Moore County sports – Moore County Edition

Aug

21

2024

High school football set to open on Friday

SportsMoore County sports

Boys’ soccer: Union Pines was the first team to hit the field in the 2024-25 school year. The Vikings went 1-2 in the first week of action, beating Hunt, 1-0, on a goal by Kael Jahn. Union Pines then fell, 1-0 to Northside-Jacksonville and 6-0, to Jacksonville. This week, the Vikings play at Fike, then finally have their home opener, against Rocky Mount. A home game against South Garner wraps up the week. North Moore and Pinecrest both get started this week. The Mustangs travel to Southern Lee. Pinecrest travels to Leesville Road, Lumberton and New Bern before playing its…

Aug

07

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Volleyball schedules for Moore County’s varsity teams, key games

NewsMoore County sports

The 2024 high school volleyball season will begin Friday, setting off what should be another exciting year for volleyball fans in Moore County. All three county teams are coming off playoff appearances from last year and will look to build on their respective successes. Before those athletes hit the court for another season, here’s a look at each team’s schedule and matchups to look out for: Pinecrest (19-8 in 2023, 14-0 in the Sandhills Conference) Aug. 12 (vs. Purnell Swett); Aug. 14 (at Ashley); Aug. 22 (vs. Chapel Hill); Aug. 29 (vs. Richmond); Sept. 3 (at Southern Lee); Sept. 5…

Aug

05

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Athlete of the Week: Garrett Wolff

Sportsathlete of the week, Garrett Wolff, Moore County sports, Sandhills Bogeys

Garrett Wolff is a Wilmington native and a rising senior at St. Andrews University, where he’s an infielder on the baseball team. Wolff spent the summer playing for Moore County’s Sandhills Bogeys in the Old North State League, a summer college league. The Bogeys reached the Old North State League finals, where they fell just short of a title, losing the best-of-three championship series to the Clayton Clovers in two straight games. Wolff did his part in the series, however, driving in runs in both games. He went 2-for-5 in the first game, hitting a homer, driving in three runs…

Jul

30

2024

By Asheebo Rojas

NCHSAA reports increase in overall participation, lower participation in baseball across last two sports seasons

NewsMoore County sports

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association reported a 4.73 percent increase in overall student athlete participation during the 2023-24 season, per a release sent out Monday. Based on the information reported to the NCHSAA by its member schools, a total of 208,722 student athletes participated in NCHSAA sanctioned sports last year which is over 10,000 more student athletes than the 2022-23 sports season (198,025 athletes). Every sport, except for baseball, saw an increase in participation. Although the five new baseball programs were added to the NCHSAA, the sport saw 153 less players (a 1.4% drop) participate in 2024. Many…

Jun

25

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Athlete of the Week: Will Kennedy

Sportsathlete of the week, Moore County sports, North Moore High School, Will Kennedy

Will Kennedy is a senior for the North Moore baseball team who will be playing for Wake Tech at the college level next year. After playing the outfield in previous seasons, Kennedy became a two-way player in his final season. In addition to hitting over .400 for the Mustangs, he also was the Mid-Carolina Conference’s pitcher of the year. He struck out more than 50 batters and had an ERA of just over 2.30. Kennedy has added to his postseason honors. In addition to his spot on the all-conference first team, he recently was named to the N.C. Baseball Coaches…

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

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…

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…