VGCC honors Men’s Basketball sophomores

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— courtesy VGCC

Three sophomore student-athletes on the Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team were recently honored on the completion of their playing careers at the college.

From left, VGCC student-athlete Mitch Beck, Men’s Basketball Head Coach DeMarcus Oliver and student-athletes Kenneth “KJ” Finley and Calvin Malik Manley are seen here during a ceremony to recognize the sophomores, right before their last home game at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson. (VGCC photo)

Just before the start of the Vanguards’ last home game of the season, versus Guilford Tech Community College on Feb. 24, VGCC Head Coach DeMarcus Oliver recognized three departing players — forward Mitch Beck of Raleigh (a graduate of East Wake High School), point guard Kenneth “KJ” Finley, Jr., of Louisburg (Wakefield High School) and combo guard Calvin Malik Manley of Louisburg (Louisburg High School).

Beck is also a VGCC student ambassador and will soon complete the Associate in Arts program. Finley and Manley are both finishing up their associate degrees in Criminal Justice.

For more information on joining the Vanguards next season, contact Jermiel Hargrove at 252-738-3246 or hargrovej@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Oxford Prep Golf (3-5-18)

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— submitted by Rick Kenner, M.A.A.Ed., Oxford Prep School Athletic Director and Golf Coach

The NCAC opened the regular season (March 5th) at South Granville Country Club with Oxford Prep, Roxboro Community School, Franklin Academy, Vance Charter, Voyager Academy, Falls Lake Academy, and East Wake Academy all competing. Franklin Academy took the top spot with a 167 team score, followed by Oxford Prep with a 192, and Falls Lake with 203 placed 3rd. In individual competition sophomore Wesley Aitken from Oxford Prep edged out the competition to take 1st with a score of 38 followed by a 2nd place tie between Voyager’s Cole Searce and Franklin Academy’s Parker Groshner with scores of 40. The NCAC’s next match will be hosted by Voyager Academy at Umstead Pines @ Willowhaven Golf & Swim Club on Monday 3/12.

 

Carolina’s Woody Durham Dies at the Age of 76

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— Dean Smith (left) and Woody Durham (right), photo courtesy of UNC Sports Information

— story courtesy of UNC Sports Information

Carolina’s Woody Durham Dies at the Age of 76

CHAPEL HILL –– Woody Durham, the beloved and iconic Hall of Fame voice of Carolina Basketball and Football for 40 years, died peacefully at home from complications from Primary Progressive Aphasia at 12:45 a.m. today. He was 76 years old.

A 1963 graduate of the University of North Carolina, Durham was the radio voice of the Tar Heels from 1971-2011, painting a vivid picture of Tar Heel legends for generations of fans, and became himself a Carolina institution.

The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association will honor Durham at the 2018 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament with the Bob Bradley Spirit and Courage Award, recognizing the grace and dignity with which in recent years he publicly dealt with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degenerative brain disorder that negatively impacted his ability to communicate as he once mastered.

In June, Durham will be inducted into the National Sports Media Association’s Hall of Fame with HBO’s Bryant Gumbel, Washington Post baseball columnist Thomas Boswell and Bluestar Media’s Dick Weiss, former national college basketball and football writer for the Philadelphia Daily News and the New York Daily News.

Durham received the Curt Gowdy Media Award for contributions to basketball from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

“Our family is grateful for the incredible support my dad and our family received throughout his illness,” says Wes Durham. “From the medical teams to the general public, it’s been amazing. We hold to and will always cherish the wonderful memories he left for our family and Carolina fans throughout the world.”

Born in Mebane, N.C., and raised in Albemarle, Durham soon became a fixture in Chapel Hill and throughout the Tar Heel State, calling 23 Tar Heel football bowl games, 13 men’s basketball Final Fours and six national championship games, including the NCAA title-winning seasons in 1982, 1993, 2005 and 2009.

“It’s a very sad day for everyone who loves the University of North Carolina because we have lost someone who spent nearly 50 years as one of its greatest champions and ambassadors,” says UNC men’s basketball coach Roy Williams. “My heart goes out to Jean, Wes, Taylor and their entire family.

“It’s ironic that Woody would pass away at the start of the postseason in college basketball because this was such a joyous time for him. He created so many lasting memories for Carolina fans during this time of year. It’s equally ironic that he dealt with a disorder for the final years of his life that robbed him of his ability to communicate as effectively as he did in perfecting his craft.

“Woody loved the Tar Heels and players, coaches and fans of all ages loved him right back. We should all ‘go where we go and do what we do’ and say a prayer for Woody and his family. There will never be another quite like him.”

Durham won the North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year Award 13 times. He was also inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame and the Mebane Sports Hall of Fame.

Durham received a distinguished service medal from the UNC General Alumni Association for outstanding service to the University and the alumni association; the William R. Davie Award, given by the UNC Board of Trustees to recognize extraordinary service to the University; the Skeeter Francis Award for special service to the Atlantic Coast Conference; the Russell Blunt Legends Award from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for being a true legend in athletics; the Lindsey Nelson Outstanding Sportscaster Award from the All-American Football Foundation; the Outstanding Service Award from the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Board of Visitors; a Priceless Gem from UNC Athletics; and a Distinguished Service Award from the NCHSAA.

“Woody was synonymous with Carolina Athletics for decades and his voice was gospel to generations of Tar Heels who trusted his every word,” says John Swofford, Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference and Director of Athletics at UNC from 1980-97. “I was struck by how diligently Woody prepared for his broadcast of games. When game time arrived, he made it look and sound so easy because he had a voice that resonated just so, but much of it was because he worked incredibly hard at it. As they say ‘the great ones make it look easy’. Woody was one of the great ones. He was just as good a person as he was a broadcaster.

“My thoughts and prayers, as well as those of the entire Atlantic Coast Conference, go out to Jean, Wes, Taylor and the entire Durham family.”

“‘Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices ringing clear and true’ – that’s Woody Durham,” says Dick Baddour, UNC’s Director of Athletics from 1997-2011. “His voice was the sound of Carolina and it will forever ring clear and true. But it was always more than the sound of his voice; his success was determined by his professional approach, his preparation and his ability to develop the human side of the student athletes and coaches who represented his alma mater. Woody was a legend among legends and the University will forever be grateful for how he represented the Tar Heels in such a first-class way.”

Since retiring after the 2010-11 football and basketball seasons, Durham continued to be honored for his work and contributions to the community: in 2011, the National Football Foundation presented him with the Chris Schenkel Award; in 2012, he was the inaugural recipient of the Nice Lombardi Excellence in College Broadcasting Award; in 2016, the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro named him a Town Treasure, which is given to its exceptional citizens; and last year, the Knoxville (Tenn.) Quarterback Club honored Durham with the Lindsey Nelson Broadcasting Award.

Durham broadcast Carolina Basketball games coached by Dean Smith, Bill Guthridge, Matt Doherty and Roy Williams. He called games that included 33 Tar Heels whose jerseys hang in the Smith Center rafters, including National Players of the Year Phil Ford, James Worthy, Michael Jordan, Kenny Smith, Jerry Stackhouse, Antawn Jamison, Sean May and Tyler Hansbrough.

His broadcast career spanned the collegiate playing days of Tar Heel football players such as Paul Miller, Mike Voight, Amos Lawrence, Kelvin Bryant, Lawrence Taylor, Harris Barton, Natrone Means, Jason Stanicek, Leon Johnson, Greg Ellis, Dre’ Bly, Julius Peppers and T.J. Yates. Durham broadcast the coaching careers of six UNC head football coaches – Bill Dooley, Dick Crum, Mack Brown, Carl Torbush, John Bunting and Butch Davis.

Durham called play-by-play on on the Tar Heel Sports Network on more than 1,800 football and men’s basketball broadcasts.

“I started listening to Woody call Carolina games when my brother (Steve) came to Carolina in 1984,” says Rick Steinbacher, Carolina’s senior associate director of athletics for marketing, whose games as a UNC linebacker Durham called, was captain of the UNC football team in 1993 and later served as the color analyst alongside Durham for 11 seasons.

“As a broadcaster, he is among the very best ever. His voice, his knowledge and passion for Carolina were unmatched. Working with him I learned even more about what made him so special, namely his work ethic, preparation and care for everyone he worked with set a standard for all to emulate. My heart goes out to his family and so many friends over the loss of a great man, a priceless gem and the Voice of the Tar Heels.”

He was sports director at WUNC while attending Carolina, sports director at WFMY-TV in Greensboro from 1963-77 and at WPTF-TV in Raleigh from 1977-1981. Since 1981, he worked for the Tar Heel Sports Network with VilCom Inc. of Chapel Hill and Learfield Communications Inc. of Jefferson City, Mo.

“I am filled with sadness at the loss of a mentor, friend and Carolina icon,” says Jones Angell, play-by-play announcer for Carolina Basketball and Football since Durham’s retirement in 2011. “Woody meant so much to me personally and professionally, and I feel honored to have worked with him and learned from him. We try to reach the standard of excellence Woody set for 40 years through his passion and professionalism on every broadcast on the Tar Heel Sports Network. We will continue that moving forward.

“My deepest sympathies go to his wonderful family: Jean, Wes and Taylor. All Tar Heels grieve with them today.”

Carolina fans are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Woody via Twitter @GoHeels using the hashtag #HeyWoody and are invited to listen to his greatest calls by visiting GoHeels.com.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, to whom he was married for 54 years; their two sons, Wes and Taylor; and two grandchildren, Emily and Will. Wes is the radio voice of the Atlanta Falcons and broadcasts college football and basketball for Raycom Sports and Fox. Taylor is the play-by-play announcer for Elon University.

A celebration of Woody’s life is planned for Sunday, April 8th, at Carmichael Arena on the UNC campus.

Memorial gifts may be made to the following:

Medical Foundation of NC

For Woody Durham Fund

PO Box 1050

Chapel Hill NC 27514

UNC Hospice

287 East Street, Suite 221

Pittsboro NC 27312

STEVE KIRSCHNER

University of North Carolina

Senior Associate A.D. for Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA

ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Oxford Prep Softball and Women’s Soccer 2-28-18

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The cover photo shows last year’s Oxford Prep Middle School softball team following an undefeated inaugural season.

The following sports information entries were submitted by Oxford Prep coaches:

Oxford Prep Softball Coach Tommy Anstead emailed WIZS News and said, “The Griffins defeated Falls Lake yesterday 6 – 2. It was a well played game by both teams. Jordan Dunn pitched a great game and had an in the park home run. All 9 batters hit the ball yesterday.”

Oxford Prep Women’s Soccer Coach Robert Breedlove indicated by email that Granville Central High School defeated Oxford Prep 2-0 at Granville Athletic Park.

(All local team coaches in Vance, Granville and Warren Counties are welcome to email WIZS News at johncharles@wizs.com with sports results.  Your submission will be published and it will be good for your team, school and community.  It will also help WIZS provide additional local coverage.)

VGCC Vanguards to play JV Tar Heels at Dean Dome

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TONIGHT – 7:15 AIRTIME ON WIZS 1450 AM AND WIZS.COM

— written by Andrew Beal, VGCC Public Information Officer

VGCC Vanguards to play JV Tar Heels at Dean Dome

For the third consecutive year, the Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team will soon travel to the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill to face the University of North Carolina Tar Heels junior varsity team.

The JV game is set for Monday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Henderson-based radio station WIZS 1450 AM will once again provide live coverage of the game starting at approximately 7:15 p.m. Even for those outside the range of the radio station, the broadcast can be streamed online at wizs.com or on a smart phone with the free “TuneIn Radio” app. When WIZS covered the first contest between the two basketball programs in 2016, it was the first time in history that a UNC JV basketball game had been broadcast live on the radio.

 

The Vanguards will be looking for a repeat performance of last year’s game, a stunning 106-100 upset win for VGCC in Chapel Hill on Jan. 18, 2017.

Admission is free to the UNC JV game. For more information on attending, call the Smith Center at (919) 962-2296.

For more information on VGCC athletics, contact Coordinator of Student Activities & Athletics Jermiel Hargrove at (252) 738-3246 or hargrovej@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

KVA State Playoffs Tues, Feb 13, 2018

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KVA State Playoffs Tues, Feb 13, 2018

Kerr Vance Academy will host Wayne Christian Academy in the first round of the NCISAA State Basketball tournament.  The varsity girls and varsity boys teams will both play Tuesday, February 13 beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The ladies team will play at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s team will play at 7 p.m.

WIZS is scheduled to broadcast beginning at 7 p.m. on 1450 AM and online at wizs.com for the varsity boys team, including a full update on the girls game.

Admission is $7 for adults and students including KVA students are admitted for $5.  Children under eight years old are free.

Headmaster Frank Wiggins has asked WIZS News to invite everyone from the community to come out and support KVA.

NOTING ACC BASKETBALL JAN 29, 2018

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— courtesy theacc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2018

ACColades
Notre Dame and No. 4 Duke renew their ACC rivalry on ESPN’s Big Monday at the Blue Devils’ Cameron Indoor Stadium … the Fighting Irish hold a 5-3 advantage in ACC matchups, though Duke claimed the most recent in last year’s New York Life ACC Tournament championship game at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center … the Blue Devils hold a 22-7 lead in the all-time series, which began with a 1965 matchup in Chicago Stadium … Monday night’s game will mark the ninth ACC meeting between veteran Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski and former assistant Mike Brey, now in his 18th season at the Notre Dame helm … both teams will be trying to rebound from close Saturday losses … weekend action includes visiting No. 2 Virginia edging Duke in a showdown of top-five teams … Notre Dame, missing three starters, drops an 80-75 decision to visiting Virginia Tech … other Saturday action sees NC State upset No. 10 North Carolina, Florida State turn back visiting Miami in overtime, Louisville down Wake Forest, and Syracuse top Pitt … Clemson caps the weekend with a 72-70 road win at Georgia Tech on Sunday night … Gabe DeVoe’s career-high 25 points leads the Tigers, who overcome a 26-point effort by the Yellow Jackets’ Josh Okogie … NC State’s win over UNC marks its third over a top-10 ranked opponent this season (also No. 2 Arizona and No. 2 Duke).

By the Numbers
1 – Duke’s Marvin Bagley III is bidding to become the first freshman to lead the ACC in both scoring and rebounds … Bagley currently leads the league in scoring (22.0), rebounds (11.6) and double-doubles (17).

1 – Virginia’s Devon Hall leads the ACC in assists-to-turnover ratio (3.14:1) and free throw percentage (.930) … Hall has scored in double figures eight straight games and ranks second on the team in scoring (12.7).

4 – In his first year at NC State, Kevin Keatts’ Wolfpack is 4-2 against AP-ranked teams, including three wins against top 10 teams.

7 – In the seven ACC games this past weekend, road teams went 5-2 with six of the games were decided by five points or less or in overtime.

10.7 – Notre Dame sophomore guard T.J. Gibbs is tied for second in the ACC in per game scoring improvement (+10.7) from a year ago … Gibbs needs just 12 points to double his scoring output from his freshman season.

18 – Boston College’s Jerome Robinson has scored 10 or more points in 18 consecutive games and ranks fourth in the ACC in scoring (18.3).

19.7 – Syracuse’s Ty Battle has scored 10 or more points in all but one game this season and ranks second in the ACC in scoring (19.7).

432 – Duke has sold out 432 consecutive games at Cameron
Indoor Stadium – the longest current streak in either men’s college basketball or the NBA.

Kerr Vance Basketball on Fire Jan 23, 2018

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— pictures and text submitted by Frank Wiggins, Principal Kerr Vance Academy

The KVA Lady Spartans continued their winning ways on January 23 taking on Henderson Collegiate at Crawford Gym. The Spartans won the contest 53 – 40. Senior Becca Johnson led the way in the scoring column with 17 points and rebounds with 9. Senior Bonnie Evans had 12 points and led the team in steals with 4. Ashley Dickerson contributed an all-around good game with passing and scoring 10 points. The Pride was paced by Niya Towns and Camaria Parker who had 18 and 13 points respectively. The win pushes the Spartans record to 12-4. Next up is a conference match versus The Oakwood School on Wednesday.

In the varsity boy’s matchup, the undefeated Spartans took down the Pride 81-62. The Spartans led the whole way behind the play of Senior Michael Bowers with 23 points. Tim Pettiford 23 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, Senior Andreas Wilson 13 points, and Thomas Miles with 12 also paced the Spartans balanced attack. The Spartans jump back into conference play on Wednesday against The Oakwood School.

Noting ACC Basketball Jan 22, 2018

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— courtesy theacc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2018

Release: https://theacc.co/accmbb1718release

ACColades
The second ESPN Big Monday game of the season finds No. 10 North Carolina making the trip to Virginia Tech … Cameron Johnson averaged 18.5 points in the last two outings for the Tar Heels, who bring a four-game winning streak into the contest … Virginia Tech’s Justin Robinson has averaged 24.5 points over his last two games, including a career-high 26 on Saturday versus Florida State … all five ACC ranked teams hold serve over the weekend, including No. 2 Virginia’s 59-49 win at Wake Forest on Sunday evening and No. 25 Miami’s 86-81 victory at NC State … Saturday’s slate sees No. 5 Duke down Pitt, No. 15 North Carolina turn back Georgia Tech, and No. 20 Clemson defeat Notre Dame … Florida State wins at Virginia Tech in other Saturday action … Louisville holds off visiting Boston College on Sunday for its fourth consecutive win … Virginia has won 10 straight and stands 7-0 in ACC play for the first time since also starting 7-0 in 2014-15 … Duke has scored 80-plus points in 15 consecutive games, the third-longest streak in team history … Saturday’s victory over Notre Dame is Clemson’s 200th ACC win at Littlejohn Coliseum … Miami’s 28 road wins in conference play since the 2011-12 season ranks fourth behind North Carolina (35), Duke (34) and Virginia (31) … the Hurricanes’ 26 assists versus NC State on Sunday (on 34 field goals) are a season high.

By the Numbers
2 – Virginia is only the second team in ACC history to go from being unranked in the preseason to No. 2 in the AP poll (Miami did so 2012-13) … the Cavaliers also have the league’s best ACC road record (29-19) over the past six years.
3 – There are five players in the ACC averaging a double-double in league play – Duke’s Marvin Bagley III, North Carolina’s Luke Maye and Notre Dame’s Martinas Geben.
12.3 – North Carolina’s Luke Maye leads the ACC in per game scoring improvement (+12.3) and is second in rebounds (10.5) and double-doubles (11).
15 – Duke has scored 80 or more points in 15 straight games, the seventh-longest streak in ACC history and the longest such streak since North Carolina did it in 16 consecutive contests during the 2007-08 season.
22.8 – North Carolina’s Joel Berry II and Syracuse’s Tyus Battle are both averaging a league-best 22.8 points per game in road games.
26 – Virginia Tech’s Justin Robinson tallied a career-high 26 points against Florida State Saturday and over his last two games is averaging 24.5 points, 4.5 assists and has hit on 19-of-31 (.613) from the floor … Robinson is averaging a league-best 5.3 assists in conference games only.

ACC Announces 2018 Football Schedule

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ACC Football Schedule courtesy theacc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 17, 2018

theacc.com/fb18logosched – Logo Schedule
theacc.com/fb18teamsched – Team-by-Team Schedule
theacc.com/fb18schedule – Composite Schedule

GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced the 2018 football schedule Wednesday, and once again, it includes arguably the most challenging non-conference competition among the Power 5 conferences.

  • ACC teams will play more games (19) against Power 5 competition (including Notre Dame) than any of their peers.
  • ACC teams will play more games against non-conference teams (13) ranked in last year’s final Associated Press Top 25 than any other Power 5 conference.
  • The ACC has the highest percentage (.232) of games against teams ranked in the final AP poll of any of its peer conferences.
  • ACC teams will play 27 games against non-conference opponents that participated in bowl games last season, the highest total among Power 5 conferences.
  • ACC teams will play 13 non-conference games against teams in ESPN’s 2018 Way-Too-Early Top 25, which is the most among their peers.
  • ACC teams’ non-conference opponents had the highest combined winning percentage (.558) in 2017 of any of the Power 5 leagues.

“The 2018 ACC Football schedule provides our schools and programs the opportunity to build upon the numerous football successes that have been achieved in recent years,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “Once again, our teams will be facing both a daunting conference schedule and what is collectively the most challenging non-conference schedule in the country. There will be no shortage of excitement for fans on a weekly basis.”

ACC teams will play two neutral site games on the opening weekend of the season, including Louisville facing defending national champion Alabama in the Camping World Kickoff in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, Sept. 1. Miami and LSU will meet in the AdvoCare Cowboys Classic in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, Sept. 2.

The ACC’s traditional Labor Day Monday game features Virginia Tech at Florida State.

The ACC will have four games nationally televised by ESPN or ESPN2 on Thursday nights, including Boston College at Wake Forest (Sept. 13), North Carolina at Miami (Sept. 27), Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (Oct. 25) and Wake Forest at NC State (Nov. 8). The league also has five Friday night games, including Georgia Tech at Louisville (Oct. 5), Miami at Boston College (Oct. 26), Pitt at Virginia (Nov. 2), Louisville at Syracuse (Nov. 9) and Virginia at Virginia Tech (Nov. 23).

The schedule includes five games against Notre Dame, which finished No. 11 in the final 2017 AP Top 25 poll. Wake Forest hosts the Irish on Sept. 22, and Virginia Tech welcomes Notre Dame to Blacksburg on Oct. 6. Pitt (Oct. 13) and Florida State (Nov. 10) travel to South Bend. Syracuse and Notre Dame will meet in Yankee Stadium in The Bronx on Nov. 17.

In all, the schedule includes 56 regular-season conference match-ups over a span of 13 weeks and is capped off with the 14th annual Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game, which will be played on Saturday, Dec. 1, at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.

About the Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference, now in its 65th year of competition and 15 members strong, has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation. ACC members Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest continue to build upon the cornerstones on which the league was founded in 1953 with a consistent balance of academics, athletics and integrity. The ACC currently sponsors 27 NCAA sports – 14 for women and 13 for men – with member institutions located in 10 states. For more information, visit theACC.com and follow @theACC on Twitter and on Facebook (facebook.com/theACC).