Story by staff reports. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – This week, Panther Creek and Green Hope high schools won an appeal to stay in their current Tri-9 4A Athletic conference in Wake County Public Schools.

Tri-9 Realignment Nixed

A planned realignment for 2013-17 by the N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) would have moved Panther Creek and Green Hope to a the Pac-6, a conference based mostly in Durham County, and would have had teams traveling outside Wake County for almost all away games.

NCHSAA Listens

Dozens of supporters from both schools visited a hearing of the NCHSAA Board of Directors in support of the appeal. School and district leaders wanted to continue the history, traditions and friendly rivalries of the Tri-9 4A Conference, which comprises eight WCPSS high schools and one school from Lee County.

“I was proud to see, this morning, the entire Tri-9 represented in support of their conference partners, Green Hope and Panther Creek,” said Superintendent Tony Tata. “We appreciate the NCHSAA listening to our concerns, and are very satisfied with the outcome that ultimately benefits our student-athletes.”

The NCHSAA realignment process began in November 2011, and would have shuffled Panther Creek and Green Hope to the PAC Six Conference to fill a slot vacated by East Chapel Hill High School. WCPSS principals, athletic directors and other leaders did extensive research and appealed to the NCHSAA board several times.

East Chapel Hill Stays 4A

Although both schools had generated petitions and huge student and parent support in their protest to remain in their Tri 9 conference, ultimately it was the numbers that determined where these schools were placed.

When East Chapel Hill High recently reported that their enrollment had inched above 1441, they were re-classified as 4A, instead of sizing down to 3A.

In the current Tri-9 conference Lee County High has also been re-classified to 3A and will leave the Tri-9 where it has competed for many years.

Leaders at Panther Creek and Green Hope were pleased by public support of their efforts, and by the outcome of the appeal.

“The sense of community we had alluded to all along was evident today, as every school in the Tri-9 showed up and stood up on our behalf,” said Green Hope Principal James Hedrick. “I think the big thing is that we feel that sense of community and the sense of rivalry will stay intact.”

Story by Lindsey Chester, photo by Chris Adamczyk

Chapel Hill, NC – On Saturday, November 13, Green Hope High School was awarded the prestigious Wachovia Cup during halftime of the UNC- Virginia Tech Football game. The Wachovia Cup is awarded for the best overall high school sports program in North Carolina.

Winning the Cup

In Cup competition, points are awarded for all sports on the basis of 50 points for first, 45 for second, down to 15 for eighth in a school’s division. Five points are awarded for each sanctioned sport in which a school competes.

In the 4-A classification, Green Hope finished first with 452.5 points to capture its first Wachovia Cup, with defending champion Charlotte Myers Park second with 380.

GHHS had some amazing teams during the 2009 season, including boys soccer that finished second in State playoffs and girls basketball whose only loss was the second place finish in State finals play.

Green Hope preserved its win by taking the 4-A boys golf title, finishing in the top eight in boys dual team tennis and in a tie for fourth among 4-A schools in the inaugural open girls lacrosse championship.

The Wachovia Cup winner receives an engraved silver cup and a banner for permanent display at the school. The Wachovia Cups are always presented at a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill football game.

Can they do it again for 2010? The school already has 2 State Championships (boys and girls cross country) and most of the girls basketball team returns to see if they can repeat their almost perfect season.

Excellence Across Wake County

Four other Wake County Schools also placed in the top 15 spots in the 4A division (see highlights below in red)

Division 4A Top Finishers

1. Cary- Green Hope    452.5
2. Charlotte- Myers Park    380
3. Asheville- T.C. Roberson    372.5
4. Raleigh -Wakefield     355
5. Lake Norman      335
6. Raleigh -Broughton     325
7. Southeast Raleigh       322.5
8. Matthews David Butler    307.5
9. Wilmington Hoggard    287.5
10. East Chapel Hill       267.5
11. Charlotte Ardrey Kell    262.5
12. North Mecklenburg    257.5
13. Southern Pines Pinecrest    255
14. Greensboro Grimsley    247.5
15. Cary        225

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Photo (L–>R) Green Hope Athletic Director Mickey Bissette and Principal Dr. James Hedrick with the Wachovia Cup at UNC Kenan Memorial Stadium.

Photo by Michael McLoone for CaryCitizen.

Story by GHHS Soccer Coach Andrew Chadwick. Photos by Michael McLoone.

Cary, NC – Green Hope High School varsity men’s soccer downed Pinecrest in the NCHSAA state semi-final match, 2-1. Coach Chadwick had these comments:

“I was asked the question after the game what feeling I have after losing in the semi-final 4 times earlier and now winning the for the first time in the 5th chance, my response was “Relief.”

I’m so proud of this year’s team. We lost 13 seniors from last year and we only have a squad of 19. We started the year off 2-1-2 and then we started to gel and get on the same page. From where we were in August to playing in the final November 20th is a tremendous achievement for this team. It was rumored this would be a “rebuilding year.” I don’t think our players took too kindly to being labeled “rebuilders,” and they have had that chip on their shoulder all year long. They have something to prove and they are doing it. I’m so happy for them.

We’ll take on Page (Greensboro) Friday, 11/20 at 7:30 PM at Wakemed Soccer Stadium in Cary for the Championship game. Page is 22-0-2 and is the favorite, but that is okay, we haven’t been favored all year. We’ll just give it our best shot.. that’s worked so far.”

More photos from Mike McLoone -

Prints available from the photographer via Shutterfly.

How do they compete?  Each team creates an original 2-1/2 minute routine that must include a pyramid, tumble sequence, a 1 minute cheer, and a dance all set to an original mix of music.  These routines are then scored with deductions for falls and imperfect tumbling, with points added for originality and synchronicity.

In Small Varsity (under 15 athletes) Athens Drive finished 2nd.  Competing against 18 other teams, Cary High ( Medium Varsity, 15-17 team members)  finished 6th with a great routine scoring 240 points and a bid to Nationals.  Leesville Road knocked it out of the park with their first place finish in that category.

Holly Springs High competed in Large Varsity (18-19 athletes) and scored 255 to earn a second place behind Weddington High from Mathews, NC.

Madison Keesling flies high for Green Hope Falcons

Green Hope almost scratched after key flyer Cristen Harden sprained her ankle Friday night during practice.  Coach Nicole Reed called an early Saturday morning practice to rework the routine and the team managed to come out in 5th with 237.5 points in Super Varsity (20-21 athletes).  Cardinal Gibbons was edged out and surprised by Broughton High who won with a perfect routine.

Many of these teams will meet again at the Tri-9 competition on Thursday, December 3rd at Holly Springs High School and again in the spring for the Wake County Cheer competition.  Time enough for them to work out any kinks hopefully recover from injuries.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association held its cross-country championships on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at Tanglewood Park in Winston-Salem. Cary High and Green Hope were there to represent for our town. So was photographer Michael McLoone.

Photos ©2009 Michael McLoone. Reprints available from Shutterfly.