Falcons Nest - Jan. 16
A weekly recap of O'Neal Athletics
MS Swim
Conference Quad Meet vs Fayetteville Academy, Fayetteville Christian, and Village Christian
The O’Neal Falcons middle school swimmers turned in a strong performance at their swim meet yesterday against their full conference, led by solid finishes and several personal bests.
The women's 200 freestyle relay team (Sarah Williams, Arya Stingle, Avery Pohlmeyer, and Olivia Hardee) finished in 1st place, showing how hard they have worked this season. Camden Lovsin captured a win in the 100 backstroke, while Arya Stingle took first in both the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle.
In addition to the top finishes, many O’Neal swimmers posted significant personal records, including Avery Pohlmeyer and Rylie Ryan for dropping lots of time in the 100 freestyle, and Sarah Williams, who won her heat in the 50 freestyle, reflecting steady improvement across the roster and a fighting competitive spirit.
Conference Quad Meet vs Fayetteville Academy, Fayetteville Christian, and Village Christian
The O’Neal Falcons middle school swimmers turned in a strong performance at their swim meet yesterday against their full conference, led by solid finishes and several personal bests.
The women's 200 freestyle relay team (Sarah Williams, Arya Stingle, Avery Pohlmeyer, and Olivia Hardee) finished in 1st place, showing how hard they have worked this season. Camden Lovsin captured a win in the 100 backstroke, while Arya Stingle took first in both the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle.
In addition to the top finishes, many O’Neal swimmers posted significant personal records, including Avery Pohlmeyer and Rylie Ryan for dropping lots of time in the 100 freestyle, and Sarah Williams, who won her heat in the 50 freestyle, reflecting steady improvement across the roster and a fighting competitive spirit.
Varsity Swim
Conference Quad Meet vs Fayetteville Academy, Fayetteville Christian, and Village Christian
The Falcons turned in a strong overall performance Thursday night at a conference quad meet, racing competitively across events and posting several season-best and personal-best swims.
The Falcons men’s team delivered an impressive showing, highlighted by fast sprint performances and strong relay swims. Sam Schmitz recorded season-best times in both the 200 and 100 freestyle. Platon Korobko and Tanner Kennedy each posted personal-best swims in the 50 freestyle, while Harrison O’Connor qualified for the state meet for the first time with a standout performance in the 100 freestyle. The night concluded with a dominant showing in the 400 freestyle relay, capping off a strong team effort and continued momentum heading into the conference meet.
The Lady Falcons also put together an exciting performance, racing with confidence and consistency throughout the meet. The sprint events stood out, with strong swims in the 50 and 100 freestyle from Dahlia Cloninger and Kat Davis. Marley Pace delivered an outstanding race in the 200 IM, and O’Neal posted dominant finishes in two of the three relay events. The team’s depth, speed, and continued improvement were evident across the board.
With momentum building on both sides, the Falcons head into the conference meet prepared and confident.
Conference Quad Meet vs Fayetteville Academy, Fayetteville Christian, and Village Christian
The Falcons turned in a strong overall performance Thursday night at a conference quad meet, racing competitively across events and posting several season-best and personal-best swims.
The Falcons men’s team delivered an impressive showing, highlighted by fast sprint performances and strong relay swims. Sam Schmitz recorded season-best times in both the 200 and 100 freestyle. Platon Korobko and Tanner Kennedy each posted personal-best swims in the 50 freestyle, while Harrison O’Connor qualified for the state meet for the first time with a standout performance in the 100 freestyle. The night concluded with a dominant showing in the 400 freestyle relay, capping off a strong team effort and continued momentum heading into the conference meet.
The Lady Falcons also put together an exciting performance, racing with confidence and consistency throughout the meet. The sprint events stood out, with strong swims in the 50 and 100 freestyle from Dahlia Cloninger and Kat Davis. Marley Pace delivered an outstanding race in the 200 IM, and O’Neal posted dominant finishes in two of the three relay events. The team’s depth, speed, and continued improvement were evident across the board.
With momentum building on both sides, the Falcons head into the conference meet prepared and confident.
MS Girls Basketball
O’Neal vs Berean Baptist Academy: 14–17, L
The Middle School Girls Basketball team opened the week with a tightly contested home game against Berean Baptist Academy. Falcons struggled to convert offensively as shots were heavily contested, and scoring opportunities were limited. Haddie Habets kept her composure and foot on the gas all night. Many key factors proved costly, preventing O’Neal from capitalizing on key possessions in a game that remained within reach until the final moments.
O’Neal vs Lee Christian Academy: 17–18, L
On Thursday night, the Falcons traveled to Lee Christian Academy and delivered an impressive performance marked by improved teamwork and heightened court awareness. Sixth grader Lacy Boyd earned a spot in the starting lineup and contributed to the team’s consistent defensive effort. Grace Chabalko jumpstarted the offense in the first quarter, while Julie Wilson scored consistently throughout the third and fourth quarters to keep the Falcons within striking distance. Despite the strong effort, O’Neal came up just short in a nail-biting finish, falling by one point with only 0.8 seconds remaining.
O’Neal vs Berean Baptist Academy: 14–17, L
The Middle School Girls Basketball team opened the week with a tightly contested home game against Berean Baptist Academy. Falcons struggled to convert offensively as shots were heavily contested, and scoring opportunities were limited. Haddie Habets kept her composure and foot on the gas all night. Many key factors proved costly, preventing O’Neal from capitalizing on key possessions in a game that remained within reach until the final moments.
O’Neal vs Lee Christian Academy: 17–18, L
On Thursday night, the Falcons traveled to Lee Christian Academy and delivered an impressive performance marked by improved teamwork and heightened court awareness. Sixth grader Lacy Boyd earned a spot in the starting lineup and contributed to the team’s consistent defensive effort. Grace Chabalko jumpstarted the offense in the first quarter, while Julie Wilson scored consistently throughout the third and fourth quarters to keep the Falcons within striking distance. Despite the strong effort, O’Neal came up just short in a nail-biting finish, falling by one point with only 0.8 seconds remaining.
Varsity Girls Basketball
O’Neal vs Father Capodanno: 46–26, W
The Falcons finished Homecoming week with a strong non-conference home win, setting the tone early through defensive pressure and control of the glass. Kennedi Hamner led the effort on both sides of the court, securing her fourth Double-Double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Sofie Itegie added 17 points, continuing her steady scoring presence. Haddie Habets provided a spark off the bench with intense defensive effort, and Laura Schulze made a major impact on the boards, creating second-chance opportunities on offense and anchoring the team defensively.
O’Neal vs Berean Baptist Academy: 39–31, W
In a competitive conference matchup at home, the Falcons showed composure and discipline on both ends of the floor. Team defense and execution were key throughout the contest, allowing O’Neal to control the game late. Sofie Itegie once again led the offense with 17 points as the Falcons secured their second straight win.
O’Neal vs Lee Christian School: 40–28, W
The Falcons completed a perfect three-game stretch with a convincing road victory at Lee Christian. Jordin Reed delivered a breakout performance, scoring a career-high 14 points and providing a major offensive spark. Sofie Itegie continued her consistent scoring with 15 points. Strong team defense, rebounding, and unselfish play allowed O’Neal to pull away and close out the win away from home.
O’Neal vs Village Academy, W (Forfeit)
The Falcons will be awarded a win against Village Academy on 1/16/26 due to a forfeit.
O’Neal vs Father Capodanno: 46–26, W
The Falcons finished Homecoming week with a strong non-conference home win, setting the tone early through defensive pressure and control of the glass. Kennedi Hamner led the effort on both sides of the court, securing her fourth Double-Double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Sofie Itegie added 17 points, continuing her steady scoring presence. Haddie Habets provided a spark off the bench with intense defensive effort, and Laura Schulze made a major impact on the boards, creating second-chance opportunities on offense and anchoring the team defensively.
O’Neal vs Berean Baptist Academy: 39–31, W
In a competitive conference matchup at home, the Falcons showed composure and discipline on both ends of the floor. Team defense and execution were key throughout the contest, allowing O’Neal to control the game late. Sofie Itegie once again led the offense with 17 points as the Falcons secured their second straight win.
O’Neal vs Lee Christian School: 40–28, W
The Falcons completed a perfect three-game stretch with a convincing road victory at Lee Christian. Jordin Reed delivered a breakout performance, scoring a career-high 14 points and providing a major offensive spark. Sofie Itegie continued her consistent scoring with 15 points. Strong team defense, rebounding, and unselfish play allowed O’Neal to pull away and close out the win away from home.
O’Neal vs Village Academy, W (Forfeit)
The Falcons will be awarded a win against Village Academy on 1/16/26 due to a forfeit.
MS Boys Basketball
O’Neal vs Berean Baptist: 48–44, W
The Falcons earned a hard-fought home victory Tuesday night with a win over Berean Baptist. Defense set the tone from the opening tip with strong ball pressure and consistent team communication.
Offensively, O’Neal executed well in key moments, made smart decisions with the basketball, and finished strong around the rim. It was a complete team win built on effort, discipline, and execution.
O’Neal at Lee Christian: 48–16, W
The Falcons dominated on the road Thursday night with a convincing victory over Lee Christian. O’Neal controlled the game from start to finish with relentless defense, strong rebounding, and excellent team basketball.
Every player saw meaningful minutes and contributed, with seven different players scoring. It was a true total team effort and a strong example of playing together, competing, and building confidence.
O’Neal vs Berean Baptist: 48–44, W
The Falcons earned a hard-fought home victory Tuesday night with a win over Berean Baptist. Defense set the tone from the opening tip with strong ball pressure and consistent team communication.
Offensively, O’Neal executed well in key moments, made smart decisions with the basketball, and finished strong around the rim. It was a complete team win built on effort, discipline, and execution.
O’Neal at Lee Christian: 48–16, W
The Falcons dominated on the road Thursday night with a convincing victory over Lee Christian. O’Neal controlled the game from start to finish with relentless defense, strong rebounding, and excellent team basketball.
Every player saw meaningful minutes and contributed, with seven different players scoring. It was a true total team effort and a strong example of playing together, competing, and building confidence.
JV Boys Basketball
O’Neal vs Father Capodanno: 54–37, W
The Falcons delivered a strong Homecoming performance Friday night with a convincing win over Father Capodanno. O’Neal set the tone early with active ball pressure, strong communication, and disciplined team defense that made every possession difficult for the opponent.
O’Neal vs Father Capodanno: 54–37, W
The Falcons delivered a strong Homecoming performance Friday night with a convincing win over Father Capodanno. O’Neal set the tone early with active ball pressure, strong communication, and disciplined team defense that made every possession difficult for the opponent.
Offensively, the Falcons played unselfishly, moved the ball well, and capitalized on transition opportunities created by their defense. It was a complete team effort and a great way to protect home court on a special night for the school community.
O’Neal vs Berean Baptist: 46–59, L
The Falcons battled hard Tuesday night at home against Berean Baptist despite being down three players. O’Neal competed for all four quarters, showing toughness, grit, and strong effort on both ends of the floor.
The Falcons battled hard Tuesday night at home against Berean Baptist despite being down three players. O’Neal competed for all four quarters, showing toughness, grit, and strong effort on both ends of the floor.
The group stayed connected defensively, fought for rebounds, and continued to play together through adversity. While the result did not go O’Neal’s way, the effort, resilience, and fight shown by this group stood out.
O’Neal vs Lee Christian: 46–59, L
The Falcons went on the road Thursday night and delivered another strong defensive effort against Lee Christian. O’Neal stayed locked in defensively and competed possession by possession throughout the contest.
The Falcons went on the road Thursday night and delivered another strong defensive effort against Lee Christian. O’Neal stayed locked in defensively and competed possession by possession throughout the contest.
Turnovers in the second half led to scoring opportunities for the opponent, but the Falcons continued to battle and show growth. The defensive mindset and effort remain strong as this group continues to develop.
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
TUE | 1/20/2026 | Northwood Temple | MSGBKB | AWAY | 3:30PM |
TUE | 1/20/2026 | Northwood Temple | MSBBKB | AWAY | 4:45PM |
TUE | 1/20/2026 | Northwood Temple | VGBKB | AWAY | 6:00PM |
TUE | 1/20/2026 | Northwood Temple | JVBBKB | AWAY | 7:30PM |
THU | 1/22/2026 | Conference Championship Meet | MSSWIM | HOME | 4:00PM |
THU | 1/22/2026 | Conference Championship Meet Senior Recognition | SWIM | HOME | 4:00PM |
FRI | 1/23/2026 | Fayetteville Christian | MSGBKB | HOME | 4:00PM |
FRI | 1/23/2026 | Fayetteville Christian | MSBBKB | HOME | 5:00PM |
FRI | 1/23/2026 | Fayetteville Christian | VGBKB | HOME | 5:30PM |
FRI | 1/23/2026 | Fayetteville Christian | JVBBKB | HOME | 7:00PM |
SAT | 1/24/2026 | Youth Basketball Clinic 9am-11am | Basketball | HOME | 9:00AM |
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