Falcons Nest - January 19
Senior swimmers are recognized.
Varsity Girls Basketball
Northwood Temple Final Score: 79-12 W
Trinity Christian School 71-27 W
The Lady Falcons demonstrated outstanding performance this week in basketball, securing consecutive victories at Northwood Temple on January 16 and achieving a significant conference win against Trinity Christian. This success has propelled them to sole possession of the first-place position. The players showcased exceptional skills and teamwork, asserting their teamwork and efficiency on the court.
Looking ahead, the team's next challenge is scheduled against Fayetteville Christian on Tuesday, January 23, with the tip-off set for 5:30 pm.
Varsity Boys Basketball:
Northwood Temple Final Score 47-93 L
The Falcons started off the week on the road at Northwood Temple. The Falcons showed some bright spots defensively on Tuesday. The Falcons battled and matched Northwood ‘s 3pt shooting in the first half. The Falcons got into some foul trouble as Northwood Temple pulled away in the second half. The Falcons had multiple players contribute to the score book led by Gunnar Adam who had a team-high 13pts. Boyd Kenny(7pts), Nick Joyce(9pts), Christian Lyles(6pts) and Brennan Hodges(12pts) also added scoring for the Falcons.
Trinity Christian Final Score 30-86 L
The Falcons hosted the top team in the conference on Wednesday night. The Falcons did a good job hitting shots and rotating on defense for the first quarter. The Falcons kept the game interesting by taking a 5-point lead in the first quarter with Boyd Kenny and Gunnar Adam hitting key shots. The Falcons struggled with turning the ball over which led to Trinity Christian taking the lead and pulling away. The Falcons led in scoring by Nick Joyce (8pts). Boyd Kenny(7pts), Gunnar Adams(3pts), Brennan Hodges(2pts), Max Pashley(2pts), Jack Manning(2pts), Jacob Lindsey(3pts), Christian Lyles(2pts) and Andrew Pavlovich(1pt) each contributed to the scorebook as well. The Falcon will finish up the week on the road at Fayetteville Christian on Friday night.
Middle School A Girls Basketball:
Village Christian 32-8 W
The O'Neal School's middle school girls' basketball team showcased a dominant performance in their recent game against Village Christian School, securing a decisive victory with a final score of 32-8. The team displayed remarkable energy and a proactive approach on defense, setting the tone for the entire match. Their defensive intensity seamlessly translated into offensive success, as they capitalized on turnovers to execute easy lay-ups on the opposite end. The well-coordinated efforts of the team, both defensively and offensively, underscored their prowess on the court and contributed to a commendable win in their matchup against Village Christian School.
Northwood Temple 23-6 W
On Tuesday, the girls demonstrated exceptional teamwork and defensive prowess in their repeat encounter against Northwood Temple, securing another victory with a final score of 23-6. The shining factor of the game was undoubtedly the team's stellar defensive performance. The girls showcased their defensive cohesion by adeptly sliding into help positions to thwart opponent drives and offering crucial backside assistance with post lobs. The defensive energy extended to the offensive end too, with the team notably improving in offensive rebounding. This resulted in 3-4 easy put-backs, highlighting the comprehensive and well-executed approach that contributed to their success on the court.
On Tuesday, the girls demonstrated exceptional teamwork and defensive prowess in their repeat encounter against Northwood Temple, securing another victory with a final score of 23-6. The shining factor of the game was undoubtedly the team's stellar defensive performance. The girls showcased their defensive cohesion by adeptly sliding into help positions to thwart opponent drives and offering crucial backside assistance with post lobs. The defensive energy extended to the offensive end too, with the team notably improving in offensive rebounding. This resulted in 3-4 easy put-backs, highlighting the comprehensive and well-executed approach that contributed to their success on the court.
Fayetteville Academy 39-6 W
During their recent match against Fayetteville Academy, the team clinched a commanding victory with a final score of 39-6. The game showcased the team's versatility as multiple players stepped up to capitalize on opportunities presented by the opposing defense. The offensive strategy was marked by strong drives to the hoop, displaying the team's agility and scoring capabilities. Furthermore, their proficiency in offensive rebounds underscored their determination and tenacity on the court, ultimately contributing to their decisive win.
Middle School B Girls Basketball:
Sandhills Classical Christian 9-22 L
The Lady Falcon B Team faced another loss on the scoreboard against Sandhills Classical Christian this week, but the game was marked by significant strides in skill development and on-court communication. Unprepared for a relentless full-court press in a B Team setting, the players showcased adaptability by adjusting their strategies on the fly. Despite the outcome, the team demonstrated commendable efforts in refining their ability to shoot through contact and enhancing overall movement on the court. This dedication to improvement reflects the team's commitment to continuous growth and development in their ever-increasing basketball I.Q. Clair Caviness led the scoring with 4 points, Vivienne Rhue, and Haddie Habets also scored.
Middle School A Boys Basketball:
Village Christian Academy Final Score: 27-33 L
The Falcons battled against the Village Christian Academy Knights this past week. The Falcons came out strong in the first half, playing great defense and offense. While the Falcons were playing aggressively, the Knights used this to their advantage and got the Falcons into foul trouble early. Going into halftime, the Falcons had to regroup and came out playing well in the second half. The Falcons had an exceptional performance on the offensive side, but with a few missed baskets it ended in a loss for the Falcons. Village Christian was a great shooting team and was coached very well. By hitting some big shots at the end, the Knights were able to pull away from the Falcons. The Falcons stayed resilient and finished the game till the clock said zero. The Falcons were led in scoring by Ford Kuester (11 Points), Sam Taylor (8 Points), Owen West (4 Points), Jackson Mullis (2 Points), and Christian Baker (2 Points). With this, The Falcons continue to improve on their season and the 2024 year is still young!
Northwood Temple Academy Final Score: 27-22 W
The Falcons were back on the road for a head-to-head clash in conference play against the Northwood Temple Academy Eagles! The Falcons came out great playing defense and scoring the ball on the offensive side as well. The Eagles came ready to play as well, playing a solid first half against the Falcons. The Falcons went into halftime with a lead of 12-10. Following the first half, both teams were battling endlessly for victory. The Falcons brought great energy to the second half but it was not too much for the Eagles. The two teams battled in the second half with the fourth quarter ending in a score of 22-22. The Falcons went to overtime keeping their foot on the pedal and did not let up. The Falcons ended victorious against the Eagles. Leading the Falcons were Ford Kuester (8 Points) and Christian Baker (8 Points). Following the leaders were Owen West (6 Points) and Jackson Mullis (5 Points). Way to go Falcons!
Fayetteville Academy Final Score: 33-21 W
The Falcons were on the road against the Fayetteville Academy Eagles on Wednesday night. Saying that the Falcons played a good game would be an understatement. This would be the Falcons’ second straight game of the week and they didn't disappoint. The Falcons were very poised and played together the entire game. The team played great offensively and defensively against a good Fayetteville Academy team. With great confidence, the Falcons hit some outstanding shots during the game. Running deep, the bench players gathered great minutes and poured in great attributes on the floor. Overall, the Falcons played great as a team and have been playing very well since the start of 2024. Leading the night for the Falcons was Owen West (10 Points). Following West were Ford Kuester (9 Points), Kolton Van Scoyoc (5 Points), Sam Taylor (2 Points), Caleb Jones (2 Points), Jackson Graves (2 Points), Gabe Marrero (1 Point).
Middle School B Boys Basketball:
Sandhills Classical Christian 10-36 L
In a hard-fought match against Sandhills Classical Christian, the O'Neal Falcons Boys Middle School Basketball B Team displayed grit and determination. Despite their best efforts, shots didn't fall, resulting in a tough 36 - 10 loss. The Falcons showcased teamwork and sportsmanship, using this experience as a stepping stone for future success. While the scoreboard may not have favored them, their resilience on the court promises a strong comeback in upcoming games. The Falcons' next game is Wednesday, January 31st away at Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill at 5:15.
Varsity Swimming:
On Thursday the O’Neal pool was buzzing with excitement for the last home meet for seniors Aidan Blackwell, Lauren Hobbs, and John Shepherd. When recognizing these fantastic seniors, their coach, Jen Schmitz, had many exemplary notes and memories about each swimmer’s contribution to the Falcon Swim Team. When recognizing Aidan Blackwell, Coach Schmitz stated, “Aidan made state qualifying times at his first meet back after a two-year hiatus. That says a lot about his work ethic and determination. I also remember him telling me his favorite part of swimming is cheering for his teammates.”
Lauren Hobbs, three-time state champion, named All-Conference and All-State for the last two years, was all smiles as Coach Schmitz noted her quiet confidence as she has led the team this year as one of the captains. “Lauren is a leader by example and although she is pretty quiet, she always has poignant things to say when she speaks.”
John Shepherd has been an outstanding swimmer since he joined the varsity team in 7th grade. He has had three podium finishes at State meets and has been named All-Conference for six years! Since he started younger than most, he would be right by Coach Schmitz's side at meets, “...asking me if I think he can swim fast and me psyching him up before races...Now he doesn’t even check in with me before he swims. Oh, how they grow so fast!” These swimmers are not done yet, they will compete next week in the Tri-TAC Invitational, followed by their participation in the State championships.
Events Next Week
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
SAT | 1/20 | Basketball Clinic | BASKETBALL | HOME | 9AM-11AM |
MON | 1/22 | Tri TAC Invitational | SWIM | AWAY | 9:45 AM / 10:30 AM |
TUE | 1/23 | South Wake Sabres Home School Team | GBKB | AWAY | 5:30 PM |
TUE | 1/23 | South Wake Sabres Home School Team | VBBKB | AWAY | 7:00 PM |
THU | 1/25 | Fayetteville Academy | MS GBKB | HOME | 4:00 PM |
THU | 1/25 | Fayetteville Academy | MS BBKB | HOME | 5:15 PM |
FRI | 1/26 | Trinity Christian | GBKB | AWAY | 5:30 PM |
FRI | 1/26 | Trinity Christian | VBBKB | AWAY | 7:00 PM |
FRI | 1/26 | Trinity Christian - Boys Only | MS BBKB | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
SAT | 1/27 | Dance Clinic | DANCE | HOME | 9AM-11AM |
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