Daily Roundup: October 30, 2021

October 30, 2021, 9:50 pm | by Tim Hower

GIRLS TENNIS

No. 2 Cape Fear Academy 5, No. 1 Arendell Parrott Academy 4

NCISAA 3A State Championship match

Elle Harmon picked up a thrilling 6-3, 3-6, 10-5 victory at No. 4 singles to give the Hurricanes their first state title since 2010.

It’s CFA’s (14-2) first championship in the dual tournament format, which began in 2013.

The Hurricanes trailed 2-1 after doubles with their only win coming by a score of 8-4 from Harmon and Tyler Beacham at No. 3.

The deficit grew to 4-1 after Parrott Academy cruised at No. 1 and 2 singles. CFA needed to win all four singles matches still on the court in order to claim the title, and that’s exactly what they did.

Taylor Garriott started the comeback with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 3. Beacham (No. 4) and Isabel Bellamy (No. 6) won by identical 6-2, 6-4 scores to even the score.

That set up the winner-take-all showdown at No. 5 singles.

The victory also avenged a 5-4 loss to Parrott Academy when the teams met on September 13.

BOYS SOCCER

No. 7 Concord Academy 2, No. 4 Coastal Christian 0

NCISAA 3A State Championship match

***Click here to view a gallery of 35 photos from the action***

A remarkable postseason run came to a close in heartbreaking fashion as the Centurions couldn’t produce a goal against a talented Concord Academy squad.

“It’s been a really fun ride with this group,” Coastal Christian coach Mike Scheffel said. “It’s been hard, but I think that’s what’s made it so good is to see the way the guys have grown individually and collectively as a group.”

The match was scoreless at halftime and remained that way until the 52nd minute when Cuicui Gonzalez headed in a rebound.

Concord Academy added an insurance goal with 12 minutes to play on a rocket from Valentino Lira.

Coastal Christian (13-10-1) started the year 3-5-1 before turning the corner. They received a bye into the quarterfinals of the playoffs and opened with a 2-1 overtime victory over Grace Christian.

In the semifinals, the Centurions avenged a pair of regular season losses to rival CFA by picking up a 1-0 victory to advance to the title game for the fourth time in six years.

“I think there were a lot of unknowns about this group this season, but our six seniors really stepped up,” Scheffel said. “They grew a ton, not only as players, but also at providing some really good leadership.”

VOLLEYBALL

No. 1 Coastal Christian 3, No. 2 Asheville Christian Academy 2

(23-25, 19-25, 25-14, 25-15, 15-9)

NCISAA 3A State Championship match

***Click here to view a gallery of 40 photos from the action***

***Click here to read a story from the match***

Wilson Christian Academy 3, Wilmington Christian Academy 0

(25-18, 25-12, 25-13)

NCCSA 2A State Championship match

In her final high school match, Lauren Longbottom finished with nine assists, eight digs, three kills and one ace.

The Patriots (15-12), who were looking for their eighth title in nine years, also got eight digs, seven kills and one ace from Kenleigh Todd as well as four kills, four digs and three assists from Abby Pietro.

Sara Garner had a team-high nine digs.

Longbottom was named to the All-State team. Todd, Pietro and Caroline Prease all made the All-Region team.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

4A East Regional

Hoggard claimed the team title for a second straight season by placing three runners inside the top 20.

Seniors Luke Ward and Evan Pena finished second and third, respectively. Ward completed the course in 15:42.01 and Pena was right behind in 15:42.41.

They were the fastest two times in the area this season.

Luke Adams was 16th in 16:11.98. The Vikings’ other counting scores came from Ryan Ibarra (27th in 16:30.47) and Andrew Wallace (36th in 16:42.54).

Hoggard finished with 84 points to edge Broughton by three. Cardinal Gibbons was third with 90 points. Laney finished sixth, Ashley was 12th, New Hanover placed 14th and Topsail was 19th.

Laney had a pair of top-20 finishers in Joseph Moran (seventh in 15:48.72) and Clinton Hubbard (20th in 16:26.76).

2A Mideast Regional

Trask finished fourth with 114 points thanks to a terrific run from John Roberts.

The senior was 14th with a time of 18:16.25. Martin Lopez (23rd in 18:38.35), Samuel Scott (25th in 18:43.39) and Kyle Moore (26th in 18:49.78) also had great performances.

1A Mideast Regional

Pender’s top finisher was senior William Berry, who was 31st with a time of 20:34.09.

Teammate Judah Summers was right behind in 20:35.40.

The Patriots placed 11th in the field of 14 teams.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

4A East Regional

Laney junior Olivia Bufalini was the runner-up after completing the course in a season best 17:54.83.

It was the second fastest time in the area this season.

Hoggard finished second as a team, but they were 38 points behind winner Cardinal Gibbons.

Ashlei Summers (fifth in 18:23.46) outsprinted teammate Molly Parker (18:23.67) to the finish line. The Vikings’ other counting scores came from Annie Mulligan (16th in 19:19.04), Savannah Moore (18th in 19:26.12) and Sarah Martin (19th in 19:28.84).

Laney scored 89 points to finish third. Ashley was 10th, Topsail finished 16th and New Hanover placed 17th.

In addition to Bufalini, the Buccaneers had three other top-25 performances. Isabella Borelli was 11th in 19:12.38, Camryn Oates finished 22nd in 19:31.22 and Addison Shepard was 25th in 19:33.42.