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The Daily DispaTch BasketBall FriDay, November 23, 2012 32 The Daily DispaTch BasketBall FriDay, November 23, 2012

Patience planned for large

frosh classBY KELLEN HOLTZMAN

DISPATCH STAFF

Patience will be the key for coach Kenneth Rogers’ Lady Warriors.

Rogers has nine freshmen on varsity and junior varsity combined, the largest freshman class in his six years at Webb.

“We’re so glad that our middle schools are feeding us some people that have some basketball skills and have some understanding of the game,” said Rogers. “We’re very pleased with our freshman class right now.”

“We just have to be patient with our young people,” Rogers added. “That’s going to be our key: be patient and keep on get-ting better.”

Webb is down one starter from last season’s team that finished at the bottom of the 3-A Carolina Conference.

The Warriors have five se-niors this year, led by returning all-conference point guard Janae Carroll.

“I need her scoring, I need her decision making,” said Rogers. “She’s a senior and we’re hoping this will be her best year.”

Rogers said he wants his seniors to be captains, not just by title, but by example.

“Talking more in practice, having more control of the locker room, having more own-ership of the team,” he said.

The Warrior coach will also look to Starr Jones for scoring from the wing. He said he is expecting more consistency and aggressiveness from the junior this season.

Senior Amber Bowden and 6-foot-3 freshman Jasmine Sneed are the primary post players.

Webb isn’t especially deep down low.

“That’s why we’re trying to work so hard on conditioning,” said Rogers. “We need stamina to be able to compete with other teams because we lack the height.”

Rogers said if the Warriors push the ball and apply defen-sive pressure, they should be able to compete.

Contact the writer at [email protected].

Dispatch fileReturning all-conference point guard Janae Carroll leads J.F. Webb’s girls.

League may be taller, but hustle resides at KVA

Depth buoys hopes of Carrier’s Spartans

BY KELLEN HOLTZMANDISPATCH STAFF

Starting lineups and positions are the least of Kerr-Vance boys basketball coach Dave Carrier’s con-cerns. He’s got speed and depth — and lots of it.

“I really feel like depth is our calling card,” said Carrier. “We’re not a one-player team. I feel like we’ll be able to do a lot of special things this year.”

“We have a lot of good ballhandlers so we’re just going to try to get it and go and figure out our positions later,” added the Spartan coach.

The Spartans finished third in the 2-A Eastern Plains Independent Conference last season despite having to replace eight seniors from the 2010-2011 team.

KVA has 10 seniors on its roster this season. “They are just a great group of guys that really

grew up a lot last year,” said Carrier. “To me, high school basketball is all about your senior class. And

we’ve got a great senior class. ”Brandon Dickerson, one of the leaders of that

bunch, missed much of last season with an injury before returning to the team down the stretch.

“He’s a complete player,” said Carrier. “He can play five positions for us. He can guard five positions. He makes everybody so much better.”

Troy Bickel, Derrian Markham and sophomore R.J. Hunt join Dickerson as the primary ballhandlers.

Carrier said Hunt, a Neuse Christian Academy transfer, plays more like a senior than a sophomore.

“He’s very versatile, shoots the ball good, great ballhandler, can really attack the rim. He loves to play defense,” said Carrier.

Carrier is expecting a much improved offense this season as well as evenly distributed scoring.

The gameplan: “Run, press, run, and then press,” said Carrier. “We’re going to really try to amp up the game, try to speed the game up. Instead of worrying about our lack of height, we’re hoping teams have to figure out how to match up with our speed and quickness.”



What Kerr-Vance lacks in size, the Lady Spartans make up for in heart. First-year head coach Brian Russell said it’s the greatest group of

girls he’s ever worked with. “They really genuinely love each other,” said

Russell. “They hang out together off the court. They get along really well. Every day when you come into practice, they’re smiling, they’re happy.”

Russell said KVA will likely be one of the smaller teams in the 2-A Eastern Plains Indepen-dent Conference.

“But we out-hustle anybody,” he said. Russell expects the Spartans go be able to go

nine deep. KVA has two seniors, Jessica Darnell and Hannah Abbott. The

Spartans also have two juniors, two sophomores, two freshmen, and two eighth graders.

Cristin Abbott will primarily play on the wing. Darnell, Rachel Ross and Rebecca Ross will see time on the wing and at point guard.

Freshmen Macy Lee Johnson and Sophia Naradzay will play in the post along with Price Wester and Hannah Abbott.

“What we really want to do is start to narrow the gap between the other teams in our conference and us,” said Russell.


Dave Carrier

Brian Russell

WINTER SPORTS

PREVIEWSports Editor Kellen HoltzmanDesign Alan WootenAdvertising Director Deborah TuckCirculation A.J. WoodellPublisher James Edwards

Cover photography Cover photo by Mark Dolejs of The Dispatch The Dispatch extends appreciation to the athlet-ics directors and staff of the area high schools for participating in this year’s Winter Sports Preview.


The J.F. Webb boys basketball team is in for a wild ride this season and coach Leo Brunelli plans on enjoying every second of it.

Webb has been vaulted into both the state and national spotlight because of its superstar player Isaiah Hicks, a 6-foot-9 North Carolina signee. Hicks is a consensus top two recruit in the state and top 20 in the nation.

“The opportunity for him and the rest of the kids has been unbeliev-able,” said Brunelli. “We’ve been invited to just about every tournament in the country. We narrowed it down to make it feasible for what we could do.”

Webb’s non-conference schedule will include stops in the Chick-fil-A Classic in Columbia, S.C., the MLK Day tourney in Greensboro and the Holiday Hoops Invitational in Raleigh.

When the Warriors are at home, they’ll have a new court and goal to play on.

“We’ve got some special things going on in Oxford with this new gym floor, new backboards and rims,” Brunelli said. “This doesn’t happen everywhere. It’s per-fect timing I guess you would say. I just want to enjoy it and I want the kids to enjoy it, too.”

Hicks enjoyed a successful albeit shortened return last season after transferring back to Webb from Body of Christ Academy where he played his sophomore season. He averaged nearly a triple-double per game after returning to the team in late January.

Brunelli said Hicks has grown another inch and added 10 or 15 pounds. He believes the senior plays as tall as a 7-footer because of his anticipation and shot-blocking ability.

“Isaiah is a great player, but he’s an even finer human being,” said Brunelli. “Every-thing about him, the way he carries himself, how he works — you want everyone to be like that. It’s not just because he’s going to Carolina and he’s the top player in the state. It’s because of how he goes about his business that impresses me the most.”

His business this season will be bringing a state championship to Webb. That’s his goal. And that’s been Brunelli’s each of the 13 years he has been a head coach.

“You have the top player in the state, one of the top in the country,” said Brunelli. “And you throw in the nucleus we had from last

year and the chemistry we’ve built from the previous few years, I

think it has to be (the goal).”Webb’s playoff run ended in heart-

break a season ago. After spoiling Chapel Hill’s unbeaten season in the 3-A Carolina Conference Tournament and beating the Tigers again in the second round of the state playoffs, the War-riors were eliminated at Fayetteville Westover.

“That taste is still a little bitter in my mouth,” said Brunelli. “We definitely felt like last year we had a shot at the region.”

Hicks had a chance to tie the game, but his finger roll layup didn’t go down. He says he wishes he had just dunked it.

“It’s just a way for me to get better every day, to work hard,” Hicks said of using last year as motivation.

His coach said the entire team used the game as motivation

entering the summer, when the team played 30 games in less than

three weeks. Brunelli had 62 players try out for the

team. That number has been trimmed down to 25 for the varsity and junior varsity combined.

Hicks, Bryan Smith, Mack Lyon and Trevion Wilkerson make up the senior class.

Juniors Mitron Terry, Tyrek Beverly and Stefan Cates were all key contributors as sophomores.

Smith, Wilkerson and Beverly will play in the post with Hicks. Terry, who emerged as a scoring threat last season from the

wing, will also see some time down low.Brunelli said Beverly has improved his

range and Cates could be one of the best shooters in the conference.

Gone are last year’s seniors K.J. Rogers, Becker Seifert and Jordan Yancey.

“We were spoiled for the last couple of years with Becker, knowing if you need to knock down

a big shot — you gave him an inch of daylight, he was going to hit it,” said Brunelli.

Rogers ran the point a season ago, but his likely replace-ment, sophomore Devonte Williams, got plenty of experience as a

freshman. “He’s really improved his game tremendously,” said Brunelli. “Not

only the ballhandling, but the scoring. He can score from 20 feet and in.”

Brunelli hasn’t committed to a set group of starters. He’ll leave that up for competition.

“I don’t want anyone to be comfortable with anything right now,” he said. “I want us all to be working toward a mission.”


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The Daily DispaTch BasketBall FriDay, November 23, 2012 32 The Daily DispaTch BasketBall FriDay, November 23, 2012

Veteran leadership needs to be replaced

for Crossroads, Norlina, Victory boys

Two seniors back for Lady Crusaders’ third-place finisher; seven returnees and Stell inside raise Lady Eagles’ hopes

Versatile Hayes creates options for Lady Colts

Dispatch fileFirst-year head coach Tracy Buchanan said Allison Stell (31) can play any position for Victory Christian this year. Stell provides a presence in the low post.


Crossroads Christian didn’t lose any seniors from 2011-2012, but the Colts don’t have any this season either.

“We’re a young squad, but there’s definitely some talent there,” said second-year coach Joseph Cooper.

Crossroads is led by the foursome of juniors Holden Hedgepeth and Reid Sud-heimer, sophomore Tyler Satterwhite, and freshman Zach Reeves.

“They’ll be the foundation for everything we do,” Cooper said. “Those four guys can all handle the ball. They can dribble, shoot, pass, defend. Any four of them can run point. Any four can run any spot from one to five.”

Sudheimer and Hedgepeth are both about 6-foot-4. Sudheimer is primarily a post player.

“He’s one of those guys that we’ll move around a lot too,” Cooper said of Hedgepeth. “He’ll be inside the post, he can play a little point for us. He can get out in transition.”

Cooper called Reeves, who played last season at Neuse Christian Academy, a “diamond in the rough.”

The freshman will start at point guard for the Colts.

“I’d like to get him off the ball some and move him around because he’s a really good scorer. He’ll put the ball in the bucket,” said Cooper. “Zach’s the one that will kind of make everything go. He’s a playmak-er. He’s not only the set-up guy, but he’ll probably lead the team in scoring.”

Crossroads likely needs plenty of scoring in a tough NCISAA 1-A Carolina Christian Conference.

Cooper said defending league champion Community Christian lost three of its top six players and Northwood Temple Academy added 6-foot-10 Sidy Djitte. The Senegal product is being recruited by N.C. State and Missouri and has offers from Memphis and Virginia Commonwealth, according to ESPN.com.

The Colts are coming off of a last-place finish in the league. Cooper is shooting for a season of.500 or better.

“We’ll try to move in the right direction so by the time these guys are a little bit older next

year they’ll really be able to cause some damage,” he said.

Norlina Christian and Victory Christian were the top dogs in the Christian Athletic Associa-tion league last season. Norlina won the regular season, a spot ahead of Victory before defeat-ing the Eagles in the conference tournament final.

Both teams, however, will look different this season.

Norlina has four key return-ers in seniors Tyler Pegram, Ryan Norwood, Adam Rooker, and Steven Carroll.

“Of course, they’re lacking height, but they’re experienced and they play well together,” said coach Patrick Wright.

Pegram is the point guard while Norwood, Rooker and Carroll fill in at guard or for-ward slots. Jacob Mosley is the likely fifth starter.

Wright is looking to Pegram and Norwood to provide a bulk of the scoring.

“We’re looking to those two guys to really step up and lead the team,” he said.

Wright is hopeful the team will do “at least as well as last year” and anticipates playing at a faster pace to make up for a lack of size.

“Last year, we could mix it up more and we had a deeper bench. But these guys are just as fast,” he said.

Coach Bill Hissong has the same fast-paced plans at Victory, where the Eagles have one return-ing senior, Jeremy Flor-ence.

Florence will be the team’s go-to scorer. Hissong also ex-pects Drew Medlin and Austin Abbott to put up points.

Wesley Whitley joins Flor-ence as a long-range threat, but Whitley will miss around a month due to an injury.

Half of Victory’s squad is in either eighth or ninth grade.

“I’m just going to have to be very disciplined with these guys because they’re so young,” Hissong said.

Hissong said one of those eighth graders, point guard Austin West, could be a surprise player and one to look out for in the future.



First-year Crossroads Christian head coach Dana LaBerge is inheriting one of the best girls basketball players in the area in senior Jessi Hayes.

This will be LaBerge’s first time coach-ing varsity girls although he has 11 years of experience coaching boys and girls basketball at the middle school, junior varsity and varsity levels in Illinois and Missouri.

“I’ve been really impressed, not only with her athleticism, but her attitude and her character, the way she carries herself,” LaBerge said of Hayes.

Hayes can play any position. She has mostly been on the perimeter in her Colts career, but LaBerge says she’ll see more minutes in the post this season.

“It opens up a lot of doors for us as a team, but other teams aren’t stupid. They’re going to focus in on her,” said LaBerge. “So we have to be creative in what we’re going to do.”

Hayes is joined in the senior class by Lizzy Long and Corey Choplin. Caroline May and Ali Arnold make up the junior class.

Long, May and sophomore Sullivan Smith will play in the post while Arnold and Choplin will be wing players.

LaBerge said May, a converted guard, should be a scoring threat in the post.

“She’s aggressive, She’s long,” he said. “I think she’ll be able to get us some points in there and clean up some rebounds.”

LaBerge added that sophomore Mi-chaela Nicholas has been impressive as a shooter.

The Colts finished 11-10 a season ago and earned a NCISAA 1-A state tourney appearance, falling in the first round.

The junior varsity squad is also coming off a successful season.

“Some players are used to winning, which is always a good thing,” said LaBerge.

Norlina Christian may have the ingredients for a successful season in the Christian Athletic Association league. The Lady Crusaders lost only one senior from last season’s third place team.

“We just hope to do the best we can, hope the girls have a good time,” said coach Kelly Mosley. “We want to win, of course, but if not, we’re out there to have

a good time.”Deja Palmer and Anna Britt Harty

represent Norlina’s senior class. The Cru-saders have two juniors, Taylor Eatmon and Laura Mosley.

Molly Harty is a freshman, Kaleigh Shearin is an eighth grader and Hannah Ortiz is in seventh grade.

“Laura, Molly and AB are just all solid, always here, ready to go and dependable,” said Kelly Mosley. “Taylor brings more experience than all the rest of them. She brings just a go-get ‘em attitude.”

Tracy Buchanan is in her first season as head coach of Norlina’s conference rival, Victory Christian.

The Lady Eagles have seven returning players, but no seniors or juniors.

Center Allison Stell is the team’s most versatile player.

“She’s a very athletic player,” said Bu-chanan. “She’s a good overall player. She can play just about any position.”

Sophomore guard Kimberly Spence and sophomore forward Melissa Abbott are also expected to be key contributors for Victory this season.

Buchanan said the team has progressed significantly through the preseason and she hopes the team can win the league.


Bill Hissong

CHEERLEADING: Northern Vance

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Northern Vance varsity cheerleaders are (front, from left) Zsarkeela Cheek, Kenura Venable, Dyasia Mitchell, Tabarron Glenn, (middle, from left) Brittany Lawson, Kadesia Alston, Keosha Perry, Ashley Williams, (back, from left) Mel’leeah Robinson, Taylor Evans and Kiera Knox.

CHEERLEADING: Kerr-Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Daily DispatchMembers of the Kerr-Vance cheerleaders are (front, from left) Rachel Warren, Addison Mabry, Isabelle Good-win, Jacey Monahan, Bailee Tippett, Genie Parish, (back, from left) Brittany Lopez, McKenzie Jones, Gabrielle Nutter, Foy Parker, Meredith Ellington and coach Courtney Nutter.

SWIMMING: Northern Vance

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Northern Vance swimming team are (front, from left) Julian Perry, Allison Mosley, Mallory Falkner, Logan Brinker, Ashlyn Reams, Katlyn Reams, Zachary Stevenson, (middle, from left) coach Natasha Rubin, Ray Cheever, Nick Sharpe, Sarah Mason, Sarah Jackson, Dakota Parrish, Evan Lowery, (back, from left) Madison Bobbitt, Clayton Harris, Morgan Hobgood, Ethan Parham, Sam Long, C.J. Ayscue and Stanton Parham.

4 The Daily DispaTch BasketBall FriDay, November 23, 2012

Fresh team, fresh start: Raiders poised in a new zone


For the first time in school history, Southern Vance has a new varsity boys head basketball coach.

Torrey Nowell replaces Mike Rotolo, who took his patented up-tempo offense to Vance-Granville. Rotolo coached Southern in each of its previous 22 seasons.

“Fresh team, fresh start. That’s how we’re looking at things this year,” said Nowell, who has previous head coach-ing experience on the middle school level in his native Gates County. He also served as an assistant coach on the Raid-ers’ varsity football team this past season.

Runnin’ Raiders no more? Not quite. Nowell, who teaches weight training at Southern, said the team will still run, although he plans on sprinkling in more zone on the defensive side.

“We’re going to try to keep the same thing going,” he

said. “We’re the Runnin’ Raiders. So we’re going to run, do a lot of pressing. We lack size this year, so we’re definitely going to have to run.”

Nowell said his focal point is discipline. “We have to have guys who are disciplined and ready to

react,” he said. Early on, Nowell has been impressed by Cameron

Evans, Markel Hawkins and Jamarcus Perry. Evans will play in the post along with Deonte’ Shearin and

Reggie Hunter. “Reggie’s not a big kid, but strength-wise, he’s all there,”

Nowell said of the Raider football team’s star linebacker. Ty-Traveon Roberts and De’Vante Henderson will also

see minutes down low. Nowell believes Roberts could be a sleeper for Southern. “I think he’s going to have a big year,” said Nowell. “He

just needs a little more time to develop.”Roberts will also play the two and the three positions.

Hawkins and Jamal Williams both play shooting guard, while Perry runs the point.


Jones outside, Talley inside form pivotal duo


Southern Vance lost only two seniors from the 2011-2012 team that finished third in the 3-A Carolina Conference before falling in the league tourney final and the first round of the state playoffs.

Breona Jones and Carslin Talley, the team’s lead-ing scorers last season, are both back. Talley and Tiara Jordan are the Raiders’ only seniors this season.

Jones, a junior point guard, and Talley, a post player, were both all-conference a season ago. Jones led Southern in scoring both her freshman and sophomore campaigns.

Jones averaged 20 points per game in the Raiders’ final six contests last season, exploding for 30 in a playoff loss at Winterville South Central.

Raider head coach Amy Simpson says Jones is faster and has improved her footwork.

Simpson is looking to Talley for senior leadership.“She’s been on varsity for four years. I expect her

to build on the past years and provide insight for the

younger players,” Simpson said. Jones is joined in the junior class by Kiyanna Kear-

ney, Mikayla Sellers, Cordecia Southerland, Rashyda Burwell, and Kijana Jones.

Kearney and Talley were the top rebounders last season. Simpson envisions Kearney and Sellers both being able to play positions 1-4.

Simpson said her freshman class of five should be able to contribute, including Brittany West, who played varsity for Kerr-Vance last season.

Moesha Sneed and Alyssa Wilkins, a Warren County transfer, make up the sophomore class.

“We have a lot of scoring threats,” said Simpson. “I think that separates this team from some of the past teams.”

Simpson said a conference championship is always the goal, but she’s mostly focused on monitoring the team’s improvement.

“If we don’t show some improvement, we didn’t work hard enough,” Simpson said.


Scoring threats abound for Southern girls

Comfortable as underdog,

playoff hungry


Northern Vance coach Wilton Baskett hasn’t uncovered the identity of the Vikings yet, he’s just excited to coach them.

After two straight seasons of narrowly missing the state playoffs, Northern is embracing the role of underdog.

“We prefer to just be the underdog, just live the role of being the un-derdog. We prefer to do it that way,” said Baskett. “I don’t have any prediction. We’ve missed the state

playoffs by one game two years in a row. We’d like to see if we can’t get back in the state playoffs.”

The “leader of the bunch,” Le’Darius Brandon, will help guide the way. Baskett said the returning all-conference senior is a “do-everything kind of player.”

“He’s definitely gotten stronger,” said Baskett. “If you ask me, he’s running faster, he’s jumping higher. He’s improved all the way around.”

Baskett said he has a different type of team this year, one that doesn’t have much size, but can shoot.

Seniors Montel Clark and Tyrone Neal will man the low blocks. Clark came on strong down the stretch last season while Neal suffered a season-ending injury against Louisburg.

“Us losing Tyrone really put a damper on our season,” said Baskett. “He was an inside scoring threat for us. He’s back and he’s healthy and he’s looked real good thus far.”

Jaleel Seward, Jalen Terry and Tyrell Wil-liams round out the senior class. Seward, a guard, started in about half of the Vikings’ games last season.

Brandon is joined in Northern’s backcourt by fellow captain, freshman point guard Kristopher Haywood, who is expected to handle the majority of the Vikings’ ballhandling.

“He did that for Eaton-Johnson and did a great job. Of course, this is high school and not just high school, but varsity level,” Bas-kett said. “He sees the court exceptionally well. It reminds me a whole lot of (former Viking) Darrius Dunston — not shooting like Darrius — but he sees the court as well as Darrius Dunston did.”

Haywood is one of four freshmen on the roster, the most Baskett has ever had on a varsity roster at Northern.

The veteran coach said he’s also been impressed with 6-foot-5 freshman Jeffrey Jones.

“They can play,” Baskett said of his rookies. “They can flat out play. I’m excited about the future with them.”


Continued improvement sought by Lady Vikings


Northern Vance has seven returning players from last season’s team that aimed to change the perception of Lady Vikings basketball.

Northern missed out on a state playoff bid, but had two close losses to Southern Vance and Orange in the regular season. The Vikings also won their first confer-ence tournament game in more than a decade and continued the improve-ment they showed from the 2009-2010 season to 2010-2011.

Kechae Parker developed into a force to be reckoned with in the paint a season ago. Coach Randolph Crews said she’ll play all five positions.

“Kechae can be as good as she wants to be,” said Crews. “This year, I want her to step up her game and be a leader. She’s worked this summer, so I expect her game to elevate.”

Crews will look to Kenya Perry, Jasmine Wilkins and Tanaua White for scoring, especially.

“Last year we could score a lot. This year,

the key is going to have to be defense,” Crews said.

The versatile Perry is expected to eat up the glass while White serves as the sharp-shooter from her guard position.

Amanda Moseley and A’Neicia Wilker-son are also returning players.

Crews hopes that newcomers Brianna Waller and Ky-Nyiah Landrum will be able to step in right away.

“We’re depending on our freshmen to grow up quick and mix in with our older people,” he said.

“We want to be in the hunt,” Crews added. “We determine our outcome. Win some road games, take care of our business at home and we’ll see what happens at the end.”


Brandon, freshman captain Haywood leading size-challenged Northern boys

Torrey Nowell

Wilton Baskett

Randolph Crews

Dispatch fileJunior point guard Breona Jones averaged 20 points per game in the last six outings a year ago, including 30 in a playoff loss.

Dispatch fileSenior Le’Darius Brandon is a returning all-conference pick for Northern Vance.

“We want to be in the hunt. We determine our outcome. Win some road games, take care of our busi-ness at home and we’ll see what happens at the end.”

Randolph CrewsNorthern head coach

CHEERLEADING: Northern Vance

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Northern Vance varsity cheerleaders are (front, from left) Zsarkeela Cheek, Kenura Venable, Dyasia Mitchell, Tabarron Glenn, (middle, from left) Brittany Lawson, Kadesia Alston, Keosha Perry, Ashley Williams, (back, from left) Mel’leeah Robinson, Taylor Evans and Kiera Knox.

CHEERLEADING: J.F. Webb

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the J.F. Webb varsity cheerleaders are (front, from left) Callie Foster, Alyrica Cooper, Sherese Mann, Desiree Webber, Ashley Burwell, Ebony Brown, (back, from left) Grace Royster, Alisha Royster, Kad-edrah Davis, Ayanna Bowden, Kia Parker, Daja Harris and Ayonna Thornton.

CHEERLEADING: Kerr-Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Daily DispatchMembers of the Kerr-Vance cheerleaders are (front, from left) Rachel Warren, Addison Mabry, Isabelle Good-win, Jacey Monahan, Bailee Tippett, Genie Parish, (back, from left) Brittany Lopez, McKenzie Jones, Gabrielle Nutter, Foy Parker, Meredith Ellington and coach Courtney Nutter.

JV CHEERLEADING: J.F. Webb

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the J.F. Webb junior varsity cheerleaders are (front, from left) Sadiya Strong, Torri Simmons, Malayja Simmons, Dameya Marrow, Bionica Lewis, Maia Wright, (back, from left) Kiyah Simmons, Chardea Sutton, Shakara Royster, Alexis Bass, Alexandra Hawley and Juliana Lundeby.

SWIMMING: Northern Vance

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Northern Vance swimming team are (front, from left) Julian Perry, Allison Mosley, Mallory Falkner, Logan Brinker, Ashlyn Reams, Katlyn Reams, Zachary Stevenson, (middle, from left) coach Natasha Rubin, Ray Cheever, Nick Sharpe, Sarah Mason, Sarah Jackson, Dakota Parrish, Evan Lowery, (back, from left) Madison Bobbitt, Clayton Harris, Morgan Hobgood, Ethan Parham, Sam Long, C.J. Ayscue and Stanton Parham.

SWIMMING: Southern Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Southern Vance swimming team include (front, from left) Susana Fabian, Elizabeth Clayborne, Harley Owen, Marcus Burwell, (back, from left) Kyle Furlow, Lorenzo Ortiz, Jonathan Sanders, Matthew Woodlief and coach Jack Long.

The Daily DispaTch BasketBall FriDay, November 23, 2012 5


Warren County is coming off of its first state playoff appear-ance since 2008. The Eagles finished fifth in the 2-A Northern Carolina Conference before falling in a close first round playoff game to league rival Bunn.

“We made some strides last year. We’re hoping we can keep going in the right direction,” said second-year coach Wanda Thompson.

Warren County lost six players from a sea-son ago, but senior Daniel Hunter and junior Justin Fitts are back to lead the team.

Fitts, who can fit in at any position, emerged as one of the top players in the area last season, leading Warren County in scor-ing and assists. He was also a close second to Hunter in rebounds.

“He’s a very unselfish player,” Thompson said. “We actually need him to be a little more selfish and look to lead this team.”

The 6-foot-8 Hunter came on strong for the Eagles in 2011-2012, developing into a consistent scoring threat in the low post.

“He’s got to stay out of foul trouble,” said Thompson. “We’re looking at him to just really be aggressive and dominate in the paint, ask for the ball more and become more of a leader.”

Hunter and Fitts shouldn’t have to carry the load on their own. Junior guard Charleston Williams is also a returning starter.

Thompson said Williams, sophomore post player Andrew Alston and junior forward Dennis Waddell will be players to look out for this season.

Junior Chris Privett joins Alston and Hunter in the post while Brian Mayfield and Michael Leonard are battling for the starting point guard spot.

“Both of them have really good quickness, play defense real well and have a good grasp of the offense,” said Thompson. “We feel that either one of them is going to do a wonderful job for us.”

Thompson said the team has gelled well together through the preseason.

“I think the chemistry between the guys this year is wonder-ful,” she said. “They’re not selfish. They don’t care who scores as long as they score.”

The scoring should be able to come from inside and out. Thompson said sophomores Dyami Wortham and Tyler Thompson, in particular, have been impressive from the outside.

“Last year we had to pound it inside,” said Thompson. “This year, we’re looking inside first, but then we feel like we’ve got the option to go outside also.”


Chemistry is developingBY KELLEN HOLTZMAN

DISPATCH STAFF

Dominique Solomon is the lone returning starter for Warren County, but coach Shannon Jones is looking to all seven of her se-niors for scoring and leadership.

“Whoever can put it in the bas-ket,” said Jones. “I don’t want to pinpoint one person. They’re going to gravi-tate towards Dominique — but whoever can get it done.”

The Lady Eagles returned to the state playoffs last season after a five-year absence, falling at North Pitt in the first round.

Despite the loss of talent, Jones

does have several returning play-ers and anticipates a competitive season.

“Hopefully we’ll have a lot of maturity,” said Jones. “We have a lot of older players. We’ll be experienced.”

Solomon is the go-to player down low. She’s joined in the post by Teja Kennerly.

Rageane Watson and Court-ney Macklin both play the three position, Mikayla Hargrove is a shooting guard and Alexis French will run the point.

Jones said Watson could be a surprise player for the Eagles this season.

“We’re going to be faster this year,” Jones said. “We’re not as big as we have been, but we can run the floor a little better.”


Competitive season awaits Warren girls

Wanda Thompson

Shannon Jones

BASKETBALL: Kerr-Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Kerr-Vance varsity girls basketball team are (from left) assistant coach Michael Wynne, Carrington Matias, Macy Lee Johnson, Hannah Abbott, Sophia Naradzay, Price Wester, Rachel Ross, Rebecca Ross and head coach Brian Russell. Not pictured: Jessica Darnell, Cristin Abbott and manager Catherine Kilian.

BASKETBALL: Victory Christian

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Victory Christian varsity girls basketball team are (front, from left) Autumn Julian, Tayler Thompson, Kimberly Spence, Victoria Martin, Holly Buchanan, Arah Wells, Christie Ellington, (back, from left) assistant coach Trudy Stell, Melissa Abbott, Kayla Alston, Allison Stell, Alyson Tippett, head coach Tracy Buchanan and assistant coach Brad Stevenson.


MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Kerr-Vance varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Hunter Layton, R.J. Hunt, Troy Bickel, George Hoyle, Dallas Smith, Derrian Markham, (back, from left) Hayes Griggs, Daniel Burnette, Jake Ruggles, Brandon Dickerson, Tyson Carrier, Derrius Pery and head coach David Carrier. Not pictured: Jacob Bowen.

BASKETBALL: Crossroads Christian

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Crossroads Christian varsity boys basketball team are (from left) Colton Steffensen, Noah Carlson, Ben Paul, Jack Ketcham, Tyler Satterwhite, Reid Sudheimer, coach Joseph Cooper, Holden Hedgepeth, Zach Reeves, Jonah McClelland, Kalen Newkirk and Sal Brown.


MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Victory Christian varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Quantai Jones, Kevin Keeton, Max Blackwell, Austin Abbott, Darin Stevenson, (back, from left) Wesley Whitley, Waverly Saunders, Austin West, Drew Medlin, Christian Bowes and coach Bill Hissong.

BASKETBALL: Norlina Christian

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Norlina Christian varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Tyler Pegram, Ryan Norwood, Steven Carroll, Jacob Mosley, (back, from left) Rider Lumsden, Tyler Champion, Wesley Eatmon, Chase Vaughan, Tyler Boyd, Lane White and Paul Scott.

BASKETBALL: Northern Vance

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Northern Vance varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Tavin Moore, Barry Bob-bitt, Montel Clark, head coach Wilton Baskett, Tyrone Neal, Kristopher Haywood, Jalen Terry, (back, from left) Jaleel Seward, Scott Hamrick, James Alexander, Anthony Mims, Tyrell Williams, assistant coach Quinton Daniel, Jeffrey Jones, Devonte Barker, Le’Darius Brandon and James Vaughan.

BASKETBALL: Southern Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Southern Vance varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Qualik Shearin, Shawn Henderson, Jamal Williams, Markel Hawkins, Jeremiah Williams, Jahun Ricks, (back, from left) Ty-Traveon Roberts, DeQuante Hinton, head coach Torrey Nowell, assistant coach Darry Ragland, Cameron Evans and Deonte Shearin. Not pictured: Jamarcus Perry, Reggie Hunter and De’Vante Henderson.

BASKETBALL: J.F. Webb

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the J.F. Webb varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Mack Lyons, Tobiah Lewis, De-vonte Williams, Tyler Thomas, Tony Bowden, (back, from left) Deseeric Downey, Stefan Cates, Tyrek Beverly, Isaiah Hicks, Trevion Wilkerson and Mitron Terry.

BASKETBALL: Warren County

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Warren County varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Charlie Williams, Ronald Kennerly, Antonio Thompson, Dyami Wortham, Dennis Waddell, Andrew Alston, Daniel Hunter, Justin Fitts, Hayden Sullivan, Chris Privett, Kaelen Evans, (back, from left) Brian Mayfield, Michael Leonard, manager Joshua Fountain, head coach Wanda Thompson, assistant coach Lee Hargrove, Devonte Hargrove, Ceaser Ryan, Jaylen Jones and Tyler Thompson.

6 The Daily DispaTch teams FriDay, November 23, 2012


MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Kerr-Vance varsity girls basketball team are (from left) assistant coach Michael Wynne, Carrington Matias, Macy Lee Johnson, Hannah Abbott, Sophia Naradzay, Price Wester, Rachel Ross, Rebecca Ross and head coach Brian Russell. Not pictured: Jessica Darnell, Cristin Abbott and manager Catherine Kilian.

BASKETBALL: Crossroads Christian

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Crossroads Christian varsity girls basketball team are (from left) Corey Choplin, Alexis Harrison, Lizzy Long, Sullivan Smith, assistant coach Anna Thomas, head coach Dana LaBerge, Caroline May, Jordan Campbell, Holly Waddell, Ashton Hayes and Ali Arnold. Not pictured: Jessi Hayes and Michaela Nicholas.


MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Victory Christian varsity girls basketball team are (front, from left) Autumn Julian, Tayler Thompson, Kimberly Spence, Victoria Martin, Holly Buchanan, Arah Wells, Christie Ellington, (back, from left) assistant coach Trudy Stell, Melissa Abbott, Kayla Alston, Allison Stell, Alyson Tippett, head coach Tracy Buchanan and assistant coach Brad Stevenson.

BASKETBALL: Norlina Christian

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Norlina Christian varsity girls basketball team are (from left) Kaleigh Shearin, Laura Mosley, Taylor Eatmon, coach Kelly Mosley, Molly Harty, Anna Britt Harty, Deja Palmer and Hannah Ortiz.

BASKETBALL: Northern Vance

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Northern Vance varsity girls basketball team are (front, from left) Jasmine Wilkins, Kechae Parker, Tanaua White, Kenya Perry, Amanda Moseley, (back, from left) head coach Randolph Crews, Conni-qua Martin, Terri Elam, A’Neicia Wilkerson, assistant coach Tracy Jones, Jacquilyn Miller, Brianna Waller, River Renn, Ky-Nyiah Landrum and assistant coach Dan Whittacre.

BASKETBALL: Southern Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Southern Vance varsity girls basketball team are (front, from left) Tiara Jordan, Moesha Sneed, Brielle Barrow, Cordecia Southerland, Breona Jones, Brittany West, Rashyda Burwell, Kijana Jones, (back, from left) Shiquasha Williams, Carslin Talley, Canaan Dale, Jazsmine Thorpe, Alyssa Wilkins, Kiyanna Kearney and Mikayla Sellers.

BASKETBALL: J.F. Webb

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the J.F. Webb varsity girls basketball team are (front, from left) Tamara Davis, Janae Carroll, Quasha Terry, Aliah Jones, Shay Mallory, (back, from left) Nakiyah Bullock, Starr Jones, Jasmine Sneed, Trinity Wyche, Hattie Chavis and Amber Bowden.

BASKETBALL: Warren County

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Warren County varsity girls basketball team are (front, from left) Whitley Fuller, Jasmine Carter, Courtney Macklin, Mikayla Hargrove, Alexis French, Sierra Hicks, Tiona Boyd, (back row, from left) Sy-mone Teague, Teja Kennerly, Rageane Watson, assistant coach Terrence McCormick, head coach Shannon Jones, Melissa Hunter and Dominique Solomon.

The Daily DispaTch teams FriDay, November 23, 2012 7

A6 WINTER SPORTS

8 The Daily DispaTch teams FriDay, November 23, 2012 The Daily DispaTch Wrestling FriDay, November 23, 2012 9

JV BASKETBALL: Kerr-Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Kerr-Vance junior varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Austin Carrier, Lane Humphries, Jordan Smith, Daniel Wilkerson, Akshar Patel, (back, from left) Jordan Coghill, Joseph Burnette, Jordan Hogge, David Huff, Channie Renn, Sam Fuquay and Dustin Smith. Not pictured: Emil Bruce and Alex Barnett.

JV BASKETBALL: Crossroads Christian

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Crossroads Christian junior varsity girls basketball team are (from left) Ashton Hayes, Alexis Harrison, Jordan Campbell, head coach Anna Thomas, Sullivan Smith, Leah Paul, Holly Waddell and Grethel Flores. Not pictured; Michaela Nicholas.

JV BASKETBALL: J.F. Webb

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the J.F. Webb junior varsity girls basketball team are (front, from left) Raven Edmonds, K’Deisha Bobbitt, Dakita Thornton, La’Nae Williams, (back, from left) Kayla Allen, Rai-nesha Taylor, Tydreona Green, Taneka Richardson and head coach Otis Lyons.

JV BASKETBALL: Warren County

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Warren County junior varsity girls basketball team are (front, from left) Jasmine Hunter, Kelly Norwood, Samantha Norwood, Starbesha Satterwhite, Infinite Seward, Niasia Douglas, Denaisha Wortham, Tahjah Baskerville, (back, from left) Ta’shaynna Seward, Destiny Hicks, head coach Terrence Mc-Cormick, varsity head coach Shannon Jones, assistant coach Howard Baskerville, Alexis Person and Jasmine Somerville.

JV BASKETBALL: Northern Vance

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Northern Vance junior varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Erdaywin Lewis, Tommie Reed, Tre Williams, head coach Kevin Pierce, Damion Bobbitt, Quavon Harris, Ta’maj Bullock, (back, from left) Tyrie Williams, Antarious Harrington, Arnold Bullock, Dyquan Marrow, Dontavious Richards, Tyler Strickland, Jaquan Johnson, Phillip Jordan, Kaleb Boone and Jemario Marrow.

JV BASKETBALL: Southern Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Daily DispatchMembers of the Southern Vance junior varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Johnny Hawkins, Raymon Wright, Al-kabir Williams, Tadarius Henderson, (back, from left) Torian Henderson, Juwan Harris, head coach Darry Ragland, Isaiah Smith and Tyshon Breeden. Not pictured: Trey Williams, Mark Baldwin, Keon Branch, Darius Kearney and Justin Mitchell.

JV BASKETBALL: J.F. Webb

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the J.F. Webb junior varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Tyler Jones, Andre Downey, Michael Steinhoff, Jolan Royster, Diondre Tuck, (back, from left) Savon Davis, Gearl Majors, Kris Howard, Trenton Page, Lionel Fields, Dashawn Lewis and Roger Fields.


MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Warren County junior varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) D’Andre Taylor, Jordan Wilson, Brandin Robinson, Alex Stainback, De’Andre Attaway, Blake Tharrington, Timothy Person, (back, from left) Semaj Bullock, Michael Hargrove, Jarrod Jones, head coach Jason Fullen, Isaiah Robinson, Tyler Wester and Chris Daniel,.

WRESTLING: Northern Vance

WRESTLING: J.F. Webb

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the J.F. Webb wrestling team are (front, from left) Coty Anderson, Justin Perry, Salvador Ve-lazquez, Andre Oakley, (back, from left) Zach Harris, Elik Allen, John Bennett, Omari Powell, Shaquille Hunt and Tevin Evans.

Mike Zovistoski

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The Daily DispaTch Wrestling FriDay, November 23, 2012 9

JV BASKETBALL: Southern Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Daily DispatchMembers of the Southern Vance junior varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) Johnny Hawkins, Raymon Wright, Al-kabir Williams, Tadarius Henderson, (back, from left) Torian Henderson, Juwan Harris, head coach Darry Ragland, Isaiah Smith and Tyshon Breeden. Not pictured: Trey Williams, Mark Baldwin, Keon Branch, Darius Kearney and Justin Mitchell.


MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Warren County junior varsity boys basketball team are (front, from left) D’Andre Taylor, Jordan Wilson, Brandin Robinson, Alex Stainback, De’Andre Attaway, Blake Tharrington, Timothy Person, (back, from left) Semaj Bullock, Michael Hargrove, Jarrod Jones, head coach Jason Fullen, Isaiah Robinson, Tyler Wester and Chris Daniel,.

WRESTLING: Northern Vance

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Northern Vance wrestling team are (front, from left) Jamal Kearney, Colby Hobgood, Sha-drea Durham, Jamel Kearney, Jorge Amaya, Axel Delatorre, (middle, from left) Jacob Orr, Danny Whittacre, Travis Heath, Johnathan Norton, Christian Sanchez, (back, from left) manager Nandi Fields, Damonte Uzzell, Rodney Harriston, Cody Reams, Justin Care, Justin Burr and head coach Mike Zovistoski.

WRESTLING: Southern Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Southern Vance wrestling team include Xavier Gregory (left) and Moses Richardson.

WRESTLING: J.F. Webb

EARL KING / Dispatch StaffMembers of the J.F. Webb wrestling team are (front, from left) Coty Anderson, Justin Perry, Salvador Ve-lazquez, Andre Oakley, (back, from left) Zach Harris, Elik Allen, John Bennett, Omari Powell, Shaquille Hunt and Tevin Evans.

WRESTLING: Kerr-Vance

MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch StaffMembers of the Kerr-Vance wrestling team are (front, from left) James Averette, Pierce Tooley, Daniel Cur-rin, James Green, (back, from left) Caleb Weiss, Juan Lopez, coach Rick Frampton, Jacob Goswick and Jared Hicks.

New coaches leading Viking, Raider grapplersBY KELLEN HOLTZMAN

DISPATCH STAFF

Northern and Southern Vance both have new wrestling head coaches on the sidelines

this season.Mike Zovis-

toski replaces Robert McCa-rthy at North-ern while Jameil Floyd is having a homecoming of sorts at Southern.

Both schools had state qualifiers last season. Senior Travis Heath (120 lbs.) is back for the Vikings while seniors Xavier Gregory (195 lbs.) and Moses Richardson (126 lbs.) return for the Raiders.

Northern’s Heath, Johnathan Norton, Preston Ellis, Jamal Kearney, and Mykel Williams each qualified for regionals last season.

Zovistoski, a native of Schenectady, N.Y., said his team has looked good in early scrimmages this season.

“I think we’re ready for (the season),” said Zovistoski. “I’m excited to see how we match up against the conference.”

Perennial power Orange is the likely favorite once again in the 3-A Carolina Conference. The Panthers are the defending 3-A dual team champions.

“Orange will always have a squad. They’ve had a squad for the past 20 years,” said Floyd, a 2006 Southern grad. “They were one team that we always wanted to beat.”

Floyd finished fifth in the state as a senior. He said he wants to restore the dominance of Raider wrestling.

“When we wrestled, when you hear the name Southern Vance, it’s ‘OK, we’re going to have a serious match,’” he said. “Recently, there’s been issues with keeping kids in because wrestling is such a hard sport. We’re trying to change that and have a competitive team ready to make noise in the state.”

Floyd has 13 wrestlers and is hoping to add more. He is expecting both Gregory and Richardson to compete for state

titles. Northern and Southern’s

area rival J.F. Webb is again lacking in experience.

The Warriors have one returning senior, Omari Powell, a regional qualifier last season.

Coach Mike Toanone said Powell will drop from 152 lbs. to 145 this year.

“I think he has the speed to wrestle at that weight and he has bulked up a bit,” said Toanone.

Webb has three returning sophomores led by Zach Harris.

“If anyone has a chance, be-sides Omari, to go to states, it’s Zach Harris,” Toanone said.

Toanone added that he’s been impressed with freshman heavyweight John Bennett.

In the private school ranks, Kerr-Vance has its first true heavyweight in the program’s six-year history in eighth grader James Green.

“He has a lot of potential as they all do,” said coach Rick Frampton. “I really do see a lot of natural talent there. We just have to get some time on the mat and learn from our

mistakes.”KVA has only eight wres-

tlers, but Frampton has been impressed with the team’s chem-istry.

“They’ve done a great job in practice,” he said. “I’ve been really impressed with their all-for-one attitude.”

In an early season meet at the Cary Duals, Frampton said the Spartans didn’t come close to winning anything, but they didn’t get shut out either.

“We’ve got somebody put-ting points on the board all the time,” said the KVA coach. “If we can do that all year, that will be impressive.”

Eighth grader Jared Hicks has been impressive in the early season along with senior cap-tain Daniel Currin, who finished third in the 2012 NCISAA state tourney at 160 lbs.

“He wants to be a state champion,” said Frampton. “If he’s willing to put the work in, then that’s a possibility. If he commits to doing what he’s supposed to do, then he’s got as good a shot as anybody to win states.”


Mike Zovistoski

Rick Frampton

Dispatch fileMoses Richardson (top) was a state qualifier last season for Southern.

A8 WINTER SPORTS

10 The Daily DispaTch if You’re going FriDay, November 23, 2012

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL

Nov. 23 @ Person tournament TBANov. 24 @ Person tournament TBANov. 27 WARREN COUNTY 7:30 p.m.Nov. 30 @ Franklinton 7:30 p.m.Dec. 4 @ Warren County 7:30Dec. 7 FRANKLINTON 7:30 p.m.Dec. 14 @ Southeast Halifax 7:30 p.m.Dec. 21 SOUTHEAST HALIFAX 7:30 p.m.Jan. 11 @ Southern Vance 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 @ J.F. Webb 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 @ Cardinal Gibbons 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 CHAPEL HILL 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 ORANGE 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 SOUTHERN VANCE 7:30 p.m.Feb. 5 J.F. WEBB 7:30 p.m.Feb. 8 CARDINAL GIBBONS 7:30 p.m.Feb. 12 @ Chapel Hill 7:30 p.m.Feb. 15 @ Orange 7:30 p.m.Feb. 18-22 Conference tournament TBAFeb. 25-31 Sectionals TBAMarch 5-9 Regionals TBAMarch 16 State championship TBA

GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL

Nov. 23 @ Person tournament TBANov. 24 @ Person tournament TBANov. 27 WARREN COUNTY 6 p.m.Nov. 30 @ Franklinton 6 p.m.Dec. 4 @ Warren County 6 p.m.Dec. 7 FRANKLINTON 6 p.m.Dec. 14 @ Southeast Halifax 6 p.m.Dec. 21 SOUTHEAST HALIFAX 6 p.m.Jan. 11 @ Southern Vance 6 p.m. Jan. 18 @ J.F. Webb 6 p.m. Jan. 22 @ Cardinal Gibbons 6 p.m. Jan. 25 CHAPEL HILL 6 p.m. Jan. 29 ORANGE 6 p.m. Feb. 1 SOUTHERN VANCE 6 p.m.Feb. 5 J.F. WEBB 6 p.m.Feb. 8 CARDINAL GIBBONS 6 p.m.Feb. 12 @ Chapel Hill 6 p.m.Feb. 15 @ Orange 6 p.m.Feb. 18-22 Conference tournament TBAFeb. 25-31 Sectionals TBAMarch 5-9 Regionals TBAMarch 16 State championship TBA

GIRLS, BOYS SWIMMING

Nov. 28 Orange Cardinal Gibbons @ Gibbons 6:30 p.m.Dec. 6 Southern Vance Rec Center 4:30 p.m.Dec. 12 Chapel Hill Cardinal Gibbons @ Gibbons 6:30 p.m.Dec. 18 Bunn, Franklinton S. Vance, Roanoke Rapids Rec Center 4:30 p.mJan. 3 Chapel Hill, S. Vance Rec Center 4:30 p.m.Jan. 22 Conference meet TBA TBAFeb. 1-2 Regionals TBA TBAFeb. 7-9 State championship TBA TBA

WRESTLING

Dec. 1 @ Rocky Mount tournament TBADec. 5 @ Bunn 7 p.m.Dec. 6 @ Kerr-Vance tri-meet 5 p.m.Dec, 12 @ Nash Central 7 p.m.Dec. 15 @ Raider Duals TBAJan. 8 SOUTH GRANVILLE 6 p.m.Jan. 19 @ Knightdale tournament TBAJan. 26 @ Southern Durham tournament TBAJan. 30 @ J.F. Webb 6:30 p.m.Feb. 1 @ Orange with Cardinal Gibbons, Chapel Hill 6 p.m.Feb. 6 SOUTHERN VANCE 6:30 p.m.Feb. 12 Team duals TBAFeb. 14 Team sectionals/regionals TBAFeb. 16 Team state championship TBAFeb. 21-23 Individual regionals TBAFeb. 28-Mar. 2 Individual state tournament TBA

Northern Vance VIKINGSBOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL

Nov. 23 @ Person tournament TBANov. 24 @ Person tournament TBANov. 27 WARREN COUNTY 7:30 p.m.Nov. 30 @ Franklinton 7:30 p.m.Dec. 4 @ Warren County 7:30Dec. 7 FRANKLINTON 7:30 p.m.Dec. 14 @ Southeast Halifax 7:30 p.m.Dec. 21 SOUTHEAST HALIFAX 7:30 p.m.Jan. 11 @ Southern Vance 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 @ J.F. Webb 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 @ Cardinal Gibbons 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 CHAPEL HILL 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 ORANGE 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 SOUTHERN VANCE 7:30 p.m.Feb. 5 J.F. WEBB 7:30 p.m.Feb. 8 CARDINAL GIBBONS 7:30 p.m.Feb. 12 @ Chapel Hill 7:30 p.m.Feb. 15 @ Orange 7:30 p.m.Feb. 18-22 Conference tournament TBAFeb. 25-31 Sectionals TBAMarch 5-9 Regionals TBAMarch 16 State championship TBA


Nov. 23 @ Person tournament TBANov. 24 @ Person tournament TBANov. 27 WARREN COUNTY 6 p.m.Nov. 30 @ Franklinton 6 p.m.Dec. 4 @ Warren County 6 p.m.Dec. 7 FRANKLINTON 6 p.m.Dec. 14 @ Southeast Halifax 6 p.m.Dec. 21 SOUTHEAST HALIFAX 6 p.m.Jan. 11 @ Southern Vance 6 p.m. Jan. 18 @ J.F. Webb 6 p.m. Jan. 22 @ Cardinal Gibbons 6 p.m. Jan. 25 CHAPEL HILL 6 p.m. Jan. 29 ORANGE 6 p.m. Feb. 1 SOUTHERN VANCE 6 p.m.Feb. 5 J.F. WEBB 6 p.m.Feb. 8 CARDINAL GIBBONS 6 p.m.Feb. 12 @ Chapel Hill 6 p.m.Feb. 15 @ Orange 6 p.m.Feb. 18-22 Conference tournament TBAFeb. 25-31 Sectionals TBAMarch 5-9 Regionals TBAMarch 16 State championship TBA

GIRLS, BOYS SWIMMING

Nov. 28 Orange, Cardinal Gibbons @ Gibbons 6:30 p.m.Dec. 6 Southern Vance Rec Center 4:30 p.m.Dec. 12 Chapel Hill, Cardinal Gibbons @ Gibbons 6:30 p.m.Dec. 18 Bunn, Franklinton, S. Vance, Roanoke Rapids Rec Center 4:30 p.mJan. 3 Chapel Hill/S. Vance Rec Center 4:30 p.m.Jan. 22 Conference meet TBA TBAFeb. 1-2 Regionals TBA TBAFeb. 7-9 State championship TBA TBA

WRESTLING

Dec. 1 @ Rocky Mount tournament TBADec. 8 @ Wakefield tournament TBADec. 15 RAIDER DUALS 10 a.m.Dec. 20 @ North Pitt tournament 5 p.m.Jan. 5 @ Person tournament TBAJan. 12 @ Southern Nash duals TBAJan. 19 @ South Granville duals TBAJan. 23 J.F. WEBB TBAJan. 26 @ Louisburg duals TBAFeb. 1 @ Orange with Cardinal Gibbons, Chapel Hill 6 p.m.Feb. 6 @ Northern Vance 6:30 p.m.Feb. 12 Team duals TBAFeb. 14 Team sectionals/regionals TBAFeb. 16 Team state championship TBAFeb. 21-23 Individual regionals TBAFeb. 28-Mar. 2 Individual state tournament TBA

Southern Vance RAIDERS


Nov. 27 SOUTH GRANVILLE 7:30 p.m.Nov. 30 @ Granville Central 7:30 p.m.Dec. 4 @ Franklinton 7:30 p.m.Dec. 7 PERSON 7:30 p.m.Dec. 11 FRANKLINTON 7:30 p.m.Dec. 14 @ Person 7:30 p.m.Dec. 18 GRANVILLE CENTRAL 7:30 p.m.Dec. 20 @ Columbia, S.C. tournament TBADec. 21 @ Columbia, S.C. tournament TBADec. 27 @ HighSchoolOT tournament TBADec. 28 @ HighSchoolOT tournament TBADec. 29 @ HighSchoolOT tournament TBAJan. 11 CARDINAL GIBBONS 7:30 p.m.Jan. 18 NORTHERN VANCE 7:30 p.m.Jan. 21 @ MLK Classic, Greensboro TBAJan. 22 CHAPEL HILL 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 @ Orange 7:30 p.m.Jan. 29 @ Southern Vance 7:30 p.m.Feb. 1 @ Cardinal Gibbons 7:30 p.m.Feb. 5 @ Northern Vance 7:30 p.m.Feb. 8 @ Chapel Hill 7:30 p.m.Feb. 12 ORANGE 7:30 p.m.Feb. 15 SOUTHERN VANCE 7:30 p.m.Feb. 18-22 Conference tournament TBAFeb. 25-31 Sectionals TBAMarch 5-9 Regionals TBAMarch 16 State championship TBA


Nov. 27 SOUTH GRANVILLE 6 p.m.Nov. 30 @ Granville Central 6 p.m.Dec. 4 FRANKLINTON 7:30 p.m.Dec. 7 @ Person 7 p.m.Dec. 11 @ Franklinton 7:30 p.m.Dec. 14 PERSON 7:30 p.m.Dec. 18 GRANVILLE CENTRAL 6 p.m.

Dec. 27 @ Southern Vance tournament 5 p.m.Dec. 28 @ Southern Vance tournament 5 p.m.Jan. 11 @ Cardinal Gibbons 7:30 p.m.Jan. 18 NORTHERN VANCE 6 p.m.Jan. 22 @ Chapel Hill 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 ORANGE 7:30 p.m.Jan. 29 @ Southern Vance 6 p.m.Feb. 1 CARDINAL GIBBONS 7:30 p.m.Feb. 5 @ Northern Vance 6 p.m.Feb. 8 CHAPEL HILL 7:30 p.m.Feb. 12 @ Orange 7:30 p.m.Feb. 15 SOUTHERN VANCE 6 p.m.Feb. 18-22 Conference tournament TBAFeb. 25-31 Sectionals TBAMarch 5-9 Regionals TBAMarch 16 State championship TBA

WRESTLING

Dec. 1 @ Southern Durham duals 8 p.m.Dec. 8 @ Wolverine Challenge 8 p.m.Dec. 10 BUNN 5 p.m.Dec. 15 @ Southern Vance duals 8 a.m.Jan. 5 @ Person tourney 8 p.m.Jan. 12 @ Northwood duals 8 p.m.Jan. 16 @ South Granville 6 p.m.Jan, 19 @ South Granville tourney 8 p.m.Jan. 23 @ Southern Vance 5:30 p.m.Jan. 26 @ Southern Durham tourney 8 p.m.Jan. 29 @ Granville Co. championships at Granville Central 5 p.m.Jan. 30 @ Northern Vance 5:30 p.m.Feb. 1 Conference meet (at Orange) 5 p.m.Feb. 5 @ Roanoke Rapids 5 p.m.Feb. 12 Team duals TBAFeb. 14 Team sectionals/regionals TBAFeb. 16 Team state championship TBAFeb. 21-23 Individual regionals TBAFeb. 28-Mar. 2 Individual state tournament TBA

J.F. Webb WARRIORSBOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL

Nov. 13 @ Crossroads Christian 7 p.m.Nov. 15 LIGHTHOUSE HOME SCHOOL 7:30 p.m.Nov. 19 @ Trinity of Durham, Chapel Hill 7 p.m.Nov. 28 HALIFAX ACADEMY 7:30 p.m.Nov. 30 @ Parrott Academy 7:30 p.m.Dec. 4 @ Faith Christian 7:30 p.m.Dec. 7 GRACE CHRISTIAN OF RALEIGH 7:30 p.m.Dec. 10 AMERICAN HEBREW ACADEMY 6:30 p.m.Dec. 11 @ St. Thomas More Academy 6:30 p.m.Dec. 14 CALVARY BAPTIST DAY SCHOOL 7 p.m.Dec. 21 KVA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT TBADec. 22 KVA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT TBAJan. 8 ROCKY MOUNT ACADEMY 7 p.m.Jan, 9 FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 ST. DAVID’S 7:30 p.m.Jan. 15 @ Cary Christian 7:30 p.m.Jan. 17 @ Grace Christian of Raleigh 7:45 p.m.Jan. 22 @ Halifax Academy 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 PARROTT ACADEMY 7:30 p.m.Jan. 29 FAITH CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Feb. 1 @ Rocky Mount Academy 7 p.m.Feb. 5 @ St. David’s 7:30 p.m.Feb. 8 CARY CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Feb. 12-16 Conference tournament TBAFeb. 19-23 State tournament TBA


Nov. 13 @ Crossroads Christian 7 p.m.Nov. 15 LIGHTHOUSE HOME SCHOOL 7:30 p.m.Nov. 19 @ Trinity of Durham, Chapel Hill 7 p.m.Nov. 28 HALIFAX ACADEMY 7:30 p.m.Nov. 30 @ Parrott Academy 7:30 p.m.Dec. 4 @ Faith Christian 7:30 p.m.Dec. 7 GRACE CHRISTIAN OF RALEIGH 7:30 p.m.Dec. 10 AMERICAN HEBREW ACADEMY 6:30 p.m.Dec. 11 @ St. Thomas More Academy 6:30 p.m.Dec. 14 CALVARY BAPTIST DAY SCHOOL 7 p.m.Dec. 21 KVA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT TBADec. 22 KVA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT TBAJan. 8 ROCKY MOUNT ACADEMY 7 p.m.Jan, 9 FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY 7:30 p.m.Jan. 11 ST. DAVID’S 7:30 p.m.Jan. 15 @ Cary Christian 7:30 p.m.Jan. 17 @ Grace Christian of Raleigh 7:45 p.m.Jan. 18 HALIWA-SAPONI TRIBAL SCHOOL 6 p.m.Jan. 22 @ Halifax Academy 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 PARROTT ACADEMY 7:30 p.m.Jan. 29 FAITH CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Feb. 1 @ Rocky Mount Academy 7 p.m.Feb. 5 @ St. David’s 7:30 p.m.Feb. 8 CARY CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Feb. 12-16 Conference tournament TBAFeb. 19-23 State tournament TBA

WRESTLING

Nov. 10 @ Cary Academy duals All dayNov. 14 RAVENSCROFT, GREENSBORO DAY 5 p.m.Nov. 16 @ North Raleigh Christian 5:30 p.m.Nov. 19 SOUTHERN VANCE 7 p.m.Nov. 27 SOUTH GRANVILLE 6 p.m.Nov. 29 GRANVILLE CENTRAL, FRANKLINTON 5:30 p.m.Dec. 5 @ Forsyth Country Day, with Greensboro Day 5 p.m.Dec. 6 NORTHERN VANCE, WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN 5 p.m.Dec. 8 Wakefield tournament All dayDec. 11 SOUTHERN VANCE, ROANOKE RAPIDS 5 p.m.Dec. 13 @ Wesleyan Christian, with Greensboro Day, NRCA 5 p.m.Jan. 10 @ Cary Academy, with NRCA, Forsth Country Day 4:30 p.m.Jan. 11 @ Greensboro Day School 4 p.m.Jan. 15 NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN 5 p.m.Jan. 17 CARY ACADEMY, BUNN 5 p.m.Jan. 19 @ South Granville duals All dayJan. 22 @ Roanoke Rapids, Corinth-Holders 4 p.m.Jan. 24 @ Bunn 6 p.m.Jan. 31 @ Forsth Country Day, Providence Day 5 p.m.Feb. 2 @ Cary Academy Blue & Gold tournament All dayFeb. 5 @ Ravenscroft 5 p.m.Feb. 15-16 State tournament @ Christ School All dayFeb. 21-23 Prep nationals @ Lehigh, Penn. TBA

Kerr-Vance SPARTANS


Nov. 13 KERR-VANCE 7 p.m.Nov. 16 @ Norlina Christian 7 p.m.Nov. 27 FRIENDSHIP CHRISTIAN 7:15 p.m.Nov. 30 NEUSE CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Dec. 4 TRINITY OF RALEIGH 7 p.m.Dec. 7 CRESSET CHRISTIAN 7 p.m.Dec. 11 LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN 7:15 p.m.Dec. 14 @ Community Christian 6:45 p.m.Dec. 21 @ KVA tournament TBADec. 22 @ KVA tournament TBAJan. 8 @ Cape Fear Christian 7:15 p.m.Jan. 11 GRACE CHRISTIAN OF SANFORD 7:15 p.m.Jan. 15 WAYNE CHRISTIAN 7:15 p.m.Jan. 17 @ Lee Christian 7:15 p.m.Jan. 18 NORTHWOOD TEMPLE 7 p.m.Jan. 22 @ Neuse Christian 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 @ Trinity of Raleigh 7:45 p.m.Jan. 29 @ Cresset Çhristian 7 p.m.Feb. 1 NORLINA CHRISTIAN 7 p.m.Feb. 5 COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN 6:45 p.m.Feb. 8 @ New Life Christian 8 p.m.Feb. 11-15 Conference tour. TBA


Nov. 13 KERR-VANCE 5:30 p.m.Nov. 16 @ Norlina Christian 5:45 p.m.Nov. 27 FRIENDSHIP CHRISTIAN 6 p.m.Nov. 30 NEUSE CHRISTIAN 6:15 p.m.Dec. 4 TRINITY OF RALEIGH 5:30 p.m.Dec. 7 CRESSET CHRISTIAN 5:30 p.m.Dec. 11 LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN 6 p.m. Dec. 14 @ Community Christian 5:15 p.m.Dec. 17 LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Dec. 21 @ KVA tournament TBADec. 22 @ KVA tournament TBAJan. 8 @ Cape Fear Christian 6 p.m.Jan. 11 GRACE CHRISTIAN OF SANFORD 6 p.m.Jan. 15 WAYNE CHRISTIAN 6 p.m.Jan. 17 @ Lee Christian 6 p.m.Jan. 18 NORTHWOOD TEMPLE 5:30 p.m.Jan. 22 @ Neuse Christian 6 p.m.Jan. 25 @ Trinity of Raleigh 6:15 p.m.Jan. 29 @ Cresset Çhristian 5:30 p.m.Feb. 1 NORLINA CHRISTIAN 5:45 p.m.Feb. 5 COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN 5:15 p.m.Feb. 8 @ New Life Christian 6:30 p.m.Feb. 11-15 Conference tour. TBA

Crossroads Christian COLTS


Nov. 23 SOUTHERN VANCE 7:30 p.m.Nov. 27 @ Northern Vance 7:30 p.m.Dec. 4 NORTHERN VANCE 7:30 p.m.Dec. 5 @ Weldon 7:30 p.m.Dec. 7 @ Granville Central 7:30 p.m.Dec. 14 @ Southern Vance 7:30 p.m.Dec. 21 LOUISBURG 7:30 p.m.Dec. 27 @ South Granville Christmas tournament TBADec. 28 @ South Granville Christmas tournament TBADec. 29 @ South Granville Christmas tournament TBAJan. 2 @ Bunn 7:30 p.m.Jan. 4 @ Corinth-Holders 7:30 p.m.Jan. 8 NORTH JOHNSTON 7:30 p.m.Jan. 11 @ Northwest Halifax 7:30 p.m.Jan. 18 FRANKLINTON 7:30 p.m.Jan. 22 ROANOKE RAPIDS 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 @ Louisburg 4:30 p.m.Jan. 29 BUNN 7:30 p.m.Feb. 1 CORINTH-HOLDERS 7:30 p.m.Feb. 5 @ North Johnston 7:30 p.m.Feb. 8 NORTHWEST HALIFAX 7:30 p.m.Feb. 12 @ Franklinton 7:30 p.m.Feb. 15 @ Roanoke Rapids 7:30 p.m.Feb. 18-22 Conference tour. TBAFeb. 25-31 Sectionals TBAMarch 5-9 Regionals TBAMarch 16 State championship TBA


Nov. 19 @ Roanoke Rapids tournament TBANov. 20 @ Roanoke Rapids tournament TBANov. 21 @ Roanoke Rapids tournament TBANov. 23 SOUTHERN VANCE 6 p.m.Nov. 27 @ Northern Vance 6 p.m.Dec. 4 NORTHERN VANCE 6 p.m.Dec. 5 @ Weldon 6 p.m.Dec. 7 @ Granville Central 6 p.m.Dec. 14 @ Southern Vance 6 p.m.Dec. 21 LOUISBURG 6 p.m.Jan. 2 @ Bunn 6 p.m.Jan. 4 @ Corinth-Holders 6 p.m.Jan. 8 NORTH JOHNSTON 6 p.m.Jan. 11 @ Northwest Halifax 6 p.m.Jan. 18 FRANKLINTON 6 p.m.Jan. 22 ROANOKE RAPIDS 6 p.m.Jan. 25 @ Louisburg 6 p.m.Jan. 29 BUNN 6 p.m.Feb. 1 CORINTH-HOLDERS 6 p.m.Feb. 5 @ North Johnston 6 p.m.Feb. 8 NORTHWEST HALIFAX 6 p.m.Feb. 12 @ Franklinton 6 p.m.Feb. 15 @ Roanoke Rapids 6 p.m. Feb. 18-22 Conference tour. TBAFeb. 25-31 Sectionals TBAMarch 5-9 Regionals TBAMarch 16 State championship TBA

Warren County EAGLES


Nov. 27 NEW LIFE 7:30 p.m.Nov. 30 CHRISTIAN FAITH 7:30 p.m.Dec. 4 ENC SCHOOL FOR DEAF 7:30 p.m.Dec. 7 @ Christian Faith 6:30 p.m.Dec. 11 CORNERSTONE 6:30 p.m.Jan. 11 GARNETT CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m,Jan. 15 VICTORY CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Jan. 18 @ Neuse Christian 6:30 p.m.Jan. 22 @ ENC School for Deaf 7:30 p.m.Jan. 24 NEW LIFE 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Jan. 29 @ Victory Christian 7:30 p.m.Feb. 7 CHRISTIAN FAITH 7:30 p.m.Feb. 8 @ Cornerstone Christian 7:30 p.m.Feb. 15 @ Heritage Christian 6:30 p.m.Feb. 19 @ Garnett Christian 7:30 p.m.Feb. 28-Mar. 2 @ Conference tournament TBA


Nov. 29 @ Falls Road 7:30 p.m.Dec. 4 ENC SCHOOL FOR DEAF 6 p.m.Dec. 11 CORNERSTONE 5 p.m.Jan. 11 GARNETT CHRISTIAN 6 p.m,Jan. 15 VICTORY CHRISTIAN 6 p.m.Jan. 18 @ Neuse Christian 5 p.m.Jan. 22 @ ENC School for Deaf 6 p.m.Jan. 25 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 6 p.m.Jan. 29 @ Victory Christian 6 p.m.Feb. 8 @ Cornerstone Christian 6 p.m.Feb. 15 @ Heritage Christian 6 p.m.Feb. 19 @ Garnett Christian 6 p.m.Feb. 28-Mar. 2 @ Conference tournament TBA

Norlina Christian CRUSADERS


Nov. 27 @ Centerville Christian, Va. 7:30 p.m.Nov. 30 @ Haliwa-Saponi 5:30 p.m.Dec. 4 OXFORD MASONIC HOME 7:30 p.m.Dec. 27 @ South Granville tourney TBADec. 28 @ South Granville tourney TBADec. 29 @ South Granville tourney TBAJan. 4 CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Jan. 8 HALIWA-SAPONI 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Jan. 15 @ Norlina Christian 7:30 p.m.Jan. 18 @ Garnett Christian 7:30 p.m.Jan. 24 @ Oxford Masonic Home 7:30 p.m.Jan. 25 GARNETT CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Jan. 29 NORLINA CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.Feb. 5 OXFORD MASONIC HOME 7:30 p.m.Feb. 8 @ Heritage Christian 7:30 p.m.Feb. 12 @ Cornerstone Christian 7:30 p.m.Feb. 15 Blue/White Game 6:30 p.m.Feb. 19 CENTERVILLE CHRISTIAN, VA. 7:30 p.m.Feb. 28-Mar. 2 @ Conference tournament TBA


Nov. 27 @ Centerville Christian, Va. 6 p.m.Nov. 30 @ Haliwa-Saponi 6 p.m.Dec. 4 OXFORD MASONIC HOME 6 p.m.Jan. 4 CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN 6 p.m.Jan. 8 HALIWA-SAPONI 6 p.m. Jan. 11 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 6 p.m.Jan. 15 @ Norlina Christian 6 p.m.Jan. 18 @ Garnett Christian 6 p.m.Jan. 24 @ Oxford Masonic Home 6 p.m.Jan. 25 GARNETT CHRISTIAN 6 p.m.Jan. 29 NORLINA CHRISTIAN 6 p.m.Feb. 5 OXFORD MASONIC HOME 6 p.m.Feb. 8 @ Heritage Christian 6 p.m.Feb. 12 @ Cornerstone Christian 6 p.m.Feb. 15 Blue/White Game 6:30 p.m.Feb. 19 CENTERVILLE CHRISTIAN, VA. 6 p.m.Feb. 28-Mar. 2 @ Conference tournament TBA

Victory Christian EAGLES

Southern building; Northern has vets


New swimming coach Jack Long has some building to do at Southern Vance while Natasha Rubin has an upperclassmen-heavy bunch at Northern.

Long has worked at Southern for four years and has spent the last three years serving as a stroke and turn judge at area meets.

New to coaching, Long swam competitively at Berea College in Kentucky.

“I’ve got some good, really energetic kids that are excited about swimming,” said Long. “They have a lot of heart, they need a lot of instruction with technique, so we’ll go with that.”

The Raiders have 12 boys and 12 girls on the roster.

Jonathan Sanders and Harley Owen are the only seniors. There are two juniors and plenty of sophomores and freshmen.

Long said his goals for the team are to have the upperclass-men learn more strokes than just the freestyle in addition to dropping their times. He also wants to get the younger swim-mers excited about competitive swimming and get them back for next year.

Joining Sanders and Owen as returning veterans are Sarah Beth Stanton, Kimbre Archer and Kyle Furlow.

Long wants team members placing their focus on their times rather than the opponents in a 3-A Carolina Conference that has been dominated by Cardinal Gibbons and Chapel Hill.

“You just have to go out there and do your best and work on trying to trim that time down,” said Long. “The team aspect is going to fall where it falls. The main aspect is trying to get these kids to improve as they go along.”

Rubin lost two strong per-formers from last season’s girls team at Northern, but the boys have several returners.

The Vikings have eight girls and 14 boys.

“They’re fun to coach. I’ve seen a lot of leadership from a lot of swimmers,” said Rubin. “Ethan Parham, Sam Long are really starting to step up. Madison Bobbitt is stepping up. Ray Cheever is looking really good in the water. I’m expecting him to hopefully go to regionals in the backstroke.”

Cheever just missed out on the regionals as a freshman last season. Bobbitt qualified for the regionals in the 100 fly and 500 free.

Rubin said returner Evan Lowery is already faster than last season and newcomers Clayton Harris and C.J. Ayscue have been impressive.

“All the new swimmers that have jumped in are really quick in catching on to things,” said Rubin. “I’m really excited to see how they’re going to follow through.”


Swim teams focus on times, improvement

Dispatch fileSarah Beth Stanton is one of five returning veterans for Southern Vance first-year head coach Jack Long.

the daily dispatch - winter sports - friday, november 23, 2012

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