Sports

Senior guard Zaylen Shealer (left) drives to the basket against two Lion defenders, as he scores a career high 32 points in the 89-61 win over Franklin County Jan. 20. Photo by Ric Williams.

Senior guard Zaylen Shealer (left) drives to the basket against two Lion defenders, as he scores a career high 32 points in the 89-61 win over Franklin County Jan. 20. Photo by Ric Williams.

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Dogs snap losing streak against Franklin

Benjamin London - Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 22, 2026
With Dogs’ head coach Matt Gibbs serving a two game suspension from being ejected at Prince Avenue Christian. Assistant head coach David Longworth spoke with the media postgame. “I thought the guys played well tonight,” Longworth said.
Pictured from left is assistant superintendent Brooks Mewborn, superintendent Jennifer Carter, new HCHS head football coach Biff Parson, chair of the board of education Kim Pierce and principal of HCHS Kevin Gaines at the introductory press conference Jan. 15. Photo by Benjamin London.

Pictured from left is assistant superintendent Brooks Mewborn, superintendent Jennifer Carter, new HCHS head football coach Biff Parson, chair of the board of education Kim Pierce and principal of HCHS Kevin Gaines at the introductory press conference Jan. 15. Photo by Benjamin London.

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Dogs dawn on a new era

Benjamin London - Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Hart County’s new head football coach, Biff Parson, will look to “set the standard” for years to come.  On Jan. 15, Parson was officially introduced as the 18th head football coach of the Hart County Bulldogs and followed by answering questions from the media.
Freshman Kingston Cambell competed against the Lions of Franklin County in the 53-28 loss at Area Duals held at Union County High School Jan. 10. Photo by Shane Scoggins.

Freshman Kingston Cambell competed against the Lions of Franklin County in the 53-28 loss at Area Duals held at Union County High School Jan. 10. Photo by Shane Scoggins.

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Mat Dogs fall short of advancing to the State Duals

Benjamin London - Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 15, 2026
The Mat Dogs drop back-to-back matches to miss out on competing in the State Duals.  On Jan. 10, Hart traveled to Union County to compete in the Area Duals for a chance to advance and compete in the State Duals.
Senior forward Ramarcus Simpson pulls up for a three in the 67-56 loss to the Rams of Westside Jan. 10 in the North Georgia Report Lake Hartwell Border Battle. Photo by Ric Williams.

Senior forward Ramarcus Simpson pulls up for a three in the 67-56 loss to the Rams of Westside Jan. 10 in the North Georgia Report Lake Hartwell Border Battle. Photo by Ric Williams.

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Dogs on two-game skid; Gibbs to miss the next two games

Benjamin London - Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 15, 2026
The Dogs fall into a slump after dropping back-to-back games for the third time this season.  Hart competed in the North Georgia Report Lake Hartwell Border Battle in Hartwell against the Rams of Westside out of Anderson, South Carolina.
Senior forward Kiasia Montgomery makes crucial free throws late in the game to help seal a double-overtime win against the Lady Wildcats of Woodmont, 59-53, in the North Georgia Report Lake Hartwell Border Battle Jan. 10. Photo by Ric Williams.

Senior forward Kiasia Montgomery makes crucial free throws late in the game to help seal a double-overtime win against the Lady Wildcats of Woodmont, 59-53, in the North Georgia Report Lake Hartwell Border Battle Jan. 10. Photo by Ric Williams.

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Lady Dogs begin a two-game win streak

Benjamin London - Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 15, 2026
After a two-game losing streak, the Lady Dogs piece together a two-game winning streak to end non-region play and to start region play 1-0.
The Lady Dogs’ junior guard Jaycee Wiley earns Athlete of the Week. Photo by Benjamin London.

The Lady Dogs’ junior guard Jaycee Wiley earns Athlete of the Week. Photo by Benjamin London.

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Jaycee Wiley named Athlete of the Week

Benjamin London - Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 15, 2026
This week’s Athlete of the Week, presented by Johnson Heating & Air, goes to girls basketball’s junior guard Jaycee Wiley. The Lady Dogs have had success when they’ve had a second double-digit scorer outside of senior forward Kiasia Montgomery.
Junior Champ Blackwell goes to flip over his opponent as he ended up pinning his opponent to help the Mat Dogs capture a 73-6 win over Stephens County on senior night Jan. 6. Photo by Benjamin London.

Junior Champ Blackwell goes to flip over his opponent as he ended up pinning his opponent to help the Mat Dogs capture a 73-6 win over Stephens County on senior night Jan. 6. Photo by Benjamin London.

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Mat Dogs getting hot at the right time

Benjamin London - Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 8, 2026
The Mat Dogs capture the Bulldog Bash Championship while also dominating Stephens County at home on senior night.  On Jan. 3, Hart traveled to Harlem High School to compete in the Bulldog Bash to begin the new year.
Mat Dogs’ senior wrestler Keylan Martin earns Athlete of the Week. Photo by Benjamin London.

Mat Dogs’ senior wrestler Keylan Martin earns Athlete of the Week. Photo by Benjamin London.

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Keylan Martin named Athlete of the Week

Benjamin London - Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 8, 2026
This week’s Athlete of the Week, presented by Johnson Heating & Air, goes to the Mat Dogs’ senior wrestler Keylan Martin. Martin wrestled a tough match and picked up a huge win to help elevate his team to a dominant 73-6 win over Stephens County on senior night Jan. 6.
Sophomore forward Sarai Shealer drops 19 points to lead the team in scoring in the 59-47 loss to Oconee County in the McDonald’s Shootout Championship Game Dec. 30. Photo by Benjamin London.

Sophomore forward Sarai Shealer drops 19 points to lead the team in scoring in the 59-47 loss to Oconee County in the McDonald’s Shootout Championship Game Dec. 30. Photo by Benjamin London.

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Lady Dogs look to get back on track after two-game skid

Benjamin London - Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 8, 2026
The Lady Dogs, who finished as the McDonald’s Shootout runner-up for the second straight year, will head into the final non-region game on a two-game losing streak, as they look to get back on track before beginning region play.