Ben McCormick

Another day in Greensboro! Make sure you’re following along with updates/photos as champions are being crowned frequently ⬇️

A considerable amount of sunburn went into obtaining these pictures

(3) West Forsyth softball cruises past (2) Apex Friendship The West Forsyth Titans defeated the Apex Friendship Patriots in the third round of the NCHSAA 8A Softball State Playoffs. highschoolot.com/story/3-west-f…

Live Photos and Updates: NCHSAA 4A boys and girls track and field state championships highschoolot.com/story/live-pho…

Live Photos and Updates: NCHSAA 2A boys and girls track and field state championships highschoolot.com/story/live-pho…

East Surry's Pennson Badgett wasted no time in making his mark at the NCHSAA 3A boys golf championships. On Day One at Longleaf Golf & Family Club, he broke the NCHSAA record for lowest 18-hole round at a championship with an 11-under 60. The previous record of 63 was held by Hickory's J.T. Poston, now on the PGA Tour. The Tennessee recruit carded 9 birdies and an eagle (on 522-yard No. 14) on the day and holds a four-stroke lead going into Day Two. Now a senior, he won the 2A title as a freshman and was runner-up the last two years. highschoolot.com/story/the-2026…

Wrote a short feature on J.H. Rose two-way football star Jaleek Parson. Talking with Jaleek made for a great first interview as a member of @HighSchoolOT and it’s awesome to finally see this story put out into the world

From the sanctioning of girls flag football and boys volleyball to the denial of bracket changes and the shot clock, I broke down the NCHSAA Board of Director’s logic in their decisions and highlighted what mattered most from Wednesday’s historic meeting. highschoolot.com/story/what-mat…

Today, the NCHSAA would not publicly comment on the inclusion of John Paul II Catholic High School as the first non-diocesan private Christian school into the association. The association has allowed the participation of parochial schools like Cardinal Gibbons and Charlotte Catholic, which are members of a diocese. JPII is a different story. My question to them was in regards to their operating definition of the word parochial. Theoretically, if JPII counts in that definition, you could see schools like Charlotte Christian, NRCA, High Point Christian, Cary Christian, and plenty more apply for membership in the NCHSAA. This is potentially a watershed moment for the NCHSAA.

Some good stuff about the board’s reasoning and why it took two votes to officially set girls flag football in motion for the fall ⬇️

Proposal to decrease playoff brackets from 48 to 32 teams fails at the NCHSAA Board meeting highschoolot.com/story/proposal…

Another new sport in North Carolina. Boys volleyball will be an officially sanctioned sport in 2026-27 The NCHSAA Board of Directors passed the motion for play to begin in spring 2027.

A historic moment: Girls flag football will be an officially sanctioned sport in 2026-27 The NCHSAA Board of Directors passed the motion by a narrow 9-8 margin. A separate motion dictated that the sport will be played during the fall season.

We’re (@BMcCormickHSOT and I) on location in Chapel Hill once again for Day 2 of the NCHSAA Board of Directors meeting. The Board is expected to vote on numerous huge topics in the afternoon. Follow along: highschoolot.com/story/watch-li…

Perpetual baseball: (11) Apex powers through 13-inning battle at (6) Apex Friendship Jaden Gayles’ catch in center field for Apex baseball ended a game that was 435 pitches, 13 innings and four hours in the making. highschoolot.com/story/perpetua…

A seemingly never-ending game took place between Apex and Apex Friendship baseball tonight in the 8A state playoffs You can read more ⬇️

Three unanswered goals led No. 13 East Chapel Hill past No. 4 Chapel Hill, 9-8. Junior forward Sophie Fowler skipped one past the Tiger goaltender for the game-winning score. The Wildcats claimed their first win over their rival since 2022, breaking a seven-game head-to-head losing streak, including a 22-8 blowout defeat on April 15. Full coverage: highschoolot.com/story/late-com…

Late comeback lifts No. 13 East Chapel Hill girls lacrosse past No. 4 Chapel Hill Avery Ellis scored five goals for the upset-minded Wildcats as they defeated the Tigers, 9-8. highschoolot.com/story/late-com…

Great lacrosse action in Chapel Hill tonight! Electric late-game comeback by the Wildcats. Read and get photos ⬇️

There are three teams from Pitt County that landed top seeds in the East. D.H. Conley (7A) J.H. Rose (6A) Ayden-Grifton (3A)