Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Girls 15-18 standout Claire Ballard (center) dives off the block for the 200-yard individual medley against the Cherokee County Aquatic Club June 15.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Girls 15-18 standout Claire Ballard (center) dives off the block for the 200-yard individual medley against the Cherokee County Aquatic Club June 15.

FAST routs CCAC; Ballard, Borgmann break MSL records

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
It’s been a good week for the Franklin Amateur Swim Team. On Thursday, June 15, the FAST Fins returned the the Macon County Rec Park for their second meet of the season, hosting the Cherokee County Aquatic Club for an official Mountain Swim League contest.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior wide receiver/defensive back Ashton Shope makes a tough sliding catch in 7-on-7 drills versus Cherokee June 13.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior wide receiver/defensive back Ashton Shope makes a tough sliding catch in 7-on-7 drills versus Cherokee June 13.

Football hosts Cherokee in 7-on-7s

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
After two weeks of offseason practice, Panther football’s first live inter-squad repetitions are in the books. On June 13, the team hosted the Cherokee Braves for a morning of 7-on-7 drills, giving quarterbacks, pass-catchers, linebackers and defensive backs some valuable offseason work.
Press photo - Avery Moffitt

Press photo - Avery Moffitt

Softball racks up postseason accolades

Will Woolever
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
The accolades are rolling in for Panther softball. At the Mountain Seven Conference postseason meeting recently, M7C coaches gathered to select an All-Conference team, with senior shortstop Tori Ensley earning her second-straight Conference Player of the Year award.
Press file photo - Rising junior Cali Queen surveys the court in the Mountain Seven Semifinal against West Henderson Feb. 14.

Press file photo - Rising junior Cali Queen surveys the court in the Mountain Seven Semifinal against West Henderson Feb. 14.

Five named All-M7C for women’s basketball

Will Woolever
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
It was another strong season for Panther women’s hoops. With a 16-10 record and a second-place finish in the Mountain Seven Conference, 2022-23 was the type of season fans have come to expect from Franklin.
Freshman Will Rauers drives to the basket in a scrimmage vs. Cherokee June 5 on Tom Raby Court (Press photo/Will Woolever).

Freshman Will Rauers drives to the basket in a scrimmage vs. Cherokee June 5 on Tom Raby Court (Press photo/Will Woolever).

Men’s hoops tip off summer league play

Will Woolever
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Panther hoops is back in action. After successful seasons by both JV and varsity last winter, Franklin will enter the coming year as a new-look program, having lost several front-line former seniors to graduation.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin Amateur Swim Team timers watch a photo finish between Kenna Keyworth (foreground) and Breanna Pendergrass in the girls 13-14 50-yard freestyle. The team kicked off their summer season versus the Jackson County Swim Team at the Macon County Rec Park June 8.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin Amateur Swim Team timers watch a photo finish between Kenna Keyworth (foreground) and Breanna Pendergrass in the girls 13-14 50-yard freestyle. The team kicked off their summer season versus the Jackson County Swim Team at the Macon County Rec Park June 8.

FAST Fins kick off summer season

Will Woolever
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Another season is underway for the Franklin Amateur Swim Team. For nearly the past two decades, the F.A.S.T. Fins have dominated the Mountain Swim League, claiming 18 straight titles and 14 straight unbeaten seasons.
Senior Tori Ensley celebrates with teammates after recording her 1,001st career point at Swain Jan. 5.

Senior Tori Ensley celebrates with teammates after recording her 1,001st career point at Swain Jan. 5.

Five named All-M7C for women’s basketball

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
It was another strong season for Panther women’s hoops. With a 16-10 record and a second-place finish in the Mountain Seven Conference, 2022-23 was the type of season fans have come to expect from Franklin.
Press file photo - Senior Johnathon Collier is pictured grabbing a rebound in the fourth annual UNIFY March Madness game this spring.

Press file photo - Senior Johnathon Collier is pictured grabbing a rebound in the fourth annual UNIFY March Madness game this spring.

Panthers earn NCHSAA Commissioner’s Cup

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
One of the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s most prestigious awards is returning to Franklin.
Photo courtesy of Clinton Taylor/Franklin Panther Sports Network - Panther athletes show off their men’s state title banner at the 3A State Track and Field Championships in Greensboro May 19.

Photo courtesy of Clinton Taylor/Franklin Panther Sports Network - Panther athletes show off their men’s state title banner at the 3A State Track and Field Championships in Greensboro May 19.

Track and field ends historic year

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
It’s been a good year for Panther track and field. With two 3A men’s titles and two top-three women’s finishes at this year’s 3A Indoor and Outdoor State Championships, 2022-23 will be a year long remembered in the annals of Panther athletics.
Press graphic

Press graphic

NCHSAA approves new Classes

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Change is coming to the state’s high school athletic conferences. For the past several years, the N.C. High School Athletic Association has differed from those of comparable states, dividing its more than 400 member schools into four massive classifications.