CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County High School in Cleveland heads into the 2026-27 basketball season with two programs in very different places: a girls team coming off a Sweet 16 run and a boys team trying to bounce back from a 4-22 winter.
The Lady Warriors went 20-9 last season, finished third in their region and were ranked No. 3 before reaching the Sweet 16. Steve Shedd, now in his third season as head coach, brings back most of that roster, led by seniors Ella Kate Shedd and Anijah Moss. The team plays fast, shares the ball and tries to turn defense into easy points in transition.
The girls did lose post player Zara Gosse, who transferred to Rabun County, along with Matelyn Allison. The coaching staff is counting on depth instead, after playing the entire freshman class on varsity last season. Freshman Allie Fowler and Habersham Central transfer Pat Mattox are expected to help, and the stated goals are to win Region 6-AAAA and hold up against a demanding non-region schedule. Staying healthy has been the main obstacle the past two seasons.
On the boys side, Miles Kendall begins his second season after the Warriors placed sixth in the region and missed the playoffs. They lost Cohen Michaud, Carter Nguyen and Luke Goldmen but return scorer Blayne Gunter and a group of young players who grew into bigger roles late last season.
Cooper Adam could see more time in the post and John Jarrard is a guard to watch. Kendall wants a balanced dribble-drive attack built on defense, shooting and team play, and he has named consistency and efficiency as the areas the Warriors must fix to get back into the playoff race.
