Sports Briefs: Week of Nov. 5

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Official NCHSAA practices this week

This Wednesday marked a big step for North Carolina high school athletics.

Starting Nov. 4, NCHSAA member schools can hold official practices and workouts for volleyball and cross country — a pivot from the preseason “skill sessions” they could hold during the summer and fall.

With games starting as early as Monday, Nov. 16, these practices/tryouts allow coaches a final look at their potential 2020 rosters. Notably, these practice/tryouts can also be mandatory for athletes. (Per NCHSAA rules, preseason workouts cannot be mandatory or serve as a prerequisite for making a team.)

Chatham Charter has paused all athletic activities through Nov. 12, but Chatham County’s four other high schools — Northwood, Jordan-Matthews, Chatham Central and Woods Charter — will go forward with volleyball and cross country practices/tryouts this week and into the next.

Harrington gets second career pick

Another Appalachian State football game, another Brendan Harrington interception.

The 2019 Northwood graduate picked off his second pass in five games as App State beat Louisiana Monroe, 31-13, on the road Saturday. The Mountaineers moved to 4-1 and 2-0 in Sun Belt play.

With App State leading 28-7 in the third quarter, ULM quarterback Jeremy Hunt dropped back and tried to fit a pass into a tight window on a crossing route. It bounced off a receiver’s hands, then two App defenders’ hands, and finally into Harrington’s — who made a diving effort to secure the ball.

The 6-foot-1 outside linebacker also had two tackles and a pass breakup in the win. On the season, Harrington has 21 tackles and five pass breakups to go along with his two interceptions (tied for the second most on the team). App State’s next game is at 3 p.m. Saturday at Texas State.

NCISAA crowns fall champions

The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association held championships last weekend for six fall sports: volleyball, cross country, men’s soccer, field hockey, women’s tennis and women’s golf.

Chatham County doesn’t have any high schools that compete in the NCISAA, but one nearby school performed well — Lee Christian School of Sanford won the 1A volleyball title in straight sets over Kerr-Vance Academy of Henderson and also swept the 1A men’s and women’s cross country team titles.

Grace Christian School, also in Sanford, advanced to the 1A men’s soccer championship Saturday but lost 7-0 to Greenfield School of Wilson. Notably, the NCISAA has now completed its fall sports season before the NCHSAA even permitted member schools to hold official practices/tryouts (Nov. 4).