Falcons Nest - February 2nd

James Franklin, Athletic Director
The Falcons close in on tournament time. Dance clinic students perform with the dance team. Basketball and Dance Seniors are recognized.
Varsity Girls Basketball
Falcons vs. Trinity Christian Final Score: 57-29, W 
On the road against the Trinity Christian Crusaders, the O'Neal Lady Falcon Varsity basketball team secured a decisive victory, showcasing exceptional teamwork and strategic play. 
Throughout the game, the Lady Falcons effectively shared scoring opportunities while demonstrating impeccable ball-handling skills. Their ability to exploit gaps in the Crusaders' defense led to turnovers and offensive success. With relentless defensive pressure, the Lady Falcons stifled their opponents' offense, further solidifying their dominance on the court. 
 
Falcons vs. Freedom Christian Final Score: 66-17, W 
Making it an 8-game winning streak since Christmas, the Lady Falcons have almost finalized their shutout of all other conference teams on their Senior Recognition Night. While the spotlight was on seniors Tamiya Judd and Reily Johnson, the Falcons continue to showcase themselves as a well-rounded team with six players contributing with 3-pointers. The consistent success of the Lady Falcons speaks volumes about their exceptional skill and unwavering teamwork on and off the court.  
 
 
Varsity Boys Basketball
Falcons vs. Trinity Christian Final Score 22-74, L    
The Falcons traveled to Fayetteville on Friday night to take on a tough conference opponent in Trinity Christian. The Falcons did a good job hitting shots and rotating on defense for the first quarter. The Falcons battled hard and tried to compete. The Falcons struggled with turning the ball over which led to Trinity Christian taking the lead and pulling away.  The Falcons had 5 scorers contribute to the scorebook. Boyd Kenny(2pts), Brennan Hodges(7pts), Nick Joyce(6pts), Max Pashley(3pt) and Jack Manning(4pts).  
 
Falcons vs. Freedom Final Score 23-80, L      
The Falcons hosted Freedom Christian Tuesday evening for Senior Day. They competed all game and showed multiple efforts on defense and offense. The Falcons had a great 3rd quarter creating turnovers and hitting shots. The Falcons gave up eight 3-pointers which helped Freedom grab the lead and hold on to it. The Falcons were led in scoring by Boyd Kenny (11pts). Nick Joyce(9pts), Jacob Lindsey(4pts), Brennan Hodges(6pts), Gunnar Adams(9pts), Jack Manning(1pt) and Jordan Cole(2pts) each contributed to the scorebook as well. The Falcon will go on the road Friday and face Berean Baptist Academy.  

Falcon Seniors recognized were: Brennan Hodges, Nick Joyce, Boyd Kenny, and Alex Martin

Middle School A
Girls Basketball
Falcons vs. Fayetteville Academy Final Score: 27-12, W 
In a home game against Fayetteville Academy, The O’Neal middle school girls basketball team emerged victorious with a 27-12 win. What set this game apart was the remarkable ball movement displayed on offense. The girls demonstrated exceptional teamwork, circulating the ball around the perimeter and executing post-entry passes. The cohesive movement created opportunities for wide-open shots, showcasing the team's strategic growth. The noticeable improvement witnessed from the beginning of the season until now is truly remarkable, underscoring the team's commitment to progress and their ongoing journey of continual improvement. With each game, these young athletes continue to hone their abilities and evolve into a formidable force on the court. 
 
Falcons vs. Freedom Christian Final Score: 39-37, W 
In a riveting matchup against Freedom Christian, The O'Neal middle school girls basketball team emerged victorious with a thrilling 39-37 win in triple overtime. The game was a physical battle from the outset, but it ultimately boiled down to mental toughness. Trailing by 12 points entering the fourth quarter, the girls displayed unwavering faith and constructed a formidable defense that held Freedom scoreless in the final quarter. As the overtimes unfolded, the pressure intensified, particularly at the free-throw line where multiple girls showcased remarkable composure. In the closing moments, with determination radiating through the team, GiGi secured the game-winning shot off a crucial rebound as the buzzer sounded. The resilience and grit displayed by this team not only speak volumes about their on-court capabilities but also highlight valuable lessons in handling adversity that will undoubtedly transcend beyond the basketball court. 
 
Middle School A Boys Basketball
O'Neal Vs. Fayetteville Academy Final Score: 48-14, W 
The Falcons were back home this week against the Fayetteville Academy Eagles. The Falcons played 4 great quarters of basketball. The Falcons were scoring from all over the floor and were firing on all cylinders. The team had great minutes and baskets from players coming off the bench as well. These players kept the intensity up and didn't back down against the Eagles. Defensively, the Falcons played great the whole game, only allowing 14 points the entire game. The Falcons team was full of confidence and determination during this game, and it was noticeable that the team's chemistry was there. This was a great home win for the Falcons! The Falcons were led in scoring by Ford Kuester (13 Points). Assisting with the scoring were Jackson Graves (10 Points), Kolton Van Scoyoc (8 Points), Owen West (5 Points), Will Simmons (4 Points), and Ayden Jones (4 Points).  
  
Falcons vs. Trinity Christian Final Score: 46-25, L  
The Falcons were on the road against Trinity Christian to play back-to-back games this week. Trinity was a great physical team and was a true test for the Falcon team. The Falcons played a great game as a team and showed much growth. The Falcons played all 4 quarters of the game but couldn't see the ball get into the basket like they wanted to. The Falcons played decently on the defensive side of the ball, forcing turnovers, but this didn't stop Trinity Christian. With the game having the scoring differential that it did, the Falcons still showed much resilience and played till the clock said zero. The Falcons were led in scoring by Jackson Graves (9 Points), following Graves were Christian Baker (7 Points), Gabe Marrero (4 Points), Owen West (3 Points), and Ford Kuester (2 Points).  
  
O'Neal vs. Freedom Christian Final Score: 57-31, L   
The Falcons were back on the road again for a conference game against Freedom Christian Academy. The Falcons came out great against Freedom which was a great team. Freedom came out red hot as well and was a hard force for the Falcons to stop. The Falcons tried to keep up with Freedom as much as possible, only trailing behind them by 6 points at halftime. Overall, the Falcons played great as a team, but found it hard to see shots fall in the second half. While the turnovers did affect the Falcons, there is still much growth and confidence that is being built for this Falcon team. Leading the Falcons was Ford Kuester (14 Points) and adding to the bunch were Christian Baker (9 Points), Kolton Van Scoyoc (4 Points), Grant Sewell (2 Points), and Owen West (2 Points). 
 
Middle School B Girls Basketball 
Falcons vs. Sandhills Classical Christian Final Score: 6-23, L  
The O'Neal Middle School Girls Basketball B Team hit the road for their final game of the season, showcasing teamwork and growth despite facing challenges in scoring. While still working on building confidence to shoot, the team exhibited significant progress in their ball handling and defensive skills. 
Throughout the game, the girls displayed commendable effort in implementing man-to-man defense, a challenging but crucial aspect of becoming excellent basketball players. Despite the difficulty, they continued to hone this skill, recognizing its importance for their development on the court. 
 
Although the scoreboard may not always reflect their efforts, the middle school girls basketball program at O'Neal School shines with promise, boasting many young talents in the making. The commitment and dedication shown by the Girls B Team highlight a bright future for the program, with each player contributing to the team's growth and success. 
 
Middle School B Boys Basketball  
Falcons vs. Sandhills Classical Christian Final Score: 15-27, L 
In their last game of the season, the O'Neal Middle School Boys Basketball B Team demonstrated unwavering determination, particularly in a strong second-half performance characterized by cohesive teamwork and intense defense. Despite not coming out on top, the team displayed commendable ball movement and relentless effort throughout the match. Their resilience and tenacity, especially on defense, reflect the spirit of sportsmanship fostered within the school's athletic program. As the season concludes, the B Team leaves the court with heads held high, proud of their growth and camaraderie on and off the court. The Falcons had six team members contribute to the final score. Tyler Khun led in scoring with 5 points. Charlie Monroe (3pts), Parker Maxwell (2pts), Parker Fusonie (2pts), Luke Valkovics (2pts), and Murphy Stanton (1pt) also scored.  
 
Dance Team
The dance team had their finale performances at Tuesday's last home basketball games. Having held a dance clinic last weekend for younger students, those clinic participants also were able to perform with their instructors at the game. Falcons Fans saw a whole lot of cuteness on the basketball court. It will remain a memorable event for the younger students. Dance team seniors were also recognized. They are Robbie Mays, Honor Hicks, Mary Grace Huntley, Olivia Maxwell, and Ava Simmons. 
Events Next Week 2/5 - 2/9 
 
DAY 
DATE 
OPPONENT 
SPORT 
H/A 
EVENT TIME 
MON 
2/5/2024 
Forsyth Country Day School 
GBKB 
AWAY 
4:00 PM 
MON 
2/5/2024 
Semi Finals SEMSAC Conference vs. Berean Baptist 
MS GBKB 
HOME 
4:00 PM 
MON 
2/5/2024 
Semi Finals SEMSAC Conference vs. TBA 
MS BBKB 
TBA 
TBA 
TUE 
2/6/2024 
SAC Conference Tournament Quarterfinals vs. Berean Baptist
VBBKB 
AWAY 
6:00 PM
THU 
2/8/2024 
SEMSAC Conference Tournament Championship vs. TBA 
MS GBKB 
HOME 
4:00 PM 
THU 
2/8/2024 
SEMSAC Conference Tournament Championship vs. TBA 
MS BBKB 
AWAY 
TBA 
THU 
2/8/2024 
SAC Conference Tournament Semifinals (at Village) 
GBKB 
AWAY
4:00 PM
THU 
2/8/2024 
SAC Conference Tournament Semifinals (at Berean) 
VBBKB 
TBA 
TBA 
FRI 
2/9/2024 
SAC Conference Tournament Championship (at Berean) 
GBKB 
AWAY
6:00PM
FRI 
2/9/2024 
SAC Conference Tournament Championship (at Berean) 
VBBKB 
TBA 
TBA 
 
Back
The O'Neal School admits students of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.