It was a big year for athletics among Moore County’s high schools. From conference championships to deep runs in the state playoffs, Moore County athletics sets the bar for competitiveness in nearly every single sport.
Here’s a rundown of the notable records and achievements among the schools.
In baseball, North Moore High School captured the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Conference title after finishing with an overall record of 16-2 and 8-0 in conference play.
The Pinecrest High School Patriots finished with a record of 25-8 and 10-2 in the conference. They went all the way to the 4A State Championship after winning their conference and beating Fuquay-Varina in the 4A East regional, but ultimately fell short, losing to the undefeated Providence High School Panthers.
In basketball, Pinecrest also led the way, finishing with a 21-6 overall record and winning the conference with an 11-1 record. They made it to the second round of the state playoffs.
Union Pines finished with a record of 18-8 and 7-5 in conference play. Kelby Wright led the Vikings in scoring averaging 13.4 points per game on 58% shooting.
In football, North Moore finished with a record of 13-1 and 6-0 in conference play, making it all the way to the fourth round of the 1A State Championship.
The running back duo of juniors Jakarey Gillis and Kolby Ritchie led the way for the Mustangs averaging 107.1 and 98.6 yards per game, and accounted for 28 total touchdowns.
Pinecrest had a record of 9-3 and 6-0 in conference and made it to the second round of the state playoffs.
In boys’ soccer, Pinecrest had a record of 11-8-2 and 10-3-2 conference record, second best in the Sandhills 3A/4A conference.
Union Pines finished with a record of 9-11-1 and 6-7 in conference play.
North Moore went to the fourth round of the 1A playoffs after finishing with a record of 12-5-2 and 4-4-2 in conference play, led by freshman Christopher Betancourt who averaged 1.5 goals per game and finished the season with 21 total goals scored.
In softball, Union Pines finished 12-10 overall with a 6-6 conference record.
In tennis, Union Pines went 12-4 overall and 10-2 in conference. The Vikings won the Sandhills 3A Conference Tournament and placed 5th in the 3A Mideast Regionals.
Pinecrest had a record of 15-1 and 12-0 in conference play, cruising to another conference title, and made it all the way to the third round of the Dual Team playoffs.
North Moore managed to make it to the second round.
In golf, Pinecrest finished third in the men’s 4A state championship tournament with a team score of +54. Sophomore Carson Bertagnole tied for the tenth-best score with a +10.
In lacrosse, Pinecrest had an overall record of 14-6 and an 8-0 conference record, and they made it to the third round of the state playoffs.
In wrestling, two Moore County Schools students took home individual state championships for their respective weight classes. Aiden McCafferty of Union Pines High School won the 3A, 170 lb division, and Jayden Dobeck of Pinecrest High School won the 4A, 160 lb division.
In girls’ soccer, Union Pines finished with a record of 19-4-2 and an 11-1 conference record, good for second overall. They reached the second round of the state playoffs.
Pinecrest finished with a record of 15-9-2 and won the conference with an 11-1 record. They made it to the third round of the state playoffs.
North Moore went to the second round of the state playoffs after finishing with a 5-9-2 record and a 4-6 conference record.
In girls’ basketball, Union Pines finished with a 16-12 record and 7-5 in conference play. The Vikings made it to the second round of the state playoffs. Aaliyah Balser led the team in scoring, averaging 19 points per game on 38% shooting. She also led the team in rebounds per game (11.6), steals per game (3.1), and blocks per game (0.7).
Pinecrest had a record of 20-6 and 11-2 conference record, finishing second in the conference. They made it to the second round of the state playoffs.
In girls’ tennis, North Moore made it to the second round of the 1A Dual Team Playoffs.
Union Pines finished with a record of 11-3 and 10-2 in conference play, and Pinecrest had a record of 13-3 and 12-0 in conference play.
In girls’ golf, Pinecrest won the 4A State Championship tournament with a team score of +35. Freshman Julia Herzberg finished with the best score for Pinecrest but the sixth-best score overall of +8.
In girls’ volleyball, North Moore made it to the second round after finishing with a record of 12-14 and a conference record of 6-4.
Union Pines finished with a record of 16-10 and a 9-3 conference record. They made it to the second round of the state playoffs, and Pinecrest had a record of 24-3 and 12-0 in conference play, making it to the third round of the state playoffs.
In girls’ lacrosse, Pinecrest finished with a 10-4 record and a 7-1 conference record and made it to the second round of the state playoffs.
The Moore County Edition of the North State Journal will continue to cover high school sports as each of these teams marches forward into the new year.
