Free Throws Help Trojans Stay Perfect

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In a game where a combined 43 fouls were called, the Garner Trojans made the most of its time at the charity strip shooting 81 percent (23/27) in a hard fought 68-57 victory over the Sanderson Spartans on Friday night inside Trojan Coliseum.

Sanderson (2-1) was able to slow the pace and dominated both the offensive and defensive boards in the opening half while knocking down almost everything in sight, especially from the outside as Reggie Traywick buried a pair of opening half three-pointers to give the Spartans a three-point, 34-31 halftime lead.

Garner (4-0), stayed close thanks to its shooting at the line going 18-of-20 from the line (90 percent) in the games opening 16 minutes.

The second half was more of the same and after a back-and-fourth affair in the third stanza, the game went to the final eight minutes tied at 49.

But, in those final moments, the Trojans took control thanks to the play of its two early season stars. Demarcus Sanford scored 10 of his game-high 22 points in the final quarter while super Sophomore, Julius Barnes poured in five points on back-to-back possessions for the men of Troy to finish the final quarter with seven points and ended the contest with 19 as Garner pulled away for the 68-57 victory.

The Trojans will take a week off before returning to action on Friday night, Dec. 7 when they travel to Sanderson High School to battle the Spartans.

Varsity Girls Fall to Spartans

For the fourth game in-a-row, the varsity lady Trojans basketball team battled for the entire game only to fall in the final moments. Sanderson (2-1) built what seem to be a comfortable lead before Garner (0-4) came storming back to cut what was a double-figure deficit into a five point game as the final moments of the third quarter ticked away.

However, the depth and size of the Spartans was too much as they pulled away to defeat Garner 66-46.

Garner is back in action next Friday, Dec. 7 when they hit the road and once again battle Sanderson.

JV Splits

Both JV teams split their contests with Sanderson on Friday night at Trojan Coliseum. The JV lady Trojans fell to Sanderson 33-29 while the JV boys dropped the Spartans 60-34.

Both JV teams are back in action on Thursday night when they welcome Middle Creek to Trojan Coliseum.

Trojans Coast Past Cary

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Garner got off to another slow start on Wednesday night at Charles H. Adams Gymnasium but managed to pick up the pace in the final three quarters as they cruised past the Cary Imps 76-49.

The Trojans (3-0) managed 21 points in the opening eight minutes, the most in the first quarter this season, as the men of Troy were paced by Demarcus Sanford who had eight of his 18 first half points in the opening stanza.

Cary (0-3) was able to hang close with Garner in the opening quarter and trailed just 21-15 before the Trojans pulled away to a 46-26 halftime lead. Julius Barnes led Garner in the second scoring 13 points inlcuding a four-point play midway through the quarter that salted the contest away.

In the second half, Garner continued its onslaught as Barnes finished with 15 points while Sanford led all scorers with 25 in the 76-49 win for Garner.

The Trojans return home on Friday night when they host the Sanderson Spartans at 8:00


Trojans Pounce on Jaguars

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Garner started slow on Tuesday night at Trojan Coliseum but quickly heated up downing the Athens Drive Jaguars 85-34.

The Trojans (2-0), spent the first couple of minutes of the game searching for scoring but once they found it, the points came in bunches. Julius Barnes helped light the spark early for the Trojans hitting a trio of three pointers in the opening quarter to finish with 13 of Garner's 20 points as the men of Troy took a 20-11 lead into the final stanza of the half.

Athens Drive (0-2) could only muster six offense points in the second quarter due mostly to the Garner defense that prevented the Jaguars from getting off many good shots. Meanwhile, for the Trojan offense it started inside with Jasper Stallings scoring seven of his eight points in the second quarter while Barnes finished the half with a new career high of 21 points and did not score in the second half, but that was more than enough as the Trojans took a 44-17 lead to the locker room.

In the third quarter, nine different players scored for Garner while Athens scored just nine points allowing the Trojans to coast to a 61-26 lead after three and finishing the game with a 85-34 victory.

Garner returns to action Wednesday night at 7:00 when hit the road for the first time this season as they battle the Cary Imps.

Varsity Girls Fall

Coach Mays and his club had a tough time getting anything going against a quick Athens Drive defense while the Jaguars found its offensive stride defeating Garner 71-42.

The Lady Trojans are on the road Wednesday at 5:00 when they take on Cary.

JV Girls Earn First Victory

After dropping its season opener 13-10 last Tuesday, the JV Girls basketball team bounced backed with a 30-22 victory over Athens Drive to even the record at 1-1.

Garner is back at home on Wednesday at 5:30 when they take on Cary.  



Garner's only 5-star dealership

An Era Ends with Loss to Britt

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The 2012 Eastern Regional Final came down to the final play on Friday night at Trojan Stadium, as Garner down by six had the ball at the Jack Britt 12-yard line with three seconds left, but it was not meant to be for the Trojans as Keon Young picked off his second pass of the game to seal a 14-8 victory for the Buccaneers.

Jack Britt (13-2) trailed 8-0 heading to the final quarter but were able pull to within two after a 35 yard touchdown run from Eric Carter to make it a 8-6 Trojan lead after the two point try was no good.

But, Garner (14-1) still had the lead and a chance to expand the lead but once again, the Britt defense came up with another play as on third down and long the Bucs picked off a pass to set up a short field and two plays later, Mark McRae connected with Edmund Grand in the end zone the score and following a two-point try, Jack Britt had the 14-8 lead.

The Trojans though, still had a shot down by just six, Garner moved the ball down the field on a Britt defense that was playing soft with passes from Vince Jefferies to Armani Lanier, Brayden Sims, Nyheim Hines and others to set up a first down and 15 from the Britt 12 yard line before the ensuing pass was intercepted by Young to seal the deal.

Garner took a 6-0 lead into the halftime break as Tyler Hinton scored the only touchdown of the half, from one yard out after the Trojans set up the score with pass plays from Jefferies to Lanier for 36 yards and to Tim Thorb for 11 before the nail in the coffin by Hinton to make it 6-0 after the extra point was missed.

The Trojans made it an 8-0 lead early in the second half with McRae was sacked in the end zone by Jeremie Bolobiongo. 

However, Britt came storming back and advanced to the State Championship next week for the fourth time in program history.

Friday's loss also marked the final game in the storied career of Trojan head coach Nelson Smith who finishes his Garner career with a record of 144-30 and 10 conference championships.

We would also like to extend a special THANK YOU to all the Senior athletes who made the last four years unforgettable.  



Experience Powers Garner to Opening Night Win

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Garner's varsity boys basketball team will be young this season, but after losing nine seniors and four starters off last seasons 25-3 team, youth is to be expected. However, on Tuesday night in the season opener at Trojan Coliseum, it was blend of new and old faces that helped propel the Trojans past Northern Durham 80-74.

As one might expect the opening moments of the opening quarter were sloppy with both clubs trying to find their way but once the teams settled into a rhythm, the game took on a nice pace with Garner (1-0) jumping out of the gate on fire led by Julius Barnes and Demarcus Sanford who both had six points in the opening quarter to help the Trojans capture a 20-13 lead after the opening eight minutes.

Garner was paced by some new faces in the start of the second quarter as Jacqown Harris, Skyler Strickland and Patrick Henneghan all contributed to a second stanza that helped the Trojan lead grow near 10 points before the Knights came storming back with a huge second quarter from Ricky Council to trim the lead to five points with 3:15 left in the quarter. However, the Trojans would hold serve and take a 40-34 lead into the halftime break.

The men of Troy owned the third quarter as the took a six point halftime lead and turned it into a nine point lead thanks to an eight point quarter from Foster Dubar who achieved a new career high finishing the game with 16 as Garner took a 64-55 lead to the fourth.

But, the Knights refused to die as they went on a quick spurt to being the final stanza and made it a four point lead with 6:46 to play in the game, but once again the Trojan quickness took over along with the play making ability of Sanford who scored five of his career high 28 points in the final quarter to help salt the game away and give Garner a 80-74 victory.

The Trojans will return to action on Tuesday night when they welcome Athens Drive to Trojan Coliseum, tip off is slated for 7:30.

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Varsity Girls Fall

Coach Mays and his varsity girls basketball team found the going tough against Northern Durham on Tuesday night at Trojan Coliseum. The lady Trojans could not get any offense going in the opening half but did chip away at the Knight lead in the second half.

However, they could not complete the comeback and Northern earned a 55-45 season opening victory.

The Lady Trojans are back at home on Tuesday night at 6:00 when they host Athens Drive. 


Garner United Methodist Church
201 Methodist Lane, PO Box 2179
Garner, NC 27529
919-772-2042
Bill Heddock, Sr. Pastor
http://www.garnerumc.org/

Trojans 'Hammer' Leesville to Move to Regional Final

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For the second consecutive year, Garner and Leesville Road met for the right to host the Eastern Regional Final and for the second straight year, the Trojans downed the Pride. This time, with a 56-35 victory at Trojan Stadium.

Garner (14-0) struck first as Raevon Smith began the party with a 30-yard scamper and following an extra point by Kenneth Perkinson, the Trojans had a 7-0 lead.

Leesville (12-1) would answered on their second play from scrimmage as Braxton Berrios caught a quick screen from Evan Parker and did the rest going 62 yards to pay dirt and a 7-7 score.

On the ensuing possession, Vince Jefferies connected for the first time with Armani Lanier for a 63-yard score and a one score Trojan lead. Following a Pride fumble, Garner went back to work and once again Jefferies found Lanier this time from just 13-yards out and a 21-7 lead, which is how the opening quarter ended.

However, the second quarter proved to be more of the same for the Trojans as they began the second stanza with another pass and catch from Jefferies to Lanier and a 28-7 advantage. That lead would balloon to 35-7 on a Tyler Hinton one yard score but the Pride answered right back to make it 35-14 heading into the break.

Leesville mounted a second half surge scoring the opening two touchdowns of the third quarter to make it 35-21 before Garner answered as Jefferies threw his fifth touchdown of the game this time to Nyheim Hines on a 90-yard dart and a 42-21 lead heading to the final quarter.

Once again, the Pride bounced back to make it a one possession game at 42-35 when Berrios got free and ran 30 yards for a score.

Following the score to make it a one touchdown game, the Trojans had a big kick-return from Smith to set up the offense for an easy score and Smith punched it in from two yards out and a 49-35 lead.

On the ensuing possession, Leesville had three consecutive penalties and found itself facing a fourth down and 25 from deep in its own end. That's when Parker fired an arrant pass that found the waiting arms of Lanier who ran it back 30 yards to the house for the final score of the night at a 56-35 victory.

Garner will now advance to the Eastern Regional Finals next week they welcome Jack Britt to Trojan Stadium. Kick-off is slated for 7:30.



Powell Signs with UNC-Wilmington

Standing (L-R): Nelson Smith, Drew Cook, Jason Boyette. Seated (L-R): Connie Powell, Kristen Powell, Jim Powell
The two-time Greater Neuse River Conference volleyball Player of the Year will have a new home this fall. Kristen Powell signed her National Letter of Intent on Wednesday morning in the Garner Magnet High School Media Center.

Powell, becomes just the second volleyball player in school history to play volleyball at the division one level and when asked about what that meant to her she said, "it's really awesome going down there knowing I come for a such great town and school; and knowing that I have the support of everyone back home."

But after playing four years in the middle, she will have to get use to a new role for the Seahawks having been recruited as as an outside and right side hitter.

Powell does not yet have an intended but says she is leaning toward Marine Biology.

The senior chose Wilmington over Appalachian State  because of the coaching staff, style of play and proximity to Garner, claiming Wilmington was "the perfect distance."


Congratulations to Kristen Powell for continuing the Trojan Tradition of Excellence!


Members of the Garner Volleyball team pause for a picture following the signing
 

Manufacturing and installation of quality kitchen, bath, and commercial products in central North Carolina

Playoff Football Tickets on Sale

Tickets for the Garner/Leesville Road third round playoff contest will go on sale Wednesday afternoon at lunch and will remain on sale until Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in the Garner High front office.

Price for the tickets is $8.00 and fans who wish to purchase tickets at the front office must bring cash.

For those wishing to purchase tickets at the gate on Friday night can certainly do that as well.

Kick-off for the game is slated for 7:30 at Trojan Stadium.

Trojans Advance with Offensive Spurt

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Garner scored 70 points or more for the first time since September 30, 2011 on Friday night when the men of Troy blasted Wakefield 76-34, at Trojan Stadium to advance to the third round of the 4AA state playoffs.

Each teams traded touchdowns on two of the first three possessions of the night and after Wakefield (11-2) went up by a score, the Trojans answered right back with Vince Jefferies hit Raevon Smith for a seven yard touchdown pass and a 14-14 tie, which is how the opening quarter came to an end.

On the first play of the second quarter, Tyler Hinton punched it in from a yard out to make it 21-14 Trojans (13-0). However that lead only grew as Smith scored again, this time on the ground and a 28-14 lead.

Leading by a pair of scores, the Trojan defense got involved, Connor Michted tossed his second of three interceptions of the night and his this time his pass found the waiting arms of Raekwon Britton who galloped down into the end zone for a 35-21 lead.

Late in the half, it was the defense again, as Smith picked off another Mitch pass and ran it back for a score but the Wolverines answered. Following a couple Trojan penalties, Wakefield had the ball deep in the Trojans end with 0.4 seconds left and Mitch hit Jordan Fielleteau for a score to close the half and give Garner a 49-28 lead going into the break.

The second half provided more offensive fireworks as the men of Troy struck first on a Nyheim Hines 48 yard run for a 56-28 lead, which proved to be the only scoring of the third quarter.

In the final stanza, the Trojans lit up the scoreboard as Jefferies found Armani Lanier from 31-yards out for a score and a 62-28 lead.

Wakefield answered which Mitch fired another touchdown pass and a 62-34 Garner lead, but that would be the final score of the night for the Wolverines.

Garner added a pair of scores, another run from Hines and Hinton bulled his way in to close the scoring and the 76-34 final score.

The 76 points for Garner are the most ever scored by the Trojans in a playoff game.

Garner will return home next week for the third round of the state playoffs as they welcome the Leesville Road Pride to Trojan Stadium. Kick-off is slated for 7:30.




Football Tickets to be Pre-Sold

The Garner athletic department announced Wednesday afternoon that tickets for the game against Wakefield on Friday night at Trojans Stadium will go on sale Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m.

Tickets can be purchased in the front office beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the cost is $8.00. The presale will end on Friday afternoon at 2:00.

Kick-off for the game is slated for Friday night at 7:30 and no passes will be accepted.

Soccer Falls to New Hanover

After a record setting season, the varsity soccer season came to an abrupt end on Saturday night inside Trojan Stadium as Garner dropped its second round playoff contest to the New Hanover Wildcats, 1-0.

Garner (15-3-1) gave up the loan goal in the match midway through the opening half and could never recover as the Wildcats were able to survive several Trojan chances and advance to the third round of the playoffs with a 1-0 victory.

For Garner it will be recorded as the best season in school history as the men of Troy achieved the first conference championship and a birth in the second round.

Congratulations to the squad and head coach, Jon Sherwin for an outstanding season.


Garner Optimist Club
2110 Vandora Springs Road, 779-7076

Trojans Pounce on Jaguars to Advance

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Garner took a 21 point victory into the locker room on Friday night at Trojan Stadium and never looked back as the Trojans blasted Athens Drive, 59-21 to move on to the second round of the 4AA playoffs next week.

Garner (12-0) opened the contest with the football and promptly marched down the field before Tyler Hinton capped the opening possession with a one yard run for a score.

After the two squads traded punts, the lead remained at seven before Athens Drive (5-7) had to punt the football away to the Trojans and into the waiting arms of Armani Lanier who fielded the punt and scampered 71-yards to pay dirt and a 14 point advantage.

Late in the opening quarter, Athens got on the board when quarterback Jason West fired a pass to Brad Bowling who slipped by the Garner defense and raced 85 yards for the score.

That seven point margin did not last long as on the first drive of the second quarter, the Trojans used a 12-play drive to march down the field on the Jaguars defense before Vince Jefferies hit Brayden Sims in the end zone for a 21-7 lead.

The Trojans punched in another score late in the half as Jefferies hit Lanier for a 55 yard score and a 28-7 lead. For Lanier the touchdown catch, his 12th of the season, sets the single season school record for most touchdowns reception season.

After halftime it was more of the same for the Garner offense which scored on its first two possessions of the half as Jefferies found Lanier again to open the second half scoring followed by a Raevon Smith 10 yard run and a 42-7 lead.

The men of Troy began the final quarter tacking on to the lead when Kenneth Perkinson nailed a 40-yard field goal and a 45-7 lead.

Athens Drive followed with a score when Dominique Lynch scored from a yard out to make it 52-14. But, on the ensuing kick-off, Nyheim Hines bobbled the kick but when he found his bearings, the super sophomore found a running lane and scooted 96-yards for the score and a 52-14 lead.

Following the final Jaguars score of the night, Snoop Dawson added the exclamation point to the contest when the reversed fields and found a seem for a 31 yard score and the final 59-21 margin.

Garner will advance to round two of the 4AA playoffs next week when the men of Troy welcome Wakefield to Trojan Stadium - kickoff is slated for 7:30.