittman (BLITZ Athlete of the Year) and Katherine Law (BLITZ XC Runner of the Year). The Lady Dragons secured 10 region titles (individuals + relay teams), cruising to the team championship. Pittman, who secured an individual state title at the 4A Championships, led Jefferson to a state runner-up finish to Marist. The Lady Dragons had eight events at state in which they placed in the top five.
2021 & 2019 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Chas Hardy & Kendall Love
The Tigers won the area championship and didn’t disappoint at state, with 15 individual events producing 8 Top-5 finishes and a pair of state titles (Tucker Flint & Shannon Segars). Dajuan Wood also placed in the top 5 in four events. The final result was another state title for Commerce, it’s third since 2013 (’13, ’16, ’19). Then, after missing 2020 due to COVID, the Tigers were back at it in 2021. The Tigers were just head and shoulders above the rest in 1A Public. Brandon Martin is a LARGE reason for all the success, but he had plenty of help with guys like Sammy Brown, Lambdin Hardy, Mason Gaddis, JJ Morris and many others having incredible performances at state. The state championship was the 4th for the program since 2013 (’13, ’16, ’19, ’21), and the boys have won 6 region championships in that timeframe as well.
2019 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Brady Sigler
The Dragons won the Region 8-AAA title for starters, with five individuals taking the top spot in their events. That was just the tip of the iceberg, as the boys appeared in 14 events at the 3A State Championships, taking the state title as five individuals (including Eli Morris, who won two titles) won state titles on their own.
2018 RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS
The Wildcats finished with a decent third-place finish overall at their Region 8-AA meet, but found another level when the State Championships came around. Granted, junior Guy Gober (BLITZ Track & Field Athlete of the Year) was a large part of that success with a pair of state titles (1600 & 3200), but others contributed mightily in the efforts that led to the Wildcats being the State Runner-Up in 2018. Think about that…the third best team in their region was suddenly the second-best in the state (to region foes Elbert County). Grayson Mitchem (pole vault), Jacob Barry (400), Justin Wilkes (800) and 4×400 relay, which included Gober, all notched top-five finishes in a record weekend!
2016 & 2013 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Chas Hardy & Ron Minish (’16) & Pam Canup & Kendall Love (’13)
Record: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS
Accomplishments: Area Champions, #1-state ranking and most importantly, a 1A Public State Title. We lump these two together as the freshman class of 2013 started and ended their career with state title in Class 1A!
BLITZ 