Lindsey Young

Lindsey Young is the assistant sports editor at the Times Free Press and began his career with the News Free-Press in 1986 after graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and associate’s degrees in English and Psychology. At the News Free Press and now the Times Free Press he has covered preps, mostly in the Northwest Georgia area, including numerous state championships, and has won several Tennessee Sports Writers Association awards. He was the paper’s NASCAR beat writer for 12 years and has, over the years, covered a Super Bowl, two World Series, many college football games and served as the beat writer for UTC for parts of three years. Lindsey is a 2024 inductee into the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296.

Calhoun, Christian Heritage reach GHSA boys’ state quarterfinals

by Lindsey Young ·February 28, 2026

Calhoun and Christian Heritage withstood fourth-quarter challenges Saturday night to play on in the GHSA boys' basketball postseason.

Staff file photo by Seth Carpenter / Calhoun boys' basketball coach Vince Layson and the third-seeded Yellow Jackets will play in the GHSA Class AAA quarterfinals Wednesday after winning at home Saturday against Dawson County.

LFO one of just three area boys’ teams to advance in GHSA playoffs

by Lindsey Young ·February 25, 2026

Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe went old school to defend its home court Wednesday night and advance to the second round of the GHSA Class AA playoffs.

Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II / Tony McAllister points to his head as he coaches the Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe boys' basketball team during the Warriors' home win against Sumter County in the first round of the GHSA Class AA playoffs Wednesday night.

Northwest Whitfield, Heritage win opening GHSA girls games, will meet in Sweet 16

by Lindsey Young ·February 25, 2026

While the majority of the favorites, as usual, won opening-round basketball games as the GHSA girls' postseason began Tuesday, Northwest Whitfield bucked the trend.

Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton/ The bench celebrates near the end of Heritage's win in January against Ridgeland. The Region 7-AAA champion Lady Generals routed Dougherty, 70-24, in Tuesday's opening round of the GHSA playoffs and will host region rival Northwest Whitfield in Friday's Sweet 16 round.

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Family ties, coaching wisdom part of Ridgeland basketball renaissance

by Lindsey Young ·February 23, 2026

As much as Michael Baker would love to take credit for one of the biggest one-year turnarounds in the state, the Ridgeland High School girls' basketball coach is quick to share the accolades.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Ridgeland girls basketball assistant coach Sharon Vantrease talks to her players as they take the court for the second half of their game at Heritage High School on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.

Heritage girls, Calhoun boys win GHSA Region 7-AAA basketball titles

by Lindsey Young ·February 20, 2026

The Heritage girls and Calhoun boys used dominant runs in the fourth quarter to hold off upset bids while winning region championships Friday night.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Heritage senior Tori Epps (10) scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Lady Generals to a 42-29 victory over Ridgeland and the GHSA Region 7-AAA girls' basketball championship Friday night.

GHSA Region 7-AAA basketball title matchups, place games set

by Lindsey Young ·February 18, 2026

The higher seeds held serve in Wednesday's semifinals at the GHSA Region 7-AAA basketball tournament, though one of them was a bit nervous in the final minutes.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Calhoun's Trace Hawkins looks for an outlet to pass during his team's tight win over LaFayette on Wednesday night in the GHSA Region 7-AAA semifinals at Calhoun. Hawkins and the Yellow Jackets will face Heritage in Friday's boys' championship game.

Coahulla Creek’s Joyce only individual GHSA champion Saturday

by Lindsey Young ·February 14, 2026

The GHSA Wrestling Traditional Championships closed out on a down note for Northwest Georgia-area teams and individuals Saturday at the Clayton County Convocation Center in Morrow.

Staff File Photo / Coahulla Creek's Chevy Joyce, right, was the lone Northwest Georgia-area wrestler to capture an individual state championship Saturday as the Classes AA, AAAA and girls' GSHA traditional tournaments concluded in Morrow.

Coahulla Creek advances eight to final day of GHSA state traditional

by Lindsey Young ·February 13, 2026

Coahulla Creek's eight remaining contenders at the GHSA Class AA state traditional tournament include three wrestlers competing in Saturday's championship semfinals.

Staff file photo / Lakeview-Fort Olgethorpe's Noah Gross (165 pounds), left, and Coahulla Creek's Branson Lowery (175) are among the area wrestlers still alive at the GHSA Class AA state traditional tournament headed into the final day of competition Saturday in Morrow.

Gordon Lee wrestler Noah Brown wins third individual state title

by Lindsey Young ·February 12, 2026

Gordon Lee junior Noah Brown is now a three-time individual champion at the GHSA state traditional tournament, while Christian Heritage sophomore Harrison Murdock is 2-for-2.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Gordon Lee junior wrestler Noah Brown, top, capped a dominant season Thursday by winning his third individual state title at the GSHA Class A traditional tournament in Morrow.

Area’s individual title hopes still strong at GHSA state traditional tournament

by Lindsey Young ·February 11, 2026

Sheer numbers may prevent the area's GHSA Class A and AAA wrestling programs from winning a team championship this week, but individual titles are another matter.