Clinch County wins first boys basketball title in 37 years

Panthers defeat Portal in state championship game, but celebration marred by news of student's passing

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:50pm

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The Clinch County High School boys basketball team won the state championship on Thursday, defeating Portal 35-19 in the second half to claim their first title since 1989. Sophomore Travian Miller led the Panthers with 25 points, while JaKyri Posley added 15. However, the celebration was dampened by news that broke during the game of the passing of a beloved student, Jonah Pittman, who was a staple of the school's student section.

Why it matters

Clinch County's championship victory ends a 37-year drought for the boys basketball program, a significant accomplishment for the small school. However, the tragic news of a student's death during the game casts a heavy shadow over the team's achievement and the community's celebration.

The details

Clinch County outscored Portal 35-19 in the second half to pull away for the win, led by strong performances from Travian Miller, JaKyri Posley, and Kaiis Mingo. Head coach Terrence George, who has been with the team for 21 years, finally brought home the school's first boys basketball title since 1989. The championship celebration was marred, however, by news that broke during the game of the passing of Jonah Pittman, a beloved student who was a fixture in the school's student section.

  • Clinch County won the boys state basketball championship on Thursday, March 13, 2026.
  • The Panthers' last boys basketball title was in 1989, ending a 37-year drought.

The players

Travian Miller

A sophomore who led Clinch County in scoring and rebounding, going 8-for-15 from the field for 25 points and finishing the game with a slam dunk.

JaKyri Posley

A Clinch County player who scored 15 points, including a key jumper from the top of the circle and a drive to the basket in the first half.

Terrence George

The head coach of the Clinch County boys basketball team, who has been with the program for 21 years and finally led the Panthers to their first state title since 1989.

Jonah Pittman

A Clinch County High School student whose passing was announced during the championship game, casting a heavy shadow over the team's celebration.

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What they’re saying

“It's been a long time coming for us. It's been a long time coming for myself. I've been at Clinch for 21 years now. Just working and grinding each day. Trying to be a successful basketball coach. And the day it happened, you know. The day it happened.”

— Terrence George, Head Coach, Clinch County High School

“All the time, like when we were little leagues. So every summer just playing AAU getting better and better. We knew we was good. We just had to put in the work and broadcast show everybody that we was really like that.”

— Kamarion Johnson, Junior, Clinch County High School

What’s next

The Clinch County High School community will likely hold a memorial service or other tribute to honor the memory of Jonah Pittman, the student who passed away during the championship game celebration.

The takeaway

Clinch County's long-awaited boys basketball championship victory is bittersweet, as the community mourns the loss of a beloved student whose passing cast a heavy shadow over the team's historic achievement. The tragedy serves as a reminder that even in the midst of great triumph, life's fragility can strike unexpectedly.