Sports

Junior guard Max McClure (center) celebrates with junior center Brayden Hervey (left) and junior forward Brennan Cabe after sinking a game-winning 3-pointer versus Pisgah Jan. 30. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Junior guard Max McClure (center) celebrates with junior center Brayden Hervey (left) and junior forward Brennan Cabe after sinking a game-winning 3-pointer versus Pisgah Jan. 30. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Men’s hoops stun Pisgah in thriller

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
It was a pulse-pounding week for Panther men’s hoops. Rapidly nearing the end of the season, Franklin settled in for a two-game home stand, hosting Mountain Seven rivals Pisgah and North Henderson on Tom Raby Court.
Press file photo - Senior Talley Kinsland (left) and junior Addison Coker compete in the 55-meter hurdles at Swain Jan. 24.

Press file photo - Senior Talley Kinsland (left) and junior Addison Coker compete in the 55-meter hurdles at Swain Jan. 24.

Track wins WNC title, prepares for state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Panther track and field is gearing up for their biggest meet of the year. After winning the WNC Championships in Polk County Jan. 29, the Panthers set their sights on the 3A state title meet Feb. 10.
Photo courtesy of Amy Ballard - Members of Panther swim and dive are pictured at the 3A West Regional in Charlotte Feb. 3.

Photo courtesy of Amy Ballard - Members of Panther swim and dive are pictured at the 3A West Regional in Charlotte Feb. 3.

Swim impresses at Regional

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Panther swim and dive are among the top teams in their region. At the 3A West Regional Meet in Charlotte Feb. 2-3, WNC’s elite 3A teams gathered for two days of stiff competition.
Press file photo - Freshman Eleanor Kessler finishes the 100-yard backstroke at T.C. Roberson Jan. 13.

Press file photo - Freshman Eleanor Kessler finishes the 100-yard backstroke at T.C. Roberson Jan. 13.

Swimming earns women’s M7C title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Panther women’s swim and dive are champions of the Mountain Seven. On Tuesday, Jan. 23, the conference’s five teams gathered at the Waynesville Recreation Center for their annual championship meet.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Adam Rogers competes in the high jump at Swain Jan. 24.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Adam Rogers competes in the high jump at Swain Jan. 24.

Track leads WNC Championships at halfway point

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Panther track and field are closing in on a conference title. On the week of Jan. 22, Franklin had just three meets left on the schedule, including a trip to Swain Jan. 24 and the start of the Western North Carolina Championships Jan. 27.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther cheer and dance prepares for the Universal Cheerleaders’ Association National High School Championships in Orlando Feb. 10 at a recent practice in Discover Church.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther cheer and dance prepares for the Universal Cheerleaders’ Association National High School Championships in Orlando Feb. 10 at a recent practice in Discover Church.

Cheer places Top-3 at state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
FHS cheer and dance are among the top teams in the state. On Jan. 19, the Panthers traveled to Mocksville for one of their biggest contests of the year, the N.C. Cheerleading Coaches’ Association State Championship.
Press file photo - Freshman Lance Parker drives to the basket versus Smoky Mountain Jan. 12.

Press file photo - Freshman Lance Parker drives to the basket versus Smoky Mountain Jan. 12.

Varsity basketball falls to W. Henderson

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
It’s crowded at the top of the Mountain Seven standings. Heading into the week of Jan. 15, Panther hoops were in the thick of the race, with both men’s and women’s varsity teams boasting 4-1 records in the conference. In losses at West Henderson Jan.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Ward - Panther track and field packs food boxes for CareNet at a team community service project Jan. 17.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Ward - Panther track and field packs food boxes for CareNet at a team community service project Jan. 17.

Track readies for conference

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
It’s been a busy few days for Panther track and field. On the week of Jan. 15, the team covered both ends of the competitive spectrum, traveling to Cherokee for a small, regional meet and to Winston-Salem to scope out this year’s state meet venue.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Claire Ballard nears the end of her record-breaking 100-yard breaststroke at T.C. Roberson Jan. 13.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Claire Ballard nears the end of her record-breaking 100-yard breaststroke at T.C. Roberson Jan. 13.

Ballard breaks FHS record for swimming

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
It’s been a busy week for Panther swim and dive. On the week of Jan. 8, Franklin faced their last two regular-season meets, traveling to Highlands Jan. 12 and to T.C. Roberson the next day. Ahead of the Mountain Seven Conference Championship Meet Jan.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Avery Moffitt (left) and junior Aubrey Haley fight for a rebound against Smoky Mountain Jan. 12.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Avery Moffitt (left) and junior Aubrey Haley fight for a rebound against Smoky Mountain Jan. 12.

Women’s hoops rout conference foes

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Panther women’s hoops are 4-1 in the Mountain Seven Conference. On the week of Jan. 8, Franklin dove head-first into their conference schedule, traveling to North Henderson and hosting Smoky Mountain.