Union Pines – Moore County Edition

Dec

13

2024

Athlete of the Week: Kingsley Donaldson

Sportsathlete of the week, Kingsley Donaldson, Union Pines, Union Pines basketball, Union Pines boys' basketball

Union Pines boys’ basketball post player Kingsley Donaldson is Athlete of the Week. Donaldson leads the Vikings in rebounding and is second in scoring and shooting percentage. He’s also second in blocks and third in steals. Donaldson had a huge game against Gray’s Creek, hitting 17 of 24 from the field, including 1 of 2 from deep. He also hit 3 of 6 from the free-throw line. When the dust cleared, he had 38 points, more than half of Union Pines’ 73 on the night. He also had a double-double, with a team-high 14 rebounds. Donaldson added four steals and…

Dec

01

2024

By North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Tyne Ross

Sportsathlete of the week, North Carolina A&T, Tyne Ross, Union Pines

NC A&T volleyball freshman Tyne Ross is Athlete of the Week. Ross is a 2024 graduate of Union Pines, where she starred for the volleyball and tennis teams. She’s now a freshman on the NC A&T volleyball team. The Aggies entered the postseason with a 17-9 record, a significant turnaround from 8-18 last year. Ross is a big reason why. A&T won back-to-back games to close out the regular season, and Ross led the team in kills in both games, with 17 and 21. She also had a team-high seven digs in the season finale. Ross leads the team in…

Nov

16

2024

By North State Journal staff

Athlete of the Week: Kael Jahn

Sportsathlete of the week, Kael Jahn, Union Pines, Union Pines football, Union Pines soccer

Union Pines two-sport athlete Kael Jahn is Athlete of the Week. Plenty of athletes around the state are able to compete in two — or more — high school sports. Not many do so simultaneously, however. Jahn spent the fall playing goalkeeper for the Vikings boys’ soccer team while also kicking for the football team. Things went pretty well doing double duty, too. Jahn finished second in the Sandhills Conference in goals against average and shared the Sandhills Goalkeeper of the Year award. He also ranked No. 15 in the 3A level in goals against. Meanwhile, in American football, he…

Sep

26

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Union Pines gets milestone win

SportsMoore County sports, North Moore, Union Pines

Union Pines is having its most successful season in recent years, while North Moore is struggling more than it has in the past few campaigns. After a week off, Pinecrest will rejoin the football fray this week. Union Pines The Vikings bounced back from their first loss of the year in week four to get back on the winning track Friday night. Union Pines pulled out a 7-6 win in a defensive struggle at home against Lee County. The win was a milestone one or the Vikings. Union Pines has played Lee County every year since 2013 and had never…

Sep

23

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Athlete of the Week: Harley Moyer

SportsHarley Moyer, Moore County sports, Union Pines

Harley Moyer is a senior defensive back on the Union Pines football team. The Vikings are 4-1, and the defense is a big reason why. Union Pines shut out their first three opponents this season and held Lee County to just 6 points, their fewest in nine seasons. Moyer tied for the team high in tackles against Lee, with nine, including eight solo stops. He also recovered a fumble in the 7-6 victory. For the year, Moyer has four interceptions, which leads the Sandhills Conference and is third best in North Carolina Division 3A. He’s also recovered two fumbles and…

Sep

04

2024

By Asheebo Rojas

Union Pines grabs seven interceptions in 35-0 win over Northwood

SportsMoore County sports, Northwood, Union Pines

CAMERON — Union Pines (2-0, 0-0) put on a defensive masterclass in its 35-0 win over the Chargers (0-2, 0-0) Friday. The Vikings intercepted the Chargers seven times thanks to different looks and constant pressure from its defensive line and a solid display of ball skills in the secondary. The seven picks are tied for the second-most interceptions in a game in North Carolina High School Athletic Association history. “It’s more of the defensive line for pressuring the quarterback and making him throw it up,” senior defensive back Harley Moyer said. “TJ (Robinson) and Elijah (Clayton), they are so good…

Aug

31

2024

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Caleb Milton

Sportsathlete of the week, caleb milton, Union Pines

Union Pines football senior Caleb Milton is Athlete of the Week. The Vikings beat Triton 42-0 to open the season, and Milton played both ways, contributing on offense and defense. Milton only had seven carries for Union Pines, but four of them reached the end zone as he made the most of his 32 rushing yards. On defense, he returned an interception 38 yards for a fifth touchdown and also recovered a fumble. Not to neglect special teams, Milton also returned a kick 45 yards.

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…

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…