Sports – Moore County Edition

Jun

14

2024

U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst

SportsJon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Martin Kaymer, Matt Kuchar, Michael Campbell, Payne Stewart, Phil Mickelson, Pinehurst, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Sergio Garcia, Tiger Woods, US Open, Xander Schauffele

PINEHURST — Once again, the golf world comes to Pinehurst. The club’s famed No. 2 course will play host to the 2024 U.S. Open this week, with 156 of the best golfers in the world playing for one of the coveted major titles. History This is the 124th U.S. Open. The tournament began play in 1895 and was not held for a total of six years during the two World Wars. It’s the fourth time Pinehurst has hosted the Open, all on No. 2. Here’s what happened the other three times. 1999: Payne Stewart was the only player under par for…

Jun

14

2024

By Shawn Krest

U.S. Open at Pinehurst: Who’s going to win?

SportsBrooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Colin Morikawa, Ludvig Aberg, Pinehurst, Rory McIlroy, Russell Henley, Scottie Scheffler, US Open, Viktor Hovland, Xander Schauffele

Whether you’re planning to take advantage of North Carolina’s new online gambling laws or just looking for someone to root for, it’s always good to know who is expected to contend for the championship. Here’s a look at the favorites and some dark horses to watch in the 124th U.S. Open. The favorite: Scottie Scheffler has been having an historic year. He’s won five tournaments already. He’s finished in the top 10 of his last eight tournaments, and he’s the top-ranked golfer in the world. Even arresting him mid-tournament, as happened last month in Louisville, couldn’t slow him down. With…

Jun

14

2024

By Associated Press

A look back: Previous U.S. Opens at Pinehurst

SportsMartin Kaymer, Michael Campbell, Payne Stewart, Pinehurst, US Open

History will be made this weekend when the U.S. Open crowns a new champion, the fourth to win the title at Pinehurst No. 2. Here’s a look back at the previous times the course has hosted the Open. 25 years ago (1999) Payne Stewart had lost a 54-hole lead the previous year and figured to join the “Graveyard of Champions” at Olympic Club for losing a lead and never winning another major. But he showed remarkable mettle in 1999 in a terrific battle involving Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. Woods fell back with a bogey on the 17th. Stewart was…

Jun

14

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Athlete of the Week: Janie Spicer

Sportsathlete of the week, Janie Spicer, Moore County Schools, Moore County sports, Union Pines

Janie Spicer is a senior for the Union Pines’ girls’ lacrosse team and a previous Athlete of the Week winner after helping lead the Vikings to an undefeated season and their first-ever state championship. Spicer won the Most Valuable Player award in the title game, as well as the NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award. The accolades keep coming. Spicer was just awarded one of the NCHSAA’s Heart of a Champion awards for the 2023-24 school year, which recognizes athletes who exemplify outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship on the field and in their community. Spicer will continue her athletic career at Winthrop, where she…

Jun

14

2024

By North State Journal Staff

“One Moment in Time” statue temporarily moved to main entrance

SportsPinehurst, US Open

Payne Stewart’s “One Moment in Time” statue has been temporarily moved from No. 18 to the main entrance of the US Open at Pinehurst. David Sinclair for North State Journal

Jun

14

2024

By North State Journal Staff

North Moore’s spring sports standouts

SportsMoore County sports

Two dozen North Moore athletes earned all-conference honors for the spring sports season this year. Here’s a look at the Mustangs who took home hardware. Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Spring Sports 2024 All-Conference teams Boys’ tennis: Caleb Cockman—The senior had a 7-5 singles record at the number-two spot for the Mustangs, according to MaxPreps’ statistics. Luke Gibbons—The junior played first singles for North Moore, posting five wins. He was also part of the school’s number-one doubles team, going 8-4. Colton Freeman—The junior earned five wins at 3-singles and also teamed with Gibbons as the top doubles duo for the Mustangs. Boys’ golf:…

Jun

03

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Two local players head to NCAA baseball tournament

SportsMoore County sports

The NCAA baseball tournament starts this weekend, and a pair of graduates from county high schools will be competing to make the College World Series in Omaha. Ten local players were on a college baseball team at some level this season. Two of them are still standing as the tourney shifts into gear at 16 sites around the nation. RJ Sales, a member of Pinecrest’s class of 2021, will be leading UNC Wilmington into the tournament. Sales, who won conference player of the year while leading the Patriots to the Sandhills Conference championship as a senior, is a redshirt sophomore…

Jun

02

2024

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Wesley Little

Sportsathlete of the week, Pinecrest, Pinecrest High school, Wesley Little

Pinecrest boys’ lacrosse junior Wesley Little is the Athlete of the Week. The three-time conference champions have won 28 straight games in the United 8/All American/Sandhills Conference, including a 10-0 mark in the league this year. Little, the Patriots’ goalkeeper, led the conference in goals-against average and save percentage. He also finished second in the state in save percentage and sixth in goals against average. That earned him all-state and all-region honorable mentions, as well as a spot on the all-conference first team. He was also voted the team’s defensive MVP.

May

24

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Athlete of the Week: Janie Spicer

Sportsathlete of the week, Janie Spicer, Moore County sports, Union Pines

Janie Spicer is a senior for the Union Pines’ girls’ lacrosse team. The Vikings won their first-ever state title and wrapped up an undefeated season. Spicer led the way winning NCHSAA Most Valuable Player honors after scoring three goals, with four assists, in the championship game. She also took the NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award. For the season, Spicer led Union Pines in shots on goal and was second in goals and assists. She also led the squad in ground balls and was second in turnovers forced. ‌

May

24

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Union Pines takes state girls’ lacrosse title

SportsMoore County sports, Union Pines

Spring sports wrapped up with a first-ever school title for Union Pines girls’ lacrosse. Here’s a look at the playoff roundup. Girls’ lacrosse Union Pines won the first girls’ lacrosse state title in school history, finishing off a perfect 18-0 season. The Vikings had their biggest scare of the season in the state semifinals, trailing Croatan at the half before rallying for a 14-13 win. Ellie Powell had six goals and Janie Spicer five in the comeback victory. Union Pines then blew out Bishop McGuinness, 20-6, to win the 1A/2A/3A title. Powell had another six goals and Spicer three. The…