#statetitle

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That time photographer extraordinaire William ‘Bud’ Hardy caught me interviewing several members of the Ayden-Grifton team during the beginning of an impressive three-year run.

Dear Ayden-Grifton:

Time flies when you’re making history.

It has been nothing short of amazing to witness the transformation of the Chargers’ volleyball program over the past five years. When I started covering sports in Kinston back in 2015, the team started 0-13 but finished the regular season 5-2 to sneak into the playoffs — a premonition for what was to occur. Four years, 78 victories and three Eastern Carolina Conference championships later, you have the opportunity to win a state championship Saturday against Foard.

I’ve been blessed to witness quite a few of those victories, and unfortunately won’t be around if the 79th occurs. On Saturday, I’ll be on WRNS 960-AM and 960TheBull.com calling Arendell Parrott’s state title football game, something I agreed to well before the Chargers’ fourth-round win over Carrboro. Coupled with my credentials being approved to cover Brandon Ingram’s first game as a New Orleans Pelican in Charlotte, there’s two vital events I’ll be missing.

Everything really had to happen on Saturday, huh?

I wanted to address everyone on the bus after Tuesday’s game against Wheatmore, but seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces, it didn’t feel right to put a damper after an amazing victory. Wednesday and Thursday were extremely tough, talking to y’all individually and as a collective.

Looking back at this 2017 picture, it made me smile for a litany of reasons. The potential was shown in 2016, but the following year was truly one of accomplishment. To win the school’s first conference title in 41 years was impressive enough, but reaching the fourth round provided an even brighter spotlight. The team hasn’t wilted from the additional shine, and now have the opportunity to cement this legacy.

This was the year many doubted the team would get far, mainly because of the 5-4 start (but let’s ignore the fact the teams you lost to in the stretch were 3A and 4A teams who eventually went 68-10 combined.) Still, even during another perfect conference regular-season slate, I worried about the chemistry at times. Then the playoffs rolled around and it seemed like a fire was lit for the entire team. Maybe it’s wanting to give the six seniors a proper sendoff. Possibly, it’s the pressure of a single-elimination format. It could be getting revenge against Carrboro and Wheatmore. Either way, everything I’ve been able to see this playoff run has been wonderful.

It’s still tough knowing I’ve been with this team through the best and worst, yet can’t be around during the biggest game of each player’s life. Maybe it’s for the best — APA did win its first girls’ soccer title earlier this year while I was in Houston visiting a sick family member. Just know I’ll be looking for every live stream, tweet and anything else to stay updated while calling my game. I may not be there in the crowd, but I’ll certainly be there in spirit. My request is simple:  get the win in my hometown at the college I graduated from.