The Winter Sports Season Starts Strong
The Falcons kicked-off last week with an intense home opener. Varsity Swimming and Middle School Boys Basketball are having great starts to their seasons!
"Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss.”– Doug Williams
Varsity Boys Basketball
Varsity Boys Basketball
The varsity boys lost their first two games at Westchester Country Day School and the home opener versus Fayetteville Christian Academy. Senior Brandon Birdsall demonstrated solid offense in both games. Coach Jeff Haarlow remarks, "The guys continue to work and we will continue to get better."
Varsity Girls Basketball
The Lady Falcons have started the winter season on a strong note going 1-1 against two tough NCISAA 2A opponents.
The Falcons started the season on the road at Westchester Country Day School. Toyin Koleoso '18, scored 14 points in the second half, along with teammates, Alana McRae '18 (13pts.), Caelan McHarney '22 (12 pts.), and Kayla Jenkins '21 (11pts.), leading the Falcons to a 49-34 victory. Monday night, 11/13, the Falcons hosted Fayetteville Christian in a hard-fought battle. The Falcons were led by Ralayah McRae '19, pacing the attack with 11 points. Joining her in the scoring column were Alana McRae '18 (8pts.), Toyin Koleoso '18 (4pts..), Kayla Jenkins '21 (4pts.), Rachel Patton '20 (4pts.), and Caelan McHarney '22 (2pts.). The Falcons fought hard throughout, but Fayetteville Christian pulled out the win with a final score of 49-34.
JV Boys Basketball
The Falcons dropped their first two games of the season against Westchester Country Day School and the home opener against Fayetteville Christian Academy. The boys never gave up, keeping their intensity level up, continuing to work hard until the buzzer sounded. They look to take their intensity into their next game, when they travel to play against Salem Baptist School, on Tuesday, November 28th, at 4:00PM.
Varsity Cheerleading
Varsity Cheer opened up the winter season with a home game on Monday, November 13th. The Ladies worked hard during morning, afternoon and weekend practices in preparation for the BIG night. Their hard work payed off! They had a dynamic halftime performance getting the entire crowd pumped up. Coaches Kia Korsunskaya, Jennifer Huge and Kelley Adams praised, "We were extremely proud of their effort and commitment as evidence in their amazing performance in cheers, stunts and a half time dance." Come see their halftime routine next Monday, November 20th as the Falcons take on Burlington Christian Academy. Tip-off is at 7:00PM.
Varsity Swimming
The Varsity Swimming Team, after its second home meet, has the following swimmers qualified for states to date, with two home meets in the bag:
Molly Kuzma '21: 200 FR, 100 FLY, 50 FR
Natalie Williams '20: 200 FR, 100 BR
Ellie Henry '18: 200 IM, 100 BA, 50 FR
Hannah Burns '19: 200 IM, 100 FR, 500 FR
Amy Cooper '22: 100 FR, 100 BR, 200 FR, 100 FLY
Kaleigh O’Leary '22: 50 FR, 100 BA, 100 FR
Abby Thompson '19: 100 FLY, 500 FR, 100 BR, 50 FR
David Lewis '20: 100 FLY, 100 BA
Lauren Millard '19: 500 FR, 200 IM, 100 FR
Elizabeth Moore '18: 200 FR, 100 BA
Chase Osorio '19: 100 FLY, 100 BA, 50 FR
Haley Sager '20: 100 BA
The Falcons’ Thursday meet saw a win for the girls against both Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill and Pinecrest High School, with first place finishes in the 200 IM and 100 Back (Ellie Henry '18) and 100 Free (Hannah Burns '19), plus the girls’ 200 Free Relay (Abby Thompson '19, Lauren Millard '19, Natalie Williams '20, Hannah Burns '19) and 400 Free Relay (Kaleigh O’Leary '22, Ellie Henry '18, Molly Kuzma '21, Hannah Burns '19). The boys fell to both schools, but saw wins in individual events from Chase Osorio '19 (50 Free, 100 Fly). Ten members of the girls’ team and two members of the boys’ team are now qualified for states.
The Falcons will kick-off the week after Thanksgiving with a home meet versus Grace Christian of Raleigh and Trinity Academy of Raleigh on Monday, November 27th. First event is set to kick-off at 4:00PM.
MS Boys Basketball
The middle school boys' basketball team has had a strong start to their season. In their preseason scrimmage, the Falcons won on the road against Fayetteville Christian School 32-18. The boys followed that up with a decisive win at Northwood Temple, winning 57-16. The win was an especially significant one as it was the boys first in-conference game.
Following their first road victory, the Falcons squared off against the Wildcats of West Pine Middle at home. O'Neal's Hannah Center Gym was packed with over 100 students and fans of both schools, and the game did not disappoint. Though O'Neal was only down one point headed into the fourth quarter, the Wildcats pulled ahead, winning 61-49. Eighth-graders Zach Wade '22 and Jalen Lindsey '22, and seventh-graders Reeves Cates'23 and Holt Neville'23 played significant minutes for the Falcons.
The next day, in a display of resilience that speaks to the character of this team, they returned to Tate Gym, played tough, and successfully defeated Northwood Temple, 51 - 8. The Falcons are now 2-1 overall, and 2-0 in conference play.
Looking ahead, the middle school boys team faces Fayetteville Academy at home on Monday, November 20th and Village Christian Academy on the road on Monday, November 27th, in two of the toughest conference match ups this season.
MS Girls Basketball
The Middle School Girls Basketball team, despite hard work and determination, lost their first game of the season to West Pine Middle School, on Wednesday. The ladies never gave up. They came out to play with intensity and positivity, hustling down the court and continuing to fight for the ball at every opportunity. The Falcons were resilient and are looking to take that resiliency into their next home game when they face-off against Fayetteville Academy on Monday, November 27th. Tip-off is at 3:30PM.
MS Cheerleading
The Middle School Cheerleading squad has had a great start to their season! They have brought an immense amount of energy and positivity to the Girls' and Boys' Basketball games, and have had solid halftime performances. Come see the ladies cheer when Middle School basketball faces-off against Fayetteville Academy at home on Monday, November 20th.
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