Sports

Ethan Stovall pins his opponent and wins his match during the Mat Dogs home meet against Dixie High School Jan. 16.

Ethan Stovall pins his opponent and wins his match during the Mat Dogs home meet against Dixie High School Jan. 16.

Mat Dogs split at home meet

After a close loss to Dixie, the Mat Dogs responded with a win over East Jackson to send their seniors out on top during the lone home meet.
Senior guard Dakota Phillips was nominated to compete in the 2024 McDonald’s All American game in Houston, Tx.

Senior guard Dakota Phillips was nominated to compete in the 2024 McDonald’s All American game in Houston, Tx.

Phillips nominated for McDonald’s All American game

Lady Dogs senior guard Dakota Phillips has been nominated to compete in the 2024 McDonald’s All American game in April. Phillips was scrolling through social media when she came across the McDonald’s All American game post for nominations for the east team.
Lions freshman track star Valasha Carter breaks the Emmanuel University school record for triple jump. Photo by Emmanuel University.

Lions freshman track star Valasha Carter breaks the Emmanuel University school record for triple jump. Photo by Emmanuel University.

Carter sets school record for triple jump

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Emmanuel University Indoor Track and Field team traveled to Birmingham, Alabama over the weekend to compete in the Emory Crossplex Showdown. At the event, the Women’s team finished 6th out of 23 teams.
Junior guard TK Smith drills a three pointer over a Lady Hurricane, as she scored nine points, and led the team with seven rebounds and two assists in the 62-20 win over the Lady Hurricanes of Monroe Area on Jan. 10.

Junior guard TK Smith drills a three pointer over a Lady Hurricane, as she scored nine points, and led the team with seven rebounds and two assists in the 62-20 win over the Lady Hurricanes of Monroe Area on Jan. 10.

Lady Dogs rolling through region

The Lady Dogs begin region play with wins over Monroe Area and Stephens County, with their only loss coming to No. 1 Hebron Christian. After Hart County canceled school on Jan. 9 for severe weather, the Lady Dogs pushed back their match-up with Monroe Area to Jan. 10.
Senior guard Dakota Phillips led the Lady Dogs in scoring with 26 points as she helps Hart capture their first win of the new year over the Lady Gladiators of Clarke Central, 63-27.

Senior guard Dakota Phillips led the Lady Dogs in scoring with 26 points as she helps Hart capture their first win of the new year over the Lady Gladiators of Clarke Central, 63-27.

Lady Dogs head into region play with a win over Clarke Central

The Lady Dogs started the new year and ended their non-region play with a big win over Clarke Central, 63-27. Hart hosted the Lady Gladiators of Clarke Central for their first game of the new year.
Senior wrestler AJ Smith and the Mat Dogs defeat Oconee County and Monroe Area to claim second place in the 2024 area duals on Jan. 6 to advance to the state duals on Jan. 20.

Senior wrestler AJ Smith and the Mat Dogs defeat Oconee County and Monroe Area to claim second place in the 2024 area duals on Jan. 6 to advance to the state duals on Jan. 20.

Mat Dogs advance to state duals after placing second at area duals

By defeating Oconee County and Monroe Area in the Area Duals, the Mat Dogs placed in the Top Two and will compete at state as a team on Jan. 20. Hart traveled to Oconee County High School to compete in the 2024 Area Duals for Region 8-AAA.
Pictured is the Starnes family after being voted in as the new senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church. Pictured first row from left is Hope and Harper, and the second row from left Brad and his wife Jahna.

Pictured is the Starnes family after being voted in as the new senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church. Pictured first row from left is Hope and Harper, and the second row from left Brad and his wife Jahna.

Starnes named senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist

After just 11 months of searching, Cornerstone Baptist Church named Dr. Brad Starnes as the new senior pastor of the church on Dec. 10.
Photo by Chris Chow

Photo by Chris Chow

Mat Dogs strike gold in past two meets

The Mat Dogs struck gold after picking up some first place finishes at the Tiger Den Traditional on Dec. 21st and at the Bulldog Bash on Dec. 30. Hart traveled to Washington-Wilkes to compete in the Tiger Den Invitational and had 11 first place finishers.
Junior guard O’Brian Evans scored 11 points against Prince Avenue and led the team with 13 points against Bleckley.

Junior guard O’Brian Evans scored 11 points against Prince Avenue and led the team with 13 points against Bleckley.

Dogs finish fourth in the McDonald’s Shootout

The Dogs won their first game in the first round of the 2023 McDonald’s Shootout, before dropping their next two to finish in fourth place. Hart began their quest for a McDonald’s Shootout Championship against the Wolverines of Prince Avenue on Dec. 27.