The Franklin High School varsity basketball teams travelled to Waynesville Tuesday, Feb. 19, for the second round of the WNCAC Tournament where they met the Tuscola Mountaineers. After coming off big wins in the opening round of the tournament, the men’s and women’s teams looked to keep their momentum against Tuscola, who handed them each a loss in their last meeting, Feb. 12.

The girls started the night slower than usual, finding themselves outscored after the first quarter, but were able to turn it around, eventually sealing the win, 54-40. The Lady Panthers will now head to a meeting with the Pisgah Sugar Bears in the WNCAC Tournament Championship on Thursday, Feb. 21...

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Commissioners gave final approval last week for much needed upgrades on the Macon Middle School batting cages. Used by both the Macon Middle School and the Franklin High School baseball teams for batting practice, safety concerns prompted the FHS baseball coach to request the upgrades. While commissioners approved funding for the project last week, the Board of Education first caught wind of the problem at the Jan. 28. school board meeting, when FHS baseball coach Ryan Raby approached the board with the deplorable condition of the cages.

Over the years, the batting cages the school uses have begun to fall apart. In one of the cages, only about 50 percent of the temporary turf is left to cover the concrete and there are few places to hide when a baseball bounces off of one of the poles used to hold up the nets.

The Macon County Soccer Club (MCSC) U14 Storm started its season on Feb. 8 with a 3-1 win over CMSC Blue in Waynesville.

The Blue held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but the Storm fought back to score three goals in the second half. Goals were scored by Angel Chavez, Kyle Knop, and Omar Arellano.

On Sunday, Feb. 10, the Storm defeated PRAA Fyzabad (Charlotte) 1-0 in Asheville. It was a tight match that remained scoreless until the 20 minute mark of the second half, when Angel Chavez scored with an assist from Omar Arellano.

With spring right around the corner, Franklin's little league baseball signups are under way. This year, parents have three locations to register: Macon County Community Building between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, or Friday, Feb. 22; Mountain View Intermediate School on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. or online at www.Fllbb.org.

Cost is $65 for one child, $120 for two children from same family, or $165 for three children from the same family. Bring payment by cash or check (credit card for online registrations); a copy of child's birth certificate (for first year players only); and three proofs of residency

Team tryouts are March 2 at the Macon County Recreation Park. For more information, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it