Thursday, December 5, 2024

			
				                                North Duplin’s Donovan Armwood celebrates after intercepting a pass in a game earlier this season. Armwood is one of 13 seniors who played their final game in a loss against Lakewood on Friday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)

Lakewood stuns North Duplin in 1A football playoffs

CALYPSO — The adage “it’s hard to beat a good team twice in the same season” proved true Friday evening.


			
				                                Mayor Billy Ward addresses a crowd gathered for the unveiling of a monument honoring Faison’s native son, astronaut William Thornton. Completion of the monument was one of the highlights of Ward’s first year in office. The project was begun under his predecessor, then-Mayor Carolyn Kenyon. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Keys to mayor’s successful inaugural year: preparation, timing, dedicated town employees

FAISON — As he reflects on his first year as mayor, William “Billy” M. Ward II admits, “My biggest surprise is just how much goes on even in a little, tiny town,” he says. “I mean we’re doing the same thing that they do in Raleigh, the same thing they do in Charlotte, it’s just a smaller scale. Our budget’s not as big, but as far as what we do, we do the very same thing they do.”


			
				                                James Kenan defensive coordinator John Bert Avent, far right, celebrates with players after upsetting Wallace-Rose Hill, 14-13 in overtime Friday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)

James Kenan stages epic upset over arch nemesis

WALLACE — James Kenan teammates David “Cito” Zeleya and Zamarion Smith had the game of their lives for different reasons Friday evening.


			
				                                North Duplin senior Addy Higginbotham, second from right, signs a nationa letter-of-intent to play softball at Wingate University. At right is her dad, Joey. Her mom and softball coach Jaime Kylis, left, and sister, Grace, second from left, watch her sign. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)

Higginbotham signs softball NLI with Wingate University

CALYPSO — The college softball recruiting process intimidates most athletes.


			
				                                Southern Wayne’s Zach Sauls pins Tucker Sullivan from American Leadership Academy in 33 seconds during their 138-pound match Wednesday at the Sass-Holmes Memorial Duals hosted by Rosewood High School. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)

Saints’ matmen experience tough day

GOLDSBORO — Expected to field a competitive wrestling team this season, fourth-year Southern Wayne head coach Tori King walked away from the annual Sass-Holmes Memorial Duals with discontent Wednesday afternoon.


			
				                                North Lenoir’s Kasheena Lynch (24) nearly bowls over Spring Creek center Heather Alexander on her way to the basket Tuesday evening. Defending on the play are the Gators’ Trinity Daniels (12) and Sarah Hess (2). Lynch turned the ball over. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)

Gators, Hawks split hoops doubleheader in “The Swamp”

SEVEN SPRINGS - It’s just three colors — green, blue and white.

Athlete of the Week

Athlete: Cal Avent


			
				                                James Kenan’s Keshaun Murray (20) celebrates a “pick six” with a teammate during an opening-round playoff win over Roanoke Rapids. Murray recorded an interception against Martin County on Friday. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)

Tigers advance, set up showdown with Wallace-Rose Hill

WILLIAMSTON — The rematch is set.


			
				                                Simon Thornton (left) and Faison Mayor Billy Ward unveil a monument that pays tribute to Thornton’s father, William E. Thornton, a Faison native who became a physician, inventor, author, and astronaut. The monument is located on the site previously occupied by the town’s school gym and pays tribute to the school, as well. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Monument unveiled: honors native son/astronaut — and town’s former school, where he got his...

FAISON — This day was seven and a half years coming, but it was well worth the wait for those in attendance.