Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever Will - Rauers attempts a jump shot versus West Henderson Feb. 10.

Press photo/Will Woolever Will - Rauers attempts a jump shot versus West Henderson Feb. 10.

Boys hoops win M8 regular-season title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Panther men’s hoops are co-regular season conference champs. On the week of Feb. 9, Franklin played their biggest games so far, hosting their season finale and tipping off the Mountain Eight tournament.
Photo submitted - Senior Carrie Holland is pictured with Panther coaches (from left) Joel Schick, Jimmy Barnett and Matt Bailey after the 5A West Women’s Regional at Parkwood High School last week.

Photo submitted - Senior Carrie Holland is pictured with Panther coaches (from left) Joel Schick, Jimmy Barnett and Matt Bailey after the 5A West Women’s Regional at Parkwood High School last week.

Wrestling sends Holland, Young to state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Two wrestlers will represent Franklin at the 5A state meet. On the week of Feb. 9, the Panthers had a jam-packed schedule, traveling east to the Piedmont for the 5A  regional meets. There both teams turned in strong performances, headlined by Carrie Holland and Garrett Young. On Feb.
Press file photo - Senior Jonah Brant competes in the boys 200-yard freestyle at the Mountain Eight Conference meet Jan. 20.

Press file photo - Senior Jonah Brant competes in the boys 200-yard freestyle at the Mountain Eight Conference meet Jan. 20.

Brant wins state dive gold

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Panther swim and dive’s senior talisman is a state champion. On Feb. 12, Franklin High School and Macon Early College traveled to Raleigh for the 5A and 1A championship meets, racing top competition from across the state.
Press file photo - Junior Ken Modlin runs the 500-meter dash in the Mountain Eight Conference Championships Jan. 29.

Press file photo - Junior Ken Modlin runs the 500-meter dash in the Mountain Eight Conference Championships Jan. 29.

Track readies for state title bid

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Panther track and field might be one week away from a state title. Throughout the winter season, Franklin has boasted two of 5A’s top teams, seeking their third state championship of the past three years.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Bristol Brooks attempts a 3-pointer versus Smoky Mountain Feb. 6.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Bristol Brooks attempts a 3-pointer versus Smoky Mountain Feb. 6.

Girls win three straight

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
The end of the regular season is at hand for Panther women’s hoops.  In the last weeks of their regular season Franklin closed out their Mountain Eight schedule, playing their final six games against conference opponents.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Jack Teesateskie elevates to the rim versus Smoky Mountain Feb. 6.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Jack Teesateskie elevates to the rim versus Smoky Mountain Feb. 6.

Boys tied for 1st in M8C

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Panther men’s hoops is nearing a co-conference title.  In the last weeks of their regular season Franklin closed out their Mountain Eight schedule, playing their final six games against conference opponents.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Gunner McConnell attempts a 3-point shot versus Pisgah Jan. 28.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Gunner McConnell attempts a 3-point shot versus Pisgah Jan. 28.

Men’s hoops four wins shy of M8 title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Panther men’s hoops is closing in on a conference title. After routing Andrews Jan. 21, the team prepared for the home stretch of their regular season, ending their campaign with six straight Mountain Eight games. With three more blowout wins, they maintained their hold on first place.  On Jan.
Press file photo - Thatcher Daniels swims the 200-yard individual medley in the Mountain Eight Conference Championships at the Jackson County Aquatic Center in Cullowhee Jan. 20.

Press file photo - Thatcher Daniels swims the 200-yard individual medley in the Mountain Eight Conference Championships at the Jackson County Aquatic Center in Cullowhee Jan. 20.

Swim regionals canceled, athletes advance

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
The Franklin area swim and dive teams’ plans were cancelled last weekend. After the Mountain Eight Conference Championships, Franklin High School and Macon Early College prepared for their respective regional meets, planning trips to Charlotte and Greensboro Jan. 29-31.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther track and field are pictured at the Mountain Eight Conference Championships at the Tryon International Equestrian Center Jan. 29.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panther track and field are pictured at the Mountain Eight Conference Championships at the Tryon International Equestrian Center Jan. 29.

Track sweeps M8 title meet

Will Woolever
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Panther track and field are Mountain Eight Conference champs. On Jan. 29, the team traveled to the Tryon International Equestrian Center for the M8C title meet. There they earned men’s and women’s conference titles in blowout fashion.
Sophomore Drew Hodges competes in the long jump at Macon Middle School last December. (Press file photo)

Sophomore Drew Hodges competes in the long jump at Macon Middle School last December. (Press file photo)

Track readies for postseason

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
The conference meet is at hand for Panther track and field. In the weeks before the Mountain Eight Championship, Franklin continued to round into postseason form, traveling to two separate meets at the Tryon Equestrian Center. There they impressed in their last action of the regular season.