Henderson-Vance Rec Ball Season Reaches Halfway Mark

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Coaches,  We are now halfway through our baseball/softball seasons.  Everything is progressing pretty smoothly minus a few bumps in the road here and there.  We are asking you to  continue to let us know if there is anything that we can help you with or if you need anything.  Please keep in mind that Thomas Morrison is now on board full time.  You may email or call either one of us for questions or concerns.  With this in mind we are asking you for your help in a couple of matters:

 

  • The Aycock Recreation Complex is a smoke free and tobacco free facility.  The use of tobacco products is strictly prohibited.  These mean all buildings, ballfields, parking areas and walking trails.  Please help us with this as we have seen firsthand parents, grandparents, and yes even coaches smoking and chewing tobacco.

 

  • Please remember, as a Manager/Coach, you not only represent the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department but the sponsors as well.  We as Mangers/Coaches need to set a good example for the young athletes who are participating in our leagues.  Please watch your language and demeanor at all times, as all players/parents/and other coaches are watching.

 

  • Please do not place any pictures of any (individual) participant on any social media outlet (Team pictures are ok.).  No one except the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department has permission to do so.

 

  • Please keep in mind that if Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department has a reasonable suspicion of a volunteer using any kind of illegal substance at any time during the season, we have the right to ask that coach for a drug screening.

 

Once again thanks for all that you do.  If not for volunteers such as yourself our programs would be as great as they are.

Thanks

Steven W. Osborne

Henderson-Vance Recreation Program Superintendent

Aycock Recreation Center

307 Carey Chapel Rd

Henderson, NC 27537

Oxford Prep Claims First Varsity Baseball Conference Championship

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With the regular season over, the Griffins finished 14-10 overall and 11-1 in conference play, clinching their very first baseball conference championship.  The Griffins took another step forward in the young program’s history.  Last year, in the first season of varsity play the team finished 12-12 overall and 3rd in the conference.  The Griffins will likely earn a 4 seed in the Mideast Pod of the 2017 NCHSAA 1A Baseball Playoffs, where they will host a home playoff game on Wednesday against an opponent TBD.

Some of the highlights this year include a victory over Northern Vance, beating conference rivals Louisburg and Granville Central in the same week clinching the conference championship, and earning the right to host the first home playoff game in program history.  The Griffins were led by Senior Garrett Reaves with 6 pitching wins, Junior Trey Reese with 3 pitching wins and hitting .380, Freshman Ben Hester hitting .383 with 3 HRs on the year, and Senior Timari Perry hitting .356.

Oxford Prep Middle School jumps into Softball with an undefeated inaugural season

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The Griffin’s Middle School softball team finished their inaugural season unbeaten.  “We are very proud of this team.  We go from not being certain if we have enough interest to actually have enough play, to having a history making season,” says Head coach Joe Don Cooper.  When Cooper and Assistant coach Eddie Blake opened try outs, they only had 12 young ladies interested in playing.  Coach Cooper remarked “this team is an example that overall great attitudes and work ethic breeds success.”

Plagued with some injuries early on, the Griffins adjusted quickly and blended inexperience with veteran softball players.  The coaches credit defense as a major factor for the success this season.  The defense was led by 8th grade standout Pitcher Jordan Dunn, as she partnered with 7th grade catcher Charly Cooper to create a very formidable battery.  Dunn only gave up an impressive 2 earned runs all season.   Solid and consistent play by veteran 8th grade players Emily Faucette, Claire Yancey, and offensive powerhouse Logan Privette (led the team in batting average) coupled with the effort and attitude of the cast of support players: Jaci Crute, Cayton Seivert, Averi Seivert, Ahlori Long, Laci Oettinger, Hallie Boone, and Ashlyn Roberson made for an incredible first season in Middle School softball.  Cooper stated “It’s really awesome to be a part of a team that when these girls look back 10 to 15 years from now when talking about Oxford Prep Softball, they can say ‘Hey, I was on the first ever middle school softball team there …and … We were undefeated!’”

The team finished 10 – 0 on the season and earned key victories against Falls Lake Academy and Vance Charter.  Oxford Preparatory School will join the Central Carolina Middle School Conference, with local emerging rivals Falls Lake Academy and Vance Charter School.

Oxford Prep Continues Golf Success

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On Wednesday, April 26th the Oxford Preparatory School Varsity Golf Team concluded their stint in the Tar Roanoke Athletic Conference with not only finished the regular season with a Team Championship but won the Conference Tournament as a team. The team has achieved both honors for the last two years, which is quite a feat as this is only the second year of the existence of the team. In addition, 3 of the total 6 TRAC all conference player positions went to Senior Noah Greenway, Sophomore Jacob Bliss, and Sophomore Adam Sizemore. Freshman Wesley Aitken just missed all conference honors in 7th position.

Still riding high from their accomplishment, the Griffin golfers consisting of Noah Greenway, Jacob Bliss, Adam Sizemore, Wesley Aitken, and Junior Christian Furr rolled in to Washington, North Carolina for the 1A East Regional Competition on Monday, May 1st.  After a disappointing showing finishing in third at the Regional last year, just making it through to the NCHSAA State Tournament the team was looking to make an improvement on their showing. They did just that taking the Championship as a team and advancing once again to the 1A Men’s State Chamionship, however, this time as Conference and 1A East Champions. The team will compete against all 1A team and individual qualifiers at Whispering Pines Country Club in Whispering Pines, NC on May 8th and 9th.

Rick Kenner, M.A.A.Ed.

 

SSG (Ret), US Army

NIAAA Registered Athletic Administrator

NFHS Certified Interscholastic Coach

Visual Art Instructor

 

Oxford Preparatory School

6041 Landis Rd

Oxford, NC, 27565

ACC and Member Institutions to Host Future NCAA Championships

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Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Courtesy: theacc.com

GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – The NCAA announced today host sites for preliminary rounds and finals of its predetermined championships in Divisions I, II and III to be held from 2017-18 through 2021-22. Right after the news was declared, gamblers rushed to get their pointsbet signup bonus so they could wager on their favourite teams.

The ACC and the Greensboro Coliseum have been selected as hosts for the 2019 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Regional and the 2020 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship First- and Second-Rounds.

“We’re pleased to be hosting future rounds of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships in partnership with the Greensboro Coliseum which is a terrific facility that provides excellent hospitality to participating teams, schools and fans,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “It’s great not only to have NCAA Championships back in the state of North Carolina, but to have so many of our institutions and venues within our footprint awarded sites for future years.”

The 2020 NCAA Men’s Basketball First- and Second-Rounds will mark the 14th time the Greensboro Coliseum has hosted NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament action. The 2019 NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional will be the fifth NCAA women’s regional in Greensboro Coliseum history.

The women’s regional championships will be played on either Friday/Sunday or Saturday/Monday from March 29 through April 1, 2019. The men’s first- and second-rounds will be played Friday, March 20 and Sunday, March 22, 2020.

The ACC and the Coliseum previously hosted an NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional Championship in 1999, 2007, 2008 and 2015. The Coliseum has also served as a major venue for the sport at the conference tournament level, having hosted 17 of the last 18 ACC Women’s Basketball Tournaments.

The ACC and the Coliseum have hosted 13 previous NCAA Men’s Tournament postseason events, beginning with the 1974 Final Four, won by NC State following victories over UCLA, 80-77, (two overtimes) and Marquette, 76-64. The ACC and the Coliseum most recently hosted the second- and third-rounds in 2012.

Along with NCAA men’s and women’s basketball events hosted by the ACC, 26 additional NCAA Regional and Championship events will be hosted by ACC member institutions.

See the complete list below.

Future D1 NCAA Championship Sites Hosted by the ACC or its Member Institutions

Men’s Basketball:

March 28 & 29, 2019 – Regionals hosted by Louisville in Louisville

March 20 & 22, 2020 – First/Second Rounds hosted by ACC in Greensboro

March 19 & 21, 2021 – First/Second Rounds hosted by NC State in Raleigh

Women’s Basketball:

March 19-April 1, 2019 – Regional hosted by ACC in Greensboro

Men’s Golf:

May 12-15, 2019 – Regional hosted by Louisville in Louisville

May 17-20, 2020 – Regional hosted by Clemson in Salem, S.C.

Men’s Lacrosse:

May 22-23, 2021 – Quarterfinal hosted by Notre Dame in Notre Dame

Men’s Swimming and Diving:

March 23-26, 2022 – Championships hosted by Georgia Tech in Atlanta

Women’s Swimming and Diving:

March 17-20, 2021 – Championships hosted by NC State and Greensboro Sports Commission in Greensboro

March 16-19, 2022 – Championships hosted by Georgia Tech in Atlanta

Wrestling:

March 21-23, 2019 – Championships hosted by Pittsburgh and SportsPITTSBURGH in Pittsburgh

Cross Country:

Nov. 9, 2018 – Regional hosted by Florida State in Tallahassee

Nov. 15, 2019 – Regional hosted by Virginia in Charlottesville

Nov. 13, 2020 – Regional hosted by Boston College in Boston

Nov. 13, 2020 – Regional hosted by Louisville in Louisville

Nov. 13, 2020 – Regional hosted by Florida State in Tallahassee

Nov. 12, 2021 – Regional hosted by Boston College in Boston

Nov. 20, 2021 – Championships hosted by Florida State in Tallahassee

Field Hockey:

Nov. 16-18, 2018 – Championship hosted by Louisville in Louisville

Nov. 22-24, 2019 – Championship hosted by Wake Forest in Winston-Salem

Women’s Golf:

May 11-13, 2020 – Regional hosted by Notre Dame in Notre Dame

May 11-13, 2020 – Regional hosted by NC State in Raleigh

May 10-12, 2021 – Regional hosted by Louisville in Louisville

May 9-11, 2022 – Regional hosted by Florida State in Tallahassee

Fencing:

March 24-27, 2022 – Championships hosted by Notre Dame in Notre Dame

Rifle:

March 11-12, 2022 – Championships hosted by NC State in Raleigh

Gymnastics:

April 4, 2020 – Regionals hosted by NC State in Raleigh

April 2, 2022 – Regionals hosted by NC State in Raleigh

@theACC

Allen to Play Senior Season at Duke

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April 18, 2017

Courtesy: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – Grayson Allen will play his senior season at Duke University in 2017-18, he and head coach Mike Krzyzewski announced Tuesday.

Allen averaged 14.5 points and a team-high 3.5 assists in 34 games for Duke in 2016-17. He was named to the All-ACC Tournament second team after averaging 11.5 points and shooting 8-of-16 (.500) from outside the arc as the Blue Devils became the first team to win four games in as many days to capture the championship. He was 5-of-6 from deep as part of an 18-point, five-assist night in Duke’s semifinal win over No. 6 North Carolina.

The Jacksonville, Fla., native also earned his third consecutive All-ACC Academic Team honor in 2017, making him just the ninth Duke player to earn that award at least three times.

“The last few weeks have provided the opportunity for a lot of reflection and prayer,” Allen said. “I’m a firm believer that when something feels right, you go with it. The chance to play with next year’s team just felt right. I’m completely focused on helping Coach K and our staff lead this team to a special season. I love being a Duke student, and continuing to be part of the university culture is something I don’t take for granted.”

For his career, Allen owns averages of 13.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 105 games. He is a career .435 shooter from the floor and .386 from outside the arc, while his career .830 free throw percentage ranks seventh in program history (min. 200 FTM).

Allen will enter the 2017-18 season as the leading active scorer in the ACC with 1,424 total points, a figure that ranks 33rd on Duke’s career chart.

As a sophomore in 2016, Allen became just the sixth Duke player to garner All-America and Academic All-America honors in the same season. He was a finalist for numerous national awards after averaging 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest; he was also just the ninth player to lead the Blue Devils in both scoring and assists in the same season. Allen’s +17.2-point scoring increase from his freshman to sophomore years was the highest in ACC history.

Allen was a spark off the bench in the 2015 national title game, helping lead Duke to its fifth NCAA crown with 16 points and invaluable energy off the bench in the Blue Devils’ win over Wisconsin.

#GoDuke

VGCC holds Banquet to honor Student-Athletes

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Vance-Granville Community College celebrated Vanguard student-athletes at its annual Athletics Banquet, held on March 31 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.

VGCC Coordinator of Student Activities & Athletics Jermiel Hargrove started the event by praising the students for their hard work, both on the court and in the classroom. He noted that the VGCC athletics program is growing, with the 2016 addition of the “Vanguard Spirit” cheerleading squad, while the men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams have celebrated historic successes.

Serving as guest speaker for the event was Carlos Fields, a football standout at Northern Vance High School and Winston-Salem State University who is currently a linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers. Fields spoke about his “idol,” his mother, Sheila Kearney, who was also an outstanding student-athlete and became an educator. “She motivated me to be a great athlete, but most of all, to give back to my community,” he said. Fields plans to go into coaching and teaching once his professional playing days come to an end. To the VGCC athletes, he emphasized the importance of character, “being coachable,” and working hard “while you wait to get your opportunity to excel.”

Hargrove started the presentations of awards by recognizing VGCC women’s volleyball players. He presented the award for Most Valuable Player to Kiyanna Kearney of Henderson, the Team Captain award to Jesse Edwards of Henderson and co-Freshman of the Year awards to Stormi Abernathy of Yanceyville and Hannah Arneth of Oxford.

Other volleyball team members recognized included Nicole Bowman of Oxford, Allyson Cash of Grassy Creek, Ashley Parker of Henderson, Katelynn Ray of Henderson, Madison Waddle of Kittrell and Hanna Williams of Oxford, along with assistant coach Rachel Thomas, a former VGCC student-athlete.

VGCC staff member Tina Ragland, who coaches the cheerleading squad, presented the Most Valuable Cheerleader Award to Latessa Wilkerson of Henderson, the Most Spirited Cheerleader award to Seniqua Turner of Henderson and the Most Versatile Cheerleader award to Stackia Burwell of Henderson.

Other cheerleaders recognized included Anaya Brown of Henderson, Sequoyah Jones of Oxford, Latia Thomas of Henderson, Chiatyra Turner of Ebony, Va., and Kaela Williams of Henderson.

Vanguards men’s basketball head coach DeMarcus Oliver presented awards to members of his team. He named TyQuon Reid of Goldsboro as MVP, Christopher Pernell of Raleigh as Teammate of the Year, and NiQuan Cousins of Raleigh as Freshman of the Year. In a first for the program, the coach also presented commemorative basketballs to Reid, for scoring the 1,000th point of his VGCC career on Feb. 22 and to Pernell for scoring his 100th career three-pointer on Feb. 9. Both set new records for the Vanguards program, the coach noted.

Other basketball players recognized included Antonio Adams of Raleigh, William Beck of Raleigh, Darius Buford of Cary, Kenneth Finley, Jr., of Raleigh, Lynn Henderson of Henderson, Jaylen Jones of Warrenton, Calvin Manley of Louisburg and Thomas McCaffity of Warrenton, along with assistant coach William Clements and team manager Mycal Elam, another former VGCC student-athlete.

Hargrove also recognized four students for their service as support staff for the VGCC athletics program this year: Micah Roberts of Stem, Daniel Reece of Henderson, Alana Towles of Oxford and Angelique Taylor of Macon.

In closing remarks, Stacey Carter-Coley, VGCC’s vice president of employee and public relations, congratulated the student-athletes on the past year and thanked their family members for their support.

Current or prospective students interested in participating in VGCC athletics during the 2017-18 year should contact Jermiel Hargrove at hargrovej@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3246.

–VGCC–

VGCC Men’s Basketball Tryouts set for April 19

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The Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team will hold spring tryouts for the upcoming 2017-18 season on Wednesday, April 19, from 6-8 p.m., at Western Vance High School (2785 Poplar Creek Road, Henderson, NC 27537).

All participants must bring a current physical to the tryouts. Members of the basketball team must enroll as full-time VGCC students for the fall 2017 and spring 2018 semesters.

VGCC at UNC JV Mens Basketball
Photo by Mark Dolejs

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

–VGCC–

Oxford Prep Golf Sweeps Tar Roanoke Athletic Conference Regular Season

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The Tar Roanoke Athletic Conference completed the regular season yesterday at the South Granville Country Club. There were two 9 hole matches yesterday and Oxford Preparatory School won both. Narrowly edging out Granville Central with a 180 to 181 win on the first match with Louisburg coming in at 208. OPS won the second match with a 186 to Louisburg’s 200 and Granville Central coming in at 203. With 2 wins yesterday OPS finished out the season with a sweep of all 6 conference matches for a season total of 1084, Granville Central 2nd with 1179, and Louisburg at 1206.

Top 6 Individual leaders for the TRAC going into the Conference Tournament are Reed Wheless – 206 (LHS), Jacob Bliss – 212 (OPS), Zack Currin – 214 (GCHS), Noah Greenway – 216 (OPS), Christian Rowe – 219 (LHS), and Brady Smith – 230 (GCHS). Nipping at the leaders heels are Adam Sizemore and Wesley Aiken that are 4 and 7 strokes out of the number 6 spot respectively.

The TRAC Team and Individual Conference Champions will be decided at the 18 hole Conference Tournament at Henderson Country Club on Monday, April 24th.

Rick Kenner, M.A.A.Ed.

Oxford Preparatory School

Drivers Not Sure What To Expect In First South Boston Night Race Of Season

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SOUTH BOSTON, Va. (April 6, 2017) – Like the difference between night and day. That’s what drivers are saying about South Boston Speedway’s new racing surface heading into Saturday’s night race … the first race under the lights this season.

The new surface debuted two weeks ago as an unknown to the teams and wound up producing record speeds and classic close racing. Drivers say questions abound headed into Saturday night’s Virginia State University Twin 75s presented by the Kappa League of Petersburg.

“I feel like there is going to be a big difference,” Bobby McCarty said of his expectations for Saturday night. “The track seems to be weather sensitive so I feel like it might be a little slick when the temperature drops. I’m also curious to see how it reacts to taking the rubber without the sun baking it.”

It will be the first time teams and fans alike have been under the track’s upgraded lighting system, part of the track’s $1 million capital improvement program.

When the season opened two weeks ago, track qualifying records fell in every division. Philip Morris, who wound up sweeping both ends of the Late Model Stock doubleheader, blew away the old track record with a time of 14.731 seconds around the .4 oval. The old track record was 15.314 seconds. His speed was 100.197 mph, the first time the 100-mph barrier had been broken in a Late Model. Half of the Late Model field broke the old mark in qualifying.

And even though drivers expect the track to be much different Saturday night under the lights, it doesn’t mean they believe speeds will drop.

“Honestly, I think the second groove should take rubber better at night,” said veteran driver Peyton Sellers, who finished 11th in the first 100-lapper in the season-opener but bounced back for a fourth in the second. “I think the track should be faster than the first race which is always good for the fans.”

Austin Thaxton, who had a pair of top-10 finishes in the opener, expecst to see a change in the track Saturday.

“I think it’s going to be a lot different at night,” said Thaxton. “Hopefully it will go in our favor.”

Regardless of track changes with the season’s first night race, McCarty is excited to be racing on new pavement this season.

“I’d like to say: ‘good job’ to everyone who had a hand in the repaving,” said McCarty, who had a third and a 10th on opening day and challenged for the win in the first 100-lapper. “The second groove really came in good as the day went on and it turned into some great side-by-side battles.”

South Boston Speedway will turn on the lights for the first time this season Saturday night for the Virginia State University Twin 75s presented by the Kappa League of Petersburg.

There will be twin 75-lap races for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Car Division, a 50-lap Limited Sportsman race, a 30-lap Budweiser Pure Stock race and a 15-lap Budweiser Hornets race.

Registration and pit gates open at 2:30 p.m. with practice from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 5:30 p.m., qualifying is set for 6 p.m. and the green flag flies at 7 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for youth ages 7-12. Kids ages six and under are admitted free with a paid adult.