Sports

Pitcher Austin Zabala hurls the ball to his brother, catcher Blake Zabala during a travel game. The home-schooled duo will take the field for Gilmer High next season.

Pitcher Austin Zabala hurls the ball to his brother, catcher Blake Zabala during a travel game. The home-schooled duo will take the field for Gilmer High next season.

SB 51 opens doors for home school students

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Georgia’s home-schooled students in grades 6-12 are now permitted to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities.
Gilmer’s Jacie Bennett keeps her eye on the ball in the Lady Cats’ season opener versus Sprayberry last Saturday.

Gilmer’s Jacie Bennett keeps her eye on the ball in the Lady Cats’ season opener versus Sprayberry last Saturday.

GHS softball starts season versus Sprayberry

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Gilmer High softball began its season last Saturday at home. The Lady Cats welcomed Sprayberry to town, and the Class 6A Yellow Jackets collected 12 hits while taking advantage of five GHS errors.
Gilmer spent last week installing its special teams packages, and the Bobcats are pictured above practicing field goals and extra points at Monday’s practice.

Gilmer spent last week installing its special teams packages, and the Bobcats are pictured above practicing field goals and extra points at Monday’s practice.

Gilmer, Fannin set to scrimmage Friday

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Gilmer High School football fans will get a glimpse of the new-look Bobcats when they scrimmage Fannin County Friday. The matchup comes after a spring and summer under head coach Paul Standard, who took over the program in January. The Bobcats started voluntary offseason training June 7.
From left in white, rising seniors Lewis Mulkey and Cade Carter will be at the center of Gilmer High School’s offense next season.

From left in white, rising seniors Lewis Mulkey and Cade Carter will be at the center of Gilmer High School’s offense next season.

GHS basketball reworks offense over summer

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Gilmer High basketball used the summer to start building team chemistry for next season, but COVID-19 altered the Bobcats’ normal routine.
Former Lady Cat infielder and 2021 Gilmer High honor graduate Jasmine Staley accepted a scholarship from Wesleyan College and will play softball for the Wolves.

Former Lady Cat infielder and 2021 Gilmer High honor graduate Jasmine Staley accepted a scholarship from Wesleyan College and will play softball for the Wolves.

3-time all-region Staley picks Wesleyan

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Three-time all-region infielder Jasmine Staley will keep her softball career rolling at the next level. Staley is a 2021 Gilmer High School honor graduate and will take the field for the Wesleyan University Wolves next season.
Gilmer High School volleyball players use a setting drill to warm up last Friday at their annual All-American camp. The three-day event concluded a camp schedule that started last Monday in Gainesville.

Gilmer High School volleyball players use a setting drill to warm up last Friday at their annual All-American camp. The three-day event concluded a camp schedule that started last Monday in Gainesville.

Gilmer High volleyball readies for new season

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Gilmer High School volleyball players started their preseason preparations Aug. 6. The Lady Cats graduated a nucleus of four starters off last year’s team who were consistent contributors during their time at GHS.
Naomi Coombs set five cross-country and track records at Gilmer High School and will continue her athletic and academic endeavors at Kennesaw State University.

Naomi Coombs set five cross-country and track records at Gilmer High School and will continue her athletic and academic endeavors at Kennesaw State University.

Record-setting Coombs off to KSU

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Naomi Coombs left her mark on Gilmer High School athletics. The three-sport 2021 GHS graduate supplanted five total school records in track and field and cross-country, which prompted coach Josh Snider to call her, “The best runner to come through Gilmer County.
Pictured are Gilmer Swim Team members at last week’s Class C state meet in Fort Oglethorpe.

Pictured are Gilmer Swim Team members at last week’s Class C state meet in Fort Oglethorpe.

Gilmer swimmers earn 10 medals at state

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Local swimmers put a cap on the 2021 summer season. The Gilmer Swim Team made its way to Fort Oglethorpe’s Gilbert-Stephenson Park last Friday and Saturday for the Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s Class C state meet.
Isabella Chastain delivers a pitch and will take the field for the Gordon State College Highlanders next season.

Isabella Chastain delivers a pitch and will take the field for the Gordon State College Highlanders next season.

Chastain set to pitch for Gordon State

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Isabella Chastain will remain in state at the next level when she takes the softball field for the Gordon State College Highlanders. Chastain is a 2021 Gilmer High graduate and capped her Lady Cat career with plenty of accolades.
Gilmer High School’s competition cheerleaders gather for a photo after last month’s choreography camp.

Gilmer High School’s competition cheerleaders gather for a photo after last month’s choreography camp.

Gilmer cheer back in gym

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Gilmer High School cheerleaders have been back in the gym following a competition season that was prolonged by three months because of COVID-19. Head coach Naomi Esparza and staff used March as brief a recovery period and they started offseason conditioning and weight training in April.