It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic North Carolina Executive Mansion gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Raleigh, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time with our father. It all began with a fall, followed by an ER visit, and soon after, my sister and I found ourselves flying to NC to care for him and plan the next steps. Kathryn from Always Best Care was an absolute lifesaver! She guided us seamlessly through the process of finding the perfect independent senior living community for our father. Her extensive industry knowledge helped us navigate the additional health services he required with ease. Kathryn went above and beyond, consistently checking in and patiently responding to countless texts and emails from us. Thanks to her support, our father is now thriving in a supportive environment and is healthier than ever. We can’t imagine how we would have managed this journey without Kathryn’s expertise and compassion. Truly an incredible experience!”
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Pullen Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Capital Grille or visit Mordecai House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Raleigh, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Raleigh, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Raleigh, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- North Carolina's new DMV Commissioner says there are new plans to streamline the DMV, create a more efficient experience for customers and cut back on pesky wait times.On Thursday, Paul Tine -- who was appointed to lead the department by the Governor in May -- was a panel participant at the North Carolina Transportation Summit in Raleigh, where he spoke about new technology coming to the department and gave updates on wait times and staffing.Tine said the DMV's broader strategic vision is to create a mod...
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- North Carolina's new DMV Commissioner says there are new plans to streamline the DMV, create a more efficient experience for customers and cut back on pesky wait times.
On Thursday, Paul Tine -- who was appointed to lead the department by the Governor in May -- was a panel participant at the North Carolina Transportation Summit in Raleigh, where he spoke about new technology coming to the department and gave updates on wait times and staffing.
Tine said the DMV's broader strategic vision is to create a modern, more streamlined experience for customers.
"Our vision is to be like a bank," he said. "You show up, you might have a 15-minute wait. You have a 15-minute transaction, maybe a 10-minute transaction. You're on your way."
Tine's only been in his new position for four months, but said it's clear that North Carolina needs an upgraded experience.
"We've got several projects that we're working right now to make it easier for our customers, come in easier to engage with DMV and and do so in a much faster pace," Tine said.
That includes exploring ways to incorporate AI into DMV systems, new scanners and getting more accurate data on DMV wait times so the department can post that information more quickly.
It all centers around getting customers in and out the door faster -- and cutting back on head-pounding wait times.
"We got here in line at 6 a.m. and I got in at 7 a.m. At 11:15, I got called," said Julia Isrel, a customer at the Avent Ferry DMV location in Raleigh.
Isrel said she supports any change that would expedite the process, after making her second trip to the DMV in a week to try and get her license renewed.
"It's definitely gotten worse. I mean, I went last week to try and do it. My birthday's the last of the month that, I went to four different locations. They were all full," she said.
Kalyn Myers said she got to the Avent Ferry location to get her permit renewed around 5 am on Thursday, but there was already a line when she arrived.
"There's like 15 stations in there and only four people are working. So, you know, hiring more people to fill those stations could definitely help," Myers said.
In Thursday's panel, Tine addressed hiring challenges, saying the Governor gave them 30 days to fill positions, which has been a tall order. He said that vacancies are down and vowed to keep pushing.
"We already have some of those people that are out in the field and learning how to make transactions and help out those offices. If the legislature gives us a resource, we're going to maximize it and implement it immediately," he said.
Forbes just released its annual list of the top 500 colleges in the United States, and 11 of them are in North Carolina.The ranking considers 14 factors used to determine which institutions offer the best educational, financial and career outcomes for students.Forbes evaluated schools based on return on investment, average student debt levels and outcomes for graduates. Schools were rewarded if their students returned for a second year, graduated on time, landed high-paying jobs and left college with little studen...
Forbes just released its annual list of the top 500 colleges in the United States, and 11 of them are in North Carolina.
The ranking considers 14 factors used to determine which institutions offer the best educational, financial and career outcomes for students.
Forbes evaluated schools based on return on investment, average student debt levels and outcomes for graduates. Schools were rewarded if their students returned for a second year, graduated on time, landed high-paying jobs and left college with little student debt.
Two of the North Carolina universities on the list are in the top 50, and five are in the top 100. The 11 institutions are divided almost evenly between public and private schools, with six public and five private.
Here’s how North Carolina colleges and universities were ranked in Forbes’ list:
North Carolina schools have moved around in the Forbes list over the past three years.
Both Duke and UNC fell — the former from No. 9 and the latter from No. 28.
Wake Forest University, which was No. 50 in 2022 and the third-highest ranked North Carolina school, is now the fifth-highest ranked school. This year, it’s behind Davidson, which has risen 10 places in the ranking, and NC State, was ranked No. 70 in 2022.
Elon, UNC-Charlotte, Appalachian State, UNC-Wilmington and ECU kept the same order among North Carolina schools, but High Point is now on the top 500 list, and UNC-Greensboro is not listed.
Forbes has released other reports with local connections this year, including the best companies to work for in North Carolina and billionaires with local ties.
Have a question about your community you’d like answered? Or maybe a tip or story idea you’d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.
The N.C. Turnpike Authority is teaming up with Volvo and Mastercard to test a new system that allows people to pay highway tolls from their car’s infotainment system.Up to 100 Volvo owners will try out technology that essentially turns their cars into digital wallets. Mastercard says Mercedes-Benz drivers can already use a similar system to pay for fuel at more than 3,600 gas stations in Germany.But North Carolina is the first place the approach will be used to pay tolls, said J.J. Eden, the Turnpike Authority’s exe...
The N.C. Turnpike Authority is teaming up with Volvo and Mastercard to test a new system that allows people to pay highway tolls from their car’s infotainment system.
Up to 100 Volvo owners will try out technology that essentially turns their cars into digital wallets. Mastercard says Mercedes-Benz drivers can already use a similar system to pay for fuel at more than 3,600 gas stations in Germany.
But North Carolina is the first place the approach will be used to pay tolls, said J.J. Eden, the Turnpike Authority’s executive director. Drivers who use the system won’t need to keep a transponder in their car or pay by mail after receiving a bill.
“We’ve been talking about in-car payment for years,” Eden said. “Now is the time.”
The turnpike authority and the two companies announced the pilot program Thursday at the N.C. Transportation Summit, a two-day conference organized each year by the N.C. Department of Transportation.
The pilot is scheduled to begin late this year or early next, after participants have been enrolled. Their cars must have Google built-in, which is now standard on Volvos sold in the United States. They will need to download an app to their car, but no additional equipment is required.
Volvo created the app. The company built it on the Google android base used by several automakers, and Volvo plans to make it available to them, said Jim Nichols, head of product and technology at Volvo Car USA.
“We think it’s one of those things that, once it’s proven here, that in a few years it will be the standard that’s used throughout the country,” Nichols said.
The N.C. Turnpike Authority collects tolls as vehicles pass under gantries over the highway, by either deducting money from pre-paid transponders or reading the license plate and sending a bill in the mail. Drivers enrolled in the Mastercard program will automatically receive a charge on their credit card.
The card itself will be tokenized, which means it will be replaced by a randomized code tied to the car that can’t be used elsewhere. One reason the companies consider the North Carolina program a pilot or test is they want to ensure it all works as designed, said Chapin Flynn, a senior vice president with Mastercard.
“We really want to make sure that it ticks all the right boxes and that we’re securing everything across the entire transaction spectrum so people can trust that this is being done the right way,” Flynn said.
That said, like Volvo, Mastercard believes it won’t be long before people are paying for gas, food, car washes and other products and services from their dashboards.
“What’s happening with in-vehicle payments is the future of payments,” Flynn said. “We will see material leaps forward in this over the next two years.”
The turnpike authority operates three toll roads in North Carolina — the Triangle Expressway in Wake County, the Monroe Expressway in Union County and express lanes on Interstate 77 between Huntersville and uptown Charlotte.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is hosting a two-day summit at the Raleigh Convention Center.During the two-day summit, industry experts from across the country are expected to discuss the state's highway infrastructure, innovative ideas on funding, and lessons learned from past storms and the impacts those storms have on the state's transportation system.The topic is timely as Western North Carolina is getting closer to reflecting on the first year since Hurricane Helene. The sto...
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is hosting a two-day summit at the Raleigh Convention Center.
During the two-day summit, industry experts from across the country are expected to discuss the state's highway infrastructure, innovative ideas on funding, and lessons learned from past storms and the impacts those storms have on the state's transportation system.
The topic is timely as Western North Carolina is getting closer to reflecting on the first year since Hurricane Helene. The storm destroyed communities and washed out roads and interstates.
According to the NCDOT, Helene will cost the department about $5 billion in recovery for roads, bridges, and culverts. It will take about five years to fully recover
Governor Josh Stein, during the summit's opening ceremony, said the state has already done more than $1 billion of the work, and 97 percent of the roads that were impacted have reopened
"It is nevertheless astounding to think of the progress that we've made in this recovery in just under a year since Helene," said Stein.
"It's also important that as we have been rebuilding, we're doing so with resilience in mind. That way, if another storm hits, when another storm hits, Western North Carolina's roads and bridges can better withstand its impact," he continued.
During the first main breakout session on Wednesday at the summit, NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins provided a breakdown on the work that's been completed and the work that needs to be done.
NCDOT officials say Helene created approximately 9400 damage sites and over 1400 road closures. This included 41 separate interstate closures and 123 closures on U.S. routes. Today, the DOT is reporting 35 closures.
Hopkins shared more good news on the road to recovery. "We did receive permits necessary to help us reconstruct I-40, where it was damaged in the Pigeon River Gorge near the Tennessee state line. We can now construct a temporary bridge across the Pisgah River and a whole road to begin extracting rock from the Pisgah National Forest," Hopkins explained.
The Transportation Summit is also hosting a career fair where the DMV is looking to add more driver's license examiners to its workforce.
There's also a business development zone, connecting smaller businesses with larger firms to spark more economic growth.
The transportation summit continues on Thursday with the DMV commissioner as a highlighted speaker, where he plans to discuss ways to improve the customer experience.
The summit is expected to bring in more than 1,000 attendees and 70 vendors.
Friday Night Lights enthusiasm persists at Rolesville Stadium with the usual fan overflow standing along the rail. The line to the concessions was a dozen or so deep, but orderly.The draw, of course, is a Rolesville football program coming off its seventh straight postseason. A year ago, the Rams won the Northern 4A Conference, the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A East Region and finished as the 4A state runner-up.Although the Rams are off to an 0-2 start against two state-ranked opponents from Charlotte, they remain in...
Friday Night Lights enthusiasm persists at Rolesville Stadium with the usual fan overflow standing along the rail. The line to the concessions was a dozen or so deep, but orderly.
The draw, of course, is a Rolesville football program coming off its seventh straight postseason. A year ago, the Rams won the Northern 4A Conference, the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A East Region and finished as the 4A state runner-up.
Although the Rams are off to an 0-2 start against two state-ranked opponents from Charlotte, they remain in the state’s 8A Top 10 poll at No. 7.
Rolesville opened with a 36-21 loss at Mallard Creek, which is ranked No. 2 in 8A and No. 5 among all divisions. The home opener was 38-10 loss to Providence Day, the No. 1-ranked team among all state schools while competing in the NC Association of Independent Schools.
The record is a result of third-year head coach Ranier Rackley’s desire to schedule tough to challenge his talent.
“We’re not discouraged,” said Zavion Griffin-Haynes, a 4-star defensive end committed to North Carolina along with his brother, Jayden Griffin-Haynes, a 3-star linebacker.
“We might have come into the season with a little bit of a big head. We just have to keep working hard, practicing hard and listening to our coaches. We love playing a tough schedule We know tough teams now will challenge us later to be ready to make a playoff run.”
Rolesville faces a third-straight out-of-area, state-ranked opponent this week with a 7:30 p.m. game Friday at Rockingham Richmond Senior (1-1), the No. 7 team in 7A. Richmond’s top recruit is Terande Spencer (6-3, 235), a 3-star defensive end committed to East Carolina.
The fashionable Rolesville Stadium scene also is fueled by a steady stream of college recruits taking the field. The 2025 Rams reloaded with the Griffin-Haynes brothers among seven juniors and seniors drawing Division I scholarship offers.
In the Providence Day game, the Chargers featured their own seven Division I prospects among the juniors and seniors. Quarterback Zaid Law (6-3, 180) flipped to Syracuse on June 25 after originally committing to North Carolina.
The combined total of college prospects on the field was enough to make fans think they were transported to a high school hotbed state such as Florida, Georgia, Texas or California.
“North Carolina is becoming a state, in my mind, that is nationally underrated for the talent and the coaching in it,” second-year Duke coach Manny Diaz said Monday during his weekly media session.
Diaz cited an upward surge from the early 2000s when he spent six years as an N.C. State assistant under Chuck Amato. He was a graduate assistant (2000-01) and full-time assistant (2002-05).
“I think the high school coaches in the state do a phenomenal job and are building the type of programs that players really want to go to,” Diaz said. “Not that the coaches didn’t do a great job back then, too, but we’re in a different era.
“Twenty years ago, kids played at the school they lived next to. Now that’s not always the case. They have a transfer portal in high school, too. So that does allow for teams to really build a program.”
One way to gauge the number of out-of-state scouts traveling through the Triangle could be the TSA at Raleigh-Durham Airport. Not all the scouts visited Rolesville, but Haynes-Griffin drew offers from 37 schools spanning 22 states. The furthest two were UCLA in Los Angeles, 2,234 miles, and Washington in Seattle, 2,364.
North Carolina coach Bill Belichick demonstrated his intent to keep Griffin-Haynes home when Rolesville was the first school he visited in February on the initial day the NCAA permitted coaches on campus. Griffin-Haynes had originally committed to the Tar Heels under Mack Brown, but he decommitted after Brown was let go.
A third committed Rolesville senior recruit is 3-star wide receiver Gavin Waddell, who on April 3 announced he is bound for Louisville.
Four Rams junior recruits are 4-star running back Amir Brown (5-11, 200), 4-star wide receiver Anthony Roberts (6-2, 180), 4-star safety Marquis Bryant (5-11, 185) and 3-star Edge Jayden Brodie (6-2, 220).
Brown committed on August 3 to North Carolina, even though On3.com judged him a 92.3 percent prediction to pick Notre Dame.
The early offers for Roberts and Bryant include all three Triangle ACC schools and among the heavyweight recruiting schools are Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee and Miami. Roberts also counts Clemson and Bryant includes Georgia. Brodie’s list features N.C. State, North Carolina and Georgia Tech.
Is North Carolina — the state of iconic basketball players David Thompson (Shelby/N.C. State) and Michael Jordan (Wilmington/North Carolina) — becoming a football state?
Consider comparing the North State’s number of basketball players to football players ranked among the national top 100 prospects, according to on3.com:
Three basketball players are rated among the top 100 national, and the highest among them at No. 28 is small forward Cole Cloer of Hillsborough. He played locally at Orange High as a sophomore before his transfers as a junior to Caldwell Academy in Greensboro and as a senior this season to IMG in Bradenton, Florida. The other two top 100 hoop players are Nos. 48 and 92.
Football’s total of six top 100 players doubles basketball’s total and the six-pack has a significantly higher ranked top player, No. 11 quarterback Faizon Brandon of Greensboro Grimsley. The others are Nos. 13, 17, 54, 74 and 81.
Of the state’s six nationally ranked players, the highest in the Triangle at No. 54 is South Garner’s Ekene Ogoboko (6-6, 310). He’s committed to Georgia, joining his brother Nnamdi Ogoboko, a sophomore defensive tackle (6-4, 340).
Comparing top 100 player totals admittedly isn’t a thoroughly scientific method, but the rankings do say something about North Carolina’s growing gridiron talent base.
“Football is definitely on the rise,” Griffin-Haynes said. “We’re becoming a football state, too.”
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