Sports

Fannin County Lady Rebel Avi Ethington (#19) controls the ball and her Pickens opponent March 12.

Fannin County Lady Rebel Avi Ethington (#19) controls the ball and her Pickens opponent March 12.

Lady Rebels defeat Pickens, Gordon Ctrl.

Jason Queen
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The Fannin County High School Lady Rebels soccer team gave the home crowd a show when they defeated Gordon Central 8-0 March 10 and Pickens County March 12 in a PK shootout 4-3. Against Pickens, Fannin trailed 1-0 at halftime. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.
Fannin County High School’s Matthew Ponton (#3) scores one of his four goals in Fannin’s dominating win over Pickens County March 12.

Fannin County High School’s Matthew Ponton (#3) scores one of his four goals in Fannin’s dominating win over Pickens County March 12.

Rebels victorious over Pickens, Gordon Ctrl.

Jason Queen
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The Fannin County High School Rebels soccer team (5-3) dominated mountain rival Pickens County 9-1 at home March 12, and won in an overtime shootout with Gordon Central 6-5 March 10. Fannin has won three in a row. Fannin went out in dramatic fashion against Gordon Central.
Fannin County High School 140-pound class weightlifter Troy Partain, center, took home the 2026 state championship at the Lee Murray State Weightlifting Championships March 7. Lupe Jose Valasquez, right, finished runner up in the state.

Fannin County High School 140-pound class weightlifter Troy Partain, center, took home the 2026 state championship at the Lee Murray State Weightlifting Championships March 7. Lupe Jose Valasquez, right, finished runner up in the state.

Weightlifters capture state titles

Jason Queen
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
A trio of Fannin County High School weightlifters came home state champions in the Lee Murray State Weightlifting Championships March 7 at Heard County High School in Franklin, Georgia.  Troy Partain is the state champion in the 140-pound weight class.
Kolton Kaylor, shown in earlier playoff action, was held to only six points when Fannin County met Rabun County.

Kolton Kaylor, shown in earlier playoff action, was held to only six points when Fannin County met Rabun County.

Season ends in Elite Eight

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
An Elite Eight showdown  against the powerhouse Rabun County Wildcats brought an end to the Fannin County Rebels’ stellar 25-5 basketball season. The Rebels earned the Elite Eight trip with two previous wins in the Georgia High School Association Boys State Basketball  playoffs.
Fannin County High School girls tennis team member Kendall Clore competes in girls doubles and is seen hitting her shot from the back of the court at the school’s match March 4.

Fannin County High School girls tennis team member Kendall Clore competes in girls doubles and is seen hitting her shot from the back of the court at the school’s match March 4.

Lady Rebels win pair of matches over Gilmer

Jason Queen
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
The Fannin County High School girls tennis team traveled to Gilmer County Wednesday, March 4, and came home winners 5-0 over the Lady Bobcats. The Lady Rebels hosted Gilmer County March 5 and won 3-2. At Gilmer, number one single Sadie Patton easily won her match in two sets 6-0 and 6-0.
Adia Galloway prepares for a pole vault attempt at the Model Six Land Spectacular where she finished second.

Adia Galloway prepares for a pole vault attempt at the Model Six Land Spectacular where she finished second.

Track & Field capture top honors

newsobserverstaff
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
The Fannin County High School Lady Rebel Track & Field Team came home with the first place prize from the  Model Six Land Spectacular where they competed against Model, Coosa, Haralson, Oak Mountain Academy, and Unity Christian School.
News Observer Photo/Glenn Harbison Reese Lewis hurdles over a defender for two points in action last week.

News Observer Photo/Glenn Harbison Reese Lewis hurdles over a defender for two points in action last week.

Lady Rebels’ season ends

Glenn Harbison
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Another stellar basketball season ended for the Fannin County Lady Rebels Friday night, February 27, when they traveled to Eatonton to face the Putnam County Lady War Eagles.
News Observer Photo/Glenn Harbison Keaton Watkins zeros in on two points in the Fannin County Sweet 16 win over the Thomasville Bulldogs.

News Observer Photo/Glenn Harbison Keaton Watkins zeros in on two points in the Fannin County Sweet 16 win over the Thomasville Bulldogs.

Rebels bounce back to earn Elite 8 spot

Glenn Harbison
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
A quick four points from Keaton Watkins began a third quarter comeback that saw the Fannin County Rebels seal a spot in the Elite Eight of the Georgia High School Association Boys State Basketball Playoffs.
News Observer Photo/Jason Queen The Copper Basin High School girls basketball team has captured the District 5A championship for the third year in a row. Pictured are team members, from left, Laney Scoggins, Kallie Mosley, Madden Beach, Kinsley Ross, Maleah Deal, Kendra Deal, Riley Akens, Cora Kimsey, Kloie Ballew, Alexis Hyatt and Addison Hyatt.

News Observer Photo/Jason Queen The Copper Basin High School girls basketball team has captured the District 5A championship for the third year in a row. Pictured are team members, from left, Laney Scoggins, Kallie Mosley, Madden Beach, Kinsley Ross, Maleah Deal, Kendra Deal, Riley Akens, Cora Kimsey, Kloie Ballew, Alexis Hyatt and Addison Hyatt.

Lady Cougars win title

Glenn Harbison
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The Copper Basin High School girls basketball team has captured the District 5A championship for the third year in a row. This time, it was a dominating 70-32 win over Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts February 23 at Copper Basin.
Copper Basin Lady Cougar Kendra Deal (#10) outmaneuvers her Lookout Valley opponent for the successful jumper. The game was in school February 17.

Copper Basin Lady Cougar Kendra Deal (#10) outmaneuvers her Lookout Valley opponent for the successful jumper. The game was in school February 17.

Lady Cougars post 12-game streak to end regular season

Jason Queen
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The 18-5 Copper Basin Lady Cougars basketball team wrapped up the 2026 regular season with a 12-game winning streak by defeating Lookout Valley 67-11 at Copper Basin High School February 17.