Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther men’s varsity basketball head coach Doug Plemmons recieves a championship wrestling-style belt emblazoned with the number 600 in honor of his 600th career win, which he recorded Jan. 31 at North Henderson.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther men’s varsity basketball head coach Doug Plemmons recieves a championship wrestling-style belt emblazoned with the number 600 in honor of his 600th career win, which he recorded Jan. 31 at North Henderson.

Plemmons earns 600th win

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Panther men’s hoops have reached the postseason on a hot streak. On the week of Feb. 3 the team faced the end of their regular season, including conference matchups with Smoky Mountain and West Henderson.
Photo courtesy of Amiee Bailey - Mountain Seven Champion Carrie Holland battles a wrestler at the conference tournament at West Henderson Jan. 25.

Photo courtesy of Amiee Bailey - Mountain Seven Champion Carrie Holland battles a wrestler at the conference tournament at West Henderson Jan. 25.

Wrestlers impress at conference tournament

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
A promising season is nearing its end for Panther wrestling. On Jan. 25, the team traveled to West Henderson for the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament. With four podium finishes including three from the girls, a young Franklin squad got its first taste of postseason action.
Press file photo - Sophomore Kenna Keyworth dives off the block in the girls 400-yard freestyle relay during the Mountain Seven Conference Championships at the Waynesville Aquatic Center Jan. 18.

Press file photo - Sophomore Kenna Keyworth dives off the block in the girls 400-yard freestyle relay during the Mountain Seven Conference Championships at the Waynesville Aquatic Center Jan. 18.

Swimmers, divers advance to state meet

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Panther swim and dive is through to the state meet. On Jan. 31, Franklin’s best swimmers traveled to Charlotte for the 3A West Regionals, racing foes from nearly three dozen other schools.
Photo submitted - Panther women’s track and field show off their regional title plaque at the WNC Championships at Polk Feb. 1.

Photo submitted - Panther women’s track and field show off their regional title plaque at the WNC Championships at Polk Feb. 1.

Track wins WNC Championships

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Panther track and field is entering the endgame. In the last two weeks before the 3A state meet Franklin has been hard at work, traveling to the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem and the WNC Championships at Polk.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Will Rauers drives to the basket versus East Henderson on Tom Raby Court Jan. 21.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Will Rauers drives to the basket versus East Henderson on Tom Raby Court Jan. 21.

Men 14-4, rank 2nd in M7C

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
The good times keep rolling for Panther men’s hoops. On the week of Jan. 20, the team played a two-game home stand, hosting East Henderson and Tuscola in conference games. With a loss to the Eagles and a win over the Mountaineers, Franklin ended the week in second place in the Mountain Seven.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Brock Holland attempts a jump shot versus East Henderson on Tom Raby Court Jan. 21.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Brock Holland attempts a jump shot versus East Henderson on Tom Raby Court Jan. 21.

Upstart JV boys 12-2, among Mountain Seven’s best

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
It’s been a good season for Panther JV boys hoops. With just four sophomores returning from last year’s conference runners-up, this winter’s squad features plenty of new faces. With a 12-2 record entering their final five games, the Panthers have already turned in a strong campaign.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Addie Powell fights for a rebound versus East Henderson Jan. 21.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Addie Powell fights for a rebound versus East Henderson Jan. 21.

JV girls sit at 12-0, eye unbeaten season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Panther JV girls hoops are eying an unbeaten season. In its first 12 games this year the team has run roughshod over its foes, posting final scores like 58-5, 42-9 and 55-10. With five games to play this regular season, head coach Bekah Brooks credited her players for a stellar campaign.
Senior guard McKenna Plemmons attempts a 3-point shot versus West Henderson Jan. 14. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Senior guard McKenna Plemmons attempts a 3-point shot versus West Henderson Jan. 14. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Women’s hoops 2nd in conference

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Panther women’s hoops are entering the home stretch. On the week of Jan. 13 the team faced a busy schedule, with games versus West Henderson, Smoky Mountain and Hayesville.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior guard Braylen Dezarn corrals a high cross-court pass versus West Henderson Jan. 14.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior guard Braylen Dezarn corrals a high cross-court pass versus West Henderson Jan. 14.

Men’s hoops win sixth straight, improve to 13-3

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Panther men’s hoops are on a hot streak. On the week of Jan. 13 the team faced a busy schedule, with games versus West Henderson, Smoky Mountain and Hayesville. With wins in all three including two in the Mountain Seven, Franklin improved to 13-3 overall and 5-1 in the conference. On Tuesday, Jan.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Jonah Brant (center) races to a photo finish in the men’s 100-yard breaststroke at the Mountain Seven Conference Championship meet Jan. 18.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Jonah Brant (center) races to a photo finish in the men’s 100-yard breaststroke at the Mountain Seven Conference Championship meet Jan. 18.

Swim places 2nd in M7C

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Panther swim and dive are Mountain Seven Conference runners-up. On Saturday, Jan. 18, the team traveled to the Waynesville Rec Center for the Conference Championship Meet. There Franklin placed second in both men’s and women’s scoring ahead of the 3A West Regionals in Charlotte next weekend.