Prep notebook: McGeorge resigns Heritage post; schools win for public service
Jason McGeorge, the only football coach at Heritage High, has resigned to enter private business.
McGeorge started the Heritage program in 2010-11 when the school played a junior varsity schedule. The 2012-14 teams reached the playoffs.
His teams posted 3-8, 6-6, 6-6 and 8-4 records for an overall mark of 23-24.
McGeorge said he needed to seize an opportunity outside of teaching and coaching that just became available.
“This is a family decision,” he said. “As a high school coach, I didn’t get to see my family on Thursday or Fridays. I was exhausted on Saturday and in meetings on Sunday. Coaching high school football demands a lot of your time. This is a great opportunity for us as a family.”
Looking back, McGeorge said he was most proud of the number of players who enjoyed being in the program.
“They had a lot of fun and developed a lot of relationships,” he said. “They bought into what we were trying to do and the way we were trying to do it. You get caught up in the wins and losses and making the playoffs, but the most enjoyable part of coaching is the kids.”
Pat Kennedy, the Heritage athletics director, said he can’t imagine a better person to begin a program.
“Jason was a pleasure to work with and true professional,” Kennedy said. “We will always remember the job that he did for us.”
Principal Mark Savage said McGeorge built the school’s football tradition.
Southern Durham, Garner honored: Southern Durham and Garner are among eight schools that won N.C. High School Athletic Association Commissioner’s Cup awards. The Cup is designed to recognize athletic teams or cheerleading squads for community service projects.
The teams identified a need in the community and created a plan to address the need. Each team then submitted a one-minute video.
Southern Durham won for a project done by its cheerleading squad. The cheerleaders helped the Emerald Pond retirement community host a “Senior Prom” for those citizens.
The Garner project was a “March Madness” basketball game to recognize, celebrate and honor adapted physical education students. Student leaders worked with those adapted PE students on basketball skills, and then the game featured the student leaders against the adapted PE students and faculty members.
The other Commissioner Cup winners were Pender and Swain County (1A); Mount Pleasant and Monroe Parkwood (2A), North Henderson (3A) and Charlotte Catholic (4A).
Each school will receive a $1,000 for their school athletic program.
Northwood coach: Brian Harrington, a 19-year coaching veteran at Pittsboro Northwood High, has been named football coach.
Harrington had been an assistant to Bill Hall, who resigned after a 9-3 season. Harrington had been defensive coordinator in recent years.
“We are really excited about Brian,” said Jason Amy, the Northwood athletics director. “He has been with us for a while and we are looking forward to him putting his own stamp on the program.”
Tiger signs: Point guard Tamia Eatmon this week became the third member of the Chapel Hill High girls’ basketball team to sign. Eatmon, a four-year starter, signed with Anderson (S.C.) University.
“I can’t say enough about Tamia,” said Chapel Hill coach Sherry Norris. “She is an outstanding basketball player. Tamia has been the catalyst for our team.
“She is an outstanding defensive player, understands the game, distributes the ball on offense, and dictated tempo for our team. I’m really excited about her committing to Anderson University. She will be a great team leader and will contribute greatly to their success.”
Scott wins All-America honor: Camden Scott, who played at Raleigh Word of God Christian, was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-America men’s basketball team. Scott, a 6-foot-3 sophomore at Louisburg, was a third-team selection.
The Hurricanes finished 27-4.
This story was originally published April 21, 2015 at 6:36 PM with the headline "Prep notebook: McGeorge resigns Heritage post; schools win for public service."