Sports

Mat Devil wrestlers, coaches and fans react to heavyweight Qwen Moss pinning Justin Tillman during Elbert County’s 47-13 victory over Crescent High School of Iva, South Carolina in the Inferno Dec. 17 in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

Mat Devil wrestlers, coaches and fans react to heavyweight Qwen Moss pinning Justin Tillman during Elbert County’s 47-13 victory over Crescent High School of Iva, South Carolina in the Inferno Dec. 17 in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Mat Devils thrill fans in Crescent win

Cary Best
Monday, December 23, 2019
Elbert County fans were treated to the best home match of the season when the Mat Devil defeated No. 4 state-ranked Crescent High School of Iva, South Carolina. Elbert also hosted Cherokee Bluff High School of Flowery Branch in the three-team dual meet in the Inferno Dec. 17.
Mat Devil senior Gavin Brady (top) breaks the Elbert County High School career wins record by pinning Athens Christian’s 182-pound wrestler Joseph Ulrich Dec. 10 in the Inferno in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

Mat Devil senior Gavin Brady (top) breaks the Elbert County High School career wins record by pinning Athens Christian’s 182-pound wrestler Joseph Ulrich Dec. 10 in the Inferno in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Mat Devils stack up winning records

Cary Best
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
While on track to collide with top division opponents Social Circle, Oglethorpe and Banks in the Area 6-AA Dual Tournament Jan. 11 at Monticello, the  Mat Devils have been busy piling up the wins.
Lady Blue Devil freshman Aaniah Allen scored 19 points in Elbert County’s 58-46 loss at Union County Dec. 13 in Blairsville. (Photo by Cary Best)

Lady Blue Devil freshman Aaniah Allen scored 19 points in Elbert County’s 58-46 loss at Union County Dec. 13 in Blairsville. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Lady Blue Devils pick up first region win

Cary Best
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Week four saw the Lady Blue Devils drop a non-conference contest but split a pair of region games.
Junior point guard Jaden Brown (left) led the Blue Devils in scoring with 19 points in Elbert’s road win over Madison County. (File Photo by Cary Best)

Junior point guard Jaden Brown (left) led the Blue Devils in scoring with 19 points in Elbert’s road win over Madison County. (File Photo by Cary Best)

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Young Blue Devils gain ground with region win

Cary Best
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
The young Elbert County Blue Devils continue to learn on the job, winning one of three games last week. The Devils, who start three freshmen, fell 89-29 to a senior-heavy Cedar Shoals team in Athens Dec. 10.
Blue Devil sophomore shooting guard Jamil Burton scored seven points during Elbert County’s 60-56 win at Madison County Dec. 6 in Danielsville. (Photo by Dan Giles)

Blue Devil sophomore shooting guard Jamil Burton scored seven points during Elbert County’s 60-56 win at Madison County Dec. 6 in Danielsville. (Photo by Dan Giles)

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Blue Devils get needed win

Cary Best
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
The Blue Devils held off a late charging Red Raiders to pick up a ‘needed win’ Friday night in Danielsville.     With the 60-56 win at Madison County, Elbert advanced to 2-2 on the season and got a shot of confidence, which head coach Don Hurlburt said his young team could build upon.
Blue Devil senior Caleb Hale (center) reacts as he accepts the 2019 L.C. Piccirillo Scholarship and Football Award during the Elbert County Athletic Department’s Fall Sports Awards Program Monday night Dec. 9 in the Elbert County Middle School Auditorium. Pictured with Hale (L-R) are Ciro Piccirillo, Ed Fendley, Nannette Piccirillo and Lenny Piccirillo. (Photo by Cary Best)

Blue Devil senior Caleb Hale (center) reacts as he accepts the 2019 L.C. Piccirillo Scholarship and Football Award during the Elbert County Athletic Department’s Fall Sports Awards Program Monday night Dec. 9 in the Elbert County Middle School Auditorium. Pictured with Hale (L-R) are Ciro Piccirillo, Ed Fendley, Nannette Piccirillo and Lenny Piccirillo. (Photo by Cary Best)

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New awards ceremony sees last of scholarship

Cary Best
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Two traditions fell during the 2019 fall sports awards program – no more Salisbury steak and Piccirillos. The ceremony marked the beginning and end of an era.
Lady Blue Devil freshman shooting guard Aaniah Allen scored 13 points during Elbert County’s 63-46 loss at Madison County Dec. 6 in Danielsville. (Photo by Cary Best)

Lady Blue Devil freshman shooting guard Aaniah Allen scored 13 points during Elbert County’s 63-46 loss at Madison County Dec. 6 in Danielsville. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Madison’s McPerson too much for Elbert

Cary Best
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
The Lady Blue Devils first loss of the season came against one of the best junior point guards in the nation. Lady Red Raider junior Kayla McPherson dropped 35 points on Elbert during Madison County’s 63-46 home win Dec. 6 in Danielsville.
Lady Blue Devil freshman point guard Terrace Hester drives to the basket between Lady Bulldogs (L-R) Tania Alexander and Abbygail McLane in Elbert County’s 54-46 win over Hart County in the Inferno Nov. 30 in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

Lady Blue Devil freshman point guard Terrace Hester drives to the basket between Lady Bulldogs (L-R) Tania Alexander and Abbygail McLane in Elbert County’s 54-46 win over Hart County in the Inferno Nov. 30 in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Devil ‘Freshies’ torch Hart

Cary Best
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Four fearless freshmen led Elbert County’s (56-45) upset over seventh ranked Hart County. Electrifying the Inferno, Aaniyah Allen, Terrace Hester, Niya Moon and Jamia Allen all scored double digits in Elbert’s packed-out home opener Nov. 30.
Blue Devil senior shooting guard D.J. Ardister (center) scored 8 points during Elbert County’s 89-56 loss to Hart County in the Inferno Nov. 30 in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

Blue Devil senior shooting guard D.J. Ardister (center) scored 8 points during Elbert County’s 89-56 loss to Hart County in the Inferno Nov. 30 in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Blue Devils to regroup after Hart blowout

Cary Best
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
The Elbert County  Blue Devils found themselves with more questions than answers following a 33-point blowout (89-56) to rival Hart County.
Mat Devil junior Jamal Rucker picked up his 100th career win Nov. 27 at St. Pius High School. (File photo by Cary Best)

Mat Devil junior Jamal Rucker picked up his 100th career win Nov. 27 at St. Pius High School. (File photo by Cary Best)

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Mat Devils continue winning ways in break

Cary Best
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
With a clean sweep at the 2019 St. Pius Thanksgiving Dual Tournament Nov. 27, Elbert County advanced its record on the season to 12-0.