Zack Nally

Darrin Cox, left, and Peter Wann, right, stand beside Big Trouble’s 517.1-pound marlin after sealing the tournament win on Saturday. (J.J. Smith photo)

The 2024-25 school year at Swansboro was a banner one – a state championship in swimming, the school’s first boys basketball regional finals appearance in 60 years, its first baseball conference title since 1978 and more.

A rendering shows one of five planned gateway signs welcoming visitors as they enter Carteret County and the Crystal Coast. (Contributed photo)

Even typing that feels strange. Outside, the sun is setting on a random Thursday night in June, and I’ve got 12 years to fit into 30 inches of copy.

Crowds gather “under the oak” at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center during a previous All-American Shrimp Fry on Harkers Island. (Contributed photo)

Swansboro High School’s football program isn’t measuring its summer progress by wins or losses – not yet. For head coach Rodney Beasley, success begins with connection.

MOREHEAD CITY — By Friday night, the red, white and blue-painted bucket was back where it started that morning – in the trophy case at 4700 Country Club Road.

Croatan’s Caleb Davis dislodges the ball from Swansboro’s Nolan Armstrong with a wicked hit in the 52-0 victory. (Marisa Cowley photo)

Croatan’s Riley Robinson comes up with one of his five catches in the 14-7 win over Havelock. Robinson had 59 yards receiving, including a 6-yard touchdown catch in the contest. (Marisa Cowley photo)

Croatan’s Zach Bentz opens up a hole for Andrew Boucher in the 30-28 loss to Northside-Jacksonville. Boucher carried the ball 23 times for 87 yards and three touchdowns, and was also the team’s leading receiver with seven catches for 75 yards. (Marisa Cowley photo)