Pinecrest hung a 10-spot on Purnell Swett in the first inning of a game last season if I remember correctly. Two completely different game situations between the two though, as they struck Swett very early on in that one and cruised, whereas Friday night's comeback was huge because they did it in crunch time with the pressure on.
What I thought was most impressive about it was that Pinecrest looked dead in the water for 6-innings of that game - completely shut down, yet somehow managed to find a way to come back and win that game seemingly out of nowhere, and that could prove to be a valuable experience for this team should they find themselves in a similar situation later on in the season when it really counts. There are a lot of games that are lost long before the last out is ever recorded...
The PC boys also made it to the second round back in 2006 - as a wild card, oddly enough - in rather dramatic fashion coming from behind late to upset E.E. Smith, a #2 seed, on the road in the first round before falling to then #1-ranked New Hanover in rather un-dramatic fashion in the second round, 83-50.
Prior to that, you have to go back almost 15 years to the '96-'97 season to find the last Pinecrest boys team that advanced to the second round - knocking off Hoggard, but dropping their next game to Greenville Rose.
The Pinecrest boys are 4-10 in playoff games dating back to the '95-'96 season, including Monday's first round win. However three of those four wins have come under Coach Apple's tenure - which has seen him guide the Patriots to 6 straight playoff appearances in his 8 seasons since taking over the program, which at the time was in the midst of a 5 year absence from the post-season.
Tough season for the Vike boys. First season with a new coach, adjusting to a new system - and in a tough league to boot (Westover ranked #2, and So. Lee #5 in latest 3A poll, after that very competitive between the middle three).
I think give the boys a little time and they'll get there - they're young (only graduate one senior). They'll be back.
Who did they drop a match to for the one loss? Cardinal Gibbons? I believe they are 3-0 in conference and that's the only other team I see on the schedule they've played thus far. Just curious because when I saw the schedule when it first came out, it just had the conference opponents listed and they were still working on adding some non-conference matches so I was just wondering if the one I'm looking at now is current.
Glad to see both the PC and UP girls teams get together again on the courts and resume playing one another. The boys have had some great battles over the past couple of years. Without question two of the top programs (girls and boys) in the region year in and year out.
Speaking of which, saw where PC also edged Scotland 5-4 last week in another nail-biter. The Scots have had a pretty strong girls program in recent years, and their boys team gave PC a battle this past spring. Great to see the girls don't have to travel too far to find good competition in this area. Best of luck to both teams the rest of the season.
Adman 2 years, 2 months ago
Patriots Stun Riverside; Remain Unbeaten
Pinecrest hung a 10-spot on Purnell Swett in the first inning of a game last season if I remember correctly. Two completely different game situations between the two though, as they struck Swett very early on in that one and cruised, whereas Friday night's comeback was huge because they did it in crunch time with the pressure on.
What I thought was most impressive about it was that Pinecrest looked dead in the water for 6-innings of that game - completely shut down, yet somehow managed to find a way to come back and win that game seemingly out of nowhere, and that could prove to be a valuable experience for this team should they find themselves in a similar situation later on in the season when it really counts. There are a lot of games that are lost long before the last out is ever recorded...
Adman 2 years, 2 months ago
Pat Boys Romp in Playoff Opener
The PC boys also made it to the second round back in 2006 - as a wild card, oddly enough - in rather dramatic fashion coming from behind late to upset E.E. Smith, a #2 seed, on the road in the first round before falling to then #1-ranked New Hanover in rather un-dramatic fashion in the second round, 83-50.
Prior to that, you have to go back almost 15 years to the '96-'97 season to find the last Pinecrest boys team that advanced to the second round - knocking off Hoggard, but dropping their next game to Greenville Rose.
The Pinecrest boys are 4-10 in playoff games dating back to the '95-'96 season, including Monday's first round win. However three of those four wins have come under Coach Apple's tenure - which has seen him guide the Patriots to 6 straight playoff appearances in his 8 seasons since taking over the program, which at the time was in the midst of a 5 year absence from the post-season.
Adman 2 years, 3 months ago
U.P Girls Blow Out Byrd
Tough season for the Vike boys. First season with a new coach, adjusting to a new system - and in a tough league to boot (Westover ranked #2, and So. Lee #5 in latest 3A poll, after that very competitive between the middle three).
I think give the boys a little time and they'll get there - they're young (only graduate one senior). They'll be back.
Adman 2 years, 3 months ago
U.P Girls Blow Out Byrd
Hmm, maybe a little revenge for the football team? Hehe.
Adman 2 years, 6 months ago
Patriots End Season on High Note
Pinecrest did not tie for last place in the conference. Hoke 1-4, Pinecrest 1-4. Pinecrest beat Hoke County. Pinecrest 5th, Hoke County 6th.
Adman 2 years, 6 months ago
Patriots End Season on High Note
That "below .500 team" is probably the best below .500 team in the state.
Adman 2 years, 8 months ago
Pinecrest Tops Union Pines In Tennis
Who did they drop a match to for the one loss? Cardinal Gibbons? I believe they are 3-0 in conference and that's the only other team I see on the schedule they've played thus far. Just curious because when I saw the schedule when it first came out, it just had the conference opponents listed and they were still working on adding some non-conference matches so I was just wondering if the one I'm looking at now is current.
Glad to see both the PC and UP girls teams get together again on the courts and resume playing one another. The boys have had some great battles over the past couple of years. Without question two of the top programs (girls and boys) in the region year in and year out.
Speaking of which, saw where PC also edged Scotland 5-4 last week in another nail-biter. The Scots have had a pretty strong girls program in recent years, and their boys team gave PC a battle this past spring. Great to see the girls don't have to travel too far to find good competition in this area. Best of luck to both teams the rest of the season.
Adman 2 years, 9 months ago
Escaped Emu Dies After Recapture (Updated)
Do the chickens have large talons?