KENLY — The Washington tennis team won its second-straight Eastern Plains Conference championship on Thursday after an 8-1 win over North Johnston.

Since joining the conference in 2014, the Pam Pack has yet to drop a single conference match, a perfect 16-0.

Washington No. 1 Connor Wilkins improved his singles record to 9-2 with an 8-1 win over C.J. Jackson, while No. 2 Holt McKeithan bettered his season record to 10-2 with an 8-2 win over sophomore Tyler Jackson.

In the most competitive match of the afternoon, Pam Pack sophomore Zack Pagnani defeated Jonathan Gonzalez, 8-5. Mac Skillen (8-2) and Dylan Singleton (8-1) closed out their respective matches rather easily.

Washington’s only loss of the day can at the hands of North Johnston’s Ian Walston, who defeated Eric Crozier, 8-3.

The Pam Pack swept North Johnston in doubles by a combined game score of 24-4.

With the win, Washington closes the regular season 10-2 (8-0 EPC), its only two losses coming to powerhouse Oakwood. The Eastern Plains Conference Tournament kicks off on Tuesday at North Johnston.

 

NORTHSIDE SOFTBALL EDGES EAST CARTERET IN SEVENTH INNING

BEAUFORT — The Northside softball team preserved its undefeated record on Thursday with a 4-3 win over East Carteret.

The Mariners holding a 2-0 lead through three innings, Northside rallied for three runs in the fourth. East Carteret was able to tie it up in the sixth, but Northside struck back in the top of the seventh, scoring the winning run.

Junior Mariah Stanley continued her hot hitting, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI, while sister duo Rachel and Kelsey picked up two hits apiece. Alex Adams, Tiffany Oliver (a double) and Mackensi Swain also recorded hits.

With the win, Northside improves to 12-0 (7-0 Coastal Plains) and will face Pamlico County in Pinetown on Tuesday.

 

WASHINGTON GIRLS SOCCER POWERS THROUGH NORTH PITT

BETHEL — The Washington girls’ soccer team preserved its spot at the top of the Eastern Plains Conference Thursday evening with a 3-0 win over North Pitt (5-2-2, 2-1 EPC).

Senior and Wofford commit Caitlyn Scott kept her seven-game scoring streak alive with two goals on seven shots, giving her 21 goals this season. Sophomore Sydney Edwards recorded six shots and one goal, bringing her total to 12.

Freshman goalie Samantha Sheppard recorded her third shutout in as many starts and has yet to allow a goal this season in 304 minutes.

With the win, Washington improves to 8-4 (3-0 EPC) and will face North Johnston in Kenly on Tuesday.

 

WINSTON-SALEM STATE PAYING TRIBUTE TO ‘BIG HOUSE’ GAINES

WINSTON-SALEM (AP) — Winston-Salem State University is remembering the legacy left by the late basketball coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports the historically black school’s coaches and administrators are remembering the 10-year anniversary of Gaines’ death by wearing buttons on Friday.

Gaines coached 47 seasons at WSSU, retiring in 1993 with 828 wins, seven CIAA titles and one national championship. He died 10 years ago on Saturday at the age of 81.

Athletic Director Tonia Walker said Gaines made choices about the life he lived which truly determined the legacy he left behind.

Men’s basketball coach James Wilhelmi called Gaines a mentor, community leader, trailblazer, and father figure who had an impact on many lives. Wilhelmi is the seventh’s men’s coach in the history of the WSSU program.