COLUMNS
A look back, and a look ahead
Don't get me wrong, the holidays are great.
I can't get enough of egg nog, Christmas cookies — especially those peanut butter ones topped with the Hershey Kiss — and the Dominick the Donkey Christmas Song.
(No joke, it's better than anything on Taylor Swift's holiday CD. I know, I've listened to both.)
And visiting the grandparents and swapping stories with your cousins you hardly like is what the season is meant to be about.
But it's time to get back to what we do around here: play sports. Good, competitive, pride-on-the-line athletics.
The past revisited — sorta
December 21, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
The most compelling boys basketball game I've seen this year —Millbrook/Wakefield Dec. 15 — just got a little better.
Why? Because coincidences make everything better. As well as a good game of "What if?"
While discussing last week's 49-47 thriller over Millbrook with Wakefield's Pat Kennedy— the Wolverines won on Nigel King's last-second jumper — the second-year coach pointed out a common link I'll admit I didn't see at first.
With just under 40 seconds remaining, the game tied at 47-47, the Wildcats' Jarrick Brown got a step on defender Maurice Nash and raced toward the basket.
The future is now
December 14, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
Having taken in a handful of area girls basketball games this season, I have come to one conclusion: tomorrow is here today.
No, I'm not intentionally trying to talk gibberish, it's the simple truth of what's going on.
Look no further than Sanderson's dynamic ninth-grader Derricka Lewis, who is averaging nearly 15 points per game despite being a year removed from middle school.
Although the Lady Spartans are just 3-4, in last week's match-up with Wakefield — the benchmark of success in the Cap-7 Conference for the past five seasons — Sanderson pushed the Lady Wolverines for much of the contest, but fell 78-60.
She didn't get the start, but Lewis scored 22 points in the loss anyway, displaying a wicked first step and an innate ability to get into the paint at will.
Getting an early start
December 8, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
I am going to break tradition — not that we have much tradition, granted — and actually talk about actual "news" in my Case of the Mondays this week.
But don't worry. I will share some idiotic musings of mine later. Promise.
With the Cap-7 Conference basketball schedule about to get underway — Sanderson and Wakefield kick off the season Thursday night — one significant change has been made in the past year. And it affects everyone from the starters to benchwarmers and fans and scorebook keepers alike.
What is it? Tipoff times.
Basketball in full swing
November 30, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
Sorry for the delay on this week's Case of the Mondays.
I was busy avoiding area law enforcement after an "incident" at my home this weekend involving my SUV, a fire hydrant, a neighbor's tree and my wife waving a golf club.
Plus, these damn TMZ people won't stop rummaging through my garbage and parking in my front yard.
Anywho... it's time to talk local sports.
In the past two weeks, I have seen four of the five local boys basketball teams, and I figured I'd share some of my early thoughts on each squad.
It's time to give a little thanks
Welcome to the NRS' first-ever Case of the Mondays: Thanksgiving Day edition.
It is like a CSI spin-off — only not as lame. (At least I hope.)
I'm in a thankful mood this week, and given the holiday I think it is appropriate.
And looking back at the last four months of doing this job and writing this column, I am going to list the reasons I feel thankful this year.
I'm not going to put a number on it. Rather, I'm just going ramble, and hope that everyone can keep up.
So here it goes.
An emotional end is inevitable
November 16, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
By the end of the season, all but eight football teams in North Carolina — the respective NCHSAA state champions are exempt — will share the same exact ending the Wakefield program experienced following Friday's 21-17 loss at Garner.
What is the ending? Well, the head coach — in this case, the Wolverines' J.D. Dinwiddie — addresses his players following the conclusion of the squad's final game, extending well-deserved gratitude for years of service. It is at that moment the seniors realize their playing days have come to a close, and and tears will inevitably appear.
(In this scenario, there is always another team celebrating in the not-too-far distance which always adds to the heartbreak.)
The players who get emotional are undoubtedly the guys who often worked the hardest and enjoyed playing the most. Kids you saw shrug off injuries and battle throughout the season because the game means so much. Those who gripped the hardest, have the toughest time letting go, right?
Postseason football edition:
Bracketology begins
November 10, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
(Usually, I reserve the Case of the Mondays for a look back at the past week, but in this edition, with the postseason just a few days away, let's fast forward for a second.)
As any fan of high school football will tell you Bracketology isn't only for your college basketball poll in March. This past weekend, following the high school football regular-season finales, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association selected the seedings for each of the eight classifications (1A-4AA) of the postseason.
Since our local public schools only compete in the 4-AA bracket, and all three are located in the Eastern region, let's concentrate on the eight match-ups there and start at the top.
No. 16 Clayton @ No. 1 WF-R
Winner plays the winner of Wakefield and Garner
First off, No. 1 seed Wake Forest-Rolesville might have gotten a raw deal, drawing 4-7 Clayton, the No. 16 seed. I wasn't the only one to think it either.
Spartans garner much-deserved win
There were several noteworthy items from the Sanderson football team's 38-24 come-from-behind victory over Enloe Friday night, and each one deserves a moment of recognition.
So, let's rattle off a few before I get to my actual point. (I usually have a point, I swear.)
1. Comeback kids
The Spartans trailed 17-14 at half, but then scored 24 of the game's next 31 points.
2. Spreading it around
Receivers Josh O’Neal, Kevin Ott and Chris Lampkins combined for nine catches for 140 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
3. On the attack
Their 38-point performance was Sanderson's biggest offensive showing of the season. (The Spartans' previous high was 24 points in a loss to Millbrook Oct. 9.)
4. One in the win column
The victory gave first-year head coach Tony Lewis his first conference win.
5. Knocked off a quality opponent
The win came against an Eagle squad which thumped Wakefield just a week earlier.
Two-point try offers
twice the excitement
Just how exciting was the Leesville Road football team's two-point attempt with 9:35 left in the fourth quarter of Millbrook's 39-23 victory Friday?
So exciting, the teams decided to run the play twice.
It was such a big play, I felt it was necessary to revisit it. So, here are the particulars in case you don't remember, you weren't there or if you are just plan confused. (Don't worry, so were the refs.)
When kicker Jonathan Bowman nailed a 32-yard field goal with just 1:36 left in the third quarter, the Wildcats appeared in complete control of the Pride 25-10. Millbrook was just over 13 minutes always from pulling off a shocker, and notching its biggest victory of the season.
But the lead nearly slipped away soon thereafter.
To overcome injuries, Pride
lean on running game
Three-way tie atop conference? Worth betting on
Prior to the Sanderson/Leesville Road football game last Friday, while discussing what the contest for a preview article, Spartan head coach Tony Lewis made only one guarantee: the Pride's starting quarterback — then an unknown — would make plays.
The Sanderson coach had heard Leesville starter Josh Stanley and back-up Austin Berrios might be unavailable due to injury. But it didn't change his mind.
"I know whoever is back there at quarterback, Coach [David] Green will have them ready to play," Lewis said.
And WR-turned-QB Logan Bible was prepared, commanding the Pride's offense to a 59-14 victory.
King of the conference;
new benchmark for toughness
October 12, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
For those of you who didn't select Wakefield's Nigel King with the No. 1 pick in your high school fantasy football draft, you must be seriously regretting that decision right now.
(Though I can't blame you if you picked Sanderson's Matt James instead.)
After watching the junior haul in 185 receiving yards on 10 catches in the Wolverines' biggest victory of the 2009 season — a 35-32 win over Leesville Road Friday — it has become apparent King can and will make plays regardless of the situation.
We all knew the Wakefield receiver was going to be good. But his ability to thrive in the game's biggest moments — when its obvious the Wolverines should call his number — is all the more impressive.
Marquee match-up highlights third week of conference play
October 5, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
The first two weeks of the Cap-7 Conference football schedule have offered up a few interesting morsels.
During its opening weekend, we had Sanderson and Matt James duke it out with Wakefield and Nigel King. Plus, Broughton shocked just about everyone with a 16-7 defeat of Millbrook.
Then a week later, Leesville Road routed the Capitals, erasing its 2008 upset loss. And the Wolverines pasted the Wildcats for 59 points.
This Friday, however, the conference appears to be getting into the meat of its schedule, featuring its first marquee conference match-up — Leesville Road at Wakefield.
Wolverines exchange parts,
but don't lose steam
September 28, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
Why am I terrible at making predictions on high school football contests?
Because in my career I have realized the first five minutes I arrive at a game — pregame, mind you — is when I learn 10 things I didn't know before.
When you interview a coach or player in the days leading up to a game, you only have so much time to ask questions. High school coaches have lives of their own, and day jobs to get back to, so I try to limit myself to 8-10 questions and let them go.
(Plus, I'm no Chatty Cathy, I run out of things to say. And, I always forget to ask one question — the most interesting one usually — which annoys me to no end.)
Wildcats' resiliency almost overcomes Friday's miscues
September 21, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
Epic.
It's the only word which can describe the Millbrook football team's 22-play, fourth-quarter drive against Southern Durham Friday night.
After four first-half turnovers, and a handful of other miscues, the Wildcats drove nearly the length of the field on the Spartans during the contest's final quarter, churning their way toward the end zone, and a possible win.
At one point, Millbrook ran the ball 16 consecutive snaps, and still Southern Durham — considered one of the upper echelon teams in the state — appeared hopeless to contain it, let alone stop it.
You don't have to travel far for the best soccer in the state
— Plus, five football thoughts on the past week
September 14, 2009
By Tommy Kopetskie, NorthRaleighSports.com
I had already written a Case of the Mondays column this week, but on my way to post the story Monday, Kanye West suddenly appeared, told me how Beyonce had written a better one, and I felt somewhat embarrassed to submit it.
(In case you have no idea what the heck I'm talking about, here's a link — Kanye West at MTV's VMAs.
So here goes my second attempt ...
Just a year ago, I wouldn't have admitted to liking soccer.
Continued ...
Wakefield remakes itself
for second straight year
A year ago this week, the Wakefield football team unveiled one of the most high-octane offenses in the Triangle, unleashing its spread offense and a bevy of skilled wide receivers on an unsuspecting Garner squad.
The result was a thrilling 35-28 victory over the Trojans, and after an uninspired defeat to Knightdale the week before, the switch breathed new life into the Wolverines. The squad — originally predicted to finish last in the conference — rode the momentum to a 7-5 record, and an appearance in the state playoffs.
Why was the switch so notable I'm talking about it again this year? Because it was bold, brazen and took advantage of the Wolverines' strengths. To simplify it further, with the parts Wakefield had, it made sense.
Intriguing match-ups await in Week 3
Well, I just got back in town after a weekend in AC. You know, Atlantic City — New Jersey's version of Las Vegas. AC is just like it's Nevada cousin only it's less glitzy, less fun and — well, less everything. Well, you might be more inclined to have your wallet stolen in Jersey.
But before you start thinking I'm cooler or hipper than I really am, I'm no high roller. Or a gambling addict in need of a 12-step program.
First-year starters look like vets
To the 300 people or so — full disclosure, it was more like 250-ish — which read last week's column, Thanks! I am back to "entertain." And for the masochists out there, I'm glad to be of service.
Now to get into some local sports talk:
The best part of covering high school athletics — much like it is following college teams, I'm sure — is watching young, unproven kids take the leap into starring roles. Unlike the professional ranks, where you know guys like the Falcons' Matt Ryan and the Vikings' Adrian Peterson will remain the face of their respective organizations for the next decade — high school kids get only four years. And usually two are spent learning how to put on their pads correctly on the junior varsity level.
But that gives high school sports a freshness the pros don't have.
Scrimmages are just exhibitions
In the last five days, I have watched roughly three and a third scrimmages, catching Leesville Road battle West Johnston, Sanderson visit Harnett Central, Wakefield host its own jamboree and seeing the Pride a second time at the Pigskin Kickoff. I can tell you only one fact I've learned from watching these exhibitions: There's nothing for certain just yet.
Smartly, the majority of our area coaches focused on building depth and not showcasing their first-stringers.
Of the Pigskin Kickoff, Leesville Road coach David Green quipped last week, "if you want to see the starters, you better get there early."
