Editor’s note: The Times-News will be featuring area student-athletes, one male and one female each time, for their work on the playing field, the classroom and their communities.
Carson Story
Carson Story is a 16-year-old junior at Southeast Alamance High School, where she is captain of the swim team, a member of the varsity soccer team and owns a 4.5 GPA. She also regularly volunteers her time in school and in the community.
Story’s swim coach at SEAHS, Liz Dutton, said she is impressed with how Story balances her dual-enrollment classes, school work, sports and her volunteer work.
“Everything she does, she gives 110%. As a junior, her teammates voted her as captain. It’s almost like having an assistant coach. She’s a great communicator,” Dutton said.
Soccer is her favorite sport.
“I really like leading the team down the field and connecting passes upfield. It truly is a team sport, and we all see improvement together. That’s a great feeling,” Story said.
Story is the junior class vice president, a member of the A.S.P.I.R.E Leadership Team, a member of the Dream Team, a member of the National Honor Society and is a volunteer with UNC Hospital.
At UNC, Story helps in nursing units, putting together welcome baskets and taking food orders, among other duties.
“We are extra hands to help the doctors and nurses. I enjoy helping people and making new friends,” Story said.
She said that her family and coaches have instilled confidence in her, noting that when she was younger, she wanted to quit soccer.
“My dad pushed me to stick with it, and now I have the chance to become captain and make an impact on our athletic program,” she said. “They tell me to be the best that I can be, and to be a leader. You only live once, and you have to make the best of it.”
In college she plans to study to be a labor delivery nurse or midwife.
Dutton said, “Carson is simply incredible. She’s one of a kind. She’s going to do amazing things. Whatever it is, will be incredible.”
Micah Woods
Micah Woods, 14, is a freshman at Graham High School, where he is leading the basketball team in points per game, has a 3.5 GPA and is member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Head basketball coach Qasim Frederick said that Woods has been a bright spot in a rough year for the team.
“It’s the first (season) after redistricting. We lost a lot of athletes to other schools, and now we have to play them. We’ve had to rely on him more than I’d planned, but he’s doing great,” Frederick said.
Frederick said that he would have preferred to allow Woods to come off the bench and play in spurts, allowing him to develop more.
“He’s starting, and he’s really carrying us,” Frederick said.
Woods is averaging 18.6 points per game.
Woods said he has been playing since the third grade.
“I was a shooting guard, but I’ve move to point guard. It’s been hard, but I’ve gotten in to it. Coach Q has constantly worked with me on my handles. They weren’t that great, but with his help, I’ve gotten so much better,” he said. “I’ve always watched basketball on TV with my mom. Mom and my uncle both played D-1 basketball. I am so grateful for my mom. She played for UNCG. She taught me how to play, and she’s there to call me out when I mess up, and she knows what she’s talking about.”
Science is his favorite subject.
“I enjoy it, and have always gotten good grades in it,” he said.
Woods said that he really likes his time with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, playing with and making friends.
“I love spending time in the gym, just trying to get better, and I’ve played AAU basketball since I was little. Playing with the Carolina Bulldogs is great. We get to play ball, meet new people and see new places,” he said.
Woods said that he hopes to play college ball and make it to the NBA. He also wants to become an entrepreneur buying, selling and trading shoes.
Frederick said that Woods is doing things the right way.
“Micah’s so far along as a freshman. He makes good grades, has a great personality and smile,” he said. “I’ve told our team to not worry about wins, just work hard and get better. Off the court, Micah is role model for future kids coming to Graham. He’s helping bring a culture back to Graham.”
