They played their annual alumni vs. varsity matches on the Friday after Thanksgiving, drawing several current college players back to the high school field for the games that strengthen the bonds between all the teams, which for more than a decade have maintained a winning tradition at East.

Friday’s games also continued the tradition of the annual post-Thanksgiving get-together that has served as a memorial to Dr. Caroline Laundon, the mother of three sons who attended ECHHS and who was an avid supporter of the ECHHS baseball, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, cross-country and other sports teams. She also was a frequent guest lecturer in ECHHS biology classes.

Laundon passed away on Oct. 20, 2005. In her honor, her family and friends created the Caroline Laundon Memorial Fund at Triangle Community Foundation, which provides a scholarship to a graduating East Chapel Hill athlete.

Last week’s games put a nice post-script on a banner year for East Chapel Hill’s 2012 varsity.

This year’s Wildcats finished 17-2-2 overall and went 9-0-1 in conference matches to win the PAC-6 championship outright for the first time as a 4A team.

East closed its year with a 14-match unbeaten streak and reached the 4A state quarterfinals before a controversial 1-0 loss on a disputed own goal at NCHSAA champion Green Hope.

At season’s end, Victor Zhang’s name was added to the list of East Chapel Hill players who’ve earned all-state honors from the N.C. High School Soccer Coaches Association.

W.E. Warnock