Jaylen Kyle is a junior guard for the Union Pines basketball team. The Vikings won their conference opener last week at Lee County, beating the Yellow Jackets 79-71. Kyle was the game’s leading scorer, hitting 10 of 13 shots from the field for 23 points. He added a team-high 9 rebounds, 5 of them on the offensive boards. He also led Union Pines with 6 steals and threw in a blocked shot and a pair of assists. For the season, Kyle leads the Vikings in shooting percentage, is second in scoring and third in blocks and steals. ‌

Colby Pennington is a junior for the North Moore basketball team … among other things. Pennington just finished a football season that saw him earn first-team All-Conference honors after finishing as the leading receiver and second leading scorer for the Mustangs. He’s stepped things up on the hardwood, leading North Moore in scoring and rebounding so far this season. Last week, he was top scorer in all three of the Mustangs’ games. He scored 21 against Grey Stone Day, 16 of the team’s 30 points in a loss to Northwood and 30 points, including 4-of-6 from three, against South Stanly.…

Justin Travers is a senior in the 132 lb. weight class for the Pinecrest Patriots wrestling team. Justin posted a big win during Pinecrest’s senior night win over Fuquay Varina last week. He recorded a win by pinfall during his match. (He’s shown with his family during senior night ceremonies in the photo above.) It was part of a hot streak on the mat for Travers who recorded three wins, two by fall and one by decision, during the Mason Wagner Memorial Duals over the weekend. He also recorded four wins, all by fall, at the Pirate Round Robin in…

Nathaniel Dyer (4) is a senior quarterback and free safety for North Moore’s football team. The Mustangs saw their season end in a loss to Wilson Prep on Friday, but Dyer led North Moore to a conference title and into the NCHSAA playoffs’ third round. In addition to quarterbacking the team and leading the North Moore offense, Dyer was also a big play contributor on defense and special teams. He had a pass defense and fumble recovery during the regular season, and he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone against Wilson Prep to cut the deficit to seven…

Pinecrest, football William Miller is a junior kicker and defensive back on the Pinecrest football team. Pinecrest saw its undefeated season end after 11 straight wins with a loss to Clayton in the second round of the playoffs on Friday, but Miller did a bit of everything to try to carry his team into round three. Miller kicked a 30-yard field goal to move Pinecrest within one score of the lead, while also adding an extra point. On defense, he added an interception, returning it 29 yards. Miller led Pinecrest in interceptions this year and was third on the team…

Christopher Betancourt is a sophomore on the North Moore men’s soccer team. The younger brother of previous Athlete of the Week Ricky Betancourt, the duo has been the offensive spark for the Mustangs this season. Christopher ranks near the top of the team in goals and assists. His penalty kick goal gave North Moore the early lead in 4-1 win over Vance Charter in the second round of the state playoffs. The 3-seed Mustangs played Southside after press time for a berth in the round of 8.

Jacey Olsen is a senior outside hitter and team captain for the Pinecrest volleyball team.   Pinecrest volleyball went 2-1 last week, sweeping conference foes Richmond and Southern Lee, while dropping a non-conference tilt at Green Hope. The Patriots moved to 13-6 on the season and a perfect 8-0 in the Sandhills Conference, putting them in first place by a full two matches.   Olsen led the way in the win over Richmond, getting a team-high 20 kills, to go with her 3 aces and 5 blocks, both second-most on the team, and her 8 digs, which were good for third. She…

Union Pines, volleyball, tennis Tyne Ross is a two-sport senior for Union Pines, and that’s just in the fall. Ross is pulling double duty on the Vikings Volleyball and Women’s Tennis teams. Last week, she had 26 kills, 3 blocks and 25 digs in Union Pines’ loss to Pinecrest. That was Tuesday. Wednesday night, she won first singles, 6-0, in Union Pines’ 6-0 tennis win over Scotland. Thursday, she had to choose between sports, since both teams had a game. She went with the tennis team and posted a straight sets win in first singles, 6-0, 6-3, in a 7-2…

North Moore, men’s soccer Ricky Betancourt is a senior on the North Moore men’s soccer team. Betancourt had a hat trick in last Monday’s win over Bartlett Yancey, adding two assists in the 10-1 win. Two days later, he had two goals in a 3-1 overtime win over Seaforth. Betancourt leads the Vikings in goals on the season and is second in assists, as North Moore has run out to an unbeaten 6-0-1 mark, 4-0-1 in conference play.