Spring of 2024 has been the season of the Rockets. The baseball, softball, girls soccer and boys soccer teams from Rockingham Middle School have all advanced to their respective Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference tournament title bouts. The girls programs will get things started on Monday. Rockingham will host the softball and girls soccer championships at 4 p.m. at Rockingham Middle. The No. 1 Lady Rockets soccer team will host No. 2 Sandy Grove Middle while the No. 1 Rockingham softball team will play host to in-county rival No. 2 Hamlet Middle.
Rockingham softball seeks perfection with rivalry win
The Rockingham Middle School Lady Rockets softball team is on a mission to achieve perfection this season. With a flawless 10-0 record, they are determined to finish the season undefeated. However, standing in their way is their conference rival, the Hamlet Middle Lady Red Rams.
“Having the rivalry game as the championship game is my favorite moment of the season,” shared Rockingham Middle eighth-grader Sydney Barnes. “This is huge and rare. We are ready and excited for this game.”
“Having a championship game against my biggest rival is pretty exciting but also nerve racking,” said Rockingham’s Annabelle Millen. “Me and the team are so excited.”
“Any championship game has more intensity than a regular season game,” said Hamlet Middle pitcher Mackenzie Quick. “For this championship game to also be a rivalry game, it provides that much more incentive for us to want to win.”
“It’s kind of stressful (playing in a rivalry game) because both teams have very talented players,” said Hamlet’s Kaleigh Bowden. “It’s great to get this far in the season and to be able to play our rival.”
Throughout the season, Rockingham has established itself as a dominant force on the diamond. Outscoring their opponents by a staggering margin of 132-15, the Lady Rockets have left no doubt as to who the team to beat in the conference is. Their impressive run includes six mercy-rule victories. Many of these young athletes have been competing together for years, and that team familiarity has factored into Rockingham’s success.
“I think we’ve been successful this season because we’ve all grown up and played ball together for some time now,” explained Rockingham’s Marly Woolard. “We ended up getting to the point where we know how each person on the team plays so we have an effective flow going on. We play better together because we’re all like family.”
“We make sure to say a prayer before each game,” Woolard continued. “This means a lot to me because not only are we bonded through friendship, but also through Christ.”
Despite their remarkable performance, the Lady Rockets cannot afford to get comfortable. The Lady Red Rams are determined to play the role of spoiler in the conference title game. As the surprise team of the season, Hamlet Middle has shown steady improvement week after week. They pose a formidable challenge for Rockingham, eager to upset the odds and secure a memorable victory. One of the biggest areas of improvement for Hamlet has come at the plate.
“My biggest improvement has been my hitting,” shared Hamlet’s Lexi Smith. “I have worked really hard to have less strikeouts and more putting the bat on the ball. Coach Brewer and my travel ball coach, Sam Bowers, has really been working me hard to get more consistent at the plate.”
“My batting has improved,” said Hamlet’s Jenna Watson. “I took batting lessons at Extra Innings in West End with Trent McKay.”
Hamlet may be playing the underdog role, but the Lady Red Rams feel that they belong in the title game.
“The last couple of years our team hasn’t made it this far,” said Bowden. “This year since we have gotten this far, I’ve been able to see improvements in all of us. Just because you start in one place doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where you’re going to end up.”
“We haven’t given up and we try and work hard and keep our heads up,” said Hamlet’s Lizzie Lunceford. “No matter how far down or up we are in a game, we stay with the team and keep a pretty positive mindset.”
Pitching has been one of the highlights of the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference. Last season during Ellerbe Middle School’s historic title run, Ellerbe pitcher Carley McCormick tossed 119 strikeouts. This season, McCormick along with Rockingham’s Claire Clark, Hamlet’s Mackenzie Quick, Carver Middle’s Nora Teasley and Spring Hill Middle’s Haydynn Lowery all recorded impressive performances from the circle.
Clark, a seventh-grader, currently leads the way with 110 strikeouts in nine games this season, but has also found plenty of success at the plate.
“My biggest personal improvement is that I only struck out once this season,” shared Clark. “That’s because I practiced hitting in the cage consistently just about every day. I would like to thank all of my teachers, coaches, rec ball, school ball, travel ball, clinics, and private lessons for my success. I have put in countless hours on and off the field pushing me outside of my comfort zone and making me the athlete I am today.”
Clark deferred Rockingham’s defensive accomplishments to the fielding, catching and throwing talents of her teammates. “Having the girls backing me up defensively has helped our team be successful this year,” she explained.
Quick, Hamlet’s eighth-grade pitcher, has had her share of success from both the circle and at the plate. She had a five RBI performance to help the Lady Red Rams down Ellerbe and her bat helped to end a long drought against Carver Middle.
“Some of my favorite moments have been my over the fence home run and increasing my number of strikeouts per game,” said Quick. “I have been able to incorporate different pitches each time I walk into the circle and seeing those pitches be successful has definitely made me happy.”
“This season I have improved on the number of batters that I walk as well as worked on increasing my batting average and number of RBIs, Quick continued. “Regardless of how the championship game ends, I am extremely proud of our team and our success this season. We were able to get the Hamlet Lady Red Rams to the championship game which has not been done in a number of years.”
Both teams are hoping to make the game a memorable one. Whether it’s the end of an era or just the end of the season, the Lady Rockets and Lady Red Rams want to finish strong and enjoy the moment.
“I’m so proud of my team and how we have grown together,” shared Woolard. “This season was the best out of my middle school career. I’m going to miss the rising 8th graders.”
“I have had an amazing season with the best team and the best coaches,” said Barnes. I am so very sad it is coming to an end. Thank you Rockets for an amazing year together.”
“I just want to say thanks to everyone who has cheered us on this season, Coach Brewer for believing in us and my teammates for their hard work,” said Smith. “My hope for this championship game is that both teams have fun and to play our hearts out. Hopefully, we’ll all be at Richmond playing together. So good luck to the Rockets but even more luck to us Red Rams.”
“It’s very exciting (to be in the championship game) and it brings a lot more of a challenge to the game and has had us practicing even harder,” said Watson. “Shout out to coach Lauren Brewer for your awesome Pep talks and the motherly bond you have with us.”
The upcoming clash between Rockingham and Hamlet Middle is set to be a thrilling showdown. It marks the first post-season meeting between the two schools since 2019, a memorable encounter that saw #3 Rockingham emerge victorious with a 6-3 upset over #2 Hamlet.
The game is scheduled for Monday (5/6) at 4 p.m. at Rockingham Middle.
Lady Rockets soccer team eyes three-peat
The Rockingham Middle School girls soccer team is gearing up for yet another title match as they continue their dominance in the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference. With a perfect 9-0 record this season and a staggering 31 consecutive wins under their belt (dating back to 2021), the Lady Rockets are looking to secure their third straight conference title.
In their semi-final match against West Hoke Middle School, No. 1 Rockingham won with a commanding 4-0 victory. This win propelled them to the championship game, where they will face off against No. 2 Sandy Grove Middle (8-1), the only team to score against them this season.
With a goal differential of 48-1, it’s clear that Rockingham’s offense is firing on all cylinders, while their defense has proven to be nearly impenetrable. Led by head coach Asheley Turner, the Lady Rockets have shown time and time again why they are a force to be reckoned with on the soccer field.
As they prepare for the title match, the Rockingham girls soccer team is focused and determined to come out on top once again. Team unity and communication have been key to Rockingham’s success according to several Lady Rockets and that’s what they hope will carry them in the title match.
“I think the team was so successful this season because we work together,” shared Brooklyn Arnold. We communicate and we work hard. My favorite moments are when we celebrate together, when we work hard to get our goals and when we have fun together.”
Arnold, a sixth-grader, is participating in her first year of Lady Rockets soccer, so unlike some of her eighth-grade counterparts, she’s looking to help continue Rockingham’s success through the title game and beyond.
“I love my team and I’m so sad that our eighth-graders are leaving us this year but I hope we can win next year too,” Arnold continued. “I’m so glad I made the team this year.”
Seventh-grader Alley Crouch, also cites teamwork as the reason for Rockingham’s success. “We all work together and our passing the ball has gotten better,” said Crouch. “It feels real good to be going back to the championship. We’ve worked hard and this is the second year we’ve gone undefeated.”
Crouch leads the team in scoring, recording four hat tricks this season including her three goals against West Hoke in last week’s semi-final match. However, she hasn’t had to do it alone. Multiple players have scored this season including a five scorer match when Crouch along with teammates Kaylea Peele, Kendall Carter, Breanna Bullard, and Erin “Lil E” Drumwright all scored in Rockingham’s 6-0 victory over rival Hamlet Middle.
One of those outgoing eighth-graders Arnold mentioned is Drumwright. Drumwright, a multi-sport athlete, has become a fan favorite at Rockingham Middle for her fearlessness and effectiveness despite often being smaller than her competitors. Playing in her third season of Rockingham soccer, Drumwright is excited to be more of a scoring contributor this season.
“I’m excited and proud to be playing in my third middle school soccer championship match,” said Drumwright. “I have been working hard to improve my shooting accuracy. I am excited to have gotten the chance to score this year with penalty kicks and 2 ‘real goals’. The team has been successful because Coach Turner is a great leader. Also our speed this year is super helpful.”
The championship match is scheduled to take place on Monday (5/6) at 4 p.m. at Rockingham Middle School. With their impressive track record and unwavering determination, the Lady Rockets are poised to add another title to their already impressive collection. The stage is set for an exciting and competitive match, and all eyes will be on Rockingham as they aim for glory.
