PFARCUS PFARQUHARDT | COURIER-TIMES
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GREG PHIPPS
SPORTS TAKES
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See VISION, Page C3
“This team has as high of expectations as any team I’ve been a part of since I came here (as an assistant) in 1996,” Person head coach Charles Dacus said. The Rockets return three starters from last year’s 22-6 team and nine players overall. Person advanced to the third round of the 4-A state playoffs and is the reigning PAC-6 regular season champion — but don’t call them the defending champs “We’re not defending anything. That’s over with,” Dacus said. “There’s no such thing as defending it because we’re a different team and the teams in the conference are different. We’ve got to go back and do it again. Obviously, we want to go deeper in the playoffs, and a state championship has been talked about. Our main goal is to win. Hopefully, by the time we get to the state playoffs, we’ll go one step at a time and make a good run at it.” The Rockets return one of the best players in the state in 6-foot-6 forward Tyrone Outlaw. The senior averaged a gaudy 23 points and 15 rebounds last season to lead Person to a conference title and earn PAC-6 Player of the Year honors. Outlaw was also named all-state by the Associated Press and was an All-District 6 selection. He recently signed his National Letter of Intent to play collegiately at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Outlaw played in the offseason on the same travel team with highly-touted seniors Isaiah Hicks (Webb HS, signed
piece of paper taped to the wall outside of the Person High School boys’ basketball team coaches’ office describes the path that lies ahead for the Rockets this season. The paper details the goals of all 99 4-A basketball teams this season — conference titles, playoff berths, and even the ultimate goal of a state championship. For the 2012-13 Rockets, those goals are more than just words on a page. That’s the vision.
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BY KELLY SNOW COURIER-TIMES SPORTS EDITOR kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com
THE COURIER-TIMES | ROXBORO, NC
See ALIFF, Page 12
Hilltoppers coach
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‘We came to play for all the marbles. So did they—and they walked away with all of our marbles.’ C1
winter sports preview SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 2012
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Person High School basketball player Tyrone Outlaw Jr. has heard all the stories about the former Rocket phenom that he shares a name with. “My mom told me that people used to come from other cities just see that Outlaw kid that people were talking about,” Outlaw Jr. said. “She told me that if I do good, people will do the same for me.” And they certainly have. Outlaw Jr., the son of former Rocket great Tyrone Outlaw Sr., has made a name for himself in his three years at Person. Outlaw Jr., like his father, was PAC-6 Player of the Year as a junior, an All-State performer, and will be leading Person into the HighSchoolOT. com Holiday Invitational. The elder Outlaw was on some of the best Rocket teams in school history, including back-to-back conference championships in the mid-90s. Outlaw Sr. was a key figure in some of the most iconic sports moments in school history, including a length-of-the-court tip-
COURIER-TIMES SPORTS EDITOR kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com
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in on a pass from another standout, point guard Jamie Barnette, as time expired to shock Jordan and future NBA player Courtney Alexander. Both Outlaws have electrified packed houses at home and on the road, and were the talk of the small town of Roxboro. Junior isn’t finished. For the younger Outlaw, sharing a name with one of the best players in Person High School history and forging his own path is a positive. “It’s a big name to live up to, but I like it,” Outlaw Jr. said. “It started off as pressure, but I’m used to it now. I used to think that I had to live up that name or exceed it, but that pressure kept me on my toes and helped me get better. (Outlaw Sr.) says that from what everybody tells him, I’m to the point that he thinks I’m better than him and that I’ll go farther. That’s what I’ve strived for from the beginning.” Outlaw Jr. has been on the varsity team since his freshman year and has heard the comparisons throughout his career. Curiosity may have brought people out to see him play as a freshman, but now his ever-expanding game helps pack Rocket Gym on game nights. “People remember his dad,” Person head coach Charles Dacus said. “People still remember him and when people started hearing about the son, people wanted to see him. Once he started playing here and had some success, that increased the novelty of him and people from all over the place were asking about him.”
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WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
Making a name for himself
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C2 THE COURIER-TIMES | ROXBORO, NC SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 2012
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
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THE COURIER-TIMES | ROXBORO, NC
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PERSON HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ BASKETBALL
KELLY SNOW | COURIER TIMES | THIS PHOTOGRAPH CAN BE PURCHASED AT COURIER-TIMES.SMUGMUG.COM
Members of the Person High School varsity boys’ basketball team include: front row (left-to-right) LeRon Cash, Jeremy Smith, Derrick Bass, Jeffrey Hamlette, Joseph Downey. Middle row: Rashi Richmond, David Lamb, Nick Bailey, Marquis Torain, Jashawn King-Barnette, Trey Tapp. Back row: assistant coach Prentice Hargrove, assistant coach Dwayne Johnson, Jerry Smith, Logan Coats, Tyrone Outlaw Jr., Devin Scoggins, assistant coach Mark Allen, head coach Charles Dacus.
VISION: Titles the goal for 2012-2013 Rockets OUTLAW: Making his own path FROM PAGE C1 with UNC), Anton Gill (Hargrave Academy, signed with Louisville) and Issac Copeland and is expected to be even better this season. “He’s always been able to shoot, but he’s worked hard on his dribble penetration and attacking the basket a little better,” Dacus said. “One of the best things about him is that he has absolutely developed into a real leader as far as being able to communicate to his teammates what they need to do to play on this team. He’s become an unbelievable leader on this team.” Outlaw will be joined by seniors Jerry Smith, Devin Scoggins, Logan Coats and Jashawn King-Barnette. Smith and Coats started as forwards last season, with different styles. Smith was an outstanding rebounder and defensive stopper, while Coats emerged as a threat from beyond the 3-point line. Coats has returned for his senior season with a much more explosive and aggressive style. “Logan’s increased his stock more than anybody on the team,” Dacus said. “There’s colleges interested in him. He worked really hard in the offseason to develop his game and he’s
absorbed things that we were telling him. He’s playing very confidently right now, especially on the offensive end and is working hard to get better defensively, which is something that was a missing link for him last year. He’s going to have to have a big year for us to be successful, and he knows that and is embracing that role.” Scoggins was a key big-man off the bench and has improved his post game in the offseason. Dacus returns three starters, but will have to fill the void left by the graduation of his All-Conference backcourt Terrick Scoggins and Maurelle Stephens. Junior Marquis Torain is expected to earn a starting spot in the backcourt after being the first guard off the bench for much of last year. King-Barnette saw time last season, but has been hampered in preseason after breaking his thumb late in the football season. His status for the season opener next Tuesday against Roxboro Community School is unknown. Trey Tapp, David Lamb, Nick Bailey and others will be asked to contribute in the backcourt this season. “Anytime you graduate two all-conference guards that were starters and big in the program for three years, it hurts,” Dacus
said. “We’ve got to find guys that have not just the basketball qualities, but the leadership and the ability to think outside the box when things aren’t going right. We’ve been able to groom some guys into that during the summer and the offseason and hopefully they’ve been able to learn something from (Stephens and Scoggins).” The Rockets open the season with five consecutive non-conference games, including games in The Courier-Times Thanksgiving Tournament, before heading to Webb Dec. 7 for the first of two huge showdowns featuring two of the best players in the state in Hicks and Outlaw. The Warriors visit Rocket Gym a week later. Person opens the conference slate with games against Northern Durham and Southern Durham before competing in the HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational in Raleigh Dec. 26-29. The Rockets open the tournament against host Raleigh Broughton and are guaranteed three games in the prestigious tournament. It will be Person’s first trip to the HighSchoolOT.com Invitational since the 1994-95 season, when Tyrone Outlaw Sr. was an All-State player for the Rockets.
FROM PAGE C1 Those people that were asking about Outlaw Jr. included dozens of college coaches from all over the country. At one time, the 6-foot-6 senior was being courted by more than 70 different colleges. “He really embraced the interest,” Dacus said. “His phone was ringing, my phone was ringing, and you can’t not answer it. At one point, I think he was starting to feel some pressure and that’s normal when you’ve got all the college coaches wanting you and you’ve got to pick. He didn’t really express it, but you could tell that he was starting to
feel it. He made up his mind and got it over with so he could focus on our season.” Outlaw Jr. verbally committed to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in September and made it official on the first day of the early signing period. Outlaw Jr, the Student Council Vice President and National Honors Society member, is looking forward to finishing his prep career with loads of success. “The main thing for me is to enjoy it all, work hard and not go overboard and enjoy the benefits that come from my hard work,” Outlaw said. “Things are great for me, I just have to stay humble.”
SCHEDULE 11.20 RCS
7:30pm
COURIER TIMES THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT 11.23 BY 7:30pm 11.24 Rockingham County/ Northern Vance 11.27 Orange 7pm 11.30 Halifax (Va.) 7pm 12.7 Webb 7:30pm 12.11 Halifax (Va.) 7pm 12.14 Webb 7pm 12.18 NORTHERN 7pm 12.21 SOUTHERN 7pm HIGHSCHOOLOT.COM HOLIDAY INVITATIONAL (Raleigh Broughton HS) 12.26 Broughton 4pm 12.27-29 TBD 1.4 HILLSIDE 1.8 Chapel Hill 1.11 JORDAN 1.18 RIVERSIDE 1.22 E.CHAPEL HILL 1.25 NORTHERN 1.29 SOUTHERN 2.1 HILLSIDE 2.8 JORDAN (coming home) 2.12 RIVERSIDE 2.15 E. CHAPEL HILL
3X5
7pm 7pm
PAC-6 TOURNAMENT 2.19 OPENING ROUND 2.20-2.22 TBD BOLD denotes home games CAPS denote PAC-6 games
Brandon & Jeremy
7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm
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C4 THE COURIER-TIMES | ROXBORO, NC
SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 2012
PERSON HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
KELLY SNOW | COURIER TIMES | THIS PHOTOGRAPH CAN BE PURCHASED AT COURIER-TIMES.SMUGMUG.COM
Members of the Person High School varsity girls’ basketball team include: front row (left-to-right) Brianna McLamb, Hannah Riley, Taylor Williams, Marissa Hungate, Jasmine McCain. Back row: assistant coach Will Stinnett, Autumn Smith, Jada McGhee, Anita Ragland, Christina Harris, Jessica Lassiter, Janeesha Graves, Tiana Hatchett
PHS looks to move up in PAC-6 BY KELLY SNOW COURIER-TIMES SPORTS EDITOR kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com
The goal for the Person High School girls’ basketball team are relatively simple heading into the 2012-13 season — keep getting better. The Rockets managed just one PAC-6 win last season and struggled through the final weeks after a promising start to the campaign that included a tournament championship. “We want to improve on what we did from last year, especially in the conference,” Person coach Ray Reaves said. “We want to make a move up in the standings. Everyone says they
SCHEDULE 11.20 RCS
6pm
COURIER TIMES THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT 11.23 BY 4pm 11.24 Rockingham County/ Northern Vance 11.27 Orange 11.30 Halifax (Va.) 12.7 Webb 12.11 Halifax (Va.) 12.14 Webb 12.18 NORTHERN 12.21 SOUTHERN
7:30pm 7:30pm 7pm 7pm 7:30pm 5:30pm 5:30pm
HALIFAX CHRISTMAS CLASSIC South Boston, Va 12.27-28 TBD 1.4 HILLSIDE 5:30pm 1.8 Chapel Hill 7:30pm 1.11 JORDAN 5:30pm 1.18 RIVERSIDE 5:30pm 1.22 ECH 5:30pm 1.25 NORTHERN 5:30pm 1.29 SOUTHERN 5:30pm 2.1 HILLSIDE 5:30pm 2.8 JORDAN 5:30pm (coming home) 2.12 RIVERSIDE 5:30pm 2.15 ECH 5:30pm PAC-6 TOURNAMENT 2.19 OPENING ROUND 2.20-2.22 TBD BOLD denotes home games CAPS denote PAC-6 games
want to win conference, but realistically, is that possible for us? Right now, maybe not, but we feel like we’ve got people in places to make strides towards that.” Person brings back four veteran players, including All-Conference performer Christina Harris. The 6-foot-2 center led the Rockets in scoring, rebounding and free throw percentage and is expected to build upon her strong sophomore season. “Christina’s going to be a vital part of this team, no doubt about it,” Reaves said. “She’s a leader not only by what she does during the game, but how she handles herself in practice.” The Rockets bring back experience in the backcourt with juniors Jasmine McCain, Tiana Hatchett and Hannah Riley — the Rockets’ lone senior. That trio will be the team’s primary ball handlers and will help the younger Rockets grow up as they step up to the varsity
level. The remaining members of the team are new to the varsity team including freshmen Jessica Lassiter, Autumn Smith and Jada McGhee. “It bodes well for the future, but right now we are still young when you look outside of (Harris, Riley, McCain, Hatchett),” Reaves said. “I like what (the freshmen) have done, but they’re young and have a long way to go but they work hard and give us what we ask. That, along with their athletic ability and coachable mentality, is why we kept them with us.” The Rockets open the season Tuesday when they host Roxboro Community School and begin play in The Courier-Times Thanksgiving Tournament Friday when they face Bartlett Yancey. Person opens the season with nine non-conference matchups before beginning PAC-6 play Dec. 18 at home against Northern
Durham. The Rockets knocked off the Ladies in the first meeting between the teams for their lone conference victory last season. Person will travel to Southern Durham Dec. 21 before beginning its defense of the Halifax Christmas Classic championship Dec. 27. They won a pair of games in last year’s tournament, including a 49-44 victory against Gretna (Va.) in the title game. The victory earned Reaves the tournament championship on the floor he coached the Halifax County (Va.) High School team for several years. “We’d love to win our Thanksgiving tournament and go back to the Halifax Tournament and get a second one,” Reaves said. “For this program, that would be huge.” After the Christmas tournament, Person will close the season with 10 conference games and an early January non-conference tilt with Chapel Hill.
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 2012
THE COURIER-TIMES | ROXBORO, NC
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PERSON HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
KELLY SNOW | COURIER TIMES | THIS PHOTOGRAPH CAN BE PURCHASED AT COURIER-TIMES.SMUGMUG.COM
Members of the Person High School wrestling team include: front row (left-to-right) Sherrell Torain, Josh Hagood, Roberto Castillo, Dalton Boone, Ignacio Vierra. Middle row: Luis Aldaz, Darius Pettiford, Francisco Jimenez, Brendon Cash, Blake Jones, Hector Estrada, Jose Rios. Back row: Chase Gentry, Matt Allen, Matthew Mayer, Romonnie Dotson, James Hutson, Jose Ceja, Francisco Aldaz, Kenny Jay. Not pictured: Danny Miranda, Bobby Vaughn, head coach Mark Litchfield Jr., assistant coaches Mark Litchfield Sr., Brad Bailey, Andrew Haga.
Sights set on states for PHS matmen BY KELLY SNOW COURIER-TIMES SPORTS EDITOR kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com
The Person High School wrestling team concluded last season with two wrestlers on the mats at the Greensboro Coliseum. This season, Person coach Mark Litchfield Jr. wants more. He expects a whole host of wrestlers to join returners Chase Gentry and Francisco Jimenez at the state individual finals. Both competitors earned trips to Greensboro by having outstanding regular seasons and qualifying through the Mideast Regionals. “We’re expecting no less for (Gentry and Jimenez) to make it back,” Litchfield said. “They finished top-12 in the state last year. I would love for all of our starters to make it to states. It’s not out of the question for all of them to do that.” The Rockets had a strong 201112 season but were unable to fill all the weight classes for every match. Losing those points to forfeits played a huge role in Person not qualifying for the team state playoffs. This year, Litchfield expects to have each weight class filled for every match. “There may be a guy lighter, because we have two or three on one weight class or another, but we could always bump a guy up if needed to fill out the classes,” Litchfield said. “It would help out a lot. Some teams might not have every class filled, and usually those classes would be new guys, not necessarily a returner, but those are six points that we don’t have to give up.” The Rockets return a large group of starters, led by state qualifiers Gentry and Jimenez. Other returning starters include, Darius Pettiford, Luis Aldaz, Kenny Jay, James Hutson and Matt Allen. Sherrill Torain and Matt Mayer were reserves last season but will be expected to be key contributors this year. “I feel really good about all of
SCHEDULE
our returning starters and the 11.17 South Granville (scrim) guys that we had here last year,” Litchfield said. “We finally have 12.5 NORTHERN DURHAM 5pm a guy coming in to fill 106, between 160 and 195 there’s still 12.8 Bull Durham Classic some questions, but we’ve got some guys to fill in the spots.” 12.12 SOUTHERN DURHAM 6pm Litchfield is optimistic that his team can make a little noise 12.19 HILLSIDE 6pm in the PAC-6 and be a threat to earn one of the conference’s 1.5 Rocket Invitational postseason spots. “I think it’s possibly but it all 1.23 JORDAN 6pm depends on the conference,” Litchfield said. “We may have an 1.26 Louisburg Duals outstanding record, but if you’re not top two in the conference, it 1.30 RIVERSIDE 6pm makes it difficult. We wrestle in a tough conference, but we defiKELLY SNOW | COURIER TIMES | THIS PHOTOGRAPH CAN BE PURCHASED AT COURIER-TIMES.SMUGMUG.COM (senior night) nitely think we’ll be in the mix.” Person wrestlers Chase Gentry (top) and Francisco Jimenez reThe Rockets open up their turn to the team after qualifying for the state individual finals last 2.6 ECH 6pm regular season Dec. 5 with its season. conference opener against BOLD denotes home matches CAPS denote PAC-6 matches Northern Durham. They will compete in the Bull Durham Classic Saturday, Dec. 8 before traveling to Southern Durham for their first road match of the season. The highlight of Person’s regular season will come Jan. 5 when it hosts the Rocket Invitational. Many teams from around the area will travel to Roxboro to compete in the day-long tournament.
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
C6 THE COURIER-TIMES | ROXBORO, NC
SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 2012
SCHEDULES PERSON JV BOYS’ BASKETBALL 11.27 Orange
5:30pm
11.30
5:30pm
Halifax (Va.)
12.7 Webb
6pm
12.11
Halifax (Va.)
6pm
12.14 Webb
5:30pm
12.17
NORTHERN DURHAM
12.20
SOUTHERN DURHAM
12.29
Eastern Alamance
6:30pm 6:30pm TBD
12.31 TBD 1.1 TBD 1.3 HILLSIDE 1.8
6:30pm
Chapel Hill
5:30pm
1.10 JORDAN 6:30pm 1.17 RIVERSIDE
6:30pm
1.21
EAST CHAPEL HILL
6:30pm
1.24
NORTHERN DURHAM
6:30pm
1.28
SOUTHERN DURHAM
6:30pm
1.31 HILLSIDE
6:30pm
2.7 JORDAN
6:30pm
2.11 RIVERSIDE 2.14
6:30pm
EAST CHAPEL HILL
BOLD denotes home games
KELLY SNOW | COURIER TIMES | THIS PHOTOGRAPH CAN BE PURCHASED AT COURIER-TIMES.SMUGMUG.COM
Members of the Person High School boys’ JV basketball team include: front row (left-to-right) A.J. Cash, Xavier Bryant, DaQuan Holloway, Maurice Little, Taymon Smith. Middle row: Aaron Lofton, Zach Farmer, Reggie Bradsher, Antonio Williams, D.J. Jeffers, Michael Terry. Back row: coach Dwayne Johnson, Shaquan Brown, Dylan Riley, Trey Brandon, Antwan Smith, coach Prentice Hargrove.
6:30pm CAPS denote PAC-6 games
PERSON JV GIRLS’ BASKETBALL 11.27 Orange
6pm
11.30
Halifax (Va.)
6pm
12.4
Chapel Hill
5:30pm
12.7 Webb
5:30pm
12.11
5:30pm
Halifax (Va.)
12.14 Webb
6pm
12.17
NORTHERN DURHAM
5pm
12.20
SOUTHERN DURHAM
5pm
1.3 HILLSIDE
5pm
1.8
6pm
Chapel Hill
1.10 JORDAN 5pm 1.17 RIVERSIDE
5pm
1.21
EAST CHAPEL HILL
5pm
1.24
NORTHERN DURHAM
5pm
1.28
SOUTHERN DURHAM
5pm
1.31 HILLSIDE
5pm
2.7 JORDAN
5pm
2.11 RIVERSIDE
5pm
2.14
5pm
EAST CHAPEL HILL
BOLD denotes home games
11.19
CAPS denote PAC-6 games
RCS JV BOYS BASKETBALL GRANVILLE CENTRAL
12.3 NORTHWOOD 12.8
RIVER MILL ACADEMY
12.12
GRANVILLE CENTRAL
1.2
SOUTH GRANVILLE
4:30pm 4:30pm 4pm 4:30pm 4:30pm
1.9 VOYAGER
4:30pm
1.12
5:30pm
FRANKLIN ACADEMY
1.16 CARRBORO
4:30pm
1.22
CEDAR RIDGE
1.23
Guilford Day School
4:30pm
1.25
FRANKLIN ACADEMY
4:30pm
4:30pm
1.30 DSA 2.1
4:30pm
Guilford Day School
2.12 VOYAGER 2.13
KELLY SNOW | COURIER TIMES | THIS PHOTOGRAPH CAN BE PURCHASED AT COURIER-TIMES.SMUGMUG.COM
Members of the Person girls’ JV basketball team include: front row (left-to-right) Alyssa Carpenter, Lakeisha Ormond, Tashyra Drumwright. Middle row: Jacquetta Graves, Zharia Harris, Soren Williams, Makayla Thorpe, Lyanna Lester. Back row: coach Bryan Lawson, Kierra Woods, Lafonda Paylor, Chelsay Jimenez, Nicole Sutherland.
RIVER MILL ACADEMY
BOLD denotes home games
7pm 4:30pm 4:30pm
CAPS denote Carolina-12 games
KELLY SNOW | COURIER TIMES | THIS PHOTOGRAPH CAN BE PURCHASED AT COURIER-TIMES.SMUGMUG.COM
Members of the Roxboro Community School JV boys’ basketball team include: front row (left-to-right) Austin Drumwright, Daniel Oakley, Austin Franks, Daniel Taylor. Middle row: Noah Whitfield, Collin Winstead, Aaron Frisbie, Josh Pleasants, Dylan Harris. Back row: Brandon Pleasants, David Oakley, Brandon Jones, Michael Holbrook
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 2012
THE COURIER-TIMES | ROXBORO, NC C7
RCS Girls’ Basketball 10 Alyssa Morris
5 Danielle Holt
12 August Howerton
3 Maranda Oliver
11 Cassidy Solomon
15 Anderson Clayton 2 Carlee Garrett
24 Emily Pierce
14 Caitlin Whitfield
Bulldog girls look to continue improvement BY KELLY SNOW COURIER-TIMES SPORTS EDITOR kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com
The Roxboro Community School girls’ basketball team will be looking to take another step up in the standings of the Carolina-12 1-A conference this season. The Bulldogs finished fourth in the league last year and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament before falling to River Mill Academy. RCS earned a trip to the 1-A state playoffs and fell to Carrboro in the opening round.
Go Get ‘em Big Red!
Maranda Oliver
#3
RCS Basketball Center
Love, Mom, Dad, & Mackenzie
The Bulldogs finished the season 8-17, but return several key players from last year’s squad. This year’s team consists of Alyssa Morris, Danielle Holt, August Howerton, Maranda Oliver, Cassidy Solomon, Anderson Clayton, Carlee Garrett, Emily Pierce and Caitlin Whitfield. The Bulldogs jump right into conference play Monday when they travel to Granville Central. They return to the court the following night to face cross-county rival Person and open the home slate Nov. 28 against Raleigh Charter. All home games will be played at Helena Gym.
GOOD LUCK!
Caitlin Whitfield
#14
RCS Basketball
Love, Mom, Dad, Cassi & Cam
SCHEDULE 11.19
GRANVILLE CENTRAL 6pm
11.20 Person
6pm
11.28
6pm
RALEIGH CHARTER
12.3 NORTHWOOD
6pm
12.8
RIVER MILL
6pm
12.12
GRAN. CENTRAL
6pm
12.19
East Wake Acad.
6pm
Graham High School Christmas Tournament 12.21-12.22
TBD
1.2
SOUTH GRANVILLE
6pm
1.9 VOYAGER
6pm
1.12
7pm
FRANKLIN ACAD.
1.16 CARRBORO
6pm
1.18 NCSSM
6pm
1.22
CEDAR RIDGE
6pm
1.23
Woods Charter
6pm
1.25
FRANKLIN ACAD.
6pm
1.30 DSA
6pm
2.6 NCSSM
6pm
2.12 VOYAGER
6pm
2.13
RIVER MILL
6pm
2.15
RALEIGH CHARTER
6pm
BOLD denotes home games
CAPS denote Carolina-12 games
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
C8 THE COURIER-TIMES | ROXBORO, NC
Scrappy ‘Dogs looking to continue program’s success New core of players to lead reigning Carolina-12 1-A champions BY KELLY SNOW COURIER-TIMES SPORTS EDITOR kellysnow@roxboro-courier.com
The Roxboro Community School boys’ basketball team celebrated easily the best season in the young program’s history last year. The Bulldogs steamrolled the 1-A division of the Carolina-12 conference to regular season and tournament championships. And now begins the task of staying on top. RCS enters the 2012-13 campaign with an almost entirely new squad after losing nearly every key contributor from last year’s team, including conference player of the year Charlie Burton Jr. Despite the new faces, the goals remain high for the reigning conference champions. “A good season for us is finishing in the top-half of the 1-A teams in our conference,” RCS coach Justin Bettendorf said. “We definitely want to make the state playoffs and get our first playoff win. Our sights are certainly set on winning the conference again, but if we can get in the top half of the conference, we’ll feel good because we’ll have all those guys back next year.” Bettendorf is seeing the interest in the basketball program growing after last season’s breakthrough year. “There’s a lot of excitement around here before the season even starts,” Bettendorf said. “We had a lot of guys come out that hadn’t tried out before. I think we’re definitely on the verge of getting a really solid program going. We have a lot of talent on the middle school level and those guys are coming up all the time and telling me they can’t wait to play on varsity.” The Bulldogs’ lone senior is forward Adam Redman, who started a couple of games last
year but was primarily a reserve. The only other returning varsity players are guard Deshawn McGhee, Christian Ingram and Jarren Winstead. RCS picked up several key transfers including projected starting point guard Mickey Drumwright. Drumwright played on the JV team at Person last season. “He has a high basketball IQ and really makes good decisions for us,” Bettendorf said. “We’re going to try to get him as many opportunities as we can.” Drumwright will be leading a team without a lot of height, but one that will follow a similar formula as the one that led the Bulldogs to their first conference championship.
Run, run early, run often, run always — no fair slowing down. “We have a 6-3 center (Terrence Hawley) but with being smaller, we’re not going to want to have to set uyp a lot of halfcourt offense,” Bettendorf said. “We want to push the ball, play in-your-face defense and not let teams get comfortable. The guys we had last year had such high basketball IQs and played so well together that we didn’t have to run a lot of sets. This team is younger, and is going to need a little more structure, but primarily, we’re going to be looking to run and be in great shape.” The Bulldogs will face tough challenges in the 1-A half of the Carolina-12 from a handful of teams, including Franklin
Academy. Franklin finished second behind RCS last year and gave the Bulldogs their toughest challenge of the conference season in the league championship game. Granville Central, Voyager Academy, Raleigh Charter and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics are also expected to compete for spots near the top of the league standings. RCS opens its regular season with road games at Granville Central and cross-county foe Person before facing Raleigh Charter at home Wednesday, Nov. 28 The Bulldogs play their home games at Helena Gym. Members of the team include Tucker Hord, Bryan Henderson, Kyle Pool, Zac Carter and Bryce Henderson.
SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 2012
SCHEDULE 11.19 GRANVILLE CENTRAL 11.20 Person 11.28 RALEIGH CHARTER 12.3 NORTHWOOD 12.8 RIVER MILL ACADEMY 12.12 GRANVILLE CENTRAL 12.19 East Wake Academy
7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7pm 7:30pm 7:30pm
Halifax Christmas Classic South Boston, Va Halifax County High School 12.27-28 TBD
TBD
1.2 SOUTH GRANVILLE 1.9 VOYAGER ACADEMY 1.12 FRANKLIN ACADEMY 1.16 CARRBORO 1.18 NCSSM 1.22 at CEDAR RIDGE 1.23 Woods Charter 1.25 at FRANKLIN ACADEMY 1.30 DSA 2.6 NCSSM 2.12 VOYAGER ACADEMY 2.13 RIVER MILL ACAD. 2.15 RALEIGH CHARTER BOLD denotes home games
7:30pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm
CAPS denote Carolina-12 games