November 2009 archives

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Monday, November 30, 2009

Local digest

RALEIGH -- Wayne Country Day split a pair of games in the Word of God Thanksgiving Classic over the weekend. On Friday night the Chargers fell to defending state champion United Faith 85-65. Tim Hobbs led the Wayne Country...

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Southern Wayne loses to Greenfield

MOUNT OLIVE -- Less than 24 hours after scorching the nets for a season-high 83 points, Southern Wayne couldn't generate any consistent offense Saturday afternoon. Turnovers proved crucial, too. The Saints succumbed to 31 miscues and endured a 76-42 loss...

Princeton-Mount Airy boxscore

Princeton 14 0 0 6 -- 20 Mount Airy 14 14 7 16 -- 51 First quarter MA -- Temoney 1 run (kick failed), 8:59 P -- Jacobs 13 pass from Gurganus (Brush kick), 6:34 MA -- Wheeler 59 pass...

Princeton falls to Mount Airy

MOUNT AIRY -- Princeton saw its hopes of a comeback, and upset of No. 1-ranked Mount Airy, end in a 35-second span Friday evening. The fourth-seeded Bulldawgs trailed, 35-14, but had been moving the ball against the defending 1-A state...

Prep basketball boxscore

Greenfield 19 21 15 21 -- 76 Southern Wayne 7 11 6 18 -- 42 GREENFIELD (3-2) Jeremy Jeffers 4 1 2-2 13, Ben Bradley 0 0 0-0 0, Jarred Hinton 2 2 1-2 11, Jordan Sharpe 0 0 2-2...

MOC women lose to Lincoln Memorial

HARROGATE, TENN. - Scoring runs at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half broke open a four-point game as Mount Olive fell to Lincoln Memorial 80-52 in non-conference women's basketball Saturday at Harrogate, Tenn....

Prep football scores

Scores from Friday's games in the N.C. High School Athletic Association football playoffs: CLASS 4-AA EAST (1) Wake Forest-Rolesville 26, (5) Fuquay-Varina 6 (3) Fayetteville Britt 28, (7) Lumberton 14 WEST (1) Matthews Butler 58, (12) East Mecklenburg 8...

Goldsboro-Trask boxscore

Heide Trask 0 7 0 0 -- 7 Goldsboro 6 6 0 8 -- 20 First quarter G -- Irby 27 pass from Sprangle (kick failed), 1:09 Second quarter G -- Jones 36 run (run fail), 10:09 T -- J....

Goldsboro tops Trask to reach East finals

Just win baby. The popular mantra adopted by the Oakland Raiders of the 1970s is the perfect way to describe the Goldsboro's victory in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-AA (large-school) football playoffs. The second-seeded Cougars overcame a...

Friday, November 27, 2009

Many blesses to be thankful for as writer

When I moved to Goldsboro in August of 2007 to work at the News-Argus, little did I know the ride that sports in Wayne County and the surrounding areas would take me on. Two years ago, the rivalries, the athletes,...

1-A football playoffs preview -- No. 1-ranked, unbeaten Mount Airy solid as granite

PRINCETON -- Football can be won in the trenches. The Dawgs have blocked well for transfer quarterback David Gurganus, who has spread the wealth among a talented corps of receivers this season and etched his name in the school record...

Fisheries Division causes ire among conservation group

A recent decision by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is drawing the ire of several conservation groups including the Coastal Conservation Association. The MFC extended the flounder season by three weeks, but the CCA laments that the state is...

1-AA football playoff preview: Goldsboro's Reid respects Trask

No fooling around. That's the brand of no-nonsense football that spectators at Goldsboro High School can expect tonight when Heide Trask visits in N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-AA eastern semifinal football playoffs. The Titans spell toughness. Everything from the...

OUTDOORS -- Beauty is more than just a drake wood duck

We stood there as we had done so many times before, waiting for dawn to launch flocks of wood ducks from the Roost Pond -- an old farm pond, long overgrown with cypress and blackgum trees. It was built by...

Golden Falcons pin Saints, Bruins

PIKEVILLE -- The "pep talk" worked. Charles B. Aycock's wrestlers headed toward the practice room after a lackluster showing against county rival Southern Wayne on the mat Wednesday evening. The Golden Falcon coaching staff cooled their jets outside, while the...

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Williamsons enjoying Dawgs success

PRINCETON - There are few bonds like the one shared by a quarterback and his receivers. Each player must know each others moves, timing and even thoughts. At Princeton High School, there is one bond that is stronger. The...

Goldsboro line has taken leadership role

What was once Goldsboro's biggest concern at the start of the season has now become a source of immense pride. With seven starters lost on both the offensive and defensive lines from a year ago, Cougars head coach Eric Reid...

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Local digest

JV sports * Girls' basketball: C.B. Aycock 50, Wilson Hunt 13 -- Kayla Williams led a balanced Golden Falcon attack with nine points. Natana Martin and Niki Fitzmorris each added eight points. C.B. Aycock (1-0 overall) plays host to...

prep wrestling boxscores

Hunt 42 Princeton 36 Hwt -- James Hawley (P) wbf Jody Best, 1:07; 103 -- Mark Edwards (H) by forfeit; 112 -- Jake Britt (H) by forfeit; 119 -- Luigi Medina (H) by forfeit; 125 -- Matt Evans (P) wbf...

prep basketball boxscores

BOYS New Hanover 21 23 19 19 -- 82 Eastern Wayne 19 13 15 27 -- 74 NEW HANOVER Desmond Thames 1 0 0-0 2, Freddie Jackson 5 2 2-5 18, Fuller Beuford 1 0 0-0 2, Mike Adams 1...

MOC sweeps St. Andrews

LAURINBURG -- Kendrick Easley collected eight of his game- and season-high 32 points in a 64-second span as Mount Olive College turned back in-state rival St. Andrews 85-76 in their Conference Carolinas men's basketball game Tuesday evening. It was...

Southern Wayne drops opener

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne struggled to find its offensive identity in a season-opening 59-48 loss to Jacksonville on Tuesday night. With one returning starter from last season, the Saints had trouble corralling their emotions and putting the ball in the...

Warriors finish 1-1 in Tri-meet

Make the right moves. First-year Eastern Wayne head wrestling coach Jon Jones delivered the message each time his team stepped onto the mat Tuesday evening. First-year starters Megan Lafave and Collin Johnson listened well to the advice, and each recorded...

Eastern Wayne falls to New Hanover

Eastern Wayne did all it could to shoot its way back into the ballgame. New Hanover had other ideas. The Warriors trimmed a 16-point, fourth-quarter deficit to seven but couldn't complete the comeback in an 82-74, non-conference loss on Tuesday...

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Local digest

PIKEVILLE -- Shonice Pettaway scored a game-high 19 points and Greene Central pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 48-31, non-conference victory over Charles B. Aycock on Monday evening. The Rams (1-1 overall) outscored the Golden Falcons 23-13...

Spring Creek tops Midway

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek started slowly, but eventually found its stride in a 66-55 victory over Midway in "The Swamp" on Monday evening. The Gators (2-1 overall) completed a regular-season sweep of the Raiders. With a lengthy holiday break...

Prep basketball boxscores

BOYS Greene Central 9 17 13 19 -- 58 C.B. Aycock 5 23 17 21 -- 66 Greene Central (0-1) Desmond Sheppard 4 1 3-6 14, Will Bynum 3 3 2-2 17, Kelsey Dixon 2 0 2-10 6, Bobby Waters...

CB Aycock takes down Greene Central

PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock kept plugging away. The Golden Falcons overcame a poor shooting performance in the first quarter and made plays late in a 66-58, season-opening win over Greene Central on Monday night. Aycock struggled to knock down...

Monday, November 23, 2009

Faith Christian boys split pair of contests

RALEIGH -- Faith Christian's boys basketball team split a pair of games in the Southeastern Invitational over the weekend. The Conquerors defeated Cramerton Christian 33-32 on Saturday. Silas Denlinger led Faith with 13 points and Brad Floars added eight....

Local Preps Digest

SNOW HILL -- North Lenoir pulled out a 45-43 road win at Greene Central on Friday night. Dominique Graham and Nicole Cannon each scored nine points for the Rams in the losing effort. Shonice Pettaway contributed six points. Greene...

Jackson inducted into MOC Hall of Fame

MOUNT OLIVE -- Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham made a promise to her softball players when she took over the fledgling Mount Olive College softball program eight seasons ago. "I promised my girls that however they made All-American, whether it was academically or...

Eagles claim first Falcon Invitational title

PIKEVILLE -- The Falcon Invitational trophy is returning to Wayne County, but it will reside in the trophy case at Rosewood High School. Six Eagles recorded top-four finishes in their respective weight classes and racked up 148 points to claim...

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Chargers earn pair of victories

Rocky Mount Prep converted the opening tip into a layup and Wayne Country Day misfired on its first six shots from the floor Saturday afternoon. Two minutes later, the slow start was a mute point. The Chargers reeled off eight...

WCDS-RM prep box

RM Prep 8 9 9 12 -- 38 W. Country Day 18 17 10 18 -- 63 ROCKY MOUNT PREP (3-1) Myles Sharpe 0 0 0-0 0, Mac Richardson 0 0 0-0 0, Will Harrison 0 1 0-0 3, Jordan...

Princeton keeps dream alive

PRINCETON -- The dream continues. Don't dare wake up Russell Williamson, either. The Princeton head football coach emphatically thrust his fist into the air as the final horn sounded on his team's 21-13 victory over Hobbton on Friday evening. The...

Deer tourney deadline is Monday

The Boy Scouts of America Tuscarora Council would like to remind hunters that the deadline to register for the innaugural Deer Hunting Tournament is Monday at 4 p.m. The council will not be able to accept any late registrations. "We...

N.Duplin-Elkin boxscore

North Duplin 0 0 0 0 -- 0 Elkin 6 8 6 6 -- 26 First quarter E -- T. Hayes 1 run (kick failed), 4:40 Second quarter E -- T. Hayes 4 run (Hayes run), :53.1 Third quarter E...

JKenan-SWO Onslow boxscore

James Kenan 0 0 0 6 -- 6 SW Onslow 0 3 0 14 -- 17 Second quarter SWO -- Matics 35 yard field goal, 4:48 Fourth quarter SWO -- Williams 1 run (Matics kick), 8:38 SWO -- Brooks 56...

Hobbton-Princeton box

Hobbton 7 0 6 0 -- 13 Princeton 0 7 14 0 -- 21 First quarter H -- X. Thompson 2 run (Evans kick), 3:45 Second quarter P -- Williamson 35 pass from Gurganus (Brush kick), 5:03 Third quarter P...

GHS-SE Halifax box

SE Halifax 0 8 0 0 -- 8 Goldsboro 20 7 14 0 -- 41 First quarter G -- Kornegay 30 run (Odum kick), 8:10 G -- Jones 5 run (Odum kick), 4:31 G -- Montgomery 6 run (Odum kick...

Cougars roll on

Don't be fooled by the scoreboard. Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid knows his team's 41-8 victory over Southeast Halifax in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-AA (large-school) state playoffs on Friday evening isn't indicative of...

Prep football roundup

JACKSONVILLE -- Top-seeded and unbeaten Southwest Onslow eliminated James Kenan 17-6 from the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-AA (large-school) football playoffs. The Stallions (13-0 overall) entertain Pender on Friday. The Tigers finished the season 7-6. "Southwest is a...

Golden Falcon's attack grounded

HOPE MILLS -- Tyheim Pitt knelt at midfield. Tears flowed from eyes onto a sweat-stained, mud-covered jersey. Charles B. Aycock head coach Randy Pinkowski walked back toward the senior middle linebacker and said not a word as he patted him...

CBA-Grays Creek box

C.B. Aycock 7 0 6 0 -- 13 Gray's Creek 0 7 7 9 -- 23 First quarter CBA -- Cobb 3 run (Murdock kick), 3:29 Second quarter GC -- Davis 24 run (Nalls kick), 5:11 Third quarter GC --...

Friday, November 20, 2009

Walnut Creek to host Pro-Am

A Pro-Am tennis tournament will be held today, Saturday and Sunday at the Walnut Creek Country Club, along with clinics for both children and adults. Events will start with a junior clinic at 4:15 p.m. and an adult clinic at...

Clinton stops Southern Wayne

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne tugged on Clinton's reins during the latter stages of its season-opening wrestling match Thursday evening. But the Darkhorses galloped to victory in five of the final six individual bouts, and dealt the Saints a 50-30 defeat...

Eagles soar past Bruins

WILSON -- Rosewood recorded eight individual victories, including seven pins, in a season-opening 46-30 conquest of Wilson Beddingfield on the wrestling mat Thursday evening. "It was so good to get a good, initial start to the season wrestling a...

Princeton community embracing, enjoying football team

Absence has truly made the heart grow fonder. Especially in the Princeton High football program. Starved for victories for nearly three decades, the Dawgs will play their second consecutive home game tonight against Hobbton in the N.C. High School Athletic...

Oyster shell expansion still growing

MOREHEAD CITY -- The oyster shell recycling program that has been responsible for the construction of several off-shore reefs along North Carolina's coast is continuing to grow. Now Durham County residents are getting into the act of recycling shells and...

Hunter's first bear is state's second heaviest

Dr. Noel Harvey hunted during his youth. But a busy life kept the 46-year-old Ph.D. scientist from Efland from hunting until he decided to go again five years ago. Harvey hunted wild hogs and deer in a quest for all...

Narron inks with UNC

PIKEVILLE -- It was a moment that seemed like it was a lifetime in the making. Growing up in major league baseball dugouts, Connor Narron was always advanced for his age. He was walking at eight months, riding a bicycle...

Trojan women suffer road loss

MOC Sports Information RICHMOND -- Helen Moore pumped in a team-high 14 points as Mount Olive College endured a 55-49 road loss against Virginia Union on Thursday evening. Moore pulled down rebounds and point guard Shequanta McGee added 11 points....

Local preps digest

HAVELOCK -- Will White scored a team-high 14 points and Eastern Wayne escaped Havelock with a 52-51, season-opening win on Thursday night. Rashawn Barnes supplied 13 points for the Warriors and Robert Washington added 12. Marvin Bowman had seven...

Falcon Invitational preview

First-year head coach Mark Peck and assistant coach Mark Bass agreed the team title chase will be "wide open" when the Falcon Invitational begins Saturday morning at C.B. Aycock in Pikeville. The day-long wrestling event will have 16 teams, including...

Aycock-Princeton wrestling agate

prep wrestling Clinton 50 Southern Wayne 30 119 -- Ted Rives (C) wbf Hunter Brown, 1:11; 125 -- Kaleb Sargent (C) wbf Emily Hudson, 0:39; 130 -- Pablo Meza (C) wbf Alttyyev Berdimyrut, 0:49; 135 -- Miles Bradshaw (SW)...

Opinion -- A few ACC football coaches on the hot seat

Job security, especially for a football coach, can change like the weather. Knock off a bitter rival or reel off a string of victories and you're the toast of the town. Lose to an inferior opponent or endure a difficult...

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Pitt talks, team listens

Spend five minutes talking to Tyheim Pitt and you're instantly motivated to become a better person. Strap on a helmet and shoulder pads with him and you're immediately inspired to accomplish great things on a football field. Charles B. Aycock's...

MOC Pickle Classic

MOUNT OLIVE -- Never shy away from stout competition. It's a mantra that's proven beneficial for the Mount Olive College men's basketball team the past decade. The Trojans hope the trend continues when the 44th annual Pickle Classic tips off...

MOC Hall of Fame

MOUNT OLIVE -- A diverse group representing five sports and four different decades comprise the fourth installment of the Mount Olive College Athletics Hall of Fame. The four-person class includes Heather Parker Collier, legendary men's basketball coach Billy Lee, soccer...

Tigers' Bostic steps into role

Understudy to three quality, all-conference linebackers last season, James Kenan senior Kyle Bostic took plenty of mental notes. And watched Alex Monk, Josh Hicks and Darius Heslip constantly make plays and wreak havoc on opposing offenses. A 5-foot-9, 170-pounder, Bostic...

Hole in one at Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course

John Earnest recently recorded his first-ever hole-in-one during a round at Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course. Earnest aced the par-3, No. 4 hole with a 4-iron. Playing partners Dan Mooring and Bernie Champagne witnessed the shot....

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Local digest

Wayne Christian opened its boys' basketball season with a 56-33 win over Wayne County Homeschool on Tuesday night. Luke Howell led the Eagles with 14 points and eight rebounds. Anthony Mulligan added four points and 10 boards, while teammate...

Odum getting his kicks for Cougars

Eric Reid searched nearly three years for a kicker. Allan Odum just wanted a chance. The two finally connected this season. Goldsboro's third-year head football coach, Reid beat the bushes to find a reliable place-kicker. Odum, a freshman in the...

Oliver running strong in NDHS offense

North Duplin will be staying closer to home in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A (small-school) football playoffs on Friday night. Relatively speaking. After a six-hour drive to Cherokee in the opening round, the Rebels...

Cary Academy shocks WCDS boys

Message delivered. Cary Academy strolled into the Wayne Country Day gymnasium with no noticeable advantages. The host Chargers had the size, speed and depth. Despite those obstacles, Cary Academy turned in an impressive underdog performance and stunned WCDS 77-75 in...

CB Aycock tops Princeton wrestling

PIKEVILLE -- Offseason conditioning. Intense weight training. The preseason regimen definitely factored into Charles B. Aycock's season-opening, 58-12 triumph over Princeton on the wrestling mat Tuesday evening. Several first-year starters looked like seasoned veterans in Mark Peck's head coaching debut...

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Local digest

From staff reports FAYETTEVILLE -- Faith Christian overcame 29 turnovers and a cold shooting performance in a season-opening, 30-24 victory over Cornerstone Christian on Monday evening. The Conquerors shot just 25 percent from the field, but played stifling defense...

MOC drops opener to Lenoir-Rhyne

HICKORY -- Preseason All-American candidate Kendrick Easley pumped in 19 points as Mount Olive College opened its men's basketball season with a 74-69 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne University on Monday evening. Mike Holloman collected 18 points and eight rebounds. Craig...

Moye excited about college choice

Quiet, understated and on the rise. UNC Greensboro's baseball program fits Cambric Moye like a well-worn catcher's mitt. Moye, a senior catcher at Eastern Wayne, has signed to continue his baseball career with the Spartans. Mount Olive and North Carolina...

Monday, November 16, 2009

MOC can't hold off ECSU women

MOUNT OLIVE -- A strong beginning. A disappointing finish. Mount Olive College raced to an early 14-point, first-half lead in its season-opening, women's basketball contest Sunday afternoon. Visiting Elizabeth City State used a game-clinching 13-4 run to secure a come-from-behind,...

Saturday, November 14, 2009

No. 1-ranked Dixon foils Spring Creek's regional title bid

HOLLY RIDGE -- Spring Creek boldly went where no Wayne County team had ever gone before -- to the eastern regional boys' soccer finals. Dixon made sure that's where the Gators' playoff run ended. The No. 1-ranked Bulldogs controlled possession...

Rosewood-Mt. Airy box

Rosewood 0 0 0 0 -- 0 Mt. Airy 14 24 7 7 -- 52 First quarter MA -- Wheeler 42 pass from Hinson (Wheeler run), 9:50 MA -- Collier 42 pass from Hinson (kick failed), 0:40.0 Second quarter MA...

Defending 1-A state champ Mt. Airy shuts out Rosewood

MOUNT AIRY -- Rosewood High coach Robert Britt just wanted his team to play well and see what championship football is all about Friday night. The Eagles got his wish against Mount Airy, the reigning N.C. High School Athletic Association...

Princeton-Hayesville box

Hayesville 6 0 7 12 -- 25 Princeton 0 20 0 8 -- 28 First quarter H -- Nuckolls 4 run (kick failed), 3:33 Second quarter P -- Gurganus 25 run (Brush kick), 2:49 P -- Carmichael 31 run (Brush...

Princeton rallies, wins first playoff game in nearly four decades

PRINCETON -- How sweet it is. Princeton scored the go-ahead touchdown with four minutes to play and defeated Hayesville 28-25 in the opening round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A western football playoffs Friday evening. The Dawgs claimed...

Rebels scalp Cherokee

CHEROKEE -- The 300-plus mile, one-way trip didn't bother North Duplin. The 10th-seeded Rebels kept their mistakes to a minimum and upended seventh-seeded Cherokee 14-7 in their opening-round, N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A western football playoff game Friday...

North Duplin-Cherokee box

North Duplin 7 0 0 7 -- 14 Cherokee 0 0 7 0 -- 7 First quarter ND -- Deaver 38 pass from Schilling (Torres kick), 1:24 Third quarter C -- Carmichael 46 pass to Sequoya (kick good), 4:50 Fourth...

All-American Easley, Holloman expected to lead Trojan men's basketball team

All the necessary pieces appear to be in place for the Mount Olive College men's basketball team to take the next step forward. All that remains is the execution. The Trojans return a pair of talented seniors -- two-time All-American...

James Kenan-East Montgomery box

E. Montgomery 0 0 0 6 -- 6 James Kenan 21 0 6 7 -- 34 First quarter JK -- Parker 3 run (Bautista kick), 6:44 JK -- Frederick 21 blocked punt return (Bautista kick), 5:08 JK -- Parker 2...

Websters early INT jumpstarts James Kenan

WARSAW -- The defense got it started. Special teams and offense followed suit. Johnathan Webster's interception return ignited a three-touchdown, first-quarter outburst as James Kenan throttled East Montgomery 34-6 in their opening-round, N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-AA football playoff...

Goldsboro-South Robeson box

South Robeson 0 0 0 6 -- 6 Goldsboro 0 14 14 14 -- 42 Second quarter G -- Montgomery 59 run (Odum kick), 10:26 G -- Sykes 34 pass from Sprangle (Odum kick), 7:56 Third quarter G -- Jones...

Personal foul penalty wakes up Goldsboro

The last thing South Robeson needed to do was give sluggish Goldsboro a wake-up call. The Mustangs' late hit penalty on quarterback Corteiz Sprangle provided the spark the Cougars needed Friday evening. Goldsboro erupted for 21 unanswered points and rolled...

Warren plans to add another chapter to family history at UNCW

Toe shoes to sneakers. Warm-up bar to racquet. A tutu for a skirt. An aspiring dancer during her early teen years, Emily Warren gave all that up to play a sport that's become her passion -- tennis. Alan Cuddington started...

Cobb scores three TDs in Aycock's opening-round playoff victory

HILLSBOROUGH -- Marcus Cobb rushed for 181 yards and three touchdowns, and Charles B. Aycock sloshed past Orange 28-7 on Saturday evening. The 10th-seeded Golden Falcons (10-2 overall) return to action Friday at Gray's Creek for a second-round, N.C....

Friday, November 13, 2009

Gators face No. 1-ranked Dixon

SEVEN SPRINGS -- The Spring Creek men's soccer team is going where no Wayne County team has gone before -- to the eastern regional championship game. The No. 2-ranked Gators achieved the historical moment with a 1-0 victory over No....

N.C. fishing report

Northern Region Ocean: Offshore anglers had good results with plenty of yellow and blackfin tuna hitting the docks this week. They also landed wahoo, king mackerel, dolphin, little tunny, black seabass and blueline tilefish. Fishermen using Hatteras marinas caught Vermillion...

Pro-active Council seeks solutions

MOREHEAD CITY -- With every door that closes a window opens. After the closure of several fisheries during the fall, the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council is taking a pro-active approach to finding solutions for the states many aquatic issues....

Archer's book bares all about big game

Many hunters' dreams are filled with far-off destinations for taking part in that one, ultimate hunt. But Dennis Dunn lived those dreams, taking all 29 species of North American big game. While others can claim the same achievement, Dunn is...

Steadily-improving Trojans continue program's growth

Each season the Mount Olive College women's basketball team gets a little bit better. The program's growth is a direct reflection of head coach Wendy Lee's winning mentality. On the heels of the program's most-successful season since joining the NCAA...

Opinion -- Higginbotham becomes student again

The gesture was small but the message was clear. Moments before tip-off of last week's annual Green-White scrimmage Mount Olive head men's basketball coach Joey Higginbotham marched into Kornegay Arena dressed as a Kornegay Krazie. The idea to paint his...

Thursday, November 12, 2009

McCarter, Hobbs sign D-I letters

No choice is wrong when you follow your heart. Reco McCarter and Tim Hobbs certainly hope that sentiment is true. Less than two months after announcing their respective verbal commitments, the Wayne Country Day basketball standouts made it official Wednesday...

Dawg's 'D' plays steady

Bend but don't break is the timeless philosophy that Princeton's defense has adopted this season. The hard work has been left for quarterback David Gurganus and a high-powered offense. The Bulldawgs' defensive unit understands its responsibility isn't necessarily to win...

Let the playoffs begin

On the road again is becoming the theme in Calypso when the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A playoffs roll around each season. The Rebels (4-7 overall) travel to Cherokee for a first-round game Friday and fourth-year head coach Hugh...

MOC womens preview

Each season the Mount Olive College women's basketball team gets a little bit better. The program's growth is a direct reflection of head coach Wendy Lee's winning mentality. On the heels of the program's most-successful season since joining the NCAA...

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Spring Creek advances to eastern championship

SEVEN SPRINGS -- No matter the outcome, the game had a memorable feel to it Tuesday evening. And a Spring Creek victory put the contest among the top moments in the program's still-growing sports history. Antonio Avila tallied the lone...

Challenging, beastly schedule prepares Kenan for postseason

Coming off a state championship in 2007 and a second-round playoff appearance last season, James Kenan had plenty of momentum heading into its 2009 campaign. But when head coach Ken Avent Jr. strode into the locker room before the Tigers'...

Anderson eliminates MOC from tournament

ANDERSON, S.C. -- Reigning Conference Carolinas women's volleyball champion Anderson (S.C.) University continued its mastery over Mount Olive College in the postseason. Fourth-seeded Anderson seized a two-set advantage and turned back the Trojans 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20 in their...

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Cobb making up for lost time

He runs with an edge and a nastiness fueled by an injury that nearly stripped him of his ability to play the game he loves. Yet, he speaks with the shyness and humility of a man wise beyond his years....

Goldsboro's offense is ready for playoff test

Goldsboro has come a long way since its season-opening loss to Wilmington New Hanover. The Wildcats dominated the Cougars in all phases of the game and left head coach Eric Reid with plenty of unanswered questions. Would the offensive line...

Monday, November 9, 2009

Warriors' season ends

JACKSONVILLE -- Eastern Wayne kept within striking distance for 60 minutes until unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Jacksonville posted two goals in the latter stages of the second half. Cory Faughnan and an own goal helped the Cardinals stop the...

Rosewood adjusts to wing-T

Trust the system was Rosewood head coach Robert Britt's message after switching to the wing-T offense this season. The Eagles ditched the spread schemes in hopes of installing an offense more suited to their personnel. The wing-T is predicated on...

Saturday, November 7, 2009

North Duplin stops Gators in Carolina Conference regular-season finale

CALYPSO -- North Duplin jumped out to a 35-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 42-14 win over Spring Creek at H.E. Grubbs Field on Friday night. It was the Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season finale for both teams. Rebels...

Week 12 prep football boxes

Farmville Central 7 7 0 7 -- 21 Greene Central 6 8 6 0 -- 20 First quarter GC -- Suit 3 run (kick blocked), 9:37 FC -- T. Cox 1 run (Bane kick), 2:31 Second quarter GC -- Suit...

Rangle leads Spring Creek past Southwest Onslow

SEVEN SPRINGS -- The buzz is growing. The largest soccer crowd of the season filed into "The Swamp" on Saturday afternoon to watch Spring Creek take on Southwest Onslow in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association...

Princeton-Rosewood box

Princeton 28 7 7 0 -- 42 Rosewood 14 6 0 0 -- 20 First quarter P -- Jacobs 60 pass from Gurganus (Brush kick), 10:45 R -- Wooten 65 fumble return (Harris kick), 6:00 P -- Gurganus 7 run...

Gurganus passes Dawgs past archrival Rosewood

A big-play, quick-strike offense has a strange way of disguising costly turnovers and penalties. David Gurganus threw for 419 yards and four touchdowns as Princeton defeated Carolina 1-A Conference archrival Rosewood 42-20 at Branch Pope Field on Friday night. It...

MOC spikers dump Converse

MOUNT OLIVE -- A perfect senior day. Middle hitter Racey Bartley and outside hitter Alicia Mote, each playing their final home game of the season, combined for 26 kills in a three-set sweep of Converse (S.C.) College on Saturday afternoon....

Friday's N.C. prep football scores

Friday's Scores PREP FOOTBALL Albemarle 49, South Stanly 6 Anson County 42, Monroe Parkwood 20 Apex Middle Creek 41, Apex 20 Ashe County 26, East Wilkes 14 Asheboro 14, Southern Guilford 9 Asheville 28, Asheville Erwin 21 Asheville Reynolds...

Goldsboro-AG boxscore

Goldsboro 13 6 20 0 -- 39 Ayden-Grifton 0 7 0 0 -- 7 First quarter G -- Montgomery 60 run (run failed), 11:00 G -- Montgomery 7 run (Odum kick), 5:59 Second quarter G -- Montgomery 46 run (kick...

Goldsboro claims Carolina Conference football title outright

AYDEN -- Outright champs. Andre Montgomery bullied his way through the Ayden-Grifton defense for 285 yards and five touchdowns, and led Goldsboro to a 39-7 victory Friday evening. The Cougars (9-2 overall) secured the Carolina 1-A Conference championship outright with...

Warriors snap 14-game skid on gridiron

Kinston Free Press Correspondent A rough season ended the same way it began for North Lenoir -- with a humbling loss. The Hawks made every mistake imaginable and fell to previously winless Eastern Wayne 27-0 on Friday evening at Little...

E. Wayne-N. Lenoir box

North Lenoir 0 0 0 0 -- 0 Eastern Wayne 6 8 6 7 -- 27 First quarter EW -- L. Best 13 run (run failed), 8:54 Second quarter EW -- Best 2 run (Best run), 4:55 Third quarter EW...

Aycock finishes third in ECC 3-A football race

DUDLEY -- Bring on the bracket. Charles B. Aycock tuned up for the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs with a 40-6 victory over Eastern Carolina Conference rival Southern Wayne on Friday night. The Golden Falcons unarguably played their...

C.B. Aycock-Southern Wayne box

C.B. Aycock 14 11 8 7 -- 40 Southern Wayne 0 6 0 0 -- 6 First quarter CBA -- Pitt 1 run (Murdock kick), 7:37 CBA -- Cobb 2 run (Murdock kick), 3:10 Second quarter SW -- Bradshaw (kick...

Friday, November 6, 2009

Opinion -- Small, effective players enjoy good seasons

When measured in size, four area high school football players don't come close to striking fear in the hearts of opponents. Measure those same four athletes in determination and sheer will to succeed and they're suddenly gridiron giants. Small in...

Rams are 2-A east champs

SNOW HILL -- Goal accomplished. Greene Central claimed its 10th eastern regional dual-team, women's tennis championship with a 9-0 rout of Carrboro in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2-A playoffs Thursday afternoon. The No. 2-ranked Rams (22-6 overall) will...

Va. Tech sinks ECU

GREENVILLE -- Following last season's stunning defeat at the hands of East Carolina in Charlotte, Virginia Tech was not about to overlook the Pirates a second time. The Hokies' vaunted defense flexed its muscle and physically punished the Pirates 16-3...

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Eastern Wayne advances to round two

SOUTHPORT -- Eastern Wayne opened the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A boys' soccer playoffs with a 3-1 victory over South Brunswick on Wednesday night. The Warriors (10-10-1 overall) travel to No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Jacksonville (25-0-0) for a...

Spring Creek tops Northside soccer

SEVEN SPRINGS -- The journey to a state championship begins with a single, but important step. Spring Creek got off on the right foot with a 4-0 victory over Pinetown Northside during opening-round play of the N.C. High School Athletic...

MOC men play annual Green-White game

MOUNT OLIVE -- Kendrick Easley and Mike Holloman fueled a second-half comeback as the Green squad defeated the White 48-36 in their annual men's basketball scrimmage at Mount Olive College on Wednesday evening. Easley, a preseason All-American selection, and Holloman...

Goldsboro not looking past Ayden-Grifton

Forget the result and stay focused. Third-year head coach Eric Reid delivered that message to his Goldsboro High football team before practice Monday afternoon. Forget the Cougars' four-touchdown victory over the Dawgs, who manhandled reigning Carolina 1-A Conference champion Ayden-Grifton...

CBA soccer falls to Rocky Mount

ROCKY MOUNT -- Charles B. Aycock just can't exorcise those first-round playoff demons. Senior forward Tim Bishop came off the bench to score two second-half goals, and Rocky Mount upended the Golden Falcons 2-1 in their opening match of the...

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Local Digest

BEULAVILLE -- Greene Central advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2-A eastern dual-team, women's tennis championship with a 6-0 victory over East Duplin on Tuesday. The Rams (21-6 overall) entertain Carrboro on Thursday. "Today was a total...

St. Andrews wins battle of youth

MOUNT OLIVE -- Short-handed Mount Olive College carved out a valley and nearly climbed back up the mountain Tuesday evening. Missing four starters due to violation of team rules, the Trojans put two freshmen and two sophomores on the floor...

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

MOC women's soccer falls to Belmont Abbey

MOC Sports Information BELMONT -- Fifth-year senior Jessica Smoot not only got to play in her first conference tournament match since 2005, she contributed an assist. Unfortunately, a late rally came up short and Smoot's collegiate career ended Monday evening....

Monday, November 2, 2009

Tim Hobbs commits to N.C. Central

Wayne Country Day senior Tim Hobbs has verbally committed to North Carolina Central University. A two-year starter, Hobbs has helped guide the Chargers to back-to-back appearances in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A elite eight....

Local digest

BURGAW -- Rosewood sophomore Nick Britt placed sixth overall in individual competition during the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A Mideast cross country regional on Saturday. Britt covered the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes and qualified for this...

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Week 11 football briefs

Freddie Jones and Andre Montgomery each rushed for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns as Goldsboro rolled past visiting Spring Creek 48-0 at Cougar Stadium on Friday evening. The Cougars (8-2 overall) clinched a share of the Carolina...

Week 11 football boxes

Hobbton 7 0 0 6 3 -- 16 James Kenan 7 0 0 6 0 -- 13 First quarter JK -- Jones 3 run (Bautista kick), 8:03 H -- Barnes 5 run (kick good), 6:00 Fourth quarter JK -- D....

Overachieving Chargers fall to nemesis Faith Christian-RM

WILSON -- Overachievers. Coming off a six-win campaign in 2008 and inundated with in-house troubles, the Wayne Country Day men's soccer team exceeded its expectations one year later. And nearly returned to the state finals. Seth Miller supplied the game-winning,...

SW-EW game story

Southern Wayne head coach Bob Warren envisioned this one. The playoff-eligible Saints won the battle in the trenches and claimed a hard-fought 14-6 win over Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference rival Eastern Wayne on Friday night. Southern Wayne ran 28 more...

Southern Wayne-Eastern Wayne box

Southern Wayne 7 7 0 0 -- 14 Eastern Wayne 6 0 0 0 -- 6 First quarter SW -- Robinson 9 run (Long kick), 10:17 EW -- L. Best 55 run (kick failed), 8:01 Second quarter SW -- J....

Princeton-Ayden-Grifton box

Ayden-Grifton 0 0 6 8 -- 14 Princeton 22 19 14 0 -- 55 First quarter P -- Daughtry 68 pass from D. Myers (Brush kick), 11:43 P -- B. Myers 14 run (Brush kick), 7:10 P -- J. Davis...

First-play trickery turns into Bulldawg treat

PRINCETON -- Princeton celebrated Halloween early with a little trickery Friday evening. And the Dawgs filled their bag with a long-awaited treat. Dylan Myers hooked up with Dillon Daughtry for a 68-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage,...

Lady Trojans fall to Anderson

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive outshot Anderson in the second half and for the match, but a goal midway through the first half was the difference as the Trojans fell to Anderson 1-0 in Conference Carolinas women's soccer Saturday...

Mount Olive men play to 1-1 tie with No. 13 Anderson

MOC Sports Information MOUNT OLIVE --  John Mendoza broke a scoreless tie in the 66th minute and Mount Olive withstood a 22-shot attack for a 1-1 double overtime tie against nationally 13th-ranked Anderson in Conference Carolinas men's soccer Saturday at...

Local golf

Lane Tree LGA Linda Watson claimed game-of-the-week honors during play on the Lane Tree Golf Club links. Sherry Minner seized low net and low putts. Walnut Creek LGA Novella Zambelli emerged play-of-the-day winner on the Walnut Creek Country Club course....

Aycock-Triton box

Triton 7 0 0 15 -- 22 C.B. Aycock 7 0 0 14 -- 21 First quarter CBA -- Cobb 64 run (Murdock kick), 10:54 T -- King 54 run (Goff kick), 10:28 Fourth quarter CBA -- Cobb 19 run...

Triton scores twice in the last five minutes

PIKEVILLE -- For more than two hours on Friday evening, senior night at Charles B. Aycock was one to remember. However, folks in Pikeville will try to forget the last five minutes for quite some time. Triton rallied from a...