2020 Falcons!

Our Falcons started the second half of the season with two impressive victories. Their performance is in part to their absolute dedication to the team and wearing O’Neal on their chest. Before we started school this week the entire Middle School program took part in two team building events. The first was when they stepped away from the court to watch the movie “Remember the Titans”. We discussed how being a part of something bigger than self
will break down societal and cultural concerns. Excellence is within your grasp once you give yourself to that greater good. The second event was when the boys went to watch the Sandhills Community College Flyers play on Saturday, 4 January. Thank you to Mr. Scott Bender for facilitating the event. The boys enjoyed watching up-close, a game that moved so fast and
demanded such precision.

Our entire team would like to take the opportunity of the Falcon’s Nest to thank the O’Neal Leadership Academy for creating the “Greatest Game Ever” on Wednesday. It was truly an extraordinary event for us. The coaches and players agree that to date it, was our greatest game ever. To know that the O’Neal Leadership Academy, planned and executed 100% of the music, lights, announcements, half time activities, and so much more is incredible. Your work helped our boys beat a conference rival. I would argue, the opponent felt defeated as soon as they entered gym because of the O’Neal energy. I overheard one student say, I did not know how much fun an O’Neal sporting event could be. Pride and success are contagious. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your idea. Thank you for giving us our “Greatest Game Ever”. Thank you for reinforcing the concept that we are one Community Our team endured a loss over the holiday break. Dakota (DK) Bender sustained a season ending knee injury. He is an athletic starter whose

absence on the court will be missed. More importantly, he is a great young man. In fine Falcon fashion, when the coaches asked the team who is going to give extra effort and step up in DK’s absence, every player and coach’s hand went up. The team lived up to their promise this week on the court. As a testament to how much DK means to the team, the boys have adopted the
motivational cheer at every timeout when they put their hands together and yell: “1, 2, 3, DK, 4, 5, 6, Family”. We have two games this upcoming week. We will play Sandhills Classical Christian School at the Sandhills Community College gym at 6:30 on Monday 13 January. We will have another conference test against Fayetteville Christian at home on Thursday 16 January at 5:00.
Come out and support your Falcons. Come out and join in our cheer: “1, 2, 3, DK, 4, 5, 6, Family”.

O’Neal 80 win 54 BCA


O’Neal saw some fast times coming off winter break because of the hard work swimmers put in over the holidays. For the men’s team, Jace Brown qualified for the state meet in the 50 free and 100 free. Andrew Lewis qualified in the 100 free and Xander Furrs qualified in the 100 breaststroke. For the women’s team Emma Sager qualified in the 100 backstroke and Molly Kuzma in the 500 freestyle. Both teams had many personal best times with standout swims from Tim Richardson, Jaden Bozovich, Molly Kuzma, Morgan Lewis and Holli Harp.

The holiday break saw the Falcons travel to Charlotte, NC for the BSN Queen City Clash Tournament. The two-day event showcased some of Charlotte’s top teams. In the opening game on Friday night, the Falcons faced 4A public school West Charlotte. Using their high-pressure zone, the Falcons caused 10 first quarter turnovers for West Charlotte opening a 15-6 lead. The Falcon defense set the tone throughout the game holding West Charlotte to just 25% from the field and seeing the Falcons score 27 points off of turnovers on the night. The Falcons yet again dominated the battle in the paint outscoring West Charlotte 34 to 10 in points in the paint. In the end, all eight falcons in uniform saw significant playing time in the 55-23 victory. Leading the Falcons in scoring was senior Hadiya Balser with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals. Joining Balser was Kayla Jenkins with 10 points and Aaliyah Balser recording a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The following evening, the Falcons faced a top ranked Weddington team in the tournament’s final night. A short roster didn’t stop the Falcons from jumping out to strong start leading Weddington 13-8 at the end of the first quarter thanks again to their stifling defensive effort. Weddington used their full court pressure to rattle the Falcons in the second quarter, but strong offensive rebounding kept the Falcons in the lead up 22-20 at the half. An even third quarter saw both teams shoot well from the field as they headed into the fourth quarter. Down the stretch, the Falcon offense went cold from the floor shooting just 20% in the fourth quarter. In the end, Weddington capitalized on key Falcon turnovers and pulled away in the final 2 minutes of the game to beat the Falcons 45-39. In the loss, the Falcons were led by Hadiya Balser (15 points, 9 rebounds), Aaliyah Balser (11 points, 8 rebounds) and Caelan McHarney (9 points, 5 steals, 5 rebounds). The Falcons head into 2020 with an overall record of 13-1 and 4-0 in conference play. Despite the loss, the Falcons continue to sit as the #1 team in the NCISAA 2A State Standings.

The Falcons kicked off 2020 by traveling to Grace Christian of Sanford on January 3rd for a non-conference match up. In a tight back and forth affair, the Falcons saw a short roster due to illness and foul trouble plague them throughout the evening. Toughness was the name of the game, as the Falcons used their size advantage to own the boards and post 20 second chance points on the evening. None of which were more important than a strong offensive rebound and put back by Hadiya Balser (22 points and 8 rebounds) with 22 seconds left on the clock to give the Falcons a 49-48 lead. The Falcons showed their grit fighting throughout the evening to earn every basket, and in the end their composure and defensive unity closed out the one point road victory. The victory marked the first time in over seven years that the Falcons have defeated Grace Christian. Sophomore Aaliyah Balser posted yet another strong double-double (17 points and 11 rebounds), while junior Kayla Jenkins’ clutch 3 down the stretch for the Falcons saw her finish with 6 points and 4 rebounds. In the end the Falcons pulled out the 49-48 victory to move to 14-1 on the season.

As the holiday break closed, the Falcons returned to school and resumed Tri-TAC conference play this week hosting Trinity School of Durham/ Chapel Hill on Tuesday night. The Falcons went out to a quick start and never looked back in the contest winning handily 58-18. Strong rebounding and post presence allowed the Falcons to score 38 paint points and grab 55 rebounds on the evening. The Falcons were led by Hadiya Balser’s 21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. While, younger sister Aaliyah posted her 5th straight double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Off the bench the Carr sisters each pulled in 6 points apiece with Ang Carr adding 7 rebounds. Overall, a balance Falcon lineup saw success throughout the night and everyone in uniform enjoyed extended minutes. The victory moves the Falcons to 15-1 overall and 5-0 in Tri-TAC conference play. The Falcon host Trinity Academy on Friday, Jan 10th for their annual Silent Night game and host Carolina Friends on Tuesday, Jan 14th.