Student Life

11/11 NC Warriors vs Harrison Hoyas

Vaughn Thomas, Reporter

November 11, 2025

Vaughn Thomas

Senior guard Ja’kobe Hardy (4) works through warm-up drills before tipoff as NC prepares for a tightly contested matchup with the Harrison Hoyas. From the opening minutes, the game unfolded as a fast-paced, back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to build separation early on. The Warriors set the tone with strong defense and energy, jumpstarting the intensity that carried the game. (Vaughn Thomas)

Sophomore forward Keyshawn Harris (12) finished shooting drills during pregame warmups as NC prepares for a difficult matchup. The Warriors focused on pace and energy from the jump. Early preparations and explosive warmups set the tone for a close game. (Vaughn Thomas)

Junior forward Jeremiah Valeris (30) finishes a layup during warmups while the team runs through final shooting and jumping drills before the game. The Warriors used the pregame minutes to settle into their rhythm and start the game fresh. That preparation carried into the game and created a closely contested matchup.
(Vaughn Thomas)

Coach Terry Gorsuch gathers the team during a timeout as momentum begins to shift in Harrison’s favor during the second half. While NC opened strong, Harrison found a methodic rhythm on both ends of the court, forcing Gorsuch to rethink his strategy. While remaining composed, he firmly emphasized the discipline and the structure needed for the Warriors to regain control of the game.
“Coach Gorsuch was making good coaching calls and was very calm. But as the game went on, he started to get frustrated with how the offense and defense were playing. He called a timeout and gave them the game plan calmly and confidently,” senior photographer Greg Buranich said. (Vaughn Thomas)

Senior Guard Jordan Simpson (24) rises for a block, shutting down a scoring chance for the Hoyas. Defensive stops such as these kept NC’s hope to win within reach and even created multiple lead changes. In the late second half, each possession and block became essential to a competitive match. In a game decided by the slightest margins, the intensity and hustle displayed by Simpson exemplify Warrior grit.
(Wyatt Toth)

The team surrounds Gorsuch during halftime as he discusses key playmaking adjustments after an intense opening half. He firmly explains areas where the team can improve and communicates specifically with players starting in the second half. The Warriors entered the latter part of the game focused on securing defense and creating further scoring chances.
(Vaughn Thomas)

Senior guard Cadin Jones (21) defends Hoya sophomore Caleb Robbins (2) during a tense fourth quarter. The Warriors continued to force turnovers, but they struggled with finishing, allowing Harrison to maintain an edge late in the game. Despite multiple possession changes, the Warriors failed to score enough points to close the gap.
“It was a very close game almost the whole way through, very back and forth. They started to pull away in the second half. Harrison uses a fouling strategy that doesn’t allow us to get a good shot close enough to the basket. At the end of the game came down to just one possession, and we ultimately lost 42-41,” junior guard Gavyn Cabble (11) said. (Vaughn Thomas)

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About the Contributors

Vaughn Thomas, Reporter

Beginning her first year on The Chant, magnet junior Vaughn Thomas looks forward to combining her passion for storytelling with her curiosity about the world. As a magnet student in the International Studies Program, Thomas enjoys exploring topics that connect history, culture, current events, and most importantly, social justice. Outside the classroom, she balances academics with a variety of interests—playing soccer, running cross country, pursuing sports photography, and working on creative art projects. Thomas’s love for learning and cultural exploration has taken her deep into research topics regarding social justice and equality. Thomas hopes her work with The Chant will not only sharpen her writing skills but also shed light on unique perspectives within the North Cobb community. Find her on Instagram @vfxbyvaughn.

Wyatt Toth, Media

Starting his first year on The Chant, Wyatt Toth, a junior at NC, joins the crew as a member of the Media Team. Toth hones his craft and is passionate about all things art. His latest escapade has been learning about music production over the summer. Outside of school, Toth enjoys watching chick flicks, finding niche music artists and eating carb-filled foods. He hopes that with a fresh mind on The Chant, he will be able to more accurately represent the student population while also having an outlet to channel his creativity.