Sports

Senior Zoi Walker swims the 100-yard butterfly at Highlands Dec. 20 (Press file photo)

Senior Zoi Walker swims the 100-yard butterfly at Highlands Dec. 20 (Press file photo)

Swimming enters home stretch

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Panther swim and dive is nearing the endgame. Having won their first six meets of the year, the team traveled to T.C. Roberson Jan. 4 for their toughest test yet. While they couldn’t keep their streak alive, they continued to improve their times with just one meet left this regular season.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Max McClure attempts a contested layup vs. Pisgah Jan. 3.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Max McClure attempts a contested layup vs. Pisgah Jan. 3.

Men’s hoops reach tournament final, rout Pisgah

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Roughly halfway through the season, Panther men’s hoops is on a hot streak. While other students enjoyed Christmas break, Doug Plemmons’ team was hard at work, playing four different games in seven days.
Photo submitted - Golfers Jason Hedrick (left) and Eric Hall line up a putt in a Special Olympics North Carolina Golf Tour event at Oak Hollow Golf Course in High Point last October.

Photo submitted - Golfers Jason Hedrick (left) and Eric Hall line up a putt in a Special Olympics North Carolina Golf Tour event at Oak Hollow Golf Course in High Point last October.

Local golfers win SONC gold

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Two Macon County Special Olympians have won gold in state competition. For the past few years, Jason Hedrick and Eric Hall have been among North Carolina’s top golfers, traversing the state in search of Special Olympic events.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Isaiah Baldwin (left) and Jonah Brant swim the 100-yard breaststroke at Highlands Dec. 20.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Isaiah Baldwin (left) and Jonah Brant swim the 100-yard breaststroke at Highlands Dec. 20.

Swim earns sixth straight win to begin season

Will Woolever
Monday, December 30, 2024
Halfway through the season, Panther swim and dive has not lost a meet. On Dec. 20, the team traveled up the plateau to the Highlands Rec Park, facing Highlands, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics.
Former Panther athletes, cheerleaders, band members and their families are pictured in a halftime ceremony at the Panther Pit’s final home football game Nov. 1. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Former Panther athletes, cheerleaders, band members and their families are pictured in a halftime ceremony at the Panther Pit’s final home football game Nov. 1. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Year in Review

Will Woolever
Monday, December 30, 2024
Panther Pit gets send-off After 75 years, the Panther Pit received a proper send-off this year. When county leaders finalized plans this summer for a new Franklin High School campus, the fall season became the last in the stadium’s storied history.

NCHSAA proposes new conferences

Will Woolever
Monday, December 23, 2024
Franklin’s athletic conference might not change very much after all. Ahead of its quadrennial realignment starting next school year, on Dec. 18, the N.C. High School Athletic Association released the first draft of its proposed athletic conferences for the next four years.
Photo submitted. Franklin’s 4x400-meter relay teams are pictured at West Henderson Dec. 19.

Photo submitted. Franklin’s 4x400-meter relay teams are pictured at West Henderson Dec. 19.

Track earns more state qualifications

Will Woolever
Monday, December 23, 2024
It was a short and sweet pre-Christmas meet for Panther track. On Thurdsay, Dec. 19, Franklin sent a small, elite contingent to West Henderson with one goal in mind – qualify for the state meet in the 4x400-meter relays.
Senior Aubrey Haley fights for a rebound at Cherokee Nov. 26. (Press file photo)

Senior Aubrey Haley fights for a rebound at Cherokee Nov. 26. (Press file photo)

Women’s hoops 4-1 on season

News Staff
Monday, December 23, 2024
Panther women’s hoops is on a hot streak. After dropping their first game to the 1A State Champions at Cherokee, the team quickly got back on track versus Andrews and East Henderson.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Panther cheer and dance is pictured at the NCHSAA Invitational in Raleigh Dec. 7

Press photo/Will Woolever. Panther cheer and dance is pictured at the NCHSAA Invitational in Raleigh Dec. 7

Cheer readies for Nat’ls

Will Woolever
Sunday, December 22, 2024
sports@thefranklinpress.com Panther cheer and dance has two new pieces of hardware. On Dec. 7, the team traveled to Raleigh for the N.C. High School Athletic Association Invitational, vying for bragging rights with peers from across the state.