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WILMINGTON -- COVID-19 ruined Rebekah Smith's chances of repeating as a state champion -- but it didn't end her prolific high jumping career.
Instead, Smith is excelling in her sophomore campaign as a member of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Track and Field Team.
The Franklinton High school alum is tied for the top Girls High Jump height this season for the Seahawks as she went 5-3 during the Duke Invitational on April 19 in Durham.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The Big East Conference held its final 18-hole boys golf match of the season on April 25 at Northgreen GC -- and the event served as a coronation for the new links kings in the league.
That would be Roanoke Rapids High School, which was competing in its initial campaign in the Big East after moving up from the Northern Carolina Conference.

RALEIGH -- Athletics has always been a family affair for the Bibbys, so it was no surprise that Fred Bibby was on hand to accept one of the most prestigious awards his brother, Henry, has ever earned -- and there have been plenty of them.
Franklinton's Bibby made the improbable journey from his family's farm to play basketball across the continent for the greatest dynasty of all-time -- and then continued his success by playing for a decade in the National Basketball Association and was part of the NBA champion New York Knicks in 1972.

STANHOPE -- Franklinton High School came up with one of its biggest softball victories of the 2022 season last Thursday as the Lady Rams secured a clutch 1-0 road decision over long-time Big East Conference powerhouse Southern Nash.
The key win pushed the Lady Rams to a 9-6 overall record to go with an 8-6 worksheet in the Big East.

KINSTON - Eduardo Garcia and Jesus Chirinos both had two hits and starter Ryne Moore totaled a career high nine strikeouts, but the Carolina Mudcats were shut out for the first time this season as the Down East Wood Ducks took last Thursday's game 2-0 at Grainger Stadium in Kinston.
Down East (8-9) scored a run in the first and one more in the second while defeating the Mudcats (8-9) for the first time this season. The Thursday night victory for the Wood Ducks also tied the current series at a game apiece (1-1).

LOUISBURG -- With a young team and a new coach, it wasn't a surprise that Louisburg High School experienced a rebuilding phase during the 2022 baseball campaign.
First-year skipper Juan Lopez certainly inherited an underclassman-dominated squad this spring -- one that featured just one senior.

Louisburg High School's Jodus Leonard takes a pitch for the Warriors during last week's road matchup against Big East Conference opponent Nash Central.

Bunn native Emily Winstead (left) has been exceptional as a freshman pitching ace this spring for the UNC-Wilmington softball squad.

UNC-Wilmington high jumper Rebekah Smith won the state championship in that event during her time at Franklinton High School.

Relay for Life's Danette Cheatham

Franklinton, NC--Christopher Michael Hatley, 46, of Franklinton passed away on May 2, 2022. He was born on December 10, 1975, to Steve Hatley and the late Paulette Burkhard Hatley.

TROY, NC--Betty Jo Green McIntyre, 70, of Troy passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2022. She was born on November 3, 1951 to the late George Bruton and Emily Robertson Green. In addition to her parents, Betty Jo was predeceased by her brother, George Green, Jr.

LOUISBURG, NC--Funeral services for Bernice P. Harris, age 87, who died on Monday, May 2, 2022, will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, May 12, from the St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Louisburg with Dr. Felecia Hardy officiating. Burial will follow in the Haywood Church Cemetery.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC -- Linda Marshall Stroud of Youngsville, born September 15, 1949, passed away peacefully at home on Monday evening May 2, 2022.

FUQUAY VARINA, NC- Bettie Cannady Wheless, 92, of Fuquay Varina and formerly of Wilkesboro, died Saturday morning, April 30, 2022.

FRANKLINTON, NC - Teresa Patton Rhodes, 61, of Franklinton, died Sunday evening.

LOUISBURG, NC - Susie Patton Gupton, 59, of Louisburg, died Sunday evening.

YOUNGSVILLE, NC--William G. "Bill" Andrews, 80, of Youngsville, passed away Tuesday evening at his home surrounded by his family.

John Jackson "Jackie" Dean, Jr., age 85, of Louisburg and Orlando, FL, passed away peacefully April 26, 2022 in Raleigh.

April 29, 2022, Linda Aileen Lancaster Rowe departed this earthly life from labor to reward as a band of heavenly angels escorted her soul to her heavenly home, to be greeted by Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to hear, "Welcome home thou good and faithful servant", and by the love of her life Bryant T. Rowe, Sr. She was born in Franklin County on August 4, 1923 and was the only child of Charlie Spruill Lancaster and Judith Boone Lancaster.

Louisburg, NC--Funeral services for Maxine Davis Richardson, age 61, who died on Monday, April 25, 2022, will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Lennis Thorpe officiating. Burial will follow in the Jones Chapel Church Cemetery.