Sports

Photo courtesy of Ethan Garrett - Franklin’s 8U softball All-Stars celebrate their District 5 Tournament Championship. The team includes Mary Bishop, Sadie Lambert, Paislee Ammons, Lainey McCall, Sutton Bowles, Andi Setser, Adilyn Garrett, Alyssa Foley, Emmerson Shuler, Alexis Crowe, Gloria Daniels and Paislee Houston.

Photo courtesy of Ethan Garrett - Franklin’s 8U softball All-Stars celebrate their District 5 Tournament Championship. The team includes Mary Bishop, Sadie Lambert, Paislee Ammons, Lainey McCall, Sutton Bowles, Andi Setser, Adilyn Garrett, Alyssa Foley, Emmerson Shuler, Alexis Crowe, Gloria Daniels and Paislee Houston.

8U softball plays in state semis

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
It was a year to remember for Franklin’s 8U softball All-Stars. After winning the N.C. District 5 Tournament last month, the team recently traveled to Lake Norman for the 8U Little League State Tournament.
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Press graphic

Preseason heats up for FHS volleyball

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
The preseason is heating up for Panther volleyball. After a successful 2022, in which the varsity team won 17 matches and JV advanced to the Mountain Seven Conference Final, on the week of July 10 the program played their first live intersquad action of 2023.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Right fielder Max Cable leaves his hat behind to make a difficult basket catch in the first round of the 12U Little League State Tournament July 15 at Parker Meadows. After losing their first game to Myers Park, the Franklin 12U Majors faced the Greenville Tar Heels in an elimination game July 17.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Right fielder Max Cable leaves his hat behind to make a difficult basket catch in the first round of the 12U Little League State Tournament July 15 at Parker Meadows. After losing their first game to Myers Park, the Franklin 12U Majors faced the Greenville Tar Heels in an elimination game July 17.

12U Majors fall in first round of Little League tourney

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
It was a tough start to the Little League State Tournament for Franklin. On Saturday, July 15, the District 6 Champion 12U Majors hosted District 3 Champion Myers Park in the tournament’s first game on their home field at Parker Meadows.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Timers watch a close finish between FAST Fins Rylee Rogers (foreground) and Bri Dezarn in the girls 11-12 50-yard backstroke July 15 at the Macon County Rec Park.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Timers watch a close finish between FAST Fins Rylee Rogers (foreground) and Bri Dezarn in the girls 11-12 50-yard backstroke July 15 at the Macon County Rec Park.

FAST wins 19th-straight MSL title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team has earned its 19th consecutive conference championship. After completing their 15th-straight undefeated regular season versus Highlands July 6, the F.A.S.T. Fins returned to the Macon County Rec Park July 15 to host the Mountain Swim League Championship Meet.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Deputy Daniel Long was one of the two Macon County Sheriff’s Deputies to receive the Life Saving Award at the July 11 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting. Deputy Brandon Carter also received the award but was not in attendance at the meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Deputy Daniel Long was one of the two Macon County Sheriff’s Deputies to receive the Life Saving Award at the July 11 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting. Deputy Brandon Carter also received the award but was not in attendance at the meeting.

Deputies ‘saved my life that night’

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Two deputies have been honored for their actions following an explosion of pyrotechnics the night of June 23 in the Ellijay Community. Macon County Sheriff Brent Holbrooks presented the Life Saving Award during the July 11 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Press file photo - Lindsay Simpson receives her certificate of induction to the FHS Athletic Hall of Fame ahead of Panther football’s home game with West Henderson Oct. 21.

Press file photo - Lindsay Simpson receives her certificate of induction to the FHS Athletic Hall of Fame ahead of Panther football’s home game with West Henderson Oct. 21.

All-time leading scorer Simpson reflects on HoF career

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
One of Franklin’s greatest-ever athletes has earned her place among the school’s all-time greats. More than 10 years after her graduation, those who watched Lindsay Simpson play still speak reverently about her talent, work ethic and tenacity on the court.
Press photo/Wiill Woolever - Timers watch a close finish between FAST’s Abigail Duvall (foreground) and Maggie Jamison in the girls 11-12 50-yard backstroke July 6.

Press photo/Wiill Woolever - Timers watch a close finish between FAST’s Abigail Duvall (foreground) and Maggie Jamison in the girls 11-12 50-yard backstroke July 6.

FAST Fins escape Highlands

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Following one of their toughest tests in years, the F.A.S.T. Fins have capped their 15th-straight unbeaten regular season.
Photo courtesy of Jessica Cantrell - The Franklin Little League 12U Majors are pictured with their District 5 Championship banner June 27 at Parker Meadows. From left to right are Lawson Gibson, Max Cable, Corbin Chastain, Graham Cantrell, Easton Holbrooks, Paxton Green, Jude Morgan, Cam English, Sam Moore, Cooper Jones and Nolan Estes. Coaches: Josh Cantrell, Tim Holbrooks, Nick Morgan, Chad Stockton.

Photo courtesy of Jessica Cantrell - The Franklin Little League 12U Majors are pictured with their District 5 Championship banner June 27 at Parker Meadows. From left to right are Lawson Gibson, Max Cable, Corbin Chastain, Graham Cantrell, Easton Holbrooks, Paxton Green, Jude Morgan, Cam English, Sam Moore, Cooper Jones and Nolan Estes. Coaches: Josh Cantrell, Tim Holbrooks, Nick Morgan, Chad Stockton.

Little League claims district titles

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Once again, Franklin’s Little League baseball and softball teams are among the best in the state. For the past few years, Franklin has made a habit of representing District 5 in the Little League State Tournaments.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Promising freshman Audrey Pressley dribbles upcourt in Franklin’s scrimmage versus Pisgah June 12.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Promising freshman Audrey Pressley dribbles upcourt in Franklin’s scrimmage versus Pisgah June 12.

Girls tip off hoops summer league

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Lady Panther basketball has tipped off Summer League play. On June 5, the Panthers traveled to Knoxville for the first date on their summer schedule – the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ three-day team camp at Johnson University.
Photo courtesy of Blair King - Multi-sport standout Tori Ensley (left) and head cross country/women’s track and field coach Melissa Ward are pictured at right with their awards following the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s annual Awards Ceremony in Greensboro June 14.

Photo courtesy of Blair King - Multi-sport standout Tori Ensley (left) and head cross country/women’s track and field coach Melissa Ward are pictured at right with their awards following the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s annual Awards Ceremony in Greensboro June 14.

Panthers earn statewide awards

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Panther athletes and coaches were recognized at a statewide level for their efforts on and off the field this season.