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February 14, 1990
Basketball Improves
by Darice Witherspoo
NCSSM's basketball teams
have definitely earned re
spect. Both the girls' and
boys' teams have made them
selves a threat.
After sixteen games, the
girls' and boys' teams boast
12-4 and 10-6 overall records
respectively. Both are 5-2 in
the conference. The players,
the coaches, and the student
body are pleased with the
season's beginning and excited
about its remainder.
Jim Bostick, coach of the
boys' team, is impressed with
their progress. Compared to
last year's team, he feels
that they are much better.
The overall quality of players
is high. "I am extremely
optimistic about the rest of
the season," he says.
Not only is the coach
optimistic, but so are the
players. Returning senior Ray
Helms stated "If we continue
to improve and play as a team,
I think we will definitely be
contenders for the conference
championship."
Bostick coxmiented, "The
players have developed into a
real team this year. They
work hard in both practices
nand games. At the beginning
of the season, our goal was to
make it to the state play
offs. We are in that position
if we continue our level of
playing."
The entire team has
displayed a good attitude.
The senior leadership is
excellent. Helms said "This
year's team has a better
attitude~a winning attitude."
Girls' basketball coach
Curtis Hunter stated that the
season is turning out to be a
pleasant surprise. The team,
compared to last year's team,
is better all around as far as
talent. They have more
strength .and a greater team
speed. Hunter thinks that
they are the best team in the
conference.
Hunter said that it is
evident that the team returned
from winter break with a new
attitude. "They owe the
season to themselves. They
have come out and worked hard.
Everyone is playing with con
fidence."
"Team unity", promoting
team play as an instrument for
winning, has evolved as the
team's philosophy. Junior
Regina Clemmons remarked, "Our
team this year has a lot of
talent. If we keep our team
unity I am positive that we
will go far."
Returning senior J.D.
Johnston said "We are ail glad
that Curtis is back." At the
season's beginning. Hunter
returned from Australia mainly
to coach the girls. It was a *
tough decision, but Hunter
feels like he made the right
choice in returning.
Hunter is completing his
third year as the girls' bas
ketball coach. "I am more
developed to approach things
as a coach this year. I put
up with a lot of things during
my first two years, but it is
totally different this year."
How has the new gym
affected the basketball teams?
It has made all the difference
by providing a place for the
teams to practice. ' Last
year's teams were irconveni-
enced by having to travel to a
gym for practice. There has
been exceptionally good atten
dance at home games. The
fans' support has made NCSSM a
difficult place for visiting
teams to play. As Coach
Bostick said at the pep rally,
"One of the biggest reasons we
have a good team is because of
you, the fans."
II
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Keith Gray goes for the jump ball.
Wrestling Dominates
by Joe Fernandez
The Science and Math
wrestling team has rolled to
an impressive 11-5 record this
year. Led by team captains
Linh Nguyen, Chris Grindstaff
and Robert Burgess, the team
is now ranked seventh in the
state la/2a classification.
Nguyen has compiled a
24-3 individual record with
three tourriament titles this
year. He won the Capital City
Classic, the South Granville
Invitational wrestling
tournamerit, and our owri
NCSSM Invitational. Nguyen
finished fifth in state com
petition last year in the 103
pound weight class. As a
captain, Linh has been instru
mental in dual team matches by
starting the match with a win
to pace the rest of the team.
Junior James Banner has
been a driving force at 125
pounds this year, with a
record of 19-5. Also from the
junior class, Jamie King has
ripped through 152 pounds to
post a 21-3 record.
Grindstaff, a 1989 la/2a
state finalist has won four
tournaments this year. To his
credit he has the Capital City
Classic, the Bull Durham Tour-
Jamie King battles Dixon foe.
naraent, the South Grarwille
Invitational, and the NCSSM
Irivitational. Grindstaff is
17-1 at 145 pounds, his only
loss a medical default.
Robert Burgess has been a
power at 160 pounds this year,
winning the Bull Durham Tour
nament, the South Granville
Invitational, and the NCSSM
Invitational. He has a 28-1
individual record, his only
loss was in the finals of the
Capital City Classic, a close
decision.
Burgess says, "As a team
we have a good chance in the
state individual tournament
this year." Science and Math
finished thirteenth in 1989,
and four state qualifiers are
returning. "We also have as
good a chance as anyone in the
state dual team tournament,”
Burgess added.
The Unicorn's most recent
dual team win was over the
South Johnston Trojans, a team
that defeated them last year.
South Johnston was unable to
pin a single Science and Math
wrestler, as Coach Mike
Walters manipulated the lineup
to pull the win out even after
forfeiting three weight class
es. Grindstaff, in his first
return from injury, claimed an
impressive 13 second pin.
Most important in that victory
was the fact that South
Johnston only received three
to four points for their wins.
Science and Math was able
to prevent the pins, thereby
not allowing the Trojans the
maximum points.
Winning for Science and
Math were: Linh Nguyen, Alan
Cline, James Banner, Scott
Shelton, Chris Grinstaff,
Craig Moorefield, and Robert
Burgess. The final score was
35-28J 18 Trojan points re
sulted from NCSSM forfeits.
On January 27, the first
ever NCSSM Invitational
Wrestling Tournament was held.
NCSSM put forth a tremendous
effort, winning three weight
classes. Jordan High School
was the overall team winner,
Science and Math finished
fourth. Hopefully this
tournament will continue as an
opportunity for the NCSSM pop
ulation to witness a showcase
of outstanding talent wrestle
their very own.
Regardless of state,
tournament results, 1989-1990
has been the best year yet for
NCSSM wrestling. As a whole,
the team has shown that Sci
ence and Math is a force to be
reckoned with.