The N.C. High School Athletic Association has unveiled its first attempt at conference realignment for the four-year period beginning in the fall of 2013.
Before I comment further on this scenario, let me say that the process usually involves several steps and won't be finalized until May, 2012. Let's hope that changes are made because the first draft means big changes for the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference. The EPC currently has Beddingfield, Greene Central, Farmville Central, Kinston, North Pitt, SouthWest Edgecombe and Tarboro as members. But Tarboro is destined for the 1-A ranks so the Vikings will likely join what is now the 1-A Tar-Roanoke Conference and be North Edgecombe's main rival.
The biggest change, however, involves sending Greene Central and Kinston to a new conference with Ayden-Grifton, Goldsboro, Midway, North Lenoir and South Lenoir. The four remaining EPC schools — Beddingfield, North Pitt, Farmville Central and SW Edgecombe — would be joined by Cleveland, North Johnston and Washington. However, now it appears that Cleveland will remain a 3-A school, per an announcement by the NCHSAA on Friday, so that would probably mean North Johnston wouldn't be shunted off to the EPC without a nearby rival.
If that happens, I don't see Greene Central leaving the EPC. My guess is that there will be a lot of lobbying from Snow Hill to keep the Rams in the conference they've belonged since anyone can remember.
The 3-A Big East Conference will not be broken up but will likely add Corinth Holders. Given that Corinth Holders is about 17 miles from Southern Nash, that seems like it will stick. I've been told by sources close to Corinth Holders that would be preferable to joining the 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference, which will look mostly the same with Charles B. Aycock, Eastern Wayne, Southern Wayne, South Johnston and Triton being joined by Smithfield-Selma. Cleveland would be likely to go either back to the ECC or the Big East.
The NCHSAA is trying to do away with split conferences and, as far as eastern North Carolina goes, the classification changes of some schools will help. Bertie and Hertford County will be legitimate 2-A schools and the Northeastern Coastal Conference will no longer be a 2-A/3-A league and just a 2-A one. In Pitt County, South Central and D.H. Conley will move up to the 4-A ranks and join Rose and New Bern. However, the first draft shows Clayton and West Johnston in that league which would mean a lot of travel, especially the grueling Clayton-to-New Bern trek.
There's sure to be lots more discussion on realignment as the game of musical chairs begins. Please add your perspective below because there's no end to the possibilities.
Showing posts with label high school sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high school sports. Show all posts
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Should private schools be in the NCHSAA?
Friday night Hunt will host Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons in the first meeting on the gridiron between the schools. It will also be the third round of N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-AA playoffs.
Gibbons just joined the NCHSAA in 2005 after being admitted as a private school. Previously, Gibbons was a member of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association. Two other private schools, Charlotte Catholic and Kernersville Bishop McGuiness, are NCHSAA members and have done quite well, like Gibbons.
Which begs the seasonal question: Is it fair for private schools, with no district boundaries, to compete against public schools? I've heard plenty of public school coaches say it's not and I'm split on the issue. It's not a matter of recruiting, which is forbidden by the NCHSAA and the NCISAA but happens within both organizations. I do think not having district boundaries gives private schools an edge. Of course, private school students have to pay to attend those schools since scholarships — at least full ones — are also prohibited.
Here's a good solution that has been advocated for some time: Let the private schools join the NCHSAA but put them all in the 4-A classification. After all, a student population drawn from a specific area isn't quite the same as one drawn from one without boundaries. Besides, given the success enjoyed by Gibbons, Charlotte Catholic and McGuiness, I'm sure all three could compete and succeed at the 4-A level.
And as an aside to that, I'd like to see private schools and public schools play each other more consistently, especially here in Wilson where it's non-existent.
Gibbons just joined the NCHSAA in 2005 after being admitted as a private school. Previously, Gibbons was a member of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association. Two other private schools, Charlotte Catholic and Kernersville Bishop McGuiness, are NCHSAA members and have done quite well, like Gibbons.
Which begs the seasonal question: Is it fair for private schools, with no district boundaries, to compete against public schools? I've heard plenty of public school coaches say it's not and I'm split on the issue. It's not a matter of recruiting, which is forbidden by the NCHSAA and the NCISAA but happens within both organizations. I do think not having district boundaries gives private schools an edge. Of course, private school students have to pay to attend those schools since scholarships — at least full ones — are also prohibited.
Here's a good solution that has been advocated for some time: Let the private schools join the NCHSAA but put them all in the 4-A classification. After all, a student population drawn from a specific area isn't quite the same as one drawn from one without boundaries. Besides, given the success enjoyed by Gibbons, Charlotte Catholic and McGuiness, I'm sure all three could compete and succeed at the 4-A level.
And as an aside to that, I'd like to see private schools and public schools play each other more consistently, especially here in Wilson where it's non-existent.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Best of the Decade voting heats up
With less than 24 hours until voting ends for the Best of the Decade contest, the action has heated up considerably.
Perhaps it was due to the voting results no longer being visible for the final three days of the contest but more than 30,000 votes were cast Thursday, the single biggest day of voting in the nearly three weeks since the contest began.
Although I'm not at liberty to discuss specifics, I will say there are major new developments in the race for Player and Coach of the Year. The next 23 1/2 hours are going to be very interesting!
Perhaps it was due to the voting results no longer being visible for the final three days of the contest but more than 30,000 votes were cast Thursday, the single biggest day of voting in the nearly three weeks since the contest began.
Although I'm not at liberty to discuss specifics, I will say there are major new developments in the race for Player and Coach of the Year. The next 23 1/2 hours are going to be very interesting!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Best voters of the decade
In approximately six days there have been nearly 20,000 votes cast on this Web site for the player, coach and team of the decade. With more than two weeks left to vote, it seems a given the vote count will top the 100,000 mark.
Color me impressed, Wilson County high school sports fans.
Color me impressed, Wilson County high school sports fans.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Congratulations to Charles Davis
Charles Davis, the veteran Charles B. Aycock High athletic director and varsity baseball coach, has been named one of eight statewide winners of the N.C. High School Athletic Association's Homer Thompson Sportsmanship Award.
The award goes to "coaches who make a difference" and is named for the late Winston-Salem Parkland High coach and member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame. The winners were chosen by a special committee based on nominations from the NCHSAA membership. Each school had the chance to nominate one coach. Davis represents Region 2. The other winners are Marie Lewis of Greenville Rose, Region 1; Art Medlin of South Johnston, Region 3; Paul Hodges of Lumberton, Region 4; Steven Davis, Greensboro Dudley, Region 5; Chris Norman of Shelby, Region 6; David Craft of Hickory, Region 7 and Robert Strong of Hendersonville, Region 8.
Davis, who is in his 20th year at CBA, is also in the Mount Olive College Athletic Hall of Fame. He guided the Golden Falcons to the 2007 state 3-A baseball championship and has sent a number of players into the collegiate and professional ranks. Besides all that, he's one of the most professional athletic directors I know and about one of the best guys anyone will ever meet.
He's due to receive the honor in a couple of weeks at the regional meeting.
I know Charles would never pick up the phone and tell a newspaper he won an award so I hope he doesn't mind me telling everyone that he did and deserves it.
The award goes to "coaches who make a difference" and is named for the late Winston-Salem Parkland High coach and member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame. The winners were chosen by a special committee based on nominations from the NCHSAA membership. Each school had the chance to nominate one coach. Davis represents Region 2. The other winners are Marie Lewis of Greenville Rose, Region 1; Art Medlin of South Johnston, Region 3; Paul Hodges of Lumberton, Region 4; Steven Davis, Greensboro Dudley, Region 5; Chris Norman of Shelby, Region 6; David Craft of Hickory, Region 7 and Robert Strong of Hendersonville, Region 8.
Davis, who is in his 20th year at CBA, is also in the Mount Olive College Athletic Hall of Fame. He guided the Golden Falcons to the 2007 state 3-A baseball championship and has sent a number of players into the collegiate and professional ranks. Besides all that, he's one of the most professional athletic directors I know and about one of the best guys anyone will ever meet.
He's due to receive the honor in a couple of weeks at the regional meeting.
I know Charles would never pick up the phone and tell a newspaper he won an award so I hope he doesn't mind me telling everyone that he did and deserves it.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Each school should have an athletic hall of fame
SouthWest Edgecombe held its fourth induction for the school's athletic hall of fame Monday night and the main honoree was, fittingly, Yancey Thigpen.
For those who don't remember, Thigpen was a Cougar football standout from 1984 to 1986 before going on to Winston-Salem State University and then a stellar NFL career. A two-time Pro Bowler with the PIttsburgh Steelers, Thigpen ended his career with the Tennessee Titans. He now lives in Charlotte.
He was the first male athlete to be enshrined by SouthWest which is taking it slowly in its choice of inductees. There will be plenty more candidates from which to choose in future installations.
But the whole hall-of-fame thing got me to thinking, yet again, that it's a shame Hunt or Beddingfield hasn't put together a hall of fame yet. Fike, which opened its doors in the fall of 1958, started its hall of fame in 2000 with 12 inductees. Jim Boykin Jr. has been the driving force since its inception and can be counted on to put together a credible class every 2 or 3 years.
Someone at Hunt or Beddingfield needs to step up. Both schools are now in their 31st year and each has produced numerous candidates. I could put together the initial classes for each school.
Let's say we start with five honorees to open each school's mythical hall of fame. Let's make it unavailable to athletes who have graduated in the last five years or coaches or administrators still on staff.
For Hunt, I'd go with Bill Williamson, Octavus Barnes, Jennifer Laughridge, William Hesmer and Willie Harris.
At Beddingfield, let's start with William Lewis, Tommy Hawkins, Dennis Barron, Corey Thomas and Latonya Joyner.
Hey, this is fun. Let's throw Greenfield into the mix. How about Joe Warenda, Rick Helms, Badie Clark, Catherine Thomas and Anthony Atkinson?
If I'm off base on some of those or have forgotten anyone, please let me know.
The thing about organizing a hall of fame for a high school is that someone really has to bear the mantle of responsibility and then find someone else to pass it on. Boykin has been that person at Fike and at SouthWest, I suspect Sandra Langley has done quite a bit of work but she probably has more help than Boykin requires at Fike.
So maybe we'll see such institutions crop up at Beddingfield, Hunt, Greenfield or Wilson Christian in the near future. I hope so.
For those who don't remember, Thigpen was a Cougar football standout from 1984 to 1986 before going on to Winston-Salem State University and then a stellar NFL career. A two-time Pro Bowler with the PIttsburgh Steelers, Thigpen ended his career with the Tennessee Titans. He now lives in Charlotte.
He was the first male athlete to be enshrined by SouthWest which is taking it slowly in its choice of inductees. There will be plenty more candidates from which to choose in future installations.
But the whole hall-of-fame thing got me to thinking, yet again, that it's a shame Hunt or Beddingfield hasn't put together a hall of fame yet. Fike, which opened its doors in the fall of 1958, started its hall of fame in 2000 with 12 inductees. Jim Boykin Jr. has been the driving force since its inception and can be counted on to put together a credible class every 2 or 3 years.
Someone at Hunt or Beddingfield needs to step up. Both schools are now in their 31st year and each has produced numerous candidates. I could put together the initial classes for each school.
Let's say we start with five honorees to open each school's mythical hall of fame. Let's make it unavailable to athletes who have graduated in the last five years or coaches or administrators still on staff.
For Hunt, I'd go with Bill Williamson, Octavus Barnes, Jennifer Laughridge, William Hesmer and Willie Harris.
At Beddingfield, let's start with William Lewis, Tommy Hawkins, Dennis Barron, Corey Thomas and Latonya Joyner.
Hey, this is fun. Let's throw Greenfield into the mix. How about Joe Warenda, Rick Helms, Badie Clark, Catherine Thomas and Anthony Atkinson?
If I'm off base on some of those or have forgotten anyone, please let me know.
The thing about organizing a hall of fame for a high school is that someone really has to bear the mantle of responsibility and then find someone else to pass it on. Boykin has been that person at Fike and at SouthWest, I suspect Sandra Langley has done quite a bit of work but she probably has more help than Boykin requires at Fike.
So maybe we'll see such institutions crop up at Beddingfield, Hunt, Greenfield or Wilson Christian in the near future. I hope so.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Who's ranked and who's not
With high school baseball, softball and girls soccer about to begin the state playoffs, here's a quick glance at who's ranked and who's not.
In the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 3-A girls poll, Fike rose one spot to No. 6 this week while Hunt lurks just outside the top 15.
Fike (16-1-1) lost to No. 5 Asheville T.C. Roberson and tied 2-A No. 2 Swansboro at The Brittany. Hunt (15-2) lost to Jacksonville early in the season and Fike a few weeks ago. Both teams won their conference regular-season championships and with tonight's wins (Fike 4, Nash Central 0 — Hunt 3, Charles B. Aycock 0), advance to the tournament finals of the NEW 6 Conference and Eastern Carolina Conference, respectively.
The N.C. Softball Coaches Association lists Aycock at No. 4 in its 3-A state poll. The Golden Falcons' only loss came to No. 1 D.H. Conley early in the season and a rematch this week was rained out. Looks like second-year head coach Brad Matthews may have CBA back at Walnut Creek Softball Complex for the state final four after a two-year absence.
The IMPACT Baseball state poll, voted on by IMPACT staff, coaches and media, had a curious turn of events in the most recent poll released Monday. Previously unranked Charles B. Aycock rose to the No. 4 spot with a 17-5 record on the strength of its defeat of former No. 1 Eastern Wayne (16-3) now fifth, last week.
Not to denigrate CBA or its win against Eastern Wayne because the Falcons are always a dangerous club, but that kind of ascension is circumspect. And Aycock head coach Charles Davis will be the first to tell you that polls don't mean a thing. Having said that, it wouldn't surprise me if CBA wins the ECC tournament, set to begin Friday night after two rain delays.
In the IMPACT 1-A poll, North Johnston moved to second from fourth.
Finally a note from the N.C. High School Athletic Association spring meeting this week. The organization has voted to play girls and boys sectional basketball games on the same nights next winter. The old format had girls playing Monday, Wednesday and Friday and boys playing Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Now they will all play Monday, Wednesday, Friday and girls-boys doubleheaders will be encouraged to trim travel expenses.
In the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 3-A girls poll, Fike rose one spot to No. 6 this week while Hunt lurks just outside the top 15.
Fike (16-1-1) lost to No. 5 Asheville T.C. Roberson and tied 2-A No. 2 Swansboro at The Brittany. Hunt (15-2) lost to Jacksonville early in the season and Fike a few weeks ago. Both teams won their conference regular-season championships and with tonight's wins (Fike 4, Nash Central 0 — Hunt 3, Charles B. Aycock 0), advance to the tournament finals of the NEW 6 Conference and Eastern Carolina Conference, respectively.
The N.C. Softball Coaches Association lists Aycock at No. 4 in its 3-A state poll. The Golden Falcons' only loss came to No. 1 D.H. Conley early in the season and a rematch this week was rained out. Looks like second-year head coach Brad Matthews may have CBA back at Walnut Creek Softball Complex for the state final four after a two-year absence.
The IMPACT Baseball state poll, voted on by IMPACT staff, coaches and media, had a curious turn of events in the most recent poll released Monday. Previously unranked Charles B. Aycock rose to the No. 4 spot with a 17-5 record on the strength of its defeat of former No. 1 Eastern Wayne (16-3) now fifth, last week.
Not to denigrate CBA or its win against Eastern Wayne because the Falcons are always a dangerous club, but that kind of ascension is circumspect. And Aycock head coach Charles Davis will be the first to tell you that polls don't mean a thing. Having said that, it wouldn't surprise me if CBA wins the ECC tournament, set to begin Friday night after two rain delays.
In the IMPACT 1-A poll, North Johnston moved to second from fourth.
Finally a note from the N.C. High School Athletic Association spring meeting this week. The organization has voted to play girls and boys sectional basketball games on the same nights next winter. The old format had girls playing Monday, Wednesday and Friday and boys playing Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Now they will all play Monday, Wednesday, Friday and girls-boys doubleheaders will be encouraged to trim travel expenses.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Fike, Hunt, North Johnston maintain Wachovia Cup leads
The N.C. High School Athletic Association has released Wachovia Cup conference standings following the winter sports season and Fike, Hunt and North Johnston maintain their leads atop their respective conferences.
Fike won the girls swimming championship in the 3-A NEW 6 and leads Nash Central by five points and Rocky Mount by six points as we head into spring. Conference Standings:Fike 114, Nash Central 109, Rocky Mount 108.5, Northern Nash 96.5, Southern Nash 82, Southwest Edgecombe 68.
Hunt tied for first in the 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference in wrestling, girls basketball and girls and boys swimming and holds a seven-point edge over Eastern Wayne while Beddingfield is third, 18 points behind Hunt. Conference Standings: Hunt 120, Eastern Wayne 113, Beddingfield 102, Southern Wayne 99.5, C.B. Aycock 97, Kinston 48.5.
North Johnston claimed 1-A Carolina Conference crowns in wrestling and girls basketball to move 13.5 points ahead of Spring Creek. Conference Standings: North Johnston 41.5, Spring Creek 28, Princeton 27, Ayden Grifton 25, Rosewood 19.5, North Duplin 9.
Greene Central sits in fourth place in the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference. Conference Standings: North Pitt 36, Farmville Central 35.5, Tarboro 34.5, Greene Central 29.5, Goldsboro 26.5, North Lenoir 25
Fike won the girls swimming championship in the 3-A NEW 6 and leads Nash Central by five points and Rocky Mount by six points as we head into spring. Conference Standings:Fike 114, Nash Central 109, Rocky Mount 108.5, Northern Nash 96.5, Southern Nash 82, Southwest Edgecombe 68.
Hunt tied for first in the 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference in wrestling, girls basketball and girls and boys swimming and holds a seven-point edge over Eastern Wayne while Beddingfield is third, 18 points behind Hunt. Conference Standings: Hunt 120, Eastern Wayne 113, Beddingfield 102, Southern Wayne 99.5, C.B. Aycock 97, Kinston 48.5.
North Johnston claimed 1-A Carolina Conference crowns in wrestling and girls basketball to move 13.5 points ahead of Spring Creek. Conference Standings: North Johnston 41.5, Spring Creek 28, Princeton 27, Ayden Grifton 25, Rosewood 19.5, North Duplin 9.
Greene Central sits in fourth place in the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference. Conference Standings: North Pitt 36, Farmville Central 35.5, Tarboro 34.5, Greene Central 29.5, Goldsboro 26.5, North Lenoir 25
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Big East is back!
I have it on high authority that the 3-A NEW 6 Conference will be renamed next year when N.C. High School Athletic Association realignment takes place.
With SouthWest Edgecombe returning to the 2-A ranks, the "E" in N(ash)E(dgecombe)W(ilson) is gone so the conference athletic directors made the most sensible choice — call their league the Big East Conference.
The Big East ended in 2004 when Rocky Mount and Northern Nash dropped to 3-A. It was formed in 1978 as a 4-A conference when the Wilson school system merged and Hunt and Beddingfield opened their doors. The original conference members were 4-A Eastern Conference holdovers Fike and Rocky Mount, along with Kinston, Northern Nash, Greenville Rose and Elizabeth City Northeastern.
With Hunt joining the conference next fall, it makes sense that it be named the Big East. Southern Nash and Nash Central are the only schools that weren't members in the original conference.
With SouthWest Edgecombe returning to the 2-A ranks, the "E" in N(ash)E(dgecombe)W(ilson) is gone so the conference athletic directors made the most sensible choice — call their league the Big East Conference.
The Big East ended in 2004 when Rocky Mount and Northern Nash dropped to 3-A. It was formed in 1978 as a 4-A conference when the Wilson school system merged and Hunt and Beddingfield opened their doors. The original conference members were 4-A Eastern Conference holdovers Fike and Rocky Mount, along with Kinston, Northern Nash, Greenville Rose and Elizabeth City Northeastern.
With Hunt joining the conference next fall, it makes sense that it be named the Big East. Southern Nash and Nash Central are the only schools that weren't members in the original conference.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Busy Saturday of high school playoff action
There was a lot of high school playoff action going on Saturday and here are the results I've got thus far.
In the N.C. High School Athletic Association volleyball 3-A playoffs, Beddingfield beat Fike in four games while Hunt swept Northeast Guilford and C.B. Aycock was eliminated at West Brunswick in three games.
Hunt will host Havelock in the second round Tuesday and Beddingfield will travel to Currituck.
In the 1-A classification, North Johnston swept Hobbton and the Lady Panthers will visit Midway on Tuesday.
Greene Central was ousted in three games from the 2-A playoffs by defending champion Cardinal Gibbons of Raleigh.
In the 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference boys soccer tournament, Beddingfield lost to Southern Wayne 1-0. The Bruins now await their assignment in the NCHSAA playoffs — as long as Southern Wayne doesn't win the ECC tourney and take the No. 4 seed for itself.
In the other ECC semifinal, Eastern Wayne earned a berth opposite Hunt in Monday's semifinals by beating Kinston 6-1.
Finally, the NCHSAA 3-A East Regional girls tennis tournament was suspended by rain again. However, the finals are set with Fike's Mary-Katherine Prince facing teammate, doubles partner and friend Connor Allegood in the final, which will be played Monday at 4 p.m. at Barton College Tennis Complex.
In doubles, Fike's Mallory Short-Meredith Pruden defeated Rocky Mount's Caroline Gray-Kate Gray in the semifinals and will take on another Lady Gryphons duo, Addie Keeter-Lindsay Thomas, in the final Monday.
In the N.C. High School Athletic Association volleyball 3-A playoffs, Beddingfield beat Fike in four games while Hunt swept Northeast Guilford and C.B. Aycock was eliminated at West Brunswick in three games.
Hunt will host Havelock in the second round Tuesday and Beddingfield will travel to Currituck.
In the 1-A classification, North Johnston swept Hobbton and the Lady Panthers will visit Midway on Tuesday.
Greene Central was ousted in three games from the 2-A playoffs by defending champion Cardinal Gibbons of Raleigh.
In the 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference boys soccer tournament, Beddingfield lost to Southern Wayne 1-0. The Bruins now await their assignment in the NCHSAA playoffs — as long as Southern Wayne doesn't win the ECC tourney and take the No. 4 seed for itself.
In the other ECC semifinal, Eastern Wayne earned a berth opposite Hunt in Monday's semifinals by beating Kinston 6-1.
Finally, the NCHSAA 3-A East Regional girls tennis tournament was suspended by rain again. However, the finals are set with Fike's Mary-Katherine Prince facing teammate, doubles partner and friend Connor Allegood in the final, which will be played Monday at 4 p.m. at Barton College Tennis Complex.
In doubles, Fike's Mallory Short-Meredith Pruden defeated Rocky Mount's Caroline Gray-Kate Gray in the semifinals and will take on another Lady Gryphons duo, Addie Keeter-Lindsay Thomas, in the final Monday.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Smoke 'em while you can
As of Friday, all North Carolina public school campuses will have a no-tobacco policy in effect, reported The Charlotte Observer on Monday.
That means no cigarettes, no cigars, no pipes, no chaw, no dip in school and at school functions, including athletic events.
That's going to be a tough one for some folks around here. After all, Wilson was the World's Greatest Tobacco Market and while tobacco use has declined, it's still prevalent.
I guess it's a good thing. I'm not for a government ban on smoking but if a business wants to do it, that's fine. Because schools are run by the government, I guess it's up to it to decide.
While I don't see what the problem is putting smokers in an area like everywhere else, I've been to softball games in which people lean on the fence, puffing away and clouds of smoke float across the infield. That's not cool and I guess it's now a thing of the past.
That means no cigarettes, no cigars, no pipes, no chaw, no dip in school and at school functions, including athletic events.
That's going to be a tough one for some folks around here. After all, Wilson was the World's Greatest Tobacco Market and while tobacco use has declined, it's still prevalent.
I guess it's a good thing. I'm not for a government ban on smoking but if a business wants to do it, that's fine. Because schools are run by the government, I guess it's up to it to decide.
While I don't see what the problem is putting smokers in an area like everywhere else, I've been to softball games in which people lean on the fence, puffing away and clouds of smoke float across the infield. That's not cool and I guess it's now a thing of the past.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Fike finishes in top 10 for 3-A Wachovia Cup
Despite not winning the Wachovia Cup for the 3-A NEW 6 Conference, Fike High School ended up tied for sixth in the statewide 3-A Wachovia Cup competition. It was the highest finish for a NEW 6 school.
Fike and Jacksonville each had 290 points to tie for the sixth spot. Charlotte Catholic won the 3-A Wachovia Cup with 470 points, well ahead of Asheville High School and Asheville T.C. Roberson, which tied for second with 402.5 points each.
Lake Norman, which defeated Fike in the boys soccer championship, was fourth with 310 points while Mooresville came in fifth with 300.
The entire standings for all four classifications can be seen here.
Fike won the 3-A crown in boys golf and had state runner-up finishes in girls golf and boys soccer. The school also sent teams to the girls cross country and swimming championships. Fike was second to Rocky Mount in NEW 6 Wachovia Cup competition but that is based strictly on conference finishes. The statewide competition is based on points earned in the state playoffs.
Congratulations to Fike for another solid athletic year!
Fike and Jacksonville each had 290 points to tie for the sixth spot. Charlotte Catholic won the 3-A Wachovia Cup with 470 points, well ahead of Asheville High School and Asheville T.C. Roberson, which tied for second with 402.5 points each.
Lake Norman, which defeated Fike in the boys soccer championship, was fourth with 310 points while Mooresville came in fifth with 300.
The entire standings for all four classifications can be seen here.
Fike won the 3-A crown in boys golf and had state runner-up finishes in girls golf and boys soccer. The school also sent teams to the girls cross country and swimming championships. Fike was second to Rocky Mount in NEW 6 Wachovia Cup competition but that is based strictly on conference finishes. The statewide competition is based on points earned in the state playoffs.
Congratulations to Fike for another solid athletic year!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A sneak peek at the Wilsies
Just as I promised, wilsontimes.com will be the site of a fun venture for area sports fans — The Wilsy Awards. This inaugural campaign is meant as a fun way to look back at the people and events that shaped the last 12 months in area sports community.
I'm going to float the initial list of categories and nominees so that anyone who wants to make an addition can do so now. The final ballot will go up on wilsontimes.com in about a week and fans may vote for their picks at that time. Voting will last about a month and we will announce the winners sometime in July.
Sorry for being so vague about the dates but I'll have more information in a few days. Keep in mind that this contest is all in fun and winners will not receive actual trophies or awards. This contest is all about you, the fan, so make sure you make your opinions heard and your votes count.
Best male athlete: Bobby White, Hunt; Paxton Barnes, Greenfield; Matt Watson, Southern Nash; Terry Davis, Beddingfield; Brian McNair,Greenfield; Jarred Hinton, Greenfield; David Hesmer, Hunt; Brian Leggett, Barton; Errol Frails, Barton; David Gibbons, Fike
Best female athlete: Laura Hanson, Fike; Tramicka James, Fike; Jean Best, Beddingfield; Laura Langley, Southern Nash; Casey Elliott, Beddingfield; Esty Flores, Barton; Jessica Galasso, Barton; Allie Wilkerson, Barton; Meredith Pruden, Fike
Best coach: Toni Varacchi,Fike boys and girls soccer; Donald Clark, Greene Central girls tennis; Luke Vail, Charles B. Aycock girls tennis; Will Flowers, Fike baseball; Rhine Sharp, Community Christian girls soccer; Debra Pegram, Beddingfield girls basketball; Brad Joyner, Southern Nash boys tennis; Ben Forbes, Greenfield girls and boys soccer
Best team: Fike boys soccer; Greenfield boys soccer; Greene Central girls tennis; Fike boys golf; Southern Nash boys tennis; Fike baseball; Beddingfield girls basketball; Community Christian girls soccer
Best game: Fike-Lake Norman in boys soccer 3-A state championship; Fike-Jacksonville in boys soccer 3-A East Regional championship; Fike-Rocky Mount football; Fike-Rocky Mount baseball second meeting (9-8 Fike in 11 innings); Fike-Rocky Mount baseball third meeting (1-0 Fike); Mount Olive-Barton in nationally televised regular-season finale
Most memorable play: Beddingfield-Kinston football: Bruins face fourth down-and-33 yards but fake punt leads to first down and eventual victory; Sound Doctrine Christian Academy's Donte Poole pulls off an eight-point play against Charis Prep's basketball team; Casey Elliott’s four-point play with 1.7 seconds to keeps the Beddingfield girls basketball team undefeated with 70-69 win at Southern Wayne; Barton freshman guard Greg Mammel’s layup just before buzzer beats Mount Olive in men's basketball regular-season finale; Auburn Smith's overtime goal sends Community Christian to the NCISAA 1-A championship game
Wildest finish: Beddingfield beats Hunt in two-overtime football game; Casey Elliott’s four-point play with 1.7 seconds to keeps the Beddingfield girls basketball team undefeated with 70-69 win at Southern Wayne; Aaron Suggs’ buzzer-beat gives Barton men's basketball team a win against Coker; Hunt clips Gray's Creek in 3-A girls soccer playoff after on-field brawl is broken up by parent; Community Christian wins NCISAA 1-A girls soccer state championship on penalty kicks; Fike freshman Leslie Finch belts a three-run home run to cap a five-run seventh inning in the Lady Golden Demons' 5-3 softball victory at SouthWest Edgecombe
Biggest upset: Beddingfield beats Hunt in two-overtime football game; Fike surprises Jacksonville in boys soccer 3-A East Regional final; Barton downs Mount Olive in Conference Carolinas regular-season men's basketball finale in front of national television audience; No. 8-seeded Community Christian runs the table to win the NCISAA 1-A girls soccer state championship; Eastern Wayne topples Beddingfield girls basketball team in Eastern Carolina Conference Tournament championship; Hunt beats Fike in girls soccer for first time in six years
I'm going to float the initial list of categories and nominees so that anyone who wants to make an addition can do so now. The final ballot will go up on wilsontimes.com in about a week and fans may vote for their picks at that time. Voting will last about a month and we will announce the winners sometime in July.
Sorry for being so vague about the dates but I'll have more information in a few days. Keep in mind that this contest is all in fun and winners will not receive actual trophies or awards. This contest is all about you, the fan, so make sure you make your opinions heard and your votes count.
Best male athlete: Bobby White, Hunt; Paxton Barnes, Greenfield; Matt Watson, Southern Nash; Terry Davis, Beddingfield; Brian McNair,Greenfield; Jarred Hinton, Greenfield; David Hesmer, Hunt; Brian Leggett, Barton; Errol Frails, Barton; David Gibbons, Fike
Best female athlete: Laura Hanson, Fike; Tramicka James, Fike; Jean Best, Beddingfield; Laura Langley, Southern Nash; Casey Elliott, Beddingfield; Esty Flores, Barton; Jessica Galasso, Barton; Allie Wilkerson, Barton; Meredith Pruden, Fike
Best coach: Toni Varacchi,Fike boys and girls soccer; Donald Clark, Greene Central girls tennis; Luke Vail, Charles B. Aycock girls tennis; Will Flowers, Fike baseball; Rhine Sharp, Community Christian girls soccer; Debra Pegram, Beddingfield girls basketball; Brad Joyner, Southern Nash boys tennis; Ben Forbes, Greenfield girls and boys soccer
Best team: Fike boys soccer; Greenfield boys soccer; Greene Central girls tennis; Fike boys golf; Southern Nash boys tennis; Fike baseball; Beddingfield girls basketball; Community Christian girls soccer
Best game: Fike-Lake Norman in boys soccer 3-A state championship; Fike-Jacksonville in boys soccer 3-A East Regional championship; Fike-Rocky Mount football; Fike-Rocky Mount baseball second meeting (9-8 Fike in 11 innings); Fike-Rocky Mount baseball third meeting (1-0 Fike); Mount Olive-Barton in nationally televised regular-season finale
Most memorable play: Beddingfield-Kinston football: Bruins face fourth down-and-33 yards but fake punt leads to first down and eventual victory; Sound Doctrine Christian Academy's Donte Poole pulls off an eight-point play against Charis Prep's basketball team; Casey Elliott’s four-point play with 1.7 seconds to keeps the Beddingfield girls basketball team undefeated with 70-69 win at Southern Wayne; Barton freshman guard Greg Mammel’s layup just before buzzer beats Mount Olive in men's basketball regular-season finale; Auburn Smith's overtime goal sends Community Christian to the NCISAA 1-A championship game
Wildest finish: Beddingfield beats Hunt in two-overtime football game; Casey Elliott’s four-point play with 1.7 seconds to keeps the Beddingfield girls basketball team undefeated with 70-69 win at Southern Wayne; Aaron Suggs’ buzzer-beat gives Barton men's basketball team a win against Coker; Hunt clips Gray's Creek in 3-A girls soccer playoff after on-field brawl is broken up by parent; Community Christian wins NCISAA 1-A girls soccer state championship on penalty kicks; Fike freshman Leslie Finch belts a three-run home run to cap a five-run seventh inning in the Lady Golden Demons' 5-3 softball victory at SouthWest Edgecombe
Biggest upset: Beddingfield beats Hunt in two-overtime football game; Fike surprises Jacksonville in boys soccer 3-A East Regional final; Barton downs Mount Olive in Conference Carolinas regular-season men's basketball finale in front of national television audience; No. 8-seeded Community Christian runs the table to win the NCISAA 1-A girls soccer state championship; Eastern Wayne topples Beddingfield girls basketball team in Eastern Carolina Conference Tournament championship; Hunt beats Fike in girls soccer for first time in six years
Monday, April 7, 2008
The rankings are back but they're not always what they seem
Here's a glance at some of the high school spring sports rankings and Wilson Daily Times readership-area teams' involvement.
In the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 1-A poll, North Johnston is No. 13.
With back-to-back losses in The Brittany, Hunt fell out of the 3-A poll.
Southern Nash continues to occupy the top spot in the N.C. High School Tennis Coaches Association 3-A boys tennis rankings, while Charles B. Aycock is seventh. Greene Central is fifth in the 2-A rankings.
No area teams are currently ranked in the N.C. Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association poll or the Impact Baseball rankings.
Like most polls, all of these must be taken with a grain of salt because they are created by a small group of voters without much exposure to the body of teams around the state. I probably put more stock in the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association poll because its Web site is so well-run and up-to-the hour on game results. But the NCSCA all-state teams are only represented by teams whose coaches pay dues and participate in the voting meetings so keep that in mind.
I vote in the weekly Associated Press football rankings each fall and even that is not even close to being an accurate assessment of teams in the NCHSAA's four classifications. I only get to see a handful of teams each season and go on whatever info I can glean about other teams. Once the initial rankings are set, I just adjust based on what each team does each week.
Rankings are fun for us in the media and fans but don't mean a thing ultimately.
In the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 1-A poll, North Johnston is No. 13.
With back-to-back losses in The Brittany, Hunt fell out of the 3-A poll.
Southern Nash continues to occupy the top spot in the N.C. High School Tennis Coaches Association 3-A boys tennis rankings, while Charles B. Aycock is seventh. Greene Central is fifth in the 2-A rankings.
No area teams are currently ranked in the N.C. Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association poll or the Impact Baseball rankings.
Like most polls, all of these must be taken with a grain of salt because they are created by a small group of voters without much exposure to the body of teams around the state. I probably put more stock in the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association poll because its Web site is so well-run and up-to-the hour on game results. But the NCSCA all-state teams are only represented by teams whose coaches pay dues and participate in the voting meetings so keep that in mind.
I vote in the weekly Associated Press football rankings each fall and even that is not even close to being an accurate assessment of teams in the NCHSAA's four classifications. I only get to see a handful of teams each season and go on whatever info I can glean about other teams. Once the initial rankings are set, I just adjust based on what each team does each week.
Rankings are fun for us in the media and fans but don't mean a thing ultimately.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Fike tied for eighth in state 3-A Wachovia Cup points
The standings for the Wachovia Cup for all-around athletic excellence have been updated by the N.C. High School Athletic Association following the winter season.
Fike remains in the 3-A top 10 at tied with Jacksonville for No. 8 but in the conference standings is in second behind Rocky Mount. That's because the state standings are based on overall finishes and Fike was the runner-up in girls golf and boys soccer. The conference standings are based on conference finish.
Of area interest in the 3-A state standings, Eastern Wayne is No. 11 and Rocky Mount is No. 14.
On the conference scene, Hunt (115.5) is just behind Eastern Wayne (118) in the 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference, with Charles B. Aycock third (98.5) and Beddingfield fifth (88).
Rocky Mount (49.5) is just ahead of Fike (46.5) in the NEW 6 Conference while Southern Nash is fourth (41.5) and SouthWest Edgecombe is last (38).
North Johnston leads the 1-A Carolina Conference with 36.5 to 24 for runner-up Ayden-Grifton. Greene Central occupies third in the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference with 31.5 points, not far behind front-running North Pitt (35) and second-place Farmville Central (32.5).
NCHSAA state Wachovia Cup standings
NCHSAA conference Wachovia Cup standings
Fike remains in the 3-A top 10 at tied with Jacksonville for No. 8 but in the conference standings is in second behind Rocky Mount. That's because the state standings are based on overall finishes and Fike was the runner-up in girls golf and boys soccer. The conference standings are based on conference finish.
Of area interest in the 3-A state standings, Eastern Wayne is No. 11 and Rocky Mount is No. 14.
On the conference scene, Hunt (115.5) is just behind Eastern Wayne (118) in the 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference, with Charles B. Aycock third (98.5) and Beddingfield fifth (88).
Rocky Mount (49.5) is just ahead of Fike (46.5) in the NEW 6 Conference while Southern Nash is fourth (41.5) and SouthWest Edgecombe is last (38).
North Johnston leads the 1-A Carolina Conference with 36.5 to 24 for runner-up Ayden-Grifton. Greene Central occupies third in the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference with 31.5 points, not far behind front-running North Pitt (35) and second-place Farmville Central (32.5).
NCHSAA state Wachovia Cup standings
NCHSAA conference Wachovia Cup standings
Saturday, February 9, 2008
North Johnston gets its realignment wish
It looks like North Johnston will get its wish but Hertford County and Goldsboro will not as the N.C. High School Athletic Association prepares for realignment.
In the first stab at realignment in November, the NCHSAA moved North Johnston from the 1-A Carolina Conference to the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference. Officials at North Johnston realized there was little they could do about the growing school's move to the 2-A ranks but preferred to join the league with Bunn, Louisburg, Warren County, Franklinton, Northwest Halifax and Roanoke Rapids.
This week the NCHSAA released its next round of proposals, which will stay in place while schools appeal the decision. The final conferences will be announced in March but there will be an April 1 deadline for appeals based on procedural errors. In May, the NCHSAA Board of Directors will convene to consider those appeals and make the final decision.
North Johnston was switched to the 2-A Conference No. 4 (yet to be named) with Bunn, Louisburg, Warren County, Franklinton, Northwest Halifax and Roanoke Rapids. The 2-A Conference No. 3, which looks very much like the Eastern Plains Conference, has existing EPC members Farmville Central, Greene Central, North Pitt and Tarboro along with former EPC affiliate SouthWest Edgecombe, which will move back to the 2-A ranks out of the 3-A NEW 6. Finally, 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference refugees Beddingfield and Kinston will complete the new seven-team EPC.
It really was six of one and half dozen of the other for North Johnston. It would be the seventh member of either conference (seven is an odd number for conference membership) and the travel distance probably is a wash, too. Maybe it came down to North Johnston not being eager ton make the move to 2-A by joining a conference with recent 3-A schools like Beddingfield and SouthWest.
Goldsboro is out of the EPC, along with North Lenoir. Goldsboro protested its move to the 1-A ranks, taking North Johnston's place in the 1-A Carolina Conference, but it seems the NCHSAA isn't buying the notion that Goldsboro, once a mighty 4-A school, will increase its enrollment.
North Lenoir is headed to a new 3-A conference that will include former ECC members Charles B. Aycock, Eastern Wayne and Southern Wayne along with Triton and South Johnston.
But what about Hertford County?
Hertford County's wishes to join what was basically the NEW 6, minus SouthWest Edgecombe, was rebuffed by the NCHSAA. Instead, Hertford County and Currituck County will remain with four other 2-A schools in the northeastern corner of the state in a mixed conference.
That completely makes sense given the high price of gas these days. Now Fike and Hunt will join Southern Nash, Northern Nash, Rocky Mount and Nash Central in the old NEW 6, which will probably need a new name like the Newer 6?
As far as I'm concerned, I would prefer to have all eight high schools in The Wilson Daily Times readership area — Fike, Hunt, Beddingfield, Southern Nash, SouthWest Edgecombe, Charles B. Aycock, North Johnston and Greene Central — in one conference. Now it looks like we'll be split up into four conferences with CBA and North Johnston off by themselves.
But the good news is that Fike and Hunt will be reunited with some nearby natural rivals like Southern Nash and Rocky Mount. And Beddingfield will join old friends Greene Central and SouthWest Edgecombe in the EPC.
Unless, of course, the NCHSAA changes its mind again — which it has been known to do.
In the first stab at realignment in November, the NCHSAA moved North Johnston from the 1-A Carolina Conference to the 2-A Eastern Plains Conference. Officials at North Johnston realized there was little they could do about the growing school's move to the 2-A ranks but preferred to join the league with Bunn, Louisburg, Warren County, Franklinton, Northwest Halifax and Roanoke Rapids.
This week the NCHSAA released its next round of proposals, which will stay in place while schools appeal the decision. The final conferences will be announced in March but there will be an April 1 deadline for appeals based on procedural errors. In May, the NCHSAA Board of Directors will convene to consider those appeals and make the final decision.
North Johnston was switched to the 2-A Conference No. 4 (yet to be named) with Bunn, Louisburg, Warren County, Franklinton, Northwest Halifax and Roanoke Rapids. The 2-A Conference No. 3, which looks very much like the Eastern Plains Conference, has existing EPC members Farmville Central, Greene Central, North Pitt and Tarboro along with former EPC affiliate SouthWest Edgecombe, which will move back to the 2-A ranks out of the 3-A NEW 6. Finally, 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference refugees Beddingfield and Kinston will complete the new seven-team EPC.
It really was six of one and half dozen of the other for North Johnston. It would be the seventh member of either conference (seven is an odd number for conference membership) and the travel distance probably is a wash, too. Maybe it came down to North Johnston not being eager ton make the move to 2-A by joining a conference with recent 3-A schools like Beddingfield and SouthWest.
Goldsboro is out of the EPC, along with North Lenoir. Goldsboro protested its move to the 1-A ranks, taking North Johnston's place in the 1-A Carolina Conference, but it seems the NCHSAA isn't buying the notion that Goldsboro, once a mighty 4-A school, will increase its enrollment.
North Lenoir is headed to a new 3-A conference that will include former ECC members Charles B. Aycock, Eastern Wayne and Southern Wayne along with Triton and South Johnston.
But what about Hertford County?
Hertford County's wishes to join what was basically the NEW 6, minus SouthWest Edgecombe, was rebuffed by the NCHSAA. Instead, Hertford County and Currituck County will remain with four other 2-A schools in the northeastern corner of the state in a mixed conference.
That completely makes sense given the high price of gas these days. Now Fike and Hunt will join Southern Nash, Northern Nash, Rocky Mount and Nash Central in the old NEW 6, which will probably need a new name like the Newer 6?
As far as I'm concerned, I would prefer to have all eight high schools in The Wilson Daily Times readership area — Fike, Hunt, Beddingfield, Southern Nash, SouthWest Edgecombe, Charles B. Aycock, North Johnston and Greene Central — in one conference. Now it looks like we'll be split up into four conferences with CBA and North Johnston off by themselves.
But the good news is that Fike and Hunt will be reunited with some nearby natural rivals like Southern Nash and Rocky Mount. And Beddingfield will join old friends Greene Central and SouthWest Edgecombe in the EPC.
Unless, of course, the NCHSAA changes its mind again — which it has been known to do.
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