PHOTOS: Southwest falls short in state championship to Rabun County

The Southwest Patriots lost to the Rabun County Wildcats 52-43 in the state championship game on Friday.

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Sports
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March 13, 2026
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Southwest senior CJ Howard (1) bends down after the Patriots’ loss to Rabun County in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Southwest senior Chase Dupree (0) puts up a shot during the Patriots’ loss to Rabun County in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Southwest guard Alex Butts (24) fouls Rabun County’s Reed Burrell (12) while diving for a loose ball during the Patriots’ loss to the Wildcats in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Southwest players walk off the court duirng a timeout in the in the final minute of the Patriots’ loss to Rabun County in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Southwest guard CJ Howard (1) puts up a shot during the Patriots’ loss to Rabun County in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Southwest senior Chase Dupree (0) puts up a three-point shot during the Patriots’ loss to Rabun County in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Southwest players pressure Rabun County’s Reed Burrell (12) during the Patriots’ loss to the Wildcats in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Southwest guard CJ Howard (1) puts up a shot during the Patriots’ loss to Rabun County in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Southwest senior Chase Dupree (0) walks to the bench after fouling out of the Patriots’ loss to Rabun County in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Southwest guard Octavius Raglin (2) guards Rabun County’s Huey Blalock (3) during the Patriots’ loss to the Wildcats in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Rabun County’s Huey Blalock (3) passes the ball downcourt during the Patriots’ loss to the Wildcats in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody
Southwest head coach Monquencio Hardnett reacts after guard Chase Dupree dove for a loose ball into the Rabun County bench during the Patriots’ loss to the Wildcats in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Mark Powell / The Melody
Southwest guard Alex Butts (24) walks off the court in the final seconds of the Patriots’ loss to Rabun County in the GHSA State Championship Friday at the Macon Coliseum. Photo by Jason Vorhees / The Melody

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Author
Jason Vorhees

Jason is our photographer. An award-winning journalist, he has spent more than 25 years capturing the sights, sounds and people of Middle Georgia. He lives in Macon with his wife, Brandi, and their sons Cooper and Evan. Jason is an avid sports fan and bourbon aficionado.

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