The North Carolina Coaches Association e-mailed me the boys and girls basketball rosters for the East-West All-Star Games over the weekend.
That means the only roster I've yet to see is girls soccer for the mid-summer extravaganza to be played in Greensboro in the third week of July.
The Wilson Times readership area is well-represented in football with SouthWest Edgecombe's Raymond Cobb as the East head coach of a staff that includes Southern Nash's Brian Foster and Greene Central's Kenneth Grantham. Furthermore, there are five area players on the East roster — Fike's Rashad Parker, Southern Nash's T.J. Batchelor, SouthWest Edgecombe's Marquis Hines, Greene Central's DaRon Tripp and Beddingfield's Jumal Rolle.
That's a generous, but well-deserved, representation for our area for the football game, scheduled July 22 in Grimsley High School's Jamieson Stadium. However, I'm a little disappointed that no players from this area made the basketball or soccer teams.
As I stated, the girls soccer roster hasn't been released (but it should come out this week), but I've been told that Fike senior Tramicka James, a two-time all-state selection, wasn't on it. Neither was Golden Demons star Jeremy Atkinson a member of the boys basketball team nor was Beddingfield standout Shaniqua Clay on the girls basketball team.
I don't want to criticize the East coaches in those sports because I'm sure their job is tough, trying to assemble a roster from all the senior players in the eastern part of the state. Still, I think those three should have merited some consideration, which for all I know, they did.
Showing posts with label high school girls soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high school girls soccer. Show all posts
Monday, June 15, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thompson also hit dual scoring milestones at Fike
I'd like to point out that I was (channeling Arthur Fonzarelli) wr---, wr---, wrong in a story I wrote this week, sort of.
I wrote that Fike senior Tramicka James is believed to be the first female at the school to score 1,000 points in basketball and 100 goals in soccer. And I guess I was right because I believed that Tramicka was but I was wrong to have forgotten, too quickly as it turns out, that one of her former teammates had pulled off the feat.
Barksdale Thompson, who graduated in 2007, hit those milestones first. I don't have Barksdale's career totals but I know that she was easily past both benchmarks.
Like James, Thompson was a two-time all-state selection by the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association. Two of Fike's other three 100-career goal scorers — Sarah Winslow and Elizabeth Spencer — were also two-time all-state picks while Ginny Farris earned that distinction once.
I was reminded of this by one staff member with a longer and better memory than me.
I wrote that Fike senior Tramicka James is believed to be the first female at the school to score 1,000 points in basketball and 100 goals in soccer. And I guess I was right because I believed that Tramicka was but I was wrong to have forgotten, too quickly as it turns out, that one of her former teammates had pulled off the feat.
Barksdale Thompson, who graduated in 2007, hit those milestones first. I don't have Barksdale's career totals but I know that she was easily past both benchmarks.
Like James, Thompson was a two-time all-state selection by the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association. Two of Fike's other three 100-career goal scorers — Sarah Winslow and Elizabeth Spencer — were also two-time all-state picks while Ginny Farris earned that distinction once.
I was reminded of this by one staff member with a longer and better memory than me.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thanks for the honors
I'm not normally one to toot my horn but here's a couple of items I thought I'd share with you.
On Sunday, I was honored by the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association as its 2009 Media Person of the Year. The award was presented to me by Brent Walston as part of the all-state ceremony at East Chapel Hill High School. As Brent (the boys soccer coach and athletic director at North Johnston) said, it was fitting that I got the award today because it was the same day Mike Petty was honored for his work with The Brittany Willis Memorial Scholarship Soccer Showcase.
Petty, who was the guest speaker (and I'll have more on that this week), was surprised when he was given the special award The Brittany, deemed "The Best Soccer Event in North Carolina." Petty, now living in Fayetteville, is a member of the original organizing committee for The Brittany and was Brittany's coach at Hunt.
For my part, I was nominated for coverage of The Brittany as well as the six-part series I did last summer, Soccer in Wilson.
I didn't issue any public thank-you's today but I would like to point out that, as someone who never played a minute of organized soccer outside a P.E. class in high school, whatever I know about the sport comes from the coaches with whom I have worked. That means Brent Walston, Ben Forbes, Toni Varacchi, Gary Hall, Glenn Griffin, Stacey Tant, Matt Akins, Michael Michalakis, Maitland Barnes, Rhine Sharp, Trent Dorough, Luke Poore, Scott Wofford, Drew Nick, Ike Onyeador and many more who have helped me understand the nuances of a sport I'm still learning.
In January, the N.C. Youth Soccer Association presented its 2009 Media Award to the Wilson Times for our coverage of the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III championships last June.
Thanks to both the NCSCA and the NCYSA for recognizing the work we've done. But as Forbes pointed out to me Sunday, I just raised the bar on myself.
That's OK, Coach. I brought my notepad and a camera to the ceremony Sunday and I've got a few stories coming up!
On Sunday, I was honored by the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association as its 2009 Media Person of the Year. The award was presented to me by Brent Walston as part of the all-state ceremony at East Chapel Hill High School. As Brent (the boys soccer coach and athletic director at North Johnston) said, it was fitting that I got the award today because it was the same day Mike Petty was honored for his work with The Brittany Willis Memorial Scholarship Soccer Showcase.
Petty, who was the guest speaker (and I'll have more on that this week), was surprised when he was given the special award The Brittany, deemed "The Best Soccer Event in North Carolina." Petty, now living in Fayetteville, is a member of the original organizing committee for The Brittany and was Brittany's coach at Hunt.
For my part, I was nominated for coverage of The Brittany as well as the six-part series I did last summer, Soccer in Wilson.
I didn't issue any public thank-you's today but I would like to point out that, as someone who never played a minute of organized soccer outside a P.E. class in high school, whatever I know about the sport comes from the coaches with whom I have worked. That means Brent Walston, Ben Forbes, Toni Varacchi, Gary Hall, Glenn Griffin, Stacey Tant, Matt Akins, Michael Michalakis, Maitland Barnes, Rhine Sharp, Trent Dorough, Luke Poore, Scott Wofford, Drew Nick, Ike Onyeador and many more who have helped me understand the nuances of a sport I'm still learning.
In January, the N.C. Youth Soccer Association presented its 2009 Media Award to the Wilson Times for our coverage of the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III championships last June.
Thanks to both the NCSCA and the NCYSA for recognizing the work we've done. But as Forbes pointed out to me Sunday, I just raised the bar on myself.
That's OK, Coach. I brought my notepad and a camera to the ceremony Sunday and I've got a few stories coming up!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
White Oak's 4th straight title dredges up old memories
The N.C. High School Athletic Association crowned four champions in girls soccer Saturday.
Raleigh Leesville Road got past Charlotte Ardrey Kell in a shootout following a scoreless match in the 4-A title game.
In the 1-A final, Polk County made it past Raleigh Charter when Anna Trakas scored the only goal of the match in the last three minutes.
Swansboro won its second 2-A crown in four years when Lindsay Redfearn put in a golden goal in the first five-minute sudden-death overtime against Forbush, which has lost two straight years in the finals. Both teams played in The Brittany V in March.
Finally, seniors Stephanie Rose, a forward, and goalkeeper Rea Segoviano helped Jacksonville White Oak down Kings Mountain 5-0. The Vikings finished 22-0 and won their fourth straight 3-A championship.
Followers of Fike's girls soccer teams might remember those two names. Four years ago, Rose had two goals in White Oak's 3-2 defeat of Fike in the third round of the state playoffs. Segoviano replaced senior Ashley Bailey in goal and shut out the Golden Demons in the second half, making several great saves among the seven she totaled.
That Fike team featured Sarah Winslow, Barksdale Thompson, Erin Menzel, Dillon Sauls and Sarah Sallenger, among others. The Demons led twice at White Oak that night four years ago and had several chances to tie the game in the second half. Instead the Vikings escaped and went on to win four straight state crowns.
It's been a great run for head coach Buddy Carroll and the Vikings but I can't help but think how close Fike was that warm May night in Jacksonville four years ago. Maybe if Winslow had gotten to the ball a split-second before Bailey (who was injured but made the save). Maybe if the game was in Wilson, on Fike's field and not the White Oak football field, the Demons would have fared better.
But four years later, White Oak has built a dynasty and Fike is still searching for that elusive state title, or even a state championship appearance. I've got to believe that some day the Demons will break through and maybe, just maybe, White Oak will be the victim. After losing in the playoffs for five straight years to White Oak, the Demons deserve some karma.
Raleigh Leesville Road got past Charlotte Ardrey Kell in a shootout following a scoreless match in the 4-A title game.
In the 1-A final, Polk County made it past Raleigh Charter when Anna Trakas scored the only goal of the match in the last three minutes.
Swansboro won its second 2-A crown in four years when Lindsay Redfearn put in a golden goal in the first five-minute sudden-death overtime against Forbush, which has lost two straight years in the finals. Both teams played in The Brittany V in March.
Finally, seniors Stephanie Rose, a forward, and goalkeeper Rea Segoviano helped Jacksonville White Oak down Kings Mountain 5-0. The Vikings finished 22-0 and won their fourth straight 3-A championship.
Followers of Fike's girls soccer teams might remember those two names. Four years ago, Rose had two goals in White Oak's 3-2 defeat of Fike in the third round of the state playoffs. Segoviano replaced senior Ashley Bailey in goal and shut out the Golden Demons in the second half, making several great saves among the seven she totaled.
That Fike team featured Sarah Winslow, Barksdale Thompson, Erin Menzel, Dillon Sauls and Sarah Sallenger, among others. The Demons led twice at White Oak that night four years ago and had several chances to tie the game in the second half. Instead the Vikings escaped and went on to win four straight state crowns.
It's been a great run for head coach Buddy Carroll and the Vikings but I can't help but think how close Fike was that warm May night in Jacksonville four years ago. Maybe if Winslow had gotten to the ball a split-second before Bailey (who was injured but made the save). Maybe if the game was in Wilson, on Fike's field and not the White Oak football field, the Demons would have fared better.
But four years later, White Oak has built a dynasty and Fike is still searching for that elusive state title, or even a state championship appearance. I've got to believe that some day the Demons will break through and maybe, just maybe, White Oak will be the victim. After losing in the playoffs for five straight years to White Oak, the Demons deserve some karma.
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Cyclones reign again
Congratulations to Community Christian which reigns for the second straight year as the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A girls soccer champion.
The Lady Cyclones were joined by 2-A winner Calvary Baptist and 3-A queen Charlotte Latin, which is coached by former Greenfield head coach Lee Horton, in Saturday's finals at Gillette Athletic Complex.
All three champions share the experience of having played in The Brittany V at Gillette in March. In fact, eight of the 12 teams that converged on Gillette this weekend for the NCISAA semifinals had played in The Brittany this spring.
Community Christian is coached by Rhine Sharp, assisted by Lawson Thompson and David Dorsey. Sharp should be back for a couple more years with youngest daughter Meredith just a sophomore this season. Older daughter Caroline was the Cyclones' only senior.
I don't see why Rhine wouldn't want to come back, even though he is now 1 for 2 in eluding the postgame bucket of Gatorade over the head. Last year, he showed nimble footwork in escaping an icy drenching.
But this year, he wasn't so lucky as we see from the photos below, taken by Michael Lindsay of the Wilson Times. I hope his cell phone made out all right!
The Lady Cyclones were joined by 2-A winner Calvary Baptist and 3-A queen Charlotte Latin, which is coached by former Greenfield head coach Lee Horton, in Saturday's finals at Gillette Athletic Complex.
All three champions share the experience of having played in The Brittany V at Gillette in March. In fact, eight of the 12 teams that converged on Gillette this weekend for the NCISAA semifinals had played in The Brittany this spring.
Community Christian is coached by Rhine Sharp, assisted by Lawson Thompson and David Dorsey. Sharp should be back for a couple more years with youngest daughter Meredith just a sophomore this season. Older daughter Caroline was the Cyclones' only senior.
I don't see why Rhine wouldn't want to come back, even though he is now 1 for 2 in eluding the postgame bucket of Gatorade over the head. Last year, he showed nimble footwork in escaping an icy drenching.
But this year, he wasn't so lucky as we see from the photos below, taken by Michael Lindsay of the Wilson Times. I hope his cell phone made out all right!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Greenfield-CCS final was not to be
Greenfield head coach Ben Forbes discusses strategy with Blake Lantz during Friday's NCISAA 1-A semifinals match against Kerr-Vance at Gillette Athletic Complex.While my objectivity was in place during Friday's N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A girls soccer semifinals match Friday at Gillette Athletic Complex, I have to admit that I was hoping Greenfield would defeat Kerr-Vance Academy.
A Knights win would have set up an all-Wilson final against defending champion Community Christian. It would have made for an army of story lines but it didn't happen because Kerr-Vance scored the winning goal with about 12 seconds left in the second overtime. It was, amazingly, KVA's third 1-0 defeat of Greenfield this season and all three times, the decisive goal came late in the match.
But I was impressed with Greenfield, which has 10 of its 19 players in 10th grade or lower. Many of the Knights' top players are still in middle school. Even more impressive was the manner in which veteran Greenfield coach Ben Forbes and his staff, Stephen Taylor and Ray Warenda, handled these young ladies.
I've been on the Greenfield boys soccer team sidelines many times and let's just say that Forbes has a completely different tack handling the lads compared to the lassies. The sights and sounds of a fall soccer match at Greenfield wouldn't be complete without Forbes, Taylor or Warenda pointing out — in great volume at times — the mistakes of their troops.
But Friday night, in a state semifinal match, the three men were gently parceling out the kind of advice you'd expect to hear in preseason training camp. Obviously, it takes a seasoned hand to understand the nuances of coaching girls and boys in the same sport.
But they've been successful in both the spring and the fall. While the girls fell short of matching the boys' state title last fall, Greenfield certainly has found its way back to being a state contender again in the spring. With young players like Walker Finklea, Cameron Johnson, Kenan Barnes, Sarah Bizzell, Baker Bedgood, Blake Lantz and Sawyer Parrish returning next season, Greenfield should be one of the favorites to win it all.
But until then, let's see if Rhine Sharp and his CCS Cyclones can do it again. Community Christian won its first state title last spring in breathtaking fashion, going to overtime or a shootout in all its postseason games. This year, CCS has cruised, even thrashing top-seeded Wayne Country Day 4-1 in Friday's first semifinal.
If they can beat Kerr-Vance on Saturday, it will have been quite a run for the Cyclones, who should be a contender again next spring with youngsters like Meredith Sharp, Greysen Smith, Jesslyn Boyette, Kathryn Smith and Tateyana Hurlbert a year older and wiser.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Hail the Demons!
The Fike girls soccer team completed its four-year run through the 3-A NEW 6 Conference without a loss after Friday's 3-1 defeat of Rocky Mount in the tournament championship.
That's quite a feat to win 48 straight matches, many by lopsided scores. Granted, Rocky Mount made it interesting the past couple of years and nearly hung that first loss on the Golden Demons a couple of times. I remember back in 2006 when Fike blew past everyone, even slamming a pretty good Gryphons squad 10-0 in Wilson. Then Rocky Mount coach Patrick Sensiba intimated that Fike's dominance wouldn't last forever. He could be forgiven since that was the senior seasons of star players Sarah Winslow and Dillon Sauls. Winslow set a state scoring record that year before moving onto Wake Forest University and Sauls has become a standout at Barton College
But Toni Varacchi keeps churning out talented, college-bound players, many of whom show up at Fike with pretty strong skill sets, having gone through the Wilson Recreation Department and Wilson Youth Soccer Association ranks. But give Varacchi credit, she takes good players and makes them better.
The Demons' task will be more difficult over the next four years. The NEW 6 turns into the Big East Conference and outgoing member SouthWest Edgecombe is being replaced by Fike's archrival Hunt, which beat the Demons last year.
With Rocky Mount and Northern Nash always having strong programs, it may not be long before one of them finally gets Fike. But four years in a conference without a loss is pretty impressive and Fike can say it never lost a NEW 6 match.
That's quite a feat to win 48 straight matches, many by lopsided scores. Granted, Rocky Mount made it interesting the past couple of years and nearly hung that first loss on the Golden Demons a couple of times. I remember back in 2006 when Fike blew past everyone, even slamming a pretty good Gryphons squad 10-0 in Wilson. Then Rocky Mount coach Patrick Sensiba intimated that Fike's dominance wouldn't last forever. He could be forgiven since that was the senior seasons of star players Sarah Winslow and Dillon Sauls. Winslow set a state scoring record that year before moving onto Wake Forest University and Sauls has become a standout at Barton College
But Toni Varacchi keeps churning out talented, college-bound players, many of whom show up at Fike with pretty strong skill sets, having gone through the Wilson Recreation Department and Wilson Youth Soccer Association ranks. But give Varacchi credit, she takes good players and makes them better.
The Demons' task will be more difficult over the next four years. The NEW 6 turns into the Big East Conference and outgoing member SouthWest Edgecombe is being replaced by Fike's archrival Hunt, which beat the Demons last year.
With Rocky Mount and Northern Nash always having strong programs, it may not be long before one of them finally gets Fike. But four years in a conference without a loss is pretty impressive and Fike can say it never lost a NEW 6 match.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Bedgood shows skill at the net
Connor Bedgood was a three-sport standout during his days Fike High School earlier this decade. In fact, he concluded his high school career by being named The Wilson Daily Times Co-Athlete of the Year for his work on the soccer field, the basketball court and the baseball diamond.
Bedgood went on to a solid career as a defender for the Barton College soccer team and this spring he been an assistant coach for Fike girls soccer head coach Toni Varacchi. On Tuesday afternoon, Bedgood showed flashes of what could have been.
As the severe weather at first delayed, then later canceled Fike's match against Nash Central in the 3-A NEW 6 Conference girls soccer tournament, the teams waited it out in the Fike gym. The Golden Demons passed the time with a friendly, but spirited, intersquad volleyball match.
But as these photos attest, Bedgood provided food for thought that had Fike — and Barton — had men's volleyball, he could have well been a four-sport star. As you can see, he viciously attacked the net and laid down a sizzling kill. No one on the other side of the net, not even Varacchi, had an answer for it.
The Demons and Bulldogs will try again Wednesday at 5 p.m. with the Northern Nash-Rocky Mount match to follow. The championship game is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. Of course, the weather forecast suggests there may be more volleyball in Bedgood's immediate future.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Girls soccer polls are out
The N.C. Soccer Coaches Association polls are out and in the 3-A poll, Hunt is No. 10 while Fike is 14th. North Johnston is 11th in the 1-A poll.
And remember, we're only three weeks away from The Brittany V!
And remember, we're only three weeks away from The Brittany V!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Brittany V schedule is out
With girls soccer practice beginning at area high schools this week, it's time to look ahead to the fifth rendition of The Brittany Willis Memorial Soccer Scholarship Showcase, ie, The Brittany.
The event will be Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28, at its home, Gillette Athletic Complex and the field is packed, as usual, with some very high quality teams. I haven't counted the teams but there appears to be 41 matches scheduled, which would surpass the previous high of 35 at The Brittany for the Boys IV last August.
Here is the schedule but please visit The Brittany Web site to learn all you need to know about this wonderful event that memorializes a special young lady who was taken away all too soon.
Friday, March 27
5:15 p.m. games
Field No. 1: Jacksonville vs. Watauga County;
Field No. 2: Swansboro vs. St. Mary's
Field No. 3: West Carteret vs. Raleigh Wakefield
Field No. 4: Beddingfield vs. Kill Devil Hills First Flight
Field No. 5: Charlotte Latin vs. Fayetteville Academy
Field No. 6: South Brunswick vs. Calvary Baptist
7:30 p.m. games
No. 1: Wilmington Laney vs. Raleigh Millbrook
No. 2: Raleigh Broughton vs. East Chapel Hill
No. 3: Wilmington New Hanover vs. Cary Panther Creek
No. 4: Fike vs. Asheville T.C. Roberson
No. 5: Rocky Mount Faith Christian vs. Cape Fear Academy
No. 6: Ravenscroft vs. Matthews Covenant Day
Saturday, March 28
8:30 a.m. games
No. 1: Nash Central vs. Lejeune
No. 2: Clinton vs. Cary Academy
No. 3: North Johnston vs. Southern Nash
No. 4: Wilson Christian vs. Kerr-Vance
No. 5: Wayne Christian vs. Rocky Mount Academy
No. 6: Wayne Country Day vs. Halifax Academy
10:15 a.m. games
No. 1: Jacksonville Northside vs. Pasquotank
No. 2: East Wake vs. Greenville Rose
No. 3: Edenton Holmes vs. Southwest Onslow
No. 4: Whiteville vs. East Duplin
No. 5: D.H. Conley vs. Richlands
No. 6: Hope Mills South View vs. West Johnston
1 p.m. games
No. 1: Calvary Baptist vs. Currituck
No. 2: T.C. Roberson vs. Jacksonville
No. 3: Fike vs. Swansboro
No. 4: St. Mary's vs. Charlotte Latin
No. 5: Watauga vs. Laney
No. 6: First Flight vs. Roanoke Rapids
3:15 p.m. games
No. 1: Covenant Day vs. C.B. Aycock
No. 2: Greensboro Grimsley vs. New Hanover
No. 3: Franklinton vs. South Brunswick
No. 4: Hunt vs. Fayetteville Cape Fear
No. 5: Smithfield-Selma vs. Fayetteville Jack Britt
No. 6: Northern Nash vs. Elizabeth City Northeastern
5:30 p.m. games
No. 1: Rocky Mount vs. West Brunswick
No. 2: Cardinal Gibbons vs. Forbush
No. 3: Clayton vs. Burlington Williams
No. 4: Greenfield vs. Community Christian
No. 5: Holly Ridge Dixon vs. Rosewood
The event will be Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28, at its home, Gillette Athletic Complex and the field is packed, as usual, with some very high quality teams. I haven't counted the teams but there appears to be 41 matches scheduled, which would surpass the previous high of 35 at The Brittany for the Boys IV last August.
Here is the schedule but please visit The Brittany Web site to learn all you need to know about this wonderful event that memorializes a special young lady who was taken away all too soon.
Friday, March 27
5:15 p.m. games
Field No. 1: Jacksonville vs. Watauga County;
Field No. 2: Swansboro vs. St. Mary's
Field No. 3: West Carteret vs. Raleigh Wakefield
Field No. 4: Beddingfield vs. Kill Devil Hills First Flight
Field No. 5: Charlotte Latin vs. Fayetteville Academy
Field No. 6: South Brunswick vs. Calvary Baptist
7:30 p.m. games
No. 1: Wilmington Laney vs. Raleigh Millbrook
No. 2: Raleigh Broughton vs. East Chapel Hill
No. 3: Wilmington New Hanover vs. Cary Panther Creek
No. 4: Fike vs. Asheville T.C. Roberson
No. 5: Rocky Mount Faith Christian vs. Cape Fear Academy
No. 6: Ravenscroft vs. Matthews Covenant Day
Saturday, March 28
8:30 a.m. games
No. 1: Nash Central vs. Lejeune
No. 2: Clinton vs. Cary Academy
No. 3: North Johnston vs. Southern Nash
No. 4: Wilson Christian vs. Kerr-Vance
No. 5: Wayne Christian vs. Rocky Mount Academy
No. 6: Wayne Country Day vs. Halifax Academy
10:15 a.m. games
No. 1: Jacksonville Northside vs. Pasquotank
No. 2: East Wake vs. Greenville Rose
No. 3: Edenton Holmes vs. Southwest Onslow
No. 4: Whiteville vs. East Duplin
No. 5: D.H. Conley vs. Richlands
No. 6: Hope Mills South View vs. West Johnston
1 p.m. games
No. 1: Calvary Baptist vs. Currituck
No. 2: T.C. Roberson vs. Jacksonville
No. 3: Fike vs. Swansboro
No. 4: St. Mary's vs. Charlotte Latin
No. 5: Watauga vs. Laney
No. 6: First Flight vs. Roanoke Rapids
3:15 p.m. games
No. 1: Covenant Day vs. C.B. Aycock
No. 2: Greensboro Grimsley vs. New Hanover
No. 3: Franklinton vs. South Brunswick
No. 4: Hunt vs. Fayetteville Cape Fear
No. 5: Smithfield-Selma vs. Fayetteville Jack Britt
No. 6: Northern Nash vs. Elizabeth City Northeastern
5:30 p.m. games
No. 1: Rocky Mount vs. West Brunswick
No. 2: Cardinal Gibbons vs. Forbush
No. 3: Clayton vs. Burlington Williams
No. 4: Greenfield vs. Community Christian
No. 5: Holly Ridge Dixon vs. Rosewood
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Golly day! There's no catching the Rhine-O!
Even though it's been two weeks since his Community Christian girls soccer team won the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A state championship, Lady Cyclones head coach Rhine Sharp deserves credit for this amazing bit of footwork.
Shortly after the Lady Cycs defeated Faith Christian on penalty kicks to capture the first state title in school history, Rhine was targeted by a pair of jubilant students toting a water cooler.
But Rhine showed off the moves that made him a standout Fike High School and Atlantic Christian (now Barton) College soccer player some 30 years ago as he avoided the icy bath.
Here's a belated congratulations to Rhine and the Lady Cycs for a great season!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Championship Saturday update
Some other scores to report on N.C. High School Athletic Association championship Saturday.
In the boys tennis dual-team championships, East Chapel Hill blanked Charlotte Ardrey Kell 6-0 to take the 4-A title; Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons rolled past Newton-Conover 6-0 to repeat the results from last year's 2-A championship and in the 1-A ranks Durham School for the Arts needed doubles play to edge Hendersonville 5-2.
In the girls soccer championship's at N.C. State University's Paul Derr Stadium, Jacksonville White Oak "three-peated" as 3-A queens with a 4-0 handling of previously unbeaten and nationally No. 1-ranked Asheville T.C. Roberson. Junior Stephanie Rose had a goal and an assist for White Oak to earn MVP honors. Fike fans might remember Rose as a very fast freshman wing that had two first-half goals in the Lady Golden Demons' 3-2 loss in Jacksonville in the fourth round of the 2006 playoffs.
In the 2-A classification, Kill Devil Hills First Flight edged East Bend Forbush 2-1 for its first girls soccer state title in its four-year history.
Holly Ridge Dixon joined White Oak as Onslow County state champions with a 1-0 conquest of Polk County in the 1-A division.
In the boys tennis dual-team championships, East Chapel Hill blanked Charlotte Ardrey Kell 6-0 to take the 4-A title; Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons rolled past Newton-Conover 6-0 to repeat the results from last year's 2-A championship and in the 1-A ranks Durham School for the Arts needed doubles play to edge Hendersonville 5-2.
In the girls soccer championship's at N.C. State University's Paul Derr Stadium, Jacksonville White Oak "three-peated" as 3-A queens with a 4-0 handling of previously unbeaten and nationally No. 1-ranked Asheville T.C. Roberson. Junior Stephanie Rose had a goal and an assist for White Oak to earn MVP honors. Fike fans might remember Rose as a very fast freshman wing that had two first-half goals in the Lady Golden Demons' 3-2 loss in Jacksonville in the fourth round of the 2006 playoffs.
In the 2-A classification, Kill Devil Hills First Flight edged East Bend Forbush 2-1 for its first girls soccer state title in its four-year history.
Holly Ridge Dixon joined White Oak as Onslow County state champions with a 1-0 conquest of Polk County in the 1-A division.
NCHSAA baseball (and girls soccer) update
Rocky Mount stopped D.H. Conley 3-2 Friday night behind the right arm of freshman starting pitcher Benton Moss to sweep the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A East Regional championship series.
Rocky Mount won the opener 11-1 at Conley on Thursday night.
The Gryphons (25-5) await the winner of the West Regional series between East Rowan and Belmont South Point, which is tied 1-1 after East Rowan's 17-2 win Friday night. South Point won the opener 1-0. The final game of the best-of-3 series is tonight at East Rowan.
In the 1-A East finals, defending state champion Princeton (coached by Beddingfield graduate Bruce Proctor) was knocked out by Topsail in two games, 6-0 and 6-5.
Here's what happened in other NCHSAA semifinals series.
1-A West finals — Cherryville-South Stokes series tied 1-1
2-A East finals — Hillsborough Orange sweeps Whiteville, 3-2 and 15-5
2-A West finals — East Rutherford 7, Ledford 2 in the first game; Ledford 5, East Rutherford 3 in the second game. Championship is tonight.
4-A East finals — Greenville Rose sweeps Raleigh Sanderson 5-0 and 10-3. Rose lost twice during the regular season to Rocky Mount.
4-A West finals — Charlotte Adrey Kell 5, Charlotte Providence 2 in the first game. No score yet on Friday's game.
NOTE: Ardrey Kell in just its second year of existence will play East Chapel Hill for the 4-A boys dual-team tennis title today. The girls soccer team lost 3-0 to Raleigh Leesville Road in the 4-A championship Friday night and the baseball team is in the hunt for the 4-A crown. Not bad.
Rocky Mount won the opener 11-1 at Conley on Thursday night.
The Gryphons (25-5) await the winner of the West Regional series between East Rowan and Belmont South Point, which is tied 1-1 after East Rowan's 17-2 win Friday night. South Point won the opener 1-0. The final game of the best-of-3 series is tonight at East Rowan.
In the 1-A East finals, defending state champion Princeton (coached by Beddingfield graduate Bruce Proctor) was knocked out by Topsail in two games, 6-0 and 6-5.
Here's what happened in other NCHSAA semifinals series.
1-A West finals — Cherryville-South Stokes series tied 1-1
2-A East finals — Hillsborough Orange sweeps Whiteville, 3-2 and 15-5
2-A West finals — East Rutherford 7, Ledford 2 in the first game; Ledford 5, East Rutherford 3 in the second game. Championship is tonight.
4-A East finals — Greenville Rose sweeps Raleigh Sanderson 5-0 and 10-3. Rose lost twice during the regular season to Rocky Mount.
4-A West finals — Charlotte Adrey Kell 5, Charlotte Providence 2 in the first game. No score yet on Friday's game.
NOTE: Ardrey Kell in just its second year of existence will play East Chapel Hill for the 4-A boys dual-team tennis title today. The girls soccer team lost 3-0 to Raleigh Leesville Road in the 4-A championship Friday night and the baseball team is in the hunt for the 4-A crown. Not bad.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The Brittany info — corrected
OK, I know math wasn't my best subject in high school but I should have done a little better in my previous post.
There will be 56, not 21, different teams at The Brittany Willis Memorial Scholarship Soccer Showcase on March 28 and 29.
Mike Petty, one of the original members of the organizing committee, gave me the heads up.
Mike tells me the teams participating for the first time in the girls showcase are:
Raleigh Millbrook
Greenville Rose
Halifax Academy
Charlotte Latin
D. H. Conley
South Brunswick
West Carteret
Pasquotank
Whiteville
Edenton Holmes
Hope Mills South View
Jacksonville Northside
East Lincoln
Rose, Pasquotank, Whiteville, and South View have participated in The Brittany for the Boys.
The field looks as strong as ever and features some of the top girls teams in the state, including 15 ranked squads.
There will be 56, not 21, different teams at The Brittany Willis Memorial Scholarship Soccer Showcase on March 28 and 29.
Mike Petty, one of the original members of the organizing committee, gave me the heads up.
Mike tells me the teams participating for the first time in the girls showcase are:
Raleigh Millbrook
Greenville Rose
Halifax Academy
Charlotte Latin
D. H. Conley
South Brunswick
West Carteret
Pasquotank
Whiteville
Edenton Holmes
Hope Mills South View
Jacksonville Northside
East Lincoln
Rose, Pasquotank, Whiteville, and South View have participated in The Brittany for the Boys.
The field looks as strong as ever and features some of the top girls teams in the state, including 15 ranked squads.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Brittany IV pairings up
It's only two weeks away and pairings for fourth annual Brittany Willis Memorial Soccer Scholarship Showcase have been announced on the event's Web site.
There will be 12 games on Friday, March 28 and 24 on Saturday, March 29 at Gillette Athletic Complex.
By my count, there looks to be 21 different teams in the event. Many of played before but I believe some of the newcomers to be Charlotte Latin, Cary Panther Creek, Pasquotank, East Lincoln and Jacksonville Northside. Of course, if this is incorrect, please chime in and let me know.
The event continues to be one of — if not the — finest high school soccer showcase in the state and possibly the Southeast.
The Brittany IV schedule
There will be 12 games on Friday, March 28 and 24 on Saturday, March 29 at Gillette Athletic Complex.
By my count, there looks to be 21 different teams in the event. Many of played before but I believe some of the newcomers to be Charlotte Latin, Cary Panther Creek, Pasquotank, East Lincoln and Jacksonville Northside. Of course, if this is incorrect, please chime in and let me know.
The event continues to be one of — if not the — finest high school soccer showcase in the state and possibly the Southeast.
The Brittany IV schedule
Hunt girls ranked 14th in NCSCA 3-A poll
Somebody must be listening.
The new 3-A girls soccer poll conducted by the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association was released and Hunt is now ranked. The Lady Warriors, winners of eight straight, are No. 14, one ahead of Jacksonville in the final spot. The Lady Cardinals were 4-0 and ranked No. 7 until losing 2-0 to 4-A Wilmington New Hanover and tying Fike 2-2 on Friday night.
White Oak fell to fourth and Lake Norman took over the top spot.
In the 1-A rankings, North Johnston dropped out after its first loss in the Brassfield Commercial Shamrock Classic on Friday.
NCSCA 3-A girls poll
NCSCA 1-A girls poll
The new 3-A girls soccer poll conducted by the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association was released and Hunt is now ranked. The Lady Warriors, winners of eight straight, are No. 14, one ahead of Jacksonville in the final spot. The Lady Cardinals were 4-0 and ranked No. 7 until losing 2-0 to 4-A Wilmington New Hanover and tying Fike 2-2 on Friday night.
White Oak fell to fourth and Lake Norman took over the top spot.
In the 1-A rankings, North Johnston dropped out after its first loss in the Brassfield Commercial Shamrock Classic on Friday.
NCSCA 3-A girls poll
NCSCA 1-A girls poll
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Give the Lady Warriors some respect!
I don't have a vote in the North Carolina high school girls soccer poll and it's probably a good thing. I can tell you about the teams in The Wilson Daily Times coverage area and a few others but my perspective is hardly statewide.
But I'm going to say that I know enough to know that Hunt should be in the top 15 of the 3-A poll. The Lady Warriors are 7-0 and own a victory over one top 10 (at least when they played) team in Fike. It was Hunt's first win against Fike since 2002 and sent the Lady Golden Demons out of the rankings after opening the season No. 7.
Hunt has a very young team under head coach Drew Nick. There are nine freshman on the squad, including Alex Hall, a Greenfield transfer who was one of the top scorers for the Lady Knights last season. Veteran players like Katie Wilson, Brittany Winstead, Alison Ellis and Whitney Hesmer, not to forget goalkeeper Monica Campbell give Hunt a scrappy character.
I remember the Lady Warriors' run at the end of last season and thinking that they were going to have a good team in the future. Of course, losing top scorer Alex Calvert hurt but young players like sophomore Brittany Raper (who practically grew up at Hunt watching her dad, Randy, coach the football team) and sophomore Lizzie Pittman have shown the same promise that Calvert flashed when she was an underclassmen.
Hopefully, Hunt and Fike will meet again. The rematch at Fike last Friday was washed out and there are no immediate plans to reschedule. Of course, there is always the playoffs.
High school girls soccer 3-A poll
But I'm going to say that I know enough to know that Hunt should be in the top 15 of the 3-A poll. The Lady Warriors are 7-0 and own a victory over one top 10 (at least when they played) team in Fike. It was Hunt's first win against Fike since 2002 and sent the Lady Golden Demons out of the rankings after opening the season No. 7.
Hunt has a very young team under head coach Drew Nick. There are nine freshman on the squad, including Alex Hall, a Greenfield transfer who was one of the top scorers for the Lady Knights last season. Veteran players like Katie Wilson, Brittany Winstead, Alison Ellis and Whitney Hesmer, not to forget goalkeeper Monica Campbell give Hunt a scrappy character.
I remember the Lady Warriors' run at the end of last season and thinking that they were going to have a good team in the future. Of course, losing top scorer Alex Calvert hurt but young players like sophomore Brittany Raper (who practically grew up at Hunt watching her dad, Randy, coach the football team) and sophomore Lizzie Pittman have shown the same promise that Calvert flashed when she was an underclassmen.
Hopefully, Hunt and Fike will meet again. The rematch at Fike last Friday was washed out and there are no immediate plans to reschedule. Of course, there is always the playoffs.
High school girls soccer 3-A poll
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Yet another former Wilsonian makes national soccer news
Jenn Partenheimer, a Wilson native, was honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America at its annual luncheon this past weekend by being named to the NSCAA/adidas Girls High School All-American team.
Partenheimer earned the accolade as a member of the Apex High School squad. She is recently concluded her freshman season at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
Partenheimer and her younger sister, Stephanie, helped Apex win the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A state championship last spring. Jenn scored the winning goal in overtime of the championship game.
If the name sounds familiar, it's because she's the oldest daughter of Steve Partenheimer, who started the soccer program at Fike in the 1970s and moved to Hunt after merger. He taught a lot of young men in Wilson how to play the game of soccer and many of them have kids playing soccer today.
Looks like Coach Partenheimer did a pretty good job teaching his own kids, too!
Partenheimer earned the accolade as a member of the Apex High School squad. She is recently concluded her freshman season at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
Partenheimer and her younger sister, Stephanie, helped Apex win the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A state championship last spring. Jenn scored the winning goal in overtime of the championship game.
If the name sounds familiar, it's because she's the oldest daughter of Steve Partenheimer, who started the soccer program at Fike in the 1970s and moved to Hunt after merger. He taught a lot of young men in Wilson how to play the game of soccer and many of them have kids playing soccer today.
Looks like Coach Partenheimer did a pretty good job teaching his own kids, too!
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