Falcons Nest Nov 7

O'Neal Athletics
A weekly recap of O'Neal Athletics
MS Girls Basketball:  
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Academy: 8-19, L 
The Middle School Falcons had a focused and productive week of practice as they continued to build their conditioning and overall stamina. Along with learning new offensive sets, the team has emphasized sharpening fundamentals, particularly with passing, finishing layups, and communicating effectively on defense. The energy and effort in practice have been outstanding, with players showing steady improvement each day. As the team continues to grow more confident and cohesive, the Falcons are laying a strong foundation for a competitive season ahead.  

On Thursday, their hard work was put to the test against the Eagles in their home opener. The Falcons came out strong, taking an early lead after the first quarter with confident play and solid defensive effort. As the game progressed, a few defensive lapses and turnovers allowed Fayetteville Academy to regain momentum, but the Falcons continued to compete with heart and determination. Haddie Habets and Julie Wilson each scored 4 points, and the team looks forward to honing their execution and building on this experience in upcoming practices. 

Varsity Girls Basketball:  
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Academy: 39-15, W 
The Varsity Lady Falcons have shown impressive growth throughout their preseason preparation this week. With an emphasis on conditioning, the team has been building the stamina needed to maintain a high tempo throughout the season. Practices have highlighted new offensive sets, sharpened defensive intensity, and strengthened on-court communication, creating a competitive environment that is pushing every player forward. The Falcons are building momentum and look forward to translating their hard work into strong early-season performances.  

That hard work was on full display in their commanding 39–15 victory over Fayetteville Academy. The Falcons set the tone early with a strong defensive presence and a balanced offensive attack. Reagan Lowth opened the game with a momentum-shifting three-pointer and forced multiple turnovers to energize the team. Captain Kennedi Hamner led all scorers with 20 points, while Sofie Itegie added 6 off the bench, Jordin Reed contributed 4, and Haddie Habets added 3 to round out a well-distributed scoring effort. Defensively, Laura Schulze and Lilly Hobson anchored the group with consistent pressure and smart positioning. 

The Falcons dominated on both ends of the floor, executing effectively in the half-court and in transition—an early sign that their preparation is already paying off. 

MS Boys Basketball: 
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Academy: 52-50, L 
The middle school boys opened their season at home against Fayetteville Academy. After a slow start, the Falcons showed great resilience—locking in defensively and taking the lead heading into halftime. Despite battling foul trouble, the Falcons found key contributions from the bench. The Falcons pushed the game to overtime before ultimately falling by two. The coaching staff was proud of their fight, energy, and teamwork. 

JV Boys Basketball:  
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Academy: 67-70, L  
The Falcons opened the season at home in a tough battle against Fayetteville Academy. After falling behind by 13 early, the team showed tremendous fight and composure to rally back. Sophomore Jacob Lindsey exploded for 46 points, while Joseph Lucas added 15 and Andrew Hobbs chipped in 6. The Falcons competed as a team from start to finish, showing great effort and energy throughout.   

All-School Cheer: 
Our All-School Cheerleaders made their winter season debut at the MS Girls and Boys basketball games on Thursday. They have been practicing hard for the last two weeks and really showed up for our teams. Their spirit and enthusiasm were felt throughout the whole gym! The team kept the crowd going until the end. They also performed at halftime and gave a great performance! Check them out at our next MS home games in December.   

MS Swim: 
The Middle School Swim Team has officially kicked off its season, and the energy on deck is already making waves! With a mix of returning swimmers and eager newcomers, the team is focused on building strength, improving technique, and supporting one another both in and out of the pool. 

Early practices have shown impressive dedication as swimmers fine-tune their strokes, starts, and turns. Coaches are excited about the team’s potential and the positive attitude each athlete brings to practice. As the first meets approach, the team is ready to race hard, cheer loudly, and represent their school with pride. 
Falcon Athletics Next Week 11/10/25 - 11/14/25 
 DAY 
DATE 
OPPONENT 
SPORT 
H/A 
EVENT TIME 
THU 
11/13/2025 
Moore Montessori MSBBKB B Team 
MSBBKB 
HOME 
3:30PM 
THU 
11/13/2025 
Cary Academy, Village Christian 
MSSWIM 
HOME 
4:00PM 
THU 
11/13/2025 
Cary Academy, Village Christian 
SWIM 
HOME 
4:00PM 
THU 
11/13/2025 
Westchester Country Day 
VBBKB 
AWAY 
6:00PM 
 
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