Ncpa 2015 contest — sports coverage by Kelly P. Snow

SportS

the courier-times | roxboro, Nc

saturday, sept. 6. 2014

Person volleyball snaps two-game losing skid, will host Bulldogs next rockets sweep halifax two days after home loss to south Granville By Kelly Snow courier-times sports editor kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com

The Person High School volleyball team needed a win, any kind of win after dropping three out of its last four matches. That win came just in time as the Rockets swept rival Hali-

fax (Va.) 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-20), a day after a surprising three-set home loss to South Granville. The Vikings rolled to a 25-20, 2516, 25-23 victory. The Rockets were without freshman hitter Avery Bowman against Halifax because of illness, but got outstanding play from reserves Jada McGhee and

Jessica Wheeler. First-year head coach Amanda Ramirez is hoping the good feelings after Thursday’s win at Halifax carryover to an outstanding performance against in-county rival Roxboro Community School Monday night. “I’m feeling a lot more confident with the girls and they’re

Person setter Carlee Hawkins prepares to set a hitter while South Granville’s Sarah Dickerson protects the net during Wednesday’s match.

feeling a lot more confident with each other,” Ramirez said. “We were lacking communication and trusting each other. I think they needed to see something a little different and Jada and (Wheeler) really stepped up for us. I think the girls were tired of playing in that funk and it’s not fun to coach in that. I think the feeling from (Thursday) of push-

Kelly sNow | courier times

See PHS, Page 8

Kelly sNow | courier times

Roxboro Community School’s Ryann Tate hammers a spike while setter Peyton Thornburg looks on during Thursday’s match with River Mill Academy.

‘Dogs 6-0 heading into in-county showdown Monday night By Kelly Snow courier-times sports editor kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com

TIMBERLAKE — The Roxboro Community School volleyball did Thursday what it has done to everyone it’s seen this year. Win. Win quickly and win decisively. The Bulldogs pounded North Central Athletic Conference foe River Mill Academy 3-0 (25-5, 25-9, 25-11) at home to

stretch their unbeaten record to 6-0. RCS has yet to drop a set this season, with opponents getting to 20 points in only three of 18 sets. The veteran Bulldogs, with four seniors, have wins against 4-A foe Northern Durham and Granville Central, a second-round playoff team a year ago. “I don’t think we’ve had a bad game, we haven’t played See RCS, Page 8

Kelly sNow | courier times

Person’s Taymon Smith tries to get out of the grasp of couple of Dudley defensive players during Friday’s game.

Panthers rout Rockets, 48-0 reigning state champs hold person to record low total for yards By Kelly Snow courier-times sports editor kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com

The Greensboro Dudley High School football team is expected to contend for another state championship after claiming the 4-A prize last season. And Person found out exactly just how

good the champs are. The Panthers overwhelmed the Rockets 48-0 Friday night in Roxboro. It was Dudley’s second shutout victory in a row, with the defense holding Person to just one first down and minus-6 yards total offense — both new school records. The Rockets played without four regular offensive lineman against an experienced and talented crew of Panther defensive players. “(the offensive line injuries) mattered with sustaining drives, but I don’t think it necessarily mattered on certain plays,” Person coach Dave Kleine said. “We had a

freshman at center, a reserve lineman playing guard and we still have a tackle who just played his third game ever on line. We’re mixing and matching until we get those four back. A lot of people trying to watch the game won’t realize it, but it actually builds depth. When we get healed up, we’ll have nine lineman.” The Rockets’ defense had a couple of nice moments, including turning away the Panthers inside the Person 30-yard line when Caleb Garrett tackled quarterback Hendon See ROCKETS, Page 7

] Person tennis [

Person netters roll past Vikings, blasts Northern Durham in PAC-6 opener showdown with Jordan suspended with match tied, to be picked up sept. 15 By Kelly Snow courier-times sports editor kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com

The biggest match of the young season for the Person High School girls’ tennis team just turned into a winner-takeall doubleheader in two weeks. The Rockets’ huge PAC-6 match Thursday at Jordan was postponed midway through because of lighting and rain in Durham. The teams split four singles matches and with two still on the court when the rains

came. The teams will resume the match Sept. 15 before they meet for their regularly scheduled match in Roxboro. Person and Jordan are expected to contend for the conference’s second automatic berth into the state playoffs. Person’s second-seed Cassidy Gillie cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 win, while Victoria Dunn rallied from down a set to win her fourth-seeded match 3-6, 6-1, 1-0. The Falcons picked up wins

in the fifth and sixth seeded matches and are in good shape in the third-seeded event. Person’s third-seed Danielle Russell fought off a match point just before the rains came, but will face another one when her match resumes. Rockets’ top-seed Molly Horton leads 7-5, 2-1 in her match. “Doubles is going to be the key, once again,” Person coach Lynn Ward said. “We had a great match, and look forward to completing it soon.” The Rockets opened the week with a comfortable 6-3 win against Northern Vance Tuesday. Person clinched the match early on, winning all six singles See TENNIS, Page 7

Kelly sNow | courier times

Person’s Abbie Adcocks eyes a backhand during Tuesday’s match against Northern Vance. The Rockets defeated the Vikings 6-3.

SPORTS

SATURdAy, SepT. 6, 2014

The coURieR-TimeS | RoxboRo, Nc A7

TENNIS: person opens conference with big win against Northern durham, travels to ech Tuesday FROM PAGE 6 matches. Horton, fifth-seed Hannah Holt, number-six Victoria Phelps rolled to 8-0 victories. Gillie picked up an 8-1 win, while Russell won her thirdseeded match 8-3. Dunn wrapped up the singles wins with an 8-4 triumph. The Vikings claimed victories in all three doubles matches. The Rockets opened conference play with a dominating 8-1 victory Wednesday against Northern Durham. The Rockets swept all six singles events, led by Horton’s 6-0, 6-0 win in the top-seeded match. Gillie and Russell rolled to 6-1, 6-0 victories while Dunn and Phelps had matching 6-0, 6-0 wins. Holt picked up an easy 6-0, 6-1 win in the fifth-seeded match. The Rockets claimed wins in two of the three doubles matches, with the sophomore tandem of Holt and Kayla Tillman winning 8-4 in the top-seeded event. Crissa Berger and Emilee Nelson claimed an 8-4 triumph in the second seeded match. Person will be back in action this morning when it travels to Bartlett Yancey. The Rockets will challenge perennial conference heavyweight East Chapel Hill for a double match Tuesday.

Person’s Kayla Tillman rips a serve during her doubles match Tuesday against Northern Vance. The Rockets defeated Northern Vance and Northern Durham this week and were tied with Jordan before rain forced the suspension of play. Kelly SNow | coURieR TimeS

] PERsOn jv vOllEybAll [ Kelly SNow | coURieR TimeS

Dudley’s Christian Cokely makes a nice one-handed touchdown grab just over Person’s Tayshaun Outlaw during the first quarter of Friday’s game

ROCKETS: dudley’s defense smothers phS’s undermanned line FROM PAGE 6 Hooker after a short gain on fourth down. Person stopped the Panthers on a goalline stand on the final possession of the game — but in between, it was all Dudley. The reigning 4-A champs scored touchdowns on nine of 10 drives and piled up 518 yards total offense — 411 of that on the ground behind a trio of outstanding runners. Connell Young racked up 119 yards on 10 carries including a pair of touchdowns, while reserve quarterback Jayden Maynor played the entire second half and piled up 82 yards rushing a touchdown. Darius Graves had a pair of touchdowns and finished with 60 yards. The Panthers took a 34-0 lead into halftime and added a pair of second half touchdowns to force a running clock for all but seven seconds of the fourth quarter. “That’s a very big, very athletic, very talented, deep football team,” Kleine said. “They’re well-coached and an older football team. I was impressed with our kids making that fourth-

and-goal stand. (Dudley) wanted to score 50. They scored 42 against Ragsdale. That’s a quality program and they wanted to score more. To put it all in perspective, I’m proud of the gutty effort of our guys.” The Rockets three opponents so far this season are a combined 8-0 after all making deep playoff runs a year ago. Person will be looking for its first win of the season next week when it hosts Halifax (Va.). The Rockets defeated the Comets 2117 last season and have already shifted their focus to their nearby rival. When the team broke huddle after the game, the players collectively yelled “Halifax”. “You’re able to take teachable moments from the film, but a lot of this, you’ve got to put on the back burner,” Kleine said. “ You can’t dwell on this. We’ve got the next opponent coming in. We can’t take back what’s on the scoreboard. We can’t complain about our injuries. We have to play with what we have and do the best we can. We’re undermanned in a lot of different ways, bu I thought our kids played hard.”

Greensboro dudley 48, person 0 DUDLEY PERSON

1st 14 00

2nd 3rd 21 06 00 00

4th 07 00

Final 48 00

SCORING SUMMARY First Quarter DUDLEY — Christian Cokely 14 pass from Hendon Hooker (kick failed) 4:14 DUDLEY — Connell Young 8 run (Darius Graves run) 1:21 Second Quarter DUDLEY — Graves 9 run (kick failed) 8:09 DUDLEY — Young 5 run (Tyree Knight run) 3:39 DUDLEY — Graves 4 run (Elyjah Harris kick) 0:14 Third Quarter DUDLEY — Marcel Serrete 3 run (kick failed) 4:57 Fourth Quarter DUDLEY — Jayden Maynor 7 run (Harris kick) 11:53

Person JV volleyball player Cristina Roberts passes to a teammate during Wednesday’s match against South Granville. The JV Rockets swept the Vikings, but fell to Halifax Thursday on the road. Kelly SNow | coURieR TimeS

Watch Your Prots Rise!

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS PASSING DUDLEY — Hendon Hooker 8-11-0 108 yards TD PERSON — Antonio Williams 6-12-0 28 yards

Contact Brooke

RUSHING DUDLEY — Connell Young 10-119, Jayden Maynor 8-82, Darius Graves 11-60, Ezra Perkins 4-32, Hendon Hooker 5-21, Virgil Lesane 5-20, Marcel Serrete 5-18, Lance Williams 1-16, Christian Cokely 1-5, Tyree Knight 2-1 PERSON — Taymon Smith 5-16, Dontavian Smith 6-2, Tyrique Wright 2-(-1), Antonio Williams 5-(-51) RECEIVING DUDLEY — Darius Graves 2-43, Christian Cokely 2-24, Brandon Person-Boyd 2-22, Antione McCray 1-14, Simeon Gatling 1-5 PERSON — Corey Young 3-10, A.J. Cash 2-9, James Robinson 1-9 RECORDS Greensboro Dudley (3-0), Person (0-3)

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SPORTS

A8 the courier-times | roxboro, Nc WHAT dOeS THiS meAn fOR RCS? This is the first real test for the Roxboro Community School volleyball team this season. The Bulldogs have conference and state title aspirations, and every match counts. A victory against Person would give RCS a load of momentum heading into next week, with a showdown at 1-A finalist Raleigh Charter looming Thursday. Also, playoff seeding is determined in large part by overall winning percentage. Staying perfect keeps RCS in line for a number one overall seed.

saturday, sept. 9, 2014

The CounTy Championship roxboro community school (6-0) at person (3-3) monday 6 p.m.

casey goodwiN

THRee keyS TO WATCH fOR

1. will rcs get off to a good start?

WHAT dOeS THiS meAn fOR PeRSOn?

Defeating a really good RCS team could give this team a nice boost heading into conference next week. The PAC-6 is pretty top heavy, with Riverside, Jordan, East Chapel Hill and Person all capable of winning the league title. Only the top three get an automatic spot in the playoffs, and the fourth will need to have a good enough winning percentage to get a wildcard spot. PHS can ill-afford to lose any additional matches in nonconference.

THRee keyS TO WATCH fOR

1. how will person receive serve?

This will be the first time RCS has seen a team that plays with any kind of tempo since it scrimmaged Person about a month ago. How quickly the Bulldogs can adjust to the speed of the game will be a huge deal.

The Bulldogs’ serving has been dominant and Person has struggled mightily receiving so far this season. This will be the most important aspect of the match. Getting the Thornburg sisters off the serving line will be huge.

2. how will rcs deal with person’s tall hitters/blockers?

2. who will be the number two and three hitting options?

The Bulldogs are deep with outstanding hitters, but haven’t had to deal with athletic big players on the other side of the net this season. They fared well in the scrimmage and will need to do even better this time around.

Casey Goodwin will get plenty of sets and can be deadly, but when she’s off the court, other hitters have to step up. Alexis Williams, Courtney Jackson and Avery Bowman will need to be big.

3. can rcs stay in the moment?

3. can person serve consistently?

This is an RCS team that can certainly go into Person and win, but they have to stay within themselves. This is an experienced, confident squad that is ready to take that next big step.

Kelsie holt

The Rockets have given up way too many cheap points on serving errors. They can’t afford those against RCS.

keeP An eye On...

Kara wilkerson

keeP An eye On...

She’ll be easy to spot as the team’s libero. Wilkerson will get plenty of opportunities to receive serves, and if she’s consistently able to get good first touches to the Person setters, the Rockets will be in good shape.

peyton thornburg

The Bulldogs’ senior setter has a lot of hitting options to choose from, and she has the ability to quarterback her team to a program-defining victory.

RCS: bulldogs looking to stay perfect this season PHS: rockets trying to keep momentum rolling FROM PAGE 6 our best a few times, but if we keep building our confidence against teams who allow us to run more aggressive plays and we keep our serves consistent, we’ll be fine,” RCS coach Meagan Tatum said. The Bulldogs will take a huge step up in competition Monday night when it challenges incounty rival Person (3-3). Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Rocket Gym. This is expected to be Roxboro Community School’s toughest non-conference opponent and should provide a different kind of foe than its seen so far this season. “It’s tough because when we play (tougher) games, it is a shock at first,” Tatum said. “If we focus on our game and focus on improving and we have confidence in that and are strong on our side of the court, I think we’ll be able to control a good part of the game. It will be harder seeing bigger blockers and bigger hitters, but if we take care of our side of the net, whatever the tempo is, we can make it our own and it won’t be that big of a difference.” The Bulldogs have a host of outstanding hitters led by Kelsie Holt, Garrison Bowes and freshman Mackenzi Thornburg, but will be challenged by a pair of six-foot blockers in Person’s Courtney Jackson and Casey Goodwin. Tatum believes her team’s success may come down to the play of her back row. “I think it’s going to have a lot to dow with our defensive coverage,” Tatum said. “This is the kind of game where hitters can

FROM PAGE 6

Kelsey Cole works the get the ball across the net during the Bulldogs’ three-set sweep of River Mill Academy. The Bulldogs are 6-0 this season. Kelly sNow | courier times

show off, but we need to make sure our defense is ready to go, dig in, and keep the ball in play. Our offense is doing a great job right now, but we have to make sure we’ll be able to get the ball to the setter.” RCS has never defeated the Rockets in a regular season game, but did win two of three timed sets in a preseason scrimmage in early August. Tatum believes her team gained some confidence in that showing. “I think it helped, but there will be a different feel going into their gym,” Tatum said. “For the girls, they know now they can keep up with them. They know what they’re up against and where the ball’s going to and who to serve to and things like that. The scrimmage also probably aggravated Person and we expect them to come out really

strong. We’re still the underdog with everything to gain and not much pressure.” Monday’s matchup will be the first between Tatum and her former teammate Amanda Ramirez (formerly Clark). The two played together on Person’s 2006 state championship team. Ramirez, the Rockets’ setter, was the Most Valuable Player in the state finals game, and Tatum claimed that honor when the Rockets won the 2007 title. “I’m excited,” Tatum said of coaching against her former teammate. “With our history, it will be nice to see her. It’s a little friendly competition. We’re definitely familiar with each other. I just hope there’s a lot of fans supporting both teams because there’s a lot of great volleyball in Roxboro.”

ing through and fighting as a team instead of a bunch of individuals is something we’re going to carryover.” The Rockets will be seeing RCS for the second time. The teams met up for a scrimmage in early August at a sweltering Helena Gym, with the host Bulldogs winning two out of three timed sets. The Bulldogs have never defeated Person in a regular season match, but will enter Monday’s matchup with a perfect 6-0 record, and have yet to drop a single set. “I’m feeling good about Monday,” Ramirez said. “It’s going to be a fight. It’s very competitive between the schools right now, not just with volleyball, but academically as well. After our preseason scrimmage, I think it got both teams fired up. Our team is planning on going in and playing a lot more consistently, but RCS has been practicing hard and they’re going to be ready to go. One team is going to be the best in the county. Who’s it going to be?” The Rockets had difficulty handling serves in the RCS scrimmage, especially the topspin jump serve from freshman Mackenzi Thornburg. How Person is able to deal with the Bulldogs’ outstanding service game will likely be a big factor in Monday’s match. “(the scrimmage) showed us what we needed to work on and playing (reigning 3-A state champion Cardinal Gibbons) did too,” Clark said. “If our serve-receive Kelly sNow | courier times pulls through, and we serve aggressively, everything else will Person’s Jada McGhee and Avery Bowman double-block a South fall into place.” Granville hitter during Wednesday’s game.

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SPORTS

saturday, sept. 6, 2014

the courier-times | roxboro, Nc A9

] bowling summary [

Person county bowling league Powered by FitZlaw week 3 standings team w Blue Man Group 22 Midtown Merchants 18 Gravittes Flooring 14 Regan & Son Heating/Air 14 Jacovitch Construction 14 Claytons Woodshop 14 Rocket Grill 14 Toufielks Cafe 13 Dunevants Insurance 13 Vanishing Vapors 13 HD Kirkman Designs 12 Cole’s Pharmacy 12 The Open Kettle 11 Cozarts 8 Newcomers 8 Tee Birds Driving Range 6 Lake Winds Golf 6 Powells Guns & Ammo 4

l 2 6 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 13 16 16 18 18 20

team High scratch game — 993 Cole’s Pharmacy, 964 Claytons Woodshop, 961 Midtown Merchants team High scratch series — 2777 Cole’s Pharmacy, 2750 Midtown Merchants, 2744 Tee Birds Driving Range team High Handicap game — 1275 Claytons Woodshop, 1232 Cole’s Pharmacy, 1216 Blue Man Group team High Handicap series — 3527 Jacovitch Construction, 2504 Toufielks Cafe, 3494 Cole’s Pharmacy

individual High scratch game — 258 Steve Brooks, 234 Keith Day, 234 Randall Vaughan, 234 Chuck O’Hara, 234 Jerry Young individual High scratch series — 640 Donnie Sides, 636 Landon Day, 627 Steve Brooks individual High Handicap game — 304 Chuck O’Hara, 294 Roy Pixley, 289 Phil Jackson individual High Handicap series — 807 Craig Thornburg, 803 Roy Pixley, 781 Chuck O’Hara

golDen corral senior league week 2 team w l Pin Pals 8 0 Here Comes Trouble 6 2 We’ve Been Framed 6 2 Spare Change 5 3 Ten Pinners 5 3 PT Armor 5 3 T-Birds 4.5 3.5 Mom’s Gang 4 4 Knights of Columbus 4 4 Dreamers 4 4 Golden Girls & Guys 4 4 Thunder 4 4 Odds & Ends 3 5 Newcomers 3 5 The Musketeers 3 5 Belles & Beau 2.5 5.5 Lucky Strikers 2 6 Rebecca’s Boys 2 6 The Mighty Oaks 1 7

team High Handicap game — 1110 Mom’s Gang, 1106 Belles & Beau, 1096 Here Comes Trouble team High Handicap series — 3199 Mom’s Gang, 3154 Belles & Beau, 3087 Spare Change

tHursDay nigHt MiXeD league week 2 team w I Don’t Know 11 Causing Trouble 10 Ball Strikers 9 Splits Happens 9 Ballbusters 7 Strings & Things 5 Elbow Benders 5

l 3 4 5 5 7 9 9

team High Handicap series — 2672 Strings & Things, 2647 I Don’t Know, 2566 Splits Happen, 2566 Splits Happen team High Handicap game — 935 Splits Happen, 907 Strings & Things, 899 I Don’t Know Male High Handicap series — 734 Will Burton, 703 Charles Ernst, 703 Leroy Honeycutt Male High Handicap game — 268 Tommie Stanfield, 260 Lacy Wilson, 251 Leroy Burton, 251 Lenny Weaver Female High Handicap series — 691 Lorna Burton, 662 Charlie Ferrell, 635 Judy Strother Female High Handicap game — 251 Carolyn Hall, 231 Gaye Harris, 218 Cassie Crisp 200 individual scratch games — 220 Will Burton, 216-201 Oscar Crisp, 211 Tommie Stanfield, 210 Lacy Wilson, 203 Lorna Burton, 203 Leroy Honeycutt, 202 Charles Ernst walKer’s booKKeePing no-taP league week 1 team w Country Boys 3 Back Strokes 3 Alley Cats 3 Flamingos 3 Wahoo Warriors 2.5 Hit & Miss 2 King Pin & Queens 2 Three Stooges 1.5 Walkie Talkies 1 Golden Girls & Lacy 1 Outcasts 1 Martha’s Markers 1

l 1 1 1 1 1.5 2 2 2.5 3 3 3 3

team High Handicap series — 2037 Country Boys, 1904 Hit & Miss, 1901 Back Strokes team High Handicap game — 712 Outcasts, 705 Martha’s Markers, 700 Wahoo Warriors

Male High Handicap series — 745 Robert Parker, 632 Reid Davis, 632 Mike Ferrell, 632 Don Lumley, 632 Bill Small, 632 Carl Walker Male High Handicap game — 297 Lenny Weaver, 263 Ron Epps, 255 James Yarboro Female High Handicap series — 644 Dorothy Wagstaff, 639 Rebecca Conard, 632 Carolyn Gainey, 632 Martha Hall, 632 Judy Strother, 632 JR Weaver, 632 Marian Whitt Female High Handicap game — 266 Shirley Veasey, 266 Jeannette Williams, 252 Doris Compton 200-scratch games — 297 Lenny Weaver, 274-246-225 Robert Parker, 251 Ron Epps, 243 Doris Compton, 240-213 Will Burton, 237 Don Lumley, 232 Kenneth Marston, 231-210203 Dorothy Wagstaff, 229-207 Marian Whitt, 227 Jeannette Williams, 224-207 Lacy Wilson, 222-217-200 Rebecca Conard, 221 Shirley Wilkerson, 220 Shirley Suitt, 213 Mike Ferrell, 212 Ray Oliver, 210 Sylvia Hobgood, 204 Reid Davis, 204 Shirley Veasey, 203 James Yarboro, 201-201 JR Weaver, 200 Judy Strother 700-scratch series — 745 Robert Parker 600-scratch series — 660 Lenny Weaver, 644 Dorothy Wagstaff, 639 Rebecca Conard, 629 Marian Whitt, 618 Will Burton, 608 Don Lumley, 603 Doris Compton tuesDay nigHt couPles league week 1 standings team w Shake n Bake 3 Team 3 3 Spare Me 3 Pin Busters 3 Two Days 1 Living on a Spare 1 Lollygaggers 1 Team 4 1

team High Handicap game — 446 Shake n Bake, 424 Lollygaggers, 419 Spare Me team High Handicap series — 1169 Shake n Bake, 1169 Team 3, 1168 Two Days Male High Handicap game — 239 Chris Pearce, 223 Tom Filler, 222 Al Oakley Male High Handicap series — 593 Al Oakley, 592 Keith Day, 592 Jim Wheeler Female High Handicap game — 223 Tina Filler, 215 Phyllis Burke, 212 Janelle Wheeler Femal High Handicap series — 579 Phyllis Burke, 579 Tina Filler, 574 Pamela Parham, 574 Janelle Wheeler

] this week’s sports slate [

saturday

PHS Tennis — at Bartlett Yancey 9:30 a.m.

monday

PHS Volleyball — vs. Roxboro Community School 6 p.m. RCS Tennis — at Voyager Academy 4:30 p.m.

tuesday

Division i (140 and below average) Male High Handicap series — 676 Buck Warren, 673 Dwight Thomas, 668 Brann Humphries Male High Handicap game — 251 Hugh Ray Stewart, 243 Kelly Small, 242 Frank Monroe

PHS Tennis — at East Chapel Hill 4 p.m. PHS Cross Country — vs. Jordan 5 p.m. RCS Volleyball — vs. East Wake Academy 6 p.m.

Female High Handicap series — 702 Shirley Veasey, 685 Wynette Wilkins, 665 Sybil Jennings Female High Handicap game — 258 Shirley Suitt, 232 Mary Wagner, 231 Becky Walker

RCS Soccer — at Woods Charter 4 p.m. RCS Tennis — vs. Raleigh Charter 4:30 p.m. PHS Soccer — vs. Bartlett Yancey 5:30 p.m. NMS Football — at Phillips 5 p.m.

Division ii (141 and above average) Male High Handicap series — 672 Henry Daniel, 671 Bob Giggey, 663 Ray Oliver Male High Handicap game — 259 Ron Epps, 249 Joe Seamster, 233 Norman Carpenter

Female High Handicap series — 675 Jeannette Williams, 668 Rose Clayton, 589 Cassie Crisp Female High Handicap game — 244 Charlie Ferrell, 231 Judy Strother, 212 Elise Vernon, 212 Lianne Martin

200-scratch games — 246-233 Bob Giggey, 235 Ron Epps, 214 Dean Thomas, 211 Henry Daniel, 209-202 Oscar Crisp, 208 Norman Carpenter, 208 Robert Parker, 205-204 Will Burton 600-scratch series — 656 Bob Giggey, 605 Oscar Crisp

l 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 3

Rocket cross country teams run past Northern Durham in conference opener By Kelly Snow courier-times sports editor kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com

The Person High School boys’ cross country team improved its record to 3-0 on the season with a 15-40 victory against Northern Durham Wednesday at Eno River. The Rockets’ PAC-6 opener was shortened because of heat. Person’s Andrew Garrett finished second overall, and led the Rockets with a time of 14:30. Dakota Sullivan followed closely behind with a time of 15:17, while

] recreation news [ BASS TOuRnAmenT SeT fOR OcT. 4

Wednesday

thursday

PHS Tennis — vs. Riverside 4 p.m. PHS JV Volleyball — vs. Northern Durham 5 p.m. PHS Varsity Volleyball — vs. Northern Durham 6:30 p.m. PHS JV Football — at Halifax (Va.) 6 p.m. PHS Soccer — at Roxboro Community School 6 p.m. RCS Volleyball — at Raleigh Charter 6 p.m. NMS Soccer — at Phillips 5 p.m. NMS Volleyball — at Phillips 5 p.m.

Friday

carol Garrett | courier times

Person’s (left-to-right) Payton Morris, abbie adcock, and Kaity sullivan run together during wednesday’s cross country meet at northern Durham.

RCS Cross Country — at Research Triangle 5 p.m. PHS Varsity Football — vs. Halifax (Va.) 7 p.m. SMS Volleyball — vs. Roxboro Community School 4:30 p.m.

The Person County Recreation, Arts and Parks Department will be holding its annual Mayo Lake Fall Bass Classic team tournament series Saturday, Oct. 4. Boats will launch at 7 a.m. with weigh-in set for 3 p.m. Registration fee is $75 per boat, for one or two person teams. Prizes will be based on an 80-percent payback and one place for every six boats. There will also be an optional $10 big fish pot with a 100-percent payback. Registration may be done in person at the Mayo Park office at 1013 Neal’s Store Road during regular business hours. Forms may be mailed to Mayo Park, Person County Recreation Arts and Parks, 425 Long Ave., Roxboro, N.C. 27573.

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son runner with a time of 18:55. Abbie Adcock was fourth overall with a time of 21:15, just a second ahead of teammate Payton Morris. Kaity Sullivan finished with a time of 21:28, with Olivia Knott wrapping up the top-five with a time of 21:39. Person will be back in action Tuesday when it faces Jordan in a home meet.

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Michael Simpson had Person’s third-fastest runner at 16:50. Josh Davis came home fourth with a time of 17:14, while Austin Sullivan wrapped up the topfive runners at 17:14. The Rockets’ girls team opened conference with a 24-31 win against the Ladies. Kara Presslar finished second overall and was the fastest Per-

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the courier-times | roxboro, Nc

Person looking for first victory against winless Comets By Kelly Snow courier-times sports editor kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com

After facing three teams ranked in the top-10 in the state in their classifications to start the season, the Person High School football team will face a different kind of challenge this Friday night. The Rockets (0-3) will host a

Halifax (Va.) squad that’s just as hungry for a victory. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Rocket Stadium for these two familiar adversaries. “It’s very much a natural rivalry game,” Person coach Dave Kleine said. “They might not be in our conference and they might not be in our state, but they are certainly just up the road. It’s one of the games I re-

ally get amped up for.” The Comets have started the season 0-2, falling to two traditionally strong programs in Virginia, Jefferson Forest (50-30) and E.C. Glass (56-28). Kleine believes that results can be a bit deceiving when examining Halifax. Shifty quarterback James Smith leads a

wedNesday, sept. 10, 2014 Person quarterback Antonio Williams will be looking to bounce back after a tough perfomance in last week’s loss against reigning 4-A state champion Greensboro Dudley. The Rockets host Halifax (Va.) Friday. Kelly sNow | courier times

See FOOTBALL, Page 7

Bulldogs take down Rockets By Kelly Snow

courier-times sports editor kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com

The Roxboro Community School volleyball team was leading, but teetering big time. The Bulldogs had just dropped their first set of the season, saw their senior All-Conference setter get carried out of the gym and Person was pouncing on its wounded in-county rival. But RCS regrouped and found a way to hang on for 3-1 (25-20, 25-17, 10-25, 25-22) victory Monday night in front of a loud and energetic crowd at Rocket Gym. The victory was the 1-A North Central Athletic Conference member’s first-ever win against its 4-A neighbor. “I didn’t want to graduate without beating them,” RCS senior outside hitter Kelsie Holt said. “We’ve played them every year and they’re a great team and it’s always good competition. (Person) always makes me want to get better and play better. This was just a great experience.” Holt made her final swings against Person memorable. With the Bulldogs clinging to a slim 23-22 in the fourth set after two consecutive Person points, Holt took sets from freshman Mackenzi Thornburg and buried back-to-back kills to clinch the victory. Her final kill was initially dug up, but never made it back across the net. Holt finished with a teamhigh 11 kills with seven digs. The Bulldogs played most of the final two sets without four-year starting setter Peyton Thornburg who left after an apSee VOLLEYBALL, Page 8

Kelly sNow | courier times

Members of the Roxboro Community School volleyball team and their supporters celebrate after defeating Person 3-1 Monday in Rocket Gym.

Little sister steps up in big sister’s absence By Kelly Snow courier-times sports editor kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com

Roxboro Community School freshman Mackenzi Thornburg could only watch as her older sister limped off the court. With the Bulldogs holding a comfortable two-set lead against Person, and on the verge of their first-ever victory against their crosstown rival, Peyton Thorn-

burg, the team’s four-year starting setter, gingerly left the floor and took a seat on the bench. Within seconds, RCS’s quarterback on the floor had her mother, her coach’s mother and Person’s trainers buzzing around her looking at her foot. But little sister still had a job to do — and now Mackenzi was the team’s lone setter as big sister grimaced in pain and was in tears when told her night was

over. Mackenzi has loads of experience setting at the club level and played that position for RCS’s undefeated middle school team last year. But never in a nearly-packed gym, against Person. RCS struggled mightily initially in Peyton’s absence, and Person took full advantage, finishing the third set on a 16-6 See SISTERS, Page 8

A great night for Person County volleyball

Monday night’s volleyball game between Person and Roxboro Community School was an absolutely perfect display of what sports in a small town can be all about. If you weren’t there, frankly you blew it, here’s what you missed. Two really good teams playing at a high level and leaving everything they had out there — and they did it without trash talking or disrespectful antics. It took a while for the Rockets to get going, but once they figured out how to contend with the

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Kelly sNow outstanding serves coming from RCS, the home team took their game up a notch. There were coming of age moments. Freshman Mackenzi Thornburg was gutty, calm, and fiery

all at the same time in leading RCS in the fourth set with her sister out with a foot injury. Person’s Kara Wilkerson was a floor rat in the third and fourth sets, See BLIZZARD, Page 8

Roxboro Community School freshman Mackenzi Thornburg was the Bulldogs’ primary setter for the final two games against Person Monday. Her sister, Peyton Thornburg, suffered a foot injury early in the third game. Kelly sNow | courier times

SPORTS

wednesday, sept. 10, 2014

the courier-times | roxboro, nc A7

Doubles lifts Person netters past Bucs By Kelly Snow courier-times sports editor kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com

The Person High School tennis team got a huge lift from doubles and escaped with a 5-4 victory against Bartlett Yancey Saturday on the road. The victory pushes the Rockets record to 8-2 heading into a key PAC-6 match Thursday at home against Riverside. Results from Personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match Tuesday against East Chapel Hill were unavailable at press time. Person claimed victories in three of the six singles matches Saturday, led by third-seed Danielle Russellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 6-2, 6-3 win against

Kalen Massey. Fourth-seed Victoria Dunn claimed a 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Mikayla Miller, while Victoria Phelps picked up a 6-1, 6-4 win against Tamara Durden in the sixth-seeded match. The Buccaneers took victories in the top two seeded matches and in number five singles. Top-seed Rachel Watlington knocked off Personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Molly Horton 6-1, 6-2, while Hannah Watlington edged Cassidy Gillie 7-5, 6-4. Fifth-seed Alana Blackwell slipped past Personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hannah Holt 6-4, 7-6 (4). Person clinched the team victory by winning two of three doubles matches.

The Rocketsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; second-seeded team of Gillie and Russell cruised past Hannah Watlington and Durden 8-2. Personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sophomore tandem of Holt and Kayla Tillman bested Millner and Blackwell 8-2 to seal the team win. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Bartlett Yanceyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) a really good team,â&#x20AC;? Person coach Lynn Ward said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After singles, it was three-all, with big wins in singles by Danielle Russell, Victoria Dunn and Victoria Phelps. All of those singles matches were big. As usual, we were ready for doubles.â&#x20AC;? Bartlett Yanceyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top-seeded squad of Rachel Watlington and Massey rolled to an 8-3 victory against Horton and Dunn.

] orange county speedway [ Kelly snow | courier times

Personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chanston Cobbs (58) and Caleb Garrett try to corral Greensboro Dudley running back Darius Graves during last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game.

FOOTBALL: comets head south for border game froM page 7 Comet offense thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been able to score against some pretty stingy defenses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a work in progress, but I think they have a chance to be an explosive team,â&#x20AC;? Kleine said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had some difficult matchups over the last couple of weeks, especially seeing a triple option (Jefferson Forest). They were able to put up some points on some good teams, not just in garbage time. They have a chance to be a very good team â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a very dangerous team.â&#x20AC;? The Rockets are coming off a tough 48-0 loss to reigning 4-A state champion Greensboro Dudley, where they gained a school-record low minus-6 total offense and just one first down. Person has been shutout the last two weeks by teams ranked in the top-five in 4-A football. Kleine thinks his team is ready to move on to the second half of the non-conference slate. Kelly snow | courier times â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought our kids were Personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Malik Street knocks Dudleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Darius Graves backwards relatively upbeat,â&#x20AC;? Kleine said. during last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game. The Rockets will host Halifax Friday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at the mindset that the first three games are behind us, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s go on to the next stages of athlete of the week the season. We got to really see what we have to work on and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to get better in a lot of areas of the game. For the most part, the kids grew up a great deal. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really excited and I think it will be a great matchup.â&#x20AC;? Person played last week without four regular offensive linemen, and hope to get at least a Person High School tennis couple of them back this week. player Danielle Russell is this Senior Elliott Phillips will be weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winner of the Grissom back after serving a two-game and Holloman Athlete of the suspension after being ejected Week award. for landing a punch during the Russell won singles matches season-opening game against week against Northern Vance Orange. and Northern Durham. Trayer Barnette and Ethan She may pick up her award Dunnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statuses will be deterand R&S Sporting Goods/Sign mined later this week, after both Graphics. suffered injuries in the loss to George Washington two weeks ago. Senior Brandon Medlin could also return after his preseason concussion. The returning starter has yet to play a down this season, but could be Attorneys At Law available if heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s able to complete Christy M. Grissom â&#x20AC;˘ Ben S. Holloman the six-step concussion protocol 203 N. 32 Main Street Suite 216 Court Street and is cleared by the training 336-598-4448 staff and coaches.

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Denny looking to extend lead in Late Model points standings The homestretch of the racing season begins Saturday when the local divisions compete at Orange County Speedway. Six races are scheduled for Saturday at the Rougemont track with the green flag slated for a 6 p.m. drop. The hotly-contested Late Model Stock division will be the featured race of the evening, with

Chris Denny holding a slim lead in the season standings. Denny, the only two-time Late Model winner this season, holds a five-point lead over Mike Chambers. The two drivers entered the last race in a tie atop the standings, but Denny was able to retake the lead after his secondplace finish. Former track champion Chuck Lawson is still in the

South Boston Speedway wraps up season Saturday SOUTH BOSTON, VA. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The final chapter in a banner 2014 season at South Boston Speedway will be written Saturday night, Sept. 13 when Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hometown Track hosts action for the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour 150 and the NASCAR Whelen All American Late Model Stock Car Division. The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour will be making its second appearance of the season at the famed four-tenths mile asphalt oval and will be cofeatured in a 150-lap shootout. Also on tap for the night of racing, which is set to begin at 7 p.m., will be a pair of 75-lap battles for the drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All American Late Model Stock Car Division. The 2014 South Boston Speedway NASCAR Whelen All American Late Model Stock Car Division champion will be crowned Saturday night. Barring a ton of misfortune Saturday night, Peyton Sellers will secure his second NASCAR Whelen All American Late Model Stock Car Division championship at South Boston Speedway Saturday. Sellers, a five-time winner this season, is currently sitting comfortably atop the point standings over second-place Matt Bowling, who is also a former track champion at Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hometown Track. Austin Thaxton is in third place in the point standings and trails Bowling by 38 points. Josh Oakley is fourth in the standings. He is 12 points behind Thaxton and 16 points ahead of two-time defending NASCAR Whelen All American Series national champion Lee Pulliam, who owns the fifthplace spot.

Andy Seuss won the first event of the season for the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour at South Boston Speedway in April. Seuss enters this weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action as the leader in the tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2014 championship chase by 23 points over George Brunnhoelzl III. Seuss is bidding for his first NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour championship. Seuss swiped the lead from pole sitter Danny Bohn on the first lap of the April race at South Boston Speedway and then held

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A8 the courier-times | roxboro, Nc

wedNesday, sept. 10, 2014

BLIZZARD: Fantastic environment, gutty performances all around for rockets, bulldogs FROM PAGE 6

Kelly sNow | courier times

Roxboro Community School’s Kelsie Holt handles a tip from Person during Monday’s match. The Bulldogs knocked off Person 3-1.

VOLLEYBALL: rcs gets first-ever win at person FROM PAGE 6 parent foot injury with Person leading 9-4 in the third. Her younger sister, Mackenzi, who has experience setting at the club level, became the team’s primary setter for the final two sets. Peyton Thornburg was helped out of the gym after the conclusion of the Rockets’ 22-10 thirdset victory. “Before the beginning of the (fourth) game, I told the team that we were one family and we have to stick together,” Holt said. “Peyton is such a huge asset to our team and there was no doubt that we were going to win this for her.” The Rockets certainly did not make it easy for RCS. Person roared back after dropping the first two sets, and dominated the third. The Rockets raced out to a 9-4 lead after a pair of kills from freshman Avery Bowman, and closed the set in emphatic fashion, winning 11 of the final 12 points, the last coming on a Katie Slaughter kill. “The third game obviously was by far our best game,” Person coach Amanda Ramirez said. “Everything came together. We were blocking. We were serving aggressively and just playinge every ball like it was the last ball they were ever going to touch.” The Rockets trailed by as many as four three times early in the fourth set, but continued to battle back. They tied the game at 16 after Jada McGhee’s soft roll shot found the Bulldogs’ side of the floor. RCS responded with a 5-1 spurt keyed by its two big hitters. Holt won two points on serve, and Garrison Bowes had a pair of kills, including one that bounced off the block of a pair of Rockets’ on fell just out, lifting RCS to a 20-17 advantage. Senior Kelsey Cole followed with a service winner to force a Rocket timeout. The Rockets had one last rally in them, and won five of the next seven points to slice the RCS lead to 23-22, highlighted by a kill from Goodwin after a dazzling dig from libero Kara Wilkerson. Holt finished off the match with a couple of kills to ignite a huge celebration. The Bulldogs had to dig into their bench to finish off the Rockets. After Thornburg’s injury, RCS coach Meagan Tatum inserted Kailey Oakley into the front line and used the combination of Hannah Hawkins and Taylor Winstead in the back row. Oakley injured her foot in the fourth set, and Halifax transfer Logan Redd saw her

Kelly sNow | courier times

Person’s Casey Goodwin reaches high for a push shot during the fourth set of Monday’s match against Roxboro Community School.

first action of the match with the Bulldogs clinging to a 22-20 lead. Middle blocker Ryann Tate came through with a solid serve on match point — after being subbed out on every previous rotation in the match when it was her turn to serve. “They believe in their skill and are a very strong team,” Tatum said. “We don’t have six stars and a bench. We have 12 girls who are ready to go at any time and they showed that and I’m so proud of them.” The Bulldogs service game controlled much of the opening two sets. Mackenzi Thornburg hammered four of her team-high eight aces in the opening two sets with libero Camryn Black and Garrison Bowes combining for five more. RCS had countless more service winners and took advantage of several Person receiving errors. “That was our plan,” Tatum said. “We have a big serving team and our receivers did a great job too. We were able to find some spots and keep them out of system and we were able to control our side. They did a great job of that.” Person drastically improved its receiving game in the final

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two sets and held RCS scoreless on Mackenzi Thornburg’s serve. “Mackenzi has a nasty topspin serve,” Ramirez said. “You can’t stand at almost the back line and expect to return it, because it drops. We were standing way too deep. When I would call timeout, I’d tell them to step up because we were too deep. With the topspin, you think it’s going one place, but it drops and you have to be ready for it. I thought we did better and played behind every other serve.” The Rockets will be back in action Thursday when they host Northern Durham in their first PAC-6 contest. Game time is set for 6 p.m. after a 5 p.m. JV game. The Bulldogs easily swept East Wake Academy Tuesday at home, to improve to 8-0 on the season. They will travel to Raleigh Charter Thursday for a key NCAC contest. The Phoenix are the reigning NCAC champions and advanced to the 1-A state finals a year ago. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

diving all over the place and digging up everything. It was easily her best match of the season — and she wasn’t alone. For the first time in a while, Person’s Countney Jackson was able to dictate play at the net, and had moments where she looked like the player with limitless potential she obviously is. We also saw an RCS team that when players were falling to injuries, and others were being asked to step in and compete in tough circumstances, they shined. It may seem like a small thing, but for Ryann Tate to get her serve in on match point when she hardly ever takes a swing from back there, was absolutely clutch, as was the play of Kelsie Holt. Holt saw so many sets in this match, including the final two. When one of her spikes hits the floor on the opposite side of the net, she usually has a small fist-pump with a icy stare. That was certainly not the case on match point (see picture on A6). But here’s the most exciting thing about that match — many of the best players on the floor will be back next year. Friends, the only Rocket graduating this season is Wilkerson. Mackenzi Thornburg, Camryn Black and Hannah Hawkins for RCS are all freshmen and Garrison Bowes, probably the most underrated and versatile player in this county, is a junior. And from the “you-heard-ithere-first department”, there were a lot of really outstanding middle school players in the crowd who will be jumping into the talent pool next season. Both teams should be able to carry a great deal of momentum from Monday’s match into a critical stretch of the season. The Bulldogs are still undefeated, but will have their biggest match of the season Thursday against reigning North Central Athletic Conference champion Raleigh Charter. If RCS really is a team that could make a deep playoff run, it needs to get knock off the Phoenix — last year’s 1-A East regional champion. For Person, the second season begins Thursday when it hosts Northern Durham. The Rockets are expected to be in the middle of a four-team logjam at the top of the PAC-6 standings. Reigning champion Riverside, East

Chapel Hill and Jordan are all loaded, with no clear-cut favorite to win the conference. There’s three automatic bids to the 4-A playoffs, and someone’s getting left out, so the margin of error is small. The good thing is, it seems like the Rockets may have found an identity in the third and fourth sets Monday night. Don’t let the result fool you — those two sets were the best Person’s played all season. And how about the atmosphere.

It was an amazing feel in that building, and frankly it took me back to the time when the two coaches, Meagan Tatum and Amanda (Clark) Ramirez were starring for the Rockets and helping take this county to a state championship. It was just that special Monday night. I’ve got a feeling this is going to be a long, fun volleyball season in Person County, and it’s now perfectly acceptable to jump on both of these bandwagons at the same time.

SISTERS: Freshman thornburg steps up for sister FROM PAGE 6 run to win 25-10. As the teams changed sides of the net and benches to start the fourth set, Peyton was carried out of the gym to an ovation by fans from both teams. “I think everyone was feeling a little nervous, and especially (Mackenzi) because they are so close,” said RCS coach Meagan Tatum, who played on two state championship teams with her sister, Katie, in 2006 and 2007. “She was fired up and one of the main ones who said that we had to do this for Peyton. She handled everything so gracefully.” Mackenzi helped lead the Bulldogs to a fourth-set victory, handling nearly all of the setting responsibilities, while blocking and digging. The freshman came up with several nice digs in the fourth, including one right in front of that net that the Bulldogs eventually turned into a point on a Ryann Tate block. “They worked very cohesively

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together as a team and getting control back.” Mackenzi may be seeing more time as the team’s primary setter because of her sister’s foot injury. Tatum didn’t know any specifics of the injury following Monday’s game. The Bulldogs may also be without middle blocker Kailey Oakley who injured her ankle in the late stages of Monday’s game. “I think we definitely have to work on things a little more because there was shock in the beginning (without Peyton), but we definitely were able to pick it up,” Mackenzi said. “I thought we played so well and I’m just excited for my team.”

as a team,” Person coach Amanda Ramirez said of RCS. “Mackenzi Thornburg was just able to keep some balls in play that most setters would have let hit the floor. That was frustrating. It was very awesome to watch as a former setter, but as a coach, it was frustrating.” The freshman had a strong overall performance with three kills and three digs to go along with eight aces. “We have a very good quarterback-in-training,” Tatum said. “The girls knew they had to get ready and fired up because their main source of energy was out. I think they did a tremendous job of stepping up and coming

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Kelly sNow | courier times

Person’s Courtney Jackson tries to hit over the blocks of Roxboro Community School’s Garrison Bowes (3) and Ryann Tate during Monday’s match.

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