Falcons Nest - November 17th

James Franklin, Athletic Director
Winter Sports Season Begins.
Varsity Girls Basketball 
DA Tournament: Falcons vs. John Paull II 59-31 W, Falcons vs St. Davids 41-32 W, Tournament Champions  
 
The Lady Falcons season got off to a great start. Celebrating a triumphant weekend, beating two top 3A opponents St. John Paul ll  and St. David's and winning the Durham Academy Holiday Tournament. The team's hard work and determination have paid off, showcasing their development skill and resilience on the court. The energy is electric, and the joyous atmosphere reflects the well-deserved success.    
 
Falcons vs. Fayetteville Academy 53-10 W 
The week got off to a good start with a win at Fayetteville Academy. The Lady Falcons took the opportunity to allow players who normally don’t start to experience the thrill and privilege of starting the game. The Falcons were also able to put out several different line-ups to see what may work with their roster throughout the season.  

The Lady Falcons are prepped and ready for their home opener this Friday November 17th hosing Ravencroft Ravens with a 5:30pm tip-off. The anticipation is high, especially with the debut of our new coach (Donna Taylor). Be there to witness the excitement, teamwork and the beginning of a promising season. 
 
Varsity Boys Basketball
The Falcons went 0-2 but fought hard in a tough Durham Academy tournament over the weekend. The Falcons started off the game strong defensively vs. Voyager Academy on Friday night. Turnovers and missing 15 Free throws allowed us to fall behind at the half. The Falcons never gave up as they won the 4th quarter. The Falcons kept that 4th quarter momentum going into the game vs St. Davids on Saturday. The Falcons dominated defensively and got out to a 16-10 1st quarter lead. Turnovers and fatigue caught up with the Falcons to fall behind after halftime. 
 
Falcons vs. Fay Academy, Final Score 35-86     
The Falcons opened the regular season with 3 games in 3 days last week. The Falcons showed some bright spots defensively on Saturday. The Falcons went on the road Tuesday and played a talented Fayetteville Academy team. The Falcons battled hard in the first quarter and then their youth showed itself. Boyd Kenny had a team high 12pts and led the charge defensively with his energy. We also had scoring contributions from Gunnar Adams(8pts), Nick Joyce(7pts), Max Pashley(4pts), and Brennan Hodges(4pts). The Falcons host their first home game of the season this Friday against Ravenscroft. Friday’s Tip-off time is 6:30pm. 
 
 
Middle School A Girls Basketball
Cape Fear Christian Academy 39-17, Win 
In an exhibition game at Cape Fear Christian Academy on Monday, the O'Neal Middle School basketball team showcased their resilience and determination. Despite a slow start that found the Falcons trailing 1-2 at the end of the first quarter, they quickly shifted gears, adopting an aggressive approach that propelled them to outscore their opponent 38-15 for the remainder of the game. Notably, nine different players contributed points, underscoring the depth and versatility of the team. This collective effort resulted in a well-deserved victory. The Falcons are now gearing up for their home opener this Thursday at 4:00 pm, where they'll face Freedom Christian, eager to build on the momentum from their successful exhibition match. 
 
Middle School A Boys Basketball
O’Neal vs. Cape Fear Christian Academy 38-29, Win 
The Falcons went on the road Monday to kick off their season against Cape Fear Christian Academy and the Falcons didn't disappoint. The Falcons played an outstanding game on both sides of the basketball. The Falcons were led in scoring by Ford Kuester with 14 points. Adding to the bunch were Grant Sowell (8 points), Jackson Mullis (7 points), Jaxon Graves (6 points), and Owen West (1 point). Cape Fear played solidly in the third quarter, closing the gap to six points. This didn't faze the Falcons at all as they kept the pedal to the metal to a great victory. The Falcons will host Freedom Christian at home on Thursday, November 16th with a 5:15pm tip-off. Go Falcons! 
 
Middle School B Girls Basketball
O’Neal vs. Moore Montessori 16-10, Win 
In a thrilling season opener, the O'Neal Falcons B Team Girls showcased their resilience and determination, clinching a hard-fought victory in double overtime against Moore Montessori School (MMS). Dominating the first half with a commanding 10-2 lead, the Falcons encountered a formidable comeback from MMS in the second half, resulting in a 12-12 tie at the end of regulation. As tension mounted, both teams remained scoreless in the initial overtime period. However, in a display of strategic prowess and unwavering teamwork, the Falcons executed their offense in the second overtime, finding Vivienne Rhue on the block twice securing four crucial points against MMS and ultimately emerging victorious. Claire Caviness lead scorers with 6 points, followed by Vivienne Rhue with 4 points in overtime, and Julie Wilson and Abby McFayden with 2 points each. The O'Neal Falcon B Team Girls' will meet MMS again at home on December 6th at home.  
 
Middle School B Boys Basketball
O’Neal vs. Moore Montessori 25-15 Win 
In a thrilling matchup that had fans buzzing with excitement, the O'Neal Middle School Boys B basketball team, affectionately known as "The Killer Bees," showcased their prowess on both ends of the court in a dominant victory against Moore Montessori School (MMS). The final score of 25-13 reflected the team's outstanding defense and fluid offense that left their opponents struggling to keep up. 
 
One of the standout features of The Killer Bees' performance was their defense, which proved to be the cornerstone of their success. The players demonstrated a cohesive and relentless defensive strategy, stifling Moore Montessori's attempts to score. With tight man-to-man coverage and strategic zone defense, The Killer Bees created turnovers and capitalized on their opponent's mistakes, turning defense into offense. 
 
On the offensive end, The Killer Bees showcased a fluid and dynamic style of play. Their high-tempo attack kept MMS on their heels, as The Killer Bees moved the ball with precision and executed plays seamlessly. The team's offensive cohesion was a testament to their dedication on the practice court and the chemistry they've developed.  
 
Falcons Sports (11/27 – 12/1): 
 
 
DAY 
 
DATE 
 
OPPONENT 
 
SPORT 
 
H/A 
 
EVENT TIME 
MON 
11/27/2023 
Village Christian 
MS GBKB 
HOME 
4:00 PM 
MON 
11/27/2023 
Village Christian 
MS BBKB 
HOME 
5:15 PM 
TUE 
11/28/2023 
St. Mary's  
GBKB 
HOME 
5:00 PM 
TUE 
11/28/2023 
Westchester Country Day School 
VBBKB 
AWAY 
6:00 PM 
THU 
11/30/2023 
Northwood Temple 
MS GBKB 
HOME 
3:30 PM 
THU 
11/30/2023 
Northwood Temple 
MS BBKB 
HOME 
4:45 PM 
THU 
11/30/2023 
TSDCH, TA & Thales of Rolesville 
SWIM 
HOME 
4:00 PM 
FRI 
12/1/2023 
Northwood Temple (Silent Night) 
GBKB 
HOME 
5:30 PM 
FRI 
12/1/2023 
Northwood Temple (Silent Night) 
VBBKB 
HOME 
7:00 PM 
 
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