Pinecrest Patriots – Moore County Edition

Jan

19

2026

Athlete of the Week: Sam Creed

Sportsathlete of the week, Patriots, pinecrest football, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots, Sam Creed

Sam Creed is a senior offensive lineman on the Pinecrest football team. The Patriots had their season-ending football banquet, and Creed picked up two honors as he closes his high school football career. He was given the Hard Hat Award, along with teammates Brady Clemons, Carson Burch and Carter Jackson, in honor of his work ethic. He was also one of three seniors to win the Senior Academic Award, along with Rollins Rodriguez and Cole Harrison.

Nov

16

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Chris Najm

Businessathlete of the week, Chris Najm, Patriots, Pinecrest, pinecrest football, Pinecrest Patriots

Pinecrest football senior running back Chris Najm is Athlete of the Week. The Patriots’ season ended with a first-round loss in the NCHSAA playoffs, but Najm went out on his shield. He ran for 148 yards on 22 carries, a 6.7 yards per carry average. Najm scored two touchdowns. Najm ended a season in which he was the state’s 11th-leading rusher and seventh leading scorer. He led class 8A in both categories, as well as touchdowns scored.

Sep

14

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Lawson Barrett

Sportsathlete of the week, Lawson Barrett, Patriots, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots, Pinecrest volleyball

Pinecrest volleyball junior setter and right-side hitter Lawson Barrett is Athlete of the Week. The Patriots beat Western Harnett and Purnell Swett last week to even their record at 4-4. Barrett had eight service aces, six digs and 17 assists against Western Harnett and three, eight and 13 against Swett. For the season, Barrett leads Pinecrest in aces and assists, and she is fifth in N.C. Class 8A in aces.

Sep

08

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Zaiden Pratt

Sportsathlete of the week, Patriots, pinecrest football, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots, Zaiden Pratt

Pinecrest junior defensive back Zaiden Pratt is Athlete of the Week. The Patriots won the annual Battle of the Pines over crosstown rival Union Pines, but not until Pratt saved the day. The Vikings trailed by five and were driving for a possible game-winning touchdown when Pratt picked off an Ian Hicks pass with less than 30 seconds remaining to preserve the win.

Aug

10

2025

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Sam Creed

Sportsathlete of the week, Elon, Elon Phoenix, Jeff Yurk, Patriots, Pinecrest, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots, Sam Creed

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 Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Ashley Lee

SportsAshley Lee, athlete of the week, Patriots, Pinecrest, Pinecrest girls' golf, Pinecrest golf, Pinecrest High school, Pinecrest Patriots

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 Cory Lavalette

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 Cory Lavalette

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 Cory Lavalette

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 Cory Lavalette

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.