Falcons Nest December 19th
This week's recap of O'Neal Athletics
MS & Varsity Swim Program
O’Neal Middle School vs. Carolina Friends School: Girls 47–19, W; Boys 15–16,L
O’Neal Middle School vs. Fayetteville Academy: Girls 55–8, W; Boys L 16–21, L
The O’Neal Falcons middle school swim team competed with determination and school pride in a middle school–only meet on December 16. The girls’ team earned victories against both Carolina Friends School and Fayetteville Academy, while the boys’ team put forth a strong effort in two closely contested losses.
Camden Lovsin anchored the boys’ lineup, nearly pulling out wins against both opponents—falling just one point short against Carolina Friends and five points short against Fayetteville Academy. This meet was designed to give swimmers the opportunity to try new events and step outside their comfort zones, resulting in a positive experience for all. Nearly every athlete competed in the 100-yard IM and impressed all with their performances. Arya Stingle won all of her events and delivered stellar swims in every relay.
Combined MS/Varsity Meet
O’Neal vs. St. David’s School: Girls 48–16, W; Boys 16–54, L
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Christian School: Girls 37–35, L; Boys 14–40, L
Middle School’s girls and boys teams continued to show growth on Thursday Dec 18th. This was highlighted by improved relay exchanges and a meet with no disqualifications—a major accomplishment. Standout performances included Arya Stingle winning the 200-yard IM; Clare Aldredge dropping an impressive 14.5 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle; Rylie Ryan cutting three seconds in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events; Olivia Garcia earning a personal record in the 100-yard breaststroke; and Vivian Garcia posting PRs in both of her events. Olivia Garcia and Sarah Williams also contributed to a point-scoring 4x100-yard freestyle relay. Additionally, Avery Pohlmeyer competed in the 100-yard butterfly for the first time as a Falcon, an exciting milestone to watch.
Overall, these meets marked another positive step forward for the Middle School team as they continue building momentum this season. With ongoing dedication, improvement, and team spirit, the Falcons are well-positioned for continued success in upcoming competitions.
The Varsity Falcons men’s and women’s swim teams returned to competition last night after a two-week break, and the excitement to be back in the pool was evident. Both squads delivered strong performances, recording personal bests across the board. Notable swims on the men’s side came from Platon Korobko and Sam Schmitz, while standout performances for the women were turned in by Kat Davis and Ella Marino. The teams will continue training over the break and look ahead to an upcoming conference meet in January hosted by The O’Neal School.
O’Neal Middle School vs. Fayetteville Academy: Girls 55–8, W; Boys L 16–21, L
The O’Neal Falcons middle school swim team competed with determination and school pride in a middle school–only meet on December 16. The girls’ team earned victories against both Carolina Friends School and Fayetteville Academy, while the boys’ team put forth a strong effort in two closely contested losses.
Camden Lovsin anchored the boys’ lineup, nearly pulling out wins against both opponents—falling just one point short against Carolina Friends and five points short against Fayetteville Academy. This meet was designed to give swimmers the opportunity to try new events and step outside their comfort zones, resulting in a positive experience for all. Nearly every athlete competed in the 100-yard IM and impressed all with their performances. Arya Stingle won all of her events and delivered stellar swims in every relay.
Combined MS/Varsity Meet
O’Neal vs. St. David’s School: Girls 48–16, W; Boys 16–54, L
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Christian School: Girls 37–35, L; Boys 14–40, L
Middle School’s girls and boys teams continued to show growth on Thursday Dec 18th. This was highlighted by improved relay exchanges and a meet with no disqualifications—a major accomplishment. Standout performances included Arya Stingle winning the 200-yard IM; Clare Aldredge dropping an impressive 14.5 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle; Rylie Ryan cutting three seconds in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events; Olivia Garcia earning a personal record in the 100-yard breaststroke; and Vivian Garcia posting PRs in both of her events. Olivia Garcia and Sarah Williams also contributed to a point-scoring 4x100-yard freestyle relay. Additionally, Avery Pohlmeyer competed in the 100-yard butterfly for the first time as a Falcon, an exciting milestone to watch.
Overall, these meets marked another positive step forward for the Middle School team as they continue building momentum this season. With ongoing dedication, improvement, and team spirit, the Falcons are well-positioned for continued success in upcoming competitions.
The Varsity Falcons men’s and women’s swim teams returned to competition last night after a two-week break, and the excitement to be back in the pool was evident. Both squads delivered strong performances, recording personal bests across the board. Notable swims on the men’s side came from Platon Korobko and Sam Schmitz, while standout performances for the women were turned in by Kat Davis and Ella Marino. The teams will continue training over the break and look ahead to an upcoming conference meet in January hosted by The O’Neal School.
Varsity Girls Basketball
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Christian School 37-36, W
The O’Neal Falcons earned a hard-fought 37–36 road victory over Fayetteville Christian School in a tightly contested game that came down to execution and resilience in the final quarter. After being tied at 8–8 following the first period, O’Neal used a strong second quarter to build momentum, outscoring FCS 15–4 to take a halftime lead Fayetteville Christian responded in the second half, cutting into the lead with a strong fourth-quarter push, but the Falcons were able to hold on defensively and make key plays late to secure the one-point win. O’Neal finished the game with a slight edge in points per possession and forced 28 turnovers, turning defensive pressure into scoring opportunities throughout the game.
Kennedi Hamner led the Falcons offensively with 14 points, shooting efficiently from the floor and contributing on the boards and defensive end. Sofie Itegie added 13 points, including a pair of three-pointers, while also pulling down five rebounds and recording four steals. Jordin Reed contributed four points and helped set the tone defensively with three steals and four deflections.
Defensively, the Falcons were active all night, finishing with 17 steals and 13 deflections, while also winning the rebounding battle 44–38. O’Neal’s ability to generate second-chance opportunities and limit Fayetteville Christian’s clean looks late proved to be the difference in a tightly played contest.
O’Neal vs Northwood Temple Academy: 36-44, L
The O’Neal Falcons competed with grit and determination in a physical home matchup against Northwood Temple Academy but saw the game slip away in the fourth quarter. Northwood Temple built an early seven-point lead in the first quarter, which proved to be their largest advantage until the final period. O’Neal responded well, doubling their offensive output in both the second and third quarters and matching Northwood’s scoring effort through the middle of the game to keep the contest competitive.
Despite strong responses each quarter, Northwood was able to answer with timely baskets of their own, maintaining a narrow edge heading into the fourth. The game ultimately shifted late, when Northwood Temple extended the margin to a four-possession game in the final minutes.
Kennedi Hamner led the Falcons with 18 points, adding consistent effort on the boards and on the defensive end. Logan Slabaugh followed with nine points, providing energy, toughness, and steady leadership throughout the game. Sofie Itegie contributed six points, along with five rebounds, three assists, and eight deflections, while Reagan Lowth added three points and valuable defensive minutes. Collectively, the Falcons forced 22 turnovers, showing active hands and strong defensive pressure throughout the night.
Despite the final score, the Falcons showed resilience and continued to compete until the final buzzer. The team now heads into the holiday break focused on resting, resetting, and refocusing before returning after the New Year ready to get back to work in practice.
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Christian School 37-36, W
The O’Neal Falcons earned a hard-fought 37–36 road victory over Fayetteville Christian School in a tightly contested game that came down to execution and resilience in the final quarter. After being tied at 8–8 following the first period, O’Neal used a strong second quarter to build momentum, outscoring FCS 15–4 to take a halftime lead Fayetteville Christian responded in the second half, cutting into the lead with a strong fourth-quarter push, but the Falcons were able to hold on defensively and make key plays late to secure the one-point win. O’Neal finished the game with a slight edge in points per possession and forced 28 turnovers, turning defensive pressure into scoring opportunities throughout the game.
Kennedi Hamner led the Falcons offensively with 14 points, shooting efficiently from the floor and contributing on the boards and defensive end. Sofie Itegie added 13 points, including a pair of three-pointers, while also pulling down five rebounds and recording four steals. Jordin Reed contributed four points and helped set the tone defensively with three steals and four deflections.
Defensively, the Falcons were active all night, finishing with 17 steals and 13 deflections, while also winning the rebounding battle 44–38. O’Neal’s ability to generate second-chance opportunities and limit Fayetteville Christian’s clean looks late proved to be the difference in a tightly played contest.
O’Neal vs Northwood Temple Academy: 36-44, L
The O’Neal Falcons competed with grit and determination in a physical home matchup against Northwood Temple Academy but saw the game slip away in the fourth quarter. Northwood Temple built an early seven-point lead in the first quarter, which proved to be their largest advantage until the final period. O’Neal responded well, doubling their offensive output in both the second and third quarters and matching Northwood’s scoring effort through the middle of the game to keep the contest competitive.
Despite strong responses each quarter, Northwood was able to answer with timely baskets of their own, maintaining a narrow edge heading into the fourth. The game ultimately shifted late, when Northwood Temple extended the margin to a four-possession game in the final minutes.
Kennedi Hamner led the Falcons with 18 points, adding consistent effort on the boards and on the defensive end. Logan Slabaugh followed with nine points, providing energy, toughness, and steady leadership throughout the game. Sofie Itegie contributed six points, along with five rebounds, three assists, and eight deflections, while Reagan Lowth added three points and valuable defensive minutes. Collectively, the Falcons forced 22 turnovers, showing active hands and strong defensive pressure throughout the night.
Despite the final score, the Falcons showed resilience and continued to compete until the final buzzer. The team now heads into the holiday break focused on resting, resetting, and refocusing before returning after the New Year ready to get back to work in practice.
JV Boys Basketball
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Christian 21–59, L
The Falcons faced a tough road challenge against Fayetteville Christian while playing shorthanded, missing two starters and having two others unable to finish the game. Despite the adversity, O’Neal continued to compete and showed resilience throughout the contest.
The Falcons battled defensively and played with effort on both ends, but depth and fatigue became factors as the game wore on. Even while short-handed, the group continued to fight, support one another, and gain valuable experience. The coaching staff was proud of the team’s toughness and mindset in a difficult situation, with lessons to build on moving forward.
O’Neal vs. Northwood Temple 55–36, W
The Falcons earned a strong conference win at home against Northwood Temple heading into Winter Break. O’Neal struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the first half, but the defense kept the team within striking distance.
Coming out of halftime, the Falcons turned up the defensive intensity, forcing turnovers and creating transition opportunities. As shots began to fall, O’Neal continued to apply pressure on the defensive end and steadily pulled away in the second half. The complete team effort on defense and improved execution offensively led to a convincing win and a positive way to close out the first half of the season.
High Res Photos by Wendy Hodges/ The Pines Media
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Christian 21–59, L
The Falcons faced a tough road challenge against Fayetteville Christian while playing shorthanded, missing two starters and having two others unable to finish the game. Despite the adversity, O’Neal continued to compete and showed resilience throughout the contest.
The Falcons battled defensively and played with effort on both ends, but depth and fatigue became factors as the game wore on. Even while short-handed, the group continued to fight, support one another, and gain valuable experience. The coaching staff was proud of the team’s toughness and mindset in a difficult situation, with lessons to build on moving forward.
O’Neal vs. Northwood Temple 55–36, W
The Falcons earned a strong conference win at home against Northwood Temple heading into Winter Break. O’Neal struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the first half, but the defense kept the team within striking distance.
Coming out of halftime, the Falcons turned up the defensive intensity, forcing turnovers and creating transition opportunities. As shots began to fall, O’Neal continued to apply pressure on the defensive end and steadily pulled away in the second half. The complete team effort on defense and improved execution offensively led to a convincing win and a positive way to close out the first half of the season.
High Res Photos by Wendy Hodges/ The Pines Media
Falcon Athletics 1/5/26 - 1/9/26
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
TUE | 1/6/2026 | Trinity Christian School | VGBKB | HOME | 5:30PM |
TUE | 1/6/2026 | Trinity Christian School | JVBBKB | HOME | 7:00PM |
WED | 1/7/2026 | Alumni vs Staff Basketball Game | HOME | 6:00PM | |
THU | 1/8/2026 | Freedom Christian Academy | MSGBKB | AWAY | 4:00PM |
THU | 1/8/2026 | Freedom Christian Academy | MSBBKB | AWAY | 5:15PM |
FRI | 1/9/2026 | Father Capodanno Homecoming + Silent Night | VGBKB | HOME | 5:30PM |
FRI | 1/9/2026 | Father Capodanno Homecoming + Silent Night | JVBBKB | HOME | 7:00PM |
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