Vance Board of Education Recognizes Athletes at April Meeting

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— courtesy of Vance County Schools and the latest Board Briefs Publication

The Board of Education recognized student athletes. Rosie Kanouff, senior at Early College High School, was recognized as an all-conference selection in Volleyball. Tra’On Lyons, a senior at Vance County High School, was recognized as an all-conference selection in Boys Basketball. Yumyah Hargrove, a senior at Early College High School was recognized as an all-conference selection in Girls Basketball. Blake Vick, a freshman at Early College High School, pitched a complete game no hitter in her first career varsity softball game on 3/17 in a 13-1 victory over Chapel Hill High School. She finished the game with 11 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched. We are extremely proud of our student’s athletic accomplishments.

City of Oxford

Register Now For Oxford 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament April 24

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The Isaiah Hicks Basketball Court in Oxford will be the site of a free 3 on 3 basketball tournament next Saturday, April 24. Participants can register by calling 919.603.1135 or online at https://oxfordnc.recdesk.com/Community/Home.

Teams should consist of players 16 years and older; participation will be limited to the first 20 teams that register. Teams can have four players.

Hicks Basketball Court is 313 E. Spring. St. The tournament tips off at 11 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 2 p.m.

Bodyworx and Northern Point Realty are sponsoring the event, which is hosted by the City of Oxford, Oxford NC, Historic Downtown and Oxford Parks and Recreation.

Rec Sports Signups – Baseball, Softball, Football, Soccer

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Update 4-9-21 at 3 p.m.

Soccer, Baseball & Softball and 7 on 7 Football registration has been extended to Sunday, April 25, 2021. Registration fees are $40 for Vance County residents and $60 for non-residents. For information, please contact Darius Pitt at 252. 438.3408 (dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us).

— submitted by Tara  Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent

Soccer–  This is a soccer program for those participants who wish to play recreational soccer.  Youth participating in this program will gain soccer knowledge in rules and skills of the game. Registration begins on Monday, March 15th  and ends on Sunday, April 11th  Registrations fees are $40 for Vance County residents and $60 for non-residents.  For information, please contact Darius Pitt at  252. 438.3408 (dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us).

7-on-7 2-Hand Touch Football-Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Athletics will be having its first 7-on-7 2-Hand Touch Football League this spring. Based on the current climate, it’s a safer way for our children to play and learn the game of football, while getting the exercise needed for healthy child development.  Registration begins on Monday, March 15th  and ends on Sunday, April 11th Registrations fees are $40 for Vance County residents and $60 for non-residents.  For information, please contact Darius Pitt at  252. 438.3408 (dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us).

Spring Baseball/Softball Registration- Registration begins on Monday, March 15th  and ends on Sunday, April 11th .  Registrations fees are $40 for Vance County residents and $60 for non-residents.  For information, please contact Darius Pitt at  252. 438.3408 (dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us).

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk 4-1-21 Hunter Jenks, Vance Co. High School; Paul Carr, Miracle League

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The 0-3 Vance County Vipers were looking forward to hitting the field this Monday Night against the Northern Durham Knights but that game has been cancelled.  Originally scheduled for March 26th the game was postponed due to Covid 19 protocols involving someone with the Knights’ organization. It’s not the first time it’s happened to the Vipers either so being able to reschedule the Knights game was important. Vance Co. had been able to sidestep Covid all season long but that changed on Thursday when a Vipers player tested positive causing Monday’s game to be cancelled. “I feel bad for the seniors,” Head Coach Hunter Jenks said on Thursday afternoon.

Looking back on the season, which will end next Friday night at Cedar Ridge, Coach Jenks said today on SportsTalk, “We didn’t even know if their would be a season. We want to send the seniors off with a win.” Jenks is hopeful he will have that opportunity against a struggling Cedar Ridge program.

Initially, this Covid shortened season was to be seven games. Three are in the books and Vance County hopes to give the seniors one more opportunity to get a win this year. The Cedar Ridge game will be broadcast on Vance Co. Friday Night Football next Friday evening beginning at 6:30 on WIZS.

Also on SportsTalk on Thursday Paul Carr, Board Member of the Miracle League of the Triangle, talke to hosts Trey Snide and Ron Noel about the baseball league. The Miracle League of the Triangle gives an opportunity for special needs people to play a sport and be part of a team. Over 1000 players are participating in the league.  Carr said “It absolutely changes lives.” Carr believes that participation is beneficial to not only those playing in the league but the parents as well.  “Parents never thought that they would have the opportunity to sit in the stands and cheer for their child like other parents,” Carr said. Carr encourages anyone in the area to come out to watch a game and volunteer. More information about volunteer opportunities for individuals, businesses and organizations can be found at their website www.miracleleagueofthetriangle.com.  Like other leagues, both small and large, Covid has had an impact. Only six games are on the schedule.

As a non-profit organization Carr said, “There is never enough money.” Even so, Miracle League of the Triangle is working on opening up a third field in Durham in addition to the two already existing facilites in Cary and Raleigh. The new third facility is currently under construction in partnership with the Durham Bulls and is located across the street from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Also during Thursday’s SportsTalk, Bob Licklighter was announced as the new Athletic Director for South Granville. Ron Noel said that Licklighter has been at Granville Central before moving over to South Granville.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Vance County High School

A Second VCHS Viper Football Game Cancelled by Covid

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Covid shortened as well as moved the Vance County High School football season from fall to spring.  Now the season is growing shorter again.  For the second time in what was just a seven-game season anyway, another game is being cancelled due to covid.

Vance County High School Athletic Director Joe Sharrow told WIZS News late Wednesday afternoon that the school “was alerted that a person involved with (the) football program tested positive for COVID-19.”  He said, “The district has been working diligently to contact those impacted to ensure all students, staff and families are properly notified of the situation.  Safety is always our number one priority.  We will continue to work together to ensure safety measures and protocols are adhered to, as we follow guidance from NCDHHS and NCHSAA to proceed through the season.”

The game cancelled earlier this season was a covid issue for that week’s opponent.

It was just a bit earlier Wednesday afternoon when Sharrow informed our Trey Snide of WIZS SportsTalk saying, “I am disappointed to share that we will no longer have a football game on Monday night, once again due to COVID concerns.”

The only remaining game this season is presently scheduled for Friday, April 9th at Cedar Ridge.

Sharrow also expressed appreciation for local support and to others who perform duties at the school and beyond to make things work out.

Based on past statements from Sharrow, as well as other local schools officials, the disappointment is for the players and the seniors.

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk 03-26-21 Joe Sharrow, Vance Co. High School

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It’s Friday in the middle of football season so most schools will be taking the field this evening but not Vance County. The Viper’s scheduled game against the Northern Durham Knights was cancelled at the beginning of the week due to Covid 19 protocols meaning the Vipers won’t return to the field until April 5th when they will finally get to tangle with Northern Durham.  According to Vance County High School athletic director Joe Sharrow juggling the schedule was the only way to get the Northern Durham game back.  “We really didn’t want to lose the game with Northern Durham,” Sharrow said.  Even though Northern Durham and Vance County will be in different conferences next year, the Knights will be part of the Viper’s schedule for the next two years.

The Knights will remain under quarantine until April 1st when they resume practice and will play the Vipers on Monday, April 5th, 6:30pm at Vance Co. High School.  In order to accomodate the Northern Durham game the Vipers would originally have had to play three games in eight days as Northwood would have taken on the Vipers on April 2nd but “three games in eight days was too much,” according to Sharrow. “We’re pretty beat up right now,” Sharrow added. Sharrow said that one of the games on the schedule would have to go if they wanted to play Northern Durham.  Sharrow and Coach Hunter Jenks were not in favor of cancelling the Cedar Ridge game scheduled for April 9th. Cedar Ridge is coached by former Northern Vance coach Corey Lee and Vance County has a good relationship with the school so that meant the Northwood game would have to go.  However, Sharrow helped Northwood find another school to play, Panther Creek High School in Cary. Even though Vance County gets to keep the game with Northern Durham it does mean that the team will play one less game than intended.

At 0-3 with two games left on the schedule, Sharrow said that getting into the state playoff would require some help and that it is a long shot. The school would have to receive an at-large bid and that means the improving Vipers would certainly have to win out the rest of the season and then get the help Sharrow discussed. Sharrow says, “The primary focus is finishing up with Northern Durham and Cedar Ridge, to stay healthy and let our seniors play out the year.”

As far as athletics in general at Vance County High School, “I am ecstatic about the Vance County High School Athletics programs,” Sharrow said.  Sharrow pointed to the really good numbers with the girl’s softball team and recent wins with that program along with strong numbers for the girl’s soccer team. Where many teams have had trouble finding players to field teams it hasn’t been much of an issue for Vance County. This is likely due to the fact that Vance County High School is the only school in the state conducting Covid 19 tests every week.

Once again, Vance County High School’s next game will be on Monday, April 5th against the Northern Durham Knights, 6:30pm, at Vance County High School.  Tune into WIZS for full play by play coverage of that contest.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk 03-18-21 Hunter Jenks, Vance Co. Vipers Head Football Coach

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Even though Vance County is 0-2 after a 20-0 loss at Southern Durham last Friday night, Coach Hunter Jenks praised his teams defensive effort citing a goal line stand and the pressure that was constant in the Southern Durham backfield throughout the game. In reviewing last Friday’s game, Jenks said that if events had unfolded slightly different that the Vipers could have come away with a win. Coach Jenks continues to see improvement with the Vipers. “Every day when we come off the field after practice we collectively say we’ve gotten better,” Jenks said of his team.

While Jenks is focused on playing well this season he is also looking ahead to the future of the program as well.  With only three seniors starting on defense this year he will have multiple seasons with many of the underclassmen on the Vipers squad.  “It bodes well for the future,” Jenks commented when discussing the defense. Jenks says that while the defensive unit may be undersized they make up for it with effort and speed. Jenks acknowledges that the defense is ahead of the Vipers offense. Jenks said “We’ve to be realistic and look for small victories,” when asked about the unit’s on field progress. The key is limiting turnovers, sustaining drives and limiting mistakes.

As for Saturday night’s game against Orange at 6 p.m., which was rescheduled from Friday, Jenks says that Orange lost their starting quarterback in the first game of the season, and he expects for Orange to have a similar style to Vance Co. meaning it’s likely to be a defensive battle, something in which both teams excel.

Kickoff for the game at Orange High School in Hillsborough is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday and can be heard in its entirety on WIZS Radio. Bill Harris will have the call of the game.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

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SportsTalk 03-12-21 Brian Howard, Vance Charter

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Seventh Grader McKenzie Pendergrass scored her first points as a middle school basketball player for Vance Charter School Tuesday night against Roxboro Community School. However, Pendergrass isn’t just any player and those weren’t just any points. Those points scored put Pendergrass and Vance Charter on ESPN.  Pendergrass is in a wheel chair and Head Coach Brian Howard says he became aware of Pendergrass’ desire to be on the basketball team after she wrote a story in class. In her story, Pendergrass said she didn’t think her disabilities should stand in the way of her taking the court. “She wanted to prove she could do just as well as anyone else,” Howard said.  She did play in her 6th grade year but did not score.  That changed Tuesday night.

Pendergrass got the bucket late in the game. Howard said “The gym was electric.” “When the ball went in the gym erupted,” added Howard.  Howard went on to say that Pendergrass is well liked at the school, “She is outgoing, determined and doesn’t take no for an answer.” Her determination paid off with her first points of her middle school career and making it to ESPN.

 

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SportsTalk 03-11-21 Hunter Jenks, Vance Co. High School; Victor Hunt, Warren Co. High School

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Vance Co. High School returns to the field after two weeks this Friday night against 2 – 0 Southern Durham. Vance Co. was originally scheduled to play last week but East Chapel Hill cancelled their football season giving the 0-1 Vipers an unexpected extra week off. Coach Hunter Jenks said “I would always like to play a game,” but believes that the missed game will be good for the Vipers in the long run as it has given the team more time to practice and Jenks has been pleased with those additional practices heading into Friday’s game.

After a 42-6 loss at the hands of Chapel Hill, Jenks said, “It was a rip the rearview mirror off game” where the Vipers are not looking back. “I expect to have a better performance,” Jenks said of the Vipers and he’ll need it going against Southern Durham which has not allowed a single point this season.  Jenks said the key to beating Southern Durham is for the Vipers not to beat themselves. Turnovers plagued Vance Co. in the opening game of the season, committing four against Chapel Hill giving the Tigers plenty of opportunities.  In addition to eliminating turnovers Jenks said the Vipers need to have offensive success early against Southern Durham and not put themselves in bad situations.

Jenks says that with every team in the conference improved every matchup is a test. He also expects to pick up a few more players to add to the roster once 9th graders return to school.

You can hear live play by play of the Vance Co. Vs. Southern Durham game tomorrow night on WIZS. Kickoff is at 6:30 from Southern Durham High School. No visiting fans will be allowed at the stadium.

At Warren County High School, Coach Victor Hunt has his Eagles at 1-1 after demolishing J.F. Webb in the first game of the season 40-7 and losing a comeback bid against South Granville 29-20. This week the Eagles head to Franklin County to take on the 0-2 Bunn Wildcats, a team Warren County hasn’t beaten since 1996. “They are not to be taken lightly,” Hunt said of the Wildcats despite the winless record.

During this shortened season Hunt says that, “Every game is a big game and we treat them like it’s a championship.” Hunt says “Our goal is to be 1-0 every week.” In order for Hunt to get the Eagles to 2-1 he says the team will need to limit mistakes, tackle well and play good defense. In last weeks loss to South Granville Hunt sad the Eagles had a bad first half allowing 29 points but was impressed with halftime adjustments as Warren Co. shut out the Viking offense in the second half and credits the defense with giving the Eagles a chance for a come from behind victory. While they didn’t quite make up the deficit, Hunt says the Eagles “are better because of the loss.”

When asked to name some outstanding players for the Eagles this year, Hunt was quick to mention starting freshman quarterback Nigel Williams who has ran for three touchdowns and thrown for two more this season, Cameron Hogan who has four touchdowns on the year and Reginald Douglass, a former lineman who now is a linebacker and full back.

The Eagles and the Wildcats kickoff at Bunn tomorrow night at 6:30pm.

 

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk 03-05-21 Scotty Richardson, Andreas Prince and Player of the Week

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“He’s really been the heart and soul of the team,” Crossroads Christian Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach Scotty Richardson said of Andreas Prince when both appeared on Sports Talk on Friday. Prince is the first player from the school to be named to receive 1A All State honors.  The school, which has only had a basketball program for four years, has made it to the Elite Eight the last two seasons.  Prince was part of the reason for the team’s success. In addition to the All State honors, Prince was named to the All Tournament and All Conference teams. He averaged 21 points over the season. “It’s definitely a great honor. It means a lot to me and my family,” Prince said.  Prince singled out Coach Richardson as making an impact on him both on and off the court.

Richardson said at the end of last season graduating players cost his team 65 points, the average of what the graduation players scored per game last season. And despite the season being interrupted by Covid 19 and having only three weeks of practice, the team was still strong this season. This year Crossroads Christian will lose three seniors to graduation. Richardson said, “The cupboard is not bare,” since the team will return four starters next season.

In the second half of SportsTalk, two county athletes received Player of the Week Honors. Alyssa Bullock, a 7th Grade basketball player at Vance Charter School, is averaging 20 points per game. Additionally, Bullock is averaging four steals, four rebounds and 5 assists per game and put up 27 points in this week’s contest with East Wake.

The second player of the week is Tyron Lyons of the Vance Co. Vipers.  In last week’s 42-6 loss to Chapel Hill, Lyons contributed one solo tackle and three assists.

Player of the Week honors are announced every Friday on the Coach’s Corner segment of SportsTalk with Trey Snide.

For full details and complete audio click play.