Falcons Nest - May 5th

·         O’Neal @ Carolina Friends School – Win 3-2  

·         O’Neal vs. Carolina Friends School – Win 4-1 

 

Due to some weather-related schedule changes, O’Neal bookended last weekend with two games against Carolina Friends School. Carolina Friends bookended the scoring of the 160 total minutes of play by scoring the first two goals of the first match and the final goal of the second. But they weren’t strong enough to contain the outpouring of energy and goals from O’Neal in between.  

 

During the away match in Durham, after conceding two goals from free kicks, O’Neal pulled one back just before half as Emeli Michael scored on a corner from Charli Bunder. Two more goals came within two minutes of each other after halftime as Jaleesa Eichel put home a shot from Bunder that deflected off the opposing goalie, and Peyton Smitherman scored from close range. O’Neal held steady for the rest of the game taking the win into the weekend.  

 

On the return match at home, the Falcons came out firing with goals in the 8^th and 10^th minutes from Smitherman. Gianna Maheu scored later after another Bunder shot was saved and dropped by the keeper. Shortly after halftime, Eichel scored the Falcons’ fourth goal with an acrobatic finish from close range following a perfect cross from Bunder.  

 

The Falcons have their final conference game on Friday 5/5 at home against Trinity of Durham and Chapel Hill. It will be senior night for captains Peyton Smitherman and Brooklyn Adams, and the Falcons will look to end the regular season with an emphatic win to remain undefeated in the conference. 

 

Varsity Boys Golf 

Boys Golf Claims Third Consecutive Tri-TAC Championship 

 

On a blustery day at Mid South Club the Falcons golf squad displayed their strength winning the Conference title dominantly and placing six golfers on the All-Conference team. Max Martin continued his solid play by making several low-stress pars on his closing nine to card a 74 for the day.  Throughout the day, Peter Myers dotted his card with some impressive birdies to join Martin in posting a score of 3-over par (74).  Jack Halloran shot 3-under par (32) on his closing nine to cap off an impressive round of 69 to lead all golfers for the day. All three Falcons were named to the All-Conference team with Halloran claiming Tri-TAC Player of the Year honors. Also making the All-Conference team were Andrew Hobbs (76), Nick Joyce (78), and Jacob Graham (81). Coach Halloran praised the boys' effort and discipline when discussing their recent success. "It's no accident that they're rising to the top.  They work hard and they're making good decisions on the course during play. Their dedication and commitment are inspiring. They want to be the best and they motivate and encourage each other along the way." Next up is the NCISAA state qualifier at High Point Country Club on May 8th where the Falcons will compete to be one of the 4 teams that move on to the State Championship.       

 

Varsity Boys Tennis 

·         Carolina Friends at O’Neal 5-4 (W) 

·         O'Neal at Carolina Friends 2-7 (L) 

 

After being rained out twice prior, the Falcons squeaked out a close one against Carolina Friends that went down to the last match which ended just as the rain came in.  The Falcons' number 4, 5, and 6 singles players earned this win as they all won their singles matches proving that a win at any number counts the same.  Great job team as the overall record now stands at 10 wins and 2 losses.

 

After beating Carolina Friends on Tuesday, May 2, the Falcons traveled to Carolina Friends the next day where the home-court advantage went to Carolina Friends. Falcon number 5 singles player, Noah Bass, was the only singles winner taking his season singles record to 12-1, which is the team's best individual record. All other matches were close, but with the heavy winds were in favor of Carolina Friends. 

 

Varsity Track and Field 

The 2022-2023 Girls Track and Field team placed 2^nd overall in the Tri-TAC conference championship meet, while the boys earned 3^rd.  Top performances on the girls' side came from Clara Tanner (1^st- Discus, 4^th – Shot put), Riley Lefler – (1^st Shot put, 3^rd Discus), Tamiya Judd (2^nd 200m, 2^nd – High Jump, 1^st Triple Jump), Mary Grace Huntley (1^st – High jump, 3^rd – 200m), Grace Simpson (1^st – 800m, 2^nd – 1600m, 1^st 3200m), Ava Taylor Walker ( 2^nd 3200m), Fiona Surber (2^nd – 100m Hurdles) and finally Lauren Hobbs (2^nd 300m Hurdles.  Additionally, the 4 x 100m team (MG. Huntley, F. Surber, K. Moore, Reily Johnson) placed 2^nd, the 4 x 200 team (MG Huntley, J. Caviness, K. Moore, T. Judd) placed 2^nd, and 4 x 800 team (L. Hobbs, AT Walker, J. Caviness, G. Simpson) placed 1^st. 

 

Top performances from the boys came from Ashton Coon (2^nd – 100m, 3^rd – 200m, 2^nd – 400m), Kanye McKeithen (3^rd – 100m), Andrew Davis (3^rd – 400m, 3^rd – High Jump), Oscar Little – 2^nd – 3200m), Honor Hicks (1^st 110m Hurdles, 2^nd 300 Hurdles), and finally Brennan Hodges (3^rd – Triple jump).  During the relays, the Falcons secured 1^st in the 4 x 100 (H. Neville, D. Wray, A. Coon, K. McKeithen), 1^st in the 4 x 200m relay (B. Kenney, B. Hodges, A. Davis, K. McKeithen), 2^nd 4 x 400m (H. Hicks, H. Neville, D. Wray, A. Davis), and finally 2^nd in 4 x 800m (G. Adams, C. Kuzma, O. Little, C. Manning).   

 

The Falcons now begin the 13-day preparation phase as they prepare for the State competition held at Lenoir-Ryne University on Friday, 19 and Saturday, 20 May.   

 
Varsity Boys Baseball 

·         O'Neal at Wake Christian 4-10 (L) 

Overall, the Falcons played a good game on Monday against the 3A Wake Christian Bulldogs. Thanks to three solo home runs by Ryley Norton, Aaron Pavlovich, and Jacob Bates, the Falcons took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the 6^th inning. Unfortunately, the Falcons made several uncharacteristic errors which led to a lopsided inning and outcome. Jake Shepherd and June Thomas pitched well for the Falcons. The Falcons host Trinity of Durham Friday afternoon for Senior Night and our last regular season home game. 

 

Middle School Baseball 

The final week of regular season play leaves MS Baseball with two victories, an undefeated 8-0 conference record, and an amazing 11-1 season going into next week’s SEMSEC tournament. These 13 athletes worked extremely hard to be the best at one of the most unforgiving sports. Their positivity and sportsmanship shine brightly over our Falcon’s Nest.  

    

  

Monday ended with a win against Trinity School of Durham. Our big lefty, Andrew Gulley got the start on the mound pitching 2 innings, allowing only 1 hit and 2 runs while delivering 2 strikeouts while upgrading his defensive highlight real. Jaxon Graves relieved for an inning serving 2 strikeouts and 0 runs followed by Owen West allowing 3 runs in 1 inning. Camden Harrell got the close, pitching 2 lights-out innings allowing only 1 hit and striking out 4 of 8 batters faced.  Jaxon Graves led the offense going 2 for 3 with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs. Jackson Mullis hit 2 for 3 on the day and Cam Harrell, Christian Baker, and Jackson Booth each contributed with hits. The Falcons had 4 stolen bases on the day. Cam Harrell (2), Sam Taylor, and Jackson Mullis each with 1.   

  

  

  

Wednesday closed regular season play with a 6-inning battle and late-inning comeback against St. John Paul II at Sandhills Community College. Jordan Cole got the start with his second-ever mound appearance allowing only 2 hits in 1.2 innings giving up 7 runs (5 ER) and striking out 3 batters. Jackson Booth had middle relief, pitching 3.1 innings allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, and striking out 3. Sam Taylor got the close pitching 1 inning, allowing 2 runs and 1 hit while striking out 2 for the win. Camden Harrell went 2 for 4 with a 2 RBI double for the go-ahead run. AJ Peal went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Jackson Mullis went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and a double. Jordan Cole went 1 for 4 with 4 RBIs. The Falcons flew offensively with 11 stolen bases on the day. Sam Taylor and AJ Peal each had 3. Christian Baker had 2 and Cam Harrell, Parker Fusonie, and Owen West each had 1.   

  

Next week the Falcons need a win on Monday during the SEMSEC semis to play for the conference title on Thursday.    

 

Middle School Girls Soccer 

The Falcons traveled to SJPII on Wednesday afternoon for a match-up of the two unbeaten teams in the SEMSAC conference. On the line, the regular season championship and the opportunity to host next week’s SEMSAC Tournament Championship game. The Falcons were ready for the test and came out of the gates full force creating a few early chances on goal. SJPII was able to counter midway through the first half racing up the left side of the field knocking home their first goal of the match. The Falcons responded with even greater resolve putting tremendous pressure on the SJPII defense. Less than five minutes passed before the Falcons were able to tie the game at 1-1 behind a goal from 7^th grader Stella Parks. With just minutes left in the first half, SJPII was able to yet again counter with large numbers in their attack and knocked home a goal to move the score to 1-2 at the half. 

 

The second half continued to see the Falcons get great opportunities on goal, including a few just narrowly rolling by the outside posts. Unfortunately, another SJPII goal sealed their 3-1 victory in the afternoon. The Falcons finished the regular season 7-1 in SEMSAC conference play and 8-2 overall. They will enter the SEMSAC tournament next week as the #2 seed and will host the semifinals on Monday afternoon. 

 

Middle School Golf 

The Falcons hosted SJPII at Longleaf Country Club on Tuesday afternoon. The Falcons won in resounding fashion with both the navy and white teams coming in first and second place respectively. Dylan Wolfe, Natalia Henderson, and Wells Kuester shot the low rounds of the day coming in at 41. Joining Natalia and Wells to lead the O’Neal Navy team to victory were Trevor Franklin (43) and Charlotte Schroen (44). 

 

The Falcons return to the course on Tuesday, May 9^th to host Trinity School and SJPII at Longleaf Country Club. 

 
Photos