Tyler Hansbrough, Dustin Ackley and Yael Averbuch, a national player and scholar-athlete of the year in women's soccer, are the recipients of the 2009 Patterson Medal, the most prestigious award presented to student-athletes at the University of North Carolina.

Hansbrough is most decorated and honored player in Carolina basketball history -- the only four-time first-team All-America and all- ACC selection in history. He led the Tar Heels to the 2009 NCAA. He led the Tar Heels to 124 wins, three consecutive ACC regular-season titles, three consecutive No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament and played in two Final Fours (2008, 2009) and a Final Eight (2007). "If you just look at the resume and take the names away, Tyler Hansbrough accomplished more at the University of North Carolina than any player ever," says Carolina head coach Roy Williams. "His legacy is unmatched really."

Ackley is the first-three All-America in UNC baseball history and a consensus first-team pick as a junior in 2009. He was Rivals.com's 2009 National Player of the Year, and he was the 2009 ACC Player of the Year and 2007 ACC Freshman of the Year, becoming just the fifth player in league history to earn both awards. Ackley played in 207 consecutive games, leading the Tar Heels to the College World Series in all three of his seasons.

"Dustin is without question the most talented player I have ever had the pleasure of coaching," says Carolina head coach Mike Fox.

Averbuch won four ACC titles and led the Tar Heels to NCAA crowns in 2006 and 2008. She was Soccer Buzz.com's National Player of the Year as a sophomore. She earned first-team All-America honors in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and set an NCAA record with 105 consecutive starts, appearing in the starting lineup in every game as a Tar Heel. Against Yale in 2006, Averbuch scored four seconds into the match to set the record for fastest goal in NCAA women's soccer history.

"Yael possessed a work ethic second to none," says Carolina head coach Anson Dorrance. "She was a relentless attacker and defender. Her leadership skills were exemplary ... with discipline, character and the drive to succeed academically as well as athletically."

The Patterson Medal is based primarily on career athletic accomplishment at the University of North Carolina. Sportsmanship and leadership are also considered. The award was first given in 1924 by Dr. Joseph Patterson in memory of his brother, John Durand Patterson. The Patterson family of Chapel Hill continues to present the award.

YMCA Basketball still open

Parents can still register their children for the local YMCA's winter basketball season, with age-group divisions that include Pre-Kindergarten, grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5 and 6-8. PreK and K-1 are coed divisions, while all other groups offer separate girls and boys divisions.

Play begins Jan. 9, with games on Saturdays. Practices and games are hosted at a variety of local gymnasiums at the YMCA and local schools. (Divisions are assigned to specific sites). All divisions offer fun-focused play and instruction.

Members and non-members alike can register in person at the YMCA at 980 MLK Jr. Blvd. or with an existing participant account through the online registration system (at www.chcymca.org.

For additional information, contact the YMCA at or (919) 442-9622.

OCPW teams doing well

The Orange County Pop Warner Tar Heels Peewee team built a 22-point first half lead and coasted to a 28 -13 victory over South Johnston last week at Cedar Ridge High School. With the win, the Tar Heels remain atop their division with a 6-0 record. The Orange County Tar Heels Mitey-Mites team fell 6-0 to Apex Green in a hard fought game at Cedar Ridge. With the loss, the Tar Heels fell to 5-2 overall. The young Tiny-Mites team for Orange County Pop Warner came up on the short end of a 21-0 score against Cary last Saturday morning at Cedar Ridge. Despite the loss, the Tiny-Mites continue to show improvement and stand at 2-3-1 on the year.

OCPW's next games are Saturday at A.L. Stanback Middle School. The Tiny-Mites play at 10 a.m. against Durham Silver, followed by the Mitey-Mites at 11 a.m. against Cleveland Teal of Johnston County and the Tar Heel PeeWees against Garner at 12:30 p.m..

For more information on Pop Warner, please visit their web site at www.orangecountypopwarner.com.

OHS wins 4 straight

Drevis Torain scored on runs of 28 and 4 yards last Friday night to lead Orange (5-2, 2-0 Carolina-Six) past Oxford Webb, 35-9. The Panthers will carry a four-game win streak into this Friday's game at Southern Vance (3-5, 0-2). Torain finished with 137 yards on 18 carries for OHS, which faces the league's co-leader, Cardinal Gibbons (7-1, 2-0) the following week.

Donovan McCulley caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from Fred Blanks to give Orange a 14-0 lead and OHS went up 21-7 by halftime on a 5-yard TD run by John Kenion. Torain's second TD and a 20-yard touchdown run by Lorenzo Evans highlighted the Panthers' second half.

Oxford Webb (3-5, 1-1) hosts Chapel Hill this Friday.

CHHS gets even

Chapel Hill s Russell Suitt scooped a fumble in the final minute Friday and returned it 55 yards for a TD to slam the door on a Northern Vance comeback in Henderson. CHHS (3-5 overall, 1-1 Carolina-Six) scored 21 unanswered points to overcome a 7-0 halftime lead by the Vikings (1-7, 0-2). Sparked by Carlos Hill's interception and return to midfield, the Tigers tied the game in the third quarter on a 6-yard run by Daniel Watson. He ended up with 177 yards on 17 carries. Chapel Hill went ahead 14-7 late in the third quarter on a 70-yard catch-and-run by Eddie Burgard from a Stephen Wistner pass. That accounted for the biggest chunk of Wistner's 93 yards on 4-for-7 passing.