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Abby Cavenaugh

Faison welcomes new mayor

Faison welcomes new mayor

FAISON- Faison Town Hall saw a full house on Wednesday, Dec. 6, as residents poured in to bid farewell to now retired mayor Carolyn Kenyon and welcome incoming Mayor Billy Ward. 

“I have had a wonderful experience here,” said Kenyon to the Duplin Journal. The long-time mayor was Faison’s first duly elected female mayor. “It was a new experience, you know, trying to learn how to do the government and everything – that is a difficult road to travel. But we survived with a good team.” 

“It’s gonna be a bittersweet time for me,” said Kenyon, adding that she is looking forward to spending some time with her husband and traveling a little. 

Mayor Ward shared during the meeting that for the past several months since he retired from the Department of Corrections, Kenyon was instrumental in helping him prepare for the transition from commissioner to town mayor. 

In other business: 

The capital project ordinance to demolish the old gym and build a courtyard was approved.  

“We have been working very hard for about 7 or 8 years trying to get our old 1920s gym taken down because it’s more or less an environmental hazard,” said Kenyon about the facility, which has been closed for approximately five years. Kenyon added that they hope demolition will start in mid to late January. “Once that building is gone then we have plans to actually put a 6-foot memorial for Doctor William Thornton, who is our homegrown astronaut.”

Austin Ebanks, an audit manager with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams in Wilmington, presented Faison’s annual budget via Zoom meeting, praising the town for doing a remarkable job. 

 “The total revenues and other financing sources you collected $1,065,018. The total expenditure was $1,034,064. Give your net change to a +30,954,” said Ebanks, adding that the minimum threshold for a town the size of Faison is 34% of expenditures.  

“That puts your unassigned fund balance at a minimum of $351,000. However, the Town of Faison unassigned fund balance was $1,155,372,” said Ebanks. “That is actually right at 115% of the total expenditures, so you are doing a remarkable job in that area. Their tax collection rate for the past few years has been a remarkable 99.82% – that is one of the highest I’ve ever seen. Looking at the operating revenues and expenditure summary for the past four years, this is exactly what you kind of want to see as revenue is going up. However, the expenditures are kind of going up with the revenues. We believe this trend will continue.” 

Ebanks explained that the town has done so well that they could operate for up to 14 months without revenue and without going bankrupt or needing any cash infusion.  

“You have a lot of over assets. So, the town needs to position themselves for future purchases or future major repairs for these assets,” he added. 

Commissioner Juan Carlos Quintanilla was sworn in to fill the vacant commissioner seat left by Ward.  

Commissioners Kenneth David Junior, Lee Kennedy, and Christy Allen were sworn in by Mayor Ward. He concluded the swearing in ceremonies with a brief speech thanking everyone in attendance, and a special mention to the commissioners he has served with for the past 14 years and Kenyon. 

“I appreciate everything they have taught me… I am very thankful for them and what they have done for me and what they meant in my life,” said Ward. 

Brian Bullard, a scout master with Faison Scout Troop 48 took to the floor to thank past and present members of the board and introduce life scout Genaro Pacheco, who spoke about his Eagle Scout project. 

“Genaro came here straight from his track meet. He is an outstanding athlete in North Duplin. He does very well academically and is very close to earning his Eagle, which is a significant accomplishment,” said Bullard as he turned the floor to Pacheco. 

The 17-year-old scout addressed the crowd, explaining that for his Eagle Scout project he chose to lead the construction of a 10 by 8 storage building at the Faison Community Garden. 

“I understand that if you approve, the Town of Faison will own the building,” said Pacheco as he requested permission to build the storage building on town property. “This storage building is needed because currently there is no shelter at the Community Garden to store tools.” 

Pacheco provided photos of a similar storage building and explained that the materials would cost less than $750 which he had the funds to purchase. 

The board nominated Sandy McCarthy as Mayor ProTem. 

Andrew Taylor was appointed to the Library Museum committee 

The board approved changing the July 3, 2024, meeting to July 10, 2024, and changing the Sept. 4, 2024, meeting to Sept. 11, 2024. 

The next town hall meeting will be on Jan. 3, 2024.

Top teams look to wrap up titles in final

Top teams look to wrap up titles in final

CLINTON – Amaris Williams’ future in college football is as a defensive player. But last Friday it was the senior’s offense that paced Clinton past Northeastern 36-22 in the East Region final. The Florida University recruit ran for four touchdowns as a “fill-in” for RB Josiah McLaurin (1,170 yards, 27 TDs), who has been out of the lineup due to an injury since the second round. Clinton (14-0) plays West champ Reidsville (14-1 ) at 7 p.m. at NC State’s Carter-Finley Stadium for the 2A title. Williams ran for two of Clinton’s first three scores to push the lead to 22-9 at halftime. “I like to run the ball and our h-back and fullback were blocking great for me,” Williams said. “We’ve got three dogs on that D-line so I knew we’d be OK,” Williams said. “Our guys stepped up and we do what it takes.” The 6-foot- 3, 265 pounder’s 12-yard score in the third quarter all but put the game away. Clinton is seeking its sixth state crown, having won it all in. 1990, 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2005. The Dark Horses are 5-4 in title games, going 1-3 in the subdivision era and 4-2 after it. They lost to Shelby in. 2014 and Cummings in 2006. Reidsville is seeking its 20th state flag. The Rams lost 2421 to East Duplin in the 2022 final and to Wallace-Rose Hill in 2017. But Reidsville is 9-3 in the finals since 2022. The Rams thumped Mountain Heritage 35-6 in the West final. Hoggard mows down former champ It was all about defense when No. 3 Hoggard shutdown No. 5 Cardinal Gibbons 41-20 in the 4A. final in Wilmington. The Vikings (14-1) limited the Crusaders to one first-half score to go in front 31-7 at halftime, and then gave up. Cardinal Gibbons captured the 4A title two years ago. Tamear Webb (16-60, 3. TDs) and M’Kel Bellamy (22-6 7, TD) provided the scoring for. Hoggard, which, plays West champ Weddington at 3 p.m. at Carter-Finley on Saturday. Hoggard’s only state title came in 2007 when it rolled over Mount Tabor 28-0. Weddington (13-2) won its only title by beating Northern Guilford 14-7 in 2014. The Matthews-based school lost in the finals in 2016, 2018 and 2019. A pair of unbeaten No. 2 seeds vie for the crown in 3A, as Fayetteville’s Seventy-First knocks heads against Hickory in the nightcap game at UNC’s Kenan Stadium. No. 1 Tarboro (13-0) and Mount Airy square off in the noon kickoff in Chapel Hill.

Experience-short Panthers bond early during rebuild

Experience-short Panthers bond early during rebuild

ED roster has one senior, core of upstarts

BEULAVILLE – East Duplin’s unexpected second-round bounce from the 2A football playoffs gave boys basketball coach Blake Lanier more practice time than normal. Lanier – the former point guard on ED’s 2009 2A East Regional finalist and also a player at Methodist University – needs the time since the roster has just one returning player with experience. And that player – Jeremiah Judge – was on the floor “only a good one-third of the time,” said his coach. “Believe it or not, we’re a little more together because of football,” said Lanier, who was Duplin’s Elite Coach of the Year in his first season on the bench. We have some guys really excited to be here.” Judge will play point guard but also swing to the two-slot in the backcourt at times. “He has knowledge and experience and can be a leader,” Lanier said. “ He’s really quick and can bring it on the defensive end. He’s gotten a lot better and matured in the offseason and is making good decisions.” His backcourt mate will often be Zack Ball, a 6-foot-2 sophomore. “He was very consistent over the summer,“ Lanier said. “He had a great camp at N.C. State. But like Jeremiah, he has to remain aggressive.” Calvin Harper, a stud on ED’s football D-line, likewise has a role in the guard rotation. Post players Jordan Hall and Garrett Johnson, and swingman Jacorey Davis will be counted on heavily. Luke Hughes, Sedrick Lawson and Brandon Scarborough will vie for minutes. Shawn Davis, who broke his collarbone in football as the Panthers’ top running back, could help later in the season. Lanier expects Kinston to rule the ECC, with Southwest Onslow returning most of its 2022 roster and in the mix. “The key for us is being disciplined and executing, having everyone know and do his job, not having our guys try to do things that look good,” Lanier said. “A lot of basketball players don’t know a lot about basketball and teamwork. “I think the (extra) time we had has made our chemistry better than last year (when ED had a mid-December ending to its football season). We’re inexperienced, but we’re putting forth the kind of energy we need early on.” ED went 8-13 overall and 6-7 in ECC play last season. Its best win came by beating Wallace-Rose Hill to avenge two previous setbacks to the Bulldogs.

McKoy-led Crusaders prime for banner season

McKoy-led Crusaders prime for banner season

Harrells Christian has talent to contend for league title

HARRELLS – Harrells Christian Academy plays elite basketball teams in the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association. The Crusaders more than held their own last season in going 20-6, even while charting a 2-4 mark in Big East conference play. The league has changed, but coach Clayton Hall’s club will still be a factor this winter. HCA is off to a 5-3 beginning. The Crusaders return every valuable piece of their puzzle, sans point guard Ethan Spell. “We’re young and we have to improve,” Hall said. “The biggest problems are 3-point shooting and defensive rebounding. We can overcome those, but they are points of emphasis. “I’m not over the moon about our play right now, but I’m also not down in the dumps.” There’s plenty of room for optimism in the Cru’s house. It starts with 6-foot-2 Antonio McKoy, who averaged 17.4 points and 6.5 rebounds last season, but has upped his production to 22.4 through seven games. “He’s a special player,” Hall said of his shooting guard/small forward. “Offensively, I’ve never had such a talented player. He’s got Division 1 offers and is probably going to explode a little this season. He plays at CP3’s (NBA great Chris Paul’s) camp and that in itself says a lot.” Look for the offers to pile up for McKoy as he’s only a sophomore. His cousin, Dashaun McKoy, might be HCA’s second-best scoring threat. And the 6-4 sophomore can rebound, too. He averaged 13.7 points and 8.5 boards last season. “He’s an incredible athlete,” Hall said. “Sometimes I just want to see him play instinctually and just play hard, which he does. He can really get after it.” Another returnee is Zicareian McNeil, who has raised his average from 10.0 points to 14.3 this season. Yet the junior is a bull on the defensive end. “He’s probably our best onball defender,” Hall said. “He’s got a good motor and helps on offense.” Seniors B.J. Bennett and Samir Gibbs bring more experience to the court. “Samir understands the game better than anyone on our team,” Hall said. “He can be a special player and make a big difference if he shoots the ball well. “B.J. is a role player that means so much to us. He fills a void being our fourth or fifth scorer.” HCA is waiting for forward J’Kaeshi Brunson to return to form after an ACL injury in football. When healthy the sophomore provides additional muscle. Other key contributors include forwards Jonathan Fillyaw and Hakeem Murphy and guards Coley Sasser and Collin Cole. “We had some tough early games,” Hall said. Indeed, HCA’s losses were against quality foes, and close — Trinity 56-53, New Life Chrisitan, a 44-42 and Greenfield 69-66. Only in its opener did the Crusaders not fight hard and to their potential, a 91-63 setback to Cape Fear Christian on Nov. 14. Look for HCA to show its fire power when league play begins. The rest of the conference includes Faith Christian (Fayetteville), Rocky Mount Academy, Oakwood (Greenville), Halifax (Roanoke Rapids), powerhouse Fayetteville Academy, and KerrVance Academy (Henderson).

Bulldogs seek identity after loss of James

Bulldogs seek identity after loss of James

Bulldogs reload behind Brown, Lamb, Boney, Scarborough

TEACHEY – When one of the best players in a school’s recent history graduates, moving forward can be difficult. Wallace-Rose Hill’s rebuild following the loss of Jalen James – two-time Player of the Year in Duplin County – is without a doubt a challenge. The ’Dawgs also graduated Josh Love, also a firstteam player on Duplin’s Elite all-county team. But head coach Ervin Murray, who guided WRH to a 2A state title in 1998, is enthusiastically working with the latest talent pool to build a team. “They’re a good group to coach and we should be decent, but right now there are a lot of unknowns, and we are finding our personality,” said Murray, who has captured Duplin’s top coach award the previous two seasons and shared it another time. “I don’t know how the new kids will show up in a game setting.” Brown, Lamb bring speed Two returnees — Irving Brown and Jamarae Lamb — from last season’s 12-10 club are somewhat known quantities, though both may be more famous as running backs. While both were honorable mention selections the combined athletic talent and maturity of both is invaluable to WRH this season. Brown rarely made a mistake and did a little bit of everything – score, rebound, play defense. “He’s a heck of an athlete,” said Murray of the junior who has rushed for more than 3,200 yards in two seasons. “He slashes and runs the floor and is strong and fast. We need his intangibles and scoring in transition.” Lamb’s freshman season put a twinkle in the eyes of his coach, who played four seasons at Wake Forest and started on the Deacons’ NIT finalist as a junior. “No doubt he had a good football season and he had a great freshman season,” Murray said. “He’s an athlete who has worked on his shooting and has a better understanding of how fast and hard you have to play to win. But, yes, he can fly.” Boney, Scarborough provide leadership Seniors Ja’Corey Boney and Ka’Shawn Scarborough will be counted on big-time. “Ja’Corey had a good pre-season, and is an active and a much-improved shooter,” Murray said. “We need his defense and leadership. “Scarborough is pretty healthy and versatile. He rebounds well and can step out and shoot a 3 and knock down mid-range shots. We need his fire, and also his leadership.” Sophomore Matthew Wells got a fair share of playing time last season, and will play a bigger role, especially when he’s called on to hit a long-range bomb. “He’s gotten stronger and should know what to expect now,” Murray said. “He’s been shooting the ball very well.” Devon Sloan, a sophomore coming off a solid football season, will be asked to step up. “We need him to take stuff from practice to the game,” Murray said. “He finished the year off pretty well last season.” Junior Jerard, who Murray calls, “a hustler and a willing worker,” also has an iron in the firepower of WRH. Classmates Jamari Shaw, Dexter Moses, Khalil Mathis and Marlo Harris hope to make contributions. WRH won’t have a tall team, so rebounding is an issue again this season” said the coach. “But the athletes are on the roster who can use talent and technique on the glass and defensively. “We can be as good as we want to be,” Murray said. “A level of commitment has must be there. Basketball is a skill sport, so that has to be worked on. And it’s also a team sport. “We gave a lot of players game-time experience last year, which can be hard when you’re trying to win.”

Byrd’s Rebels want to fly up and down the court

Byrd’s Rebels want to fly up and down the court

New additions, returnees give ND coach more depth and options

CALPYSO — Two new ready-for-prime-time arrivals. A four-year returning starter who can scorch the net from near and afar. A solid shooting guard who emerged last winter. While North Duplin coach Jeff Byrd’s squad has hoops abilities, the Rebel’s schedule is filled with strong 1A and 2A foes. “It will get us prepared for conference play,” said Byrd, whose team faces 2A James Kenan and East Duplin (twice each), plus Wayne Christian, and will play in the University of Mount Olive Winter Classic that features 2A and above schools. “It’s a pretty decent schedule,” Byrd said. “It’s going to help us.” North Duplin’s 1989 1A state championship player added, “We have more depth this year and we’ll play a little more up-tempo.”

New blood stirs the pot

ND had a strange 2022 campaign, which started with four straight wins and spiraled downhill to a 9-15 ending. Most games were out of reach early as the Rebels never got on track. Two transfers – Micah Lesesane and Dylan Tyndall — add significantly to the lineup. Lesesane is a 6-foot-3 junior to clog up the paint, while Tyndall is a versatile 6-0 senior. “They make us long and lengthy,” Byrd said, “especially with the other guys we have.”

The frontcourt is sturdy on one side with 6-3 sophomore Trashawn Ruffin, who played plenty last season, plus 6-foot junior Branson Martin. And Thomas Morrisey, a 6-1 forward, brings experience and another wide body in the paint.

Armwood ready for round four

Yet getting Dujuan Armwood back is also key to the Rebels’ fortunes. Armwood was at Southern Wayne.

The senior, who led ND’s gridiron team to nine wins has been a starter for four seasons, though at another school for the previous two. He is quick, speedy, can drive it to the rim or pull up and hit a jump shot. “He’s a big factor and for many reasons,” Byrd said. “First off, he’s a competitor and a guy you have to prepare to face.” Meanwhile, Byrd’s son Brady emerged as perhaps the best shooter in Duplin County. Junior Luke Kelly and sophomore Anthony Kornegay, and Tev Collins – the point guard for ND’s junior varsity team that won 15 games – should provide backup, as will senior post player Seniors Joey Parrish and Xander Mele could also be in the mix during a long season. “We’re more athletic,” Byrd said. “I’ve never been able to play man-toman defense here until this year.” Start with win over Panthers Armwood fired in 15 and Martin 11, Tyndall nine, Ruffin eight and Lesesane six last Friday during a 6753 win over East Duplin in Calypso. Tyndall and Ruffin each hauled down seven rebounds and ND had 21 assists. It was the first win over a county rival, all three of which are 2A schools, in a number of years. ND led 27-21 at halftime and put it in the bank with a 23-17 push in the final eight minutes. Eleven Rebels scored and they were 5 of 12 from beyond the 3-point line.

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