UPDATED: 4/8/22 at 6:30 p.m.
On Friday, April 8, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director of Vance County High School Joe Sharrow announced via his personal Facebook page that he was stepping down from his position. Just the day prior, Sharrow joined WIZS SportsTalk to reflect on the first four years of VCHS as an institution. His announcement and the story written of his memories of recent years continues below.
If there were five highlights from the past four years in your job or profession what would they be? This question was asked of Vance County High School’s Assistant Principle and Athletic Director on Thursday’s SportsTalk. He didn’t waste anytime coming up with those five things either. Sharrow’s first highlight was the Vipers’ 2018 men’s and women’s basketball season. “That was a turning point at bringing the school together,” Sharrow said. 2018 was the first season after the consolidation of Northern and Southern Vance high schools. Both girls and boys won a conference championship that year and made a strong run in the playoffs. “It was a special season,” according to Sharrow.
The second highlight to make the list was being able to work with basketball coach Wilton Baskett for his final two seasons. Baskett won his 400th game while coaching at Vance County High School. “He was two steps ahead of everyone,” Sharrow said of Baskett.
Sharrow’s third highlight was the football team. While the Viper’s have had ups and downs on the gridiron, Sharrow points to the team making the playoffs two of the last three seasons. “We are looking to get over that next hump,” Sharrow said. That next hump would be a victory against Southern Durham, which has been the best team in the conference. The Vipers already have the game circled on next season’s football schedule.
Fourth on Sharrow’s list is Amani Foster. She started her high school volleyball career at Northern Vance and finished at Vance County as the holder of four state records including the all time leader in kills. She is the only volleyball player in the state to ever reach 2000 kills. “She is a once in a generation player,” Sharrow said.
Lastly on the list was the Viper’s victory over an undefeated South Granville softball team who were coming off a championship run.
Sharrow also gave an honorable mention of sorts to the volleyball team’s 2018 playoff win against East Duplin which was the school’s first ever playoff win in any sport.
In addition to working as athletic director, Sharrow also is an assistant principal. Being in that position has allowed Sharrow to work on the bigger picture for Vance County High School such as organizing the Weights and Conditioning classes that helps athletes. “We have more kids in the weight room now than anytime in the last ten years,” Sharrow said. As an assistant principal he is able to help athletes with the NCAA Clearing House and help them prepare for an atletic career at the college level.
Sharrow also says he has a dream of establishing a Vance County Sports Hall of Fame. Sharrow said if that were to happen Amani Foster would be one who should be recognized as Sharrow called Foster “The greatest athlete to ever come from Vance County.”
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