SPORTS

BUNN -- Multi-sport standouts who earned the respect of their coaches, teammates and opponents -- that was the story behind the respective four-year athletic careers of Carlee Tart and Damarion Watkins at Bunn High School.
Now seniors who are closing out their time at Bunn, Tart and Watkins were saluted as BHS' Athletes of the Year during the school's annual Athletic Awards Ceremony last Thursday at the BHS Auditorium.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Going back to his freshman season, Landen Holloman was a day-one force for the Nash Central High School boys tennis program -- and has continued to get better and better as his prep career has marched on.
But Holloman took things even further as a senior in 2023 as he dominated his Big East Conference competition en route to qualifying for the Class 2-A Regional Championships. He notched a victory at the regionals and came within one match of making the states.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Roanoke Rapids' dominance of the Big East Conference boys golf standings this spring was so complete that the Yellow Jackets' entire scoring lineup has been named to the all-league squad for the 2023 campaign.
Included on that list is RR's Wyatt Beaver, who was tabbed as the Big East Golfer of the Year after compiling the lowest cumulative individual scoring total.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Louisburg College softball team wrapped up its record-breaking season last week by taking part in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Tournament at Duncan Park in the Palmetto State.
After finishing fourth among 16 teams competing for a national championship at the NJCAA DII World Series, the Lady Hurricanes will be remembered as one of the greatest clubs to wear a 'Canes uniform.

HENDERSON -- Jay Wright of the Sandy Creek Bassmasters (boater) and Stephen Barr (non-boater) are headed to the 2024 BASS National Championship to fish for two of the three BASS Master Classic Invitations that will be up for grabs.
Both were crowned Kerr Lake Champions on March 17 and, under the new format adopted by BASS earlier this year, they are headed straight to the fight for those top three spots in the BASS Master Classic -- the Holy Grail of bass fishing.

FABULOUS FOUR AT FRANKLINTON. Franklinton High School recently held a signing ceremony for four student-athletes as they have finalized their respective college decisions. Pictured are (l to r) Lucas Kelly (soccer, Liberty University); Brady Groves (baseball, Oberlin College); Billy Bell (wrestling, Queens University) and Da'Kari Jones (basketball, Methodist University).

LYNCHBURG, VA. -- Luke Adams hit a solo home run in the first, Jose Sibrian hit a three-run blast in the second and starter Will Rudy pitched through five scoreless innings with five strikeouts as the Carolina Mudcats defeated the Lynchburg Hillcats 5-1 in Tuesday's series opener at Bank of James Stadium in Lynchburg.
Adams got the Mudcats (25-18) going early with a two-out solo home run off Hillcats (22-24) starter Alonzo Richardson in the first.