Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore guard Layla Reeves chases a loose ball versus Tuscola on Tom Raby Court Dec. 19.

JV girls win first three, come 1 point shy of 4-0

Will Woolever

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Panther JV girls hoops are contenders once again. For the last five years, Bekah Brooks’ teams have been tough to beat, making five trips to the conference finals and hoisting three tournament trophies.

Sophomore point guard Aiden Pitts gets past Tuscola defenders on Tom Raby Court Dec. 19. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

JV boys start season 5-1, 1-1 in M7C

Will Woolever

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Panther JV boys hoops are off to another hot start. After narrowly falling to Pisgah in a thrilling Mountain Seven Conference Final last year, Tres Rogers’ team entered 2023 with clear title hopes.

Press file photo - Sophomore Justin Rodriguez (left) and senior Elijah Cochran run the 500-meter dash at Swain Nov. 29.

Track breaks more records

Will Woolever

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Panther track and field is continuing its quest for a 3A title. As one of the top teams statewide in number of qualifiers for the state meet, on Dec. 16 the team traveled to Columbus for the Polk County Reindeer Games.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Carson Smith battles a wrestler from Smoky Mountain in the 157-lb. weight class Dec. 12.

Mat Cats face Smoky, East in M7 matches

Will Woolever

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Two more conference contests are in the books for Panther wrestling. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Mat Cats traveled to Sylva for a three-team Mountain Seven meet, wrestling their official conference matches with Smoky Mountain and East Henderson.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior center Braydon Hervey attempts a layup versus East Henderson Dec. 15.

Eagles hand men first loss

Will Woolever

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Panther men’s basketball will not go undefeated. After starting their season with five straight nonconference wins, on Dec. 15 Franklin tipped off their Mountain Seven schedule. In a 70-48 loss to powerhouse East Henderson, Doug Plemmons’ team dropped to 5-1 for the season.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Juniors Payton Baty (white jersey, second from left) and Aubrey Haley fight for a rebound versus East Henderson Dec. 15.

Women start 1-0 in M7C

Will Woolever

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Panther women’s hoops have won their first Mountain Seven game. After facing a gauntlet of tough opponents outside the conference to start the season, on Dec. 15 Franklin hosted East Henderson on Tom Raby Court. In a 47-38 win, the Panthers started their Mountain Seven schedule 1-0.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FHS cheer is pictured at Panther basketball’s home game against Rabun Dec. 5.

Cheerleaders earn silver at NCHSAA Invitational

Will Woolever

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Panther cheer and dance has a new piece of hardware. On Saturday, Dec. 2, Lynn Baker’s team traveled to Raleigh for the N.C. High School Athletic Association Invitational, joining dozens of teams from across the state in a massive all-day competition.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman point guard Audrey Pressley faces a double-team versus Rabun County, Georgia Dec. 5.

Women’s basketball avenges Rabun loss

Will Woolever

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Panther women’s hoops have earned their first wins of the year. After opening the season with losses to Rabun County and Cherokee, on the week of Dec. 4 Franklin faced a full slate of nonconference games.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior guard Max McClure looks for an outlet pass against Rabun County, Georgia Dec. 5.

Men’s basketball still unbeaten at 5-0

Will Woolever

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

It’s five wins down, 16 to go for Panther men’s hoops. Having won their first three games of the season, Franklin entered the week of Dec. 4 with a full head of steam.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Braylen Dezarn competes in the long jump at Swain Nov. 29.

Track qualifies 7 more for state

Will Woolever

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Panther athletes continue to qualify for the indoor track state meet. After meeting 3A time/distance standards in 14 different events their first week, on Nov. 29 the team traveled to Swain for their third date of the regular season.