Top Sports

Brainy Rojas of the Wilson Tobs rounds third base on his way to score in the sixth inning of Thursday's first game against the Holly Springs Salamanders in Fleming Stadium. The Tobs won 5-2 on their way to a twinbill sweep.

Tobs win third straight, sweep aside Salamanders

| June 18, 2021

Completing a pair of doubleheaders in the span of two days, the Wilson Tobs suddenly find themselves on a winning streak.

Dylan Scaranda, left, of the Wilson Tobs is greeted by catcher Chase Wullenweber (8) and Dusty Baker after Scaranda hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning of Sunday's game against the Holly Springs Salamanders at Ting Stadium. The Tobs won 5-2.

Strong pitching, Scaranda’s blast send Tobs past Salamanders 5-2

By Jimmy Lewis

| June 7, 2021

HOLLY SPRINGS — Don’t ever let anyone tell you the Coastal Plain League isn’t a land of opportunity for those who hit with bad intentions.

Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski speaks during a news conference Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham. Krzyzewski, the winningest coach in the history of Division I men's college basketball, announced that next season will be his last with the Blue Devils program he has built into one of college basketball’s bluebloods. The school named former Duke player and associate head coach Jon Scheyer as his successor for the 2022-23 season.

Adaptation helped Krzyzewski stay in the game at Duke

By Tom Shanahan

| June 5, 2021

DURHAM — We know the numbers.

Southern Nash's Jordan Vick (4) drives to the basket during a Jan. 26 3-A Big East Conference game at Hunt. The Firebirds will be the new out-of-county guest for the Farris & Farris Holiday Tournament beginning with the 2021-22 season once Smithfield-Selma moved into the same league with Hunt and Fike via NCHSAA realignment.

HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

Firebirds to replace SSS in Farris & Farris Holiday Tournament

By Jimmy Lewis

| May 28, 2021

When the Farris & Farris Holiday Tournament makes its return to the area sports scene in December, it will carry the feel of a true neighborhood get together.

Fike right-hander Jay Bulluck limited Hunt to just two hits and struck out 13 in a complete-game effort Thursday night in a 6-0 Demons victory at Sid Boyette Field. Sheldon Vick | Special to the Times

Fike returns favor as Bulluck strikes out 13 in 6-0 win over Hunt

By Jimmy Lewis

| May 21, 2021

One shutout deserves another. Or, turnabout is fair play. Two days after the Fike High varsity baseball team found itself on the business end of a 10-0, six-inning loss at the hands of arch rival Hunt, the Golden Demons were more than happy to return the favor on Sid Boyette Field on Thursday night.

Greenfield's Kat Stanley (3) prepares to change direction with the ball during Saturday's NCISAA 1-A championship against Winterville Christ Covenant on Forbes Field. The Lady Knights won 10-3 for the program's eighth state championship and first since 2012.

Lady Knights return to Greenfield soccer standard

By Jimmy Lewis

| May 18, 2021

There is no sidestepping the shadow surrounding the tradition of the Greenfield School soccer program.

The Greenfield girls soccer team celebrates as Margaret Covington (2) holds the NCISAA 1-A championship trophy following a 10-3 victory over Winterville Christ Covenant on Saturday afternoon at Forbes Field. It's the first state championship for the Lady Knights since 2012.

Queens again: Greenfield routs Christ Covenant for NCISAA 1-A title

By Jimmy Lewis

| May 17, 2021

No drama, no reenactment of a semifinal that cemented the indomitable spirit of the Greenfield School varsity girls soccer team.

Southern Nash courtesy runner Mason Wells is tagged out by Hunt third baseman Jarrett Aycock (23) to end the bottom of the fifth inning during Thursday's 3-A Big East Conference game in Stanhope. The Warriors won 11-7 to maintain sole possession of first place. Sheldon Vick | Special to the Times

Waddell, Hunt offense complete Big East sweep of Firebirds

From staff reports

| May 14, 2021

STANHOPE — For the second time in a week, the offense of the Hunt High varsity baseball team allowed it to remain at the top of the 3-A Big East Conference standings.

Olivia Walker (9) of Community Christian and Greenfield's Avery Williams jostle for possession during Thursday's second round of the NCISAA 1-A playoffs on Forbes Field. The Lady Knights won 9-0.

Part-time work sends Greenfield past Lady Cyclones in second round

By Jimmy Lewis

| May 7, 2021

The whistle blew, and no one from the Community Christian School girls soccer team displayed a vested interest in receiving the kickoff during Thursday’s North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association second-round game on Forbes Field.

Beddingfield boys golf coach Jody O'Neal, far left, stands with his team of Noah Moore, Drew O'Neal, Chris Abrams and regional medalist Nate O'Neal after winning the NCHSAA 2-A East regional for the first time in school history Monday afternoon at Wedgewood Public Golf Course. Nate O'Neal blitzed his home course with an 8-under 64 to claim medalist honors. Tom Ham | Special to the Times

NCHSAA 2-A GOLF REGIONAL

Nate O'Neal scorches Wedgewood as Bruins win first regional crown

By Tom Ham

| May 4, 2021

The Beddingfield High boys golf team piled up the precedents in Monday’s North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2-A East Regional at Wedgewood Public Golf Course. Behind a sensational 8-under-64 from sophomore Nate O’Neal, the Bruins of head coach Jody O’Neal captured their first regional championship in the sport of boys golf in the school’s 43-year history.

Barton reliever Shawn Harrison reacts as North Greenville's Pat Monteith, background, rounds the bases after a solo home run in the fifth inning of Sunday's Conference Carolinas tournament game at Fleming Stadium. The Bulldogs were eliminated with a 13-2 loss. Sheldon Vick | Special to the Times

CONFERENE CAROLINAS TOURNAMENT

Barton’s run ends with 13-2 loss to North Greenville

By Jimmy Lewis

| May 3, 2021

Baseballs left the confines of Fleming Stadium at an abnormal rate during the 2021 Conference Carolinas tournament. For four games, Barton College was an able participant in the eight-team bashing spree. But with their backs against the wall in an elimination game Sunday afternoon, the Bulldogs took an untimely break from hitting the long ball in favorable conditions.

Barton closer Colby Warren reacts after striking out Erskine's Livan Reinos fpr the final out of Friday night's Conference Carolinas tournament game in Fleming Stadium. Warren earned his third save of the season as the Bulldogs held on for an 11-10 victory. Jimmy Lewis | Times

CONFERENCE CAROLINAS TOURNAMENT

Bulldogs get relief again, sit one win away from finals

By Jimmy Lewis

| May 1, 2021

If Barton College senior right-hander Michael Yuille has thrown his last pitch in the 2021 Conference Carolinas baseball tournament, the Bulldogs made sure to maximize every last toss.

Hunt's Kate Conoley (10) and Fike's Payton Lentz (17) pursue a loose ball during the first half of Thursday's regular-season finale at Hunt. Conoley had the only goal off a free kick as the Lady Warriors won the 3-A Big East Conference title in unbeaten fashion with a 1-0 win. Jimmy Lewis | Times

Hunt beats Fike, seizes Big East title 1-0 on Conoley’s free kick

By Jimmy Lewis

| April 30, 2021

The next time the Hunt High varsity girls soccer team takes the field for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs, the Lady Warriors will be doing so without the masks that have defined a pandemic-altered campaign.

Fike's Cole Peterson hits a forehand during his match against Rocky Mount's Tommy Wollenhoffer on Thursday afternoon at Barton Tennis Complex. The Demons won 9-0 to clinch a share of the 3-A Big East Conference title.

Demons clinch share of Big East by whipping Rocky Mount

By Jimmy Lewis

| April 23, 2021

In the conventional sense, there will be no dual-team playoffs in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association tennis ranks this season.

With the ball at the feet of Greenfield catcher Justin Holland, left, Sanford Grace Christian's Jesse Mitchell evades the empty tag on his way to score in the seventh inning of Thursday's game at Ralph Hodge Family Field. Greenfield lost 14-4.

Knights labor against Crusaders in 14-4 loss

By Jimmy Lewis

| April 16, 2021

If the Greenfield School varsity baseball team sees Sanford Grace Christian for a third time this season in the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A playoffs, the Knights will have to find a way to get a more efficient performance from their No. 1 arm.

Barton's Amaree Leak collides with Southern Wesleyan catcher Dawson Posick for the final out of the second inning during the second game of Friday's Conference Carolinas doubleheader at Nixon Field. The Bulldogs won 11-2 to garner a split of the twinbill.

Bulldogs return from virus, salvage opening split with Southern Wesleyan

By Jimmy Lewis

| April 10, 2021

By now, the COVID-19 pandemic has extended its tentacles in every conceivable direction, with its effects felt far and wide. Add NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas baseball to the list.

2021 WILSON TIMES ALL-AREA BASKETBALL

Times All-Area team rises above pandemic-stricken season in 2021

By Jimmy Lewis

| April 3, 2021

They played with masks and the sample size of games was noticeably smaller than usual. But in a 2021 season unlike any others that preceded it, basketball teams from The Wilson Times readership area kept moving forward. In some cases, they excelled at the highest level and weren’t satisfied until history was made.

Greenfield shortstop Justin Holland (5) applies a late tag to Trinity Academy's Noah Riggs during Monday's nonconference game at Greenfield. Holland had three hits and a pair of doubles, accounting for four RBIs in a 19-12 Knights victory. Looking on for Greenfield is second baseman Tristan Stancil.

Greenfield trudges past Trinity Academy, 19-12

By Jimmy Lewis

| March 30, 2021

At times, the proceedings may have resembled that of a root canal for the Greenfield School varsity baseball team.

Fike defensive lineman Amir Clark (58) pursues Franklinton quarterback Kenneth Cornell (3) during last week's game in Buddy Bedgood Stadium. The Golden Demons visit Big East frontrunner Rocky Mount on Friday.

It's now or never for area playoff aspirants

By Jimmy Lewis

| March 26, 2021

The margin for error has essentially disappeared for a handful of varsity football teams representing The Wilson Times readership area, while the fight for a 2-A Eastern Plains Conference championship is still very much alive at the venues of Beddingfield High and SouthWest Edgecombe.