January 2014 archives

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Friday, January 31, 2014

Area athletic directors scrambling to reschedule games

rcoggins@newsargus.com Ibuprofen, anyone? Old Mother Nature has had her fun and caused plenty of headaches for county high school athletics directors this week. The snow and ice which crippled basically the entire state has forced adjustments not only in basketball,...

Flowers: Chargers starting to peak at right time

astevens@newsargus.com First-year Wayne Country Day head coach David Flowers hoped that his team could peak at the right time during a long, grueling season. The Chargers appear headed in the right direction. Flowers scheduled nine opponents that have been...

UMO softball preview: Kylis spent time searching for a supporting cast

rcoggins@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Jaime Kylis searched for a few understudies during offseason recruiting. The University of Mount Olive head softball coach wanted to assemble a supporting cast to help the program make a return appearance on college softball's biggest...

Trojans sweep archrival Bulldogs in basketball

UMO Sports Information WILSON -- Mike Moore scored seven of his team-high 18 points off the bench during a first-half scoring run and hit 3 of 4 free throws in the final 37 seconds as the University of Mount Olive...

UMO's Regan, Reitano earn preseason All-American recognition

rcoggins@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Two key players on the University of Mount Olive baseball team have earned preseason all-Southeast Region and All-American accolades before Saturday's season opener at Winston-Salem State. Designated hitter Bradon Reitano and starting pitcher Alex Regan were...

UMO women's tennis tabbed 3rd in preseason poll

By RUDY COGGINS rcoggins@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Too bad puzzles don't come with a set of directions. Carl Lancaster could definitely use them right now. The pieces of the 2014 edition of the University of Mount Olive baseball team have...

Lancaster: Trojan baseball looks like scattered puzzle

By RUDY COGGINS rcoggins@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Too bad puzzles don't come with a set of directions. Carl Lancaster could definitely use them right now. The pieces of the 2014 edition of the University of Mount Olive baseball team have...

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

UMO men's tennis picked 2nd in preseason conference poll

rcoggins@newsargus.com HIGH POINT -- Is No. 2 luckier? The University of Mount Olive men's tennis team certainly hopes so this season. The Trojans are picked to finish second behind defending champion Limestone (S.C.) College in the 2014 Conference Carolinas preseason...

Mount Olive-Barton basketball games moved to Thursday

MOUNT OLIVE -- The University of Mount Olive announced Wednesday morning that it has moved its basketball doubleheader with archrival Barton College to Thursday. The women's game tips off at 5:30 p.m. at Wilson Gym....

Golsboro's Collins wins pair of ECC 2A indoor track titles

Grayson Collins emerged victorious in two events and the Goldsboro boys captured the 1,600-meter relay during the season-ending, Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference indoor track and field championship meet. A distance runner, Collins claimed the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs. Nekooshia...

D1 offers pouring in for Princeton's Frasier

PRINCETON -- Johnny Frasier is undoubtedly getting a lot of attention from Division I coaches during the offseason. So, who is gonna knock on the door of head coach Derrick Minor's at the Princeton High field house next? Perennial...

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

WC Hot Stove League: Travel issues prevent Wooten's presence

astevens@newsargus.com Travel issues kept keynote speaker Rob Wooten from attending the eighth annual Wayne County Hot Stove banquet on Monday night. The Charles B. Aycock alum had appeared at "Brewers on Deck", a fan event Sunday in Milwaukee. Flight delays...

Archrivals meet for next installment of "Battle of the East"

rcoggins@newsargus.com WILSON -- One of the oldest-running rivalries renews its series on the basketball court Wednesday evening as long as Mother Nature doesn't intervene. Weather permitting, the University of Mount Olive heads north on Highway 795 to face long-time...

Preps digest: Middle schools news

Middle schools * Girls' basketball: Norwayne 41, Grantham 6 -- Jayla Holloman led the unbeaten Cobras with nine points. Hannah Vinson and Hannah Carter contributed eight and six points, respectively. Alexis Elliott had five for Grantham. Norwayne improved to...

Chargers, Eagles compete in swim meet

Senior Robert Glass recorded a pair of top-11 finishes in individual action and helped Wayne Country Day place third in the 200-yard freestyle relay during a multi-team meet contested at B.G. Darden Natatorium on Monday evening. Glass touched the wall...

WCDS girls notch 5th win of the season

Wayne Country Day held on for a 23-17 win over Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A Conference foe Pope John Paul on Monday evening. The Chargers won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Bailee Creger led Wayne Country Day with...

Massengill has double-double for Bulldogs

SMITHFIELD -- Princeton eased past Carolina 1-A Conference foe Neuse Charter on Monday evening. The Bulldogs' Savanna Massengill finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Charley Cox added seven points and five assists. Weather permitting, Princeton (9-7 overall, 6-2 CC)...

EW girls rebound from league defeat

NEW BERN -- Eastern Wayne built a double-digit lead by halftime and rolled to a 53-29 win over Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference foe New Bern on Monday evening. Jasmine Covington led the Warriors with 13 points and four assists. Elondia...

Miller, Talton lead WCDS boys

Wayne Country Day rebounded from back-to-back losses with an 89-50 rout of Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A Conference foe Pope John Paul on Monday night. Victor Miller paced the Chargers with 13 and seven rebounds. Tyler Talton supplied 12 points and...

Faith Christian boys roll on the road

RALEIGH -- Victor Jenkins poured in a game-high 24 points and Faith Christian turned back Friendship Christian, 52-40, in a N.C. Christian Schools Association 2-A game Monday evening. Richard Sasser added 14 points, while Andrew Parrish scored eight. Weather...

Princeton boys upend Neuse Charter in OT

SMITHFIELD -- Princeton rallied from a double-digit, first-half deficit and knocked off Neuse Charter, 75-65, in overtime during their Carolina 1-A Conference game Monday evening. The Dogs outscored Neuse 15-5 in the extra session. Michael Wooten led four Princeton players...

Monday, January 27, 2014

Fayetteville St. takes two from CIAA in-state foe WSSU

PIKEVILLE -- Fayetteville State got the best of in-state Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in-state rival Winston-Salem State on Saturday evening. The Broncos swept a doubleheader on the Charles B. Aycock hardwood. FSU rallied from a first-half deficit to defeat...

UMO men, women revise programs' indoor track record books

CHAPEL HILL -- Dylan Lafond posted an NCAA II provisional qualifying time and won the men's 3,000 meters as the University of Mount Olive opened its 2014 indoor track and field season at the Tar Heel Open on Saturday....

Aycock boys fall to New Bern

PIKEVILLE -- Senior Michael Williams tallied 19 points in Charles B. Aycock's 68-45 loss to New Bern in an Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference game. Tyrique Ford added 12 points for the Golden Falcons. Bryce Jordan contributed five points. Weather permitting,...

Lee Christian battles back against Wayne Christian

SANFORD -- Wayne Christian led by 14 points at halftime, but suffered a 43-33 defeat to Lee Christian in a Carolina Christian 1-A Conference road game. The Eagles struggled in the third quarter. Ben Sawyer got sidelined with an ankle...

Fullwood, Trigers cruise past Wallace-Rose Hill

TJ Fullwood led three James Kenan players in double figures with 22 points during a 72-63, non-conference triumph over county archrival Wallace-Rose Hill on Saturday evening. Antonio Smith provided a double-double -- 21 points, 10 rebounds. Nick Taylor contributed 13...

Buzzard Brawl: Rosewood claims team championship

BUIES CREEK -- The lone 1-A school in a tournament loaded with talented wrestlers, Rosewood claimed the Buzzard Brawl team championship contested at Campbell University on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles, who did not have an individual gold medalist, edged...

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Preps digest: JV, middle schools news

JV sports * Boys' basketball: Goldsboro 59, North Lenoir 49 -- Kisheem Faison paced the Cougars' offense with 20 points. Nakia Atkins chipped in 12 points. * Boys' basketball: New Bern 62, C.B. Aycock 39 -- JaQuan Ray led...

Trojans drop pair of league men's volleyball matches

UMO Sports Information MOUNT OLIVE -- Preseason Conference Carolinas men's volleyball favorite University of Mount Olive is off to an 0-2 start against league opposition after back-to-back losses this weekend. Angel Dache delivered 20 kills in a 32-30, 17-25, 20-25,...

Mount Olive's Lee notches 200th career coaching win

UMO Sports Information SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The University of Mount Olive women's basketball team led from start to finish and presented head coach Wendy Lee career win No. 200 with a 64-41 thrashing of Conference Carolinas foe Converse (S.C.) on...

Wooten eager to share story with Hot Stove League crowd

Not many Hot Stove Leagues can boast about having an active Major League Baseball player/coach these days. Wayne County can brag about three -- Rob Wooten, Johnny Narron and Jerry Narron. Wooten was called up by the Brewers late last...

EW girls drop to second in ECC 3A/4A play

rcoggins@newsargus.com Each time Eastern Wayne climbed to within a single possession against South Central, it couldn't just finish the job Friday evening. A turnover. A hurried shot. A lapse on defense. At some point, each of those miscues came...

Third-quarter turnovers fuel S. Central comeback

Beware of the third quarter. And South Central's defensive pressure. Interim Eastern Wayne head varsity boys' basketball coach Chris Roberts issued those warnings during halftime Friday evening. His cautionary tone became evident when the teams returned to the court....

Coaching friend delivers prophetic statement that hasn't lost its meaning

Years ago, while working at the then-Daily Citizen-News in Dalton, Ga., the wrestling coach at Murray County High School told me that "a team is only as good as the sum of its parts." While I don't remember his name,...

E. Wayne-S. Central basketball boxes

BOYS At New Hope South Central 13 8 23 16 -- 60 Eastern Wayne 14 16 8 20 -- 58 SOUTH CENTRAL (14-3, 6-1) Malik Edwards 1 1 3-4 8, Tyrik Suggs 3 1 4-7 13, Jermaine Willis 1...

ECC 3A/4A championship results

prep swimming 2014 Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference Championships (at Minges Natatorium, ECU) GREENVILLE -- Results from the 2014 Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference boys' and girls' championship swim meet contested at Minges Natatorium on ECU on Friday evening. BOYS Team scores...

Princeton boys upend James Kenan

PRINCETON -- Despite its struggles at the free throw line and inability to protect the basketball, Princeton upended James Kenan, 56-54, in a Carolina 1-A Conference game. The Dogs missed 17 free throws committed 19 turnovers. "We somehow still won...

Mitchell leads Rosewood boys

NEWTON GROVE -- Dennis Mitchell tossed in a game-high 23 points, and Rosewood rolled past Hobbton, 71-44, on the Carolina 1-A Conference scene Friday evening. Marquail Almontaser knocked down 13 points. Zack Barnes and Ethan Chapin recorded 12 and 10...

N. Lenoir boys stun Goldsboro

La GRANGE -- Jaquez Jones led three North Lenoir players in double figures with 19 points in a 69-67 upset of Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference rival Goldsboro at Wooten Gym on Friday evening. John Carlton and Jaroyce Mason added 15...

Faith Christian boys cruise at home

Faith Christian built a 21-point lead after eight minutes and dominated Greenville Christian, 68-27, in a N.C. Christian Schools Association 2-A contest Friday evening. Victor Jenkins paced the Conquerors with a game-high 22 points. Richard Sasser scored 15 points. Christian...

Greenfield boys escape WCDS in OT

WILSON -- Dwayna Sutton's putback at the buzzer gave Greenfield an 85-83, overtime victory over archrival Wayne Country Day on the Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A Conference scene Friday evening. "(A) very good game and great atmosphere," first-year WCDS head coach...

Neuse Charter boys slip past N. Duplin

SMITHFIELD -- Cody Ivey led three North Duplin players in double figures with 16 points during a 66-61 loss to Carolina 1-A Conference leader Neuse Charter on Friday evening. Cedrick Kornegay and Daron Goodman pumped in 15 and 14 points,...

Lakewood knocks off Spring Creek boys

SALEMBURG -- Lakewood buried seven 3-pointers and knocked off Spring Creek, 55-47, in a Carolina 1-A Conference game Friday evening. Tre Hammonds paced the Gators with 12 points and five rebounds. Brandon Gonzalez contributed 11 points and six rebounds. "(We)...

Rosewood girls crush Hobbton

NEWTON GROVE -- Lexi Mercer ended up just shy of a quadruple-double during Rosewood's 73-19 rout over Hobbton in their Carolina 1-A Conference battle Friday evening. Mercer registered 20 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and seven assists for the state-ranked...

Cox leads Princeton girls past James Kenan

PRINCETON -- Point guard Charley Cox poured in a game-high 20 points, and Princeton turned back James Kenan, 53-41, in a Carolina 1-A Conference game Friday evening. Savanna Massengill provided 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Tori Paul...

Pate, N. Duplin girls ease past Neuse Charter

SMITHFIELD -- Rylee Pate collected 18 points and North Duplin dispatched Neuse Charter, 43-35, in Carolina 1-A Conference play Friday evening. Shaily McCarty and Mary Beth Barwick added nine and seven points, respectively. Deja Aycock (five points), Jordan Jones (three...

Jones has double-double in CBA's home loss

PIKEVILLE -- New Bern saw its halftime lead evaporate, but it rallied for a 41-40 victory over Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference rival C.B. Aycock on Friday evening. Myleah Jones notched a double-double -- 14 points, 18 rebounds -- in the...

Goldsboro girls roll past N. Lenoir

La GRANGE -- Tyona Moses scored 18 points and Goldsboro dominated North Lenoir, 50-29, in their Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference game at Wooten Gym on Friday evening. Destini Covington added 10 points for the Cougars. Teammates Nickie Tyler and Amari...

Rose, Conley dominate ECC 3A/4A championship meet

GREENVILLE -- J.H. Rose and D.H. Conley combined to win 22 of 23 events in the season-ending Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference men's and women's swimming championships contested inside Minges Natatorium at ECU on Friday evening. Rose claimed the boys' and...

Friday, January 24, 2014

UMO softball tabbed 1st in preseason CC poll

rcoggins@newsargus.com HIGH POINT -- Coming off its most successful season in program history, the University of Mount Olive softball team has gone from the hunter to the hunted. Eight of the league's nine coaches expect the Trojans to defend their...

Faith-RM defeats Wayne Christian boys

Tanner Rose and Austin Howell tallied six points apiece in Wayne Christian's 68-28, non-conference loss to Faith Christian of Rocky Mount on Thursday evening. The Eagles are the guests of Lee Christian today....

Neuse hits late FTs, edges Rosewood's boys

SMITHFIELD -- Neuse Charter converted two free throws with 8 seconds left and edged Rosewood, 56-54, in a Carolina 1-A Conference game Thursday evening. Dennis Mitchell paced the Eagles' offense with 21 points. Jon Hair added 12. Rosewood travels to...

C.B. Aycock matmen pin North Johnston

KENLY -- One night after claiming an emotional victory over an archrival just 24 hours earlier, Charles B. Aycock dominated North Johnston, 59-21, in non-conference action Thursday evening. The Golden Falcons (12-10 overall) clinched a dual-team playoff berth with a...

Rosewood grapplers hand EW a non-conference loss

Rosewood matched its single-season school record for dual-team victories at 39 with a 43-26, non-conference victory over Eastern Wayne on Thursday evening. The Eagles (39-2 overall) seized control with three consecutive individual wins in the middle weights. Kaleb Smith scored...

Rosewood girls stay unbeaten in Carolina 1A hoops action

SMITHFIELD -- Sophomore Lexi Mercer led three Rosewood players in double figures with 18 points during a 60-20 rout of Carolina 1-A Conference newcomer Neuse Charter on Thursday evening. Mercer grabbed seven rebounds, picked Neuse for five steals and dished...

Goldsboro girls explode in late stages against AG

rcoggins@newsargus.com A not-so-pleasing first-half performance turned into a satisfactory ending for the Goldsboro High girls' basketball team Thursday evening. The Cougars outscored long-time nemesis Ayden-Grifton 15-3 in the final 4 1/2 minutes of a 50-39 victory in Eastern Carolina 2-A...

Pressure 'D' ignites Cougars' offense

rcoggins@newsargus.com Facing yet another tall team, Goldsboro resorted to its full-court press to speed up the tempo Thursday evening. Boy, did it ever. The Cougars scored 38 points during an 111/2-minute stretch between the second and third quarters, and...

Goldsboro-AG basketball boxes

BOYS At Goldsboro Ayden-Grifton 15 12 7 14 -- 48 Goldsboro 22 23 20 17 -- 82 AYDEN-GRIFTON (8-7, 1-2) Garrett Woods 1 0 0-0 2, Raquan Dixon 0 0 0-2 0, Keishmund Taylor 0 1 0-0 3, Will Gardner...

Preps digest: JV, middle school news

JV sports * Boys' basketball: Goldsboro 74, Ayden-Grifton 52 -- Kisheem Faison paced the Cougars' attack with 15 points. Nakia Atkins added 12 points. Goldsboro is the guest of North Lenoir today. Middle schools * Boys' basketball: Wayne Christian...

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Trojans' Wieland, Hines have record-setting nights

UMO Sports Information MOUNT OLIVE -- John Wieland tied a school record with nine 3-pointers and Dory Hines matched his single-game assist mark with 16 during the University of Mount Olive's 100-90 victory over in-state Conference Carolinas foe Lees-McRae on...

UMO ranked No. 1 in preseason Conference Carolinas poll

rcoggins@newsargus.com HIGH POINT -- No. 1 ... again. Ranked No. 5 in two preseason Division II baseball polls, the University of Mount Olive is projected to successfully defend its Conference Carolinas regular-season championship. The Trojans earned seven first-place votes among...

Preps digest: JV, middle school news

JV sports * Girls' basketball: South Johnston 35, C.B. Aycock 26 -- Sean-Keya Faison paced Aycock's offense with 11 points. Taliyah Green supplied seven points and Allison Shingleton contributed six. Aycock fell to 2-10 overall this season. Girls' basketball:...

Mercer plays in honor of late friends

kfine@newsargus.com Lexi Mercer did a little bit of everything Wednesday evening -- except score the basketball. She did quite a lot of that. The Rosewood sophomore collected a double-double -- 35 points, 16 rebounds -- during a 58-39 victory over...

Chapin hits clutch 3s for Rosewood

kfine@newsargus.com If the Princeton Bulldogs didn't know Ethan Chapin before Wednesday night's game, they do now. The Rosewood High School sophomore made three clutch 3-pointers -- and drew a critical charge -- to help the Eagles pull out a 68-65,...

Aycock's Hall claims third ECC 1-meter diving crown

rcoggins@newsargus.com The early-round dives looked a little rough around the edges. Once practice partners Devin Hall and Willie Smith found their respective grooves and relaxed, each executed their remaining dives with ease Wednesday afternoon. And Hall, as expected, accomplished one...

CBA-EW wrestling box

Wednesday's match At New Hope C.B. Aycock 39 Eastern Wayne 33 106 -- Mario Harper (EW) by forfeit; 113 -- Chris Parks (CBA) wbf Cole Steiner, 2:39; 120 -- Garrett Steers (CBA) wbf Michael Walston, 5:02; 126 -- Zack...

Stunning victory: CBA matmen surprise Eastern Wayne

rcoggins@newsargus.com Traditionally, freshmen aren't called upon to produce in pressure-packed matches against an intense archrival with the team's postseason fate hanging in the balance. At least that hasn't been the norm at Charles B. Aycock. Until Wednesday evening. The coaching...

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Preps digest: JV sports news

JV sports * Boys' basketball: Faith Christian 31, Wilson Christian 25 -- Trey Chase led the victorious Conquerors with nine points. Jack Casbarro and Anderson Raleigh chipped in eight points apiece....

Faith Christian boys' game suspended

Inclement weather created hazardous travel and forced the suspension of the Faith Christian-Wilson Christian Academy game Tuesday evening. The Conquerors led 31-15 at halftime. No completion date has been announced....

Freedom Christian boys defeat WCDS

Senior guard Lee Atkinson led four players in double figures with 18 points during Wayne Country Day's 78-68 loss to Freedom Christian in Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A Conference play Tuesday evening. Shahim Muhammed provided 16 points. Joel Davis and Kris...

Area games still on go

Light snowfall blanketed much of Wayne County and eastern North Carolina late Tuesday evening, which prompted Wayne County Public Schools officials to cancel all after-school activities earlier in the day. Weather permitting, several events are on tap for today: --...

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Games postponed, rescheduled

Winter weather is expected to blanket certain regions of North Carolina late this afternoon and evening, which prompted Wayne County Public Schools officials to cancel all after-school activities scheduled for today.Students were dismissed at 1:15 p.m.The decision caused the postponement...

Monday, January 20, 2014

CBA's Howard seizes 120-pound title at Jolly Roger Invitational

WENDELL -- Charles B. Aycock junior Zack Howard emerged as the 120-pound champion during the multi-team Jolly Roger Invitational contested at Corinth-Holders High School on Saturday. Howard entered the day-long tournament as the No. 1 seed. The three-year starter...

Sutton, Frasier honored by Carolina Gridiron

James Kenan's Marcelias Sutton and Princeton's Johnny Frasier earned second-team honors on the 2013 Carolina Gridiron All-State football team. Sutton, who has committed to N.C. State, helped the Tigers beat West Montgomery 42-14 in the N.C. High School Athletic...

Rosewood claims Brawl on the Mat title

DEEP RUN -- Playoff-bound Rosewood claimed the Brawl on the Mat championship contested inside Munn Gymnasium at South Lenoir High School on Saturday. The Eagles (38-2 overall) defeated Pamlico County, Clinton and West Carteret in pool action. They secured...

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Preps digest: JV sports news

JV sports * Boys' basketball: Eastern Wayne 53, C.B. Aycock 32 -- Mortaye Sembly paced the victorious Warriors with 21 points. Yeonte Royal added 14. Justin Russell and Coriante Foye chipped in nine and six points, respectively. Brandon Cowan...

Trojan men's volleyball falls to pair of top-10 teams

CHICAGO -- A homecoming and a family reunion. Second-year University of Mount Olive head men's volleyball coach David Heller returned to his home state and alma mater -- Lewis University -- on Friday evening. His Trojans took the first...

Trojan women can't close the door on Belmont Abbey

astevens@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Opportunity knocked for the University of Mount Olive women's basketball team Saturday afternoon. The Trojans couldn't close the door with the game on the line. UMO failed to convert on key possessions in the final 31/2...

UMO men have 6 players in double figures

rhanchett@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- A full cast of characters got into the scoring act for the University of Mount Olive men's basketball team Saturday afternoon. Six different Trojans reached double figures in a 92-79 victory over Conference Carolinas in-state foe...

Spring Creek girls start fast, rout N. Duplin

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek scored the first 14 points of the game on its way to a 73-38 rout of North Duplin in Carolina 1-A Conference play. Amber Buchan scored 22 points for the Gators. Destiney Sutton and...

McCarter thriving at Campbell University

astevens@newsargus.com BUIES CREEK -- Reco McCarter isn't just thankful for a second chance. He's making the most of a golden opportunity. A Wayne Country Day alum, McCarter is thriving in his new college home at Campbell University. He's earned consecutive...

Friday's prep basketball box scores

BOYS At Seven Springs North Duplin 10 8 13 23 -- 54 Spring Creek 18 16 9 23 -- 66 NORTH DUPLIN (4-9, 2-5 CC) Cody Ivey 3 0 4-4 10, Cedrick Kornegay 5 1 1-2 14, Savon Scott 3...

Gators see lead shrink, hangs on against Rebels

astevens@newsargus.com SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek head coach Taylor Jones tells anyone that will listen that his team doesn't win pretty basketball games. Friday night was no different. The Gators saw an 18-point second-half lead shrink to five points, but...

Kinston muscles past Goldsboro's boys

rcoggins@newsargus.com KINSTON -- North Carolina recruit Brandon Ingram and backcourt specialist Andrew Lopez have received most of the sports writers' ink for two-time defending 2-A state champion Kinston this season. Darnell Dunn stole the headlines Friday evening. The 6-foot-4 junior...

CBA boys notch first ECC win of the season

rhanchett@newsargus.com Charles B. Aycock weathered the storm early, survived a late surge and earned its first Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference victory of the season Friday evening. Senior Michael Williams scored 27 points and pulled down 15 rebounds in the Golden...

Eastern Wayne girls cruise past CBA

A seven-point outburst in 27 seconds propelled Eastern Wayne to a comfortable 55-33 win over Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference rival Charles B. Aycock on Friday night. The Warriors jumped out to a 16-8 lead after one quarter on a pair...

Scoring drought hurts Goldsboro's girls

KINSTON -- Defending N.C. High School Athletic Association 2-A state champion Kinston handed Goldsboro a 56-27 loss in Eastern Carolina 2-A action Friday evening. The Cougars had their string consecutive regular-season conference victories snapped at 41. Kinston, ranked No. 6...

Belcher hits 11 FTs in Rams' league win

SNOW HILL -- Brandon Belcher drained 11 free throws and finished with 15 points in Greene Central's 64-59 triumph over Eastern Carolina 2-A foe North Lenoir on Friday evening. Kevin Ormond added 10 points for the Rams. Greene Central (9-6...

Trio leads Faith Christian boys

Victor Jenkins sizzled the nets for a game-high 34 points during Faith Christian's 74-64 triumph over Raleigh Christian in a N.C. Christian Schools Association 2-A game Friday evening. Richard Sasser added 16 points. Andrew Parrish posted a double-double -- 12...

Eastern Wayne matmen pin D.H. Conley

Eastern Wayne reeled off 30 consecutive points during a five-match span and dispatched D.H. Conley, 45-31, in Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference action Friday evening. The Warriors claimed a 5-4 edge in contested matches and drew three forfeits against the short-handed...

Friday, January 17, 2014

Nearly 200 UMO student-athletes make Presidential Honor Roll list

rcoggins@newsargus.com HIGH POINT -- Nearly 200 University of Mount Olive student-athletes earned a spot on the 2013 Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll during the fall sports season. Nineteen Trojans posted a 4.0 grade-point average and a total of 11 UMO...

Eastern Wayne girls rule the pool

rcoggins@newsargus.com Relax and have some fun. Eastern Wayne's girls certainly did. The Warriors emerged victorious in all three relays and had four individual winners during a four-team meet contested at B.G. Darden Natatorium inside the Goldsboro Family Y on Thursday...

Swim results

Results from a four-team meet contested at B.G. Darden Natatorium inside the Goldsboro Family Y on Tuesday evening: BOYS Team scores Goldsboro 118 Eastern Wayne 101 Southern Wayne 76 C.B. Aycock 74 Individual winners 200 medley relay -- C.B. Aycock...

WCDS-Oakwood basketball boxes

BOYS Oakwood 12 16 17 15 -- 60 W. Country Day 29 23 16 16 -- 84 OAKWOOD Donald Little 0 2 0-0 6, Michael Schroeder 0 0 2-2 2, Dwight Rish 2 1 0-4 7, Jackson Sears 1 1...

Hot-shooting Chargers chop down Oakwood

astevens@newsargus.com Oakwood was bold enough to challenge Wayne Country Day to a 3-point shooting contest Thursday night. The Chargers were more than content to fire away from long range. The two teams combined to knock down 21 3-pointers in Wayne...

WCDS girls fall to Oakwood

Wayne Country Day fell behind early and never recovered in a 47-22 loss to Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference foe Oakwood on Thursday evening. The Eagles built a 12-2 lead after one quarter and the Chargers never cut into the...

Goldsboro boys eager to play perennial power Kinston

astevens@newsargus.com Goldsboro High head varsity boys' basketball coach Russell Stephens won't have to wait long to find out how his team stacks up against the measuring stick of the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference. The Cougars get their first crack...

Preps digest: JV, middle school news

JV sports * Girls' basketball: Wayne Country Day 16, Oakwood 11 -- Lillian Freeman scored six points for the Chargers and Kaitlyn Daniels had four. Wayne Country Day (3-6 overall) plays host to Freedom on Tuesday. * Boys' basketball:...

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Dache has 14 kills in Trojans' season-opening win

rcoggins@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Much-improved Barton gave archrival University of Mount Olive plenty of trouble Wednesday evening. The Trojans answered at the right times. Angel Dache pounded out seven of his match-high 14 kills during the final set of...

UMO men picked 3rd in preseason indoor track poll

rcoggins@newsargus.com HIGH POINT -- A fourth-place effort in the season-ending Conference Carolinas championship meet 2013 has fueled a burning desire in the University of Mount Olive men's indoor track and field team. The Trojans exited disappointed. Even a No. 5...

Preps digest: Middle school news

Middle schools * Girls basketball: Norwayne 32, Dillard 25 -- Norwayne remained unbeaten with a 32-25 win over Dillard on Wednesday afternoon. Jala Holloman led the Cobras (9-0 overall) with 10 points. Hannah Carter added seven in the win....

James Kenan-Spring Creek hoops boxes

BOYS James Kenan 10 18 9 16 -- 53 Spring Creek 8 14 5 17 -- 44 JAMES KENAN (9-1, 6-0) T.J. Fullwood 6 0 3-5 15, Karon Williams 1 0 0-2 2, Deonte Tillery 1 0 0-0 2, John...

Trojan women fall to Erskine on the road

DUE WEST, S.C. -- Jasmine McDonald posted her fifth double-double of the season, but the University of Mount Olive endured a heart-breaking, 57-56 loss to Conference Carolinas foe Erskine on Wednesday evening. McDonald knocked down 13 points and grabbed 15...

UMO men drop league contest at Erskine

DUE WEST, S.C. -- Roderick Perkins triggered a second-half run with three 3-pointers and Erskine (S.C.) College cruised past the University of Mount Olive, 77-64, in a Conference Carolinas men's basketball game Wednesday evening. Dontrell Brite pumped in 12 points...

Tigers roll past Gators in Carolina 1A girls action

SEVEN SPRINGS -- James Kenan jumped out to a double-digit lead in the opening minutes and never looked back in a 61-37 win over Carolina 1-A Conference foe Spring Creek on Wednesday night. The Tigers held the Gators to just...

James Kenan boys use depth to defeat Spring Creek

rhanchett@newsargus.com SEVEN SPRINGS -- James Kenan's depth was a little more than Spring Creek could handle Wednesday evening. The Tigers got points from 11 different players and held off the Gators 53-44 in a showdown of the Carolina 1-A Conference's...

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Trojans' women's indoor track tabbed to share 2nd place, according to preseason poll

rcoggins@newsargus.com HIGH POINT -- Conference Carolinas women's indoor track and field coaches predicted the University of Mount Olive and Limestone (S.C.) will share second place in the preseason poll released Tuesday. One coach picked the Trojans to win it all....

Crossroads-Wayne Christian box score

Boys Crossroads Christian 16 22 20 12 -- 70 Wayne Christian 9 9 15 5 -- 38 CROSSROADS Conner Bryant 1 0 0-0 2, Zack Brown 6 0 1-3 13, Reid Sudheimer 3 0 0-0 6, Holden Hedgepath 7 1...

Gators' play tough 'D' in the "The Swamp"

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Golden State Warriors' head coach Mark Jackson has a simple defensive philosophy that has turned into a catch phrase. "Hand down -- man down," Jackson often yells after his team makes a defensive mistake in their man-to-man...

Eagles start strong, but Colts gallop to CCC boys' win

rhanchett@newsargus.com Wayne Christian started with a bang, but fizzled out as the game wore on Tuesday evening. Crossroads Christian used a big second quarter to hand the Eagles a 70-38 loss in Carolina Christian 1-A Conference play at Clifford Gymnatorium....

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

UMO's Heller hit recruiting trail in offseason

rcoggins@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Replacing five starters and 60 percent of your offense can be a daunting task for any coach in any sport. David Heller took the challenge in stride. The second-year University of Mount Olive men's volleyball coach...

UMO men's volleyball tabbed to win Conference Carolinas

rcoggins@newsargus.com HIGH POINT -- Winner of three Conference Carolinas regular-season championships during a four-year span, the University of Mount Olive wears the proverbial bulls-eye again this season. At least, the league coaches think so. The Trojans garnered five first-place votes...

Preps digest: Middle school results

Middle schools * Girls' basketball: Norwayne 42, Brogden 6 -- Norwayne used a stellar defensive effort to defeat Brogden 42-6 on Monday afternoon. Jala Holloman led the Cobras with 10 points. Hannah Carter added six points. Cassandra Pearsall led...

WCDS boys defeat Epiphany

NEW BERN -- Wayne Country Day defeated Epiphany for its second consecutive Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A Conference victory Monday evening. Additional details on the game were not available....

Wayne Country Day girls snap 6-game skid

NEW BERN -- Wayne Country Day snapped a six-game skid with a 41-22 victory over Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A foe Epiphany on Monday evening. Additional details on the game were not available....

Monday, January 13, 2014

Eagles place 4th; Golden Falcons struggle

STANHOPE -- Rosewood placed fourth overall and Charles B. Aycock captured just one victory during the annual Thomas Cowles Memorial Firebird Duals contested at Southern Nash on Saturday. The Eagles (34-2 overall) defeated Northern Nash and Franklinton in pool...

Goldsboro's Rains inducted into N.C. USSSA Hall of Fame

pmoore@newsargus.com DURHAM -- Bruce Rains got to relive some of his glory days Saturday night as he was inducted into the North Carolina USSSA Hall of Fame. He was one of six individuals recognized for achievements in softball, receiving an...

Saturday, January 11, 2014

prep basketball boxes

BOYS South Lenoir    13    15    13    15    --    56 Goldsboro    9    16    24    18    --    67 SOUTH LENOIR (10-2, 0-1 ECC) Wuanya Cooper 2 0 1-4 5, Luke Whaley 1 1 0-0 5, Dion Jones 2 1 2-4 9, Dominic...

Ms. King surprised, humbled by induction

By RUDY COGGINS rcoggins@newsargus.com The late Clyde King baffled many a hitter with an array of pitches during his stellar Major League Baseball career. His wife, Norma, got thrown a curveball Friday evening. And like her selfless husband who...

UMO women pick up road victory

UMO Sports Information TIGERSVILLE, S.C. -- Jasmine McDonald recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the University of Mount Olive to a 75-64 win on Saturday afternoon at Conference Carolinas opponent North Greenville. The Trojans' Kirksten...

Trojan men fall

UMO Sports Information TIGERSVILLE, S.C. -- Three-pointers by Dontrell Brite and Ewon Wright in the final 29 seconds cut a nine-point deficit down to three, but University of Mount Olive's rally came up short as the Trojans fell to North...

42nd George Whitfield Hall of Fame inductee quotes

Here is what some inductees had to say about their enshrinement in the George Whitfield Hall of Fame: "It's a wonderful thing what George is doing with the kids in terms of scholarships (to attend the clinic) which has been...

Cougars' offense comes alive in second half

By ANDREW STEVENS astevens@newsargus.com It took Goldsboro one game to learn that life in the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference won't be much different than its previous four-year stay in the Carolina 1-A Conference. The Cougars are still going to get...

Local Preps digest

Girls' basketball Goldsboro 54, South Lenoir 31 • Goldsboro snapped a six-game losing streak with a 54-31 win over South Lenoir on Friday evening. It was the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference opener for both teams. The Cougars' Tyona Moses...

Gators seal victory in final 60 seconds

By RYAN HANCHETT rhanchett@newsargus.com Spring Creek made the most of its chances in the final minute. Rosewood could not convert its opportunities. The Gators earned a 53-50 victory on the Carolina 1-A Conference varsity boys' basketball scene Friday night. The...

42nd George Whitfield Hall of Fame Inductees

• RONNIE BATTLE: Served one tour of duty in Vietnam and returned home to play basketball at Fayetteville State in 1972 and 1973. Battle guided Kinston to the 2003 Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference baseball crown and has been the...

League-leading Eagles roll past Gators

From staff reports A big third quarter propelled Rosewood to a 67-45 win over Carolina 1-A Conference rival Spring Creek on Friday night. Both teams had trouble making shots in the first half. Spring Creek stayed within striking distance, 27-20...

42nd George Whitfield Hall of Fame Inductees

• RONNIE BATTLE: Served one tour of duty in Vietnam and returned home to play basketball at Fayetteville State in 1972 and 1973. Battle guided Kinston to the 2003 Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference baseball crown and has been the...

League-leading Eagles roll past Gators

From staff reports A big third quarter propelled Rosewood to a 67-45 win over Carolina 1-A Conference rival Spring Creek on Friday night. Both teams had trouble making shots in the first half. Spring Creek stayed within striking distance, 27-20...

Thursday, January 9, 2014

King dominates boards against UMO women

rcoggins@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Defense and rebounding have been points of emphasis for undersized University of Mount Olive all season. King University turned the tables Wednesday evening. The taller Tornado controlled the boards and held the Trojans scoreless during key...

Missed free throws haunt Mount Olive men

astevens@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive climbed back into the ballgame against King University on Wednesday evening, but came up short due to one glaring reason -- free throws. The Trojans shot 12 of 31 from the line during...

WCDS boys upend Australian travel team

Wayne Country Day used a balanced attack to defeat a traveling team from Australia 69-47 on Wednesday night. Joel Davis led the Chargers with 10 points and six rebounds. Lee Atkinson provided nine points, four assists and four steals. Marlon...

Tillery has good night for Tigers

BEAULAVILLE -- James Kenan earned a 52-43, non-conference win over county rival East Duplin on Wednesday night. Deonte Tillery led the Tigers with 12 points and three assists. TJ Fullwood supplied 11 points, six rebounds, five steals and two assists....

Ivey, Goodman lead Rebels past Wildcats

NEWTON GROVE -- North Duplin jumped out to a 20-point lead in the first quarter and never looked back in a 50-36 win over Hobbton on Wednesday night. The Rebels picked up their second Carolina 1-A Conference victory of the...

North Duplin girls end 10-game slide

NEWTON GROVE -- North Duplin snapped a 10-game skid with a 42-23 triumph over Carolina 1-A Conference foe Hobbton on Wednesday evening. Shaily McCarty led the Rebels with 13 points. Deja Aycock added 11 points and Rylee Pate finished with...

42nd George Whitfield HOF: Diverse group slated for induction

rcoggins@newsargus.com The latest class of inductees slated for enshrinement in the prestigious George Whitfield Hall of Fame has an "eastern North Carolina" flavor this year. Several of the honorees either hail from or have ties to communities in Wayne, Pitt,...

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Preps digest: JV, middle school results

JV sports * Girls' basketball: D.H. Conley 34, C.B. Aycock 12 -- Allison Shingleton and Precious Reed both scored four points for the Golden Falcons. * Boys' basketball: C.B. Aycock 55, D.H. Conley 48 -- Keyshawn Cobb paced Aycock...

Bulldogs start strong against SC girls

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Princeton used a big first quarter to put Carolina 1-A Conference rival Spring Creek in a hole during its 53-38 victory Tuesday evening. Led by Charley Cox and a fast-paced pressure defense, the Bulldogs turned turnovers...

Spring Creek boys win "ugly" conference game

rhanchett@newsargus.com SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek likes to win ugly basketball games. An excellent defensive effort enabled the Gators to defeat Princeton 47-41 in a Carolina 1-A Conference game. "That's who we are as a team," Spring Creek head coach...

Princeton-S. Creek box scores

BOYS Princeton 6 5 12 18 -- 41 Spring Creek 10 12 18 7 -- 47 PRINCETON (7-6, 2-2) Colby Norris 5 0 0-0 10, Alex Whitley 2 0 1-3 5, Michael Wooten 1 2 2-2 10, Tanner Woodard 4...

North Lenoir matmen corral Dark Horses

La GRANGE -- James Durant earned the match-clinching points at 152 pounds and North Lenoir upended Clinton, 43-36, in an Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference dual match Tuesday evening. The Dark Horses rallied to within 37-36 before Durant pinned his opponent...

Jenkins, Sasser lead Faith Christian boys

GREENVILLE -- Faith Christian caught fire offensively early on and never cooled off in an 81-47 rout of N.C. Christian Schools Association foe Trinity Christian on Tuesday night. The Conquerors knocked down five 3-pointers in the first quarter. Victor Jenkins...

James Kenan boys stroll past Lakewood

WARSAW -- League-leading James Kenan rolled past Carolina 1-A Conference foe Lakewood 63-30 on Tuesday night. Antonio Smith tallied 22 points and eight rebounds for the Tigers. T.J. Fullwood supplied 10 points and seven rebounds. Kenan (6-1 overall, 4-0 CC)...

SW boys endure first ECC loss of year

WINTERVILLE -- South Central defeated Southern Wayne 64-56 in Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference play Tuesday evening. Jaylen Roberts scored 15 points for the Saints. Tarvis Bradshaw added 13 points and Maurice Butler had 11. Southern Wayne (7-7 overall, 2-1 ECC)...

Williams has career-best 33 points in CBA road loss

GREENVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock's Michael Williams poured in a career-high 33 points, but it wasn't enough in a 54-49 loss against Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference foe D.H. Conley on Tuesday evening. Aycock (5-9 overall, 0-4 ECC) entertains South Central...

Rosewood boys slip past North Duplin

CALYPSO -- Rosewood rallied for a 59-56 win at Carolina 1-A Conference opponent North Duplin on Tuesday evening. The Rebels led 31-23 at halftime, but were outscored 36-25 in the second half. Dennis Mitchell scored 25 points for the Eagles...

Conley girls turn back C.B. Aycock

GREENVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock couldn't sustain its lead in the second half of a 47-38 loss at Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference opponent D.H. Conley on Tuesday evening. The Golden Falcons built a 24-19 lead during the first two quarters....

So. Wayne girls fall in triple OT

WINTERVILLE -- Southern Wayne came up just short in a 71-68, triple-overtime loss at Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference foe South Central on Tuesday evening. Zaria Atkins finished with 22 points for the Saints. Sharonne Maultsby contributed 17 points. Cierra Thompson...

Rosewood girls stay unbeaten in league action

CALYPSO -- Rosewood had little trouble defeating Carolina 1-A Conference foe North Duplin 79-14 on Tuesday evening. The Eagles' Lexi Mercer led all scorers with 31 points. Krystal Yelverton provided 12 points. Rylee Pate paced the Rebels with six points....

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Local digest

Swimming Cougars triumph * Goldsboro emerged victorious on the boys' side of an 11-team swim meet at the Goldsboro Family YMCA on Monday night. The Cougars finished with 95 team points in first place. Eastern Wayne was fourth, Southern Wayne...

Monday, January 6, 2014

Preps

Wrestling Eagles claim conference duals * Rosewood dominated the competition on Saturday on its way to winning the Carolina 1-A/4-Rivers conference duals. The Eagles clinched the conference's automatic berth in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A dual-team playoffs. Rosewood...

CBA wrestling

Charles B. Aycock finished third in the team standings at the annual Falcon Invitational on Saturday. The Golden Falcons tallied 130 points and were the top local team in the competition. Eastern Wayne finished fourth as a team and...

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Weekend preps

Girls' basketball D.H. Conley 45, Southern Wayne 39 * DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne cut a 12-point, fourth quarter deficit to two points but fell short in a 45-39 loss to Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference foe D.H. Conley on Friday night....

UMO women fall to Limestone

astevens@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- With a Conference Carolinas co-leader visiting Kornegay Arena on Saturday afternoon Mount Olive needed to turn in a performance worthy of a big game. The Trojans failed to match the Saints' intensity for the majority of...

UMO men take down Limestone in overtime

astevens@newsargus.com MOUNT OLIVE -- Mike Moore didn't just help Mount Olive win an important Conference Carolinas game on Saturday afternoon. He helped the Trojans make history. Moore's 3-pointer with 45 seconds to play in overtime put Mount Olive ahead for...

Southern Wayne boys outlast D.H. Conley

astevens@newsargus.com DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne wasn't pleased with its performance in the Southern Bank/Mount Olive Pickles Winter Classic at University of Mount Olive last weekend. With the game on the line Friday night, the Saints looked like a team determined...

Prep basketball boxes

BOYS D.H. Conley 15 9 10 12 -- 46 Southern Wayne 17 10 13 8 -- 48 D.H. CONLEY (6-5, 0-3 ECC) Maleek Gorham 5 0 0-0 10, Pat Coffey 1 1 0-0 5, Dre Suggs 0 0 0-1 0,...

J.H. Rose boys defeat C.B. Aycock

rhanchett@newsargus.com PIKEVILLE -- J.H. Rose standout Cornell Powell scored 10 points in one minute during a fast-paced third quarter and the Rampants never looked back. Powell finished with 32 points and nine rebounds as J.H. Rose posted a 69-51 victory...

Friday, January 3, 2014

Eastern Wayne's girls must bounce back

ANDREW STEVENS astevens@newsargus.com Eastern Wayne suddenly finds itself in unfamiliar territory. Following its loss to Southern Vance in the championship game of the inaugural Southern Bank/Mount Olive Pickle Winter Classic, the Warriors must turn the page. Experience they gained on...

UMO women rout Converse

UMO Sports Information MOUNT OLIVE -- University of Mount Olive used a 22-1 run on its way to a 40-point halftime lead as the Trojans defeated Converse 94-55 in Conference Carolinas women's basketball Thursday at Kornegay Arena. Joneiqua Gary led...

Patience key for Spring Creek girls' basketball

rhanchett@newsargus.com SEVEN SPRINGS -- Building a program takes patience, resilience and understanding. It takes time, too. Charlie Cotten has learned on the fly as the head coach of the Spring Creek varsity girls' basketball team. The Gators have shown considerable...

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

News-Argus top 10 stories from 2013

State championship runs. A call to the "Big Show." An amazing program turnaround. Coaching changes. All those significant moments -- and more -- occurred with individuals and teams in the News-Argus readership area during the past 12 months. It's almost...

Darden carrying on family tradition

Water rippled around Zach Darden as he glanced toward the scoreboard, checked his time and waited for his competitors to complete their final lap. A shrill whistle pierced the chlorine-filled air and the swimmers cleared the pool. Darden removed his...