Falcons Nest Nov 21
A weekly recap of this week's athletics.
MS Girls Basketball
O’Neal vs Ellerbe Middle School: 25-23, W
The Middle School Girls’ Basketball team earned their first victory of the season with a hard-fought win over Ellerbee Middle School. The Falcons displayed excellent communication on the court and executed their plays just as practiced. Although their moderate lead narrowed in the third quarter, the team remained confident and composed. Team captain Julie Wilson sealed the game with a decisive layup, and the Falcons held onto their narrow lead through a strong, committed defensive effort. Several players noted after the game that their conditioning work in practice played a key role in supporting their fast-paced style of play.
Following Tuesday’s win, the team has turned its attention to strengthening defensive strategies and continuing to build endurance as they prepare for the rest of the season.
O’Neal vs Ellerbe Middle School: 25-23, W
The Middle School Girls’ Basketball team earned their first victory of the season with a hard-fought win over Ellerbee Middle School. The Falcons displayed excellent communication on the court and executed their plays just as practiced. Although their moderate lead narrowed in the third quarter, the team remained confident and composed. Team captain Julie Wilson sealed the game with a decisive layup, and the Falcons held onto their narrow lead through a strong, committed defensive effort. Several players noted after the game that their conditioning work in practice played a key role in supporting their fast-paced style of play.
Following Tuesday’s win, the team has turned its attention to strengthening defensive strategies and continuing to build endurance as they prepare for the rest of the season.
Varsity Girls Basketball
O’Neal vs Trinity of Durham & Chapel Hill: 26-44, L
The Girls Varsity Falcons continued their steady growth this week as they expanded their playbook and increased their conditioning in preparation for their latest contest. In a tough and highly competitive matchup, the Falcons suffered their first loss of the season, but the game provided valuable teaching moments that will strengthen the team moving forward. The players showed resilience and fought hard throughout, demonstrating the grit and determination that have defined their early season. Special recognition goes to Sofie Itegie whose consistent leadership and two-way impact were evident all week.
The Falcons now turn their attention to their first away game of the season on December 5th, when they will travel to face Village Christian Academy. The team remains focused and motivated as they prepare for the next challenge.
O’Neal vs Trinity of Durham & Chapel Hill: 26-44, L
The Girls Varsity Falcons continued their steady growth this week as they expanded their playbook and increased their conditioning in preparation for their latest contest. In a tough and highly competitive matchup, the Falcons suffered their first loss of the season, but the game provided valuable teaching moments that will strengthen the team moving forward. The players showed resilience and fought hard throughout, demonstrating the grit and determination that have defined their early season. Special recognition goes to Sofie Itegie whose consistent leadership and two-way impact were evident all week.
The Falcons now turn their attention to their first away game of the season on December 5th, when they will travel to face Village Christian Academy. The team remains focused and motivated as they prepare for the next challenge.
MS & Varsity Swim Program
Women’s O’Neal: 50, Fayetteville Academy: 0, Cary Christian:69
Men’s O’Neal: 25, Fayetteville Academy: 27, Cary Christian: 16
The Middle School Swim Team continued to build momentum in their second meet of the season, showing strong effort and impressive early-season improvement against Fayetteville Academy and Cary Christian School.
The Lady Falcons delivered a standout performance, securing a solid victory over Fayetteville Academy. The team swam with confidence and depth across all events, earning key points in relays and individual races. Despite strong swims and several time drops, the girls ultimately fell to a skilled Cary Christian squad. Their competitive spirit and growing teamwork continue to set a strong tone for the season ahead.
The boys’ team battled fiercely throughout the meet, coming up just two points short in a nail-biter against Fayetteville Academy. Their determination was evident in every race, with close finishes that kept the meet exciting from start to finish. The team also faced tough competition from Cary Christian School, resulting in a second loss, but the swimmers showed measurable progress and resilience in the pool.
Across all events, swimmers displayed great sportsmanship, improved times, and a motivated team atmosphere. Standout swims include Arya Stingle who won the 50yd freestyle and 100 yd breaststroke with blazing fast swims and Camden Lovsin who won first place in the 100 yd backstroke and won his heat in the 100 yd breaststroke. The coaching staff is proud of each athlete’s effort and is excited to carry this momentum into the next meet.
Both teams are demonstrating excellent growth and dedication as they move further into the season. With continued hard work and focus, the Middle School Swim Team is poised for even stronger performances in the meets to come.
The Varsity Falcons competed in a double dual meet this week against non-division opponent Cary Christian and conference rival Fayetteville Academy.
On the women’s side, the Lady Falcons fell to Cary Christian but secured a win over Fayetteville Academy. The team delivered several strong performances, highlighted by Ella Marino, who posted personal bests in both the 100 Fly and 500 Free. Abigail Schupp also had an outstanding meet, earning personal bests in the 200 IM and 100 Backstroke—along with State-qualifying times in both events. Additional standout swims came from Ava Bozovich, who dropped nearly ten seconds in the 100 Breaststroke.
The men’s team came up short against both Cary Christian and Fayetteville Academy, but despite the results, the Falcons showed significant progress that isn’t fully reflected in the final scores. Sam Schmitz placed in the 50 Free and captured a win in the 100 Free. Notable races also came from Platon Korobko and Tanner Kennedy in the 50 Free, as well as from Harrison O’Connor in the 100 Free. The team continues to train hard as they pursue State-qualifying marks and prepare to push through the upcoming Thanksgiving break.
Women’s O’Neal: 50, Fayetteville Academy: 0, Cary Christian:69
Men’s O’Neal: 25, Fayetteville Academy: 27, Cary Christian: 16
The Middle School Swim Team continued to build momentum in their second meet of the season, showing strong effort and impressive early-season improvement against Fayetteville Academy and Cary Christian School.
The Lady Falcons delivered a standout performance, securing a solid victory over Fayetteville Academy. The team swam with confidence and depth across all events, earning key points in relays and individual races. Despite strong swims and several time drops, the girls ultimately fell to a skilled Cary Christian squad. Their competitive spirit and growing teamwork continue to set a strong tone for the season ahead.
The boys’ team battled fiercely throughout the meet, coming up just two points short in a nail-biter against Fayetteville Academy. Their determination was evident in every race, with close finishes that kept the meet exciting from start to finish. The team also faced tough competition from Cary Christian School, resulting in a second loss, but the swimmers showed measurable progress and resilience in the pool.
Across all events, swimmers displayed great sportsmanship, improved times, and a motivated team atmosphere. Standout swims include Arya Stingle who won the 50yd freestyle and 100 yd breaststroke with blazing fast swims and Camden Lovsin who won first place in the 100 yd backstroke and won his heat in the 100 yd breaststroke. The coaching staff is proud of each athlete’s effort and is excited to carry this momentum into the next meet.
Both teams are demonstrating excellent growth and dedication as they move further into the season. With continued hard work and focus, the Middle School Swim Team is poised for even stronger performances in the meets to come.
The Varsity Falcons competed in a double dual meet this week against non-division opponent Cary Christian and conference rival Fayetteville Academy.
On the women’s side, the Lady Falcons fell to Cary Christian but secured a win over Fayetteville Academy. The team delivered several strong performances, highlighted by Ella Marino, who posted personal bests in both the 100 Fly and 500 Free. Abigail Schupp also had an outstanding meet, earning personal bests in the 200 IM and 100 Backstroke—along with State-qualifying times in both events. Additional standout swims came from Ava Bozovich, who dropped nearly ten seconds in the 100 Breaststroke.
The men’s team came up short against both Cary Christian and Fayetteville Academy, but despite the results, the Falcons showed significant progress that isn’t fully reflected in the final scores. Sam Schmitz placed in the 50 Free and captured a win in the 100 Free. Notable races also came from Platon Korobko and Tanner Kennedy in the 50 Free, as well as from Harrison O’Connor in the 100 Free. The team continues to train hard as they pursue State-qualifying marks and prepare to push through the upcoming Thanksgiving break.
MS Boys Basketball
O’Neal vs Ellerbe Middle School: 40-55, L
The Middle School Falcons took on Ellerbe at home on Tuesday in a hard-fought matchup. Despite the loss, the team showed great effort and resilience from start to finish. Turnovers created some challenges, but the Falcons continued to battle, compete defensively, and make positive plays throughout the game.
The coaching staff is proud of their attitude, hustle, and willingness to keep improving. With continued focus and teamwork, this group will keep trending in the right direction.
The coaching staff is proud of their attitude, hustle, and willingness to keep improving. With continued focus and teamwork, this group will keep trending in the right direction.
JV Boys Basketball
O’Neal vs. Trinity of Durham & Chapel Hill: 37-47, L
The Falcons hosted Trinity of Durham & Chapel Hill in a competitive matchup on Thursday night. It was a tight game from the start, with the Falcons battling hard throughout the first quarter. A stretch of turnovers put the team behind entering the second, but strong defensive pressure and key plays helped them regain momentum and take the lead going into halftime.
The Falcons continued to compete with great effort and energy until the final buzzer, showing toughness and growth throughout the game. Although they came up short, the team displayed promising flashes on both ends and will build on this performance moving forward.
All School Cheer
Our All-School Cheerleaders had a full and exciting week! They kicked things off on Tuesday, cheering for both the Middle School Girls and Boys basketball teams. The squad had a great time on the sidelines and especially enjoyed going back and forth with the visiting Ellerbe cheerleaders.
Throughout the week, the team continued putting in the work during practices and mastered a new dance, which they debuted at Thursday night’s Varsity Girls and JV Boys basketball games in the Hannah Center Gym. Their energy and spirit carried through both games and kept the crowd engaged from start to finish.
Freddy the Falcon was also there supporting the teams, as always, adding to the fun atmosphere.
Come catch their spirit and enthusiasm at the next home games for Middle School Boys on December 4.
Our All-School Cheerleaders had a full and exciting week! They kicked things off on Tuesday, cheering for both the Middle School Girls and Boys basketball teams. The squad had a great time on the sidelines and especially enjoyed going back and forth with the visiting Ellerbe cheerleaders.
Throughout the week, the team continued putting in the work during practices and mastered a new dance, which they debuted at Thursday night’s Varsity Girls and JV Boys basketball games in the Hannah Center Gym. Their energy and spirit carried through both games and kept the crowd engaged from start to finish.
Freddy the Falcon was also there supporting the teams, as always, adding to the fun atmosphere.
Come catch their spirit and enthusiasm at the next home games for Middle School Boys on December 4.
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
THU | 12/4/2025 | Sandhills Highlanders | MSBBKB | HOME | 4:00PM |
FRI | 12/5/2025 | Village Christian Academy | JVBBKB | AWAY | 7:00 PM |
FRI | 12/5/2025 | Village Christian Academy | MSBBKB | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
FRI | 12/5/2025 | Village Christian Academy | MSGBKB | AWAY | 3:00 PM |
FRI | 12/5/2025 | Village Christian Academy | VGBKB | AWAY | 5:30 PM |
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