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Cody Baker races down to first as the Raiders host Dixon in the 4th round of the state playoffs. (Ruthie Pope/The Sampson Independent)
Raiders put down Dixon Bulldogs to go into the regional playoffs
Coach Jason Fussell’s Midway Raiders are going where they haven’t been in a while. The Raider baseball team defeated the Dixon Bulldogs Wednesday night to advance to the Eastern finals in the NCHSAA 1A playoffs. Midway came from behind to post a 6-3 victory over the team from Onslow County. Neither team threatened in the opening inning. In the 2nd frame, the visitors picked up a run on a squeeze play. Pitcher J. B. Padgett had singled and...
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CHS honors top athletes At Clinton High School's Athletic Banquet earlier this week, the above students earned top athletic honors. They were: Hannah Smith: female athlete of the year; Tamara Murphy: Ferd Johnson female Sportsmanship winner; Shian Bradshaw: male athlete of the year; and Colin Faulkner: Ferd Johnson male Sportsmanship winner. (Courtesy photo)
CHS honors top athletes
Courtesy photo At Clinton High School’s Athletic Banquet earlier this week, the above students earned top athletic honors. They were: Hannah Smith: female athlete of the year; Tamara Murphy: Ferd Johnson female Sportsmanship winner; Shian Bradshaw: male athlete of the year; and Colin Faulkner: Ferd Johnson male Sportsmanship winner.
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Sports in brief
Golf camp A junior golf camp will be held at Lakewood Country Club in June. The program is for young golfers up to the age of 13 and will take place June 10-12, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $100 for non-members and is free to member families. For more information or to sign up call the Lakewood Pro Shop at 910-525-4424. Glowball Lakewood Country Club will host a Glowball Captains Choice event June 8 at the country club. Pla...
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Golf for the arts on June 14
For the 4th year in a row, the Sampson County Art’s Council will host a celebrity golf tournament at Coharie Country Club on June 14th. Featured celebrities planning to attend include numerous National Football League stars, such as, Roman Gabriel, Joe and Jeff Bostic, Tony Garagiolala, and Ken Huff. Cyclist Joe Fine and ACC Coach John Bunting will also be there. Last year a full flight of golfers, along with 16 professional athletes partic...
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A happy Lexus Simpson signed her letter of intent to play basketball at William Peace University as her parents and coaches looked on. Seated, from left is her father, Jauhan Simpson, and on the right is her mother, Leslie Simpson. Standing from left is principal CHS Ronald Bean, head coach Chris Owens, and assistant coach Regina Parker.
Two LDHs to play for W. Peace University
Lady Dark Horse teammates Lexus Simpson and Tamara Murphy will carry the Clinton High tradition to Raleigh as they both accepted basketball scholarships to William Peace University. The teammates’ stats from Maxpreps showed Lexus averaged 10 points per game and had a total of 230 points. Tamara scored 82 points all season and pulled down 135 rebounds. Lexus grabbed 84 rebounds and was credited with 97 assists. Lexus Simpson Lexus Simp...
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Methodist coach to lead volleyball camp at MCA
Methodist University’s volleyball coach will lead Mintz Christian Academy’s 5-day volleyball camp this summer, according to MCA’s new athletic directory and coach, Dan Heinz. It will be held June 17-21 from 9 a.m. until noon. Heinz just recently took the helm of Mintz athletics and has hit the ground running. He said Methodist head coach Eddie Matthews will lead the girls in skill development and will emphasize on-court instruction in servi...
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Clinton U12 girls team wins gold medal twice The Clinton United U12 girls soccer team competed in the Seaside Classic Soccer Tournament in Wilmington May 18- 19 and won first place in their division, bringing home the gold medal. The team also recently won their league tournament championship in Swansboro on May 5. Clinton United will now travel to Greensboro to participate in the Wrangler McDonalds tournament during the Memorial Day weekend - May 25-26. Players are, front row, from left: Ella Faison, Savannah Puryear, Anna Blount, Nancy Dufour; back row: Shakira Aguilar, Elizabeth Cashwell, Elizabeth Coleman, Terri Boone, Jovanna Zapata, Hadley Heath, Ashlyn Williams, Maegan Lamb, Jessica Parker and Kirstin Mullins. Coaches (not pictured) are Joel Coleman and Plato Faison. (Courtesy photo)
Clinton U12 girls team wins gold medal twice
Courtesy photo The Clinton United U12 girls soccer team competed in the Seaside Classic Soccer Tournament in Wilmington May 18- 19 and won first place in their division, bringing home the gold medal. The team also recently won their league tournament championship in Swansboro on May 5. Clinton United will now travel to Greensboro to participate in the Wrangler McDonalds tournament during the Memorial Day weekend - May 25-26. Players are, fr...
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Lady Dark Horse Jamison Kidd gets a defensive header in Saturday's play-off loss to Swansboro. (David Johnson/Sampson Independent)
Clinton girls make history despite loss
The Lady Dark Horse soccer season came to a disappointing end Saturday night at the hands of the Swansboro Pirates in a 1-0 decision in the NCHSAA Eastern Regional semi-final match, but it was a historic night for the Clinton girls despite the loss. It was the first time the soccer team had ever made it that far in tournament play, something coach Jeff Smith called historic. “It really was historic,” Smith noted, adding that he was proud ...
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Lady Crusaders bring home state NCISAA 2A title
The Harrells Christian Academy girls softball team earned the championship title this past weekend at William Peace University, where they took down rival Fayetteville Christian with a decisive 13-4 victory. The Lady Crusaders were officially awarded the NCISAA State 2A title for their victory. It was clearly an HCA day from the start as the Lady Crusaders jumped on the board quickly with an RBI triple by senior Regan Murphy, scoring Mega...
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Bowden signs with Barton Hobbton High School's outstanding softball catcher Taylor Bowden has signed a Letter of Intent to play softball for Barton College in Wilson during her college career. With Bowden are: Pat Bowden, mother; Rodney Bowden, father; Dr. Wesley Johnson, Hobbton principal; Wildcat softball coach Morgan Farroll; Brett Bowden, Taylor's brother; and travel ball coach David Mixon. (David Johnson/Sampson Independent)
Bowden signs with Barton
David Johnson/Sampson Independent Hobbton High School’s outstanding softball catcher Taylor Bowden has signed a Letter of Intent to play softball for Barton College in Wilson during her college career. With Bowden are: Pat Bowden, mother; Rodney Bowden, father; Dr. Wesley Johnson, Hobbton principal; Wildcat softball coach Morgan Farroll; Brett Bowden, Taylor’s brother; and travel ball coach David Mixon.
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Jamison Kidd of Clinton High School was presented with the Pat Gainey Award and a $2,000 scholarship check on May 2 at the Dean Dome. She is pictured here with NCHSAA president Davis Whitfield, and Barry Shoan, daughter of Pat Gainey. (Courtesy Photo)
Kidd receives Pat Gainey Award and Scholarship
Jamison Kidd of Clinton High School was awarded the Pat Gainey Student Athlete Scholarship Award. She is the daughter of Deltra and David Kidd. Numerous students vie for it, but only two scholarships are allotted each year — one to a female athlete and one to a male athlete. The scholarship was established to recognize “Athletic Achievement and Strength of Character.” “I was speechless when I found out. It was a really great honor. I had ...
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Union's Dustin Alphin slides into second underneath Raider Heath Smith as the two teams collide in the third round of the state playoffs Friday. (Savanna Pope/The Sampson Independent)
Midway baseball wins 3rd round over Spartans
For the fourth time this season, the Raiders and Spartans met up on the baseball diamond, but this time the stakes were a little higher, as it was the third round of the NCHSAA state playoffs. Just like the other three times, Midway took the win and showed why they were ranked No. 1 in the Tri-County Conference. Union, ranked No. 5 and the underdog in their two previous wins, put up a good fight, but couldn’t get their bats to work with runne...
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Hobbton High School's outstanding softball catcher, Taylor Bowden has signed a Letter of Intent to play softball for Barton College in Wilson in her college career. With Ms. Bowden are: Pat Bowden, mother; Rodney Bowden, father; Dr. Wesley Johnson, Hobbton Principal; Wildcat softball coach, Morgan Farroll; Brett Bowden, her brother; and travel ball coach David Mixon. (David Johnson/The Sampson Independent)
Wildcat Bowden to play softball at Barton
David Johnson/The Sampson Independent Hobbton High School’s outstanding softball catcher, Taylor Bowden has signed a Letter of Intent to play softball for Barton College in Wilson in her college career. With Ms. Bowden are: Pat Bowden, mother; Rodney Bowden, father; Dr. Wesley Johnson, Hobbton Principal; Wildcat softball coach, Morgan Farroll; Brett Bowden, her brother; and travel ball coach David Mixon.
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Seated in the center is Courtney Pearsall, who will play basketball at Brunswick Community College next year. Seated on the right is her mother, Angela Faison, and on her left is the BCC coach Joe Gaughan. Standing from left is CHS Principal Ronald Bean, LDH assistant coach Regina Parker, and head coach Chris Owens. (Savanna Pope/The Sampson Independent)
LDH Pearsall will play for BCC
Lady Dark Horse Courtney Pearsall started playing basketball just a few years after learning how to walk, so it’s a good thing she won’t have to stop playing when she graduates this year. Pearsall has been accepted to play basketball at Brunswick Community College. BCC head basketball Coach Joe Gaughan was on hand for the announcement and said, “We were looking for someone who can score from the outside, and who can also get inside to the...
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Lady Crusaders playing for 2A NCIHSAA state championship
The Lady Crusaders vied for the 2A NCIHSAA State title on Saturday at William Peace University in Raleigh. Harrells Christian Academy was ranked No. 2 going into the tournament and has won three straight to get to this point. They put down Northside Academy earlier in the week. On Friday the Lady Crusaders had to win two in a row to continue on. They defeated No. 3 Halifax Academy 7-0 in the first game of the final four. With that win, ...
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Titans stop Lady Raiders’ post-season run
The Midway Lady Raiders softball team traveled to Tri-County Conference rival Heide Trask Friday night in the third round of the state playoffs. The team from Spivey’s Corner spotted the home team a large lead before denting the scoreboard. Trask held on for an 11-6 victory. The Lady Titans tallied 3 runs in the first inning. They added 2 more in the 2nd and put five more across in the 3rd. The Lady Raiders plated 4 in the 4th and 2 in the ...
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Royal signs with Wingate for football Tyler Royal of North Duplin High School signed an athletic and academic scholarship recently with Wingate University and will play football in the NCAA Division II program. Royal rushed for 2,032 yards as a Rebel senior, including single-game county records of six touchdowns and 425 yards rushing against Princeton. Both numbers rank in the state's top 20 all-time. He also scored 33 touchdowns - 30 rushing and 3 on kickoff returns. Royal, who has ties to Sampson County, was selected to the All-Conference team in the 1A Carolina Conference and also was Offensive Player of the year and a first-team pick on the Duplin's Elite All-County football team. Pictured beside Royal is his brother Kyle Smith. Standing, from left, are North Duplin head football coach Hugh Martin, stepfather Marty Smith, mother Robin Smith, athletic director Ricky Edwards and Tyler's father, Marcus Royal of Sampson County. (Courtesy photo)
Royal signs with Wingate for football
Tyler Royal of North Duplin High School signed an athletic and academic scholarship recently with Wingate University and will play football in the NCAA Division II program. Royal rushed for 2,032 yards as a Rebel senior, including single-game county records of six touchdowns and 425 yards rushing against Princeton. Both numbers rank in the state’s top 20 all-time. He also scored 33 touchdowns - 30 rushing and 3 on kickoff returns. Royal, who ...
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Senior Regan Murphy gets an RBI hit during the Lady Crusaders' win against Northside Christian on Tuesday.
Lady Crusaders topple Northside and head into second round
The Lady Crusaders softball team sent Northside Christian packing in the first round of the NCISAA playoffs after beating them 11-1 at home in Harrells on Tuesday. Northside scored their one and only run in the first inning. Harrells answered with a total of 7 runs in the top of the 1st - 2 RBIs, which were hits by Regan Murphy and Abigail Blanchard; sac bunt for RBI by Talina Giles; bunt by Mary Grace Norris; and 3 walks to take a 7-1 lead...
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Lady Raiders accomplish goals despite loss to Raleigh C.
The Lady Raider soccer team fell Wednesday night in the third round of the state playoffs to Raleigh Charter School in Raleigh. “We had a very successful season, but we ran into a team tonight that was extremely talented,” Mdway head coach Trey Apperson said after the game on the drive home from Raleigh. He said the team has worked really hard this year and he’s very proud of them. “At the beginning of the season, we set two goals and we ...
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In a game from earlier in the year, Lillie Turlington goes up against a Whiteville defender.
Clinton downs Wolfpack to move into fourth round
The Lady Dark Horses move into the fourth round of the NCHSAA state playoffs after steamrolling past Cedar Ridge and edging out rival Whiteville. Cedar Ridge came to Darkness Stadium on Saturday and Clinton sent them home with a 5-2 loss. Hannah Smith scored with a PK, and Grace Reagan and Lindsey Bass also provided a goal. Margaret Coleman found the back of the net for 2 goals. This moved them to the third round where they traveled to Wh...
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Spartans surprise Spring Creek and head to Spivey’s Corner in 3rd round
Union was once again the underdog in round two of the NCHSAA State Playoffs Tuesday evening when they played at Spring Creek. The Spartan bats got hot at just the right time and they defeated Spring Creek, 7-2. Union’s coach Josh Rackley said they are playing the best baseball that they had played in over four years. The pitching was great again, with good defense to back that up. Ryan Hall got the win from the mound for Union. He pitched...
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Raider Luke Clark catches the throw to get this Hurricane out at first. (Savanna Pope/The Sampson Independent)
Midway takes down Pamlico and moves into 3rd round
The Midway Raiders move into the third round of the 1A NCHSAA playoffs by beating the Pamlico Hurricanes on Tuesday with a final score of 11-3. They will face in-county arch rival Union on Friday at 7 p.m. The Raiders jumped on the scoreboard in the first inning, with Taylor Calcutt at 3rd and Heath Smith on 2nd base as Kyle Hawley came up to bat. He made contact, sending the two players home. Next was Luke Clark, with Hawley on 3rd, and ...
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Hobbton's catcher, Taylor Bowden, reaches for the ball on the back end of an attempted double play as a Princeton runner scores their first run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Princeton goes on to take the lead, and they knocked the Wildcats out of the playoffs with a final score of 2-0 on Tuesday. (David Johnson/The Sampson Independent)
Lady Wildcats fall in 2nd round to Princeton
It was a tough game all the way until the end, but Princeton managed to hold on to a 2-0 lead to knock the Lady Wildcats out of the second round of the NCHSAA 1A tournament. Stats from the bat showed Michaela Wilson was 1-3; Baileigh Moser, 1 walk, 1 sac bunt; Hannah Warren, 1 hit by pitch; Casey Hobbs, 1-3; and Haley Evans, 1 walk. Wildcat pitcher Grace Olson had 3 strikeouts on the night. Hobbton head coach Morgan Farroll was disappoi...
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Relay team reaches goal and medals in state finals
The Raider boys’ relay team medaled in the NCHSAA 1A track meet on Friday at Greensboro. The Midway team of Alex Boggs, Ritchel Cousar, Dalton Butler, and Caleb Sanders finished 4th in the 4x800 meter relay with a time of 8:27.74, which bested their school record. This same team improved from 12th place in 2012 and ran the relay 32 seconds faster than last year. Head track coach Brian Wallum was very proud of this team. “They worked reall...
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This is the Spartan State Champion relay team in the 400 meter. They broke the record they set at the regional competiion with a time of 43.10. Pictured in the middle is Assistant relay coach John English. Team members from left are Natrone Banks, Baysean Washington, Bakeem Murphy and Dezmond Faison. (Courtesy Photo)
Union’s boys finish first at state, break regional record
Eight Spartan competitors placed in track and field events at the NCHSAA 1A State Championship held at N.C. A&T on Friday. The boys’ relay team, made up of Natrone Banks, Baysean Washington, Bakeem Murphy and Dezmond Faison, won the state championship in the 400 relay with a time of 43.10 seconds. This beat the 43.35 record they set at the regional competition. This same relay team finished 7th in the 800 relay and finished in 5th place i...
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