Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Bristol Brooks eyes the rim versus Brevard Dec. 16.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Bristol Brooks eyes the rim versus Brevard Dec. 16.

Varsity girls take 2nd at Battle of the States

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Panther women’s hoops are Battle of the States runners-up. After a thrilling one-point win over Erwin Dec. 22, after Christmas the team traveled to Hiawassee, Georgia, for the 31st annual tournament at Towns County High School. There they won their first two games before falling in the final round.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Jack Teesateskie elevates to the rim versus North Buncombe Dec. 2. The senior broke team records for points (52) and 3-pointers (12) in a single game versus Union County, Georgia, Dec. 30.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Jack Teesateskie elevates to the rim versus North Buncombe Dec. 2. The senior broke team records for points (52) and 3-pointers (12) in a single game versus Union County, Georgia, Dec. 30.

Teesateskie breaks records

Will Woolever
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Two Panther men’s hoops all-time records are no more.  Over Christmas break the team traveled to Hiawassee, Georgia, for the 31st annual Battle of the States tournament at Towns County High School. With 52 points and 12 3-pointers in a single game, Jack Teesateskie turned in a historic day.
Press file photo - Promising freshman Bri Dezarn battles a wrestler from Pisgah Dec. 9.

Press file photo - Promising freshman Bri Dezarn battles a wrestler from Pisgah Dec. 9.

Wrestling battles W. Henderson, Brevard

Will Woolever
Monday, December 22, 2025
It was a busy week for Panther wrestling. After hosting their first and only home meet Dec. 9, Franklin hit the road again over the next several days, traveling to the gyms of two Mountain Eight Conference rivals.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Rylee Greene attempts a tough running shot versus Bevard Dec. 16.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Rylee Greene attempts a tough running shot versus Bevard Dec. 16.

Girls rout Brevard at home

Will Woolever
Monday, December 22, 2025
Panther women’s hoops are 2-1 in the Mountain Eight.  After beating East Henderson in their first conference game Dec. 12, on the week of Dec. 15 Franklin continued their Mountain Eight schedule, hosting Brevard and traveling to Pisgah.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Jack Teesateskie elevates to the rim versus Brevard Dec. 16.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Jack Teesateskie elevates to the rim versus Brevard Dec. 16.

Boys 6-1, unbeaten in M8C

Will Woolever
Monday, December 22, 2025
Panther men’s hoops are off to a hot start. After beating East Henderson in their first conference game Dec. 12, on the week of Dec. 15 Franklin continued their Mountain Eight schedule, hosting Brevard and traveling to Pisgah.
Junior Lance Parker elevates to the rim versus North Buncombe Dec. 2. (Press file photo)

Junior Lance Parker elevates to the rim versus North Buncombe Dec. 2. (Press file photo)

Men’s basketball starts year 4-1

Will Woolever
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Panther men’s hoops have earned their first conference win.  After routing North Buncombe and Cherokee at home to start the year, on the week of Dec. 8 Franklin embarked on a three-game road trip, traveling to Swain County, North Buncombe and East Henderson.
Press file photo - (From left) Amy Mendoza Lopez, Abigail Pope, Morgan Cress and Abigail Timan are pictured in Franklin’s home meet at Macon Middle School earlier this month.

Press file photo - (From left) Amy Mendoza Lopez, Abigail Pope, Morgan Cress and Abigail Timan are pictured in Franklin’s home meet at Macon Middle School earlier this month.

Track breaks school records in Winston-Salem

Will Woolever
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Panther track and field looks right at home versus top competition. On Dec. 13, they traveled to Winston-Salem for one of the state’s biggest indoor meets, the Stay In Your Lane Invitational. There Franklin continued their quest for a 5A title. “That indoor facility is great.
Photo submitted - Local driver Chuck Southard shows off his first-place trophy following a Southern Wedge Late-Model Association race at Lavonia Speedway in Georgia recently.

Photo submitted - Local driver Chuck Southard shows off his first-place trophy following a Southern Wedge Late-Model Association race at Lavonia Speedway in Georgia recently.

Local driver wins SWLA title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
A Franklin native is the Southern Wedge Late-Model Association Points Champion. For much of the past four decades, Chuck Southard has been one of WNC’s top stock car racers, winning titles in multiple series around the region.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin High School’s Lana Walker (left) and Kenna Keyworth swim a close race in the girls 100-yard breaststroke at Franklin Health and Fitness Dec. 6. 

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin High School’s Lana Walker (left) and Kenna Keyworth swim a close race in the girls 100-yard breaststroke at Franklin Health and Fitness Dec. 6. 

FHS, MEC host second home swim meet

Will Woolever
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Franklin high school swim teams are rounding into midseason form. On Saturday, Dec. 6, Franklin High School and Macon Early College hosted their second home meet of the year, racing four other area squads at Franklin Health and Fitness. There, FHS outscored rival Smoky Mountain for a narrow win.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Peyton Hervey fights for a loose ball versus Cherokee Dec. 4.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Peyton Hervey fights for a loose ball versus Cherokee Dec. 4.

Men’s hoops starts year 2-0

Will Woolever
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
The early returns have been good for Panther men’s hoops. After months of offseason work, on the first week of December Franklin tipped off their first official games, hosting North Buncombe and Cherokee on Tom Raby Court. With 30-plus-point wins in each, they started their regular season 2-0.