One of the most successful groups of girls volleyball players ever in the state held a little ceremony at their school Tuesday afternoon. The official purpose was to celebrate the players' college decisions, but the occasion also was about saying goodbye.
Three of the six seniors on the Cardinal Gibbons girls volleyball team played in the N.C. High School Athletic Association championship match every year they were in high school. They won three state titles in the last three years and built a 100-7 overall record during their four years.
"We're going to miss them," said Gibbons volleyball coach Logan Barbour in a massive understatement.
Madison Bugg, who was the most valuable player of the last three 3A title games; Carolyn Albright and Victoria Phillips were four-year varsity players. Eleanor Derouin and Lauren Willoughby played on the three title teams and Alex Taylor joined them this season.
Bugg is one of the top players in the country. She signed with Stanford.
Albright is heading to William & Mary and Phillips signed with UNC Wilmington. Derouin signed with the Naval Academy and Taylor will play at N.C. State. Willoughby is expected to play college volleyball, but hasn't made her college decision yet.
Marshall decision: Millbrook running back Keith Marshall is expected to announce his college decision after school on Dec. 6. Marshall is the top-ranked high school running back in the country, according to some recruiting services.
Millbrook coach Clarence Inscore said he thought Marshall was most interested in Georgia, Florida, Clemson and South Carolina.
He will graduate in December and enroll in college for the spring semester.
"Keith has been very low-key about his recruitment," Inscore said. "He has very much been a team player and has been focused on the season. He and his family have done a great job throughout the whole process."
Marshall rushed for 1,891 yards during his 6-6 senior season. He won the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A 100 meters championship in track and field in 2011 and has a 4.1 overall grade point average.
Foot Locker regional: Many of the top high school cross country runners in the Southeast will compete Saturday in the 33rd annual Foot Locker regional championships at McAlpine Park in Charlotte.
The Southeast Regional is one of four five-kilometer regionals in the country. The four meets are expected to draw 10,000 runners.
The top 10 finishers in each of the regional races qualify for the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships on Dec. 10 in San Diego, Calif.
Lee County baseball: Lee County has been selected as one 16 teams from throughout the country to play in the inaugural National High School Invitational at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary. The tournament has teams from nine states and will be held on March 26-31.
Lee County is the only team from North Carolina in the tournament.
