The Stentorian Newspaper

Author: Preston Mullins

  • The Streak is Broken at Historic Durham Athletic Park

    By Preston Mullins, Stentorian Staff Writer

    Durham Athletic Park, the former home of the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team and Bull Durham, the iconic film, now hosts a different tenant: the NCSSM Unicorns. In a ballpark steeped in winning history, a struggling high school baseball team sought to capture a bit of that magic for themselves. The players entered the 2025 season starving for a win; the Unis hadn’t tasted victory in three years. The team underwent a preseason of practice and preparation in hopes of finally breaking the streak that had haunted them for so long.

    The losses began to roll in as games began for NCSSM, but hope was not lost. The margins of defeat for the team were not what they had once been; the players realized they had the one thing they needed the most: a chance. When a matchup arrived at home against Triangle Math and Science Academy in early March, it initially felt like any other game. The Unis warmed up and took their usual positions on the field. Each and every player held a sliver of hope for the possibility of victory, but no one dared to get their hopes up. The streak had lasted for years, what would make them think it could be broken now? 

    That chilly night at the DAP was one that the NCSSM baseball team wouldn’t soon forget. Not only was the streak broken, but it was obliterated. The Unicorns routed the TMSA Tigers 18-2. This result came out of nowhere; one moment the streak was alive and well, and the next it was gone. NCSSM had piled up loss after loss for over 1000 days and just like that, the win column was no longer home to an enormous goose egg. The members of the team were unfamiliar with the sweet taste of victory; they would cherish it forever. The ghosts of the old ballpark came through for the Unis that night.

    The NCSSM baseball team had been the running joke of the school for ages, but following the win, the taunts and jeers quieted down, at least for a little while. The losses returned in the next few games, and a new streak began, but the team was able to pick another win later in the season, this time 6-4 on the road against Neuse Charter in late April. While the Unicorns were still far from a great baseball team, they had restored a bit of pride to their name, and the streak that had hung over their heads since 2022 was finally over. After all of the suffering the team had gone through in recent years, 2025 Uni baseball rode off into the sunset with a glimmer of hope for the future in hand.

  • March Madness 2025 Tips Off

    By Preston Mullins, Stentorian Staff Writer

    The 2024-25 Division I college basketball season is entering its thrilling conclusion and the tournament brackets for the men’s and women’s teams are set! There is a reason that many sports fans consider this to be the best time of the year. Not only are we treated to the most exciting tournament in sports, but viewers get extremely invested in the action as they fill out brackets with their predictions for how the games will play out. March always brings the madness and upsets are prevalent, particularly in the tournament’s early rounds. That’s what makes the whole competition so exciting. The action will continue through the rest of the month, packed full of excitement and memorable moments all the way until a champion is crowned in early April.

     Every year, millions of brackets are filled out in hopes of being the first one ever to be perfect and pick every game correctly. Each person knows in their heart that a perfect bracket is almost impossible, but the dream is reborn each year with every new tournament. In reality, the odds of picking all games correctly are 1 in 9.2 quintillion. That’s an uphill battle that will almost certainly never be won. Nevertheless, brackets continue to be filled, not only for the pursuit of perfection but also for the fun of competing against friends and family and envisioning all of the possible outcomes. 

    This year, the Men’s Final Four will take place in San Antonio, Texas, and the Women’s Final Four will be held in Tampa Bay, Florida. The top four overall seeds (one seeds) in the men’s tournament are Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston, while the top four in the women’s bracket are UCLA, South Carolina, Southern California, and Texas. Choosing one of these teams as the national champion is a safe choice for a bracket picker. Don’t count out some of the lower seeds though, there are lots of high-quality teams seeded lower in the bracket as well. 

    The tournament contains a diverse selection of teams with a wide range of unique goals. Some teams are ecstatic just to qualify for the tournament, others hope for a run to the Sweet 16 or Elite 8, and still more aspire to reach the Final Four and capture a National Championship. One thing that every team shares is their drive to compete and win in the tournament and that is what makes it so entertaining to watch.

    I have always been one of those previously mentioned sports fans for whom this is the best time of the year. Tournament season is very exciting and I have a lot of fun every year filling out my bracket and watching the madness unfold. Doing this with my friends and family over the years has created countless happy memories, and I hope that readers will have a similar experience this year and in the future. So what are you waiting for? Get out there, create your bracket, and enjoy the show!

  • Mixed Opinions of Super Bowl LIX

    Mixed Opinions of Super Bowl LIX

    The Philadelphia Eagles celebrate their victory with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

    By Preston Mullins, Stentorian Staff Writer

    Every year, there is great excitement leading up to the Super Bowl. Viewers around the world flock to their televisions to watch the game, halftime show, and unique commercials. This year, Super Bowl LIX drew mixed opinions from those who watched. The game itself was viewed by many as one of the worst in recent history, but Philadelphia Eagles fans certainly enjoyed watching their team beat up the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22. There was no suspense whatsoever as the Eagles had control of the game from start to finish. 

    Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance was much anticipated and viewers were divided on whether or not it was a success. For some, it was a terrible, boring performance and for others, it was the best halftime show they had seen recently. One thing is for sure though, it had plenty of controversy as Lamar performed his viral Drake diss track, “Not Like Us.” Finally, we arrive at the commercials. Super Bowl commercials have always been a fun part of the broadcast as viewers watch to see what kinds of iconic and wacky advertisements companies have created. This year, however, those who tuned in pointed out that the commercials were not nearly as eye-catching and unique as usual, with the exception of a few, specifically the Mountain Dew “Kiss from a Lime” commercial featuring Seal. 

    The only thing we can be sure about when it comes to the reception of Super Bowl LIX is that there is no clear consensus on the public opinion of the broadcast. Some aspects were subpar and others were on point, but no one can agree on the quality of most of them. When it comes down to it, that’s really what makes the Super Bowl special. People around the world come together to watch each year and no one ever truly knows what to expect!

  • The Senior Night Spectacle for Uni Basketball

    The Senior Night Spectacle for Uni Basketball

    Jay Peng ’26 takes the game-winning shot. (Louisa Weinard/The Stentorian)

    By Preston Mullins, Stentorian Staff Writer

    There was a little extra excitement in the air on the evening of February 3rd, 2025. It was Senior night and the Class of 2025 players, managers, and cheerleaders would be recognized pregame. 

    As soon as the Senior night festivities wrapped up, the players turned their attention to basketball. That evening, the boy’s team faced off against the Franklin Academy Patriots; the winner would be atop the Super Six Conference standings at the end of the night. The Unis weren’t exactly favorites; they had fallen 67-53 on the road to the Patriots less than two weeks earlier. Despite this, there was a hopeful vibe emanating from the crowd. The NCSSM boys basketball team was having one of the best seasons in their history; a win here would go a long way for their hopes of qualifying for the 2A State Playoffs. 

    The moment of the tip-off arrived and the two teams were off and running, trading baskets back and forth. NCSSM got hot right out of the gate, and the Unis held an 18-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. As the second quarter began, the Patriots settled in and began to shift the momentum back their way. 

    The home crowd that had been raucously cheering just minutes earlier had quieted down significantly by halftime with Franklin Academy snatching a slim 31-29 lead at the break. There was an air of uncertainty throughout the building. The third quarter got underway and the Unis silenced the away fans as they began to regain the momentum they had earlier in the game. They brought a whole new level of energy after halftime and retook the lead 48-46 by the end of the period. This matchup was clearly going to be a nail-biter to the finish and the nervousness of the fans and students was palpable by this point. 

    Franklin Academy would hold a 59-57 lead with under ten seconds to play, but the Unis had the ball. Guard Ethann Burkett ‘25 was fouled with 4.5 seconds to go, which meant he would head to the free throw line to take two shots to potentially tie the game. The pressure on his shoulders was enormous, but he would calmly sink both free throws to knot things up at 59. 

    On the ensuing Patriot inbounds pass, the unthinkable happened. Forward Jay Peng ‘26 stole the pass and took a mid-range jumper as the seconds ticked toward zero. 

    Swish. The buzzer sounded; the Unis had won! The fans and players from the bench stormed the court and crowded around Jay, cheering. 

    What a thrilling night for Uni basketball! I got a chance to speak with Peng, as well as Burkett and Harry Gribbin ‘26, a fan who was in attendance that night. 

    When asked about that final shot, Peng said, “I can’t say I’ve ever practiced that shot before but as it was leaving my hands I knew it was going in. I didn’t think about it, I just let it fly. When the game ended, the feeling was surreal. As the students rushed the court, I felt on top of the world. These are the moments you dream of; it felt like a dream come true.” 

    When explaining how he felt as he stepped up to the free throw line, Burkett said, “I knew that I couldn’t let the doubt and nervousness overcome me. I had to step up and be confident that I would hit those shots. I shot the first one and it felt just right so I knew as soon as I shot the second one that it was going in too.” 

    Finally, Gribbin described his experience as a fan by saying, “It was the most exciting last minute of basketball I’ve ever witnessed. When Jay Peng stole the ball and swished the most incredible buzzer-beater I’ve ever seen, the gym erupted in cheer and we stormed the court, celebrating with the team.” 

    Not only did this game deliver a thrilling finish, but it was also the perfect Senior Night result and a critical shot in the arm for the Unis, who were already having an extremely successful season. Nobody entering the building that night knew what was about to transpire, but it would certainly be a game that the students and fans would never forget. 

  • Top Teams in the Triangle

    Top Teams in the Triangle

    By Preston Mullins, Stentorian Staff Writer

    The Triangle region of North Carolina has plenty of exciting options for sports fans to indulge in. Whether you want to watch the tactical showdown of a soccer match or the fast-paced action of a basketball game, a wide variety of major sports are available. This comprehensive guide will detail all of the teams that a fan can see in the Triangle area.

    Carolina Hurricanes

    (ABC4)

    The Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL) are the only team in the Triangle from one of the “Big Four” North American sports leagues; the NHL, Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), and National Football League (NFL). The “Canes,” as fans call them, are consistently competitive at North America’s highest level of hockey, winning the Stanley Cup in the 2005-06 NHL season. Head over to the Lenovo Center in Raleigh for some exhilarating professional hockey!

    UNC Tar Heels, Duke Blue Devils, and NC State Wolfpack

    (WFMY News 2)

    The Triangle has the unique privilege of being home to three college sports powerhouses, offering fans in the region the opportunity to experience a multitude of National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I athletic events from field hockey to football. All three of these schools compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have plenty of national championships across all of the sports they field, so you are sure to see a high level of play when attending one of these events.

    North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage

    (The Tournament)

    North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage are the Triangle’s respective premier professional men’s and women’s soccer clubs. They compete in The United Soccer League (USL) Championship and the National Women’s Soccer League respectively. The clubs’ home stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park is the epicenter of Triangle soccer and a great place to catch a match. Fans can take a trip over to Cary to see goals galore scored by these two excellent clubs!

    Durham Bulls

    (Spectacular Magazine)

    The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team; the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They play at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, conveniently located in downtown Durham, and games there are always exciting–a great way to see upcoming Major League Talent play before they head up to the big leagues. The Durham Bulls bring the fun of professional baseball to the Triangle!

    Carolina Mudcats

    (Restoration News Media)

    The Carolina Mudcats are the other minor league baseball team in the Triangle, but they play three levels below the Bulls as the Milwaukee Brewers’ single-A affiliate. Mudcats games are another great professional baseball option; lower-level minor league games showcase raw talent unlike the developed players of the higher levels who are on the cusp of reaching the major leagues. The Mudcats currently play at Five County Stadium in Zebulon but will be moving to Wilson in 2026.

    The large selection of sporting events in the Triangle means that there is always something new to explore at just about any time of the year. With baseball and soccer in the spring and summer, football in the fall, basketball and hockey in the winter, and more, there is never a dull moment when it comes to Triangle sports. No matter what sport you choose, you’ll surely have a great time.