Ferdinand Farley

Gatewood junior Lauren Paxson is among Farley’s “go-to” players on the Lady Gators this season. IAN TOCHER/ Staff

Gatewood junior Lauren Paxson is among Farley’s “go-to” players on the Lady Gators this season. IAN TOCHER/ Staff

Gatewood girls trending in ‘right direction’

Lance McCurley
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Gatewood had a strong start to the regular season, ending the first part of its schedule with a 10-1 overall record.Last season, the Lady Gators finished 11-14 overall in head coach Ferdinand Farley’s first year at the helm.
Gatewood freshman Bela Smith (5) has been a consistent performer this season, providing an offensive effort that promises to get even better as her high school career progresses. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood freshman Bela Smith (5) has been a consistent performer this season, providing an offensive effort that promises to get even better as her high school career progresses. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady Gators lose region heartbreaker

Ian Tocher
Thursday, February 20, 2025
With the score tied at 45, the buzzer sounded, and the crowd held its collective breath as the ball arced toward the basket.
Freshman Bela Smith scored the game-winning basket with this free throw that put the Lady Gators up 33-32 over the visiting Lady Cavs from Mount de Sales. Gatewood won the game 36-32. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Freshman Bela Smith scored the game-winning basket with this free throw that put the Lady Gators up 33-32 over the visiting Lady Cavs from Mount de Sales. Gatewood won the game 36-32. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Mixed results for Lady Gators to start 2025

Ian Tocher
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Gatewood girls basketball started 2025 with a 36-32 win over Mount De Sales last Friday at home, but a day later, it dropped a 39-36 road decision to Presbyterian Day in Macon.The game in Eatonton started slowly.
Lauren Paxson made an impact as a freshman shooting guard last season and should be even more impactful this year. (File Photo)

Lauren Paxson made an impact as a freshman shooting guard last season and should be even more impactful this year. (File Photo)

Lady Gators bond under new coach

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Gatewood girls’ basketball has been doing a lot of team bonding this summer under new coach Ferdinand Farley.Farley, who coached the Lady Gators as an assistant the past few years, took over from Jordan Walters.
Ferdinand Farley Jr. (CONTRIBUTED)

Ferdinand Farley Jr. (CONTRIBUTED)

Gatewood introduces new girls’ basketball coach

Lance McCurley
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Gatewood recently announced its new girls’ head basketball coach in the promotion of assistant coach Ferdinand Farley Jr.Farley replaces Jordan Walters, who recently stepped down after serving as head coach for the past six seasons.
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