July 2018 archives

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Tuesday, July 31, 2018

PREP FOOTBALL: Cougars work at up-tempo pace

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] Undoubtedly in his element, Charles Lane began to belt out his own rendition of "Remember Me," as Goldsboro High's football players went through a station drill Monday evening. Of course, the lyrics held a different meaning....

PREP FOOTBALL: Senior leadership starts in warm-ups at EW

By AVIEL SMOLKA [email protected] The building process has been slow and steady during head coach Leander Oates' time at Eastern Wayne. All that hard work is finally looking to pay off this season. The Warriors finished 6-5 last year and...

PREP FOOTBALL: Early-morning rain? No problem for CBA, Eagles, Dogs

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] Slivers of sunlight tried to peek through heavy gray clouds on occasion Monday morning as several county teams launched their respective 2018 high school football campaigns. A gulley washer in Pikeville forced Charles B. Aycock to...

PREP FOOTBALL: McClary Jr. wants Saints to start off strong and fast

By AVIEL SMOLKA [email protected] DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne is coming off an 0-11 season, but you'd never know it from talking to head coach Ronnie McClary Jr. and watching his squad go through practice Monday morning. The Saints' camp is...

DRAG RACING: Pikeville's Lucas, Goldsboro's Woods each prevail

Pikeville's Jamie Lucas is a back-to-back champion at Nahunta Dragway after claiming the Modified E/T on Saturday evening. Lucas defeated Clayton's Richard Creech in the finals. Black Creek's Ricky Wainwright and Jacksonville's Kale Hoffman advanced to the semifinals. A total...

What's Happening

Little Falcons Football Today -- Final registration for Charles B. Aycock Little Falcon football is from 6-8 p.m. at the CBA practice field. The registration fee is $75. Age groups are 8-Under, 10-U and 12-U. All prospective players must provide...

Monday, July 30, 2018

PREP FOOTBALL: Let the 2018 season begin

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] Before most folks awoke from a deep slumber and brewed their first cup of Joe this morning, Eastern Wayne's gridiron Warriors were pumped and excited as they headed outside at 7 on the dot. That annual...

What's Happening

Little Falcons Football July 31 -- Final registration for Charles B. Aycock Little Falcon football is from 6-8 p.m. at the CBA practice field. The registration fee is $75. Age groups are 8-Under, 10-U and 12-U. All prospective players must...

Sunday, July 29, 2018

PREP FOOTBALL: James says healthy is top priority

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] Taking his feelings out of the equation and putting his health first, Elvin James relinquished the reins as Goldsboro High's head varsity football coach. Shocked faces stared back. Some players shed tears. A few grumbled their...

SUNDAY COLUMN: Bryan Multi-Sports Complex is great asset to City of Goldsboro

Tyler Ham checked his watch. Seconds later, his piercing whistle shrilled through the humid air. Game over. Players removed their helmets, shook hands with their opponents, grabbed a water bottle -- or two -- and headed toward their respective bench...

COLLEGE SOFTBALL: McCollum transfers to East Carolina

By ECU Media Relations GREENVILLE -- Seven Springs native Rachel McCollum has completed a grant-in-aid agreement to continue her softball career at East Carolina University. McCollum spent her first two seasons at Campbell University where she earned first-team Big South...

What's Happening

Little Falcons Football July 31 -- Final registration for Charles B. Aycock Little Falcon football is from 6-8 p.m. at the CBA practice field. The registration fee is $75. Age groups are 8-Under, 10-U and 12-U. All prospective players must...

Friday, July 27, 2018

PREP FOOTBALL: James steps down at Goldsboro High

By RUDY COGGINS News-Argus Sports Editor In just three days, Goldsboro High kicks off its 2018 football season without a head coach. Elvin James resigned early Thursday morning. Well-loved and well-respected by his players and peers, James announced to the...

What's Happening

Little Falcons Football July 31 -- Final registration for Charles B. Aycock Little Falcon football is from 6-8 p.m. at the CBA practice field. The registration fee is $75. Age groups are 8-Under, 10-U and 12-U. All prospective players must...

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Lane Tree LGA

Eileen Henderson picked up game-of-the-week accolades while competing from the red tees during weekly play on the Lane Tree Golf Club links. Sue Glover won low net. Sherry Minner took low putts. Mary Ann Sutton secured GOW honors and best...

What's Happening

Little Falcons Football July 31 -- Final registration for Charles B. Aycock Little Falcon football is from 6-8 p.m. at the CBA practice field. The registration fee is $75. Age groups are 8-Under, 10-U and 12-U. All prospective players must...

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

COLLEGE BASEBALL: NCAA proposes 20-second pitching clock

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] Picking up the pace of play? Rob Watt understands the NCAA's intentions. The first-year University of Mount Olive baseball coach just hopes it doesn't change the true essence of the national pastime. The NCAA Baseball Rules...

LEGION BASEBALL: Pate tells his players 'thank you'

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] A standard post-game speech wasn't necessary. Adam Pate could see the looks of shock on the faces of his upset players. That said enough to him. So, the first-year Wayne County Post 11 coach took a...

NAHUNTA DRAGWAY: Pikeville's Lucas prevails

Jamie "The Kid" Lucas, who hails from Pikeville, tamed Nahunta Dragway and won the highly-competitive Mod/Footbrake race. Newport's Ross Gould, Jr., placed second, while Kenly's Darrin Merritt reached the semifinals. A total of 23 Mods entered the night-long competition. Next...

What's Happening

Little Falcons Football Today and July 31 -- Registration for Charles B. Aycock Little Falcon football runs each day from 6-8 p.m. at the CBA practice field. The registration fee is $75. Age groups are 8-Under, 10-U and 12-U. All...

Sunday, July 22, 2018

VOLLEYBALL: Goldsboro, North Duplin earn NCVBCA accolade

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] Goldsboro High and North Duplin exemplified the true meaning of "student-athlete" during its respective volleyball campaigns in 2017. Each team excelled on the court. More importantly, each team shined in the classroom. Their efforts certainly didn't...

COLUMN: Is there a proper answer?

Stand, sit, take a knee, raise a fist or stay in the locker room. Which one of these does not belong when the national anthem is played? The latest flap in saluting "Old Glory" occurred in the Tennessee Titans and...

What's Happening

Little Falcons Football July 24 and 31 -- Registration for Charles B. Aycock Little Falcon football runs each day from 6-8 p.m. at the CBA practice field. The registration fee is $75. Age groups are 8-Under, 10-U and 12-U. All...

Friday, July 20, 2018

PREPS: Wayne Christian shelves football for 2018 season

Mike Buddin insists it's not the "death penalty," but Wayne Christian will not field an 8-man football team this fall. Lack of interest and the dwindling number of total boys attending the school prompted the decision. Buddin said there...

What's Happening

Little Falcons Football July 24 and 31 -- Registration for Charles B. Aycock Little Falcon football runs each day from 6-8 p.m. at the CBA practice field. The registration fee is $75. Age groups are 8-Under, 10-U and 12-U. All...

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

SOCCER: WCUSC players compete in 3v3 tournament

Wayne County United Soccer Club participated in the 3v3 Live tournament hosted by N.C. State this past Saturday.The "Ankle Breakerz" -- Connor Piwowarski, Ethan Carlyle, Peyton Blalock and Reece Gery -- finished runners-up in the 12U Division.Bryan Gery coached the...

DRAG RACING: Greenville's Brinkley prevails in finals

Greenville's Steve Brinkley won the latest Mod ET race contested at Nahunta Dragway on a perfect Saturday evening. Brinkley drove his Chevy S-10 past Goldsboro's Corey Lucas, who drove Jamie Lucas' Nova, in the finals. Goldsboro's Dylan James Greene reached...

GOLF: Lane Tree LGA news

Sue Glover emerged as the game-of-the-week winner from the red tees during play contested on the Lane Tree Golf Club links. Jeanette Sasser secured low net. Mary Ann Sutton topped the field while playing from the forward tees. Linda Watson...

GOLF: Oakley posts third hole-in-one of career

Chuck Oakley recorded his third career hole-in-one on No. 12 at Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course. Oakley used an 8-iron to accomplish the feat. Playing with Oakley were Jim Clough, Chris Morrissey and Ken Jefferson. GMGC maintenance personnel Braxton and Mario...

LEGION BASEBALL: Wilson eliminates Post 11 in Area I East semifinals

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] Wayne County Post 11 can't seem to solve the enigma that is Wilson Post 13. At least since 2015. During that four-year span, Post 13 has ousted Post 11 from the Area I East Division semifinals...

LOCAL NOTIONS: Hook City visit stirs memories

The short trip down Nahunta Road provided plenty of time for me to revisit one childhood memory that played out one Labor Day during my youth. It was my last day of freedom since school started the next day. Before...

Friday, July 13, 2018

LEGION BASEBALL: Post 11 rallies in 8th, avoids elimination

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] WILSON -- Long-time foes Wayne County Post 11 and Wilson Post 13 will pen another chapter in their tension-filled rivalry tonight. And it ought to be a good one. Thursday night certainly was -- an eight-inning...

LEGION BASEBALL: Post 13-Post 11 box

Thursday's game WC Post 11    200    010    02--    5    12    2 Wilson    010    000    20--    3    7    3 Leading hitters: Wayne County Post 11 -- Jack Casbarro 1-3; Blake Gipson 2-5, 2B; Case Kermode 2-4, 2B, RBI; Christian Yarbrough 1-3,...

LEGION BASEBALL: Area I East standings

Area I East Division Standings (Through July 12)     W-L    Pct.    W-L    Pct. y-WC Post 11    11-1    .917    23-4    .852 z-Pitt County    8-4    .750    20-7    .741 z-Kinston    7-5    .583    9-8    .529 z-Wilson    5-7    .417    8-9    .471 Edenton    5-7    .417    5-7  ...

What's Happening

Little Falcons Football July 17, 24 and 31 -- Registration for Charles B. Aycock Little Falcon football runs each day from 6-8 p.m. at the CBA practice field. The registration fee is $75. Age groups are 8-Under, 10-U and 12-U....

Thursday, July 12, 2018

LEGION BASEBALL: Post 11 faces elimination from Area I East playoffs

By AVIEL SMOLKA [email protected] For the first time all season, Wayne County Post 11 has lost back-to-back games. Now it faces elimination from the Area I East Division playoffs. Wilson Post 13 held on for a 6-5 win in Game...

PREP FOOTBALL: Four county teams scrimmage in 7-on-7 action

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] Desmond Vaughn watched a catchable ball drop to the turf. Then another. And a third. "That's all right, not a bad ball," Eastern Wayne head coach Tavares Oates said. "It's only your third play dude." Vaughn...

LEGION BASEBALL: Area I East standings

Area I East Division Standings (Through July 11)     W-L    Pct.    W-L    Pct. y-WC Post 11    11-1    .917    22-4    .846 z-Pitt County    8-4    .750    20-7    .741 z-Kinston    7-5    .583    9-8    .529 z-Wilson    5-7    .417    8-8    .500 Edenton    5-7    .417    5-7  ...

LEGION BASEBALL: Post 13-Post 11 box

Wednesday's game Wilson    000    230    1    --    6    9    0 WC Post 11    010    000    4    --    5    6    1 Leading hitters: Wayne County Post 11 -- Chance Howard 1-4; Blake Gipson 2-4, 2B, RBI; Case Kermode 2-4, 2B, RBI;...

What's Happening

Wee Warriors Football Today -- Final registration is from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Second- and third-day registration is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Players ages 5-to-12 interested in playing may register at Dick's Sporting Goods on those dates. The fee is $90 and...

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

GOLF: Walnut Creek LGA

Faye Franklin won low gross during weekly play on the Walnut Creek Country Club links. Mary Morris claimed low net. Linda Cannon and Sam Gillett shared low putts. The Walnut Creek Ladies Golf Association travels to Lane Tree later this...

LEGION BASEBALL: Post 13 pulls stunner, evens series at 1-1

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] WILSON -- Alston Pittman and TJ Harris silenced Wayne County Post 11's hot-hitting offense Tuesday evening. The duo combined for a two-hitter as Wilson Post 13 prevailed 9-3 in Game 2 of their Area I East...

LEGION BASEBALL: Post 13-Post 11 box

Tuesday's game WC Post 11    002    001    0    --    3    2    4 Wilson    201    600    x    --    9    10    3 Leading hitters: Wayne County Post 11 -- Chance Howard 1-3; Blake Gipson 1-for-4, RBI; Christian Yarbrough RBI.     IP    H  ...

What's Happening

Wee Warriors Football July 12 -- Final Registration is from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Second- and third-day registration is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Players ages 5-to-12 interested in playing may register at Dick's Sporting Goods on those dates. The fee is $90...

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

LEGION BASEBALL: Post 13 takes semifinal opener against Wilson

By AVIEL SMOLKA [email protected] Jack Casbarro was a jack-of-all-trades Monday evening. His great game in the batter's box and on the pitcher's mound put Wayne County Post 11 in the driver's seat in its best-of-five Area I East playoff series...

LEGION BASEBALL: Post 11-Post 13 box

Monday's game Wilson    020    010    1    --    4    7    0 WC Post 11    000    312    x    --    6    7    2 Leading hitters: Wayne County Post 11 -- Jack Casbarro 1-4, HR, RBI; Case Kermode 1-2; Christian Yarbrough 2-3, 2B, RBI;...

LEGION BASEBALL: Area I East standings

Area I East Division Standings (Through July 9)     W-L    Pct.    W-L    Pct. y-WC Post 11    11-1    .917    22-2    .917 z-Pitt County    8-4    .750    18-7    .720 z-Kinston    7-5    .583    9-6    .600 z-Wilson    5-7    .417    6-8    .429 Edenton    5-7    .417    5-7  ...

What's Happening

Wee Warriors Football Today, July 12 -- Registration is from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Second- and third-day registration is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Players ages 5-to-12 interested in playing may register at Dick's Sporting Goods on those dates. The fee is $90...

Monday, July 9, 2018

GOLF: Great Dane -- Jones repeats at Amateur Open Division champ

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] MOUNT OLIVE -- Dane Jones could live with the string of pars. Still, he desperately needed a pick me up. And a double bogey on No. 6 where he hit a rope hook out of bounds,...

DRAG RACING: Lucas wins Modified E/T Triple Crown Challenge

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] The scoreboards in the distance flashed their reaction times from the trials. A mere .09 seconds separated Steve Lucas and Mark Pittman, who had been on point in their respective cars during the third -- and...

Sunday, July 8, 2018

2018 WCMA: Jones, Sutton in position to defend respective division titles

By AVIEL SMOLKA [email protected] Nothing seemed to bother Dane Jones during the second round of the Wayne County Men's Amateur. He certainly doesn't mind being the 'hunted.' "Since I gained my first title last year going into this year I...

COLUMN: Rhodes had great disposition

Since my return to the News-Argus more than two months ago, three very good -- and influential -- people who impacted my life in different ways passed from this Earth. Dave Thomas could make even the most miserable days tolerable...

LEGION BASEBALL: No longer rivals, but teammates, this group has Post 11 cruising

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] They see each other as rivals during the high school season. And though they don't always play against each other, they share the same passion -- baseball. This spring and summer, they've come together as one....

LEGION BASEBALL: Game Day

When: Monday Where: Wayne Academy Opponent: Wilson Post 13 Time: 7 p.m. Last meeting: Wayne County swept the regular-season series, 9-1 and 8-5. Post 11 looks to avenge a semifinal-round series loss to Post 13 in the Area I East...

LEGION BASEBALL: Area I East standings

Area I East Division Standings (Through July 8)     W-L    Pct.    W-L    Pct. y-WC Post 11    11-1    .917    21-2    .913 z-Pitt County    8-4    .750    17-7    .708 z-Kinston    7-5    .583    9-5    .643 z-Wilson    5-7    .417    6-7    .462 Edenton    5-7    .417    5-7  ...

What's Happening

Wayne County United Soccer Camps July 9-12 -- The registration fee is $100 for each week and includes a T-shirt. Campers receive a $10 discount for attendance for the second and third weeks. The camp runs Monday-Thursday from 6-8 p.m....

Thursday, July 5, 2018

GOLF: Walnut Creek LGA

Mary Ann Sutton took low-gross honors during weekly play at Walnut Creek Country Club. Penny Ritt secured low net. Faye Franklin won low putts....

PREP WRESTLING: Decatur brothers honored

Rosewood's brother combination of Christian and Tim Decatur received the 19th and 20th Lee Carroll Award for excellence in athletics, academics and sportsmanship in eastern North Carolina this past season. The Takedown Report editor Martin Fleming and Lee Carroll recognized...

WCMA: Jones now the 'hunted' and not the 'hunter'

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] The memory remains vivid. A handshake. A few words of encouragement. Then disappointment. Dane Jones thought he'd never hoist a championship trophy in celebration. One year later, 2017 to be exact, Jones played at a patient...

LEGION BASEBALL: Area I East Standings

Area I East Division Standings (Through July 4)     W-L    Pct.    W-L    Pct. y-WC Post 11    11-1    .917    21-2    .913 z-Pitt County    8-4    .750    17-7    .708 z-Kinston    7-5    .583    9-5    .643 z-Wilson    5-7    .417    6-7    .462 Edenton    5-7    .417    5-7  ...

What's Happening

Wayne County United Soccer Camps July 9-12 -- The registration fee is $100 for each week and includes a T-shirt. Campers receive a $10 discount for attendance for the second and third weeks. The camp runs Monday-Thursday from 6-8 p.m....

Monday, July 2, 2018

LEGION BASEBALL: WC Post 11 completes sweep of Wilson

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] WILSON -- Start aggressive early. It's a mantra Adam Pate has drilled into the heads of Wayne County Post 11 players this season, and to no surprise, the mentality produced an early windfall Saturday evening. Jack...

LEGION BASEBALL: WC Post 11-Wilson box

Saturday's game WC Post 11    140    011    1    --    8    6    3 Wilson    001    022    x    --    5    7    2 Leading hitters: Wayne County Post 11 -- Jack Casbarro 1-2, 2B, RBI; Carson Smitherman 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Case Kermode...

LEGION BASEBALL: Area I East standings

Area I East Division Standings (Through July 1)     W-L    Pct.    W-L    Pct. WC Post 11    11-1    .917    21-2    .913 Pitt County    8-4    .750    17-7    .708 Kinston    5-5    .500    7-5    .583 Edenton    5-5    .500    5-5    .500 Wilson    5-7    .416    6-7...

What's Happening

Tennis coach needed Wayne Country Day is searching for a girls' tennis coach for the fall season. The Chargers are the five-time defending NCISAA state 1-A dual-team champions. For more information, call WCDS athletics director Michael Taylor at 919-736-1045 (ext....

Sunday, July 1, 2018

FOREVER A TROJAN: Former players return, good friends toast Lancaster's success

By RUDY COGGINS [email protected] Carl Lancaster felt overwhelmed. Humbled, even. Throughout the night, a slight grin curled his lips and a few laughs escaped from the square-jawed individual who guided the University of Mount Olive baseball program with a firm...