Croatan Cougars Coverage

Union Pines storms past Croatan to advance to 1A/2A/3A state championship game

The Vikings used a big third quarter run to set up a Saturday matchup with Bishop McGuinness

Evan Moesta, Sr. Creative Specialist

Photos: Union Pines vs. Croatan girls lacrosse (May 15, 2024)

Union Pines girls lacrosse hung on to defeat Croatan 14-13 to advance to the 1A/2A/3A state championship on May 15, 2024. (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT.com)

Highlights: Union Pines makes big second half run to claim eastern regional title

Union Pines went on a 5-0 run in the third quarter to advance to the 1A/2A/3A girls lacrosse state championship. The Vikings held on to survive defending champion Croatan 14-13.

Photos: Croatan vs. Orange boys lacrosse (May 13, 2024)

Orange's boys lacrosse team defeated Croatan 14-9 to advance to the NCHSAA 1A/2A/3A state championship game.

Third time's the charm: Orange's boys lacrosse team advances past Croatan into state championship game

After losing in the state semifinals the last two seasons, Orange defeated Croatan 14-9 to advance to the 1A/2A/3A boys lacrosse state championship game.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Highlights: Orange pulls away from Croatan in second half, advances to boys lacrosse state final

Connor Kruse and Gray Crabtree each recorded seven points for Orange as the Panthers defeated Coratan 14-9 in the NCHSAA 1A/2A/3A boys lacrosse eastern regional championship game.

Gray Crabtree & Connor Kruse react to Orange's win in boys lacrosse semifinals

Orange boys lacrosse players Gray Crabtree and Connor Kruse explain the feeling of winning the semifinal game against Croatan after losing in the semifinals the last two seasons.

No. 5 Greene Central baseball run rules Croatan to complete perfect regular season

The Rams offense erupted four times to back Austin Hardy's one-hit gem

Evan Moesta, Sr. Creative Specialist

Photos: Greene Central vs. Croatan baseball (May 1, 2024)

Greene Central completed an unbeaten regular season with a 10-0 win over Croatan on May 1, 2024. (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT.com)

Girls Lacrosse Rankings: At end of regular season, three new teams join top 25

For Swansboro, it's the first time the Pirates have ever cracked the rankings in girls lacrosse.

Boys Tennis Rankings: Four teams join top 25 at end of regular season; nine join area code rankings

The top teams in the midseason area code rankings are: Croatan (252), Jordan (919), Terry Sanford (910), Northwest Guilford (336), Providence Day (704), and T.C. Roberson (828).

Boys Tennis Rankings: Providence Day, Providence, Jordan among those moving up at midseason

The top teams in the preseason area code rankings are: Martin County (252), Green Hope (919), Cape Fear Academy (910), Northwest Guilford (336), Providence Day (704), and Hickory (828).

Highlights: Union Pines girls lacrosse races past Croatan

After a close first half, the Vikings pulled away in the third and fourth quarters on April 13, 2024.

No. 19 Union Pines pulls away from No. 24 Croatan in girls lacrosse clash

Union Pines controlled the draws and the possession in the entire second half, leading 9-5 after the third quarter and shutting out Croatan in the fourth.

By J. Mike Blake, HighSchoolOT Contributor

Mount Airy, Seaforth, Croatan, Marvin Ridge lead Wells Fargo State Cup race after winter season

Each season, schools earn points in the Wells Fargo Cup standings based on their performance in the NCHSAA state playoffs.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Girls Lacrosse Rankings: Bishop McGuinness cracks the top 10; 3 new teams join top 25

Union Pines is making its first-ever appearance in the rankings, while West Forsyth is back in after a one-week hiatus and Croatan is ranked for the first time since March 3.

Final Rankings: Eastern Guilford boys wrestling leads dual-team statewide top 25; Seaforth and others lead area codes

In the final boys dual-team wrestling area code rankings, Washington is ranked first in the 252, Seaforth in the 919, Lumberton in the 910, Eastern Guilford in the 336, West Rowan in the 704, and Avery County in the 828.

Final Boys Indoor Track & Field Rankings: Mount Tabor ends at No. 1 statewide

Mount Tabor was two points ahead of East Burke and Weddington -- two respective state runners-up who tied for the second spot. T.W. Andrews, the 1A/2A champ, was three spots out of first in fourth place.

Girls lacrosse rankings: Pinecrest joins top 25 after first week of play

The Patriots replace a Fayetteville Academy team that was blown out by Pinecrest's rival Union Pines.

Green Hope, Providence Day head up preseason boys tennis statewide and area code rankings

The top teams in the preseason area code rankings are: Martin County (252), Green Hope (919), Cape Fear Academy (910), Northwest Guilford (336), Providence Day (704), and Hickory (828).

Cardinal Gibbons heads the preseason girls lacrosse statewide rankings

After finishing No. 1 in each of the past two seasons, Cardinal Gibons begins this season as the preseason No. 1 team in the HighSchoolOT girls lacrosse statewide rankings.

Watch List: The 50 names to know in NC girls lacrosse for 2024

HighSchoolOT is previewing the upcoming girls lacrosse season with its annual watch list. This year's watch list features 50 names across the state.

By Joel Bryant

NC high school girls tennis recruits from the class of 2024

HighSchoolOT is compiling a full list of high school senior girls tennis players from across the state who have committed to play at the next level.

Union Pines rolls to 3A wrestling tournament title; Cape Fear's Samuel Aponte wins MOW

The Most Outstanding Wrester award went to three-time state champion Samuel Aponte of Cape Fear.

J. Mike Blake, HighSchoolOT Contributor

No. 23 Swansboro caps off historic regular season with big win over Croatan

The Pirates claimed their first conference title since 1978 with a 23-1 regular season

Evan Moesta, Sr. Creative Specialist