Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:05:03 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/ Cougar Sports Network en-us http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/images//themes/Printer/images/logo.gif http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/ admin@cougarsportsnet.com http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=576 Chapel Hill, April 9, 2008 - Wachovia Bank, N.A., and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association today announced the standings after the winter sports seasons in the Wachovia Cup competitions for the 2007-08 academic year. The Wachovia Cup award, sponsored by Wachovia Bank, N.A., and the NCHSAA, recognizes the high schools that achieve the best overall interscholastic athletic performances within each of the state’s four competitive classifications.  The Wachovia Cup program is in its 29th year. Chapel Hill moved past fall leader Charlotte Myers Park to take over first place in the 4-A standings while Charlotte Catholic and Asheville continue their battle in the 3-A ranks, with Charlotte Catholic holding a 55-point lead. Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons continues to pace the 2-A classification while Kernersville Bishop McGuinness holds the top spot among the 1-A schools. Charlotte Catholic remained in first in the 3-A classification on the strength of winning two swimming championships for a total of 362.5 points.  Asheville finished second among 3-A schools in the men’s indoor track championships, placed sixth in men’s swimming and tied for fifth in men’s basketball to earn 307.5 points.  Three-time defending Wachovia champ T.C. Roberson, with a pair of fifth-place finishes in swimming, is in third at 242.5 points. Wachovia Cup points are determined by a system based on performance in state-championship events. All schools that finish in the top eight positions (plus ties) earn points. In the playoff events involving teams from more than one classification, Wachovia Cup points are awarded based on the school’s standing against other schools in its own classification. If fewer then eight schools from a classification compete in a sport, only those schools that are represented are eligible to receive the Wachovia Cup points. Points are awarded for all sports as follows: 50 for first, 45 for second, 40 for third, 35 for fourth, 30 for fifth, 25 for sixth, 20 for seventh and 15 for eighth. In the event of a tie, the schools receive an equal number of points based on the number of teams that tie and the number of teams that finish higher in the standings.  Five points are awarded for each sanctioned sport in which a school competes. Wachovia Cup standings are announced three times each school year: once after the fall and then the winter sports, and concluding with the winner after the spring sports season ends in June. The engraved silver cups are presented during NCHSAA Day activities at UNC-Chapel Hill each fall. (Click Read More for complete 3-A standings) Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:05:03 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=575 Asheville High junior guard Wakefield Ellison has been named to the NCPreps.com All-State Basketball Team.  Ellison joins four other boys basketball players from WNC on the team.  Ellison is reportedly being scouted by several D-1 programs, including Notre Dame.Congratulations, Wakefield! Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:01:20 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=574 Congratulations to the following Asheville High athletes who were named to the All Mountain Athletic Conference teams in their respective winter sports for 2007-08:Men's Basketball:  Wakefield Ellison, William RayWomen's Basketball:  Shermia ForneyMen's Swimming:  Dylan Wolhart, Michael Walden, Nick DePaolo, Austin LechnerWomen's Swimming:  Kayla Wolhart, Maggie Anderson Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:26:21 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=573 From Citizen-Times.comBy Romando DixsonMarch 18, 2008 8:53 pmTwo weeks ago, Asheville High’s Zach Hall asked baseball coach Bill Hillier Jr. to organize his pitching rotation so that the senior right-hander could take the mound against his former school. Hillier obliged, and it was worth it.Hall threw a perfect game Tuesday, leading the Cougars to a 1-0 win over host Enka in the Mountain Athletic Conference.“It was great to be able to stick it to my former team like that,” said Hall, who has lived in the Asheville district all his life but attended Enka schools prior to this semester. “I knew that I was on today. I was getting ahead of just about every hitter. I knew I was pitching well. But I didn’t expect a perfect game by any means. I guess when you’re on it happens.”Hall (3-1), who threw a no-hitter in Asheville’s season opener, had eight strikeouts against Enka (4-3, 1-2) while retiring 21 consecutive batters Tuesday. The win helps Asheville (5-3, 3-0) remain undefeated in the MAC.The Cougars only had two hits against Enka sophomore right-hander Dale Innes. But they scored the winning run in the top of the first inning when senior Nate Hutchins, who reached on an error, scored on a wild pitch.Hall handled the rest.“He pitched a good game,” Enka coach Mike Anderson said. “He had a good breaking ball working and kept the ball low.” Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:01:48 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=567 The Asheville boys indoor track team finished second in the 2008 NCHSAA State meet, led by speedster Giovanni McKnight and distance runners John Harwell and Isaac Presson.  Hurdler Sophia Treakle led the girls team.  Click the link below for complete results. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:05:36 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=565 The 2008 Cougar Baseball Schedule is now online. Click Read Full Article to view the schedule. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:07:40 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=563 Bill F. Hensley , a member of Asheville's Lee Edwards High School Class of 1943, will be inducted into the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame on May 15, 2008.Hensley received his bachelor's degree in English from Wake Forest University in 1950. He has spent more than four decades writing and speaking about North Carolina and its people. After college, he was a sports writer for the Asheville Citizen and then an FBI agent. In 1953, he was named the first full-time sports information director at Wake Forest University and then went to N. C. State in a similar position. In 1960-65, he was director of public relations for R. S. Dickson Investment Co. and Wachovia Bank in Charlotte. Then Gov. Dan Moore named him to head the state's Travel and Tourism Division, a post he held from 1965-71. He formed his own public relations firm in 1977. Specializing in travel, he landed such clients as Pebble Beach, Pinehurst Resort, Boca Raton Hotel and Club and Grove Park Inn. The American Travel Writers named him to Marco Polo membership in 1990, the group's highest honor. Hensley is past president of the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame, the Charlotte Sportsmans Club, Charlotte Public Relations Society and the Travel Council of North Carolina. He was a two-term secretary-treasurer of the Society of American Travel Writers and a two-term director of the Travel Industry Association of America. The other 2008 inductees who will be enshrined in Raleigh on May 15, include UNC basketball coach Roy Williams (also an Asheville native), former Duke athletic director Tom Butters, NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, former Duke quarterback Leo Hart, ex-North Carolina football player Ken Huff, Guilford golf coach Jack Jensen and former Johnson C. Smith and Harlem Globetrotters basketball player Curly Neal.Hensley joins fellow Lee Edwards alums Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice (also Lee Edwards Class of 1943 and the Hall's first inductee in 1963) and Claude "Hoot" Gibson (Lee Edwards Class of 1957) who was inducted in 2007.    Henry Logan of Asheville's Stephens-Lee High was honored as an inductee in 2000.Gibson was a state champion in the high hurdles at Lee Edwards, then starred in football at at N.C. State University.  He played in the Americal Football League with San Diego and led the league in interceptions in 1962.  With Oakland, he led the AFL in punt returns in 1963 and 1964.  His college coaching career started with N.C. State in 1967 as defensive backs coach; three years as head coach at Tulsa; and 10 years as head coach at Mars Hill College. Former Asheville football coach (1939-1940) Lee J. Stone was inducted in 1977.  Coach Stone was one of state's leading high school football coaches for three decades, producing one championship team at Raleigh Broughton and three at Asheboro.  He was one of Charlie Justice's high school coaches at Asheville.  He never had a losing season.   Sat, 02 Feb 2008 16:57:51 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=561 Asheville Track Coach Chris Stroup reports that in the Men's Indoor Power Rankings with all Classifications combined, the Asheville Men are ranked #2 behind 4A New Bern.  Here are the top teams:2008 NC High School Boys Indoor Team RankingsCalculated as of Jan 27, 2008These rankings were calculated by scoring the elite performances rankings list 20-deep. 1st place received 20 points for their team, on down to 1 point for 20th place. RankTeamPoints1.New Bern1372.Asheville1303.East Forsyth1254.Carver1245.Mooresville1186.Southeast Raleigh1057.Parkland1008.South View928.Garner928.Knightdale928.Green Hope9212.Vance91Also, on January 26th, junior Giovanni McKnight ran the 55-meter dash in 6.39 seconds, breaking Crezdon Butler's school record (6.49 seconds) and qualifying for the Nike Indoor Nationals in March. McKnight’s time is 14th nationally for the indoor season, according to dyestat.com.  McKnight continues the tradition of great speedsters from AHS.  In 1994, John Avery, Asheville High senior and future first round NFL draft pick, tied the NCHSAA record for the 60-yard dash with a time of 6.34 seconds. (55 meters is about 6 inches longer than 60 yards.)Congratulations to Giovanni and the entire indoor track team! Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:32:52 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=560 The 2007 final season official statistics have been released. Thanks to Coach David Burdette for providing the statistics all season long. Offensive and Defensive stats are saved in Excel files. Use the worksheet tabs at the bottom to navigate between game and season totals.Download Offense StatsDownload Defense Stats Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:56:31 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=558 Congratulations to several Asheville High players and coaches who received All-Conference or Coach of the Year for their respective Fall 2007 sports. Sat, 08 Dec 2007 19:42:12 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=553 Patrick Parton Photography has provided photographs from several games this season.  This week, he captured over 500 photos from the heartbreaking AHS/North Gaston Semifinal game. You can view and purchase photographs from this game (and others) at the following link:  http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=3324499. Thanks, Patrick! Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:37:26 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=552 By Andrew PearsonAsheville Citizen-TimesASHEVILLE — Asheville High football coach Danny Wilkins told the Cougars all week long that he would exhaust every trick and means of deception necessary during Friday’s 3-A Western Regional championship game.But in the end, it was the Cougars seniors who dictated the biggest gamble.Instead of a tying extra point, they persuaded Wilkins to go for two points with 1:03 remaining. But junior Greg Ray was stuffed at the goal line, denying Asheville a potential conversion run in a 35-34 loss to North Gaston. Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:37:05 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=536 From Citizen-Times.comBy Andrew PearsonAll of Thanksgiving’s traditions are back once more — turkey, cranberry sauce and an Asheville High football game on “Black Friday.”For the fifth time since 2001, a Cougars team coached by Danny Wilkins will play on the most hectic shopping day of the year, which happens to coincide with the NCHSAA 3-A quarterfinals.Senior Rahkeem Morgan became the school’s career passing leader (2,800 yards) Friday with a 16-yard completion to Giovanni McKnight midway through the first half in addition to rushing for a team-high 147 yards. And junior tailback Greg Ray added 108 yards and touchdown runs of 3, 6 and 8 yards to give fourth-seeded Asheville a 24-0 win over No. 5 Statesville. Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:45:41 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=535 Once again Patrick Parton was on the sidelines and captured the Cougars in football action last Friday night against the Statesville Greyhounds. Click Here to view and order over 350 photos from Patrick Parton from the Statesville game. (Note: external link) Photo by Patrick Parton Photography Sat, 17 Nov 2007 11:01:06 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=533 From Citizen-Times.comBy Andrew PearsonNovember 10, 2007ASHEVILLE  — Asheville High’s Giovanni McKnight never broke his concentration or stride Friday, scooping up a fumble that he took 38 yards for a touchdown. Offensively, defensively and everywhere in between, the speedy junior put together a career night and the Cougars opened the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs by trouncing Tuscola, 42-7. Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:28:04 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=532 Asheville – The festivities of Parents’ Night, Senior Night, and the final game of the regular season were capped off with a big Cougar victory at Asheville High Memorial Stadium last Friday.  Asheville (8-2, 5-1) stunned North Buncombe (8-3, 4-2) in a 62-6 lopsided victory, giving Asheville coach Danny Wilkins his 80th career win, and Asheville a share of its third straight conference championship.  Cougar fans and players alike were surprised and upset after last week’s 21-20 loss at Franklin, and took out their aggression against the Blackhawks.North Buncombe drew first blood, with a 73-yard scoring drive capped off by a 2 yard touchdown run by QB Randy Pressley.  Asheville quickly responded, and took the lead for good. Quarterback Rahkeem Morgan’s first carry resulted in a 42-yard touchdown run.  Spenser Clement, Giovanni McKnight, Greg Ray and Marcus Thorpe also had touchdown runs for the Cougars.  Phillip Lamy caught Morgan’s only touchdown pass of the night.  On defense, Antonio Carson and Jamal Johnson each returned an interception for a touchdown.  The Asheville defense also caused five Blackhawk turnovers.Rahkeem Morgan now has 2,513 career passing yards, nearing the school record of 2,760. Asheville advances to the first round of the NCHSAA 3A Playoffs as the #4 seed. The Cougars’ first round draw is #13 Tuscola, who was defeated by Asheville 3 weeks ago during Homecoming, 39-7.  Also competing in the playoffs from the MAC are #7 North Buncombe vs. #10 Franklin, and #6 T.C. Roberson vs. #11 Mooresville. Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:57:51 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=531 Excerpts from Citizen-Times.comTanglewood Park - Clemmons - Both Asheville High cross country teams made strong showings at the 2007 NCHSAA 3-A state meet.  The Asheville High girls team (107 points) was tucked behind Roberson and Reagan in third place at Saturday’s meet and paced by senior Cara Hayes (sixth place, 19:49.22).In the 3-A boys race, the Cougars (63 points) came within seven points of knocking off heavy prerace favorite and defending state champion Mooresville (56). Sophomore John Harwell was Asheville’s lone all-state performer (fifth place, 16:25.51), but coach Chris Stroup was ecstatic with the overall performance of his team. The second-place finish in 3-A matched the best showing in school history (2001).“It was an outstanding day,” Stroup said. “To be up there with a team like Mooresville is spectacular.   “Our seniors really came through. And our sophomores ran well, too. I couldn’t have asked for more out of them.”Congratulations on your outstanding performances!  Asheville High is very proud of you! Sun, 04 Nov 2007 12:44:25 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=530 From Citizen-Times.comWINSTON-SALEM — The Asheville High field hockey team will have to wait at least a year to win its first state championship.  The Cougars gave up one goal in each half Saturday and lost the championship match to Chapel Hill 2-0 at Wake Forest University’s Kentner Stadium.The Cougars finished the season with a 22-2 record.“We were pretty evenly matched,” said Asheville coach Lauren Kaye. “But I think (Chapel Hill) having a middle school program is a big plus. I get girls in the ninth grade, they get girls in the sixth grade. That’s a big disadvantage.”  Kaye did say that the Cougars had chances to score on Saturday.  “We played hard, and everything I ask of them they do,” Kaye said of her players. “But (Chapel Hill) finished it, and we didn’t. We had some opportunities and weren’t able to do that.  Overall, 22-3 is a coach’s dream. We’re still a young team and next year could be more incredible. One thing we talked about afterward was that this was a true team effort.   There are 25 girls on the team, and every single one of them gave me something this season. I couldn’t be prouder.”[CSN note:  Asheville High couldn't be prouder, either!  Congratulations on a wonderful season!] Sun, 04 Nov 2007 12:36:00 -0500 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=529 From Citizen-Times.comBy Andrew PearsonASHEVILLE — Asheville High quarterback Rahkeem Morgan’s campaign to win every individual postseason award imaginable is back on and then some.  Morgan ran for 254 yards and two touchdowns Friday to go along with 60 passing yards and a third score as the Cougars routed North Buncombe 62-6.Coach Danny Wilkins’s 80th career victory at Asheville (8-2, 5-1) coincided with his team clinching a share of its third consecutive Mountain Athletic Conference championship.  “We needed to come out and make a statement tonight and I thought we did,” Morgan said. “We were frustrated with the way we played last week at Franklin (where the Cougars lost, 21-20). I really have to give all the credit to my line tonight, they really blocked well and showed that they were a good line.” Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:33:02 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=528 From Citizen-Times.comBy Andrew PearsonNovember 3, 2007 Asheville High field hockey coach Lauren Kaye’s phone and e-mail get plenty of incoming activity these days.  Former players inundate Kaye with questions about the team’s progress and well wishes. Every curious party wants to know more about the Cougars’ best season in 19 years.Asheville (22-2) goes for its first field hockey state championship today when Western North Carolina’s only public school program faces Chapel Hill. The match begins at noon at Wake Forest University’s Kentner Stadium.“Of course, this is every coach’s dream,” Kaye said. “Just to see where this program has come from and hearing from all the past players has been special. Every time we step on the field, our players are taking on every challenge I give them.”Collectively, the Cougars have a school-record 89 goals and 69 assists for the season. Four Asheville players have scored 10 or more goals: Elizabeth Keil (19), Elizabeth Gaston (12), Catherine Looper (11) and Caity Heath (10). Assist leaders include Kelly Olesiuk (14), Mallory Silver (13), Gaston (13) and Heath (12).“No one at school really thought much about field hockey before, but since we’ve started winning, everybody is really excited,” Silver said. “We’re having a lot of fun. It’s just been an unbelievable season, and our team has such great chemistry.”[CSN Comment:  Good luck Cougars!!!] Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:15:11 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=526 Reprinted from Prepalert.comASHEVILLE - October 26, 2007 - The Asheville field hockey team continues on it’s quest to win their first state title in their 19 years of existence.  They dispatched their semi-final opponent, the West Forsyth Titans, 2-0 to advance to the finals of the West Regional to be played on Saturday at 1:00. Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:21:36 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=522 Reprinted from Prepalert.com By Greg Bolvi LEICESTER - October 12, 2007 - Okay, class, please pay attention. Asheville High travels to Leicester to take on Erwin in a MAC football contest. The Cougars are unbeaten in conference play, the Warriors have dropped their last two games in the final minute. It’s Erwin’s Homecoming. Which team runs 45 plays in the first half to their opponent’s 13? Which team has the ball for over half the first two quarters? Which squad has drives of 16, 15, and 13 plays? Which team is on the short end of a 34-7 halftime score? (Continued) Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:10:59 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=520 By Tim Amos, Executive Producer of CSN TVFirst of all, I would like to congratulate all of the young men who were selected to this year's Shrine Bowl team.  Once again, however, the NC Shrine Bowl team has omitted perhaps one of the best players in WNC:  Asheville High QB/DB Rahkeem Morgan.  Morgan's stats speak for themselves.  He is fast approaching the career passing yardage record at Asheville High and can run with equal skill.  He is a leader on the best team in WNC (as ranked by the Citizen-Times), and can play any skill position on the field.  His talents are displayed on TV regularly so only a caveman could have not known about him.So why was he not selected to the Shrine Bowl team?  Perhaps the better question is why am I surprised?  Asheville's John Avery (1993) (NFL, XFL and CFL star) and Petie Scarborough (1999)(All-State MVP) were left off the roster.  What about this year's Darious Spencer of A.C. Reynolds and Justin Wynn of T.C. Roberson?  Anyway, I am losing more respect every year for the selection process and the treatment of WNC athletes.  Politics, not skill, is what rules.I hope the Shriners raise a lot of money for their very worthy causes, but as far as an "all star" game for NC high school athletes, the event falls far short in my opinion.  North Carolina does not select its best athletes and that is why their record is 27-38-4 versus SC.Thanks for allowing me to vent my disappointment at our annual snub.  To end on a positive note, click below for a list of Asheville High/Lee Edwards players who have made the roster over the years.  Find out what NC's record versus SC is when these guys played. Sun, 21 Oct 2007 13:52:59 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=518 Reprinted from Prepalert.comFRANKLIN - October 18, 2007 - Asheville took their first step in their quest for the 3-A state championship by taking the MAC X-Country Championship at Enloe Park in Franklin on Thursday over runner-up Roberson.  Asheville with 28 points, garnered three of the top four spots with John Harwell (17:21) taking the win over fellow Cougar Isaac Presson (17:23), who was 2.5 seconds behind.   Roberson’s Brad Cookson (17:53) crossed the line in third, 32 seconds behind Harwell and Logan Tarleton (18:09) of Asheville was 4th, 48 seconds behind. Rounding out the last two places for the Cougars were Owen Sheeler (10th) at 18:43 and Ramone Schober (11th) at 18:45. Roberson came in second with 43 points in the team competition.  With Cookson coming in 3rd, the four other runners to score points were Sho Kitamura (18:10) who finished 5th, Ben Duval (18:30) who came in 8th, Andrey Kossev (18:57) was in 13th and Thomas Humble (19:00) came in 14th.  North Buncombe finished 3rd with 83 points, with both Nic Carswell (6th) who ran an 18:13 and Matt Pomfrey (7th) running an 18:19 in the top 10.  David McKenzie (19:44) was 25th, Michael Potter (20:12) was 33rd, and Eli Spear (20:20) was 36th.   Sun, 21 Oct 2007 13:16:13 -0400 http://www.cougarsportsnet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=513 By Derek Norton, Prepalert.comASHEVILLE-October 5, 2007-It seemed 2007 would be the year that the TC Roberson Rams, ranked 4th in the Associated Press 3A state poll, would finally pick up a win on the road against the Asheville Cougars. The Cougars, with history on their side, led the Rams the entire game en route to a 24-9 victory and sole possession of first place in the Mountain Athletic Conference.Read the full article here: http://prepalert.com/2007/10/06/asheville-moves-to-1st-place-in-mac-with-win-over-roberson/ Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:27:51 -0400