Tag Archive for: #VanceCountyHighSchool

SportsTalk: BBQ, AD’s & A Trip Down Memory Lane at Veterans Field

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It’s been more than a few years since the last football game was played at Veterans Field, but George Hoyle said the field is still in good shape.

The rest of the facility needs a little TLC, and Hoyle and WIZS’s Scout Hughes wondered aloud about what it would take to restore one of Henderson’s gems.

The short trip down Memory Lane came about after Scout said he stopped by to visit the football field recently. And although he didn’t grow up in Henderson, he said he could feel the nostalgia that so many – including his grandfather Howard – have for the football stadium that sits just behind the current Center for Innovation on Charles Street.

Depending on your age, you may remember Friday nights in the crisp fall air sitting on the Home side under the press box. If you didn’t arrive in time, you’d be relegated to the Visitor Side and those massive stone bleachers to watch the local high school team defend its home field.

June commencement exercises were held on Veterans Field, too. Oh, the stories that field could tell.

One well-documented story took place on Thanksgiving Day in 1947. That’s when Henderson High School hosted the state Class A football championship. And the local boys won, beating Mt. Airy, 25-14.

It’s probably been since the late 1980’s or early 90’s that any football has been played at Veterans Field, but Hoyle said it might just take the right person or people with the right vision to get football back.

There are grants through the NFL, for example, to support youth football.

The right person with the right vision could breathe new life into a space that has been the source of many good memories for generations in Henderson.

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SportsTalk: Former Vance County AD Joe Sharrow Named NCHSAA AD of the Year

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Joe Sharrow is a familiar name around Vance County. Although Sharrow didn’t grow up here, he claims Henderson as his second hometown because he grew here, with more than 10 years working in Vance County Schools and becoming a high school athletic director – first at Southern Vance and then at Vance County High School.

So when Sharrow was named the winner of this year’s Dave Harris Athletic Director Award of Excellence by the N.C. High School Athletic Association, there was no doubt he wanted to make sure that folks in Vance County heard the news.

At the time, the 26-year-old was the youngest AD in North Carolina, and he said he learned from mentors like Ed Wilson and Dave Jennings. They always were there for him, helping him grow in his role as athletic director

When Sharrow left Vance County in 2022 for Jordan High School in Durham, it took little time for him to create a championship atmosphere there.

Now he’s finishing up his first year at Felton Grove High School in Wake County – a place where he’s had to lean on his previous experiences to get things done.

If you’re thinking that Felton Grove High School doesn’t sound familiar, there’s a good reason – it’s still under construction.

The school opened in August 2025, in the general area where Cary, Apex and Holly Springs converge, Sharrow explained to WIZS’s Scout Hughes and “Doc” Ayscue on SportsTalk Wednesday. The school has 9th and 10th graders this year and will add a class each year for the next couple of years.

It’s a pretty impressive structure, Sharrow said, with a 4-story parking deck and a 500,000 square-foot building.

Just like workers are physically building the structure, AD Sharrow has had to build the athletic program from the ground up.

And his “blueprints” have presented interesting challenges throughout the year.

The school fielded all varsity sports this year (except football), despite having only freshmen and sophomores.

But Sharrow said he’s already got the feeling that the school will be poised for greatness in the next couple of years. The men’s lacrosse and women’s volleyball teams have been impressive; he predicts one of those teams will win a state championship before the school moves from current 6A classification to 8A in a few years.

It’s been a lot to create a whole athletic program from scratch, but Sharrow said Wake County Public Schools System recognized his leadership abilities from the way he navigated a high school consolidation and then turning around the program at Jordan so quickly.

One of the things Sharrow said he had to do during the high school consolidation was to take inventories at Southern Vance and Northern Vance to determine which equipment to keep and use in the new Vance County High School.

And although combining existing inventories isn’t quite the same as starting from scratch, Sharrow said that experience proved helpful.

“I have inventory lists from Vance County – that’s what Felton Grove was based on,” he said.

“We had to order all of it, but the knowledge was there and that came from Vance County.”

Something else that he took away from Vance County is dealing with a unique mascot.

Felton Grove’s mascot is Galaxy. He’s working with it.

Sort of like how he worked with the Vance County High School Viper.

The Felton Grove Galaxy colors are Columbia blue and red (think Houston Oilers football), and Sharrow no doubt will be loyal to the school’s teams.

But there’s also no doubt, he said, that he’ll always “bleed” Viper green and black and Raider blues and white.

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SportsTalk: #6 Lady Vipers Getting Better And Better

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Vance County High School Head Basketball Coach Sheila Gill has gotten the Lady Vipers off to a great start, they’re on a 12-game win streak and sit atop the standings of the Northern 6 conference.

They took care of the Crossroads Christian in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday, beating the Lady Colts 57-23.

Before that, the Lady Vipers went on a three-game winning spree over the course of just five days. For Gill, now in her fifth year as a head coach, it’s all about playing with consistency.

“We knew the whole week was going to be tough,” Gill told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue,  – her former coach – on Tuesday’s SportsTalk.

As part of a new conference, Gill said she’s told her players they’d have to prove themselves.
“I think they have,” she continued. She emphasizes the importance of taking it one game at a time, be competitive and don’t make things easy for the opponent.

VCHS Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Scott Corrente said the team has exceeded his expectations “in the best way possible.”

He pointed to the Jan. 16 game against Wake County’s Heritage High, which the Vipers won 57-54.

“We knew that Heritage game was going to tell us a lot about ourselves,” Corrente said. “When we got that, all of a sudden this target has been painted on this team’s back. We’re not a mystery team any more.”

The Vipers had been trailing in several conference games for the first three quarters, yet found a way to get the W.

Gill said it’s all about not giving up, and the Lady Vipers kept fighting to change the outcome in the final quarter of play.

Seniors Da’Shunti Hester and Nicola Thompson, both starters, provide more than just minutes. Hester has come back strong from an ACL tear that sidelined her at the beginning of the season.

And Thompson “is having her best year ever,” Gill said. “She’s doing amazing things that we knew she could do. Now, she’s just really blossoming as a senior.”

A couple of freshmen are stepping up, too. London Chadwell is a great athlete who doesn’t play like a freshman. “She understands her role for Vance County,” Gill said.

Ditto A’yana Harrington, who came in and scored 9 points in the Vipers big win over River Mill in the MLK Tournament in Alamance County.

“When she hit the floor, she gave everything,” Gill recounted, “diving for the ball, just playing hard, straight-up defense, not afraid to score.”

The Vipers are scheduled to play at East Wake on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

 

High School Basketball Scores from Tuesday – Boys

  • Franklinton 75 Vance County 58
  • Vance Charter 65 Oxford Prep 35
  • Halifax Academy 70 Kerr-Vance 41
  • New Garden 50 Crossroads Christian 49
  • J.F. Webb 84 Carrboro 55
  • South Granville 75 Cedar Ridge 49
  • Warren County 59 Northampton County 23
  • Eno River 66 Falls Lake 47
  • Louisburg 41 ALA-Johnston 26
  • Wake Prep 67 Bunn 57

High School Basketball Scores from Tuesday – Girls

  • Vance County 53 Franklinton 49
  • Vance Charter 38 Oxford Prep 26
  • Halifax Academy 65 Kerr-Vance 6
  • J.F. Webb 45 Carrboro 38
  • South Granville 44 Cedar Ridge 35
  • Warren County 64 Northampton County 23
  • Falls Lake 71 Eno River 18
  • Louisburg 49 ALA-Johnston 26
  • Bunn 60 Wake Prep 47

Games on Wednesday – Boys

  • Kerr-Vance vs. Cristo Rey
  • Wake Prep vs. John Paul II

Games on Wednesday – Girls

  • Kerr-Vance vs. Cristo Rey
  • Wake Prep vs. John Paul II

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Vance County Schools’ Student Spotlight Honorees

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– information courtesy of Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools kicks off its 2025-26 Student Spotlight program with three students who have been recognized for their hard work, leadership and the positive impact they have in their school communities.

Destiny Timberlake from Vance County Early College, Joseph Vida from E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy and Kimberly Isidro from Vance County High School are the first honorees for this year’s program, because they embody qualities such as kindness, dedication and a strong commitment to personal growth and service to others.

The Student Spotlight program is sponsored by Vance County Schools in partnership with the Vance County Public Schools Foundation.

Destiny Timberlake, 11th Grader, Vance County Early College 

Destiny Timberlake is the 2025-2026 Student Spotlight at Vance County Early College. Destiny stands out for her ability to balance high school and college-level coursework, while also excelling as a student-athlete, and dedicated employee outside of school. She is admired for her leadership, maturity, and the way she uplifts those around her with encouragement and kindness.

Destiny is active in the National Honor Society, BETA Club, and she leads on the court as point guard and captain of the basketball team. She also is involved in music with her church. Her favorite subject is English, which she values for its real-world applications, especially in business. Her future goals include playing Division I basketball at the University of South Carolina, competing in the WNBA, and later pursuing a career as a luxury real estate agent.

Outside of academics and athletics, Destiny enjoys basketball, working, and spending time with her family, especially gathering around meals. She names her mother, Renita, as her greatest role model for her strength and sacrifices, and she hopes to repay that love and support. Inspired by Michelle Obama’s Becoming, Destiny believes in building success through perseverance. She sums up her outlook with the advice: “Walk by faith and not by sight… no matter what it looks like right now, it will always be better in the future.”

Her favorite part of being at VCEC is the opportunity to lead and set an example for her peers. She credits the school with teaching her how to balance responsibilities and manage time—skills that will help her succeed in every step of her journey.

Joseph Vida, 5th Grader, E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy 

Joseph Vida, a 5th grader at E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy, was selected for his diligence, curiosity, and commitment to excellence. Teachers describe him as respectful, responsible, and well-mannered, serving as a positive role model for his classmates. He is an active member of the Robotics Club, Men in Action, the Junior BETA Club, as well as an AIG student, consistently demonstrating the values and expectations of his school community.

Joseph’s favorite subjects are math and English Language Arts, which he enjoys because they allow him to keep learning new skills. Outside of school, he likes playing with his siblings, spending time outdoors, and reading chapter books—especially science fiction, with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban being a favorite.

When asked about who inspires him most, Joseph immediately points to his parents, who always support and encourage him. Recently, he has enjoyed learning about Indigenous peoples in social studies and strengthening his math skills with multiplication and division. If he could have any superpower, Joseph would choose flying so he could get to places quickly.

His advice to other students is: “Always try your best and never give up.” Joseph’s favorite part of being a student at E.M. Rollins is learning new and exciting things while being part of a supportive school community. He says what keeps him motivated to come to school every day is the chance to “learn more things and get better at them.” If given one wish, Joseph would travel back to the Philippines to visit family and friends. Joseph’s determination, curiosity, and resilience make him a shining example of what it means to be a Student Spotlight at E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy.

Kimberly Isidro, 9th Grader, Vance County High School 

Kimberly Isidro, a 9th grader, is the Vance County High School Student Spotlight honoree. Nominated by VCHS Assistant Principal Mcshell Edmonds, Kimberly has already begun to make her mark at VCHS. Edmonds shared, “Although Kimberly is new to VCHS, she has already established herself as a leader. She demonstrates responsibility by staying on top of her assignments, shows a willingness to assist her peers, and brings a positive presence that brightens every room she enters.”

Kimberly has also been invited to join the 9th-grade Student Council, reflecting her leadership skills. Her favorite subject is math, where she enjoys learning new skills like solving inequalities. Kimberly plans to join the girls’ soccer team in the spring and also enjoys expressing her creativity through art, including submitting pieces for Arts Alive. Outside of school, she loves playing soccer, drawing, spending time with family, and watching horror movies. Kimberly admires her mom as her greatest role model, inspired by her strength and independence. Kimberly dreams of becoming a dentist, with nursing as a second option, because she is passionate about helping others. She also tutored a friend in math, helping them prepare for the end-of-course test and achieve a passing score.

Her favorite thing about VCHS is participating in fun activities and being part of a supportive community. If given a superpower, she would control time to relive childhood moments, and she dreams of traveling to Hawaii to explore new experiences. Her advice to others: “Don’t skip classes, always turn in your work early, don’t get in trouble, and respect your teachers.” 

Kimberly’s leadership, determination, and kind spirit make her a shining example of the values and excellence at Vance County High School.

These students are exemplary representatives of Vance County Schools and the Student Spotlight program. They embody the values of kindness, dedication, and a commitment to learning, serving as an inspiration to their peers and a source of pride for their school communities and the district as a whole.

Vance County Schools Celebrates Top Ten Percent In 2025 Graduating Class

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Vance County Schools honored students in the Top 10 Percent of the Class of 2025 Thursday during its Evening of Academic Excellence at the Atrium on the campus of the Center for Innovation.

The Vance County High School Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Korwind Stokes, delivered a moving performance, setting the tone for an evening of celebration and accomplishment.

Thirty-two students were recognized for their achievement – 25 from Vance County High School, 5 from Early College and 1 each from AdVance Academy and Vance Virtual Village Academy.

The night spoke volumes about the determination of these students and their commitment to reaching their goals, even in the face of challenges. To celebrate their success, the senior scholars received a medallion to wear with their graduation attire, a symbol of their outstanding academic achievement.

View photos of the evening on the Vance County Schools Facebook page.

The following students were recognized for their hard work, dedication and outstanding academic performance:

Vance County High School

  • Jessica Hernandez-Sanchez
  • Lia Machado
  • Lucie Lecomte
  • Antoine Doyle
  • Nadirah Martin-Watson
  • Courtney Harp
  • K’Naya Williams
  • Dicenia Nuci
  • Adreayna Vaughan
  • Fernanda Minero Mancera
  • Daniela Hernandez
  • Jaylen Hargrove
  • Ty’Liik Henderson
  • Saydeline Barron Mejia
  • Maurice Jackson
  • Jontavious Nile
  • Nahum Perez
  • Kira Alston
  • La’Nika Watkins
  • Lee Kinney
  • Ronasia Kearney
  • Royer Orozco Orozco
  • Aubryella Ramirez
  • Xya’Riah Best
  • Clarence Debnam

AdVance Academy

Danielle Wilson

Vance County Early College

  • Ivy Huynh
  • Jiya Davis
  • Christina Dobbs
  • Launtica Brown
  • Edgar Duran Ortiz

 

Vance Virtual Village Academy

 

Fatima Ramirez Ramirez

 

SportsTalk: National Signing Day For Vance County Football

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SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th

For four of Vance County’s Football Seniors, Wednesday was a major stepping stone to make their dreams a reality. Wednesday was National Signing Day, where athletes all across the nation sign their Letter of Intent to play football at the collegiate level.

The official signing ceremony took place at the Vance County High School Media Center, where VCHS Athletic Director Philip Weil kicked things off. “This is a big milestone for Vance County High School and for our student-athletes.”

Head Football Coach Aaron Elliott spoke on his players just before the signing went underway, “They have all been leaders…we always talk about doing things the right way. My family is here. My kids wanted to get out of school early because these players have treated my family just as I have treated them…we talk about how this is not just a 4-year plan this is a 40-year plan. There is life outside of football. You guys are going to be great, no matter where you end up at.”

First to sign his letter of intent was Camarion Ragland, known as CJ. CJ will play football at North Carolina A&T as a Tight End. But Ragland also says, “They are actually looking at me to play both ways on defense as well.” Ragland also stated that, “I’m not from Henderson, but when I moved here everyone always treated me like family. This is always going to be a place that I can come back to and call home.”

Second to put the pen-to-paper was Antione Doyle Jr. Antione will suit up for the Braves of UNC-Pembroke where he will be a linebacker. Doyle Jr. says he will major in accounting and “hopefully double-major in business as well. I’m hoping to go four years and see where it takes me. Maybe go to The League (NFL), but if not then I’ll get a job in accounting.” Antione is also not from Henderson but he expresses the same gratitude towards VCHS and the community. “I came here last year and played here for two years…everybody just felt like a family atmosphere.” Doyle added that, “Everybody here made me enjoy coming to school every day.”

The third student-athletic to make his commitment official was two-way player Javion Vines-Holder, known as ‘Juice’. Vines-Holder will wear the Rams Helmet when he goes to Winston-Salem State for his collegiate career. Javion will be playing safety while nodding the Red and Black. “I plan to major in Sports Medicine,” said Vines-Holder. The senior had many to thank for this moment. “My supporters, my four years of high school, life in general has played a big important part of my life. Thank you.”

To round out signing day at Vance County High School was Maurice Jackson Jr. He has made his commitment to Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. Maurice will be a defensive lineman while playing for the Panthers. Jackson Jr. will join the reigning CIAA Conference Champions when he steps foot on campus. Maurice will study health sciences and plans to become an athletic trainer. He is grateful to his family, his coaches, and his fellow teammates for where he is now. For Jackson Jr., the 252 holds a special place in his heart. “I want to thank Henderson. I’m not from here, but the last two years y’all have took me in and have shown me ‘home’. Thank y’all!”

There was one more senior who already made his commitment. Taeshawn Alston signed his letter of intent to play at the University of South Carolina during Early Signing Day back in December. Alston is now enrolled at South Carolina and is already with the Gamecocks Squad.

What these student-athletes have shown during their time at Vance County is absolutely remarkable. During their time at the varsity level, this group has compiled a record of 19-3 on the field. Two playoff appearances. A Northern Lakes Conference Championship in 2023. Along with the first 10-win season from any team in Vance County since Southern Vance met the mark in the 2007 campaign.

We congratulate these amazing student-athletes and wish them the best of luck in college! Go Vipers!

From left to right. CJ Ragland (NC A&T), Javion Vines-Holder (Winston-Salem State), Maurice Jackson Jr. (Virginia Union), and Antione Doyle Jr. (UNC-Pembroke).

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Elliott Looks Back On Vipers Season

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

Although Vance County fell in this year’s playoffs, Vance County Football Head Coach Aaron Elliott says that there are a lot of good things to take away from the 2024 football season, as well as a lot of good things to look forward to next season, Coach said on WIZS’s SportsTalk with Scout Hughes and George Hoyle.

Vance County lost to Western Alamance 36-31 in the first round of the North Carolina 3A State Playoffs. It was still a fantastic football season from the Vipers in which they went 9-2, the second year in a row in which Vance County won nine games. This season marks the third 9-win season since consolidation.

Head Coach Aaron Elliott said at the beginning of the season that triangle football is more than just Raleigh and Durham he said that includes Henderson too and the Vipers proved that this season. Vance County went two and one against team specifically from Raleigh and Durham, and when seven and one versus teams from the Research Triangle area.

When talking about this season, Head Coach Aaron Elliott spoke highly of his 14 seniors. Rightfully so! This senior class has a combined record of 19-3 over the past 2 years. This is a special senior class that has broken many records this season. Between 2023 and 2024, this team has reached new heights that Vance County hasn’t seen in a while. A 10-1 season in 2023, the first 10-win season by a team from Vance County since Southern Vance achieved that mark in 2007, when the Raiders went 13-2.

Changes are coming though, in more ways than one. Coach Elliott says that he is excited for what is to come when the new kids move up to Varsity from JV. Coach Elliott also states that new coaches are looking to be on his staff next year. But there is one major change coming next year and not just for Vance County but for the state of North Carolina. High School athletics are changing from four to eight classifications. Admission numbers were released and finalized earlier this week and Vance County will be a 6A school going forward. Head Coach Aaron Elliott is excited for what’s to come and has already had conversations with the Vance County Athletic Director about realignment, “Philip Weil and I have had talks about realignment but really we are going to have to wait and see as to where we are placed in terms of what conference we will be in.”

In the meantime though, we want to thank Vance County High School for allowing WIZS to broadcast their football games this season. We will be right back next season for more Vance County Friday Night Football on WIZS. Until then, GO VIPERS!

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Recap of Senior Night; Playoff Brackets Come Out!

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Playoffs loom for Vance County after defeating Enloe Friday night.

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SportsTalk: Vipers Wrap Up Regular Season Against Enloe

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Vance County 50 

Enloe 21 

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

With one game left in the regular season, Vance County High School celebrates the culmination of a wonderful season. Tallied with eight wins and only one loss so far. Eight wins that at times have put us on the edge of our seats. From Vance County winning in their first game of the season against Warren County 18-0 to the very next game beating Rocky Mount by just one point, 23-22. There’s the comeback against Louisburg in the rain after the Warriors scored 21 unanswered points. We have had plenty of things to celebrate this season, from Homecoming to Breast Cancer Awareness in our Pink Game, Military Appreciation Night, and on Friday, Senior Night. 

On Friday we Celebrate our 14 Seniors who have given their heart and soul to this Vance County Squad. During their time at the Varsity Level, these Seniors have accumulated a record of 18-2. Last year in 2023 they achieved the first 10-win season for a team from Vance County since Southern Vance met that mark in 2007. An outstanding record for these players:

  • #1 Javion Vines-Holder
  • #7/#0 Antoine Doyle Jr.
  • #8 Barry Henderson Jr.
  • #9 Taeshawn Alston 
  • #10 Jontavious Nile
  • #11 Elijah Holden 
  • #12 Corbett Southerland Jr.
  • #21 Tyrek Robinson
  • #40 Lee Kinney
  • #50 Maurice Jackson
  • #63 Camarion Ragland
  • #64 Kemari Branch
  • #71 Jose Rivera
  • #77 Antonio Bullock

 

The Vipers opponent for Senior Night is Enloe High School out of Raleigh. This will be an interesting matchup as a team from Henderson hasn’t played a team from Raleigh since 2016 when Southern Vance opened the year against Ravenscroft. Head Coach of Enloe, Ryan Clark joined SportsTalk with Bill Harris and George Hoyle on Thursday to talk about the upcoming game vs. Vance County. He says it’s a win-win for both teams to play each other, “This game improves both of our RPI Rankings and our strength of schedules. Vance County has only one loss on the year, and with us playing in a competitive 4A conference, it’s beneficial to both of us.” Vance County is 8-1 on the season, finishing runner-up in the Northern Lakes Conference to Southern Durham, while Enloe is 6-3 on the season and finished third in the CAP-6 4A Conference. Both teams are expected to make the state playoffs for their respective classifications. Besides Southern Durham, this may be the toughest team yet for the Vipers and certainly a great test.

There are plenty of things on the line for Friday’s game between Vance County and Enloe. Both teams are looking to improve their playoff seeding. Vance County is looking for a win as their seniors play one last regular season game at Viper Stadium. Coach Aaron Elliott said at the beginning of the season that Triangle football is more than just Raleigh and Durham, he said it’s Henderson too. Vance County has that opportunity to prove why the Vipers should be included with the best of the best from the Triangle.

 

Vance County will host Enloe High School out of Raleigh on Senior Night for Week 12 of the 2024 season on Friday, November 8th and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting at 6:50 p.m. and kickoff thereafter at 7:00 p.m. 

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