Spring Sports
The Daily Dispatch
3
Sunday, March 6, 2011
High hopes for Raider softball By ERIC S. ROBINSON Dispatch Sports Editor
KVA’s Ben O’Geary watches his approach shot in this May 2010 file photo.
Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE
KVA golf wants to keep winning tradition going By ERIC S. ROBINSON Dispatch Sports Editor
Losing a Division I golfer could hurt, but Dave Carrier’s Kerr-Vance golf program has built a rich tradition of competing at the highest level. Even with state champion Beau Cutts’ departure to Wake Forest, KVA returns several guys who are primed to take the spotlight. The Spartans will turn to 2009 state runner-up Ben O’Geary, lone senior Tripp Watkins and returner Russ Boyd to be consistent scoring threats. “We’re real excited,” said Carrier. “I know we lost Beau Cutts and a couple of other guys that were key for us last year, but we feel very excited about what we do have.” O’Geary and Watkins are All-State golfers and were a part of KVA’s backto-back state championship seasons. Boyd also brings experience to the course. “I’m thinking (Boyd) has a good chance to be an All-State player himself,” said Carrier. “They’re all strong players and we just feel confident that they’ll lead us.” Seasoned golfers Brandon Dickerson and Daniel Burnette return for KVA. Promising seventh grader Joseph Burnette rounds out the roster. “I think we have three players that will play with any top three in the state. Out of the next three, we need at least one of those to step up each match,” said co-coach Sam Brummitt.
“I’m looking forward to the season... I’m sure we’ll miss (Cutts), but we’ve got some other guys that are ready to step up.” Carrier said he’s especially interested to see what Watkins accomplishes this season as the team’s lone senior. “I believe that’s just going to make Tripp better. The leadership always falls on a senior and he knows that,” said Carrier. “No one hits the ball farther. He’s really starting to learn to think his way around a golf course a little better.” “The sky’s the limit for him, without a doubt.” The goal for KVA remains the same: Win the Eastern Plains Independent Conference and then the NCISAA tournament. Both will be tall orders. “Our conference is so strong. If you win our conference, you’ve got a good chance to do very well in the state, so we’ll get tested,” said Carrier. The schedule includes some 3A private schools, but the bulk of the competition will come at the EPIC meets, where KVA will go head to head with traditional power Arendell Parrott. Parrott was KVA’s chief rival in 2010. KVA finished second, one slot ahead of Parrott, at the state meet. Westchester Country Day took first. “It’s almost like a state meet every time we go out for a conference match,” said Carrier. “We’re kind of lucky in that standpoint that they get tested.” Contact the writer at erobinson@ hendersondispatch.com.
With a strong retuning corps that includes standout pitcher Jordan Garrett, Southern Vance softball may have what it takes to make a deep postseason run. The Raiders lost two to graduation, but return a loaded lineup for the 2011 edition. “I think that we’re going to be the team to beat (in the conference),” said coach Leann Shelton. Last year, in Shelton’s first season at the helm, the Raiders were eliminated in the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs on the road against eventual champ Southwest Randolph. “I just feel like we’ve got a big group out here that has been playing together for years, and they’re really pumped up this year. They have a lot of high expectations for themselves,” said Shelton. “It’s going to be a good year, I know it is.” Leading the charge will be Garrett, the Raiders’ strikeout specialist and the team MVP of the last few years. Garrett is entering her senior season. “We’re going to beat 320 strikeouts this year,” Shelton said of Garrett. “I just expect her to be a leader, not just on the mound but hittingwise, attitude — just everything. I expect her to lead the team. Her attitude reflects a lot on how they play.” Key returning contributors include Taylor Lawrence, Morgan
Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE
Southern Vance’s Jordan Garrett delivers a pitch against Northern Vance in this April 2010 file photo. Adcock, Lindsey Carroll and Samantha Patrick. Also joining the Raiders from Kerr-Vance is Kaylan Hoyle, who played on the Babe Ruth 16U World Series championship team, and Jessica Ellington, a power-hitting transfer from J.F. Webb. “We have lots of talent, we’ve just got to find what is their right spot,” said Shelton. “We have a lot more speed this year and that is a blessing to me.” “They’re all familiar with each other, they’re working good together. I’m just glad we’ve got some speed this year.” The team also had five or six
freshmen come out for this year’s squad. “I’m trying to build the team for next year too,” Shelton said. The coach feels that Northern Vance and J.F. Webb will be the toughest Carolina 3A Conference opponents this season. Last year’s games between the Henderson rivals didn’t disappoint. The Vikings swept the series, winning both games 1-0 in extra innings — including a 16-inning classic at Northern. Contact the writer at erobinson@hendersondispatch.com.
McGhee, SV prepping for first game By ERIC S. ROBINSON Dispatch Sports Editor
Tony McGhee’s done a good bit in a small amount of time. The hire of Southern Vance’s new baseball coach was approved after the preseason already began, leaving the new skipper with a shorter timetable to work with a team that lost quite a few contributors from last season. McGhee planned on making cuts in the middle of the week. Southern’s first week of games were all postponed — there will be no forfeits — and the Raiders’ first game is scheduled for Tuesday at home against Southern Nash. “Everybody’s working hard, we’re dedicating a lot of time to infield and our outfield work, and a lot of (batting practice),” said McGhee. Gone from this year’s team is workhorse hurler Caleb Garrett. McGhee will be looking to get some innings out of returning starter Brandon Crews and Zach Layne, as
well as sophomore Justin Roberson. Freshman Kyle Lawrence has been a “pleasant surprise” throwing in the bullpen. McGhee said he’s working with left-handers Ian Metcalf and Matthew Reed to mix in some southpaw pitchers. “They’re definitely going to get some innings,” he said. McGhee Offensively, Southern will look to benefit from a speedy lineup. Nunu Henderson provided a burst at the leadoff spot last season. McGhee said Cameron Eatmon, Melvin Gray and Latrel Fields could each do some damage on the basepads. “This team is fast. If we can get to first base or get people in scoring position — we’re fast,” said McGhee. McGhee said Henderson, Eatmon, Crews, Jeremy Bullock and
Dylan Hoyle should be solid presences at the plate. “I really think we’ll surprise some people,” he said. Competing in the Carolina 3A Conference will be no cakewalk. Chapel Hill returns a significant number of returners from a solid team. Jeff Tate has built a consistent program at J.F. Webb, and a young Northern Vance team could be much-improved. “A successful season for us is going to be if these guys get better every practice, every game, that by the time we get to conference play, we can play right with them,” said McGhee. The coach said winning the conference is always a goal, but the main focus will be to finish in the top three to earn a state playoff bid. “That’s going to be tough. We’re going to have to play,” he said. “You’ve got to be ready to play every conference game.” Contact the writer at erobinson@hendersondispatch.com.
s. vance track
Girls look to seniors; boys need experience By ERIC S. ROBINSON Dispatch Sports Editor
There will be two notable absences on Southern Vance’s girls’ track and field squad this year, but the Raiders have quite a few potent athletes returning. State champions Tremanisha Taylor and Shauna Terry — titlewinners in the discus and triple jump, respectively — have graduated and taken their talents to Division I programs. Southern will be looking to a solid group of veterans, including Shakiyla Hicks, Jamila Mann, Cierra Ellis, Tiara Jordan and Waynisha Hargrove, to make up for their absence. “To replace Shauna and Trem as far as leadership, it’s going to take a collective effort from our seniors,” said Roger Williams. “Shauna and Trem, they were tremendous leaders on and off the track and field. They excelled in the classroom, they excelled in their events, so it’s going to
be hard to replace them.” “The seniors that I have returning, they’ll be up to the task.” The Raiders will have one other big change in 2011. Williams, last year’s head coach who has been assisting with the team so far this year, is stepping down. Petronia Hicks will take over the reigns. Hicks has been a part of Raider track and field for the past 11 years, Williams said, and was a part of the 2003 NCHSAA state championship team. “She’s going to be a great fit for the ladies,” said Williams. “I wanted to leave the program with someone that’s been around the program, knows what to expect out of them and will push them like I push them.” Williams said Southern has several sprinters he expects to make noise at the regional and state level. “They’ve been working hard in the offseason, some ran summer track,” he said. “I’m expecting big things for the girls this year.” In the Carolina 3A
Conference, Williams said Cardinal Gibbons has a new track coach, Northern Vance has a solid group of freshmen coming in and Orange and Chapel Hill should be good. “The conference is wide open. Of course, I like to think that we’re the favorite being that I have three, maybe five girls that have got experience in the conference, know what it takes to win and were part of the conference championship team last year. It’s up for grabs this year,” he said. While the girls have a solid corps, Ken Bulluck’s boys’ squad has only a few returning athletes. Though he said he had the largest first-day turnout yet, only five or six have track and field experience. “The first thing I have to do is teach them what the events are,” Bulluck said with a laugh. “It’s like I told them... we will be a work in progress right up until the end of April. We just haven’t done this before, and that’s the exciting part, to see what
they can become. I know that we have some talent because of football and basketball. It’s my job to try to figure out where to put them in the best position to be successful.” Returning athletes expected to make an impact include Chris Henderson and Tyriek Branch, regional qualifers in sprint relays in 2010, Ahmad Campbell in the 200m and 400m, and Adris Ragland, who anchored the 800m and 1600m relays. Basketballers Eric Hargrove and B.J. Reavis are “quality, experienced jumpers” who will add depth in the sprint events. As far as conference competition goes, Bulluck knows where the toughest challenge will come from. “I think that Cardinal Gibbons and Chapel Hill have won the state cross country championship for like, the last 10 years, so they always are among the best in the state,” he said. Contact the writer at erobinson@hendersondispatch.com.
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