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Page 2B Louisburg, NC, Thursday, September 2, 2021 BUNN BHS Looks For Big Gains Wildcats welcome back key starters Football By GEOFF NEVILLE Times Sportswriter BHS Wildcats BUNN DALE MURPHY S lowly but surely, Years at School: Bunn High School 4 football coach Dale Last Season: 3-4 Murphy has been Record at School: pointing his program 13-16 toward success -- and a Starters Returning: key tipping point could 0-8, D-10 come this fall. Outlook: A talented young The Wildcats flashed core could mix with a hand- some potential at some ful of veteran leaders to points during the Spring make the Wildcats a con- 2021 season, but were tender this fall in the Class plagued with incon- 2-A portion of the Big East sistency -- an expected Conference. L.B. Bolden occurrence considering is one of the league’s best the overall youth of the two-way players, and club. Damarion Watkins is a dual threat at quarterback. Still, Bunn made a play- 2021 Schedule off push, only to come up Aug. 27........... at Granville Central just short. Sept. 3................. OXFORD WEBB Fast forward just a few Sept. 10................ ERWIN TRITON months, and the Wild- Sept. 17...............at Rocky Mount* cats are looking to keep Sept. 24............ at Northern Nash* the pace as they make the Oct. 1...................... at Franklinton* move to the new Class Oct. 8.............. SOUTHERN NASH* Oct. 15................. at Nash Central* 2/3-A Big East Confer- Oct. 22...........ROANOKE RAPIDS* VETERAN PRESENCE. Junior quarterback Damarion Watkins will be a leader and captain this season for the ence. Oct. 29......................LOUISBURG* Bunn High School football team under Head Coach Dale Murphy. (Times photo by Geoff Neville) BHS will be one of four schools competing for one * Denotes NCC Games improved with his deci- and captain to heart. The automatic playoff berth Damarion Watkins. sion-making. He knows young guys really look up on the Class 2-A level. Still only a junior, Wat- he has to be a leader for to him. And he will play But Murphy knows it kins has continued to blos- us.’’ anywhere on the field that won’t be easy, and the som, and he put together Speaking of leaders, you need him.’’ Wildcats will undertake a an excellent performance few players on the BHS Bolden leads what challenging sched- both with his feet roster will be as influen- should be a sturdy defen- ule that will fea- and his right arm tial in that department as sive front along with ture the likes of during Bunn’s senior LB Bolden, who is Tre Artis and Dominic Northern Nash, campaign-open- expected to be a force as McDowell. Southern Nash ing decision over both a running back and On offense, Bunn’s line and Rocky Mount, Granville Central. defensive end. will be paced by senior along with Frank- “Damarion Bolden starred on center Keagan Troutner. lin County rivals has really started both sides of the ball last BHS should have plenty Louisburg and to understand spring, and he picked of options on offense as Franklinton. his role,’’ Murphy said. up right where he left Bolden will share the load In order to make its way “We want to pass the ball off during Bunn’s win at in the backfield with the through the lofty trek, more, and we already Granville Central. likes of Domantea Cooke Bunn will welcome back a know what he can do as a “LB has bought into the and NasheymWebb. whopping 18 starters, led runner. He has shown a lot family,’’ Murphy said. “He Jacob Herron caught by returning quarterback of maturity, and has really has taken his role as leader two passes from Watkins in the opener, and Jay’Von Perry should be another option. Artis could also find the ball in his hands out of the tight end posi- tion. The Wildcats will open BUNN SENIOR STANDOUT LB BOLDEN their Big East slate on teams might look down the road against the Nash September 17 on the road on us and say we are just Central Bulldogs. at perennial powerhouse little old Bunn, but we Bunn will then play Rocky Mount. feel like we can play with former Northern Carolina “We know how tough anyone on our schedule as Conference foes Roanoke our schedule is,’’ Murphy long as we give 100 per- Rapids and Louisburg to said. “So we after to treat cent effort.’’ close out the season as every opponent like it is Following the difficult the race for the top Class the state championship Class 3-A gauntlet of their 2-A spot in the Big East -- and give it everything we schedule, the Wildcats along with the automatic have. will kick off their 2-A Big playoff spot -- should be a “We know that some East slate on Oct. 15 on fierce one. “I think we have the capability to be right there,’’ Murphy said. 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Thursday, September 2, 2021 Louisburg, NC Page 3B BUNN Veteran Cats Ready To Go Bunn blessed with talent and depth Volleyball By GEOFF NEVILLE Times Sportswriter BHS Ladycats BUNN MELANIE LOVIN A fter watching her Years at School: junior varsity 5 teams pile up the Last Season: 7-3 victories over the Record at School: past few years, Bunn spike 35-40 coach Melanie Lovin is Starters Returning: 4 ready to reap the rewards of that hard work on the Outlook: Bunn’s storied varsity level. volleyball program will Lovin finally has a club look to be a contender in loaded with experience, the newfangled Big East talent and the depth as Conference. The Ladycats the Ladycats are expected have been ascending over to be a huge factor in the the past few years and are newly configured Big East primed for elite-level suc- cess thanks to a roster Conference. loaded with both talent and The Ladycats will face veteran leadership under a handful of new oppo- Coach Melanie Lovin. nents this fall in league action, along with familiar of roster standouts to foes the likes of Franklin choose from, led by a County rivals Franklinton stacked group of outside and Louisburg. hitters that includes vet- “I’m not really sure erans Mallori Darnell and about the new confer- Keagan Osika. Malyshia Bailey, MacK- BATTON IS BACK FOR BHS. Bunn High School senior veteran hitter MacKenzie Batton has returned to the ence,’’ Lovin said. “I don’t enzie Batton and Kerry volleyball program after opting out of the Ladycats’ 2020 varsity campaign. (Times photo by Geoff Neville) know a lot about the Nash County schools and what Thomas are accomplished we are going to get from middle hitters -- and are them. also capable of moving to “But I do feel like we either of the outside posi- have the potential tions. to be able to be Lenita Bryson, a contender (for who starred in league suprem- the spring as a acy).’’ catcher for the Bunn has kicked Bunn softball off its schedule squad, is another in impressive potential threat fashion, rolling to a pair up front. of sweeps against Vance Gracie Mills will be County High School. one of the conference’s BHS will begin its Big surest backrow spe- East slate this week with cialists, and Maddie plenty of confidence to go Brazie returns at setter with its high talent level. after being named the “We’ve gotten off to a Ladycats’ Most Valuable great start,’’ Lovin said. Player back in the spring. Bunn will be part of the “We are playing well Class 2-A portion of the together, and we are very Big East along with Louis- deep with our bench. We burg, Roanoke Rapids and have so many options, Nash Central. and we have so many One of those schools BUNN HITTER KERRY THOMAS (AT RIGHT) players who can line up at will earn an automatic different positions.’’ of those schools expect learns from that near-miss berth for the Class 2-A Rocky Mount in recent experience and will dis- That means Lovin has State Playoffs. years, while Southern play the veteran leader- the ability to configure her The Class 3-A entrants Nash is coached by former ship this time around that lineup to accommodate will be Rocky Mount, Ladycat star Melanie is needed to come out on the ‘hot hand’ on that par- Franklinton, Northern Davis-Hicks. top in close conference SENIOR SPIKE STAR. Mallori Darnell will be one of ticular day. Nash and Southern Nash. Lovin is looking matches. the top options at the hitter position this fall for the And Lovin has plenty Bunn has played all for the Ladycats This year’s ver- Bunn Ladycats. (Times photo by Geoff Neville) to contend with sion of the Lady- anyone in the cats will boast a Service on all league, regardless bit more of a vet- of classification. eran presence as major brandS Bunn did Bunn will feature exactly that five seniors -- all Residential & last winter in of them loaded Commercial its abbreviated with on-court Serving Franklin County and Surrounding Areas Financing Available Northern Caro- experience. lina Conference BHS SENIOR Those perform- Free Estimates spike farewell. 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Page 4B Louisburg, NC, Thursday, September 2, 2021 FRANKLINTON FHS Flashes Its Potential Red Rams hoping to be league factor By GEOFF NEVILLE Times Sportswriter FRANKLINTON FHS Football Red Rams JIMMY WILLIAMS D uring his tenure Years at School: as a head football 4 coach in East- Last Season: 3-4 ern North Caro- Record at School: lina, Jimmy Williams has 13-18 always demanded 100 Starters Returning: 0-6, D-6 percent effort from his club. Outlook: After a 3-1 start And Williams has back in the spring, the gotten exactly that most Red Rams dropped three of the time in his career, of their final four games to which has featured stops drop out of playoff conten- at East Wake, West John- tion. With a young roster, Franklinton will hope to ston and now Franklinton reload on the fly against a -- among others. challenging schedule. Williams’ squads always boast a never-say- 2021 Schedule die attitude -- and that Aug. 20.........CORINTH HOLDERS Aug. 27.......... at Northern Durham was clearly on display last Sept. 10............... OXFORD WEBB Friday as the Red Rams Sept. 17......... at Roanoke Rapids* took Class 4-A school Sept. 24............. NASH CENTRAL* Northern Durham to the Oct. 1...................................BUNN* HAZE OF GREATNESS. The Franklinton Red Rams rush on to the field before their football regular season wire before a spirited Oct. 8........................ at Louisburg* opener at home against the Corinth Holders High School Pirates. (Times photo by Geoff Neville) comeback came up just Oct. 15............ NORTHERN NASH* two points short. Oct. 22................ ROCKY MOUNT* look for that trend to con- position are talents Still, that loss was some- Oct. 29.............. at Southern Nash* tinue as the season pro- Travon Sharps and Ernest thing to build on for the * Denotes Big East Games gresses. Crudup, while a safety Red Rams, especially fol- the Red Rams to a sterling Jalen Ibrahim will be position will be held lowing their disappoint- playoff spot as a sopho- Franklinton’s workhorse down by Donavan Estes. ing home loss one week more in Williams’ initial running back, while Franklinton does have earlier to Corinth Holders. campaign on campus. senior CJ Dicker will be some proven talent and But with a young team Franklinton has turned among the Red Rams’ experience in its kicking void of substantial expe- to Matthew Ray to serve wide receiver options. game thanks to the return rience, those growing as Cornell’s successor. One area of concern for of baseball/soccer stand- pains are to be And while Ray Franklinton is its offen- out Landon Heller. expected. might not boast sive front, which has lost The Red Rams will Wi l l i a m s , the escape- several talented stars to once again encounter the however, hopes artistry run- graduation over the past tough challenge of having to Red Rams ning abilities of few years. to contend in the loaded will be ready Cornell, he can Tackle Chris Simons will Class 3-A portion of the for the most throw the foot- be one of the few players Big East Conference. important part ball -- so look on the young group that Rocky Mount and of their sched- for the Red Rams to try to has enjoyed extensive var- Southern Nash have both FHS QUARTERBACK MATTHEW RAY ule when the Big East feature a balanced offense sity playing time in the played for state champi- Conference slate begins this fall under new offen- past. onships over the past six quartet puzzle, is expect- September 17 on the road sive coordinator Dave Defensively, the Red years -- all the while send- ing to have one of its versus Roanoke Rapids. Jennings (the long-time Rams will be strongest at ing a slew of athletes on to strongest teams in recent Franklinton’s main successful former skipper linebacker, with Dicker the Division I level of col- memory this fall. off-season task has been at Southern Vance). regarded as one of the Big lege football. After playing all of the finding a way to replace FHS’ offense was almost East Conference’s top all- And Northern Nash, Big East’s 2-A schools, graduated quarterback 50-50 balanced versus around standouts. which comprises the final Franklinton will begin its Kenny Cornell, who led Northern Durham -- and Joining Dicker at the piece of the Big East 3-A telling ‘Murderer’s Row’ part of its 3-A schedule with back-to-back-to-back Driving without us is like contests versus North- ern Nash (October 15 playing without this. at home), Rocky Mount (October 22 at home) and No matter how tough you are, no matter how sharp your reflexes, if you don’t Southern Nash (October have the right coverage then you’re in for a world of hurt. For auto coverage 29 on the road) to finish that you can count on, look no further than your local North Carolina Farm off the regular season Insurance agent. We’re here to help get you back in the game. worksheet. 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Thursday, September 2, 2021 Louisburg, NC Page 5B FRANKLINTON Young Stars Keep Coming Rams’ spike lineup is built for future Volleyball By GEOFF NEVILLE Times Sportswriter FHS Lady Rams FRANKLINTON TOM HARRIS F or some programs, Years at School: the loss of the player 3 with the talent level Last Season: 7-5 of De’Nyla Harlan Record at School: would have been an 27-10 insurmountable obstacle Starters Returning: 2 to overcome. But over the past sev- Outlook: Tom Harris’ first eral years, Franklinton has two season at Franklinton been blessed with a seem- have been tremendous ingly never-ending string -- and look for more hero- of talented young play- ics this fall in the Big East ers who come to FHS and Conference. FHS has been make an instant impact on consistently producing the varsity level. young players who can This year’s newcomer make immediate varsity impacts -- and that player is freshman Angelica this year is freshman hitter Turnage, a potential-rich Angelica Turnage. player who has immedi- ately been pegged into Look for those matches the Lady Rams’ lineup to be intense, and Harris by third-year head coach hopes his Lady Rams will be up to the lofty task. SOPHOMORE SENSATION AT FHS. Franklinton High School’s MyKayla Taborn (left) is one of the top volley- Tom Harris. “I feel like we have a ball players in the Big East Conference -- and she is only a sophomore. (Photo Submitted by Carl Copeland) And while Harlan’s transfer to a school in lot of potential,’’ Harris department at outside Atlanta will said. “We will hitter. certainly hurt, grow as a Emeli Colorado is an there is plenty group all year upperclassman and will of talent to long. We’re still start at setter, but beyond go around as trying to figure that, Harris’ roster will Franklinton out our best consist entirely of sopho- looks to con- combinations mores and freshmen. tinue to be a right now. “We’ve graduated a powerhouse in the Big “The competition level lot of really good players East Conference. is going up in the confer- over the past three years,’’ FHS tied for the regular ence, but I feel like we will Harris said. “Now, we season crown in the Big challenge for the champi- have a few girls to have East last winter, but the onship. I think this will be gotten a lot of playing challenge might be even a successful season.’’ time (on the varsity), but loftier this time around Franklinton won’t have not a whole lot.’’ with the arrival of con- much in the way of senior Beyond Hill and Colo- ference newcomers (and leadership, with four-year rado, Franklinton’s most Franklin County rivals) starter McKenzie Hill accomplished performer Louisburg and Bunn. leading the way in that is sophomore Mykayla Taborn, who was an impact star for the Lady Rams as a ninth-grader. Sophomore Maddie VanVlack has been pro- moted to the varsity as has the skill to contribute at several positions, includ- ing outside hitter. Turnage has a wealth of potential at middle hitter, and Ava Shane and Shon- talae Evans, both sopho- mores, will see plenty of action along the outside. While Colorado will be FHS’ chief setter, Harris is also giving freshman Sara Wilburn some var- sity opportunities as she is certainly the Lady Rams’ future at that important position. FRANKLINTON SENIOR VOLLEYBALL VETERAN MCKENZIE HILL Katie Moore and Kayla the volleyball court. ferent this fall for the Lady and certainly the Lady Wilkins are options along “Kayla is a tremendous Rams -- and not just for Rams will be the prohibi- the back row for Harris athlete who is playing vol- their newfangled on-court tive favorite to come out and Company. leyball for the first time,’’ lineup. on top of that foursome In the estimation of Harris said. “Once she Wilson Hunt, Franklin- -- and reach the state play- Harris, Wilkins, known learns the sport, she is ton’s annual nemesis, is offs. more for her basketball going to be an amazing now gone, as is Wilson But Harris knows that exploits at Franklinton, player.’’ Fike, which had made the road toward the con- has unlimited potential on If all of the young pieces plenty of strides within its ference championship come together, Franklin- program over the past few will probably have to go ton could very well con- season. through his team and tinue its recent volleyball Now, Franklinton will county rivals Louisburg dynasty. be part of a quartet of four and Bunn, who will com- Certainly, these have Class 3-A squads look- pete on the Class 2-A level FHS SOPHOMORE HITTER MADDIE VANVLACK been unprecedented times ing for a single automatic of the Big East (also with Strickland auto Supply for Franklinton over the playoff position out of the one postseason position at past four years in the Big Big East. stake). East Conference -- first Southern Nash, Rocky As a Louisburg High under Crystal Barnes and Mount and Northern School graduate, Harris Foreign • Domestic then under Harris. Nash will join Franklinton knows the intensity level Car & Trucks The Lady Rams either as the Class 3-A schools, of the in-county matches. won or tied for a Big East Auto Parts & Accessories regular season or tourna- Good Luck to All Teams! ment championship -- or At Competitive Prices both -- in each of those four campaigns. 344 S. 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Page 6B Louisburg, NC, Thursday, September 2, 2021 LOUISBURG LHS’ Foundation Is Solid Warriors fresh off best-ever season Football By GEOFF NEVILLE Times Sportswriter LHS Warriors LOUISBURG DONTAE LASSITER L ouisburg High Years at School: School soared to 7 unprecedented Last Season: 6-3 Record at School: gridiron greatness 22-43 back in the spring as the Starters Returning: young Warriors arrived 0-6, D-7 ahead of time on the big Outlook: Louisburg deliv- stage -- eclipsing just ered its best-ever finish in about everyone’s expecta- the state football playoffs tions while reaching the back in the spring, reach- East Regional Finals of the ing the East Regional Class 1-AA State Playoffs. Finals. And that LHS group was extremely young, so Perhaps the most amaz- look for the Warriors to be ing part of the journey a long-term force in the was that it was done with Class 2-A portion of the such an inexperienced split Big East Conference. group of freshmen and 2021 Schedule sophomores. Sept. 2............................. RM PREP But those standouts had Sept. 10...............at Warren County learned to win at both the Sept. 13........................KIPP PRIDE rec league and middle Sept. 17..................at Oxford Webb school levels, and they Sept. 24....................... PRINCETON Oct. 1...............EAST CHAPEL HILL carried those lofty expec- Oct. 8 ................... FRANKLINTON* tations with them to the Oct. 15 ...........ROANOKE RAPIDS* high school varsity level. Oct. 22...................at Nash Central* Throw in the work of Oct. 29................................at Bunn* senior quarterback Jaheim * Denotes Big East Games PATIENCE HAS PAID OFF. Louisburg High School head football coach Dontae Lassiter (left) led the Warriors Brown -- one of the that Brown was a genera- to their best-ever playoff finish during the spring gridiron campaign. (Times photo by Geoff Neville) school’s best-ever signal tional standout, so he is for his work as a wide “That’s our offense,’’ callers -- and the result looking more for someone receiver -- including a Lassiter said. “We want to was as deep of a playoff to manage LHS’ offense huge reception in the state balance it out. We might run that LHS had ever playoffs. not look as good -- as opposed to Brown’s enjoyed. But the back- throwing it, but dynamic decision-making Fast forward field leader will we won’t have a and impromptu just a few months, unquestionably four-year starter playmaking skills. and Louisburg’s like Jaheim this Sophomore be burly sopho- young-but-gain- year. Donte’ Strickland more running ing-experience “We still haven’t roster seems Jr. -- the son the back Shamir Sheppard, who made a decision poised for a nice LHS legend who about the quarter- stretch of long- later starred at was a load for his back. Nobody has term success. Carson-Newman older opponents really taken the But a few questions still -- was poised to earn that to bring down as job and ran away spot, but he has been ham- a ninth-grader. LHS’ SHAMIR need to be answered. SHEPPARD with it. You might First, LHS needs to find pered by an off-season And while see both guys a serviceable replacement injury. Brown may have playing to start.’’ for Brown behind center. Lassiter might also call graduated, Lassiter still Of course, that start Certainly, LHS coach upon junior Austin Rob- plans on throwing the ball has been delayed after Dontae Lassiter knows erson, who is known more some. LHS’ slated season opener versus KIPP Pride was pushed back due to COVID-19 concerns. And Lassiter isn’t sure NAME YOUR POSITION. Veteran Austin Roberson ARE if today’s scheduled game could be a standout for the Louisburg Warriors at with Rocky Mount Prep- either quarterback or wide receiver during the 2021 HERE will be played. schedule. (Times photo by Geoff Neville) NOW! TailgaTing iTems In Stock LOUISBURG HIGH SCHOOL’S ORNIKEY PRESSEY Wood chippers In Stock leaf BloWer KiT chainsaW KiT Handheld EGO Power+ https://conniejo4mayor.com/ 110 mph 530 CFM EGO Power+ CS1804 18 in. 56 V Battery & Charger 56 V Battery & Charger Item # 7804792 $ 179 Item # 7006233 $ 369 LOUISBURG’S JHAMIER BLAND Supplies are limited. Prices good through 9/13/21 ON THE COVER: Top left, clockwise: Damarion Watkins Gracie Mills Josey Leonard 402 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg • 919-496-7920 Mykayla Taborn Landon Michael 1120 US Hwy 1, Youngsville Crossing • 919-554-1541 Paid for by Connie Jo Hutchinson for Mayor Donte Strickland Jr
Thursday, September 2, 2021 Louisburg, NC Page 7B LOUISBURG LHS’ Lofty Expectations Lady Warriors set to contend in B.E. By GEOFF NEVILLE Times Sportswriter LOUISBURG LHS Volleyball Lady Warriors ERICA WAMMOCK O ne of the most Years at School: interesting aspects 16 of Louisburg High Last Season: 9-3 School volleyball Record at School: is that the Lady War- 295-85 riors have bounced from Starters Returning: 5 league to league over the past quarter-century -- Outlook: Even in what was and have been successful supposed to be a rebuild- in every one of them. ing year, LHS went 9-3 and No matter the challenge made the second round of presented, Louisburg has the state playoffs back in succeeded -- a task that the spring. With almost its will one again be under- entire lineup returning, the taken by the Lady War- Lady Warriors should be a contender in the new Big riors this fall following East Conference -- and a the most recent realign- potential force in the Class ment by the North Caro- 2-A State Playoffs. lina High School Athletic Association. Louisburg, formerly of the Capital Area Confer- ence, the Tar-Roanoke Athletic Conference SHE CAN DO IT ALL. Louisburg High School has a rich history of producing jack-of-all-trades performers (twice) and the Northern -- and you can add the name of senior Taylor Leonard to that prestigious list. (Times photo by Geoff Neville) Carolina Conference, will now take a stab at success ing Chloe Webster, who glue-type player who can this team has the potential philosophy has been good in the Big East Conference, had led Terrell Lane to the play just about any posi- to be something special. enough to propel LHS to which will feature a Class Middle Athletic Confer- tion on the court. She will “Wherever we get put a myriad of conference ence crown just one year set this year for LHS, but (by the NCHSAA), we championships -- and 2/3-A split alignment. earlier. don’t be surprised if she will play. We will play three appearances in the The four Class 2-A Webster was an instant sends down a kill or two Louisburg volleyball and state finals over the past schools will be Louisburg, varsity hit, but she wasn’t from the weak-side out- do the best that we can.’’ quarter century of spike Bunn, Roanoke Rapids the only Lady Warrior side hitter spot. Through the years, that excellence. and Nash Central, with an who starred up front as Josey Leonard is automatic playoff berth Rent to own LHS shared the another option going to the highest con- NCC regular at setter, while ference finisher in that season title with Krystal Lynch and quartet. South Granville Amber Weath- The Class 3-A schools LHS’ CHIARA HOCK (at least in the loss ers have flashed No Credit 24, 36, 48, or 60 months will feature Franklinton, Big East. That’s not how column). potential along the Check! Payments as low as Southern Nash, Northern Nash and Rocky Mount. Wammock operates. Greenleigh Gleason, Bree back row. “I am excited $ 68 per month* But don’t expect veteran “Yes, it would be nice *See Dealer to get the playoff spot,’’ Holliday and Caleigh about the season,’’ Wam- LHS coach Erica Wam- Murphy was all outstand- mock said. “We are still mock to raise a banner if the Lady Warriors simply Wammock said. “But we want to win the whole ing at the net last winter, and Holliday is the only young, but our young players have been really Wammock win the 2-A portion of the conference.’’ senior in that group. good. Utility Buildings And given the talent on Louisburg’s roster, that Freshman Skylar Fuller “We will have a lot of could also see some var- different options -- I still www.wammockutilitybuildings.com goal could certainly be reached. sity work at outside hitter. need to come up with the Taylor Leonard is a right combinations. But Downtown Louisburg 401 Kenmore Ave. • 919-496-2061 LHS encountered what was, by its standards, a rebuilding year in 2020 -- and still reached the second round of the Class 1-A State Playoffs as Wam- mock worked magic with a young roster. LHS is still young, at least grade-wise, but the Lady Warriors are now blessed with much more experience. Several underclassmen were thrown into the var- LHS’ CHLOE WEBSTER sity fire last winter, inclu- LOUISBURG’S AMBER WEATHERS
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