Monday's Regular Season Finales Crucial for Golden Eagle Basketball Teams

Following the snowstorm of this past week that cancelled games and practices, Surry Central's Girls and Boys Basketball teams finish out their respective regular seasons Monday at West Stokes; and the games couldn't be more meaningful for both squads. Both teams can claim shares of their conference regular season championships with a win over the Wildcats.

The Lady Eagles, 16-5 overall and 8-1 in the Western Piedmont Athletic Conference, have already secured one of the three conference State Playoff spots as well as a first-round bye into the semi-finals of next week's WPAC Conference Tournament in King. A win against the Lady Wildcats on Monday will give the Lady Eagles a share of the WPAC Regular Season Championship with North Surry. Since the Lady Eagles split their two games with the Greyhounds, a tie in the standings would force a coin flip to determine the conference tournament's number 1 seed. The Greyhounds, who have also clinched a State tournament bid, finished their regular season at 16-6 overall and 9-1 in the WPAC; and a loss by the Lady Eagles at West Stokes would give the Greyhounds the regular season crown.  South Stokes at 5-4 in conference play has locked up 3rd place in the regular season standings and currently holds the conference's 3rd State tournament bid. However if West Stokes, Forbush or Carver wins the conference tournament, the Lady Sauras would be bumped in favor of the tournament winner. The Lady Eagles will open WPAC Tournament play either Wednesday (if a 1-seed vs. West Stokes/Forbush winner) or Thursday (if a 2-seed vs. South Stokes/Carver winner) at West Stokes. If Surry Central and North Surry end the regular season in a tie, the better finisher in the tournament will be the number 1 WPAC seed in the NCHSAA 2A Tournament which begins February 24.

The story for Surry Central's boys (13-9 overall, 6-3 WPAC) is much simpler, or much more complicated; depending on the outcome of Monday's game at West Stokes (7-2 WPAC). The Golden Eagles could finish either 1st, 3rd, or 4th in the conference depending on the outcome of their game with the Wildcats and Monday's game in Walnut Cove between Carver (6-3) and South Stokes (5-4). Both Surry Central and West Stokes control their own destiny in gaining the conference's number 1 seed. If Surry Central wins, they'll earn a share of the conference title with the Wildcats and possibly Carver (if they win at South Stokes) at 7-3. They would earn the conference's number 1 seed in the WPAC Tournament and State tournament because of having the best record in games played between the three teams (3-1). They would also earn a bye to the WPAC Tournament semis on Wednesday night.

But if West Stokes wins, the Wildcats would win the league title outright with an 8-2 mark; and things would become much less comfortable for Surry Central. A Golden Eagle loss Monday would mean that SC would need a Carver win at South Stokes to finish in the all-important 3rd spot in the conference. A Golden Eagle loss coupled with a South Stokes win Monday would create a 3-way tie for 2nd between Surry Central, South Stokes, and Carver at 6-4. This scenario would put SC in the 4th conference spot and on the outside-looking-in because of their record in games played between these three teams (1-3), meaning the Golden Eagles would have to win the WPAC Tournament to advance to the State Tournament. A loss Monday would also mean that Surry Central would open WPAC Tournament play on Tuesday at home against either North Surry or Forbush.

Lady Eagles Make a Deep Run in NWC Tournament

         This past Wednesday night, our very own SCHS Varsity Volleyball team traveled to North Stokes High School to play in the championship game of this year's Northwest Conference tournament. The Lady Eagles, runners-up during the conference regular season, faced the regular season-champion Lady Greyhounds of North Surry. This would be an excellent match-up based on the records of both teams in the regular season.

          There was an extreme amount of determination shown by the team before and during the game. Prior to the game, Coach Carrie Hutchens met the team in the locker room to share a few motivational words. The crowd roared when the girls emerged. The stands were filled with supportive fans who were all cheering for the underdog, Surry Central.

          It was time for the for the first set to begin. The Lady Eagles came out with a bang, scoring points left and right. However North Surry rallied back, eventually winning a close set 25-23 and giving the Eagles their first lost.

          Although the first set did not turn out as planned, the Eagles kept a positive attitude to start the second. But North Surry stayed hot, and beat the Eagles 25-20 in the second.  The Greyhounds won the third 25-14, and the match was over. North Surry had won.

          Even though the Lady Eagles did not finish on top, they were not hanging their heads about anything. This was the farthest that Surry Central Volleyball had advanced in the Conference Tournament in years. The fans, as well as both coaches were very proud of the team and applauded them for their great effort.

          Surry Central, now 16-6 overall, finished 2^nd in the Northwest Conference regular season and tournament, but the road does not end here. The first round of the NCHSAA 2A Playoffs will be held on Saturday, October 20^th, at Surry Central. The Lady Eagles will face North Stanly at 4:00pm. Come out and support SCHS!

 

Kristin Key

Surry Central Sports Information 

Eagles Offense Sputters in Loss to Cardinals

Any avid sports fan has heard the phrase “a sense of urgency” thrown around by many coaches throughout the years.  East Surry's football team possessed that Friday, and executed it well in an authoritative 35-13 victory over the Golden Eagles in the latest chapter of the longstanding rivalry between the two conference foes. 

 

After trading long touchdown passes in the first quarter, it looked like it was going to be another nail biter.  The Golden Eagles were looking to sustain their two game winning streak versus the Cardinals.  The Cardinals had other plans.  A rushing touchdown of 21 yards by QB Jon Dickenson and a 40-yard touchdown pass to R.J. Lawson made the halftime score 21-7. 

 

The Golden Eagles came out of halftime trying to mount a comeback.  After Raymond Salazar ran 66 yards to the East Surry 9, Colby Chilton connected with Luke Haymore on a 7-yard TD to make the score 21-13 with 40 seconds remaining in the third.  And when Haymore intercepted Dickenson on the Cardinals' next play, the Eagles had the ball and the momentum. Unfortunately, the offense would turn it over twice in the 4th quarter, and the Eagles could get no closer. The Cardinals added two more touchdowns in the fourth. 

 

There were many missed opportunities.  The Golden Eagles only averaged 2.55 yards per carry, their lowest mark of the season.  This game should be used as a learning tool and motivator for next Friday as the Eagles (2-2, 0-1) head north to Mount Airy to face the Granite Bears (4-1 overall).

 

Alex Fowler

Surry Central Sports Information    

The Big SC

Since I was little, I have been attending Surry Central athletic events.  It has always felt like the right place to be.  During football season on Friday nights, I didn’t know that anything else went on in the county except for the games. I was raised into what the student body and faculty here at Surry Central have now coined as The Big SC. 

 

 

          The Big SC is an all-for-one-one-for-all concept with the one, Surry Central, being the center. It is a thriving spirit of unity that is comprised of everyone in the Surry Central community, from students and teachers to parents and businesses.  In reality there has always been and will always be The Big SC. It lives inside each of us who have been or will be Golden Eagles, whether or not we wear the black and gold on the sports field.  The Big SC is driven by the school’s athletics program, but it also promotes active community among all of the school’s organizations as one collective unit; from marching band to cross country, basketball to art, chorus to ROTC. No single activity has more relevance than the other. With this primary mindset, each organization/team functions as a whole to support each of the programs of the Surry Central community.

As a way to promote its concept and to celebrate the beginning of the school year’s athletics season, Surry Central’s Sports Information Department organized the first “The Big SC Carnival.” The event was held at Rex Mitchell Field prior to the Football opener against Wilkes Central on August 17th. Current Golden Eagle student-athletes and coaches went out to the local elementary and middle schools during the week leading up to the event in an effort to create interest from the community’s younger students. They encouraged those students to attend the carnival and other events throughout the year, noting that they are a large part of The Big SC. 

 

 

The carnival itself featured game booths and other activities. Surry Central’s athletics teams operated booths; as did Cheerleading, SADD, Student Council, and Band. Live music was provided by NF52, a band made up of members of the student body. The huge crowd and a break from the weather helped make the event an overwhelming success. The buzz created by the pregame festivities created a terrific atmosphere for the game that followed. 

 

 

The Big SC is about more than just a logo or a slogan. It is a way of life. My parents are part of it, so are my sister and grandparents.  The hope is that this attitude and spirit of The Big SC will foster a deeper sense of community and fellowship than ever before at Surry Central. Everyone associated is a piece to the puzzle, in the shape of a proud Golden Eagle. 

 

Alex Fowler
Surry Central Sports Information Department

Soccer Opens With a Hard-Fought Draw

After tying their fellow 2A-rival Forbush the past two years, this year’s Golden Eagles Soccer team came into their first game with a renewed eagerness.  Led by a strong group of seniors, they look to stay consistent with past years of conference and area non-conference domination. 

On a perfect Monday night, the conditions could not have been better for some quality soccer.  Thanks to a responsive crowd, the Eagles came straight out of the gates ready to perform and were on the attack early.  But at the 22 minute mark, Forbush scored on a free kick after the Eagles were controversially called for high kicking.  Seven minutes later, SC’s sophomore stand-out Jose Avalos came back with a vengeance, finding the back of the net off of a rebound to tie it up at 1.  The score was even at the half. 

Forbush struck back in the second, scoring at 50’ to take a 2-1 lead. However, the Eagles and Avalos would not let up.  He gave the Eagles a shot to win, scoring at 63’ and tying it at 2. Then in a frenzied final few minutes, SC keeper Artemio Cortes saved a number of close shots on goal by Forbush. With the final whistle, the game ended in a draw.  It was a very intense start to what promises to be another season to remember.  This team is full of heart and desire, and will surely sustain the same passion until the last kick of the season.

Alex Fowler
Surry Central Sports Information 

Golden Eagles Release 2012/13 Basketball Schedule

2012/13 Surry Central Boys and Girls Basketball Schedule

Nov 10;  TBA    Sat      Golden Eagle Alumni Tipoff Classic                                  

Nov 13;  5:30     Tue     Boys Varsity and JV scrimmage v Watauga

                                      Girls scrimmage is TBA

Nov 19   4:00     Mon    Forbush

Nov 20   4:00     Tue      @ Wilkes Central

Nov 24   TBA     Sat       Headliners’ Challenge @ Trinity (Wheatmore) vs TBA (Varsity Girls)

Nov 27   4:00     Tue      @ Starmount

Nov 30   4:00     Fri       East Wilkes

Dec 4      4:00     Tue      @ Bishop McGuinness*

Dec 7      4:00     Fri        @ East Surry*

Dec 11   4:00     Tue      North Surry*

Dec 14   4:00     Fri       West Stokes*

Dec 19    7:00     Wed     @ West Forsyth (Endowment, Varsity Boys Only)

Dec 21    4:00     Fri        @ Mount Airy*

Dec 27    TBA     Thu      Holiday Classic (Location TBA)                                          

Dec 28    TBA     Fri        Holiday Classic (Location TBA)

Jan 2      4:00     Wed    Elkin

Jan 8      4:00     Tue      North Stokes*

Jan 11     4:00     Fri        @ South Stokes*

Jan 18    4:00     Fri       Bishop-McGuinness*

Jan 22    4:00     Tue      East Surry*

Jan 25     4:00     Fri        @ North Surry*

Jan 29     4:00     Tue      @ West Stokes*

Feb 1      4:00     Fri       Mount Airy*

Feb 6      4:00     Wed    Winston-Salem Prep* (Moved from Jan 15)

Feb 8      4:00     Fri        @ North Stokes*

Feb 12    4:00     Tue      South Stokes* (Senior Night)

Feb 15    4:00     Fri        @ Winston-Salem Prep*

Feb 16    TBA     Sat       Conference Tournament Play-in game

Feb18-22                        Conference Tournament

Feb 25                            State Playoffs begin

              

“Bold” denotes Home game

“*” denotes Conference game

Tee Times Set for Monday's Golf Regional

The Surry Central Golf team will have two players competing in the 2A Midwest Regional Individual Tournament on Monday, Dillon Carter and Ryan High. The Regional will be hosted by Cross Creek Country Club in Mount Airy. Carter, who led the Eagles with an 81 in Monday's Conference Tournament, will tee off on Hole #1 at 9:40am. High will tee off on Hole #10 at 9:30am. The Team competition will tee off holes #1 and #10 beginning at 8:30am.

Hunter Hayes
Surry Central Sports Information