Mistakes prove costly for Rams in SEC semis LAURINBURG — In Wednesday’s 3-1 loss at Scotland, Purnell Swett simply didn’t execute the way it had hoped.
Though starting pitcher Austin Lee Locklear threw a complete game and allowed only four hits, it was shaky defense and a struggling offense that hurt the Rams in the Southeastern Conference tournament semifinal game.
“We didn’t do the little things,” said Purnell Swett coach Bryan McDonald. “We didn’t play small ball and didn’t run the...
Lumberton soccer advances to SEC final LAURINBURG — Lumberton is moving on to the Southeastern Conference championship in soccer after defeating Scotland 2-1 in a semifinal match Tuesday.
The Pirates took a two-goal lead and fended off the Scots to set up a third meeting with Pinecrest in the final on Thursday night.
Scotland, which clinched a playoff berth after Pinecrests’ 6-0 victory over Hoke in the first game of the day, played another even game with the second-seeded Pirates....
Local Roundup: Lumberton softball routs Hoke LUMBERTON — Late in the regular season, Lumberton coach Mackie Register noticed his team was hitting too many fly balls, so the Pirates have spent a hefty amount of time recently on hitting line drives.
The efforts paid off Tuesday as Lumberton beat Hoke 12-2 in five innings in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, taking advantage of 12 hits and two home runs over the left field fence.
“Both of those balls were line d...
Swett escapes upset bid from Hoke in SEC first round Editor’s note: A feature on Hoke coach Mike Ray and his battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease will appear in Sunday’s print and online editions. PEMBROKE — Neither starting pitcher would give in during Tuesday's Southeastern Conference tournament opener at Purnell Swett. With Swett's Christian Collins staying ahead in counts and retiring the first batter of every inning with ease, Hoke's Jordan Virgil matched his counterpart with several popout...
Rain alters league tournament schedules PEMBROKE — Prep baseball on Saturday?
That’s not out of the question this week according to Purnell Swett athletic director Jerome Hunt who said Monday that the Southeastern Conference tournament could move to a Thursday-Friday-Saturday schedule if wet weather continues to flood playing fields in the region.
Heavy rain drenched the Rams’ home baseball field on Monday, site of an SEC first-round game later that evening against Hoke County. Co...
St. Pauls wrestling gets $2K in donations in first month ST. PAULS — In late March, members of the St. Pauls High School wrestling team came face to face with idea that they might not have a program next winter.
Citing a lack of conference support and budgetary concerns, the team and its supporters were told in a meeting with school administration that they would need to raise $3,000 privately by July to keep the program for another season.
“It was pretty hard to deal with,” said Jacobi Jacobs, a ...
Red Springs' Williams named Scholar-Athlete of the Month RED SPRINGS — Red Springs High School senior Jessica Williams is a big believer in giving back to the community, and for that reason, cheerleading has always been natural fit.
“We don’t just build ourselves, we’re there to build other peoples’ character as well. Like with the basketball teams and football teams, we’re there to push them on,” she said. “We give them those encouraging words that others might not.”
Though cheerleading is a simp...
SEC, Three Rivers Tournament Schedule THREE RIVERS
Baseball — All games at East Columbus
Tuesday
(3) Red Springs vs (6) East Columbus at 4:30 p.m.
(4) South Robeson vs (5) St. Pauls at 7
Wednesday
(2) West Columbus vs Winner of 3 vs 6 at 4:30 p.m.
(1) Fairmont vs Winner of 4 vs 5 at 7
Thursday
Championship Game at 7 p.m.
Softball — All games at East Columbus
Tuesday
(3) Fairmont vs (6) Red Springs @ 4:30
(4) St. Pauls vs (5) West Columbus @ 7:00
Wednesday
(2) South...
Local Roundup: Chavis to play at Methodist PEMBROKE — Ever since Purnell Swett senior James Chavis was young, he’s wanted to play college basketball.
Next year, he’ll get that chance.
The guard signed a confirmation of enrollment form Friday afternoon to attend Methodist University in Fayetteville, where he’ll also play on the basketball team, which competes at the NCAA Division III level.
“It’s been one of my dreams to play ball at the next level, so it’s a big thing for me,” Chavi...
St. Pauls tennis wins conference title ST. PAULS — It was a year of firsts for Carol Bishop.
She has coached tennis, but never boys. Her players have had nicknames, but never ones like “Meatloaf” or “French Fry.” Her team has gone to the 1A/2A playoffs, but never undefeated — and never as Three Rivers Conference Champions.
And she’s never been named Coach of the Year.
“It means I have a great team,” she said Monday as she watched the team compete at Fairmont High School. It was ...
Red Springs’ Williams named Scholar Athlete of the Month Red Springs’ Williams named Scholar Athlete for April
Scott Schlaufman
Sports Editor
RED SPRINGS — Red Springs High School senior Jessica Williams is a big believer in giving back to the community, and for that reason, cheerleading has always been natural fit.
“We don’t just build ourselves, we’re there to build other peoples’ character as well. Like with the basketball teams and football teams, we’re there to push them on,” she said....
St. Pauls wrestling expected to stay St. Pauls wrestling expected to stay put
Team gets $2,000 in donations in first month
ST. PAULS — In late March, members of the St. Pauls High School wrestling team came face to face with idea that they might not have a program next winter.
Citing a lack of conference support and budgetary concerns, the team and its supporters were told in a meeting with school administration that they would need to raise $3,000 privately by July to kee...
Thursday's Local Roundup: Late rally fuels Lady Pirates PEMBROKE — A pair of freshmen came through with big hits in Lumberton’s 7-4 win at Purnell Swett Thursday.
Randi Bullard and Kailey Prevatte, who hit seventh and eighth in the Pirates’ lineup, provided back-to-back singles in the seventh inning that scored three runs and broke a 4-4 tie. The two combined for five runs batted in and each went 2 for 4.
It backed a strong outing from Lumberton pitcher Meagan Skipper, who allowed five hits. With...
Sanderson leads Swett to win over Lumberton PEMBROKE — Before every batter, Sean Sanderson goes through a multi-step ritual on the mound.
He’ll touch his toes behind the rubber and straighten the legs of his pants before taking off his hat and wiping sweat with his sleeve.
Sanderson’s routine need not be tweaked because there’s a reason the senior lefty has earned the title of Purnell Swett's ace.
The player of few words tossed another 6 2/3 innings of effective baseball in Thursday’...
Wednesday's Roundup: Fairmont sweeps St. Pauls FAIRMONT — Alex Britt and the Golden Tornadoes closed out the regular season on senior night Wednesday with a 6-0 victory over St. Pauls.
Britt was his usual self on the mound for Three Rivers Conference champion Fairmont, tossing a complete game one-hitter with 12 strikeouts. He’s now fanned 71 batters in 39 2/3 career innings against the Bulldogs.
Jhamel Leonard was nearly as effective as St. Pauls’ starter, giving up just three hits in th...
