Sports

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.
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.