Pinecrest High school – Moore County Edition

Aug

10

2025

Athlete of the Week: Sam Creed

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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 North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Ashley Lee

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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.

Jun

30

2025

By North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Colby Wallace

Sportsathlete of the week, Colby Wallace, East Carolina, East Carolina Pirates, Pinecrest, Pinecrest baseball, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots, Pirates

Pinecrest High School 2023 graduate Colby Wallace is Athlete of the Week. Wallace was a two-time all-state pitcher and a three-time conference pitcher of the year while leading the Patriots to three conference titles and one berth in the state championship game. Wallace completed his sophomore season at East Carolina earlier this month. He was named to the All-AAC Conference first team as a utility player and also made the AAC All-Tournament team. He also pitched, tying for the team lead with three saves. Wallace’s 3.78 GPA also earned him another postseason honor, as he was one of five Pirates…

May

11

2025

By North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Ian Scott

Sportsathlete of the week, Ian Scott, Pinecrest, Pinecrest boys' lacrosse, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest lacrosse, Pinecrest Patriots

Pinecrest boys’ lacrosse sophomore Ian Scott is Athlete of the Week. The Patriots lead the Sandhills Conference with an unbeaten 11-0 league record. Scott came up big in a win over Union Pines, scoring six of the team’s 10 goals on just nine shots on goal. He also assisted on two of the team’s other four goals. For the season, Scott leads Pinecrest in goals, points, shots on goal and shooting percentage, and he is second in assists.

May

05

2025

By North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Mitch Baek

Sportsathlete of the week, Mitch Baek, Patriots, Pinecrest, Pinecrest baseball, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots

Pinecrest baseball senior Mitch Baek is Athlete of the Week. The Patriots head into the postseason on a four-game winning streak, including going 3-0 last week. Baek had hits and was responsible for runs in all three contests last week. Against Union Pines at home, he homered, walked, drove in two runs and scored one in a 1-for-2 day. In the game at Union Pines, he went 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Against Central Davidson, Baek went 1 for 2 with two RBIs. For the year, he is second on the team in batting, homers,…

Apr

26

2025

By North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Kenan Van Scoyoc

Sportsathlete of the week, Kenan Van Scoyoc, Pinecrest, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots, pinecrest tennis

Pinecrest boys’ tennis senior Kenan Van Scoyoc is Athlete of the Week. He also played football and basketball for the Patriots. Van Scoyoc helped lead Pinecrest to an 11-2 regular season in tennis and a perfect 10-0 in the Sandhills Conference. He qualified for the NCHSAA class 4A regionals and was named to the Sandhills All-Conference team. He completed his dominant senior tennis season by winning the Sandhills Conference Player of the Year award.

Feb

08

2025

By North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Jack Carpenter

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Pinecrest alumnus Jack Carpenter is Athlete of the Week. Carpenter is a 2016 graduate of Pinecrest, where he was a two-sport athlete. As a member of the baseball and football team, he earned the Burlsworth Character Award, which is given to 50 student-athletes across the country. Since leaving Pinecrest, Carpenter has gone on to become a successful football coach. He was a student manager for the NC State team, and he was then promoted to student assistant coach. After college, he has served as an assistant coach at North Gaston High School and Montgomery Central. He eventually worked his way…

Jan

12

2025

By North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Kennedy Moore

SportsKennedy Moore, Pinecrest girls' basketball, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots

Pinecrest girls’ basketball sophomore point guard Kennedy Moore is Athlete of the Week. The Patriots started the new year with a 53-42 home win over Providence, and Moore led the way with 27 points on 3-of-8 shooting from 3. She also added four rebounds, second most for Pinecrest in the game, as well as a team-high four assists and five steals. For the year, Moore is in the top 10 in NCHSAA class 4A in scoring, made free throws and steals. She leads Pinecrest in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks.

Nov

23

2024

By North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Zymire Spencer

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Pinecrest senior running back Zymire Spencer is Athlete of the Week. The No. 12 seed Patriots won their NCHSAA playoff opener, beating New Hanover 30-16, and a crushing ground game led by Spencer is a big reason why. Spencer carried the ball 26 times, gaining 137 yards. He scored a touchdown and also added a 19-yard pass reception. He has now rushed for at least 125 yards in his last nine games and scored a touchdown in his last six. For the season, Spencer has 1,757 rushing yards, which is fifth most in the state and second most at the…

Nov

08

2024

By North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Kaitlyn Kruczek

SportsKaitlyn Kruczek, Pinecrest girls' golf, Pinecrest golf, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots

Pinecrest girls’ golf’s Kaitlyn Kruczek is Athlete of the Week. Kruczek helped lead the Patriots to a third straight NCHSAA class 4A championship. Kruczek tied for first place after shooting a first-round 70 and finished with a 146, good for a fourth-place tie, along with teammate Ashley Lee (our athlete of the week two weeks ago). Kruczek improved by one stroke and moved up two spots from last year when she shot 147 for a sixth-place tie at states. The year before, she shot 172, tying for 38th.