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Ocracoke Dolphins end season with second round state tournament loss

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Landon Fuller (23) and Rahnier Lyons block a shot by Jaylen Bellamy (2). Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer

Ocracoke Observer staff report

Following a thrilling victory over Jones Senior High School two days earlier, the Ocracoke Dolphins met their match against the West Columbus Vikings.

The varsity boys Dolphins ended their basketball season and quest for the state 1A championship title Feb. 23 in a home game against the Vikings of Cerro Gordo, Columbus County.

This was the second round of the 1A Eastern Division state tournament. Although the Dolphins gave the Vikings a run for their money, they ultimately lost 62-49.

Once again, for the second time in two games, the team was led by a trio of scorers: Rahnier Lyons with 17 points, Landon Fuller, 12, and Finn Kattenburg, 11.

By comparison, in the first tournament game against the Trojans, Lyons scored 27 points followed by Kattenburg with 19 and Fuller with 18.

Unique Kelly led the Vikings in scoring with 24 points followed by Randell Durden with 14 and Jaylen Bellamy with 13.

Although competitive in the first two quarters, trailing 37-32 at halftime, the Vikings retained their lead and led for the rest of the game.

“Their speed and their athletic ability hurt us,” said Coach Frank Moore. “They got a lot of second-opportunity shots. We didn’t shoot particularly well. More power to them. They’re a good team.”

In the first round of the state tournament, the Dolphins beat the Jones Senior Trojans 74-70 in a packed gym of loud cheering fans at home on Feb. 21.

The Trojans had trouble containing Lyons, who consistently made low post bank shots. Clutch shooting by Fuller, Kattenberg and Lyons in the fourth quarter made the difference.

But on Feb. 23, the Dolphins couldn’t seem to get many open shots as the Vikings kept close tabs on them and stopped Lyons from making as many of the low post banks shots of the prior game.

“They just out-hustled us,” Lyons said after the game. “It was just an off night.”

“They were quick,” Gavin Elicker added.

The Dolphins ended the season with a first-place finish in the 1A Atlantic 5 Conference, and an overall season 14-10 and 10-3 at home.

The last time the Ocracoke varsity boys’ team was in the second round of the state championship was in 2018.

Last year, the Lady Dolphins made it to the second round of the state championship.

Finn Kattenburg defies gravity in the first game of the state 1A championship against the Jones Senior Trojans at home Feb. 21. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Davis Grant, guarded by Jaylen Bellamy (2) and Tristian Tibbs (11), takes a shot. Photo: P. Vankevich

Ocracoke Dolphins hold off Jones Senior, advance to the second round of state championship

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Dolphins defense in play. Photo P. Vankevich

By Peter Vankevich

The varsity boys Ocracoke Dolphins and the Jones Senior Trojans had never met, but those looking at the numbers on MaxPreps, an online service that tracks high school basketball throughout the country, believed the two teams were evenly matched.

They were, but the Dolphins prevailed 74-70 in a tough fought victory Tuesday night at home in “the Tank.”

This game was quite a turn around from their loss last week to the Bear Grass Charter Bears, 37-36, for the Atlantic 5 Conference championship at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills. In that game, they were shut out in the first quarter.

The Dolphins will enter the second round of the 1-A state tournament at another home game at 6 p.m. Thursday against West Columbus Vikings from Cerro Gordo, Columbus County.

The Vikings, 11-11 overall, beat Hobbton Wildcats, 58-48 in their first round. The game will be broadcast on WOVV, 90.1 FM, wovv.org or by using the Tune-I App.

 “Yeah, I’m so proud of those kids,” said Coach Frank Moore after the game.  “I know I’m not the easiest person to play for. They played their hearts out and that’s all you can ask. The other team was athletic, and we couldn’t run with them, but tonight we were the better team.”

Entering the game, the Trojans were 12-11 overall and 5-5 in their conference. Two of their nonconference victories were against Bear Grass Charter, which is the Atlantic 5 Conference team the Dolphins beat twice during the regular season, only to lose in the championship game.

Dolphins fans in the Tank cheer on a score. Photo: P. Vankevich

The Dolphins entered Tuesday’s game with an overall record of 14-9, a first-place conference finish and, importantly, a 9-1 home record.

Their high-scoring offence was led by center Rahnier Lyons with 27 points followed by Finn Kattenburg with 19 and Landon Fuller with 18. Maja Brown had the hot hand for the Trojans with 31 points. Gabe Butler scored 11 points in the third quarter that gave the Trojans the lead for a while. He finished with 13 points.

The Dolphins got off to a fast start leading 20-14 in the first quarter and 39-34 at halftime. For most of the game, the Dolphins held the lead, but the Trojans never gave up and captured a slim lead three times. They had trouble containing Lyons, who consistently made low post bank shots. Clutch shooting by Fuller, Kattenburg and Lyons in the fourth quarter made the difference.

Landon Fuller makes clutch foul shot at end. Photo: P. Vankevich

Tommy Hutcherson called the game with his trademark exuberance on WOVV, assisted by Raul Ibarra.

“Everyone played well, not just one or two,” he said. “I mean it was the continuity of the whole team. They [Trojans] had a great defense and we managed to beat their press. In the end they had to foul and the clutch free throw shots by Landon sealed the game.”

Tommy Hutcherson, left, calling the game with Raul Ibarra. Photo; P. Vankevich
Dolphins post game smiles. Photo: P. Vankevich

Ocracoke events Feb. 20 to 26

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Camellias bloom outside the Magic Bean on School Road. Photo: C. Leinbach

Monday, Feb. 20 President’s Day. Federal holiday

Tuesday, Feb. 21
The Ocracoke School boys’ varsity Dolphins, ranked #8 in the state for 1A basketball, will take on Jones Senior High School (Trenton) at home in the first round of state playoffs, Tuesday, Feb 21. Tip-off at 6 p.m. If they win, they will advance to the second round and another home game on Thursday, Feb. 23. 

Wednesday, Feb. 22
The Ocracoke Civic & Business Association will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. in the Ocracoke Community Center.

This is in deference to the community who, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, will attend the first round of the state high school basketball championships in which the Ocracoke School varsity boys’ basketball team are playing at home the day before.

At the OCBA’s meeting held Jan. 28 in the Deepwater Theater, the group decided to meet at 6 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month. Unforeseen was that the Feb. 21 (the third Tuesday of this month) date would conflict with Ocracoke School championship basketball.

Wednesday’s meeting will focus on the budget, member value and the public restroom project, which the OCBA is handling, at Island Inn Park.

At the Jan. 28 meeting, the contributors elected Stephanie O’Neal and Meredith Rollman to the board. Returning members on the board are Rob Orr, Bob Chestnut and Lynn Murphree. Bob

Chestnut was elected president, Rob Orr, vice-president, Stephanie O’Neal, secretary, and Lynn Murphree, treasurer.

The board voted to no longer rent a building in Community Square but will install brochure racks in the Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Exhibit, which is being renovating.

The board agreed to coordinate the following events this year: July 4 activities with fireworks on

July 2; Island-Wide Yard Sale (date in September and spring of 2024 TBD); Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree Oct. 27 & 28; the Holiday Market (Nov. 25) and the Island Celebration (holiday lights competition date TBD).

Friday, Feb. 24

  • The Ocracoke Township Tourism Development Authority will meet at 9 a.m. in the Community Center. Public viewing will be available via the Hyde County Facebook Live page.  Meeting topics are as follows: February 24, 2023, BOD Meeting Agenda
  • Draft November 18, 2022, BOD Meeting minutes
  • FY 2022/2023 OTTDA Occupancy Tax Collection Summary
  • FY 2022/2023 Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Collection Projection
  • FY 2022/2023 OTTDA Draft Budget
  • January 2023 Arrivalist Report
  • Ocracoke Safety Flyer
  • VisitOcracokeNC.com SEO Report –January 1-31, 2023
  • Executive Director Report – February 2023
  • Earned coverage for Ocracoke in the 2023 VisitNC Travel Guide

Beaufort Promise scholarships available for Hyde County students 

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The Beaufort County Community College along Route 264 just outside Washington, N.C. Photo by BCCC

WASHINGTON— Beaufort County Community College will continue its popular Beaufort Promise Scholarship Program for at least the next three academic years (2023-24 through 2025-26).  

Starting with fall semester enrollments, the college will cover tuition and fees for all students who reside in its service region, comprising Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties, who enroll in at least nine credits and maintain a 2.0 GPA or 50+ non-credit contact hours.  

To apply for Beaufort Promise, students must possess an unweighted GPA of 2.0 in their previous coursework—whether in high school, at BCCC, or at another college or university, and they must maintain a 2.0 GPA or its equivalent in BCCC courses to retain the scholarship. 

The Beaufort Promise Scholarship is a “last dollar” scholarship, which means it covers remaining tuition and fees after the college has applied all other forms of aid for which a student is eligible.  For example, if a student receives a Pell Grant and a Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) from the federal government but still owes a remainder on BCCC tuition and fees, Beaufort Promise will cover the remainder—as long as the student is from Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell or Washington counties. 

The Beaufort County Commission has allocated $1 million distributed across academic years 2022-23 through 2025-26 to pay for Beaufort Promise scholarships for students who reside in Beaufort County and who are United States citizens.  

The College Foundation will cover Beaufort Promise Scholarships for students from Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties as well as for students who are not U.S. citizens but can prove residency in the college’s four-county region. 

“Beaufort Promise is designed to reduce the financial obstacles to attending college thereby enabling the people of our region to obtain the skills necessary for obtaining a better job or attending a four-year university,” said BCCC President Dr. David Loope. “We’re so very pleased that we can continue offering this important scholarship.”    

Ocracoke beats Hatteras in first round, take on Bear Grass Charter for championship Thursday night

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Ocracoke Dolphins Danny Badillo (32) and Davis Grant (20) during the Feb. 14 game against Hatteras. Photo: P. Vankevich

By Peter Vankevich

Ocracoke boys’ varsity Dolphins held off the Cape Hatteras Hurricanes at home Tuesday winning 47-42 in the first of two rounds of the Atlantic 1-A Conference tournament.

The victory will take the Dolphins to the neutral site at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills, Dare County, today to battle Bear Grass Charter for the conference tournament championship. Bear Grass won their berth against the Dolphins after beating the Columbia Wildcats 66-45 at Columbia on Tuesday.

The game got off to a quick start with sophomore Gavin Elicker scoring the first seven points and the team led by 9-0 and never trailed, though the Hurricanes came close several times. He finished with 18. Rahnier Lyons, the Dolphins’ center, had 14 points. Dylan Waters was high scorer for the Hurricanes with 11 points.

Tommy Hutcherson and Raul Ibarra, WOVV broadcasters. Photo: P. Vankevich

“We played real well,” said coach Frank Moore. “I thought the first half we played exceptionally well. I thought third quarter was so-so. And the fourth quarter we made a few mistakes that kept them in the game. But other than that, I’m very pleased for our kids.”

The Dolphins are 7-1 in the conferences and 13-8 overall for the season. The Bears are 6-3 in the conference and 13-9 for the season.

Ocracoke won two match ups this season against the Bears, 44-33 at Bear Grass on Feb. 9 and at home 47-37 on Jan. 25.

For the girls varsity Atlantic conference championship, Cape Hatteras will take on Bear Grass, also today at First Flight High School. The Lady Hurricanes easily beat Mattamuskeet and the Lady Bears held off the Lady Wildcats to make it to the finals.

WOVV, Ocracoke’s community radio station, will broadcast both games, 90.1 FM on island and online, wovv.rocks and wovv.org.

The ladies tip-off will be 6 pm and the boys game at 7:30 pm. Doors at the First Flight gym open at 5:30 pm.

Tuesday’s game action between the Ocracoke Dolphins and Hatteras Hurricanes. Dolphin Finn Kattenberg with ball and Rehnier Lyons (50). Photo: C. Leinbach

N.C. Ferry Division seeks tradespeople

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Recruiting tradespeople will be the focus of the North Carolina Ferry System’s job event at the State Shipyard Feb. 16

MANNS HARBOR –It takes more than captains and deckhands to run the nation’s second-largest state-run ferry system.

On Feb.16, the North Carolina Ferry Division will recruit for those behind-the-scenes tradespeople, such as welders, pipefitters, electricians, at a career event at the State Shipyard in Manns Harbor.

The event will include tours of the shipyard at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., allowing participants to see employees working in various departments and to ask questions about training and job requirements.

Human Resources representatives will be on hand to guide potential employees through the application process, while Ferry Operations employees will also be available to answer questions about vessel crew positions.

“We are so pleased to be able to offer this event at the shipyard,” said Lori Sanderlin, human resources’ program coordinator for the N.C. Ferry Division. “Manns Harbor comprises a diverse and talented team that keeps the Ferry System running. Our goal is to share the types of work available to individuals with skills and abilities critical to our maritime workforce.”

Among the benefits of Ferry Division employment are:

  • Competitive salaries
  • Year-round, full-time permanent employment
  • Shift housing available at some locations
  • Health insurance
  • Recruitment bonuses
  • Retirement benefits
  • Paid vacation, holidays and sick leave

Because the shipyard is a secure facility, people interested in attending must pre-register by calling Lori Sanderlin at 252-463-7027 or by emailing lssanderlin@ncdot.gov.

Space is limited, and pre-registration is necessary to participate. Picture ID and confirmation email are required on the day of the event.

This is the second of four career events the Ferry Division has scheduled for February.

Future job fairs are scheduled at the NC Works Career Center in Morehead City Feb. 20 and at the Hatteras Community Center in Hatteras Village Feb. 28. 

Ocracoke events week of Feb. 13 to 19–updated

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Ocracoke School Boys Varsity team (white) is victorious over Hobgood Charter Raiders at home on Feb. 10. Next game is the first round of the tournament for the conference 1A championship also at home Feb. 14. Photo: P. Vankevich

Tuesday, Feb. 14
The first round of the Region 1 Conference 1-A tournament at home against the Hatteras Hurricanes, 5 p.m. The game will be broadcast by WOVV, 90.1 FM and online at wovv.org.

Wednesday Feb. 15
Roanoke Island Animal Clinic will be at the Ocracoke Community Center and will start seeing appointments at 10 am. To schedule an appointment call 252-473-3117.

Thursday, Feb. 16
The Hyde County Board of Education will conduct a 2023 Winter Retreat along with the Hyde County Board of Commissioners on starting at 8 a.m., in the Hyde County Government Center, Multi-Use Room, Swan Quarter. The morning agenda includes team building exercises. A Facebook Live video stream of the meeting will begin at 11 a.m. when action items will be considered. This stream will be available on the Hyde County Public Information Facebook page and also shared on the school system Facebook pages. The purpose of the meeting is outlined in this agenda: https://5il.co/1p9

Friday, Feb. 17
Ben Cahoon, architect for the new Ocracoke School will be the guest at 11:30 a.m. on “What’s Happening on Ocracoke” on Ocracoke’s community radio WOVV 90.1 FM.

Saturday, Feb. 18
Finley Woolston’s Joyful Band of Singers will be on the island for a free (donations encouraged) concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Ocracoke United Methodist Church. The concert will also be accompanied on the church’s brand new piano. The group will participate in the Sunday service.

Sunday, Feb. 19
Pancake Fundraiser at Jason’s, Take out only. 8 to 11 a.m. $10 for 3 pancakes, sausage and bacon. Proceeds benefit the 4th and 5th grade field trip.

Property appraisals for new construction begin today on Ocracoke

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The Hyde County Tax Office has hired Piner Appraisal to conduct property appraisals for all new construction and/or other alterations made to taxable real property in the county.

The appraisals for any new construction and other property alterations for the 2023 tax year will begin in Ocracoke today (Feb. 13).

Piner Appraisal officials will be in clearly marked vehicles and will wear apparel identifying them as property appraisers.

Any properties that have had construction work done since Hurricane Dorian will likely be visited to check on reconstruction progress or the completed work.

For questions or concerns about the appraisals or anyone conducting them, please contact the tax office at 252-926-4189.

New construction pickups for the mainland will begin once the work in Ocracoke is completed.

After that, appraisals for the 2024 county-wide revaluation will begin after Piner Appraisal completes all new pickups for the 2023 tax year.

The county will release more details on both as the start of both appraisal activities begin.

“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation throughout this process,” said Donnie Shumate, Hyde County public information officer in a press release. “Having accurate property values ensures that the county’s tax burden is distributed as fairly as possible.”

A Request for Proposals was issued in September for the 2024 county-wide property revaluation project and new construction pickups for the 2023 tax year.

After scoring three proposals, the project was awarded to Piner Appraisal at the Oct. 19 Board of Commissioners Special Meeting.

Ocracoke School Dolphin boys finish first place in conference

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Photo by P. Vankevich

By Peter Vankevich

Last night, in an away game, the Ocracoke School boys varsity Dolphins beat Bear Grass Charter Bears, 44-33, to secure first place (6-1) in Region 1 Conference 1-A.

The team will host the first round of the conference tournament at home Tuesday, Feb. 14, against the Hatteras Hurricanes, who last night defeated the Mattamuskeet Lakers 42-37 to secure fourth seed.

If the Dolphins beat Hatteras, they will play in the championship game on Thursday at the First Flight High School gym in Kill Devil Hills. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

The first-place finish secures a home first round state playoff game on Feb. 21. Opponent to be determined.

The Lady Dolphins ended their season with a loss to Bear Grass, 53-19, and did not make the conference tournament when they lost the coin flip for fourth place this morning.

Tonight (Feb. 10), the varsity teams complete the regular season with a nonconference games against the Hobgood Charter Raiders and will be the last chance to see the Lady Dolphins play.

After the games, the school will honor the senior players: Dirk Ely, Davis Grant, Max Elicker, Lilian Perez, Maggie Evans, Gisselle Perez and Marlene Perez Tellez.

Lady Dolphins tip-off at 4 pm, followed by the boys.

WOVV will broadcast the games.

Here’s how to listen: Locally on the dial at 90.1fm, and online at http://www.wovv.rocks or wovv.org. Also, the TuneIn App, radio.garden or simply ask Alexa or something similar to play WOVV on Ocracoke.

Photo: P. Vankevich

Heavy rain forecast for Sunday morning–updated

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Updated Feb. 11

Saturday morning, the NC Ferry Division issued the following: Please be advised the weekend weather forecast calls for severe winds. These weather conditions may cause service interruptions. Please call 252-996-6000 for details.

The National Weather Service out of Newport/Morehead City said at 3 p.m. today (Feb. 11) that the coastal low pressure will begin tonight with light to moderate rain and the main impacts to the area will arrive Sunday morning in the form of heavy rain, localized flooding and an isolated severe threat.

The low will pull away Monday morning with gusty northwest winds subsiding through the day. All impacts from this system are expected to remain minor including the coastal flooding, and only minor (sub-advisory level) water rises are possible.

See graphic below for details.

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