Blog – Moore County Edition

Oct

26

2025

Athlete of the Week: Taylon Tranel

Businessathlete of the week, Taylon Tranel, Union Pines, Union Pines football, Union Pines High School, Union Pines Vikings, Vikings

Union Pines fottball senior center Taylon Tranel is Athlete of the Week. The 5-foot-11, 220-pounder made all-conference as a junior, and he’ll be playing in college, thanks to his specialty — long snapping. He’s one of the top high school seniors in the country snapping for punts and place kicks. Tranel has already committed to NC State, and this month, he was selected to the East roster in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game.

Oct

19

2025

By North State Journal Staff

Athlete of the Week: Madeline Adair

Businessathlete of the week, Madeline Adair, Union Pines, Union Pines Vikings, Union Pines volleyball, Vikings

Union Pines volleyball junior outside hitter Madeline Adair is Athlete of the Week. The Vikings closed the regular season on a four-game winning streak, cruising to a Carolina Pines 6A conference title. They then opened the conference tournament with a straight-set win. Their record stands at 20-2. Adair led the way in a win over Western Harnett to close the regular season, getting 18 kills, eight digs, two aces and 15 receptions. For the season, she ranks 15th in the NCHSAA in hitting percentage and is second in the Carolina Pines in hitting percentage and kills.

Sep

28

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Blake Pennington

Sportsathlete of the week, Blake Pennington, Mustangs, North Moore, north moore football, North Moore High School, North Moore Mustangs

North Moore sophomore Blake Pennington is Athlete of the Week. He has also played basketball and golfed for the Mustangs. North Moore beat Seaforth 30-20, and Pennington led the defensive effort. He had a team-high 12 tackles and three tackles for loss. He also recovered a fumble for a touchdown. Pennington leads the Four Rivers 3A/4A conference in tackles.

Sep

14

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Lawson Barrett

Sportsathlete of the week, Lawson Barrett, Patriots, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots, Pinecrest volleyball

Pinecrest volleyball junior setter and right-side hitter Lawson Barrett is Athlete of the Week. The Patriots beat Western Harnett and Purnell Swett last week to even their record at 4-4. Barrett had eight service aces, six digs and 17 assists against Western Harnett and three, eight and 13 against Swett. For the season, Barrett leads Pinecrest in aces and assists, and she is fifth in N.C. Class 8A in aces.

Sep

08

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Zaiden Pratt

Sportsathlete of the week, Patriots, pinecrest football, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots, Zaiden Pratt

Pinecrest junior defensive back Zaiden Pratt is Athlete of the Week. The Patriots won the annual Battle of the Pines over crosstown rival Union Pines, but not until Pratt saved the day. The Vikings trailed by five and were driving for a possible game-winning touchdown when Pratt picked off an Ian Hicks pass with less than 30 seconds remaining to preserve the win.

Aug

31

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Adrian Colon

SportsAdrian Colon, athlete of the week, Union Pines, Union Pines football, Union Pines High School, Union Pines Vikings, Vikings

Union Pines junior running back Adrian Colon is Athlete of the Week. The Vikings were the only county team to open with a win on the gridiron, and Colon was the county’s leading rusher. Colon carried the ball 21 times and gained 102 yards, scoring once. He’s currently the state’s No. 2 rusher in Class 6A.

Aug

24

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Katie Burley

Sportsathlete of the week, Katie Burley, Union Pines, Union Pines Vikings, Union Pines volleyball

Union Pines volleyball’s senior libero and defensive specialist Katie Burley is Athlete of the Week. The Vikings opened the season with a 3-1 record. Burley is off to a fast start as well. She leads the team with 62 digs and 106 receptions. She’s second on the squad in serving aces and third in assists. She also leads the Carolina Pines conference in digs.

Aug

17

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Madeline Adair

Sportsathlete of the week, Madeline Adair, Union Pines, Union Pines High School, Union Pines volleyball

Union Pines volleyball junior outside hitter Madeline Adair is Athlete of the Week. Last season, she was all-conference while leading the Vikings in kills and hitting percentage. She’s now one of the leading returning players in the state in kills and was named a “player to watch” by HS OT.

Aug

10

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Sam Creed

Sportsathlete of the week, Elon, Elon Phoenix, Jeff Yurk, Patriots, Pinecrest, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots, Sam Creed

Pinecrest football rising senior Sam Creed is Athlete of the Week. As a long snapper, Creed often goes under the radar, unless something goes wrong. However, he’s been a star on the summer football camp circuit. His speed and accuracy won him camp long snapper competitions at Duke, Western Carolina, Vanderbilt, Elon and ECU. He also made the finals in competitions at Clemson and Auburn. Creed will follow former Pinecrest punter Jeff Yurk to Elon after committing to the Phoenix last week.

Aug

03

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Ashley Lee

SportsAshley Lee, athlete of the week, Patriots, Pinecrest, Pinecrest girls' golf, Pinecrest golf, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots

Pinecrest girls’ golf rising sophomore Ashley Lee is Athlete of the Week. In addition to being a part of the defending state champions on the links, she also plays softball for the Patriots. In July, the Pinecrest girls finished third in the National High School Golf Invitational, which the school hosted. Lee tied for third place overall, two strokes off the tournament lead. She shot a first-round 72, a second-round 67 and finished with a 68 on the final day.