September 2008 archives

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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Local digest

From staff reports KINSTON -- Nick Bowden delivered the game-winning goal in the 76th minute as Eastern Wayne escaped Kinston 3-2 on the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference boys' soccer scene Monday. Bowden scored off Richard Riddle's assist. The Warriors...

MOC baseball plans improvements

MOC Sports Information MOUNT OLIVE -- Less than five months ago, the Mount Olive College baseball team captured the NCAA Division II College World Series crown. A 23-year dream for head coach Carl Lancaster finally became reality. Now Lancaster has...

C.B. Aycock posts shutout

DUDLEY -- Before the Charles B. Aycock boys' soccer team stepped off the bus Monday evening, head coach Kevin Adkins issued a challenge -- play Southern Wayne in the same manner as a rival or state-ranked opponent. The No. 2-ranked...

Monday, September 29, 2008

Local digest

Wayne Christian cross country takes second LUMBERTON -- The Wayne Christian cross country teams wound up second overall in the boys' and girls' team portion of the annual Cougar Classic on Saturday. The Eagle boys, led by Josh Magnus'...

MOC sports round-up

MISENHEIMER -- Defensive specialist Mallory Peavler climbed into second place in the Mount Olive College volleyball record book, but the Trojans dropped a doubleheader Sunday afternoon. Peavler notched 15 digs in a 25-20, 25-12, 25-15 loss to Puerto Rico-Mayaguez...

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Trojans men fall to Anderson

Angelo Acquah and Dante Dixon scored goals nine minutes apart late in the match to cut a four-goal deficit in half, but the rally came up short as regionally 10th-ranked Mount Olive fell to Anderson 4-2 in Conference Carolinas...

No. 1-ranked James Kenan rams G. Central

WARSAW -- Dasmine Smith and Kendric Faison each returned a fumble for a touchdown as No. 1-ranked James Kenan topped Greene Central 23-6 at Bill Taylor Field. Smith's fumble return, which covered 35 yards, occurred on the Rams' opening...

North Duplin drops fourth consecutive loss of season

CALYPSO -- North Duplin's midseason slide continued with a 20-6, non-conference loss to Hobbton at H.E. Grubbs Field. It was the Rebels' fourth consecutive loss. Akeem Cox accounted for North Duplin's lone score, a 70-yard touchdown gallop in the...

Cougars torch ECU defense

GREENVILLE -- East Carolina University's dream season has quickly taken an unpleasant turn. After a 3-0 start, the No. 23 Pirates lost for the second consecutive week, as they dropped a 41-24 decision to Conference USA opponent Houston at...

Gators show improvement in non-conference defeat

HOLLY RIDGE -- The Spring Creek Gators may have found some footing for their struggling offense as they scored two fourth quarter touchdowns in a 41-14 loss to Dixon on Friday night. Only five Gators handled the football on...

Local sports digest

It was a Senior Day to remember. Josh Powers, one of three seniors playing his final regular-season home game, scored the game-winning goal in the third minute as Wayne Christian routed Northwood 6-0 on Friday afternoon. Powers hooked up...

State-ranked Gryphons manhandle So. Wayne

ROCKY MOUNT -- No. 2-ranked Rocky Mount lived up to its billing Friday evening in a 63-6 victory over Southern Wayne. "They are a very, very good football team all the way around," said Saints head coach Bob Warren....

Kick return deflates Bulldawgs

PRINCETON -- Franklinton's 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with less than 90 seconds to play sent Princeton to a 34-28 loss on Friday evening. Dylan Myers' 3-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion put the Bulldogs on top...

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Mudcats join Reds' organization

The Carolina Mudcats are now part of the Cincinnati Reds. The two clubs announced the signing of a two-year, player developmental contract which runs through the 2010 season on Friday. "The Reds are a baseball icon and we're proud to...

Eagles fall behind, can't catch up to unbeaten Midway

First quarter M -- Clegg run 8, (Allen kick), 9:54 M -- Blue run 5, (Allen kick), 7:13 M -- Royal run 24, (Allen kick), 4:54 Second quarter M -- Clegg run 11, (Allen kick), 2:24 R -- Simms 19...

Out of synch early, Cougar offense cruises

Second quarter G -- Kornegay 6 run (White kick), 7:04 G -- White 23 FG, 0:00 Third quarter G -- Parker 37 run (kick failed), 7:04 G -- Kornegay 19 run (White kick), 4:08 G -- Parker 28 run (run...

Golden Falcons put shackles on NL's Powell

LaGRANGE -- Charles B. Aycock's starting quarterback may have been missing, but its defense was definitely present and accounted for. With signal caller Craig Murdock out with a shoulder injury, the Golden Falcons forced four turnovers and held the area's...

Friday, September 26, 2008

Area teams face good tests tonight

Weather permitting, just three of eight area football teams will play at home tonight. The other five face strong road tests as non-conference play begins to wind down. Rosewood (1-3 overall) welcomes unbeaten Midway to Branch Pope Field on...

Local digest

LaGRANGE -- Defending Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference volleyball champion North Lenoir hammered Farmville Central 25-12, 25-18, 25-18 at Wooten Gymnasium. Jordan Hudson handed out a match-high 31 assists for the Hawks, who remained unbeaten in 16 outings this...

Thursday, September 25, 2008

WCDS hosts first field hockey match

Steady improvement has been the top priority for Wayne Country Day's field hockey team during each match this season. And the Chargers are getting better. During the second half of its 3-0 loss to Cape Fear Academy on Wednesday...

Local digest

WILSON -- Charles B. Aycock picked up its second win in a seven day span over Eastern Carolina 3-A conference rival Wilson Hunt on Wednesday. The Golden Falcons prevailed 6-3 behind some strong singles play from Ashley Howell and...

Local teams finding leaders

North Lenoir is flourishing in its running game. Charles B. Aycock's offense might be grounded. And youth is filling the void at Eastern Wayne. As non-conference play winds down, the three News-Argus area teams are answering questions and addressing...

MOC soccer wins 5-0

MOUNT OLIVE -- Anthony Payne and Sean Keener each tallied a goal and two assists to lead regionally-ranked Mount Olive College to a 5-0, men's soccer victory over Division III Ferrum (Va.) University on Wednesday evening. Payne and Keener...

Aycock defeats Eastern Wayne 4-1

Rivalry games are generally no place for style points. Second-ranked Charles B. Aycock's visit to county archrival Eastern Wayne on Wednesday night was no different. The Golden Falcons trudged through the first half before pulling away for a 4-1,...

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Local Sports Digest

From staff reports GREENVILLE -- Wayne Country Day held Oakwood without a shot on goal and freshman Ryan Jackson scored twice in Wayne Country Day's 3-0 victory on Tuesday afternoon. Jackson scored in the 25th minute on a cross from...

Archrival duel: Rebels claim five-set match in league play

By RYAN HANCHETT News-Argus Sports Writer CALYPSO -- North Duplin and Spring Creek met on the volleyball court for a pivotal Class 1-A Carolina Conference showdown on Tuesday. And the Rebels completed first-half play in thrilling fashion with a 25-17,...

Opinion Ñ Current NFL start has one thinking of previous decade

Thanks to the NFL I feel like a teenager again living in the 90s. With a quick glance at the standings names like Elway, Aikman, Favre, Kelly, Simms and McNair begin racing through my mind. The Cowboys, Giants, Bills, Broncos...

Runners' errors prove costly in ECC 3-A meet

By RUDY COGGINS News-Argus Sports Editor Follow the blue arrows. But somehow, runners still managed to veer off course during their Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference cross country meet Tuesday afternoon at historic Waynesborough Park. One wrong turn resulted in...

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

WCDS spikers sweep Parrott

Each point, each game is important toward the future. Wayne Country Day didn't forget that message when it stepped onto the volleyball court against Arendell-Parrott Academy on Monday afternoon. The most-experienced team during Juliet Jones' five-year tenure as head...

Local Digest

DUDLEY -- Abraham Ponce supplied the game-winning goal in the final four minutes as Southern Wayne edged Kinston 3-2 on the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference men's soccer scene Monday evening. Ranferi Hernandez put the Saints up 1-0 in...

Rosewood battles Wayne Country Day to draw

Two teams hungry for a victory were forced to settle for a tie as Rosewood battled Wayne Country Day to a 2-2 draw in boys' soccer on Monday afternoon. "We wanted to get the win, but a tie isn't...

Aycock impresses in win over Hunt

PIKEVILLE -- Physical play, trash talking and arguing with the referees. None of it was enough for Wilson Hunt to slow down Alex Rodriguez and Charles B. Aycock at Hardy Talton Stadium on Monday evening. Rodriguez did all of...

Sunday, September 21, 2008

James Kenan stays unbeaten

WARSAW -- East Duplin claimed an early lead, but unbeaten James Kenan rallied for a 25-7 victory Friday evening at Bill Taylor Field. All-purpose quarterback Shawon Darden accounted for 264 yards of offense and three touchdowns in the Tigers'...

Goldsboro rebounds against Southern Wayne

First quarter G -- Jones run 30 (White kick), 8:47 SW -- Winn fumble recovery 41 (conversion failed), 3:45 G -- Jones run 18 (kick failed), :38 Second quarter G -- F. Jones run 1 (White kick), 1:30 Goldsboro...

Kinston too much for Rams

SNOW HILL -- Kinston overcame 14 penalties and three turnovers to defeat Greene Central 28-7 on Friday night. The Rams were plagued by their own miscues, fumbling inside the Kinston 35-yard line twice in the third quarter. Greene Central...

Warriors handed shutout loss

VANCEBORO -- Eastern Wayne sorely missed injured tailback Hassan Best on Friday evening. The Warriors produced just 92 yards of total offense and couldn't get key defensive stops in a 29-0, non-conference loss to West Craven. The host Eagles...

Dixon comes from behind at North Duplin

CALYPSO -- North Duplin tended to its knitting for three-plus quarters against Holly Ridge Dixon on an unseasonably cool Friday evening. Then everything came unraveled. The Bulldogs tallied two fourth-quarter touchdowns within 41/2 minutes and claimed a come-from-behind, 21-20...

Fike turns back Aycock

WILSON -- Just seven days ago, Charles B. Aycock rallied the troops in the face of adversity and marched to what appeared to be a season-changing win. Now, Aycock has to regroup again. The Golden Falcons suffered a 35-6,...

Friday, September 19, 2008

Local digest

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Senior middle hitter Kristin Smith provided 11 kills and five blocks as Spring Creek turned back North Johnston 27-25, 25-17, 25-21 on the Class 1-A Carolina Conference volleyball scene. Shaquita Brooks contributed five kills, four blocks...

CBA knocks off E. Wayne

PIKEVILLE -- In volleyball, momentum is always just one play away. Charles B. Aycock seized late advantages at key moments and defeated defending Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference champion Eastern Wayne 25-21, 24-26, 25-21, 25-12 on Thursday evening. But the...

Carolina 1-A contest adds new meaning

Volleyball rivals Rosewood and North Duplin battled for more than a Class 1-A Carolina Conference victory Thursday afternoon. They played for their respective communities, their friends and family members who have passed away or beaten cancer. The Eagles' Nest...

Eel, dogfish population concerns NCRWC

MOREHEAD CITY -- Two aquatic species are making waves within several states along the eastern seaboard, including North Carolina. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will be holding public hearings and accepting written comments regarding the management of the...

N.C. fishing report

Northern District Dare, Hyde, Currituck & Beaufort Counties Ocean: Dolphin continue to make up the bulk of the offshore anglers' catch with limits being caught more than half of the time. Yellow and blackfin tuna catches are much improved....

Thursday, September 18, 2008

CBA upends Hunt tennis

Singles: No. 1 Ashley Howell (CBA) d. Keiona Love 6-0, 6-2; No. 2 Madison Cauley (H) d. 6-3, 6-3; No. 3 Hollie Baker (CBA) d. Aly Jones 6-2, 4-6, 17-15; No. 4 Abbey Strickland (CBA) d. Paige Tyson 7-5,...

Spring Creek using bye week to heal

For some teams, the bye week built into the high school football schedule is a momentum-killing nuisance. Other teams embrace the rest period -- especially Spring Creek. The Gators (0-4 overall) need the extra days to heal. "We have...

Warrior effort subsides in second half

WILSON -- Eight minutes. That's all state-ranked Wilson Hunt needed to turn back defensive-minded Eastern Wayne on an unseasonably cool Monday evening. The visiting Warriors worked to a scoreless halftime draw, but their intensity slowly subsided in the second...

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

MOC women's golf rained out

NEW LONDON -- Heavy rain canceled the second and final round of the Lady Falcon Golf Invitational on Tuesday. Valentina Urquiola recorded her second top-10 performance in as many tournaments as Mount Olive College finished ninth overall in the...

Local digest

HENDERSON -- Wayne Country Day defeated perennial volleyball power Kerr-Vance Academy on Tuesday 25-22, 25-19, 13-25, 25-21 and seized sole possession of the Class 1-A Coastal Plains Independent Conference lead. The Chargers claimed their first victory over the Spartans...

Spring Creek slips by Rosewood

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek jumped out to an early lead and knocked off county rival Rosewood 25-13, 17-25, 25-23, 6-25, 15-10 in a Class 1-A Carolina Conference showdown Tuesday. The Gators, the 2007 regular-season conference co-champions, turned things...

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

CBA holds off Beddingfield 5-3

PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock began defense of its men's regular-season conference soccer title in unusual fashion Monday evening. The Golden Falcons had to play from behind. Facing one-goal deficits twice in the opening half, state-ranked C.B. Aycock outlasted...

MOC soccer wrap-up

MISENHEIMER -- Nia Celata curled in a late second-half corner kick, but in-state rival Pfeiffer University prevailed 3-1 in their Conference Carolinas women's soccer contest Monday afternoon. The Falcons snapped a five-game skid against the Trojans. Pfeiffer (4-2-0, 2-0-0...

Three area schools ejection free

CALYPSO -- New North Duplin athletics director Ricky Edwards smiles each time he walks into the gym and sees the banner recognizing North Duplin as the state's sportsmanship winner in 2007. He hasn't been disappointed since. North Duplin, along...

Monday, September 15, 2008

Mudcats

J.C. Holt scampered home on a wild pitch and Mississippi claimed its first-ever Southern League championship with a 3-2, 10-inning victory over Carolina. Tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the 10th inning with Holt at second base and Matt...

MOC weekend wrap

RALEIGH -- Mount Olive runners Rob Roderer and Melissa Moore each recorded a top-50 finish in the annual Raleigh Cross Country Invitational hosted by N.C. State University. Roderer ran the 5K course in 18 minutes, 6 seconds. He was...

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Wilson Fike shuts out Eastern Wayne

Eastern Wayne anticipated a tough test against Wilson Fike on Friday evening. The Warriors didn't expect a 44-0 loss. "They absolutely imposed their will on us tonight," said Warriors head coach Jeff Price. "This was like the Goldsboro game...

Spartans turn back North Duplin

CLINTON -- North Duplin suffered their second defeat in a four day stretch, as they fell to Union 18-6 on Friday night. The Rebels also lost a non-conference game on Monday against Jones Senior. Akeem Cox led the North...

Defense bails out No. 1-ranked Tigers

WARSAW -- Offense may put fans in the bleachers, but defense wins ballgames. James Kenan used some stingy defense to overcome seven turnovers and the loss of its starting quarterback in 14-0 win over Pender on Friday night at...

Powell powers Hawks past archrival

DEEP RUN -- North Lenoir's storybook season now includes a win in a rivalry game. Marquez Powell racked up 205 yards on 26 carries to lead the Hawks past South Lenoir 28-7 on Friday in the annual Pigskin Classic....

Leopards' defense bags Gators

SALEMBURG -- The offensive struggles continued for Spring Creek in a 48-0, non-conference loss at Lakewood on Friday evening. The Gators managed just 42 yards of total offense against the stingy Leopard defense. "We have so many injuries, I...

Trojan men, women drop Conference Carolinas soccer openers

MOUNT OLIVE -- Erskine (S.C.) University punched in three goals within a 42-minute span and upset regionally-ranked Mount Olive College 3-0 in their Conference Carolinas men's soccer match Saturday afternoon. The Flying Fleet handed the Trojans, ranked No. 5...

Local digest

Wayne Christian netters dominate Trinity Christian-Durham DURHAM -- Wayne Christian swept the singles and doubles, and dominated Trinity Christian-Durham 9-0 in a Class 1-A Carolina Christian Conference women's tennis match Friday afternoon. Brooke Barfield, Faith Sutton, Reagan Hinton, Samantha...

Yellow Jackets sting Rosewood

ROSEWOOD -- The Rosewood Eagles held on as long as they could against Roanoke Rapids on Friday night, but in the end, the Yellow Jackets were too strong. Roanoke Rapids won the game 41-7. "I told our guys that we...

Frost, Jones Senior upend Saints

TRENTON -- Southern Wayne found offensive success throughout Friday night's showdown with Jones Senior, unfortunately for the Saints they never figured out how to stop Covair Frost. Frost, a dual-threat quarterback in the Jones Senior spread-option offense, tossed two...

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Underdog C.B. Aycock shocks Goldsboro

PIKEVILLE -- Craig Murdock nearly called his own number. Then he found a better option. Somehow Charles B. Aycock teammate Deven Sanders had slipped behind four Goldsboro defenders on a third-down pass play. Instead of seeking the first-down marker, Murdock...

Triple-option offense gets going for Rams

SNOW HILL -- The offense at Greene Central may finally be putting first-year head coach Ken Grantham's triple-option system to practice. The Rams scored three touchdowns in the first half and held on for a 19-12, non-conference victory over Ayden-Grifton...

Friday, September 12, 2008

Rosewood battles Union to draw

Cody Richards scored the game-tying goal on an assist from Giavani Mateos in the second half as Rosewood played to a 2-2 draw with Union on Thursday evening. Connor Adams' first half score gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead at...

PHS blanks ND

PRINCETON -- Princeton turned back North Duplin 25-17, 25-17, 25-19 in Carolina 1-A Conference play on Thursday. Sam Cates had four assists, two kills, a service ace and a dig for the Rebels. Katlyn Eloshway added six kills. Erin...

Rams earn split

SNOW HILL -- Greene Central split a dual meet with Eastern Plains 2-A Conference foe Tarboro on Thursday. The Vikings placed seven runners in the top 10 of the boys' race to finish with 15 team points ahead of the...

JV Digest

* Football: Goldsboro 20, C.B. Aycock 12 -- Darius Currie rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries for the Cougars. Cortez Sprangle added 88 yards through the air including a 40-yard touchdown pass to Michael Sawyer. Antonio...

Gators get draw

WARSAW -- Ricardo Yanez collected the game-winning goal with 20 minutes remaining in regulation as Southern Wayne edged James Kenan 1-0 at Bill Taylor Field. Saints goal keeper Alan Nunez had 20 saves. Southern Wayne improved to 1-2-0 overall....

Hawks cruise

LaGRANGE -- North Lenoir needed just three games to defeat Eastern Plains 2-A Conference foe Tarboro 25-14, 25-7, 25-12 on Thursday. Jordan Hudson paced the Hawks' attack with 28 assists and 16 points on serve. Marissa Lanier pounded out 11...

CBA halts Vikings

KINSTON -- Charles B. Aycock earned a much-needed 26-28, 25-20, 25-19, 25-14 win at Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference foe Kinston on Thursday. Beth Carter led the way with 18 kills and Brittany Jackson had 13 kills. Camille Williams tallied 11...

GC blanks THS

TARBORO -- Greene Central improved to 3-0 in Eastern Plains 2-A Conference play with a 9-0 victory against Tarboro on Thursday. Elizabeth McLawhorn, Lauren Carraway, Samantha Taylor, Jessica Gray, Abby Sugg and Abbey Dail each recorded singles wins for the...

NJ rallies past RW

KENLY -- Rosewood couldn't hang on to a two-game lead and defending Carolina 1-A Conference co-champion North Johnston won 20-25, 16-25, 25-17, 25-10, 15-11 on Thursday afternoon. Paige Babb passed out 20 assists and eight digs for the Eagles and...

Chargers bag Gators

AYDEN -- Ayden-Grifton handed Spring Creek a 25-11, 28-26, 23-25, 26-24 loss in Carolina 1-A Conference play on Thursday. Randi Oxendine handed out 16 assists for the Gators and Shaquita Brooks had 10 blocks, eight kills, two aces and two...

Middle schools Digest

* Football: Goldsboro 20, C.B. Aycock 12 -- Darius Currie rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries for the Cougars. Cortez Sprangle added 88 yards through the air including a 40-yard touchdown pass to Michael Sawyer....

Chargers prevail in CPIC 1-A opener

Finish while you have the chance. An abrupt lineup change and a sudden shift in momentum forced Wayne Country Day into a fourth game before the Chargers ultimately pulled out a 25-10, 25-11, 21-25, 25-14 victory over Faith Christian...

Archrivals duel: Warriors claim league lead

Singles: No. 1 Danielle Daniel (EW) d. Ashley Howell 6-2, 6-2; No. 2 Lindsey Frederick (EW) d. Kristen Fischer 6-2, 6-0; No. 3 Mollie Musgrave (EW) d. Hollie Baker 6-2, 6-0; No. 4 Elizabeth Borden (EW) d. Abbey Strickland...

WCS boys triumph

HENDERSON -- Josh Magnus, Justin Brathwaite and Connor Jones rounded out the top three spots in the boys' race on Thursday as Wayne Christian split a tri-meet with Kerr-Vance Academy and Faith Christian of Rocky Mount. Noah Kearney and Mark...

Chargers run wild

NEW BERN -- Cameron Ford and Hil Tanner both finished with two goals and an assist each as Wayne Country Day shutout Epiphany 5-0 on Thursday. Cody Neal sent a cross through the box that deflected off a defender...

Saints edge Tigers

WARSAW -- Ricardo Yanez collected the game-winning goal with 20 minutes remaining in regulation as Southern Wayne edged James Kenan 1-0 at Bill Taylor Field. Saints goal keeper Alan Nunez had 20 saves. Southern Wayne improved to 1-2-0 overall....

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Gators top Bulldogs via tiebreaker

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Runners from Midway High School crossed the finish line first and second, but at the end of the season-opening Class 1-A Carolina Conference boys' cross country meet on Wednesday it was Spring Creek and Princeton who...

James Kenan set to battle Pender

WARSAW -- Maybe not this week or the next, but James Kenan head football coach Ken Avent Jr. knows eventually the turnovers are going to hurt. Miscues have plagued the defending N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-AA (large-school)...

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Bruins pick up three-set win at CBA

PIKEVILLE -- The opponents change for Charles B. Aycock but the problems remain the same. The Golden Falcons (2-5) struggled to convert free balls into points, never took control of the net and appeared to lack cohesion in 25-8,...

WCS sinks Cape Fear

ERWIN -- After dropping the opening game Wayne Christian rallied past Cape Fear Christian for a 20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-18 victory on Tuesday. Junior Kaitlyn Kosuda recorded nine kills, two aces and eight digs. Devan Isenhower added eight kills...

Princeton wins Carolina 1-A opener

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Princeton earned a 23-25, 25-15, 25-13, 25-15 win in its Class 1-A Carolina Conference volleyball opener at Spring Creek on Tuesday. Brittany Baker and Devon Murphy paced the Bulldogs' attack with eight kills and one block...

Tarboro blanks GHS

TARBORO -- Goldsboro fell in three games 6-25, 13-25, 24-25 at Tarboro on Tuesday. The Cougars (0-9 overall) entertain Greene Central on Thursday....

NL still unbeaten

FARMVILLE -- North Lenoir opened its Eastern Plains 2-A Conference schedule with a 25-19, 25-19, 24-26, 25-23 win at Farmville Central on Tuesday. Jordan Hudson led the Hawks attack with 44 assists and Marissa Lanier pounded out 14 kills....

Magnus leads Eagles

DURHAM -- Wayne Christian's Josh Magnus finished second in the boys' portion of a tri-meet at Trinity Christian on Tuesday. Cresset Christian was also in the field. The Eagles' Justin Braithwaite earned a third-place finish. Teammates Connor Jones, Noah...

Eagles saddle Chargers

Rosewood defeated Carolina 1-A Conference foe Ayden-Grifton 25-22, 25-14, 25-10 on Tuesday. Taylor Johnson had 14 kills to go along with six blocks, five digs and four aces. Paige Babb chipped in 17 assists, four digs and three aces....

Turnovers benefit Hobbton

NEWTON GROVE -- Rosewood couldn't overcome turnovers and penalties in a 20-0, non-conference loss to Hobbton on Monday evening. The Wildcats scored two second-quarter touchdowns off Eagle miscues. "I thought we did a very good job in the second...

Panthers stalk Rebels

KENLY -- North Duplin couldn't hang on after taking the opening game as North Johnston prevailed 24-26, 25-23, 25-16, 25-16 on Tuesday afternoon. Sam Cates tallied seven assists, six kills and an ace and teammate Felicia Lynch had five...

Faith outlasts CC

Facing the defending state champion Tuesday afternoon, Faith Christian appeared understandably nervous. The Conquerors put those jitters to rest and pulled out a 14-25, 25-9, 25-17, 25-21 victory over Cornerstone Christian on Tuesday. Brooke Anderson recorded seven kills and...

CBA, Beddingfield tennis rained out

PIKEVILLE -- Heavy rain and sporadic flashes of lightning forced Charles B. Aycock and Wilson Hunt to postpone their women's tennis match Tuesday afternoon. Forced to take shelter in the team's equipment shed, the Golden Falcons tried to wait...

Opinion - One playoff begins Sunday

College football desperately needs a playoff system and college basketball's version captivates our nation for nearly an entire month. The NBA, Major League Baseball and the NHL's respective postseasons seem to arrive way too late and the NFL season...

Saints turn back reigning ECC champs

Never quit. Southern Wayne proved that belief Tuesday afternoon. The Saints erased sizable first- and third-set deficits to post a 25-23, 25-23, 25-23 victory over archrival Eastern Wayne in the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference volleyball opener for both...

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Trojans earn respect at North Duplin

CALYPSO -- Jones Senior walked onto H.E. Grubbs Field seeking respect Monday evening. The Trojans certainly found it against North Duplin. Senior quarterback Covair Frost accounted for 367 yards of total offense in a 40-21 victory over the Rebels,...

Southern Wayne routs Farmville 49-14

DUDLEY -- Call it a "coming out" party. Held to a single touchdown in two previous outings this season, Southern Wayne's offense erupted at Farmville Central's expense Monday evening. Senior running back James Jones rambled for season and career...

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Area ADs seek some normalcy

Tropical storm Hanna is gone. But area athletics directors remained concerned. Hurricane Ike churns in the Atlantic waters with a projected path taking it toward Key West. They hope the Category 4 storm remains south and doesn't venture along...

Pirates storm Mountaineers

GREENVILLE -- Hurricane Hanna may have already left eastern North Carolina but West Virginia ran into a different type of storm on Saturday afternoon. East Carolina head coach Skip Holtz almost floated to the sidelines following the Pirate's 24-3...

Trojans, Pacers postponed

Mount Olive College, ranked No. 6 in the latest National Collegiate Soccer Coaches Association Division II men's Southeast Region poll, had its match against USC Aiken scheduled for today postponed. The match was originally scheduled for Saturday evening and...

Friday, September 5, 2008

Turkey numbers show negative trends

Turkey hunters in the Tar Heel state may be harvesting birds on borrowed time. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission's harvest report from the spring turkey season, the number of birds taken was up, while the number...

Hawks suffer first setback

LaGRANGE -- Kinston set a new school record for points in a game and brought North Lenoir's brief winning-streak to a halt with a 65-19 rout of the Hawks on Thursday night. The Vikings led 21-0 at the end...

James Kenan handles Trask

ROCKY POINT -- James Kenan jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back as it defeated Heide Trask 26-14 on Thursday. The Tigers opened the scoring on Jamar Rogers' first of two touchdown...

Princeton drops heart-breaker to Dixon

PRINCETON -- Princeton nearly ran its two-minute offense to perfection Thursday evening. Except for one thing -- the Dawgs couldn't avoid the yellow flag. Costly penalties shackled the Dawgs on their final possession of the game and led to...

Cougars tie Hornets

It was a game that nobody deserved to lose. In the end, nobody did. Goldsboro High battled perennial Class 4-A power Durham Hillside to a 14-14 tie at the Cougar Stadium on Thursday evening. Once the 48-minute, hard-nosed contest...

Eastern Wayne holds off South Central

Two points, three yards and one play. That's all that separated Eastern Wayne and South Central from a 28-28 tie and a nearly inevitable overtime on Thursday evening. Montrell McCotter's 11-yard touchdown run with 56 seconds remaining pulled the...

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Young Hawks are enjoying success

LaGRANGE -- Two weeks into the 2008 football season, a team's success has become a matter of perspective -- especially for North Lenoir. Winless a year ago and riding a 13-game losing streak, the Hawks are off to a...

MOC - Cross Country

MOUNT OLIVE -- One year can make a difference. And Mount Olive College men's and women's cross country coach Bill Hodge is thankful to have a full 365 days to recruit, prepare and practice for the 2008 season. "I...

MOC volleyball

MOUNT OLIVE -- No one anticipated Sasha Gutor's resignation. Especially James Goodridge. The Mount Olive College women's assistant volleyball coach, hired less than a month ago, was promoted less than a week before the team's season opener at Carson-Newman...

MOC soccer

MUFREESBORO -- Sean Keener provided the game-winning goal in the 77th minute as Mount Olive College defeated Chowan University 2-1 in a non-conference, men's soccer match Wednesday afternoon. Ranked No. 6 in the latest NCAA Division II Southeast Region...

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

OPINION - Separating contenders, pretenders

Two weeks into high school football season area teams are already separating themselves into three groups -- contenders, just off the pace and pretenders. Goldsboro has looked impressive in a pair of routs over county foes Rosewood and Eastern...

Hawks pull out five-set thriller

Eastern Wayne's volleyball team was so close to their first win Tuesday afternoon, they could almost taste it. But North Lenoir prevailed 19-25, 25-17, 27-29, 25-21, 15-8 and spoiled the Warriors' appetite instead. "This was a heartbreaker ... a...

Athletic directors move games to Thursday

While Tropical Storm Hanna churns around Haiti and its final path of destruction not quite determined, area high school athletics directors aren't taking any chances. Strong winds and heavy rains are expected Friday when Hanna makes landfall on the...

Reigning ECC champs upend Saints

Singles: No. 1 Danielle Daniel (EW) d. Tara Hirsch 6-3, 6-4; No. 2 Lindsay Frederick (EW) d. April Tucker 6-0, 6-0; No. 3 Mollie Musgrave (EW) d. Amber Bowden 6-0, 6-0; No. 4 Elizabeth Borden (EW) d. Stephanie Cox...

Golden Falcon offense too much for young Rosewood

PIKEVILLE -- The ideal season-opener for a young Class 1-A squad wouldn't be a trip to state-ranked 3-A Charles B. Aycock. A couple of rainouts placed Rosewood into that precarious situation on Tuesday and the end result was an...

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Saints bitten by Bulldogs 7-0

DUDLEY -- One play made all the difference on Monday evening. Southern Wayne permitted Wallace-Rose Hill to reach the end zone only once and that was enough. The Bulldogs defense held on and preserved a 7-0 victory at the...

K-Tribe's season ends with loss

Tyler Flowers delivered a 10th-inning, walk-off home run as Myrtle Beach defeated Kinston 5-4 in the regular-season finale for both teams Monday evening. The Indians led 4-2 on Carlos Rivero's three-RBI, sixth-inning home run, but couldn't keep the advantage....

North Duplin tops Northside 32-31

YEATESVILLE -- North Duplin fought back from an early deficit and held on to beat Northside 32-31 on Monday evening. Trailing 16-0 after one quarter, the Rebels' offense came alive for two scores in the second period. Akeem Cox...

Rosewood soars over Southside 20-8

Second quarter RHS -- Holmes 29 pass from Ash (run failed), 2:40 RHS -- Holmes 15 pass from Ash (pass failed), 0:05.8 Third quarter RHS -- Willis 20 pass from Ash (Holmes run), 7:43 Fourth quarter SHS -- Sparks...

Goldsboro moves game in preperation of Hanna

With Hurricane Hanna expected to strike somewhere along the southeast coastline by Friday, area high school athletics directors might be making a few changes in their football schedule. Goldsboro High did Tuesday morning. Athletics Director Rod Peterson announced the...

Monday, September 1, 2008

MOC women's soccer

Alyecia Higgins put Mount Olive on the board less than four minutes into the contest Sunday afternoon, but No. 11-ranked Tusculum quickly answered the challenge. The Pioneers tallied nine unanswered goals in a 9-1 victory over the Trojans' women's...

James Kenan at Ayden-Grifton

LITTLEFIELD -- James Kenan quarterback Shawon Darden threw three touchdown passes in a 26-12, non-conference victory over Ayden-Grifton on Saturday evening. Heavy rains postponed the game on Friday. Darden completed 6 of 14 passes for a season-high 156 yards....