Falcons Nest Nov 14
A weekly recap of O'Neal Athletics
MS & Varsity Swim Program
Women's Swimming - O'Neal vs Village Christian: 44 – 24, W
Men's Swimming - O'Neal vs Village Christian: 12 – 31, L
Women's Swimming - O'Neal vs Village Christian: 44 – 24, W
Men's Swimming - O'Neal vs Village Christian: 12 – 31, L
The Middle School Swim Team dove into competition this week at their first meet of the season, and the results were outstanding! The team displayed impressive skill, determination, and sportsmanship from start to finish. Many swimmers achieved personal best times, and we had great relay teams that gave strong performances that energized the crowd.
Returning swimmers with improved times include Olivia Garcia with a huge drop of almost 12 seconds and Sarah Williams with a 10-second drop, both in the 100 yd freestyle! New swimmers to join the MS Swim team are Railey Ryans (8th), Claire Aldredge (6th), Olivia Hardee (6th), and Vivian Garcia (6th), who all swam an impressive 50 yd freestyle for their very first meet! A few experienced 6th-grade swimmers are also on the scene: Arya Stingle, Avery Polhmeyer, and Camden Lovsin, who all had impressive swims. The future is bright for your young team!
Returning swimmers with improved times include Olivia Garcia with a huge drop of almost 12 seconds and Sarah Williams with a 10-second drop, both in the 100 yd freestyle! New swimmers to join the MS Swim team are Railey Ryans (8th), Claire Aldredge (6th), Olivia Hardee (6th), and Vivian Garcia (6th), who all swam an impressive 50 yd freestyle for their very first meet! A few experienced 6th-grade swimmers are also on the scene: Arya Stingle, Avery Polhmeyer, and Camden Lovsin, who all had impressive swims. The future is bright for your young team!
Coaches were especially proud of the team’s positive attitude and support for one another—every swimmer contributed to the team’s success, whether in the water or cheering from the pool deck. For many newcomers, this was their first official meet, and they rose to the challenge with confidence and enthusiasm.
With such a strong start, the season ahead looks promising. The team will continue to train hard and aim for even faster times in their upcoming meets.
The Falcons Varsity Swim Team started out the season strong with a win for the varsity women's team. It was exciting to witness the next generation of O'Neal swimmers step up with dominant swims in their events. 8th graders Ella Marino, Abigail Schupp, and Lucy Emond were victorious in their individual events with blistering times fast enough to qualify for the state meet. There were notable swims from the breaststroke crew of Ava Bozovich, Abigail Holroyd, and Olivia Garcia, with all posting personal best times in their event. The team will continue to work hard, sharpen skills, and prepare for next week's meet on Thursday!
The men's team suffered a loss against Village Christian. The small team was missing crucial members but stayed positive and posted some great early-season times. Captain Sam Schmitz dominated his events with wins in the 200 free and 100 free, qualifying for the state meet. There were also notable swims from sprinters Harrison O'Connor and Platon Korobko in the 50 free, and Harrison posted a best time in the 100 backstroke. The team will continue to work hard, sharpen skills, and prepare for next week's meet on Thursday!
MS Boys Basketball B Team
O’Neal vs. Moore Montessori: 0-57, L
The Falcons’ Middle School B Team—the Killer B’s—opened their season last night with a challenging matchup against the Moore Montessori Team. It was a true baptism by fire, and the final score reflected just how tough the assignment was, but the scoreboard only tells part of the story.
O’Neal vs. Moore Montessori: 0-57, L
The Falcons’ Middle School B Team—the Killer B’s—opened their season last night with a challenging matchup against the Moore Montessori Team. It was a true baptism by fire, and the final score reflected just how tough the assignment was, but the scoreboard only tells part of the story.
For many players, this was their first-ever middle school basketball game, and being thrown straight into action against a seasoned team is something most programs would never take on. The Killer B’s took the court with energy, positivity, and zero hesitation. They played hard from the opening tip until the final whistle, showing resilience and a willingness to compete even as the game sped up and the challenge grew.
Every player saw the floor, which was one of the biggest victories of the night. Those minutes matter. Experiencing game speed, making decisions under pressure, handling the ball against defenders, and learning how physical the sport can be—these are lessons you can’t simulate in practice. And even in a scoreless outing, there were clear bright spots: moments of smart passing, good defensive rotations, hustle plays that sparked the bench, and individual flashes of confidence that the coaching staff is excited to build on.
This game also revealed what the team will need to sharpen as the season moves forward. The boys will focus on cleaning up spacing on offense, staying disciplined on defense, communicating more on the court, and gaining comfort handling pressure. These are areas that will naturally improve with repetition, time, and confidence.
A tough first game won't define this team. If anything, it sets a clear baseline and gives the Killer B’s a shared starting point to grow from. The group is coachable, hardworking, and eager to improve, and that combination will carry them a long way as the season progresses.
The effort was there. The attitude was right. And the future is promising.
JV Boys Basketball
O’Neal vs. Westchester Country Day: 85-45, L
The Falcons went on the road to Westchester Country Day on Thursday night. The Falcons took the floor with great energy and executed a strong first quarter, moving the ball well and defending with purpose. Early on, the team showed they were ready to compete, matching Westchester’s pace and intensity.
O’Neal vs. Westchester Country Day: 85-45, L
The Falcons went on the road to Westchester Country Day on Thursday night. The Falcons took the floor with great energy and executed a strong first quarter, moving the ball well and defending with purpose. Early on, the team showed they were ready to compete, matching Westchester’s pace and intensity.
As the game progressed, turnovers in the second and third quarters shifted the momentum. Westchester capitalized on our mistakes and was able to extend the lead. Despite the growing deficit, our players continued to fight, communicate, and stay together. Multiple guys stepped up with hustle plays, rebounds, and defensive effort to keep us competing until the final buzzer.
While the score didn’t reflect the work put in, this game gave the team clear areas to grow—taking care of the ball, handling pressure, and staying poised in tough stretches. The Falcons will learn from it, get back in the gym, and use this experience to make the team stronger moving forward. The Falcons have a non-conference game next Thursday at home vs Trinity of Durham and Chapel Hill.
MS Girls Basketball
Middle school girls' basketball put in a full week of practice, focusing on skill development including their layups, dribbling, and shooting form, as well as working to improve their awareness on the court. In addition, the girls worked hard to cement the plays they've been taught thus far, to encourage confidence and team cohesion during gameplay. The team is looking forward to showing off their skills at their next home game against Ellerbee Middle School, on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
Middle school girls' basketball put in a full week of practice, focusing on skill development including their layups, dribbling, and shooting form, as well as working to improve their awareness on the court. In addition, the girls worked hard to cement the plays they've been taught thus far, to encourage confidence and team cohesion during gameplay. The team is looking forward to showing off their skills at their next home game against Ellerbee Middle School, on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
Varsity Girls Basketball
The Falcons had a productive and focused week as we continued to prepare for our next contest. The team maintained high energy and strong effort throughout practice, showing growth in confidence, communication, and overall competitiveness. We also used the week to build on our team chemistry and sharpen our overall readiness based on lessons from our first game. The players continue to make steady progress and are trending in a positive direction.
Hi Res Photos by Wendy Hodges/ The Pines Media
The Falcons had a productive and focused week as we continued to prepare for our next contest. The team maintained high energy and strong effort throughout practice, showing growth in confidence, communication, and overall competitiveness. We also used the week to build on our team chemistry and sharpen our overall readiness based on lessons from our first game. The players continue to make steady progress and are trending in a positive direction.
Hi Res Photos by Wendy Hodges/ The Pines Media
Falcon Athletics Next Week 11/17/25 - 11/21/25
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
TUE | 11/18/2025 | Ellerbee MS | MSGBKB | HOME | 4:00PM |
TUE | 11/18/2025 | Ellerbee MS | MSBBKB | HOME | 5:00PM |
THU | 11/20/2025 | Cary Christian, Fayetteville Academy | SWIM | HOME | 4:00PM |
THU | 11/20/2025 | Trinity School of Durham and CH | VGBKB | HOME | 5:30PM |
THU | 11/20/2025 | Trinity School of Durham and CH | VGBKB | HOME | 7:00PM |
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