Shelby Post 82-Cherryville Post 100 game notes

I'm going to try to do a better job of updating this shortly after any game that I cover with notes or anything worth mentioning that did not go in the story printed in the paper or online. Sometimes space does not allow us to mention everything we would like.

Friday's game
Cherryvlle 10, Shelby 6

Walks hurt ... sometimes: Cherryville's pitchers Chris Henderson and Steven Hoyle combined for five walks, three hit batters and two wild pitches on the night. Only one of those Shelby baserunners scored, while one scored on a wild pitch.

Shelby starter Andrew White walked the first batter he faced, Trey Blake, and hit the second batter, Payden Houser. Both scored in Post 100's five-run first. Eric Shuford walked two and hit one during his four innings, but none of those runners crossed the plate.

Leaving them stranded: There was plenty of offense in the game with the two teams combining for 16 runs and 24 hits, but there could have been more. Cherryville stranded 11 - at least one in every inning - and left four in scoring position.

Post 82 left 12 on the bags - at least one in each of the first seven innings - and left nine in scoring position.

All four pitchers and the defenses did a solid job of pitching with runners on base.

Great atmosphere: Last night was my first trip to Fraley Field and everything I had heard about it being a great venue for American Legion baseball proved to be true. The stands were packed - Post 100's biggest crowd of the season estimated at around 350 fans.

I eat my fair share of ballpark food and the hot dog at Fraley was the best I've had in a while. The cheeseburgers at Veterans Field and Keeter Stadium are a new favorite as well.

2007 Mock NBA Draft

Making a mock NBA draft is fun again.
It seemed like half of the first round selections over the last few years were recent high school graduates, and all you had was a grainy highlight reel to judge a player’s talent.
Now, the NBA’s new 19-year old age minimum gives NBA teams and fans a chance to see (for at least one year) potential draftees in big-time situations.
Seven of the top eight players in my mock draft were on teams that advanced to the Elite Eight or further last year, and I think the quality of the NBA game will gradually increase due to that experience.
Whether the benefits of the age minimum will put more people in the seats or in front of the TV remains to be seen.
Here’s a look at how I think the first round will go down on Thursday, but keep in mind there are some blockbuster trade rumors out there involving Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O’Neal and Paul Pierce that could throw some serious wrinkles in this draft.

1. Portland - Greg Oden (Ohio St., C, 7-7, 257): Taking Kevin Durant and his versatile game has to be tempting, but the Blazers can’t pass up the chance to get a franchise center.
2. Seattle - Kevin Durant (Texas, F, 6-10, 215): Should revive the Sonics’ franchise and be an All-Star for a very long time.
3. Atlanta - Al Horford (Florida, F/C, 6-10, 246): Will be a solid NBA rebounder and scorer in the post.
4. Memphis - Mike Conley (Ohio St., G, 6-1, 175): Can come in and start immediately at a crucial position.
5. Boston - Corey Brewer (Florida, F, 6-8, 185): Boston is a team with plenty ofneeds and Brewer can play several positions.
6. Milwaukee - Brandan Wright (North Carolina, F, 6-10, 200): Could be the piece the Bucks need to become a playoff team.
7. Minnesota - Jeff Green (Georgetown, F, 6-10, 228): Kevin Garnett probably won’t be with the Wolves much longer. Why not draft his replacement?
8. Charlotte - Joakim Noah (Florida, F/C, 7-0, 223): I still think the Bobcats will go after a free agent or two, and they may even move this pick. But if they stay, Noah gives them a proven winner that always plays hard.
9. Chicago - Yi Jianlian (China, F/C, 230): The Bulls would be thrilled if the big man slips this far.
10. Sacramento - Spencer Hawes (Washington, C, 7-1, 244): If he can stay healthy, will be a staple in the middle for a franchise in flux.
11. Atlanta - Acie Law (Texas A&M, G, 6-4, 186): The Hawks haven’t had a decent point guard since Mookie Blalock.
12. Philadelphia - Al Thornton (Florida State, F, 6-7, 221): ACC teams are glad to see this guy gone. The 76ers get an immediate starter.
13. New Orleans - Nick Young (USC, G, 6-6, 200): Best shooter in the draft to compliment point guard Chris Paul.
14. L.A. Clippers - Julian Wright (Kansas, F, 6-9, 220): Proves the depth of this draft if he’s the 14th pick.
15. Detroit - Javaris Crittenton (Georgia Tech, G, 6-5, 194)
16. Washington - Jason Smith (Colorado St., F/C, 7-0, 233)
17. New Jersey - Rodney Stuckey (E. Washington, G, 6-5, 207)
18. Golden State - Thaddeus Young (Georgia Tech, F, 6-8, 210): Probably a lottery pick if he stays with the Jackets one more year.
19. L.A. Lakers - Josh McRoberts (Duke, F/C, 6-10, 240): Might not be the piece that can keep Kobe in Tinseltown, but could contribute in the triangle offense.
20. Miami - Tiago Splitter (Brazil, F/C, 7-0, 245)
21. Philadelphia - Rudy Fernandez (Spain, G, 6-6, 172)
22. Charlotte - Alando Tucker (Wisconsin, G, 6-5, 210): Big 10 player of the year last year. Played in a great college system with Bo Ryan’s Badgers.
23. New York - Sean Williams (Boston College, F, 6-10, 230)
24. Phoenix - Nick Fazekas (Nevada, F/C, 6-11, 225): One of the sleepers in this draft.
25. Utah - Marco Belinelli (Italy, G, 6-5, 192)
26. Houston - Daequan Cook (Ohio St., G, 6-6, 203)
27. Detroit - Derrick Byars (Vanderbilt, G/F, 6-7, 215)
28. San Antonio - Jared Dudley, (Boston College, F, 6-7, 219)
29. Phoenix - Morris Almond (Rice, G, 6-6, 215)
30. Philadelphia - Arron Affalo (UCLA, G, 6-5, 215)

Because it's never TOO early ...

2007 High School Football Schedules

Burns High School
Aug. 9 Cherryville, A.C. Reynolds, Salisbury (scrimmage), 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 11 at Alexander Central (scrimmage), 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 17 Cleveland County Jamboree at Burns (scrimmage vs. Hunter Huss), 9 p.m.
Aug. 24 Crest, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 East Gaston, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Ashbrook, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 at South Point, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 Forestview, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Brevard, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 SHELBY, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 R-S CENTRAL, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at CHASE, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 EAST RUTHERFORD, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 at KINGS MOUNTAIN, 7:30 p.m.

Crest High School
Aug. 9 T.C. Roberson (scrimmage), 6 p.m.
Aug. 11 Border Showcase at Shelby High (scrimmage vs. Gaffney, S.C., 8 p.m.
Aug. 17 Cleveland County Jamboree at Burns (scrimmage vs. Hickory), 8 p.m.
Aug. 24 at Burns, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Freedom, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 Shelby, 7:30 p.m.
Sept 14 Kings Mountain, 7:30 p.m.
Sept 21 ASHBROOK, 7:30 p.m.
Sept 28 at FORESTVIEW, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 Charlotte Country Day, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 NORTH GASTON, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at HUNTER HUSS, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 EAST GASTON, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 at SOUTH POINT, 7:30 p.m.

Kings Mountain High School
Aug 17: Cleveland County Jamboree at Burns (scrimmage vs. Lexington), 7 p.m.
Aug 24 Hunter Huss, 7:30 p.m.
Aug 31 South Point, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Forestview, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Crest, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 open
Sept. 28 East Gaston, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 CHASE, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at SHELBY, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at EAST RUTHERFORD, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 R-S CENTRAL, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 BURNS, 7:30 p.m.

Shelby High School
Aug. 9 at South Point (scrimmage)
Aug. 11 Border Showcase at Shelby High (scrimmage vs. Union, S.C., 9 p.m.
Aug. 14 at A.C. Reynolds (scrimmage)
Aug. 17 Cleveland County Jamboree at Burns (scrimmage vs. East Gaston), 6 p.m.
Aug. 24 at Freedom, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 Ashbrook, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Crest, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 Lincolnton, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Brevard, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Watauga, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 at BURNS, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 KINGS MOUNTAIN, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at R-S CENTRAL, 7:3 p.m.
Oct. 26 CHASE, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 EAST RUTHERFORD, 7:30 p.m.

Cherryville High School
Aug 17 at Bunker Hill, 7:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Aug 24 R-S Central, 7:30 p.m.
Aug 31 open
Sep 7 at Chase, 7:30 p.m.
Sep 14 at Madison, 7:30 p.m.
Sep 21 WEST LINCOLN, 7:30 p.m.
Sep 28 Highland Tech, 7:30 p.m.
Oct 5 at EAST LINCOLN, 7:30 p.m.
Oct 12 SOUTH IREDELL, 7:30 p.m.
Oct 19 at NORTH LINCOLN, 7:30 p.m.
Oct 26 at LINCOLNTON, 7:30 p.m.
Nov 2 BESSEMER CITY, 7:30 p.m.

Conference games in ALL CAPS
First Friday of NCHSAA playoffs is Nov. 9

"Search the dial and electrify ..."

My recent trips to The Triangle to cover Shelby soccer and KM softball not only gave me a chance to see some very competitive high school sports, but I also got to flip up and down the radio "dial" and hear a lot of good tunes during the drives.
Given that I've lived in Shelby, Wilmington and Goldsboro and have driven quite a bit for work at all three locations, I've heard the best (and worst) this state has to offer in "terrestrial" radio. Around Burlington Sunday, I started thinking about my favorite stations across the state.

Some of my favs are now defunct or have changed formats dramatically, but here's my Top 10 modern list ... Note this doesn't include any sports or news talk (maybe another list for another day). Feel free to chime in with some of your favorites.

10. 103.7 WSOC, Charlotte - I'm not a huge fan of modern "pop country," but I do like the classics. From what I've heard, 103.7 mixes in Waylon, Willie and Johnny with their Chesney, Paisley and Evans.
9. 106.7 The Penguin, Wilmington - Similar, yet more modern, college radio/alternative format of the good 'ol Surf 107 during the 90's. Any station that plays Widespread Panic, Govt. Mule and the like is fine by me.
8. 93.3 The Planet,Greenville, S.C. - Cheating a little because the station is based out of The Palmetto State, but their 90's Throwback Weekends are tough to beat. Got my fill of Pearl Jam, STP and Pumpkins on the way home today.
7. 99.7 The Fox, Charlotte - Love 'em or hate 'em, being the home of John Boy and Billy gives you automatic clout. Has always been a staple for classic rock fans in the area.
6. 98.7 Simon, Greensboro - Seems to have an emphasis on 80's hits, but I also heard some Otis Redding and Stones when riding through The Triad today. Great variety.
5. 88.1, WKNC, Raleigh - N.C. State's college radio station and a wild card among the big dogs on this list. You name the genre, and I bet The Revolution has a time slot for it. Great hip hop on Saturday nights.
4. 102 Jamz, Greensboro - Speaking of hip hop, it doesn't get any better. Similar to Power 98 in Charlotte but with better DJs in my opinion. The 20 Minute Workout
Old School Mix weekdays at noon never disappoints.
3. 107.9, Greenville, NC - Pretty much what Magic 96.1 (man, I miss it) used to be around here. Motown, Elvis, beach music ... you can't beat it, especially this time of year.
2. 95.7 The Ride, Charlotte - "The greatest music ever made" pretty much sums it up. Playlists that consistently include the likes of Neil Young, Traffic and Bill Withers sets The Ride apart from the standard classic rock format.
1. 88.7 WNCW, Spindale - There are other solid public radio stations in N.C., but the Isothermal-based 88.7 is in a league of its own. I can thank my dad for a lot of things - turning on the bluegrass (and even the Celtic music) heading to Sunday lunch is certainly one of them. Local Color, spotlighting local artists, hosted by Kim Clark Friday and Sunday evenings is the type of programming that pushes WNCW to the top of the list.

Oh and in case you were wondering, the title of the post comes from the Widespread Panic song, "Radio Child."

Kings Mountain vs. D.H. Conley softball

- I'm in another tower at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex today, and the WiFi is working up here, so I should be able to keep this updated on the half inning.
The elimination game between Kings Mountain and D.H. Conley is about set to get under way in Raleigh. The Lady Mountaineers will be the home team.

- Sparkling rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by KM senior Monet McClain heard over the loud speaker by all teams and fans to get the second day of play started.

First inning
Top - KM's Morgan Childers strikes out the side, 1-2-3.
Bottom - Casey Camp leads off with a single to left and steals second, but Conley's Brittany Sutton records two strikeouts and gets a pop out to second to end the inning.

Second inning
Top - Childers strikes out the side, 1-2-3, on 10 pitches.
Bottom - Sutton sets down KM, 1-2-3, and records two more "K's"

Third inning
Top - Childers strikes out the side, 1-2-3 ... "Mo" is on her A+ game early.
Bottom - Sutton has been solid in her own right, striking out two more in the third.

14 strikeouts combined by Childers and Sutton in three innings of play.

Fourth inning
Top - Conley breaks through for the first run as Allison Brown reaches on a bunt single, then scores all the way from first when a single to right-center by Lindsay Roebuck gets past the rightfielder and rolls all the way to the fence.
Roebuck makes it to second on the play, moves to third on a sac bunt, then Childers recovers to strike out two more to end the inning. 1-0 Conley.
Bottom - Childers reaches on a one-out infield single, but Sutton gets a strikeout and her catcher Loren Bartz catches KM courtesy runner Monet McClain stealing to end the inning.

Fifth inning
Top - Childers strikes out the side, 1-2-3, now has 14 strikeouts in five innings and has recorded 42 strikouts at Walnut Creek this year.
Bottom - KM goes down 1-2-3.

Sixth inning
Top - Brown reaches on a one-out bunt single, but two more "K's" by Childers and a nice throw from the catcher Tate to the shortstop Casey Camp gets Brown stealing for the third out.
Bottom - KM goes down 1-2-3 ... has just two hits through six innings, one each by Casey Camp and Morgan Childers, and has not had a runner reach third.

Seventh inning
Top - Childers strikes out two more, has 17 through seven innings.
Bottom - Last chance for KM, down 1-0 ... Tate bunt single, then steals second with no outs. Sutton recovers to strikeout the side to end the game.

Final Box
Conley 000 100 0 - 1 3 0
Kings Mountain 000 000 0 - 0 3 1
WP - Brittany Sutton, 7 IP, 0 runs, 3 hits, 12 Ks, 0 BB
LP - Morgan Childers, 7 IP, 1 run (unearned), 3 hits, 18 Ks, 0 BB
Leading hitters - Conley - Allison Brown 2-3, run; Lindsay Roebuck 1-3. KM - Casey Camp 1-3; Courtney Tate 1-3; Morgan Childers 1-3.