Congratulations to Mary-Katherine Price, the recipient of this week's Extra Effort Award from WRAL-TV.
As one of the best high school girls tennis players in the state and the No. 1 student in her senior class at Fike, Mary-Katherine is truly the embodiment of the term "student-athlete."
Check out the video at WRAL.com, it's even got Lee Matthews in it!
Showing posts with label high school girls tennis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high school girls tennis. Show all posts
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Triangle Tip-Off showcases potential rising star in coaching ranks
Boy, a few days of flu-like symptoms and a sick toddler can make you feel as though the world is passing you by. But I'm feeling much better today and ready to catch up on all fronts.
I was shocked to see Beddingfield bow out in the second round of the state 2-A volleyball playoffs. The Bruins ran into a tough Swansboro team but I thought they might have gone a little deeper. The anticipated third meeting between the Bruins and their Eastern Plains Conference archrival Farmville Central fizzled as the Jaguars fell to Elizabeth City Northeastern in the second round.
But there will be a third-round playoff meeting of conference rivals as Fike heads to Rocky Mount in Tuesday's state 3-A girls dual-team tennis quarterfinals match.
Moving outside the area and high school sports scene, I had a spy (really a personal stringer in former Hunt baseball teammate and current Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau V.P. of Sports Marketing Scott Dupree) at the Triangle Tip-Off Luncheon today at the Durham Sheraton Imperial Hotel featuring the men's basketball coaches from North Carolina, Duke, N.C. State and N.C. Central.
Despite having two hall-of-fame coaches there, the star of the show turned out to be Central's LeVelle Moton, who finished his playing career at the school as its third all-time leading scorer. Moton was the head coach at Raleigh Sanderson High School before joining the NCCU staff in 2007.
Moton, a member of N.C. Central Athletic Hall of Fame, kept them in stitches with a series of one-liners. He reportedly is the cousin of former North Carolina star Donald Williams and has made a name for himself as the personal summertime coach for many NBA stars.
Moton quipped that there may be some hall-of-famers and legends there, but he's the only coach here who's undefeated.
To which his first opponent, Roy Williams of North Carolina, responded that he sure as heck hoped Moton can't make that statement after his first game.
Keep an eye on Moton because he may be coaching in the Atlantic Coast Conference before long.
We also have a report of Williams and Mike Krzyzewski sitting on a couch and chatting like old friends, which probably isn't all that surprising. We'd like to think they go home and throw darts at photos of one another but there's a lot of mutual respect and admiration there.
I was shocked to see Beddingfield bow out in the second round of the state 2-A volleyball playoffs. The Bruins ran into a tough Swansboro team but I thought they might have gone a little deeper. The anticipated third meeting between the Bruins and their Eastern Plains Conference archrival Farmville Central fizzled as the Jaguars fell to Elizabeth City Northeastern in the second round.
But there will be a third-round playoff meeting of conference rivals as Fike heads to Rocky Mount in Tuesday's state 3-A girls dual-team tennis quarterfinals match.
Moving outside the area and high school sports scene, I had a spy (really a personal stringer in former Hunt baseball teammate and current Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau V.P. of Sports Marketing Scott Dupree) at the Triangle Tip-Off Luncheon today at the Durham Sheraton Imperial Hotel featuring the men's basketball coaches from North Carolina, Duke, N.C. State and N.C. Central.
Despite having two hall-of-fame coaches there, the star of the show turned out to be Central's LeVelle Moton, who finished his playing career at the school as its third all-time leading scorer. Moton was the head coach at Raleigh Sanderson High School before joining the NCCU staff in 2007.
Moton, a member of N.C. Central Athletic Hall of Fame, kept them in stitches with a series of one-liners. He reportedly is the cousin of former North Carolina star Donald Williams and has made a name for himself as the personal summertime coach for many NBA stars.
Moton quipped that there may be some hall-of-famers and legends there, but he's the only coach here who's undefeated.
To which his first opponent, Roy Williams of North Carolina, responded that he sure as heck hoped Moton can't make that statement after his first game.
Keep an eye on Moton because he may be coaching in the Atlantic Coast Conference before long.
We also have a report of Williams and Mike Krzyzewski sitting on a couch and chatting like old friends, which probably isn't all that surprising. We'd like to think they go home and throw darts at photos of one another but there's a lot of mutual respect and admiration there.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Demons drop, Gryphons rise in 3-A tennis poll
Fike 6-3 loss at home to Rocky Mount last Thursday not only cost the Golden Demons the 3-A Big East Conference girls tennis championship outright, it also cost them a spot in the state 3-A rankings.
In the poll released Tuesday by the N.C. High School Tennis Coaches Association, Fike dropped two spots to No. 6 while the Gryphons vaulted from sixth to fifth with one more vote than the Demons. Hang on, these teams could very well play one another again as they have met in the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs the past two years.
In the 2-A poll, Greene Central remained No. 2 behind Salisbury.
Here's the whole thing and thanks to Greene Central's Donald Clark for e-mailing me the poll each week!
Week Seven Regular Season-
4-A
Team Points
1. Charlotte Myers Park 50
2. East Chapel Hill 45
3. Greensboro Grimsley 38
4. Raleigh Broughton 35
5. Green Hope 25
6. Wilmington Hoggard 23
7. Winston Salem Reynolds 18
8. Greenville Rose 15
9. T.C. Roberson 14
10. Charlotte Providence 3
Others receiving votes: Pinecrest (2), Riverside (2).
3-A
Team Points
1 Charlotte Catholic 80
2 Cardinal Gibbons 71
3. Chapel Hill 58
4. Burlington Williams 44
5. Rocky Mount 41
6. Wilson Fike 40
7. Weddington 28
8. Asheville 24
9. Marvin Ridge 19
10. Franklin 18
Others receiving votes: Ledford (6), Union Pines (5), Concord (2), St. Stephens (2).
2-A
Team Points
1 Salisbury 69
2 Greene Central 64
3 Tarboro 49
4 Edenton Holmes 47
5 Shelby 41
6 East Duplin 31
7 North Lincoln 28
8 Maiden 20
9 Brevard 19
10 Topsail 9
Others receiving votes: Northwood (2).
1-A
Team Points
1 School of Science and Math 48
2 Mount Airy 45
3 Raleigh Charter School 38
4 Bishop McGuiness 33
5 East Montgomery 31
6 North Stokes 29
7 Gray Stone Day 16
East Surry 16
9 Elkin 11
10 East Wilkes 6
Others receiving votes: North Rowan (2).
In the poll released Tuesday by the N.C. High School Tennis Coaches Association, Fike dropped two spots to No. 6 while the Gryphons vaulted from sixth to fifth with one more vote than the Demons. Hang on, these teams could very well play one another again as they have met in the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs the past two years.
In the 2-A poll, Greene Central remained No. 2 behind Salisbury.
Here's the whole thing and thanks to Greene Central's Donald Clark for e-mailing me the poll each week!
Week Seven Regular Season-
4-A
Team Points
1. Charlotte Myers Park 50
2. East Chapel Hill 45
3. Greensboro Grimsley 38
4. Raleigh Broughton 35
5. Green Hope 25
6. Wilmington Hoggard 23
7. Winston Salem Reynolds 18
8. Greenville Rose 15
9. T.C. Roberson 14
10. Charlotte Providence 3
Others receiving votes: Pinecrest (2), Riverside (2).
3-A
Team Points
1 Charlotte Catholic 80
2 Cardinal Gibbons 71
3. Chapel Hill 58
4. Burlington Williams 44
5. Rocky Mount 41
6. Wilson Fike 40
7. Weddington 28
8. Asheville 24
9. Marvin Ridge 19
10. Franklin 18
Others receiving votes: Ledford (6), Union Pines (5), Concord (2), St. Stephens (2).
2-A
Team Points
1 Salisbury 69
2 Greene Central 64
3 Tarboro 49
4 Edenton Holmes 47
5 Shelby 41
6 East Duplin 31
7 North Lincoln 28
8 Maiden 20
9 Brevard 19
10 Topsail 9
Others receiving votes: Northwood (2).
1-A
Team Points
1 School of Science and Math 48
2 Mount Airy 45
3 Raleigh Charter School 38
4 Bishop McGuiness 33
5 East Montgomery 31
6 North Stokes 29
7 Gray Stone Day 16
East Surry 16
9 Elkin 11
10 East Wilkes 6
Others receiving votes: North Rowan (2).
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Fike holding at No. 4 in 3-A girls tennis poll
The latest N.C. High School Tennis Association girls rankings are out and Fike remains at No. 4 in the 3-A poll with Big East Conference rival Rocky Mount at No. 6. The Golden Demons and Gryphons have a showdown Thursday at Fike, which won the first meeting 7-2 in Rocky Mount.
Also, in the 2-A rankings, Greene Central remains No. 2 and Eastern Plains Conference rival Tarboro lurks at No. 5.
The complete rankings are below.
North Carolina State Women’s Tennis Polls
Sponsored by the North Carolina High School Tennis Coaches Association
nchighschooltennis.pbworks.com
Week Six Regular Season-Published 9/30/09
4-A
Team Points
1. Charlotte Myers Park 50
2. East Chapel Hill 43
3. Greensboro Grimsley 39
4. Raleigh Broughton 36
5. Green Hope 31
6. Wilmington Hoggard 22
7. Greenville Rose 17
T.C. Roberson 17
9. Winston Salem R.J Reynolds 10
10. Pinecrest 5
Others receiving votes: Charlotte Providence (4), Durham Riverside (1).
3-A
Team Points
1 Charlotte Catholic 70
2 Chapel Hill 62
3. Cardinal Gibbons 53
4. Wilson Fike 48
5. Burlington Williams 39
6. Rocky Mount 29 7. Weddington 21
8. Asheville 20
9. Marvin Ridge 15
10. Franklin 10
Others receiving votes: Ledford (6), Concord (6), Union Pines (3).
2-A
Team Points
1 Salisbury 69
2 Greene Central 64
3 Edenton Holmes 51
4 Shelby 49
5 Tarboro 42
6 East Duplin 32
7 North Lincoln 27
8 Brevard 19
9 Maiden 17
10 Topsail 12
Others receiving votes: Northwood (2), Forest Hills (1).
1-A
Team Points
1 North Carolina School of Science and Math 49
2 Mount Airy 43
3 Raleigh Charter School 39
4 East Montgomery 32
Bishop McGuiness 32
6 North Stokes 30
7 Gray Stone Day 17
East Surry 17
9 Elkin 11
10 East Wilkes 4
Others receiving votes: North Rowan (1).
Also, in the 2-A rankings, Greene Central remains No. 2 and Eastern Plains Conference rival Tarboro lurks at No. 5.
The complete rankings are below.
North Carolina State Women’s Tennis Polls
Sponsored by the North Carolina High School Tennis Coaches Association
nchighschooltennis.pbworks.com
Week Six Regular Season-Published 9/30/09
4-A
Team Points
1. Charlotte Myers Park 50
2. East Chapel Hill 43
3. Greensboro Grimsley 39
4. Raleigh Broughton 36
5. Green Hope 31
6. Wilmington Hoggard 22
7. Greenville Rose 17
T.C. Roberson 17
9. Winston Salem R.J Reynolds 10
10. Pinecrest 5
Others receiving votes: Charlotte Providence (4), Durham Riverside (1).
3-A
Team Points
1 Charlotte Catholic 70
2 Chapel Hill 62
3. Cardinal Gibbons 53
4. Wilson Fike 48
5. Burlington Williams 39
6. Rocky Mount 29 7. Weddington 21
8. Asheville 20
9. Marvin Ridge 15
10. Franklin 10
Others receiving votes: Ledford (6), Concord (6), Union Pines (3).
2-A
Team Points
1 Salisbury 69
2 Greene Central 64
3 Edenton Holmes 51
4 Shelby 49
5 Tarboro 42
6 East Duplin 32
7 North Lincoln 27
8 Brevard 19
9 Maiden 17
10 Topsail 12
Others receiving votes: Northwood (2), Forest Hills (1).
1-A
Team Points
1 North Carolina School of Science and Math 49
2 Mount Airy 43
3 Raleigh Charter School 39
4 East Montgomery 32
Bishop McGuiness 32
6 North Stokes 30
7 Gray Stone Day 17
East Surry 17
9 Elkin 11
10 East Wilkes 4
Others receiving votes: North Rowan (1).
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Rams, Demons high in girls tennis rankings
The latest N.C. High School Tennis Coaches Association rankings are out and Fike has slipped to No. 4 this week while 3-A Big East Conference rival Rocky Mount inched up to fifth. I guess that poll was voted on before the Golden Demons handed the Gryphons a 7-2 defeat in Rocky Mount Tuesday.
In the 2-A poll, Greene Central is holding firm at No. 2 behind Salisbury.
Here's the rankings for all four N.C. High School Athletic Association classifications.
4-A
Team Points
1. Charlotte Myers Park 50
2. East Chapel Hill 42
3. Greensboro Grimsley 41
4. Raleigh Broughton 36
5. Green Hope 29
6. Wilmington Hoggard 20
7. Greenville Rose 17
8. Winston Salem R.J Reynolds 14
9. T.C. Roberson 12
10. Charlotte Providence 9
Others receiving votes: Pinecrest (3).
3-A
Team Points
1. Charlotte Catholic 60
2. Chapel Hill 49
3. Cardinal Gibbons 42
4. Wilson Fike 39
5. Rocky Mount 34
6. Burlington Williams 33
7. Weddington 30
8. Asheville 16
9. Eastern Wayne 7
10. Franklin 6
Others receiving votes: Ledford (4), Union Pines (4), Patton (3), Marvin Ridge (2), McMichael (1)
2-A
Team Points
1 Salisbury 69
2 Greene Central 64
3 Shelby 59
4 Edenton Holmes 54
5 Tarboro 49
6 East Duplin 30
7 North Lincoln 27
8 Brevard 21
9 Maiden 17
10 Topsail 9
Others receiving votes: Forest Hills (3), Northwood (2), East Lincoln (2)
1-A
Team Points
1 N.C. School of Science and Math 49
2 Raleigh Charter School 40
3 Bishop McGuniess 38
4 Mount Airy 36
5 East Montgomery 32
6 North Stokes 30
7 East Surry 19
8 Gray Stone Day 15
9 Elkin 11
10 East Wilkes 2
Others receiving votes: Hendersonville (1), Spring Creek (1), Alleghany (1)
In the 2-A poll, Greene Central is holding firm at No. 2 behind Salisbury.
Here's the rankings for all four N.C. High School Athletic Association classifications.
4-A
Team Points
1. Charlotte Myers Park 50
2. East Chapel Hill 42
3. Greensboro Grimsley 41
4. Raleigh Broughton 36
5. Green Hope 29
6. Wilmington Hoggard 20
7. Greenville Rose 17
8. Winston Salem R.J Reynolds 14
9. T.C. Roberson 12
10. Charlotte Providence 9
Others receiving votes: Pinecrest (3).
3-A
Team Points
1. Charlotte Catholic 60
2. Chapel Hill 49
3. Cardinal Gibbons 42
4. Wilson Fike 39
5. Rocky Mount 34
6. Burlington Williams 33
7. Weddington 30
8. Asheville 16
9. Eastern Wayne 7
10. Franklin 6
Others receiving votes: Ledford (4), Union Pines (4), Patton (3), Marvin Ridge (2), McMichael (1)
2-A
Team Points
1 Salisbury 69
2 Greene Central 64
3 Shelby 59
4 Edenton Holmes 54
5 Tarboro 49
6 East Duplin 30
7 North Lincoln 27
8 Brevard 21
9 Maiden 17
10 Topsail 9
Others receiving votes: Forest Hills (3), Northwood (2), East Lincoln (2)
1-A
Team Points
1 N.C. School of Science and Math 49
2 Raleigh Charter School 40
3 Bishop McGuniess 38
4 Mount Airy 36
5 East Montgomery 32
6 North Stokes 30
7 East Surry 19
8 Gray Stone Day 15
9 Elkin 11
10 East Wilkes 2
Others receiving votes: Hendersonville (1), Spring Creek (1), Alleghany (1)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Demons, Rams already in midseason form
I haven't watered this blog in a week and I apologize to it and any loyal readers I might still have. A hectic schedule is no excuse for not spending a few minutes a day here.
I spent an hour or so at the Fike High School tennis courts Monday afternoon watching the season-opening match between a pair of teams that might be in Burlington by season's end. The Golden Demons, of course, made the trip last year as they reached the state 3-A dual-team final and Greene Central has won both its 2-A crowns in the past five years.
Fike won Monday's matchup 5-4 against a Rams squad that returns all six starters from last season. Making the Demons' win more impressive was that they did it without No. 1 singles player Mary-Katherine Prince, a three-time 3-A East Regional champion, and junior No. 4 Sarah Flinn.
I've seen Fike play so many tough matches the past two seasons but those usually come when the air is brisk, the leaves are falling and there are pumpkins on every porch. It was kind of strange seeing that intensity when everyone looked like they had either just come back from the beach or were getting ready to go. It was also spooky watching Fike play without Prince, who was out of town. She has been such a constant for the Demons since she arrived on the scene in the fall of 2006.
And Flinn, who was nursing a sore shoulder, has become a mainstay in the second half of the Fike lineup. Lee Matthews' lineup has been nearly written in stone for the past two seasons so it took a moment to adjust to the revamped order for Monday's match.
But one thing was familiar — the sight of senior Connor Allegood alone on the court as Fike's last singles player. I give Connor a hard time about making a habit of going to third-set tiebreakers whenever I cover a Fike match but she was in midseason form after taking the first set from Greene Central's Samantha Taylor, who has tennis in her blood, and then losing the second. But Connor determinedly won the tiebreaker, one of three on the day for Fike, and it proved to be a good omen.
Fike will have a likely tougher road in the 3-A East this year with traditional 2-A power Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons moving up a classification. But the Demons have experience in big matches and could well find themselves back in Burlington. Don't count out Donald Clark's Rams who certainly will benefit from Cardinal Gibbons' move as well.
Before you know it, October will be here and these teams will be playing some really exciting matches, if Monday was any indication.
I spent an hour or so at the Fike High School tennis courts Monday afternoon watching the season-opening match between a pair of teams that might be in Burlington by season's end. The Golden Demons, of course, made the trip last year as they reached the state 3-A dual-team final and Greene Central has won both its 2-A crowns in the past five years.
Fike won Monday's matchup 5-4 against a Rams squad that returns all six starters from last season. Making the Demons' win more impressive was that they did it without No. 1 singles player Mary-Katherine Prince, a three-time 3-A East Regional champion, and junior No. 4 Sarah Flinn.
I've seen Fike play so many tough matches the past two seasons but those usually come when the air is brisk, the leaves are falling and there are pumpkins on every porch. It was kind of strange seeing that intensity when everyone looked like they had either just come back from the beach or were getting ready to go. It was also spooky watching Fike play without Prince, who was out of town. She has been such a constant for the Demons since she arrived on the scene in the fall of 2006.
And Flinn, who was nursing a sore shoulder, has become a mainstay in the second half of the Fike lineup. Lee Matthews' lineup has been nearly written in stone for the past two seasons so it took a moment to adjust to the revamped order for Monday's match.
But one thing was familiar — the sight of senior Connor Allegood alone on the court as Fike's last singles player. I give Connor a hard time about making a habit of going to third-set tiebreakers whenever I cover a Fike match but she was in midseason form after taking the first set from Greene Central's Samantha Taylor, who has tennis in her blood, and then losing the second. But Connor determinedly won the tiebreaker, one of three on the day for Fike, and it proved to be a good omen.
Fike will have a likely tougher road in the 3-A East this year with traditional 2-A power Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons moving up a classification. But the Demons have experience in big matches and could well find themselves back in Burlington. Don't count out Donald Clark's Rams who certainly will benefit from Cardinal Gibbons' move as well.
Before you know it, October will be here and these teams will be playing some really exciting matches, if Monday was any indication.
Monday, September 29, 2008
CBA stays No. 2 in 3-A poll
Here's a quick glance at teams in The Wilson Daily Times readership area that are ranked in their respective state polls.
Charles B. Aycock's unbeaten boys soccer team remains second in the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 3-A poll. The Golden Falcons (12-0-0) trail Asheville T.C. Roberson. After losses to CBA and Fike last week, Hunt dropped out of the top 15.
In the public school poll, defending N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A state champion Greenfield rose one spot to 10th. The Knight have won seven straight.
In girls tennis, Fike holds onto the No. 3 spot in the N.C. High School Tennis Coaches Association 3-A rankings. Rocky Mount is fifth. In the 2-A poll, Greene Central, the defending N.C. High School Athletic Association 2-A champion, is third.
High school football rankings come out Tuesday so stay tuned.
Charles B. Aycock's unbeaten boys soccer team remains second in the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 3-A poll. The Golden Falcons (12-0-0) trail Asheville T.C. Roberson. After losses to CBA and Fike last week, Hunt dropped out of the top 15.
In the public school poll, defending N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A state champion Greenfield rose one spot to 10th. The Knight have won seven straight.
In girls tennis, Fike holds onto the No. 3 spot in the N.C. High School Tennis Coaches Association 3-A rankings. Rocky Mount is fifth. In the 2-A poll, Greene Central, the defending N.C. High School Athletic Association 2-A champion, is third.
High school football rankings come out Tuesday so stay tuned.
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