Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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24 UCW AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 4, 2018 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS The Gray's Creek boys soccer team is coming off a 21-win season and a trip to the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs. Coach Bryan Pagan said the Bears lost a lot of experience from last season's team, but they return a lot of the offense from that squad, which bolsters his hopes of having another strong run in 2018. "I thought depth was going to be an issue, but we had a couple of transfers come in and (moved) some guys up from the jayvees,'' he said. Last year's team was built around strength and athleticism. This year, Pagan feels his squad's soc- cer IQ is higher and its decision-making ability is improved. "Last year, we were able to overpower teams,'' he said. "This year, we will continue to press teams and make them make mistakes.'' The defense will be rebuilt with a new goalkeeper and a new back line. "The more comfortable they get receiving the ball, the better they'll get,'' Pagan said. "We're only scratching the surface.'' Among the top players returning for the Bears is sophomore C.J. Eley. Eley scored 14 goals and handed out five assists. He said he feels more comfortable with experience this season. Joining the team as a freshman last season and being thrust into new surroundings was a challenge. He's focused more on the mental aspect of finish- ing possessions of the ball. "Last year our chemistry was good and we got along,'' Eley said. "We're going to have to be on the same page like we were last year." Pine Forest was the top 4-A team in the Patriot Conference last year and finished second in the regular season to the Bears. Coach Isaac Rancour hopes the Trojans can again compete for the con- ference title and make the state playoffs. "I'm excited to see how much our team grows from beginning to end,'' he said. "We're getting all the pieces in place. Finding a way to put the ball in the back of the net is one of the big things.'' Connor Sykes is returning for his fourth year and will anchor the Trojan defense. "I expect him to organize the field,'' Rancour said. "He's done a great job in preseason with leadership roles. I except him to continue ... leading on and off the field.'' Sykes said the Trojans have set a goal of not only making the state playoffs but ending the frustration of consistently losing in the first round. He's not worried about any personal glory. "Personal recognition is great, but I'd rather have a conference championship as a team,'' he said. "Being part of this team is the only goal I've set for myself.'' Gray's Creek coach Bryan Pagan South View cross country coach Jesse Autry C.J. Eley Connor Sykes Pine Forest coach Isaac Rancour EARL VAUGHAN JR., Sports Editor. COMMENTS? EarlUCWSports@ gmail.com. 910-364-6638. Gray's Creek seeks repeat of soccer success by EARL VAUGHAN JR. South View High School's 19th edition of the Jungle Run cross country meet is scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 1, starting at 6:15 p.m. The event will feature its traditional six races for its spe- cial night run around the South View High School campus and vicinity, with the finish line on the track around Randy Ledford Stadium. The developmental races for boys and girls are at 6:15 p.m. and 6:55 p.m., respectively. The invitational races for smaller schools and B teams from larger schools will be at 7:40 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. The championship races for larger schools and more competitive smaller schools are set for 9 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. South View cross country coach Jesse Autry said Chapel Hill is the favorite in both the girls and boys races, having swept the last two Jungle Run competitions. Other outside teams that should fare well include the boys from Durham Jordan and Winston-Salem Reynolds, along with Wilmington Hoggard. Local and area teams that should contend for top finishes include South View, Jack Britt, Cape Fear, Pinecrest and Union Pines. Jungle Run returns to South View for 19th time by EARL VAUGHAN JR. Attention Students: Let Your Voice Be Heard Get published in our award-winning community newspaper Up & Coming Weekly Send in your feature articles, editorials, short stories, movie and music reviews or original poetry and artwork to: highschoolhighlights@upandcomingweekly.com Subject line: High School Highlights Please include your photo and school information.