Sports

Lake Oconee Wild Things pitcher Skylar McCoy, who is a recent Morgan County graduate, totaled six strikeouts in a win on June 28. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Lake Oconee Wild Things pitcher Skylar McCoy, who is a recent Morgan County graduate, totaled six strikeouts in a win on June 28. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Lake Oconee Wild Things sweep Bucks at home

Lake Oconee’s Wild Things showcased an action-packed weekend at home with victories over the Brookhaven Bucks on June 27-28. The series sweep propelled the Sunbelt League team to a four-game winning streak following two road victories earlier in the week.
LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

LANCE MCCURLEY/File Photo

McCurley: The Dawgs are hot on the trail

Besides working for the Lake Oconee News and The Eatonton Messenger, I’ve been a recruiting reporter for UGASports.com, and I’m heading into my third year. Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football, and I’ve fallen in love with it over the last few years. Like this one, it’s a rewarding job.
The Greene County 10U All-Star team recently won the state tournament, defeating Haralson County in the final round. CONTRIBUTED

The Greene County 10U All-Star team recently won the state tournament, defeating Haralson County in the final round. CONTRIBUTED

Greene County 10U All-Star softball wins state

Last week, Greene County’s 10U All-Star softball team captured the Georgia Parks and Recreation Department state title.The Greene County Recreation Department hosted the tournament, so the team didn’t have to travel, which worked in its favor.
Sophomore Chloe Chook (7) was a GACA All-State first-team selection. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Sophomore Chloe Chook (7) was a GACA All-State first-team selection. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Morgan County soccer players earn GACA All-State honors

Following the end of the 2025 season, Morgan County’s soccer teams had several players earn postseason recognition.The school had seven representatives combined named to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s All-State teams.Four Lady Dogs earned the postseason honor.
Matt Allen, Gatewood’s all-time leading scorer, recently transferred to Newton High School in Covington, where he lives. FILE PHOTO

Matt Allen, Gatewood’s all-time leading scorer, recently transferred to Newton High School in Covington, where he lives. FILE PHOTO

Gators’ roster sees offseason turnover

The Gatewood boys basketball team recently experienced some roster turnover in the offseason.The Gators lost Ames Johnson, JT Gregory, Jake Rich, and Kaiden Keiser to graduation in May.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Bill Griffin

The U. S. Open is not supposed to be something easy to win; inherent in its challenge are adversity and stress. If you want an easy track, stay away from Oakmont and ply your time at some muni course in some obscure, no-name town.
Lake Oconee Academy boys’ basketball head coach Josiah Rechenbach will begin this fourth season with the program this November. FILE PHOTO

Lake Oconee Academy boys’ basketball head coach Josiah Rechenbach will begin this fourth season with the program this November. FILE PHOTO

Titans hit the court this summer

The Lake Oconee Academy boys basketball team began its summer workouts earlier this month.The Titans remain optimistic about the 2025-26 season, despite losing three of their top four scorers from last year.
Armari Durham (9) rushed for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns last season as a senior for the Tigers. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Armari Durham (9) rushed for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns last season as a senior for the Tigers. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Greene County's Armari Durham takes next step on gridiron

Armari Durham has always dreamed of playing football at the college level, and he recently took a step in the right direction to achieve that goal.Durham, a former Greene County football star, recently signed with the Naples Knights Football Academy, a college preparatory program.
Hudson Reed was named Region 2-AA Player of the Year. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Hudson Reed was named Region 2-AA Player of the Year. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Diamond Dogs rack up All-Region honors

In 2025, the Morgan County baseball team had a successful postseason run, advancing to the Class AA state semifinals. Following the season, nearly a dozen Diamond Dogs were named to the All-Region team.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Manuel Diaz

The upcoming induction of three Bulldog icons into the “Circle of Honor” in late August will be especial in that in the prime years of their Georgia careers, they were the best of their time: Herschel Walker was the best running back in the country; Jeff Wallace was the best women’s coach; and...