It was as if people wanted to savor a basketball season that included a record of 22-7 and a conference tournament and sectional championship a little bit longer. The comments by Purvis were a part of the school’s winter athletic awards presentations made on a recent Sunday afternoon. Members of the varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders, girls’ basketball, boys’ junior varsity basketball and wrestling teams were also honored.
The boys’ cagers were the first Viking squad to advance to the regional final four since 1981. The title run ended at East Burke High School in a 71-54 loss to T.C. Roberson. Purvis let everyone know how he felt about the support the team received.
“The accomplishments, awards and trophies are nice, but if you ask me what was the nicest, it was the way the school and community rallied behind the team during the last few weeks of the season.
“A few years ago, some one made the statement ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ It also takes a village to build a basketball team, and all of us thank you very much.”
The coach mentioned principal Robin Lea, athletic director Bill Medlin, the administration, teachers, Athletic Booster Club, Three-Point Club, cheerleaders, student body, assistant coaches Carty McCrimmon and Evan Clapsaddle, parents of the players and “people who are just fans” for their support.
He told the audience that seniors Derrick Brower and Alex Martin were named by league coaches to the Tri-County All-Conference team.
Team awards went to Timmy McCrimmon, most valuable defensive player, Bryan Fields, most improved, Joey Frye and Martin, coaches’ award, and Brower, most valuable player.
Purvis said that Brower, who ranks among the top career scorers of all-time at the school with over 1,400 points, is the only basketball player in the history of Union Pines to be named to the all-conference team four times.
“You’ve had a career that without a doubt puts you among the very best that ever played at this school,” Purvis told the senior before presenting him with the award.
The 10 seniors and three juniors were given a plaque commemorating the conference tournament and sectional championship accomplishments.
The team also distinguished itself in the classroom. Frye, Fields, Martin, Joseph Daley, Matt Haley, B.J. McLeod and Will Williams all qualified for the North Carolina High School Scholar-Athlete designation (3.5 or above GPA) and the team compiled a 3.1 average overall.
Purvis said that he thought the reason people embraced this team was because of the way they played the game.
“I’m a very lucky coach,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to be your coach. I got to go on a journey and all of you guys made it possible.”
Other members of the championship squad included Ben Collins, Ramone Holland, Nate Irving and Bret Norbury.
In his opening remarks, Medlin put the focus on the coaches and urged players and parents to thank them for their efforts.
“They certainly don’t do it for the fame and glory, and they certainly don’t do it for the money,” he said. “As the Hall and Oates song says, “They do it for love’.”
Girls’ varsity basketball coach Matt Hrbek recalled many close games that had they gone the other way would have made a 13-11 season even better.
Four-your starter Tashocka Belk made the all-conference team and was named the team’s most valuable player.
Other team awards went to freshman Tiffany Oxendine, most improved, and senior Kelly Jo Fields, coaches’ award.
Patty Murphy, coach of the varsity cheerleaders, said that she is stepping down at the end of this year.
“This is a very special group who have made me and their parents and the school very proud,” she said.
She presented team awards to Jennifer Bureau, most spirited, Suzanne Shirer, most dedicated and Jodie Murray, most valuable.
Retired teacher and coach Roger Coble presented the wrestling awards.
Kevin Bland, David Boyle and Matt Dunlap received all-conference honors. Coble recognized Bland and Dunlap for being the first members of the school’s 30-Win Club. Both finished the season with records of 33-11. Boyle made the 20-Win Club with a record of 24-16.
Team awards went to Bland, most improved, Boyle and Jacob Brown, coaches’ award and Dunlap, most outstanding wrestler.
Dunlap also received the first Roger Coble Award. It will be made annually to the wrestler determined to be the most dedicated on the mat and in the classroom.
