Union Pines Wrestling
Last week, the Union Pines wrestling team competed in the Sandhills Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and won their 15th straight conference tournament title.
Coach Gray gave a statement in a press release: “This year’s tournament victory comes just a week after losing to long time More County rival and now conference rival Pinecrest in the regular season. 48-22. The Vikings, 224 points, outpaced the Patriots, 203.5 points, while Hoke County HS came in third with 156 points.
“Union Pines entered a wrestler in 13 of the 14 weight classes and each Viking placed in the top 4 of their bracket. The following Vikings are conference champions at their weight class: Keaton Crawford, 106 lbs; Jayden Crawford, 113 lbs; Johann Diaz, 126 lbs; Gaige Lloyd, 145 lbs; Brock Sullivan, 170 lbs; Aiden McCafferty, 182 lbs; and Nicholas Mascolino, 195 lbs. Vikings that placed 2nd were Colton Collins, 220 and Kellen DeVries, 285 and finishing third were JT Erle, 120 and Joseph Vrabcak, 138.
UP’s Aiden McCafferty won Wrestler of the Year.”
The Vikings landed a number 1 seed in the east and will host round 1 and 2 of the 3A Dual State Championship Tournament. Start time is 6 p.m. The Vikings will take on Harnett Central. The winner will then face the winner of the Carrboro/Westover duals.
Union Pines Boys Basketball 16-3 (6-2)
The Vikings were able to add two more conference wins to their season last week. On Wednesday, the Vikings defeated Lee County at home 69-50. Friday night, the Vikings hosted and defeated Scotland 65-49. With four games left in the season, the Vikings start the week off with a big task on the road at 16-1 and conference leader Richmond.
Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at Richmond 16-1 conference game.
Friday 7:30 p.m. versus Hoke 8-5 conference game.
Union Pines Girls Basketball 11-8 (5-3)
The Lady Vikings were able to add two wins to their season last week defeating Lee County at home on Wednesday 57-24. On Friday, the Vikings hosted and defeated Scotland 61-43. With four games left in the season, the Lady Vikings will be looking to add another two conference wins this week.
Tuesday 6 p.m. at Richmond 13-4 conference game.
Friday 6 p.m. versus Hoke 1-16 conference game.
North Moore Boys Basketball 5-6 (2-3)
The Mustangs dropped another conference game at Chatham Central last Wednesday 62-49. Late in the season, the Mustangs hope to turn things around in their three games this week.
Monday 7 p.m. at Faith Christian 11-7.
Wednesday 7:30 p.m. versus Bartlett Yancey 2-9 conference game.
Friday 7:30 p.m. against Seaforth 7-6 conference game.
North Moore Girls Basketball 1-9 (0-5)
The Lady Mustangs remain winless in conference play and only one win on the season. On Wednesday, at Chatham Central, the Mustangs lost 57-23. They will have to play conference rival Seaforth twice this week.
Friday 6 p.m. versus Seaforth 9-7.
Saturday 6 p.m. at Seaforth 9-7 both conference games.
O’Neal Swim Team
O’Neal swim team will compete in the Tri-TAC Championship Monday afternoon.
O’Neal Boys Basketball 11-7 (4-3)
The Falcons went 2-1 last week in conference play. On Monday, the Falcons hosted and defeated Carolina Friends 70-47. Tuesday had a different outcome at Trinity Academy. The Falcons lost 79-48. Friday, on the road at Burlington Christian, they were able to pull out another win 55-44.
Tuesday 7 p.m. at Trinity of Durham and Chapel Hill 4-8 conference game.
Friday 7 p.m. at Carolina Friends 6-7 conference game.
O’Neal Girls Basketball 14-3 (6-0)
Fifth straight regular-season conference title for the Lady Falcons. The Lady Falcons still have two games left this season and have already won the regular-season title. Last week’s conference wins also mark the Falcons 45th straight regular-season conference victories. They hope to end the season with 47 straight regular conference wins. Last week’s wins were blowouts. On Monday against Carolina Friends, the Falcons won 79-16. Tuesday wasn’t much better for their opponent Trinity Academy as they won that game 57-24. The last two games of the regular season are this week.
Tuesday 5:30 p.m. at Trinity of Durham and Chapel Hill 4-8 conference game.
Friday 5:30 p.m. at Carolina Friends 3-6 conference game.
Pinecrest Wrestling
The Patriot wrestling won the Sandhills Dual Team Championship last week ending their regular season 20-0 overall and conference 6-0.
They were the SAC individual runner up behind conference and county rival Union Pines. They ended the day with five champions, three in second place, two in third place, and three in fourth place.
Coach Bob Curtin won coach of the year.
The Patriots landed the number 1 seed in the 4A East allowing them to host the first and second rounds Monday at 6 p.m. they will compete against East Chapel Hill, and the winner will take on the winner of Wakefield/Pine Forest.
Pinecrest Boys Basketball 12-5 (5-1)
The Patriots accomplished something no other team could do as of yet. They took down the undefeated Richmond Raiders on Wednesday night 80-76. The celebration would be short-lived when Southern Lee defeated the Patriots 88-19 on Friday. With not many games left in the season, the Patriots look to bounce back and close the gap on the number one Richmond Raiders.
Monday 7:30 p.m. at Scotland 4-11 conference game.
Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at Lee 2-14 conference game.
Friday 7:30 p.m. at Scotland 4-11 conference game.
Pinecrest Girls Basketball 10-5 (4-2)
Wednesday, the Lady Patriots were defeated at home in a close one 53-46 by Richmond. On Thursday, they were able to turn that around on Lee County winning at home 58-24.
Monday 6 p.m. at Scotland 12-4 conference game.
Tuesday 6 p.m. at Lee 2-12 conference game.
Friday 6 p.m. versus Scotland 12-4 conference game.
Sandhills CC Flyers Basketball 18-6 (6-0)
The Flyers were able to add to their winning streak making it eight games. On Wednesday, the Flyers defeated Central Carolina CC 80-79. Friday, the Flyers won on the road at Montreal College 113-59. On Sunday, they were able to get a conference win and the eighth straight win at Oxford College of Emory 109-82.
The Flyers will be at home all week this week.
Tuesday against Hosanna Bible College 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday against Wren college 7 p.m.
Saturday against Oxford College of Emory 1 p.m. conference game.
Feature photo: Union Pines wrestling team poses for a photo after winning their 15th straight conference tournament title. Photo credit: Roger Coble.
~Article by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Curtis Self.
