Closing Out Conference Play
Varsity Swimming is 1st runner up in conference championships. Falcon basketball teams have strong standings leading into conference tournament play.
Middle School Girls Basketball
vs Alpha Academy Thursday - 30 January
The O’Neal School 45 Alpha Academy 26
In the Lady Falcons' only game of the week, they traveled to Fayetteville to take on the Timberwolves of Alpha Academy. In their previous match-up in December with the Timberwolves, our Lady Falcons squeaked out a two point victory (21-19), relying on 20 points scored by Ashanti Fox and a little bit of good fortune as the Timberwolves missed several shots late in the game to tie or win the game. However, this game would prove to be much different. Since that earlier season match-up, our Lady Falcons have become a much more cohesive unit, especially on the defensive end. From the start to finish of this game, all Lady Falcons, starters and reserves alike, employed an unrelenting and pressure defense against the Timberwolves and jumped to an early 15-0 lead before the end of the first quarter. The Lady Falcons were also fueled by Ashanti Fox’s offensive explosion early in the game as she converted on several drives to the basket, trips to the free throw line and closed the first quarter with a three-pointer. The end result of this game was never in question, as the Lady Falcons played with intensity and passion and never allowed the Timberwolves to get on track and cruised to a 45-26 victory. The team’s leading scorer for the entire season, Ashanti Fox, continued her high output and topped 30 points for the second time this season. Hannah Saye also had a fantastic day on the offensive end, converting a season high 11 points. Also scoring were Mia Millard (3 points) and Kayla Brown (1 point). A total of 16 Lady Falcons played in this game and contributed to the dominant win.
Our Lady Falcons look to continue their hot streak as they surge into the end of season conference tournament next week. The Lady Falcons travel to Cape Fear Christian Academy on Monday for a semi-final match-up.
Middle School Boys Basketball
Victories vs.
Freedom Christian Academy (27 January)
Village Christian Academy (28 January)
Our Falcons finished the regular season with two more wins. The first was a hard-fought victory against a competitive Freedom. Our Falcons overcame a halftime deficit on its way to a ten-point victory. This game demonstrated the boys’ resilience and belief in the team concept. The second victory of the week had its own set of challenges. We were six players short due to injury or illness. The team maintained the next man up mentality. Each player played and played well on our way to victory.
O’Neal finished the undefeated regular season in sole possession of first place. As a result, we will be hosting next week’s playoff games. Our first game will be held on Tuesday 4 February at 3:30 against Freedom Christian Academy in the Hannah Bradshaw Center. The playoff finals will be held on Thursday 6 February. The winner of O’Neal and Freedom will play the winner
of Northwood Temple Academy and Berean Baptist Academy. Come out and support your Falcons in the last week of the season in our flight to excellence.
Middle School & Varsity Swim
Varsity Boys and Girls Swimming Place First Runner-Up in the Tri-Tac Conference Championships on Monday, January 27th at the Triangle Aquatics Center in Greensboro. Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill won the championship for both boys and girls teams. Congratulations to Natalie Williams, Alexis Coates and Molly Zuzma for earning All -Conference Recognition.
The Falcons are getting ready for the State Championship Tournament on February 10th at the Triangle Aquatics Center.
Tri-TAC Swim Conference Championship O’Neal Results 1st – 3rd place.
Event | Place | Swimmers | Finals Time |
Women 200 Yard Medley Relay | 2 | Alexis Coates, Natalie Williams, Molly Kuzma, Michaela Stone | 2:03.72 |
Men 200 Yard Medley Relay | 2 | John Shepherd, Trygve O’Grady, Tim Richardson, Jace Brown | 1:55.84 |
Women 200 Yard Freestyle | 1 | Natalie Williams ALL CONFERENCE | 2:11.02 |
Women 200 Yard IM | 1 | Alexis Coates ALL CONFERENCE | 2:25.25 |
Men 200 Yard IM | 3 | Tim Richardson | 2:16.78 |
Women 50 Yard Freestyle | 3 | Haley Sager | 30.11 |
Women 100 Yard Butterfly | 1 | Molly Kuzma ALL CONFERENCE | 1:07.58 |
Women 500 Yard Freestyle | 2 | Molly Kuzma | 6:27.62 |
Women 200 Yard Freestyle Relay | 2 | Natalie Williams, Molly Kuzma, Haley Sager, Alexis Coates | 1:51.53 |
Men 200 Yard Freestyle Relay | 2 | Jace Brown, John Shepherd, Andrew Lewis, Tim Richardson | 1:46.53 |
Women 100 Yard Backstroke | 1 | Alexis Coates ALL CONFERENCE | 1:04.92 |
Women 100 Yard Breaststroke | 2 | Natalie Williams | 1:16.97 |
Men 100 Yard Breaststroke | 3 | Tim Richardson | 1:07.80 |
Women 400 Yard Freestyle Relay | 3 | Morgan Lewis, Michaela Stone, Holli Harp, Haley Sager | 4:51.64 |
Varsity Girls Basketball
Scores:
Friday, Jan 24, 2020 vs Rocky Mount Academy (Win 55-32)
Tuesday, Jan 28, 2020 vs Burlington Christian (Win 58-23)
Friday night the Falcons hosted Rocky Mount Academy in a top 10 NCISAA match-up on Senior Day at the O’Neal School. Prior to the game, the Falcons celebrated the contributions of three tremendous seniors Hadiya Balser, Ang Carr, and Rachel Patton. The nights festivities added an air of celebration to the Hannah Center, and the Falcons gave fans much more to celebrate jumping to an 18-4 lead at the end of the first half. Tenacious full court defensive created 17 turnovers on the night translating into 25 points off of turnovers. In the end, the Falcons overwhelmed Rocky Mount defensively and dominated the board enjoying a strong 55-32 victory on senior night. The Falcons were led by Hadiya Balser’s 17 points and 10 rebounds, while younger sister Aaliyah Balser chipped in 12 points to add to her 14 rebounds. Caelan McHarney set the pace of the game yet again closing in close to a triple double for the night with 12 points, 8 steals, and 9 assists.
Tuesday night the Falcons hit the road to begin their final week of the conference regular season at Burlington Christian Academy. A slow start off the bus saw the Falcons tight at the end of the first quarter with a lead of 17-12. Increased defensive intensity saw the Falcons hold BCA to just 2 points in the second quarter stretching the half time lead out to 33-14. In the second half, the Falcon’s offensive ball movement set the tone for the Falcons seeing them connect 12 assists and shoot 40% from the field. Hadiya Balser posted an impressive triple double with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals to lead the Falcons. Joining Balser, Caelan McHarney exploded offensively scoring 21 points on the evening.
The victories move the Falcons to 20-2 overall and 9-0 in Tri-TAC conference play heading into their final conference game of the regular season against Trinity of Durham/ Chapel Hill on Friday, January 31st.
Varsity Boys Basketball
The Falcons got a win and took a loss this past week and got to celebrate our Seniors. O'Neal got a great win against Rocky Mount Academy on Friday evening on Senior Night. We got to honor the trio of Joe Dailey, Jackson Martinez and Patrick McMurray. Rocky Mount jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead, then the Falcons went on a 10-2 run and never looked back. They took a 31-25 halftime lead then outscored RMA 24-12 in the third quarter to blow the game open. The Falcons were able to get everyone in the game and won comfortably 69-48. Jalen Lindsey led the Falcons with 26 points, Sam Turner poured in 18 and Kanye McKeithen scored 13. Zach Wade contributed 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
The Falcons ran up to Burlington Christian Academy on Tuesday night and ran into a very hot shooting team. Burlington shot 60% from the field to beat the Falcons 65-50. O'Neal got down early but were able to chip away at the lead and cut it to 4 a few times in the 2nd and 3rd quarters but just put together enough baskets in a row to mount a comeback. Jalen continues to score at a very high rate pouring in 28 points. Sam Turner chipped in 8 rebounds and Phillip Hancock scored 8 points.
The Falcons hit the road again to Trinity School of Durham on Friday evening with the hopes of securing the 3rd seed in the conference tournament. If they get the win, they would more than likely host a conference tournament game on Monday night at the Hannah Center. The Falcons are 9-10 on the season and 4-5 in conference play.
The O'Neal School
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