Damon Scott: The Shelby Golden Lions claimed its 13th State Football Championship on Saturday. In the highest scoring state championship game in North Carolina High School Athletic Association history, the Golden Lions defeated Kinston 84-41. Scott, who is the running backs coach for Shelby, returned to Durham County Stadium as a coach. Scott was a running back and defensive back for the Orange Panthers from 1990-1993, when he played for head coach Greg Gentry. He had several fierce battles with Northern Durham and Durham High School at Durham County Stadium during his days as a Panther. Scott would go on to become a I-AA All-American at Appalachian State University. He was a starter for the Mountaineers’ 1995 squad, which defeated a Marshall team led by wide receiver Randy Moss for the Southern Conference championship. Two-thirds of Appalachian’s starting backfield that season was comprised of Orange High graduates: Scott as a tailback and quarterback Scott Satterfield, now the head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats. Scott was a member of the 1991 Orange High team that defeated J.H. Rose in the opening round of the 4A State Playoffs in Greenville, the Panthers’ only state playoff win of the 1990s. Scott, a native of Cedar Grove, is currently the Chairman of the Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce, the first Black man to hold that role.
Evelyn George: The Division II Guilford College women’s basketball team is off to the best start in program history. The Quakers defeated Johnson & Wales University 88-75 at Ragan-Brown Field House in Greensboro on Saturday to improve to 9-0 for the first time ever. George scored 17 points, shooting 8-of-9 from the field. She also grabbed seven rebounds and registered one assist and one steal. It was the third time the Quakers scored 80 points in a game. On Thursday, Guilford defeated Pfeiffer University 70-52 in Greensboro. In 21 minutes, George scored eleven points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field. She also had two rebounds and two steals. Guilford will rest up for Christmas and return to action in the Springhill Suites Guilford Holiday Classic. They will host St. Mary’s College of Maryland on December 28, followed by a meeting with Piedmont University on December 30.
Amiyah Ware: The North Greenville women’s basketball team defeated Mt. Olive 80-62 at Hayes Gymnasium in Tigerville, SC on Saturday. Ware scored seven points with two rebounds and two assists as the Trailblazers improved to 2-2 in Conference Carolinas. North Greenville is 5-4 and will face Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on Tuesday at noon.
Braden Crawford: The Division II Ferrum Wrestling team swept all three matches at the Cougar Duals inside the Stuart Grant James Center at Averett University in Danville, VA on Saturday. Ferrum defeated the Averett B squad 29-17. They also defeated Bluefield State 46-7 and routed Davis & Elkins 40-12. It was the 100th career win for head coach Blake Roulo. Against Averett, Crawford claimed a forfeit victory. Crawford earned a major decision as he defeated Jazmon Snead 14-6 at 141 pounds. Ferrum improves to 4-5. They will return to action against Neberry College on January 6. Crawford also made the Dean’s List after he completed his opening semester at Ferrum with a 3.92 grade point average.
Takia Nichols: On Saturday, Nichols graduated from North Carolina Central University in just three years. She made the Dean’s List each year and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Nichols is the all-time home run hitter in Cedar Ridge softball history and has played for the North Carolina Central softball team the past three years. In her first year, Nichols was a starter for the first NCCU softball team ever to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and reach the NCAA Tournament. Nichols earned All-MEAC Academic Honors in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Nichols is pursuing a career in criminal justice after walking across the stage on Saturday.
