Myers Park Hoofprint

The Myers Park High School Newspaper

Sports

The Dark Side of Women’s Basketball

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Louisiana State University, A college known for sports, tailgates, and an upbeat student life, has had one of our generation’s most historic sports seasons. With women’s basketball becoming increasingly popular, it’s no wonder their talented, renowned players are being praised for their intricate skills and innovative techniques that make women’s basketball so popular. However, good things do bring issues. Recently, Louisiana women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has been under fire for making many irresponsible coaching decisions, and repeatedly tone-deaf comments about her players. Due to this, the bad side of women’s basketball has come to light. One of the main comments that has put Mulkey under fire was her many homophobic comments about former Baylor University basketball player Brittney Griner. Lsureveille.com states, “Griner said she felt that Mulkey wouldn’t have approved if she had publicly come out as gay. She also said that Mulkey required her to cover up her tattoos by wearing long sleeves under her jersey. Both Griner and a Baylor teammate sourced in the article said Mulkey and the coaching staff thought that having an openly gay player would look bad for recruiting.”. Although these comments were sourced back to 2013, Mulkey works very closely with LGBTQ+ players, with almost 22.7% of the WNBA being members of the lesbian community. It is hard to be comfortable with a coach who doesn’t respect who you are, or recognize your community as valid. Many players believe that she ‘went after’ gay players, making comments about their clothes, and singling them out for their sexuality. Basketball player Kelli Griffin (Baylor) made many comments about her frequent targetting. This was due to Mulkey drawing attention to Griffin’s clothes and issuing a suspension that ultimately ended the player’s career. Griffin believes it started after Mulkey found out she was gay. 

The Washington Post has also accused Mulkey of continuing to accept interviews even though she was suspected to have COVID-19, they state “In November, she told reporters after a road game that they could blame her if they were sick at Thanksgiving. ‘I ain’t a sissy,’ she said, holding a tissue and choking back sniffles. ‘I’ve got some kind of cold. It might be covid, but I ain’t testing.”. This controversial attitude has put Mulkey under fire and made LSU as an educational institution seem uninterested in their students’ safety. Additionally, Mulkey’s explosive and fiery attitude over basketball has also bled into many of her interviews. Recently told journalists in an after-game press conference that she plans to seek legal action against The Washington Post. This was due to their article which criticizes Mulkey’s dismissive attitude amongst her LGBTQ+ players. 

Mulkey is an exceptional coach. She led the team to win their first-ever championship in 2023, challenging players like Caitlin Clark, and devising winning plays is the sole reason the team was able to win with a score of 102-85. Her flashy outfits and unique reactions in the game were also one of the reasons why women’s basketball has become so increasingly popular. Mulkey needs to work on the way she treats her players, but not how she treats the game. It’s clear she has just gotten out of touch with the challenges of being a collegiate athlete and additionally needs to educate and open her mind about the LGBTQ+ community. 

MLB Pitcher Injuries

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It’s early May, The MLB season is just getting started, the World Series is still months away. Yet already in 2024 there have been enough pitcher injuries to make you think it would be late August. Spencer Strider, the ace of the Atlanta Braves, is out for the year, reigning Cy Young award winner Sandy Alcantara is out for the year, Shane Beiber is out for the year, and Gerrit Cole got hurt early in his spring training starts. All of these pitchers are out for one all too familiar reason that has been taking over the MLB in the last few years, injuries to the elbow or shoulder. Over the last few years, there have been more and more headlines about career-altering injuries to pitchers to the point that it has become a serious issue for Major League Baseball, one that needs to be addressed. 

While there are many different conclusions on why there is this spike in injuries, there is one common theme, the hunt for velocity. In 2002, Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics built a team based on analytics and baseball was forever changed, it became less of a game and more of a math problem. Players were turned into numbers and stats and  pitcher injuries could be one consequence of the analytical side of baseball. In a February interview, just a few months before he went down with a season-ending elbow injury, Spencer Strider addressed what MLB front offices are looking for, “front offices are paying for strikeouts and home runs”. Front offices are no longer looking for good pitchers or good fits for their team, they are looking at the numbers, who will get the most strikeouts, who throws the hardest, and who spins it the most”. In 2007 the average MLB pitcher velocity was 91.9 and it is now 94.2. Front offices are looking at the analytics, and the analytics say to find the hardest throwing guys.. However, analytics do not take into account just how well a player will hold up. In a recent thread on X, Oakland A’s pitcher Alex Wood talked about the rise in pitcher injuries, “When I first came into professional baseball in 2012 as soon as the season ended I usually wouldn’t touch a baseball until December…. If you told a young player today that they had to take 8-10 weeks off throwing in the offseason and couldn’t touch a mound until at least the middle of January they would think you’re crazy.” Wood makes a good point here, not only has velocity increased since 2012 but competition within the game as well. Pitchers have gotten so good that essentially if you take time off then you could be risking your job. Justin Verlander went as far as calling the pitcher injuries a “pandemic” in one of his early-year interviews. It is very clear that Major League Baseball has a problem, and the question is how do they fix it. 

If MLB pitcher injuries continue to rise then there are a number of things that can happen, the first is the product on the field gets worse. People pay to watch the best of the best duel it out and if the best pitchers are sidelined due to injury such as Spencer Strider and Shohei Ohtani then it hurts the product and MLB as a whole. It also could affect the pitching market as a whole. Currently, in the NFL, running backs are being severely underpaid and are being signed to very short contracts because of how common injuries are. If injuries continue in the MLB something like this could happen to the market for pitchers and pitchers will not be paid what they are worth. While the solution might not be known, it is clear the MLB is facing a pandemic and one they need to fix for the health of their players for the good of the game.

Spring Sports Special

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Photo contributed by Myers Park Softball

As the flowers bloom and the sun shines longer and brighter, spring sports come into the light and shine through the school year. Myers Park is known for our sports team, most notably our basketball team, but this season is for spring sports. Spring sports at the park offer an array of different events that are for everyone. From traditional favorites like baseball and track to sports like girl’s flag football, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! As winter comes to a close and the weather starts to get warmer, more athletes emerge to prepare themselves for the next exciting season ahead and that season is spring sports season. At the crack of a bat, our baseball and softball teams take off to a good start of the season.

Well, let’s take a look at the track, where Senior Ryann Smith takes over the track and dominates her events in every meet. I spoke with her to ask about her excitement and motivation for the spring season. I asked her “ Why did she choose track?”  “I chose track because I’ve always loved running and felt pretty fast. I knew it wasn’t an easy sport but I felt like it was something I could do well in. Maybe even go to college for it.”-Smith.  I followed up the question with “What motivates her to strive on the track and succeed?” “Family and my teammates is what motivates me to strive on the track and succeed. I want to be able to say that my family is proud of me not only for my academic achievements, but also for my ability to balance athletics as well. I would also love to be that person that my teammates can look up to and remember how hard to work once I graduate.”-Smith. Finally, I asked about her opinion on spring sports at the park and how it affects her as an athlete. “Honestly I love all things spring. I think it’s a great time to play any sport. For me, I feel happier and more energized in during the time of spring sports. Like it’s literally just a whole new atmosphere that I would hope most athletes, including myself, can thrive in.”-Smith. Let us take a sprint from the track and onto the field, where senior Chassidy Long will take over the field as she prepares to take on the flag football season on our most recently added girl’s flag football team. I spoke with her about this upcoming season, what motivates her, and how she feels about spring sports at the Park. I started off the interview with asking about her thoughts on the spring season of flag football: “As a senior, this season is a little nostalgic for me because this is my second year participating and I’m really enjoying the bonding and new experiences but a little sad I’m going to be leaving my teammates behind.”-Long After this I asked her why she chose flag football? 

“I chose women’s flag football because it piqued my interest as a male sport, but specifically for women, and I wanted to try something new to jump out of my comfort zone.” I followed up with asking her about what motivates her,  what keeps her going and striving on the field, “Knowing that I have a whole team and supportive coaches that have my back on and off the field motivates me.” Long.  Track, flag football, baseball, and softball are not the only spring sports this season; at the park, we also have golf, girls’ and boys’ lacrosse, soccer, and tennis. Sports and opportunities for students to strive and break through traditional sports like baseball and soccer and persevere through sports like flag football and golf. There is something for everyone here at the park!

Winter Sports Recap

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Photo contributed by Dimitri Katsanos

After an impressive fall sports season, the Mustangs backed it up with a jaw-dropping winter season. Multiple sports made the State playoffs, led by the Women’s swim team, who won the state championship, and the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams who both made it to the 4th round of the State Playoffs. Additionally, Mary Bonner Dalton helped lead the women’s track and field team to a 10th-place finish at States.

The Myers Park Seastangs Swim and Dive team had an excellent season under first-year head coach Ben Sharrer. The win by the Women’s team was the third consecutive State Title for the program. The Men’s swim team also had a solid, 6th-place finish. The Dive team also had an outstanding performance led by Sophomore Nate Robinson who won 4th place overall. Seastang Kayman Neal also received the NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award at States.

The Men’s Basketball team had a dominant season and was nationally ranked, being as high as the number 3 team in the country. They lost to North Meck in the 4th round of the State playoffs, but went undefeated in conference play and won the conference tournament, finishing the season with a 27-3 record and were the highest seed in the 4A West. The team won their first-ever John Wall Holiday Invitational Championship and won both of their games at the City of Jasper Holiday Classic. Also, the players were not short of individual accolades, with Seniors Sir Mohammed and Bishop Boswell, accumulating over 1000 points. Junior Sadiq White also accomplished the feat this season, achieving it in just 3 years. White’s dominant play also earned him the honors of SoMeck Conference Player of the Year. He made 1st team all district along with Mohammed and Boswell, who both received the honor for the second year in a row.

The Women’s Basketball team had an equally impressive season, also going 27-3, earning the 4th seed in the 4A West division of the Conference. The team made it to the 4th round of the playoffs before losing to Watauga, who was the number one seed. The team went undefeated in conference play during the regular season and made it to the championship game of the conference tournament, narrowly losing 53-51 to Ardrey Kell. The team had many high-performing players, led by Senior Jerin Truesdale, who won her second consecutive SoMeck 4A Conference Player of the Year and received 2nd team all-district honors. She also scored her 1000th point and gathered her 500th rebound this year. On top of that, Freshman Amani Barner and Junior Chayla McDaniel were both selected for the SoMeck All-Conference team. Coach Barbra Nelson was named the SoMeck 4A Women’s Coach of the Year for the team’s outstanding season.

The Myers Park Indoor Track also had an excellent performance this year with Senior Mary Bonner Dalton leading the way. At States, she placed 1st in the 3200 Meter Race and 2nd in the 1600 Meter. In the Shot Put competition, Solomon Young finished 5th, and Mariama Hunt placed  6th in the Triple Jump. The women’s team had a standout performance, finishing 10th at the State Championship.

The impressive winter season will go a long way for the Mustangs as we compete for the Wells Fargo Cup in the 4A classification and for the Conference Cup. Both awards are given to the top overall performing school in their respective classification and conference. Points are earned based on the performance of each of the school’s eligible teams throughout the year. The top-ranked team in the State will receive a Silver Cup and Banner. The top team in each conference will receive a Silver Cup as well. After the winter season, the Mustangs are in. Congratulations to all of our athletes and coaching staff on a tremendous winter season.

The Future of High School Sports

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Photo contributed by NCHSAA

Spring sports are in the air, and so is the change coming to high school sports. In the next few years, we will see some of the changes coming to high school sports as they are significantly changed in the years to come. In the fall, our school will have a new conference rival, the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness deals (NIL), and shift the responsibility of the NCHSAA as it currently stands. In the future, we will see an expanded classification system with conference realignment in 2025-2026.

One of the most impactful changes will be the addition of a new conference opponent to our sports teams’ schedules as Ballantyne Ridge High School opens its doors in the fall. The athletic teams will be known as the Ballantyne Ridge Wolves, wearing orange, gray, and Carolina blue. Ballantyne joined the conference two years after Palisades, another relief high school, opened its doors. The Wolves will be the 7th team in the conference and intend to offer all sponsored CMS sports with both JV and Varsity teams. The school’s athletics will be led by newly hired athletic director Jeff Smith and will be hiring coaches in the coming months.  

Another change is the adoption of the NIL policy for private school athletes. The main governing body of independent high schools, the NCISAA, approved NIL deals for private schools athletes in February. Under the rules established, schools can not use NIL to recruit students, and students are prohibited from doing deals that promote certain activities such as alcohol, gambling, and cannabis. The approved proposal was similar to that of the public school body, the NCHSAA, who attempted to introduce NIL to public schools last year but was shut down by legislators. The recent move by the NCISAA has raised fears that private schools will be able to lure public school students looking to receive NIL money, creating an increasing gap between public and private schools.

NIL was not the only thing impacted by the legislature, as politicians in Raleigh passed a bill that dramatically reshaped the authority of the NCHSAA. The bill handicaps the ability of the Association to raise money and provide scholarships and would give much authority to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt. The Association would have to work more closely with the Superintendent’s Office moving forward, with the full impacts not being for a couple of years. The most impactful implication is a potentially degraded championship experience, caused by the loss of corporate sponsorships. This could lead to games being moved from large venues to small school facilities which would create ticket crunches similar to last year’s regional game between Myers Park and North Mecklenburg.

While those impacts are still speculative, one of the most important changes is the expansion of the school classification system in North Carolina, moving from 1A-4A all the way to 8A, creating 4 additional classifications. The new classification would coincide with conference realignment in the 2025-2026 school year, and would provide room for growth for the NCHSAA as more schools are added. Hopefully this change will create a more even playing field between schools because schools would be placed according to average daily membership numbers, which correlates to school size. Some do fear that the new classification would disadvantage schools by taking away school performance as a factor in aligning the school, as was previously the case in the 1A-4A system.

Ultimately, high school sports will face many changes and challenges in the years to come. Regardless of these changes, one thing that will never change is how high school sports are such a significant part of the high school experience.  Our lives are forever touched by the experience of high school sports, whether we are athletes or spectators cheering on our teams.

MLB Baseball National League Preview

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Photo contributed by Creative Commons

Baseball is almost back, and MLB teams have begun playing in Florida and Arizona during the spring training period. Teams from the East Coast travel down to Florida, while teams from the West Coast travel to Arizona. Teams are figuring out how to use and manage players for the upcoming season, testing rookies, veterans, and new pieces who can make an impact. The National League hosts half of the MLB teams split between three divisions, and the 15 teams will compete during the 162-game season in order to make it to the World Series. 

The competitive nature of the National League East will be an exciting battle and the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, and Washington Nationals are the beasts of the East. The best record of the 2023 MLB season was 104-58, held by the Atlanta Braves, whose explosive home run-hitting offense led the league in hits, home runs, and runs scored. The Philadelphia Phillies have had the Braves number the past two years. Sending the Braves home early in the playoffs, stumping their historical regular season the past two years. The Braves-Phillies rivalry is one of the best in baseball; stars Ronald Acuna Jr. and Bryce Harper will face off once again in the upcoming season. The Mets are pursuing a better season after a disastrous season. Down south, The Miami Marlins look to return to the playoffs, and all-star ace Sandy Alancantra has young award potential for the 2024 season.

The NL Central division with the Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Reds, and Cardinals is unpredictable. Each year there is a surprise, like last year the Chicago Cubs fell out of playoff contention during the last week of the regular season. The Milwaukee Brewers look to lead the division again. Brewers lose the presence of their ace Corbin Burnes as he signed big money with the Baltimore Orioles in the MLB offseason. The Reds have promising shortstop Elly De La Cruz who shot out on the scene as a sweet-swinging rookie. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a young squad with great potential. The first pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, Paul Skenes, looks major league-ready. The Saint Louis Cardinals are in a rebuilding stage for next season. The five teams of the NL Central will battle for the full 162 games.

The NL West has been dominated by the Dodgers for a decade but a big surprise last season was the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks made it all the way to the World Series as a wild card. The Dodgers have loaded up on stars including Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The NL West is the Dodgers to take this upcoming season. Can the Diamondbacks make another Cinderella run? The San Francisco Giants have entered a rebuilding state, the Giants lack the quality pitching as they did back in the early 2010s. The early 2010s pitching led the Giants to three World Series victories. Down the road, the San Diego Padres are a star-studded team. Players Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Fernando Tatis Junior look to hit the ball hard next season. NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell is returning another year for the Padres to be their ace.

From east coast to west coast the national league is loaded with talent. Ball Clubs are looking to make big leaps. The 162-game regular season is a long hard grind for teams, Up-and-comers, injuries, surprises, and crazy things can happen. Every game will count as teams chase the top of the division for the whole season. While Spring Training ends the road to the World Series starts.

Keep Pounding High School Kickoff

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The 2024 high school football season will be kicked off in fashion. The Carolina Panthers are hosting a two-game Friday night event for the second straight year at Bank of America Stadium.  The Myers Park Mustangs, Independence Patriots, Weddington Warriors, and the Providence Day Chargers will all have the opportunity to duel underneath the brightest lights in town at the Keep Pounding classic on August 22 2024.. Tickets are already available for fans to purchase as the clock ticks down till the official kickoff for high school football.

At the Keep Pounding Classic press conference that took place on Feb 13, 2024 players, coaches, and former alumni came together to celebrate the exciting return of high school football. NFL athletes Thomas Davis Senior, Captain Muunerlyn, Ikem Ekonwu, and Hakeem Nicks were in attendance supporting their respective schools. Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekonwu, a tackle for the Panthers, played his high school ball at Providence Day. Super Bowl champ Hakeem Nicks got his start playing at Independence. Captain Munnerlyn, a former standout defensive back for the Panthers, currently works as the defensive backs coach for Myers Park. Lastly, Panthers legend Thomas Davis Senior is a Weddington supporter as his son is a sophomore phenom for the Warriors. These icons of the game were selected as honorary captains for the games in August.   Panthers Director of Community Relations Riley Fields stated, “Anticipation will be high for this year’s Keep Pounding High School Classic, and we are excited about the new double-header format.”Fields is expecting a “memorable experience for the high school football community”. Mecklenburg County Athletes have dreamt to play under the same lights as NFL stars such as Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, and Christian McCaffrey, and now this dream is going to be a reality. Between the four teams, the talent is deep, and each school is loaded with stars at every position. 

The four o’clock undercard game is the Myers Park Mustangs versus the Independence Patriots. Seven-time state champions, the “Big I” Independence Patriots are led by head coach DJ McFadden. His offensive expertise was once at Myers Park, where he called the plays for future first-round draft pick Drake Maye. Now his powerhouse offense is led by rising senior quarterback Justin Little and sophomore All-American running back Jayden Jones, a combo that makes the offense a threat. The Patriots made a deep playoff run, losing to the state-champion Weddington Warriors. Independence is a physical, strong, well-coached team looking for another deep playoff run in 2024. The Myers Park Mustangs offense returns with their most dangerous weapons. Rising Junior Brody Keefe is due for another monstrous season, and last season, the wide receiver caught a dozen touchdown passes and for over 600 yards. Rising senior running back RJ Alexander will lead the ground game for the Mustangs. Second-year head coach Chris James looks to lead the team to another conference championship and another playoff appearance.

The primetime matchup at 7:30 between the Weddington Warriors and Providence Day Chargers could be dubbed “game of the year,” as both of these teams are coming off state championship seasons in 2023. The Chargers have won the last three NCISAA titles, and the Warriors had a historic season en route to a state championship. David Sanders is the most highly touted prospect in North Carolina,  as he is ranked as the second-best player in the nation according to 24/7 Sports. Sanders plays offensive tackle and defensive end for the Chargers. Other Chargers include rising senior running back Ian Cline and defensive back Cairo Skanes. The Weddington Warriors rising junior trio, Thomas Davis Junior, Aiden Harris, and Drew Harris, terrorize opposing offenses. Questions remain on who will be the starting quarterback for the Warriors next season. Weddington has been a powerhouse for a decade, and Head Coach Andy Capone is a strong leader with an intelligent sense for the game of football. The primetime matchup will have everyone watching in August.

The Spice of The Carolinas

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Its hard to think of the Carolina Panthers without thinking of Julius Peppers, the defensive lineman made a mark on the football field and on all fans’ hearts over his time with Carolina’s NFL team. From his days as the second overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft to his recent induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Peppers’ journey showcases his skill and dedication to the sport. The UNC Chapel Hill graduate and North Carolina native entered the NFL with high expectations to live up to, and he didn’t disappoint. He was drafted by the Panthers in 2002, instantly making an impact on the team and earning him the Defensive Rookie of the Year. His agility and speed made him a tough opponent for any team and set him up for a successful future in the league.

Even before beginning his 17-year NFL career, Peppers was a vital player for the Tarheels and made such an impact that his jersey number, 49, was retired. Following suit, he became a significant part of the Panthers’ defense. He played a significant role in the team’s journey to Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004. Even now, Peppers still holds the record of 97 sacks which is the most in Panther history. Despite standing out on the stats sheet, he showed leadership while serving as captain for the Panthers. Throughout his career Peppers always showed dedication to the teams he played for on the field, but also for the communities around the cities he played for.. On the field Peppers only missed two games due to an injury throughout his entire career, and off the field he earned the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2011 for his community service. From The Observer’s interview with former Panthers teammate of Peppers, Mike Rucker said, “He did so much in the community, but he didn’t hold press conferences to let everybody know he was doing that; he’s also a funny guy. He laughs probably 90% of the day. Believe it or not, he also reads a lot. Very smart. Very educated outside of the football world.”

Pepper’s journey with the Panthers included multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors, proving his skills throughout his years in the league. He left the Panthers and joined the Chicago Bears in 2010 and later the Green Bay Packers in 2014. Yet, he couldn’t stay away from home, and in 2017 Peppers returned to Carolina to play his last two seasons in the league. During these seasons, he was a valuable asset on the defense and became a mentor to younger players. 

After playing his final two seasons with the Panthers, he made the choice to retire in 2018. His retirement sparked the question of if he had earned himself a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This past year that question was answered. He was announced as one of seven players from the Class of 2024 of the Hall of Fame earlier this year. This selection will permanently place Peppers among the best football players of all time.

 His Hall of Fame induction ceremony was a monumental moment for Panther fans. North Carolinians watched him go from a young prospect committed to Chapel Hill to a Hall of Famer who inspires young athletes every day. He has made history by becoming the first member of the Hall of Fame to have played the majority of his career with the Carolina Panthers. Pepper’s story truly shows how great the power of dedication, leadership, and talent is when one wants to achieve their goals. He has left a legacy and an unerasable mark on the Panthers franchise, let alone the sport as a whole. This incredible honor is truly the only way to recognize Julius Peppers remarkable career in the NFL.

Drake Maye Draft Preview

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Photo Contributed by Drake Maye

Drake Maye has the chance to make history. The star quarterback of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, and before that, our very own Myers Park Mustangs, is one of the hottest NFL draft prospects this year. His incredible stats in both high school and college have proved him to be one of the most capable quarterbacks in the nation, and expectations are high as Maye prepares to take on the biggest stage in football. 

In high school at Myers Park, Drake Maye was a phenom, throwing for a combined 6713 yards and 86 touchdowns. Off the football field, he also played basketball, averaging a double-double in his junior year. His continued success led him to garner national attention from football powerhouses across the country, and he was named MaxPreps North Carolina football player of the year. Originally committing to SEC powerhouse Alabama, Maye ended up flipping his commitment to North Carolina, following older brothers Beau and Luke Maye, who both played basketball for the Tar Heels.

Redshirting his first year at UNC, Maye saw little of the field. He got his first action when starting quarterback Sam Howell was injured and was not able to play against Wofford. Maye shared the responsibilities with Jacolby Criswell, the other backup quarterback. Maye completed seven-for-nine pass attempts, which led him to 89 yards and his first collegiate touchdown.

At the start of the 2022 season, Maye and Criswell battled for the starting spot leading up to the season opener against Florida A&M. After winning the starting spot, Maye wasted no time in making a name for himself as a Tar Heel. His 4,321 passing yards over the course of the season broke the school single season record for passing yards, and also threw an impressive 38 passing touchdowns. He ended the season in 10th place for the 2022 Heisman Trophy voting. He was named the ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year, and was First-team All-ACC. Heading into his final season at UNC, Maye was named Preseason ACC Player of the Year. Throughout the 2023 season, Maye yet again excelled, finishing with 3,608 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions on his way to being named to the Second-team All-ACC. 

Following the season, Maye elected to sit out the 2023 Duke’s Mayo Bowl and declare for the 2024 NFL Draft. Now, he is projected to be a top-10 pick and is one of the strongest quarterbacks this year. The first three teams in the draft – the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, and the Washington Commanders – are all possibly in the market for a QB. Experts around the league have added to the hype surrounding him, citing his athletic ability and arm strength. 

Maye opted to not work out at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, but still made an impression on teams with his authentic self, where he talked about his experiences growing up with two older brothers and his journey to the NFL so far. “The biggest thing with three older brothers, they were always ahead of the curve. I had to catch up and put in the extra work to get toward them. I’m one of those personalities that once I find something that I need to improve on, I’m harping on it until I see the results that end up coming true and feeling like that work’s paid off. I’ve got that personality where if I find out I need to improve in an area, I’m going to grind that area and just be honest with myself. That’s the biggest thing,” Maye said in an interview. 

Once the NFL Draft arrives, Drake Maye will be in a situation to thrive in the NFL. With the potential to become just the fourth NFL player to graduate from Myers Park, and the first since Omar Gaither. Gaither was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006. There are high expectations for the Carolina-bred quarterback.

Do it Like Duwe

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Photo contributed by UNC Athletics

Meet Duwe Farris, a Myers Park alum and current member of the UNC-Chapel Hill men’s basketball team. After graduating from Myers Park in 2019, Farris took his talents to the next level at UNC, following suit of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In his first year, he tried out for the JV men’s team as a regular student and played for the lower team in his first year. Then, Farris walked onto the varsity team in his sophomore year playing for Coach Roy Williams and is now enjoying his last year at Carolina as a fifth-year senior. 

However, before Carolina Blue, Farris proudly wore Kelly Green in the Myers Park gym. He was the MP men’s varsity forward, beginning his sophomore year and playing through his senior year. At Myers Park, Farris took full advantage of his opportunities, such as taking 12 AP classes and being a student-athlete. “I loved Myers Park so much. It helped me grow in so many different ways, academically and athletically,” Farris reminisced. 

In Farris’s senior year, the team was a 12th seed in the state playoffs but had a spectacular run, defeating Porter Ridge, Northwest Guilford, and Davie. They made it to the Elite 8 before a close defeat against RJ Reynolds. “That was awesome,” Farris said, “and it was with Caleb McReed, who is one of my favorite teammates ever, and Drake Maye, just a lot of really good guys.”

Now at UNC, Farris is part of a stacked roster with stars like Armando Bacot, RJ Davis, and Cormac Ryan. Being on one of the top ten teams in the NCAA, pressure is sure to weigh on the players. Over the years, Farris has learned how to deal with it and prioritize his team, “I want to be the best I can be and help in any way I can.” From his first year onward, he has managed the nerves of competing against his teammates in practice and the time management that comes with spending an average of seven hours in practice daily. 

Carolina fans named Farris and two other teammates, Rob Landry and Creighton Lebo, the “Biscuit Boys,” rooted from the Chapel Hill Bojangles 2-for-1 sausage biscuit deal if the Tar Heels score over 100 points in a game. Although Farris, Lebo, and Landry may not be a part of the starting five, they contribute to Carolinian’s love for Bojangles when they are subbed in to score the fans their biscuits, and the crowd adores them for it.

If you’re watching any UNC game, chances are you’ve seen Farris bring his contagious energy to the court. He constantly excites the team and crowd, regardless of the score, opponent, or whether they are away or in the Dean Dome. “With walking on, I knew I wasn’t going to be the guy hitting the game-winning shot. So, I thought really hard about what I could bring to help the team, and I realized I could bring energy, positivity, and encouragement and just be a good teammate. That’s my goal, every day,” Farris explains, and he does just that. His liveliness is seen through his cheers on the side and being the first to fistbump his teammates during water breaks. 

During his time as a Tar Heel, Farris has had his fair share of memories to last a lifetime. In his second year playing for “the big team,” UNC made it to the Final Four after defeating Duke in Coach K’s last game at Cameron Indoor. “That year is just so iconic… That was such an amazing, amazing run. That month was probably the best month of my life. It was so crazy but so great because we were in the Final Four.” 

Farris has achieved his dreams, playing in Carolina Blue under the Dean Dome. Looking back on what got him there, he thanks Myers Park, “I don’t think I am where I am today without Myers Park. I really love everything about it.” When watching March Madness, Mustangs can be proud to see our very own Duwe Farris in number 34.