There is always another adventure that awaits each week as the sports reporter.
OPINIONS - Sports reporting is the perfect antidote for anxiety
Eligha Roper
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Sports
Alex Cardenas sets the gold standard at UGA Marching Band Camp, earning the Rueben L. Dancz Award.
Local drum major earns award at UGA camp
JOHN BYNUM
A local drum major, Alex Cardenas, had a huge opportunity to flaunt his talents at a recent University of Georgia band camp. In a stacked field of 180-plus musicians, Cardenas’s ability to showcase his skills and leadership abilities landed him the Roger L. Dancz Young Conductor Award.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
The Lumpkin County swim team had 115 athletes signup this season. This is the second season with over 100 swimmers. (Photo submitted to The Nugget)
Swimmers set sights on State Championships
Eligha Roper
The summer sun isn’t the only thing that’s been heating up as of late. Things are warming up for the local Parks & Rec swim team as they prepare to compete in their State Championships. This year saw another great turnout for the swim program, with a total of 113 swimmers signing up for the team.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
The Lumpkin County High School boys soccer squad celebrates their victory over The Dahlonega Nugget staff in the latest Nugget Challenge.
Community support leads to revival of Nugget Challenge
Eligha Roper
The Revival of the Nugget Challenge exceeded all expectations last week as we here at The Nugget came together to take on the Lumpkin County varsity boys soccer team.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Micah Popko talks his team through a play during last week’s football camp.
Youth summer camps continue to see record turnouts
Eligha Roper
Two teams held their annual Summer Camps last week as the Lumpkin football and wrestling teams welcomed in campers. Each camp was ultimately a success. The football team saw a turnout of over 120 campers and 50 volunteers from the varsity squad.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
The Lumpkin County 8U team, backed by their coaches and parents, celebrate the State Championship victory.
Lumpkin 8U baseball team wins State Championship
Eligha Roper
Those in attendance at the 8U Coach Pitch State Championships here at Lumpkin County Parks & Recreation witnessed a sports miracle last week. It was a game worthy of an inspirational sports movie script.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Youth soccer campers and varsity players gather at last week’s camp.
Softball unites across all programs for summer camp
Eligha Roper
The Lumpkin County High School softball team hosted their annual summer camp last week and welcomed in a sizeable group of campers. Nearly the entire varsity softball squad turned out to support the coaching staff throughout the exciting week.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Team Nugget will take on the Lumpkin County soccer team in a pick-up game and PK shootout in the revival of the Nugget Challenge.
OPINIONS: The next Nugget Challenge is accepted!
Eligha Roper
Last Tuesday I awoke to the sound of my alarm clock going off before getting out of bed and heading into the office. It was a day like any other previous Tuesday. We at The Nugget usually set aside this day for some final proof reading before sending the paper off to the printing press.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
District Seven Champions the Lumpkin County 8U Indinas.
OPINIONS - Parks & Rec teams steal the show at District Championships
Eligha Roper
Last week I found myself spending a lot of time with the younger Parks & Rec guys. From baseball summer camps to District Championships tournaments at Yahoola Creek Park, one thing that I noticed about this group is that they know how to have fun.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Baseball campers huddle for a photo before taking to the outfield to close out the summer fun.
Lumpkin baseball camp slides into summertime fun
Eligha Roper
The Lumpkin County baseball team was next to the plate, pitching off their Summer Camp festivities. The High School program hosted its annual camp from June 9-11 and saw an strong turnout of 52 individual campers.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025