Gabe Whisnant

Live from Gardner-Webb at South Carolina basketball (11/26)

2008-11-25T17:50:00.016-05:00

It's been a while since I've attempted a live game blog (or glog), but I'm going to give it a shot from Columbia, S.C. tonight.

The Southeastern Conference has a "blogging policy" now, so I'll only be able to post five times per half, once at halftime and twice per overtime period if we go to OT tonight. Game time is 7 p.m., so look for the first game update shortly after that.

The Gamecocks and Runnin' Bulldogs are out on the court shooting around, and about to get a bite to eat here in the media room.

Here's a quick advance of the game from Tuesday's edition of The Star ...

GWU to face South CarolinaTonight (Tuesday) the Runnin' Bulldogs hope to bag a band of Gamecocks at The University of South Carolina's Colonial Life Arena in a 7 o'clock encounter.Coach Rick Scruggs' squad from Boiling Springs has had a series of near misses during a 0-3 start. In road losses to Longwood, Virginia Tech of the ACC and 12th-ranked Oklahoma, the ‘Dogs have fallen by a combined margin of nine points.

First-year head coach Darrin Horn has the Gamecocks off to a 3-0 start following a blowout victory against USC-Upstate. Senior guard Zam Fredrick - son of the former Gamecock standout bearing the same name - leads South Carolina with a 17.3 scoring average. Devan Downey is producing 16.4 points a game with Mike Holmes and Evaldus Baniulis contributing 11.7 and 11.0 points per contest, respectively. Holmes leads USC in rebounding with 10.7 boards per game.

Gardner-Webb has five players averaging double figures, led by junior guard Grayson Flittner.

The lefthanded Indiana native is pouring in 19.3 points per contest. Aaron Linn (18.3 ppg), Anton Silver (11.7), Joshua Henley (11.7) and Auryn McMillan (11.5) are also providing scoring punch for the ‘Dogs.

13 minutes until tip-off ...
Plenty of good seats still available at Colonial Life Arena for this non-conference contest in Columbia, S.C.

Injury update ... GWU guard Nate Blank, a returning starter, is dressed out tonight and should see his first action of the season. It's especially impressive that GWU hung tough with the likes of Virginia Tech and Oklahoma without Blank, who was the A-Sun Freshman of the Year and a mid-major Freshman All-American last season. The sophomore from Terre Haute, Ind. averaged 10.8 points and 3.6 rebounds as a freshman.

Starting lineups
GWU
Joshua Henley, G
Jonathan Moore, F
Grayson Flittner, G
Aaron Linn, F
Auryn McMillan, C

South Carolina
Brandon Conrad, G
Michael Holmes, F/C
Dominique Archie, F
Zam Frederick, G
Devan Downey, G

At the 14 minute mark of the first half ... first update of first half.
GWU leads 12-8 after a made jumper by Aaron Linn. The Runnin' Bulldogs have missed a handful of easy shots as well and look poised on the defensive end.

With 10 minutes left in the half ... second update of first half.
GWU leads 17-13 despite no points from sharp-shooter Grayson Flittner and with Nate Blank struggling to find his rhythm on the court for the first time this year. Jonathan Moore has eight for GWU, while Aaron Linn has five. The Bulldogs are scrapping on the defensive end with three steals.

With 7 minutes left in the first half ... third update of first half.
USC grabs a 20-19 lead. Neither team lighting it up from the floor. GWU shooting 30 percent on 7-of-23 shooting. The Gamecocks are at 36 percent on 8-of-22 shooting. Most of the other stats are practically even ... turnovers, steals and blocks. Despite a height advantage, USC leads the rebounding margin just 17-16.
Flittner hits his first basket of the game (a three) at 6:30 to put GWU up 22-20.

With 2:30 left in the first half ... fourth update of first half.
GWU cuts the lead to 34-32 on Flittner's second three of the half. The southpaw appears to be finding his rhythm. Moore has the hot hand for the Runnin' Bulldogs with 15 points. Mike Holmes leads USC with 10.

With one minute left in the first half ... final update of the first half.
I'll have another update at halftime. Evaldus Baniulus hits a three to push USC's lead up to 43-34 late in the half. USC is getting it done at the defensive end late in the half, creating steals and getting points off the turnovers.

A few halftime stats

Leaders: GWU: Jonathan Moore, 15 points, four rebounds; Grayson Flittner, eight points, three assists, two rebounds; Aaron Linn, eight points, two rebounds. USC: Zam Frederick, 11 points, six rebounds; five assists; Mike Holmes 10 points, two rebounds; Dominique Archie seven points, five rebounds.

GWU shooting just 32 percent from the floor and 4-of-12 from 3-point land. USC picked up steam late in the half and is now shooting 44 percent from the floor and 4-of-9 from deep. USC owns the rebounding edge 27-21. The turnover margin is even at 8-8. The Gamecocks hold a 13-7 edge in fast break points, and own a 18-10 margin on points in the paint.

At the 17 minute mark of second half .... first update of second half.
USC is really getting it done on both ends on the backboards and now leads 49-36 after 2-of-2 by Holmes. GWU is consistently getting outside looks, but can't catch fire from the perimeter. It's a big "if," but if the Bulldogs were making their jumpers this is a different ballgame.

At the 14 minute mark of the second half ... second update of second half.
Flittner, who has a knack of getting to the line after being fouled on a 3-point attempt, makes 3-of-3 to cut the lead to 51-41. USC answers with two quick baskets to make it 55-41. Not long after my last update, the play of the game transpired ....
USC point guard Devan Downey drove the lane, then passed through a GWU player's legs to an open Dominique Archie, who dunked it home dwith two hands to make it 51-36. Not sure if the folks at the Worldwide Leader will pick that one up on its top 10 plays or not, but I'd say it would be worthy.

At the 10 minute mark of the second half ... third update of second half.
GWU had several chances to get the lead under double digits but hasn't been able to cash in. Score now USC 61, GWU 51. The shooting percentage continues to stand out ... GWU at just 31 percent and USC at 45 percent.

At the 5 minute mark of the second half .... fourth update of second half.
USC leads 75-63. Blank and Flittner both hit 3's for GWU to get the lead under double figures, but each time USC answers with a 3 of its own to increase the lead. Downey has really stepped up in the second half for the home team, both with his passing and shooting. He now has 17 points.

At the 2 minute mark of the second half ... fifth and final update of the game (unless we go OT).
USC leads 79-68 and the Bulldogs have a huge uphill battle at this point. Flittner was just called for a charge and the Gamecocks seem to have this one wrapped up. Check back to www.shelbystar.com for the game story in about an hour or so.
Downey just scored his 23rd points of the night to put the icing on the cake for USC.

Final score, South Carolina 85, Gardner-Webb 70

Thanks, Ed Hochuli

2008-09-29T00:58:00.002-05:00

On a normal Sunday during football season, I'm usually checking in on my fantasy football team pretty consistently through the day. This Sunday was a little different. I worked in The Star's booth at the Cleveland County Fair, then afterward ran into a few friends and decided to stay and take in the sights and sounds at the fairgrounds. I'm still regretting a couple of trips to the Tilt-a-Whirl.

Just when I thought my equilibrium was approaching normal Sunday night, a closer look at my fantasy football score made me shake my head again.

Long story short, I have the Panthers defense, which posted a sub-par six points for me. Six should have been 14. Carolina's Richard Marshall returned an interception for a touchdown (the pick and TD would have been eight points for me) on the opening drive, but it was called back when muscle-bound referee Ed Hochuli (remember him from the Broncos-Chargers game two weeks ago?) nullified Marshall's score by flagging Julius Peppers for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan.

Replays showed Peppers made contact as Ryan released the ball, and appeared to hit him first with his shoulder. As Freedom News Service Panthers' beat writer Steve Reed put it, "the call appeared to be a little, well, ticky-tacky."

I ended up losing my fantasy game by six. Without that questionable call by Hochuli, I win by two and I'm 3-1 and one game out of first in my league. Now, I'm 2-2 and in the middle of the pack. I'm stunned that one play/call, which was insignificant in the outcome of the Panthers' win over Atlanta, changed the outcome of my fantasy contest.

I usually shake off a fantasy loss pretty quick, but I have a feeling this one is going to sit with me for a while. At least the Tilt-a-Whirl hangover wore off.

In case you missed Hochuli's blunder two weeks ago ....

(AP) - Two weeks ago, Hochuli’s missed call helped Denver’s comeback 39-38 win over San Diego.

Denver quarterback Jay Cutler dropped back to pass, the ball slipped from his hand and a San Diego player recovered. But Hochuli, who has refereed two Super Bowls, ruled it an incomplete pass. He later admitted it was the wrong call.

Denver retained possession, scored a touchdown and then won with a successful 2-point conversion.

Live from Sumter Post 15 vs. Shelby Post 82

2008-08-17T15:37:00.037-05:00

It's a big one tonight on Day 4 of the Southeast Regional as host Shelby Post 82 (3-0) takes on Sumter, S.C. (2-1). Game time is set for 5 p.m., so we're about 10 minutes from first pitch.

The scenario: Post 82 is the only team left in the tourney without a loss. If they win, they'll take on Randolph County (a 6-1 winner against Tuscaloosa, Ala. earlier) at 4 p.m. Monday. Randolph County has one loss and would need to beat Shelby twice to win the Regional. The second game would follow at 7 p.m. Monday.
If Shelby loses to Sumter, S.C., Randolph and Sumter would play at 4 p.m. with the winner facing Shelby at 7 p.m. in a winner-take-all situation for the Regional title.

The lineups: Sumter (Visitor): Quantrell Nelson (RF); Bruce Caldwell (SS); Travis Witherspoon (CF); Matthew Price (3B); Michael Blackmon (C); Tony Micklon (DH); Matthew Talley (1B); Joshua Hayden (LF); Robert Benenhaley (2B); Tyler Broome (P). Broome is a righty.

Shelby (Home): Seth Canipe (CF); Brett Wease (SS); Kyle Kendrick (C); Adam McFarland (3B); Julian Ridings (DH); James Gold (1B); Eric Shuford (RF); Corey Cline (2B); Jordan Robinson (LF); Sterling Cole (P). Cole is a lefty.

Top 1st
First pitch at 5:03, a strike by Cole.
Sumter goes down 1-2-3 with Cole striking out Witherspoon for the final out.
Score - Sumter 0, Shelby 0

Bottom 1st
Canipe gets Post 82 out of the box with a bang, slugging a solo home run to left. Broome escapes any further damage by retiring three straight to end the inning. He picks up his first strikeout by fanning McFarland for the third out.
Shelby 1, Sumter 0

Top 2nd
Cole pitches out of a two-out bases loaded jam to keep Sumter scoreless. Micklon and Talley notched back-to-back singles up the middle before a walk to Hayden loaded them up. Cole got Benenhaley to fly out to RF to end the threat.
Shelby 1, Sumter 0

Bottom 2nd
Gold starts the inning with a single, then Sumter catches a bit of a break on a pickoff attempt. The ball got past the first baseman on the throw, but hit the umpire, giving second baseman Benenhaley time to get to the ball and fire to shortstop Caldwell for the second out. Cline struck out for the third out.
Shelby 1, Sumter 0

Top 3rd
Wilson starts the inning with a single to RF. Caldwell flies out to deep CF as Canipe makes a solid play on the run near the fence for the first out. Sumter pulls even on 2B by Matt Price as Witherspoon (fielder's choice) comes around to score from second for Post 15's first run. On Witherspoon's fielder's choice, Post 82 second baseman Corey Cline was shook up on a force play at second. Cline shook it off, then later made a nice play to his right to end the inning.
Shelby 1, Sumter 1

Bottom 3rd
Post 82 goes back on top as Robinson slugs a one-out, solo home run to leftcenter to make it 2-1
Shelby 2, Sumter 1

Top 4th
Sumter goes down 1-2-3. The shortstop Wease ranges to his left to make a nice play on a grounder to end the inning.
Shelby 2, Sumter 1

Bottom 4th
Kendrick, the fastest high school/Legion catcher I've ever seen, reaches on a leadoff bunt single. McFarland follows with a long single to leftcenter. Kendrick only advanced to second on the play as he had to wait to see if the leftfielder could make the grab. Ridings follows with a sac bunt attempt, fielded by Broome, who tossed to third to get Kendrick on a close play. Gold grounds out to third to move McFarland to 3rd and Ridings to 2nd. Shuford grounds out to short to end the threat.
Shelby 2, Sumter 1

Top 5th
Caldwell knocks in Benenhaley with a single to CF to tie the game at 2-2. Benenhaley singled to start the inning, then moved to second on a sac bunt by Nelson. Cole walks Witherspoon, putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Shelby Post 82 head coach Mike Grayson makes his second trip to the mound and hands the ball to Jacob Tisdale. Tisdale strikes out Price and gets Blackmon to ground into a force out to end the inning.
Shelby 2, Sumter 2

Cole's pitching line: 4.1 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, two walks, 1 strikeout, five flyouts, seven groundouts.

Bottom 5th
Cline robbed of at least of a double by Sumter leftfielder Joshua Hayden, who makes a diving catch just in front of the fence to his right for the first out. Robinson grounds out, Canipe reaches on an error, then Wease strikes out looking for the third out.
Shelby 2, Sumter 2

Top 6th
Sumter goes down 1-2-3 as Tisale makes quick work of Post 15.
Shelby 2, Sumter 2

Bottom 6th
Shelby goes down 1-2-3. Other than the long balls allowed to Canipe and Robinson, Broome has turned in a solid outing through six.
Shelby 2, Sumter 2

Top 7th
Tisdale posts another 1-2-3 inning. The righthander from Crest has retired eight in a row since entering the game in the fifth.
Shelby 2, Sumter 2

Bottom 7th
Cline hits into a 5-4-3 DP to end the inning. This one has settled into a nice pitcher's duel, especially over the last several innings. Baserunners have been few and far between.
Shelby 2, Sumter 2

Top 8th
Price, Blackmon and Micklon post three straight one-out singles to load the bases against Tisdale. Talley attempts a two-strike, bunt and fouls it off for the third strike and the second out.
Martin grounds to third, McFarland comes up with a tough short hop and tags the bag to end the threat.
Shelby 2, Sumter 2

Bottom 8th
Canipe reaches on an error with one out, then Wease grounds into a 6-3 double play to end the inning.
Shelby 2, Sumter 2

Attendance numbers: Sunday's day session: 2,611; Sunday's night session: 4,822. Sunday's total: 7,433. Tournament total: 25,236

Top 9th
Benenhaley leads off with a 2B and is moved over to third by Nelson on a sacrifice bunt. Caldwell follows with a double to the leftcenter gap, scoring Benenhaley to make it 3-2 with one out. Post 82 head coach Mike Grayson out to the mound to talk it over with the Shelby infield. Witherspoon reaches on an error, then Price follows with a deep, three-run home run to leftfield. Sumter now leads 6-2. Blackmon follows with a sharp single to LF. Grayson hands the ball over to Wease, who was at short. Position changes: Ridings goes to right. Robinson in centerfield. Shuford in left. Canipe at shortstop. Micklon singles to CF, moving Blackmon to third. Talley drives in Blackmon with a sac fly to left to make it 7-2. Post 82 nearly catches Micklon trying to go from first to second after the throw to the plate, but Micklon scampers back to first. The inning ends when Tyler Smith grounds into a fielder's choice force out.
Sumter 7, Shelby 2

Bottom 9th
Kendrick shows Post 82 has plenty of fight left as he homers to left to make it 7-3. All three of Shelby's runs have came by way of the long ball. Gold hits into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game. Double plays ended the last three Post 82 innings.
Final score - Sumter 7, Shelby 3

On Monday, Randolph and Sumter will play at 4 p.m. with the winner facing Shelby at 7 p.m. in a winner-take-all situation for the Southeast Regional title.

Gabe Whisnant: We'll miss ya Skip Caray (8/4)

2008-08-04T12:39:00.004-05:00

Growing up, I learned a lot about baseball primarily from my father and a number of good coaches in Cleveland County.
What I didn't learn from them, I picked up from radio and television announcers. We didn't have cable until I my 6th grade year, so I listened to a lot of Braves games on the radio - in the car and at home. Atlanta announcers Skip (Caray), Pete (Van Wieren) and Ernie (Johnson) essentially became part of my family in the summer.
The Braves and their many fans lost a legendary part of that family Sunday when Skip died in his sleep. Caray, the son of legendary Cardinals and Cubs announcer Harry Caray and the father of current TBS announcer Chip Caray, covered Braves games on the radio and TV for three-plus decades.
No doubt, Skip knew the game but he also made it fun with his witty and sarcastic quips. He also had the unique voice, often imitated, that made him stand out. Needless to say, Braves nation and all of baseball will miss Skip the rest of this season and beyond.

It's tough to find video to go along with the audio of his call of Francisco Cabrera's game-winning hit in Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS against Pittsburgh, which sent the Braves to the World Series. Here's audio of that legendary call. Oddly enough, my desktop background on my computer over the last several weeks has been of Sid Bream's slide at home plate on this play. This call will always give me goosebumps and I admit it brought a tear today.

http://www.bayblitz.com/WEB%20GIFS%201/The%20Slide%20-%20NLCS%20-%201992%20-%20Atlanta%20Braves.mp3

Braves fans will also remember this one from the 1995 World Series ...

"Mark gets the sign, the wind and the pitch here it is... swung, fly ball deep left center, Grissom on the run... Yes! Yes! Yes! The Atlanta Braves have given you a championship! Listen to this crowd! A mob scene on the field. Wohlers gets 'em one, two, three. A couple of fans rushing on the field. The Atlanta Braves have brought the first championship to Atlanta!"

A great quote from Van Wieren from a recent story by Carroll Rogers' of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
"But behind the humor there was an honesty and a commitment to telling it like he believed it to be that never, ever varied," Van Wieren said. "If he didn't like it that a game was two minutes late getting started, everybody knew about it. If he had an opinion on a player, he said it. And he had a way of saying it that was sometimes humorous. The way he could take a bad ball game, in some of those bad years especially, and turn it into a fun broadcast, whether it was by talking about something in the game or whether it was talking about something that didn't have anything to do with the game, maybe it was a movie that was coming up after the game or maybe it was a restaurant that he'd gone to. It could have been anything. He was just a very entertaining broadcaster and a very good one. The game was still the most important thing, but if game was decided by the fourth or fifth inning, people would still watch the rest of the game just to hear what he had to say about things. That's a very, very unique ability."
Full story here with quotes from Braves' players and coaches ...
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/08/03/reaction_skip_caray_dies.html

Live from Cherryville at Shelby

2008-07-21T17:56:00.033-05:00

Just a few minutes from first pitch between Cherryville (34-4) and Shelby (33-12) here at Veterans Field and Keeter Stadium. Nice invocation prayer by Mel Campos and a sparkling rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by Shelby High's Caroline Allen before the game. Great crowd here, as expected, for Game 2 of the series.

Starting Lineups
Cherryville
1. Al Benson CF
2. Aaron Haynes P
3. Jake Watts RF
4. Nate Wright 1B
5. Seth Freeman C
6. Korey Martin LF
7. Tripp McSwain SS
8. Drew Reynolds 2B
9. Tyler Buff 3B

Shelby
1. Seth Canipe P
2. Brett Wease SS
3. Kyle Kendrick C
4. Adam McFarland 3B
5. Julian Ridings LF
6. Jacob Tisdale RF
7. Tyler Rabb 1B
8. Corey Cline 2B
9. Jordan Robinson CF

Top 1st
Canipe runs into trouble as Aaron Haynes, Jake Watts and Nate Wright reach with one-out singles. Canipe escapes trouble by getting Seth Freeman to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.
Cherryville 0, Shelby 0

Bottom 1st
Shelby goes down 1-2-3.
Cherryville 0, Shelby 0

Top 2nd
Cherryville puts runners on 1st and 2nd with one out on a pair of hit by pitches. Korey Martin is doubled off of 2nd for the 3rd out on a throw from Jordan Robinson to Corey Cline after a flyout to left by Tyler Buff.
Cherryville 0, Shelby 0

Bottom 2nd
Post 82 gets on the board as Jacob Tisdale brings in Adam McFarland, who walked, with a sacrifice fly to get the home team on the scoreboard. Jordan Robinson brings in Julian Ridings, who singled to right after McFarland's walk, with a sacrfice fly. Brett Wease slugs a grand slam to right, scoring Tyler Rabb (walk), Corey Cline (walk) and Seth Canipe (walk). Haynes gets out of the inning by getting Kendrick to pop up to third.
Shelby 6, Cherryville 0

Top 3rd
Canipe pitches around a 1-out walk to Jake Watts to get out of the third with no damage.
Shelby 6, Cherryville 0

Bottom 3rd
Tyler Rabb doubles to rightcenter. Cherryville centerfielder Al Benson races to track it down, hits cut-off man Tripp McSwain, who fires to catcher Seth Freeman to get Jacob Tisdale trying to score from first for the last out.
Shelby 6, Cherryville 0

Top 4th
Cherryville goes down 1-2-3. Canipe records his first strikeout of the game for the final out.
Shelby 6, Cherryville 0

Bottom 4th
Canipe reaches on a wild pitch after a strikeout, but Haynes escapes damage by getting a groundout to end the inning.
Shelby 6, Cherryville 0

Top 5th
Aaron Haynes helps his cause with a three-run home run to leftcenter, scoring Tyler Buff (walk) and Al Benson (single) to make it 6-3. After a walk to Jake Watts, Wright reaches on an error then Seth Freeman (bunt) and Korey Martin (RBI) follow with singles to make it 6-4. Shelby head coach Mike Grayson brings in Eric Shuford out of the bullpen with the bases loaded and one out. Canipe goes to first and Rabb comes out of the game. Shuford gets a strikeout and a flyout to end the inning. Cherryville has now stranded 7 runners, including 4 in scoring position, in 5 innings.
Shelby 6, Cherryville 4

Bottom 5th
Kyle Kendrick doubles, then Adam McFarland follows with a single to right to make it 7-4. Julian Ridings sacrifices McFarland to second. Tisdale doubles to rightcenter, setting up 2nd and 3rd with one out. Haynes escapes further damage with a groundout to short and a popup to second base to end the inning.
Shelby 7, Cherryville 4

Top 6th
Tyler Buff reaches on an error, Benson strikes out, then a 5-4-3 double play ends the inning.
Shelby 7, Cherryville 4

Bottom 6th
Wease posts a 2-out single before Haynes gets out of the inning with a flyout to center.
Shelby 7, Cherryville 4

Top 7th
Jake Watts walks and Nate Wright singles to start the inning. Shuford then records a pair of strikeouts for the first two outs. Kendrick fires to 3rd to catch Watts trying to steal for the 3rd out.
Shelby 7, Cherryville 4

Note: Local musician Al Dunkleman's song Baseball Has Come to Shelby, a tune about the upcoming Southeast Regional and World Series, was released to the public over the loud speaker during the middle of the seventh.

Bottom 7th
Julian Ridings, who doubled, scored on a single to left by Eric Shuford with two outs. Jacob Tisdale had a sacrifice fly to move Ridings to third before Shuford's single.
Shelby 8, Cherryville 4

Top 8th
Drew Reynolds doubles with one out, but Shuford keeps Cherryville off the board.
Shelby 8, Cherryville 4

Note: Jeff Gibson wins the 1/2 and 1/2 drawing of $324 - the biggest pot of the season at Keeter Stadium.

Bottom 8th
Wease doubles with two outs for his third hit of the game (triple away from the cycle) but Haynes gets a groundout to end the inning.
Shelby 8, Cherryville 4

Top 9th
With one out, Shuford walks in a run to make it 8-5 as Jake Watts (single) scores. Tripp McSwain's sacrifice fly scores Nate Wright (fielder's choice) to make it 8-6. Shuford gets a groundout to the mound to end it.
Final score: Shelby 8, Cherryville 6

Blogging from Cherryville at Shelby (7/21)

2008-07-21T14:16:00.003-05:00

I'll have a live inning-by-inning blog from tonight's Game 2 matchup between Cherryville and Shelby at Veterans Field and Keeter Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m. Cherryville leads the best-of-5 series, 1-0, after a 20-8 win at Fraley Field Sunday night.

Live from Shelby vs. Cherryville

2008-06-26T17:39:00.030-05:00

Set up for the first time in the revamped and roomy pressbox at Veterans Field and Keeter Stadium. We're about 20 minutes from game time ... Shelby Post 82 has already taken infield and Cherryville Post 100 has just started its infield warmups.

I'll have updates every half inning during tonight's Area IV West Division game. Post 82 enters the game at 14-11 overall and 8-4 in league play. Post 100 is 20-1 overall and 13-0 in the division.

Starting lineups
Cherryville
1. Al Benson, CF
2. Aaron Haynes, DH
3. Jake Watts, RF
4. Nate Wright, 1B
5. Seth Freeman, C
6. Korey Martin, LF
7. Tripp McSwain, SS
8. Drew Reynolds, 2B
9. Tyler Buff, 3B
Starting pitcher - Cory Parks

Shelby
1. Seth Canipe, CF
2. Brett Wease, SS
3. Kyle Kendrick, C
4. Adam McFarland, 3B
5. Brett Mabry, 1B
6. Julian Ridings, DH
7. Jacob Tisdale, RF
8. Corey Cline, 2B
9. Jordan Robinson, LF
Starting pitcher - Adam Izokovic

Top 1st
Al Benson reaches on an infield single, moves to 2nd on a ground, then steals 3rd with two outs. Izokovic leaves him stranded by getting a flyout by Wright.
Shelby 0, Cherryville 0

Bottom 1st
Seth Canipe reaches on an error to start the inning, then gets caught stealing for the first out. Kyle Kendrick reaches on a hit by pitch with two outs before the inning ends on a flyout by Adam McFarland.
Shelby 0, Cherryville 0

Top 2nd
Izokovic gets a strikeout to start the 2nd, then Korey Martin walks. The inning ends on a 5-3-6 double play as Martin tried to go from first to third on a slow roller to 3rd.
Shelby 0, Cherryville 0

Bottom 2nd - Rain delay at 7:40 p.m.; Rain stops around 8 p.m. and it looks as if they are going to try to get the field ready to play. I understand there is a new irrigation system here at the field and the field actually held up pretty well considering the amount of rain that just came through ... only a few puddles in the infield.
Jordan Robinson singles home Julian Ridings, who posted a one-out single a right to reach, to make it 1-0. Seth Canipe walked to load the bases with two outs before the heavy rain started.

UPDATE at 8:47 p.m. - The Post 82 coaches continue to work on the field and it looks as if we're just a few minutes away from resuming play.

Bottom 2nd continued - Lefthander Phillip Russ is on in relief for Cherryville with two outs and the bases loaded. Brett Wease is at the plate for Post 82. Game resumes at 8:54 p.m. Russ gets Wease to pop up in foul territory to end the threat.
Shelby 1, Cherryville 0

Top 3rd - Izokovic pitches around an infield single by Drew Reynolds and a hit-by-pitch to Aaron Haynes to keep Post 100 off the scoreboard.
Note: Kudos to P.A. announcer Joseph Tallent for the Dixie Chicken by Little Feet between innings ... one of my favorite songs of all-time.
Shelby 1, Cherryville 0

Bottom 3rd - Post 82 goes down 1-2-3 in the 3rd. Nice play by Jake Watts in right on a long flyball by Brett Mabry to end the inning
Note: Tallent blasted Cherry Pie by Warrant after the 3rd. It's hit-or-miss in the pressbox sometimes, just like on the field.
Shelby 1, Cherryville 0

Top 4th - Korey Martin reaches on a two-out walk, but no damage by Cherryville as Izokovic continues his consistent effort in his 3rd start of the season.
Shelby 1, Cherryville 0

Bottom 4th - Shelby goes up 2-0 as Corey Cline, who doubled, scored on an error on a long flyball hit by Jordan Robinson. Russ records 2 strikeouts in the inning.
Shelby 2, Cherryville 0

Top 5th - Al Benson singles with two outs then Izokovic gets a pop up to end the inning. Post 100 has no stranded 5 in 5 innings, including 3 in scoring position.
Shelby 2, Cherryville 0

Bottom 5th - Adam McFarland singles with two outs for Post 82's fourth hit of the night. Russ gets a flyout to center to end the inning. Shelby has also stranded 5 through 5, including 2 in scoring position.
Shelby 2, Cherryville 0

Top 6th - Tripp McSwain's 2-out single to center off Izokovic brings home Jake Watts and Seth Freeman to tie the game. Watts and Freeman both singled and advanced to 2nd and 3rd on steals.
Shelby 2, Cherryville 2

Bottom 6th - Corey Cline singles with two outs but Russ ends the inning with a pop up to the infield.
Shelby 2, Cherryville 2

Top 7th - Aaron Haynes doubles with one out, but Izokovic keeps the score at 2-2. Corey Cline makes a diving play at 2nd to end the inning.
Shelby 2, Cherryville 2

Bottom 7th - Seth Canipe is cut down at the plate for the 2nd out as Cherryville leftfielder Korey Martin fires to catcher Seth Freeman after a single by Kyle Kendrick. Canipe also singled and moved to 2nd on a sacrifice fly by Brett Wease. Adam McFarland grounded out for the final out.
Shelby 2, Cherryville 2
Note: Got a chance to interview former Post 82 standout Tyler Trice between innings. Trice recently signed with the Colorado Rockies. Trice, who went to the College World Series three-straight times during his collegiate career with the Tar Heels, was a 21st-round selection in the recent major league draft and will report to the Rockies' Class A affiliate in Pasco, Wash., on Monday June 30.
Look for a story on Trice in Saturday's edition of The Star and online at www.shelbystar.com.

Top 8th - Seth Freeman is hit by a pitch, then caught stealing on a throw from Kendrick to Cline for the first out. McSwain adds a 1-out single in the inning, then Izokovic gets Drew Reynolds to ground out to end the frame.
Shelby 2, Cherryville 2

Bottom 8th - Brett Mabry reached on an error then moved to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt by Julian Ridings. Pitching change for Post 100. Seth Freeman to the mound from catcher to face Post 82 pinch-hitter James Gold. Aaron Haynes moves behind the plate for Cherryville.
Shelby gets runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out after a pair of Post 100 errors. Corey Cline hits a sharp liner to shortstop Tripp McSwain, who gloves it, then tags 3rd to double off Brett Mabry for the final out.
Shelby 2, Cherryville 2

Top 9th - Izokovic pitches around a leadoff 2B by Benson and keeps the score at 2-2.
Shelby 2, Cherryville 2

Bottom 9th - Seth Canipe walks, then moves to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt, then alertly races to 3rd when Cherryville holds on to the ball in the infield with nobody covering the bag. Canipe scores on an infield error on a pop up to win the game for Post 82.
Final score, Shelby 3, Cherryville 2

Blogging from Shelby vs. Cherryville (6/26)

2008-06-26T15:35:00.003-05:00

I'll have a live blog tonight from Shelby Post 82's home opener against Cherryville Post 100 at the revamped Veterans Field and Keeter Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m., but I should be over there a little earlier to talk to a few fans about the stadium upgrades, first game back in the new park, etc.

2008-06-18T18:30:00.002-05:00

The Celtics' capped the 2007-2008 NBA season with a 131-92 triumph over the L.A. Lakers in game 6 of the NBA Finals. For many, the end of the pro basketball season is long overdue ... it means baseball is in full swing and football is not too far around the corner.

But I'm not an NBA hater. It's not my favorite pro league, still I enjoy the following "the association" and get into the six-month long playoffs. OK, so they only last three months but it feels like six.

Here's a few quick notes from this season and a glance ahead at next year.

- You can cross off the names Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce of the list of best players in the league yet to win a title. Here's a short list of players that remain on that list heading into next year: LeBron James, Tracy McGrady, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd.
I left off some of the younger players like Chris Paul and Deron Williams because I figure they'll have plenty more chances and there's not as much sense of urgency.

- Speaking of Paul and Williams, those two may be my two favorite players to watch in the league after the season's they put together. New Orleans' Paul (21.1 points, 11.6 assists) and Utah's Williams (18.8 points, 10.5 points) should be fixtures in the Western Conference for years to come.

- It'll be interesting to see how Greg Oden performs in this first year in the NBA after missing what would have been his rookie season due to a knee injury. Portland has invested a lot in the 7-footer from Ohio State. If Oden plays to his potential, the Blazers should be an up-and-coming team with Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge coming off solid seasons.

- Larry Brown should be a good coaching fit for the Charlotte Bobcats. In Brown's last 2 stops (Detroit and New York), there was intense pressure to win immediately. The veteran coach won't be under that same kind of pressure in the Queen City. Brown's main jobs with the Cats will be to teach and make the young franchise respectable. Getting a few more fans in the seats at Time Warner Cable Arena wouldn't hurt either. I think a playoff berth in 2 years or so is not out of the question.

- A shot in the dark at the 16 playoff teams next year: Western Conference - Phoenix; L.A. Lakers; San Antonio; Dallas; New Orleans; Utah; Houston; Portland. Eastern Conference - Boston, Detroit, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, New Jersey, Cleveland, Washington.

I like Phoenix over Boston in 7 to win it all in 2009 under first-year coach Terry Porter. Nash and Co. have to get their rings sometime.

" ... We've lost our quarterback."

2008-06-14T16:20:00.003-05:00

I stayed up kind of late after work Friday night. In this business, that's a pretty regular occurrence ... get out of the office around midnight, then I usually need at least a couple of hours to wind down.
I'm always hoping for a late game on TV, and last night I was lucky enough to see a good portion of the Braves' much-needed win over the L.A. Angels.

Not too long after Atlanta's Jeff Bennett recorded the final out, I switched over to another of my favorite pastimes ... political coverage. I'm a junkie for the stuff around election seasons. As far as TV news goes, I'm an NBC/MSNBC fan. I've generally always liked that network's stable of reporters better than the alternatives. But last night something big was missing. On Sunday mornings, something big will be missing ... NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and host of Meet the Press Tim Russert, who passed away due to a massive heart attack on Friday.

I can't say I've always planned my Sunday mornings around Meet the Press, but when I catch it I usually watch. Russert's interview style was a big reason for that. You always knew he was going to ask the hard, tough questions, but you never got the feeling he was out to get who he was interviewing. To paraphrase a few of his colleagues last night, he just wanted the truth. You could hear and see the sadness of Chris Matthews, Tom Brokaw, Andrea Mitchell, Keith Olberman, etc. last night. But it was interesting and heart-warming to hear some of the war stories about being out on the campaign trail and in the newsroom. NBC News is big time, but they have to work together as a team just like any news entity.

You've also got to admire his deep-rooted sense of family. I'm planning on picking up, "Big Russ and Me," Russert's book focused on his relationship with his father, soon. I'm not from Buffalo, but I always appreciated Russert's love for the Buffalo Bills. I'm a Bills fan too ... for some reason.

On this blog, I guess it's appropriate to stay with the sports theme ...

Olberman called Russert, "a player/coach." When Matthews was finishing up his segment in the early hours of Saturday morning he said, "I believe we've lost our quarterback."

A good day to chill

2008-06-07T15:41:00.006-05:00

The best way to beat the heat on a scorching summer day? Easy ... cool off at the pool (or body of water of your choice and convenience). Preferably with beach music in the background.

The second best option is to prop your feet up and take in some quality sports on TV, obviously in the comforts of an air-conditioned environment.
Some days are better than others for sports on the tube. Sunday, June 8 is shaping up to be a winner.
From racing to soccer, there's a little something for every fan this Sunday. I'm a little surprised there's no Arena Football wedged in for all eight fans of the "50-yard indoor war." Do they still call it that?

Here's my Top 5 events for the day on Sunday. Below is the full Sunday TV list.
5) Pocono 500, TNT, 2 p.m. - Surely Kyle Busch can't win again, right? He wrecked his car during practice Saturday and will start at the back of the field with a backup car on Sunday. Busch is attempting to become the first driver in NASCAR history to race in all three national series at three different race tracks on the same weekend. He practiced and qualified the Cup car at Pocono on Friday, then flew to Texas Motor Speedway, where he finished second in the Truck Series race. Busch then competed in the Nationwide race in Nashville on Saturday. The younger Busch catches a lot of heat, but what he's doing this weekend is nothing short of impressive.

4) French Open men's championship, NBC, 9 a.m. - It's Federer vs. Nadal for the third straight year at Roland Garros. Either Federer gets an elusive win on clay and completes the career Grand Slam, or Nadal wins his fourth straight in Paris to equal Bjorn Borg's mark. Either way, you'll get some sort of history with your breakfast.

3) Wall-to-wall MLB baseball, 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. (see full schedule below) - I'll be most interested in the Phillies and Braves at 1:30 p.m. on both TBS and SportSouth. Take your pick, Chip Carey and Ron Darling or Buck Martinez (TBS) or Jon Sciambi and Joe Simpson (SportSouth). Both crews are solid, but the edge goes to TBS because they have a Carey. The Braves need rookie pitcher and Sunday's starter Jorge Campillo (2-0) to put together a strong season as the pitching staff is already injury-riddled in June.

2) NBA Finals, Lakers vs. Celtics, game 2, ABC, 9 p.m. - Let me get this straight ... The first game was Thursday, the series stayed in Boston and we don't get game 2 until Sunday night? I enjoy the NBA Playoffs, but dragging this process out over the course of two months for the sake of every game being on TV is ridiculous. Solution - At least the first round (and I think the conference semifinals), need to go back to best-of-five. As for Sunday's game, I'd be real surprised if Paul Pierce (knee injury) doesn't go, but if he doesn't or isn't at full strength, that doesn't necessarily translate into an easy Lakers' victory. I do look for L.A. to pull even as the series shifts to L.A. When is that game, next Sunday?

1) Wall-to-wall College baseball, 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. (see full schedule below) - College baseball, especially the postseason, is the most underrated televised event in sports. All of the teams at this point of the season are full of talent - some bound for pro baseball careers and some not. Either way, you can't beat young athletes giving it their all for a chance at a berth in the College World Series.

Auto racing
Formula One, Canadian Grand Prix, FOX, 1 p.m.
NASCAR, Sprint Cup, Pocono 500, TNT, 2 p.m.
NHRA, Route 66 Nationals, ESPN2, 5 p.m.

College baseball
Super Regionals
Coastal Carolina vs. North Carolina at Cary, ESPN, 1 p.m.
UC Irvine at LSU, ESPN, 4 p.m.
Texas A&M at Rice, ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Fresno State at Arizona State, ESPN2, 10 p.m.

Pro baseball
Cincinnati at Florida, FoxSportsSouth, 1 p.m.
Philadelphia at Atlanta, TBS and SportSouth, 1:30 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers, ESPN, 8 p.m.

NBA Playoffs
Finals, L.A. Lakers at Boston, ABC, 9 p.m.

Pro golf
European PGA, Bank Austria GolfOpen, TGC, 8 a.m.
PGA Tour, St. Jude Championship, CBS, 3 p.m.
LPGA, McDonald’s Championship, TGC, 4 p.m.

Pro tennis
French Open, men’s championship, NBC, 9 a.m.

Soccer
UEFA Euro 2008, Austria vs. Croatia, ESPN2, 11:50 a.m.
UEFA Euro 2008, Germany vs. Poland, ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.
Men’s teams, U.S. vs. Argentina, ESPN Classic, 7:30 P.M.

Track and field
Prefontaine Classic, NBC, 4 p.m.

Congrats to the Mount Olive Trojans

2008-05-31T16:00:00.003-05:00

Mount Olive College, located in eastern North Carolina in southern Wayne County, captured its first ever national championship in any sport on Saturday afternoon. The Trojans' baseball team, directed by 32-year head coach Carl Lancaster, defeated Oachita Baptist (Ark.), 6-2, at Sauget, Ill. to claim the ultimate prize.

Before I moved back to Shelby, I worked for the Goldsboro News-Argus and had the pleasure of covering my fair share of Mount Olive games. I was also at the Trojans' Scarborough Field a lot in the summer as the Wayne County Post 11 American Legion squad played their home games at that venue.

With almost 700 wins, Lancaster is one of the best in the business and was always great to work with. I have to admit, it was awesome turning on the TV today and recognizing the familiar faces of players I covered in high school and at MOC like Erik Lovett, Jesse Lancaster and Airlon Vinson.

Great job Trojans ... live it up!

Live from Forbush at Shelby

2008-05-21T17:02:00.018-05:00

The teams are about to kickoff the 2A Western final at Blanton Stadium. Here are the starting lineups ... I'll have updates every 10 minutes - or when there is a goal.

Shelby
Megan Cantu
Lauren Burton
Blair Jaynes
Morgan McDaniel
Maggie McDaniel
Courtney Nickle
Danielle Brinton
Sara Horn
Anna Keeley
Patience Smith
GK - Julia Kiser

Forbush
Bella Cochran
Katelynd Caudle
Kelly Wood
Lindsay Lineberry
Krystle Mathews
Laticia Patino
Audrey Niemeyer
Kayla Cline
Jessica Baity
Cari Beck
GK - Courtney Phillips

First half
Three minutes in, Shelby's Maggie McDaniel scores from the right wing with a shot into the far left corner past Forbush goalie Courtney Phillips to make it 1-0.

10 minutes in - Forbush is winning its fair share of balls in the middle of the field, but the Lions have yet to break down deep in the defensive third of the field. Forbush has one corner kick.
Shelby's McDaniel posted another shot on goal near the 10 minute mark, which was saved by Phillips.

20 minutes in - The Falcons are outshooting the Lions, but most of their shots have been from long range and easily collected by Julia Kiser or wide of the goal. Shelby's Blair Jaynes just made a nice defensive play to poke a ball out of bounds to force a corner kick.

Forbush's Jessica Baity scores two goals within about a two-minute stretch to give the Falcons a 2-1 margin. Baity was open in the middle of the field on both goals as Forbush is doing a solid job of working the ball around the Shelby defense and midfield.

Audrey Niemeyer scores for Forbush about 25 minutes into the match to make it 3-1. The ball got through the Shelby defense as Niemeyer had a 1 vs. 1 with the keeper.

Shelby's midfield and defense has turned in improved play over the past few minutes and helped fuel several deep attacks by the Lions. Maggie McDaniel just had a shot saved by Phillips as the score remains 3-1 in favor of Forbush.

I'm headed down to the field for the last few minutes of the first half, and I'll be back with some first half stats.

Forbush goalie Courtney Phillips made a flurry of saves in a wild sequence. First, she made a diving save on a penalty kick by Danielle Brinton, then saved the follow shot out of bounds. On the ensuing corner kick, Phillips dove to save a header by Patience Smith to force another corner.

First half score - Forbush 3, Shelby 1

Stats: Shots - Forbush 15, Shelby 13; Shots on frame - Forbush 8, Shelby 5; Saves - Phillips 7; Kiser 2.

Second half under way at 6:54 p.m.
Shelby gets two early corner kick and seems to have found more of a rhythm all over the field against a stout opponent. Patience Smith had a near miss on a cross from Morgan McDaniel five minutes into the half.

A little over 15 minutes into the half, Shelby still trails, 3-1. Both teams have had a handful of deep attacks but both defenses are doing a solid job of recovering.

Shelby continues to turn in improved play all over the field in the middle stages of the second half, but can't break through against the Falcons' defense to get within striking distance.

Julia Kiser with a nice save from close range on a 1 vs. 1 against Kelly Wood to force a corner kick with just about five minutes left.

Niemeyer boots in her second goal with a leftfooted shot from the corner to make it 4-1. Niemeyer had very little angle on the shot but still found a way to get it past Kiser.

Final score - Forbush 4, Shelby 1. The story on this game will be available online at www.shelbystar.com later tonight.

Forbush will face either Cardinal Gibbons or Kill Devil Hills First Flight in the State Championship Saturday in Raleigh.

Blogging from Forbush at Shelby soccer

2008-05-21T13:36:00.004-05:00

I'll have a live blog today at the 2A Western final match between Shelby and Forbush at Blanton Stadium. Game time is 6 p.m. The winner advances to Saturday's State Championship in Raleigh ... the Lady Golden Lions are looking for their second straight trip to the title game.

Halves are 40 minutes long, and I'll try to have updates at least every 10 minutes - or when someone scores.

Live from Shelby at Hibriten

2008-05-16T17:59:00.024-05:00

dBA little late getting things set up, but I'll be posting updates from Shelby High's third round playoff game at Hibriten High.

Top 1st - Brett Mabry just crushed a two-run home run to left to give SHS a 2-0 lead against Hibriten starter Bryan Tuttle. Tuttle gets two straight outs to end the inning.
Shelby 2, Hibriten 0

Bottom 1st - Lefthander and Wingate signee Andrew White on the mound on two-days rest for the Golden Lions. Hibriten strikes for three runs on four hits with Joel Woods providing an RBI double and Trent Reynolds bringing in one with an infield single. The Panthers get an unearned run when a ball was misplayed on a force out attempt at 2nd, allowing a runner to score. White escapes further damage when Ben Huff cuts down a runner trying to steal third for the second out, then White picks off a runner at first for the third out.
Hibriten 3, Shelby 2

Top 2nd - Shelby goes down 1, 2, 3
Hibriten 3, Shelby 2

Bottom 2nd - Jon Easton leads off by reaching on an error, then Matt Edwards follows with a single to right to chase White from the game. SHS head coach Tommy Wease calls on righty submarine-style pitcher Andrew Harnage in relief. Edwards looked to be caught at second on a fake throw to third pickoff attempt, but he was ruled safe. Tuttle is hit by a pitch to load the bases, then Thomas Mabe knocks in Easton with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2 with one out. Harnage escapes further damage by recording two straight outs.
Hibriten 4, Shelby 2

Top 3rd - Austin Trice reaches on a one-out single, but Tuttle records two straight outs to get out of the inning unscathed.
Hibriten 4, Shelby 2

Bottom 3rd - Shelby commits three errors, leading to an unearned run. Howard scores from third to make it 5-2 when Harnage fields a squeeze bunt attempt but throws wildly to the plate.
Hibriten 5, Shelby 2

Top 4th - Shelby strands K.J. Dotson and Ben Huff are left at 2nd and 3rd. Dotson reached on an error and Huff reached on a bunt single. Cody Whisnant lines out sharply to third for the third out.
Hibriten 5, Shelby 2

Bottom 4th - Hibriten held scoreless for the first time tonight as Harnage pitches around two hits to get out of the inning with no damage.
Hibriten 5, Shelby 2

Top 5th - Mabry flies out to deep left for the third out with a runner on base (Julian Bridges, walk) for the third out as Tuttle has three-hitter through five.
Hibriten 5, Shelby 2

Bottom 5th - Trent Reynolds reaches on a single to center to chase Harnage from the game. Cody Whisnant on in relief for SHS. Mabry catches a pop fly in shallow right, then turns and guns down Brad Banks trying to tag and reach second for the 2nd out. Whisnant fans Tuttle for the 3rd out.
Hibriten 5, Shelby 2

Top 6th
Ryan Duncan and Ben Huff post back-to-back doubles as Huff knocks in Darren Fowler (pinch-running for Duncan at 2nd) to make it 5-3. Tuttle gets Whisnant to pop to 2nd for the 3rd out.
Hibriten 5, Shelby 3

Bottom 6th
Thomas Mabe singles to right and Billy Copper draws a walk as Wease pulls Whisnant and comes with lefty K.J. Dotson in relief. Joel Woods (1B, RBI) and Jack Howard (2B, 2 RBI) post consecutive hits to put the home team up 8-3. Dotson recovers to record three straight outs, including two strikeouts, to escape further damage.
Hibriten 8, Shelby 3

Top 7th
Austin Huffstetler drives in Austin Trice, who doubled, to make it 8-4. Tuttle goes on to strike out the side to finish off the win.
Final score, Hibriten 8, Shelby 4

Live from South Point at Crest

2008-05-02T17:44:00.019-05:00

It's Senior Night here at Crest and the pregame ceremony to honor the 2008 graduating class is under way. The Chargers' seniors are Kyle Kendrick, Corey Cline, Adam McFarland, Patrick Allen and Blake Fitch.

Here are tonight's starting lineups for this crucial Big South 3A/4A Conference finale:

South Point
1. Jordan Edgerton, 3B
2. Ryan Honeycutt, SS
3. Zach Horne, P
4. Chris Lane, CF
5. Weston Lawing, 1B
6. Cam Evans, DH - Evans DHing for Daniel Rogers, LF
7. Matt Darnell, 2B
8. Chris Harkey, LF
9. Nick Demarsico, C

Crest
1. Kyle Kendrick, C
2. Corey Cline, SS
3. Jacob Tisdale, P
4. Adam McFarland, 3B
5. Jordan Harris, 2B
6. Caleb Clark, DH - Clark DHing for Blake Fitch, RF
7. Jonathan Cooper, 1B
8. Patrick Allen, LF
9. Julian Ridings, CF

Game updates
Top 1st - Jordan Edgerton starts the game with a single to right. Ryan Honeycutt bunts Edgerton over to second with a sacrifice for the 1st out. Zach Horne flys out to left for the 2nd out. Chris Lane (to center) and Weston Lawing (to left) post back-to-back home runs to put South Point up 3-0. Cam Evans added a single before Matt Darnell grounds out to second for the 3rd out.
South Point 3, Crest 0

Bottom 1st - South Point lefthander Zach Horne strikes out the side in the top of the first. On all three "K's," Red Raider catcher Nick Demarsico scooped up the last strike out of the dirt and fired to first for the putout.
South Point 3, Crest 0

Top 2nd - Edgerton provides a two-out single before Honeycutt flys out to right to end the inning. Tisdale recorded his first strikeout for the first out.
South Point 3, Crest 0

Bottom 2nd - Caleb Clark reaches on a two-out, infield single, then Horne gets Jonathan Cooper to fly out to center to end the inning.
South Point 3, Crest 0

Top 3rd - Lawing reaches on a single to left, then Cam Evans flys out to left to end the inning.
South Point 3, Crest 0

Bottom 3rd - Patrick Allen draws a walk to open the inning. Horne records his fifth strikeout before getting two outfield flyouts to end the inning.
South Point 3, Crest 0

Top 4th - Nick Demarsico singles in Matt Darnell to make it 4-0. Darnell reached on wild pitch after the third strike, then raced to third on a throwing error on Chris Harkey's sacrifice bunt. Horne helps his cause with a grand slam to left centerfield to push the Red Raider lead to 8-0. Harkey, Demarsico and Edgerton scored on the blast.
South Point 8, Crest 0

Bottom 4th - Crest gets on the board as Jordan Harris singles to right center to bring in Tyler Wray to make it 8-1. Wray was running for the pitcher Tisdale, who started the inning with a double to left center.
South Point 8, Crest 1

Top 5th - Darnell and Harkey post singles to right with one out and Demarsico sacrifices Darnell to third, but Tisdale escapes any damage in the inning as Edgerton flys out to center.
South Point 8, Crest 1

Bottom 5th - Julian Ridings singles to right, then Kyle Kendrick follows with a single to right. Kendrick makes a wide turn at first, and gets caught in a rundown between first and second for the third out.
South Point 8, Crest 1

Top 6th - Sophomore Jay Robinson in on the mound for Crest. South Point tacks on three unearned runs including two on an infield error with two outs. Honeycutt, Derek Treffinger and Chris Lane score in the inning to make it 11-1. Robinson strikes out the side.
South Point 11, Crest 1

Bottom 6th - Crest goes down 1,2,3 in the sixth. Horne finishes with 9 strikeouts in a complete game effort.
Final score - South Point 11, Crest 1

Crest will now turn around and play East Gaston Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Ashbrook High with the No. 1 4A playoff berth from the Big South Conference at stake. If the game is rained out, the Chargers will play East Gaston at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Ashbrook. Both East and Crest will make the state playoffs regardless of the outcome.

South Point finished in a tie for the top 3A spot with Forestview. On Thursday, the Red Raiders won a coin flip that gives the Red Raiders the right to choose either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed.

Blogging tonight from South Point at Crest baseball

2008-05-02T14:23:00.003-05:00

I'll be posting live updates from tonight's South Point at Crest baseball game.

Here's the Gaston Gazette's Phil Gardner's story on the tiebreaking process heading into tonight's battle.

Should any Big South 3A/4A baseball teams finish in a tie for playoff berths, the conference has a plan.
Crest can lock up the No. 1 4A playoff spot from the conference with a win over the Red Raiders.
If Crest loses to South Point tonight, East Gaston and Crest would face each other 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Ashbrook for the league’s top 4A playoff seed. The rainout date would be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ashbrook.
If South Point beats Crest tonight, forcing a first-place tie with Forestview, no tiebreaking game will be held for the top 3A playoff seed.
South Point on Thursday won a coin flip that gives the Red Raiders the right to choose either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed should they finish in a tie with Forestview.
Hunter Huss can wrap up the league’s third and final 3A playoff spot with a win at Ashbrook tonight. If the Huskies lose, though, they would tie North Gaston for the playoff spot, requiring a tiebreaking game between the two. That game, if needed, has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at Hunter Huss, with a rain date set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hunter Huss. The Huskies won a coin flip for the right to host the game.

Live from KM at Burns baseball

2008-04-18T17:40:00.024-05:00

I'm set up in the pressbox for tonight's Southwestern 2A/3A Conference contest between Kings Mountain and Burns in Lawndale. The Mountaineers are wrapping up their pregame infield and first pitch is about 20 minutes away. I'll have updates from the game at the end of every half inning.

Starting pitchers: Burns - Eric Shuford (Sr., RHP); KM - Jeffry Howell (Jr., RHP)

Top 1st
Shuford strikes out first two, issues a walk to Brantley Blalock, then gets a groundout to end the inning.

Bottom 1st
Burns goes down 1-2-3 on three groundouts.

Top 2nd
Rai Robinson provides a one-out single for KM, before Shuford strikes out two more to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd
Adam Izokovic starts the inning with a long single to the right-center fence, then Howell records a pair of strikeouts and a pop up to the infield to end the inning.

Top 3rd
KM goes down 1-2-3 on two groundouts and one flyout.

Bottom 3rd
Burns gets two on with two out as Shuford is hit by a pitch and Luke Martin singles to left, then Howell gets a groundout to end the inning.

Top 4th
KM gets on the board as Brantley Blalock singles to right, steals second, moves to third on a wild pitch, then scores on a passed ball to make it 1-0. After two walks and one KM batter reaches on an error, Shuford gets a strikeout for the second out. Justin Heinbach follows with a double off the right-center fence to bring in Luke Proctor and Rai Robinson to make it 3-0.
Burns head coach Chris Emery makes a pitching change, bringing in Adam Izokovic from shortstop. Shuford moves to short from the mound.
Izokovic strikes out Cody Austin to end the inning.

Bottom 4th
Burns goes down 1-2-3 with Howell recording a pair of strikeouts to bring his total to five "K's" on the night.

Top 5th
Tyler Ross reaches on an error to start the inning, then Blalock pops up to short for the first out. Izokovic gets out of the inning with a strike-him-out, throw-him-out at second as catcher Kaleb Brown catches Ross stealing.

Bottom 5th
Burns loads the bases with two outs on a single by Luke Martin and a pair of walks, but Howell gets out of the jam by getting a popout to second to end the inning. Burns has now stranded six in five innings.

Top 6th
KM goes down 1-2-3

Bottom 6th
Burns goes down 1-2-3 as Howell strikes out the side. The Junior righty now has now fanned 10.

Top 7th
KM goes down 1-2-3 as Izokovic records a pair of strikeouts.

Bottom 7th
Burns' Aaron Crowe starts the inning with a solo home run to center to put the Bulldogs on the board to make it 3-1. Jacob Hamrick follows with a single, then moves to second on a wild pitch. Howell then walks Derek Shaffer to send the go-ahead run to the plate. Shuford now at the plate with no outs. Shuford strikes out on a curve ball for the first out, then Luke Martin is hit by a pitch to load the bases. James Gold strikes out for the second out. Adam Izokovic comes to the plate for Burns with the bases loaded. Izokovic flys out to right to end the game.

Final score: KM 3, Burns 1

Blogging from KM at Burns baseball

2008-04-18T12:59:00.002-05:00

I'll be blogging updates from the Kings Mountain at Burns baseball game tonight. The Mountaineers (5-4 SWC) enter the game with a 2-game lead over the Bulldogs (3-6 SWC) for the second and final guaranteed 3A playoff berth. On top of being a contest between county rivals, I would expect this one to have a postseason atmosphere.

First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.

Play Ball

2008-04-01T19:43:00.013-05:00

My seats were great for Monday night's home opener between the Braves and Pirates at Turner Field, but not quite close enough to get good action shots. I got a few that were worth posting, though ...

Mark Lemke, left, and Chip Carey, right during the pregame show.

Part of the big video montage on the giant Mitsubishi screen in centerfield ... a very well done piece about the history of the Braves franchise.

Javy Lopez and John Smoltz after the recently retired Lopez threw out the first pitch.

The 2008 Braves and Pirates on the baselines.

Tom Glavine's first pitch in his return start with the Braves.

Bobby Cox at the mound with catcher Brian McCann. This was a regular occurrence ... nine pitchers used by the Braves.

Live from Easter Tourney Championship

2008-03-27T17:55:00.012-05:00

Kings Mountain vs. South Caldwell

The two teams are about to take infield here at Veterans Field and Keeter Stadium. I'll be providing updates every half inning from tonight's title game of the Shelby Savings Bank Easter Tournament.

Pitching matchup - KM's Kyle Bell vs. SC's Cody Poarch

Top 1st - SC goes 1-2-3 in a quick top of the first.
Bottom 1st - KM goes 1-2-3 in an equally quick bottom of the first

Top 2nd - SC' s Cody Prestwood starts the inning with a single, then Bell records three straight outs.
Bottom 2nd - KM's Brent Hunt reaches on a single to start the inning, then Poarch records three straight outs.

Top 3rd - SC goes down 1-2-3.
Bottom 3rd - KM gets runners on 1st and 3rd with two outs as Cody Austin is hit by a pitch and Tyler Ross singles to right, but Poarch records the third out with a strikeout to escape damage.

Top 4th - SC goes up 6-0 as Cody Prestwood (2B), Tyler Dillard (1B) and Jimmy Messer (1B) provide RBI. The Spartans score three more runs on throwing erorrs. Brantley Blalock took over in the middle of the inning on the mound in relief of Bell.
Bottom 4th - KM gets on the board to make it 6-1 as Brent Hunt, who started the inning by getting hit by a pitch, scores on a 4-6-3 double play with the bases loaded. Luke Proctor had a single in the inning for KM.

Top 5th - Cody Austin on the mound for KM. Austin gets a 1-4-3 double play to end the inning with no damage.
Bottom 5th - Tyler Ross reaches on an error with two outs, but Poarch gets out of the inning with a fly ball to center.

Top 6th - SC goes down 1-2-3. Score remains, 6-1 in favor of SC.
Bottom 6th - KM goes down 1-2-3.

Top 7th - SC goes down 1-2-3.
Bottom 7th - KM goes down 1-2-3. South Caldwell, runner-up the last two years, wins the 2008 Shelby Savings Bank Easter Tournament.

Keeter Stadium construction photos

2008-03-20T16:47:00.010-05:00

Went over to Shelby High's Veterans Field and Keeter Stadium today and took a few pictures of the progress over there.

According to the contractor, the concession building, pressbox and bathrooms will not be completely finished in time for the Shelby Savings Bank Easter Tournament, which begins Monday. There will be a portable concession stand and port-a-potties brought in for the event. The contractor also said the canopy will begin to be constructed around late April/early May at the end of the high school season.

It's hard to believe the Southeast Regional and World Series are less than five months away!

Concessions stand

A couple of shots of the pressbox

New batting cage behind fieldhouse under construction

Columns down the left side of the stadium
From second base

The picks are in

2008-03-19T16:43:00.002-05:00

T-Minus 18 hours and counting until the Big Dance ....

There may be a handful of late-Wednesday/early-Thursday adjustments to my NCAA Tourney picks, but I finally sat down and worked through the 64-team bracket today.

Here's my Final Four: UNC vs. Kansas; UCLA vs. Texas. UNC defeats Kansas, and Texas pulls a mild upset of UCLA - setting up a UNC and Roy Williams vs. Texas and Rick Barnes National Championship. I like the Tar Heels to defeat the Longhorns and cut down the nets in San Antonio for their fifth title (sixth if you count 1924).

I know, pretty "chalk" picks but I do have my fair share of upsets in the early rounds. Here's a few of them: No. 7 Butler over No. 2 Tennessee (Second round, East Region); No. 11 Baylor over No. 6 Purdue (First round, West Region); No. 12 Temple over No. 5 Michigan State (First round, South Region)
Mild upsets: No. 10 Davidson over No. 7 Gonzaga (First round, Midwest Region); No. 6 Marquette over No. 3 Stanford (Second round, South Region)

Picks I may regret not making: No. 10 Davidson over No. 2 Georgetown in the second round; No. 13 Winthrop over No. 4 Washington State in the first round; No. 11 St. Joseph's over No. 6 Oklahoma in the first round; No. 5 Clemson over No. 1 Kansas in the Sweet 16.

The first No. 1 seed I have going down is Memphis in the Sweet 16 to Big East champ and No. 4 Pittsburgh in the South Region. I've got a feeling the South is where you'll see the most surprises this year.

I've got No. 2 Duke in the Sweet 16, then falling to Drew Lavender and No. 3 Xavier.

NCAA Tournament announcers

2008-03-18T23:49:00.003-05:00

If you haven't already, I recommend signing up for March Madness on Demand. It's free at the NCAA's Web site at http://www.ncaasports.com/mmod
You can't beat watching every game for free ...

Looks like Jim Nantz and Billy Packer are at Raleigh where North Carolina and Davidson are playing, and Craig Bolerjack and Bob Wenzel are at Washington D.C. with Duke.

My favorite two crews: Gus Johnson and Len Elmore - Johnson is one of the most intense play-by-play guys in the business.
Dick Enberg/Carter Blackburn and Jay Bilas - Bilas has emerged as one of the best color commentators/analysts, and Enberg is still solid at 73-years-old.

Thursday Games:

(12) Temple (21-12) vs (5) Michigan State (25-8) 12:20 PM South (Denver): Gus Johnson and Len Elmore
(14) Georgia (17-16) vs (3) Xavier (27-6) 12:20 PM West (Washington, DC): Craig Bolerjack and Bob Wenzel
(16) Portland State (23-9) vs (1) Kansas (31-3) 12:25 PM Midwest (Omaha): Kevin Harlan and Dan Bonner
(11) Kentucky (18-12) vs (6) Marquette (24-9) 2:30 PM South (Anaheim): Dick Enberg/Carter Blackburn and Jay Bilas
(11) Baylor (21-10) vs (6) Purdue (24-8) 2:50 PM West (Washington, DC): Craig Bolerjack and Bob Wenzel
(9) Kent State (28-6) vs (8) UNLV (26-7) 2:55 PM Midwest (Omaha): Kevin Harlan and Dan Bonner
(13) Oral Roberts (24-8) vs (4) Pittsburgh (26-9) 3:00 PM South (Denver): Gus Johnson and Len Elmore
(14) Cornell (22-5) vs (3) Stanford (26-7) 4:55 PM South (Anaheim): Dick Enberg/Carter Blackburn and Jay Bilas
(11) Kansas State (20-11) vs (6) USC (21-11) 7:10 PM Midwest (Omaha): Kevin Harlan and Dan Bonner
(15) Belmont (25-8) vs (2) Duke (27-5) 7:10 PM West (Washington, DC): Craig Bolerjack and Bob Wenzel
(13) Winthrop (22-11) vs (4) Washington State (24-8) 7:20 PM East (Denver): Gus Johnson and Len Elmore
(9) Texas A&M (24-10) vs (8) BYU (27-7) 7:25 PM West (Anaheim): Dick Enberg/Carter Blackburn and Jay Bilas
(14) Cal State Fullerton (24-8) vs (3) Wisconsin (29-4) 9:40 PM Midwest (Omaha): Kevin Harlan and Dan Bonner
(12) George Mason (23-10) vs (5) Notre Dame (24-7) 9:50 PM East (Denver): Gus Johnson and Len Elmore
(16) Mississippi Valley State (17-15) vs (1) UCLA (31-3) 9:50 PM West (Anaheim): Dick Enberg/Carter Blackburn and Jay Bilas
(10) Arizona (19-14) vs (7) West Virginia (24-10) 9:50 PM West (Washington, DC): Craig Bolerjack and Bob Wenzel

Friday Games:

(15) American (21-11) vs (2) Tennessee (29-4) 12:15 PM East (Birmingham): Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery
(10) Davidson (26-6) vs (7) Gonzaga (25-7) 12:25 PM Midwest (Raleigh): Jim Nantz and Billy Packer
(10) St. Mary's (CA) (25-6) vs (7) Miami (FL) (22-10) 12:30 PM South (Little Rock): Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkel
(12) Western Kentucky (27-6) vs (5) Drake (28-4) 12:30 PM West (Tampa): Tim Brando and Mike Gminski
(10) South Alabama (26-6) vs (7) Butler (29-3) 2:45 PM East (Birmingham): Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery
(15) UMBC (24-8) vs (2) Georgetown (27-5) 2:55 PM Midwest (Raleigh): Jim Nantz and Billy Packer
(13) San Diego (21-13) vs (4) UConn (24-8) 3:00 PM West (Tampa): Tim Brando and Mike Gminski
(15) Austin Peay (24-10) vs (2) Texas (28-6) 5:00 PM South (Little Rock): Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkel
(16) Play-In Winner (TBD) vs (1) North Carolina (32-2) 7:10 PM East (Raleigh): Jim Nantz and Billy Packer
(11) St. Joseph's (21-12) vs (6) Oklahoma (22-11) 7:10 PM East (Birmingham): Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery
(13) Siena (22-10) vs (4) Vanderbilt (26-7) 7:20 PM Midwest (Tampa): Tim Brando and Mike Gminski
(9) Oregon (18-13) vs (8) Mississippi State (22-10) 7:25 PM South (Little Rock): Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkel
(9) Arkansas (22-11) vs (8) Indiana (25-7) 9:50 PM East (Raleigh): Jim Nantz and Billy Packer
(14) Boise State (25-8) vs (3) Louisville (24-8) 9:50 PM East (Birmingham): Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery
(12) Villanova (20-12) vs (5) Clemson (24-9) 9:50 PM Midwest (Tampa): Tim Brando and Mike Gminski
(16) UT Arlington (21-11) vs (1) Memphis (33-1) 9:55 PM South (Little Rock): Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkel

From http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com

First glance at the Madness

2008-03-16T17:45:00.004-05:00

As always, it will take me a couple days to finalize my official picks for the NCAA Tournament, but here's my first take on the 2008 brackets. I'll follow this up a little later in the week after I've looked deeper at the matchups.

- Lowest seeds with the best chances to advance:
Winthrop (No. 13, East); Davidson (No. 10, Midwest); Baylor (No. 11, West); Temple (No. 12, South); Siena (No. 13, Midwest)

- Interesting storylines:
O.J. vs. Beasley - Two of the best freshmen in the country, USC's O.J. Mayo and Kansas State's Michael Beasley - both lottery picks when they decide to move on to the NBA - will meet in the first round of the East Region.

Zags vs. Wildcats - No. 7 Gonzaga and No. 10 Davidson, two strong programs from mid-major conferences, going head-to-head in the first round of the Midwest Region. Stephen Curry and Davidson should have a strong following in Raleigh and has a legit shot to get to the Sweet 16.

It's academic - Stanford and Cornell are two of the most highly regarded academic institutions in the nation. In the South Region, the No. 3 Cardinal match up with the No. 14 Big Red as they'll have a meeting of the minds on the hardwood.

- Of regional interest:
North Carolina, the No. 1 overall seed, is in a stacked East Region. Neither Indiana nor Arkansas will be an easy second-round foe. I think it's possible to see a Winthrop vs. UNC matchup in the Sweet 16 in Charlotte. I like UNC vs. Louisville or Butler (undecided) in the East final.

Duke takes on Atlantic Sun champ Belmont, a team GWU and its fans are familiar with. The Blue Devils should cruise past the Bruins, then deep in the tourney until they face another set of Bruins, UCLA, in the West final.

I picked Clemson to win the ACC Championship, and if the Tigers would have knocked down a few free throws and taken care of the ball, they could have knocked off UNC. Those are big IF's, and they remain as concerns. Clemson takes on a well-coached Villanova team out of the Big East in the first round. If the Tigers are on their game, they should at least get to the Sweet 16.

I see Davidson and Winthrop as two of the more dangerous mid-majors in this year's Big Dance. In recent years, the Wildcats have dominated the Southern Conference, while the Eagles have controlled the Big South. Davidson has a great chance for its first NCAA tourney win since 1969. Winthrop defeated Notre Dame in the first round of last year's tournament. If they both get out of the first round this season, the Eagles and Fighting Irish would play again in the second round.

ACC Tournament picks

2008-03-12T22:56:00.008-05:00

With all the parity among the teams in the middle of the pack, it wouldn't really shock me to miss all of the first rounders and throw off my whole pick sheet. But for tradition's sake, I'll at least give it a shot.

First round
Wake Forest over Florida State
Miami over N.C. State
Virginia over Georgia Tech
Maryland over Boston College

Quarterfinals
North Carolina over Wake Forest
Miami over Virginia Tech
Duke over Virginia
Clemson over Maryland

Semifinals
North Carolina over Miami
Clemson over Duke

Championship
Clemson over North Carolina

First round: 1-3 - awful.
Quarterfinals: 3-1
Semifinals: 2-0
Championship: 0-1
Final record: 6-5

My take on the championship: The best team clearly won the 2008 edition of the ACC tourney. When the Tar Heels are playing that balanced, they're going to be tough for anybody to beat. Both teams had trouble handling defensive pressure. The Heels committed 20 turnovers, but that was offset as Clemson gave it up 17 times leading to 26 points for UNC. Neither team can afford those kind of turnover numbers in the Big Dance.

Speaking of which, Selection Sunday is always one of my favorite days on the sports calendar and we're about 1:30 away from the picks being announced. UNC looks to be a lock for the No. 1 seed in the East. It'll be interesting to see where they send Duke (likely a No. 2 or No. 3) and Clemson (likely a No. 4 or No. 5). It looks like Miami is safe to get in, but Virginia Tech finds itself floating around the bubble.

I'll have a quick bracket breakdown on the blog tonight after the picks are released.

Blog assist at Winston-Salem Saturday

2008-03-07T23:45:00.006-05:00

Gaston Gazette sports writer Phil Gardner is in Winston-Salem covering the Forestview girls in the 3A Regional final at 7 p.m. at the Joel Coliseum Annex on Saturday. He's offered his assistance and will be blogging at the Shelby-Pisgah 2A boys Regional final at 4 p.m. at the Coliseum.

Here's the link to his blog ...
http://blogs.gastongazette.com/PhillipGardner/Default.aspx

Sports Editor Alan Ford will be in Winston-Salem covering the game. I'll be working in the office, and shortly after I receive Alan's game story, it will be available online at http://www.shelbystar.com/

In Friday's 2A Eastern Regional action: West Bladen defeated South Lenoir, 65-48 and Farmville Central dropped Southern Vance, 72-58. West Bladen (28-2) and Farmville (23-3) will meet Saturday at 7 p.m. at ECU's Minges Coliseum for the Eastern championship.

Shelby vs. East Lincoln follow-up

2008-03-06T13:20:00.003-05:00

Be sure to check out the Gaston Gazette's Phil Gardner's video clips from the game at www.varsitync.com

A few follow-up notes from Shelby's contest against East Lincoln Wednesday night ...

- The Golden Lions outscored the Mustangs, 19-4, in bench points. Zacc Gullatte's seven points and Nick Stamp's six highlighted Shelby's reserves.
- Shelby scored 10 fast-break points to East's two.
- The Lions shot 26 free throws and made 14. The Mustangs were 10-of-14 from the stripe.
- East blocked 12 shots with five coming from guard Breon Jones - mostly from the backside on double teams in the post. On most of the blocks, the possession didn't change as Shelby recovered the blocks.
- Tim Gullatte had four assists and three steals for Shelby, while Eric Mayo had three steals and three blocks. The Lions won most of the statistical categories Wednesday, but they also won most of the "hustle stats." Shelby hit the floor and won a lot of loose balls and had 19 second-chance points.
- Shelby was 6-of-13 from 3-point range with two makes each by center Quevalas Murray and guard Miles Lawrence. The Lions are used to Lawrence making long-range shots, but the 6-3, 245-pound Murray isn't known as well for his outside shot in game situations. Left alone beyond the arc in the first half, Murray stepped up and knocked down two early three's and looked confident in his shot. Forward Eric Mayo also hit a first-quarter trifecta. Those were Murray's second and third 3-pointers of the year, while Mayo has now made six.

2A West Regional schedule
Wednesday's semifinals
at North Forsyth High School, Winston-Salem
Pisgah 69, Starmount 60
Shelby 76, East Lincoln 48
Saturday's final
at Lawrence Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem
Shelby (26-3) vs. Pisgah (24-4), 4 p.m.

2A East Regional schedule
at Minges Coliseum, Greenville
Friday's semifinals
South Lenior (16-12) vs. West Bladen (27-2), 7 p.m.
Farmville Central (22-3) vs. Southern Vance (16-8), 8:30 p.m.
Saturday's final
Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.

Note: The regional winners will play next Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m. at N.C. State's Reynolds Coliseum in the State Championship.

Shelby 76, East Lincoln 48

2008-03-05T20:33:00.029-05:00

Thanks to everyone for reading the blog tonight.

I'll post a few more stats, notes and quotes from the game when I get back to Cleveland County in a few hours.

The two teams are warming up ... at 8:33 p.m. there is still 13 minutes until tip-off. I'll have updates as frequent as possible during the game, so check back often.

In case you missed on the first blog, Shelby is the visitors and are wearing its black tops and shorts with white and gold trim. East Lincoln is the home team and is in white tops and shorts with green and orange trim.

Starters
Shelby Golden Lions
G - Michael Manning
G - Miles Lawrence
F - Tim Gullatte
F - Eric Mayo
C - Quevalas Murray

East Lincoln Mustangs
G - Wes Glover
G - Breon Jones
G - Adrian Forney
F - Keith Rendleman
C - Alex Newsome

First quarter under way
With 4 minutes left in the first, Shelby leads 9-7.
First quarter complete with score tied at 14-14. Shelby has missed out on a couple of chances near the basket, but has done a solid job on the defensive end. Two of Shelby's four field goals are 3-pointers by big men Quevalas Murray and Eric Mayo.

Second quarter under way
A quick 8-0 run by Shelby to start the 2nd makes it 22-14 Golden Lions at the 6-minute mark.
Now a 9-0 run after 1-of-2 at the stripe by Tim Gullatte makes it 23-14. Shelby is doing a solid job of limiting EL to just one shot per possession.
Shelby leads 28-20 with 2:15 left in the half.
Shelby leads 33-24 at halftime. A bit of an offensive lull down the stretch of the second quarter by the Lions, but they have turned in solid defense and rebounding through the half with the 6-foot-9 Alex Newsome and 6-foot-7 Rendleman roaming the paint.

Points leaders
Shelby
Murray 11 points; Mayo 9 points
EL
Newsome 10 points; Forney 6 points

A few stats ... Shelby shooting 36 percent from the floor; EL shooting 34 percent. Shelby outrebounding EL, 22-16 and has held EL to just four offensive boards. Shelby with six teals to EL's two. EL's Rendleman with three of teams' five fouls in first half.

Third quarter under way
Eric Mayo and Michael Manning with early baskets to make it 37-24 with 7 minutes left.
EL has found some rhythm offensively, but SHS still leads 41-34 with 3 minutes left.
Miles Lawrence drains Shelby's fifth 3-pointer of the game to make it 44-34 with 2:40 left.
Michael Manning threads a pass through the paint to Murray, who converts a 3-point play to make it 47-34 with 2 minutes left.
11-0 SHS run over a 1:30 stretch makes it 52-34 with 1:13 left.
Shelby will take a 52-38 lead into the fourth. Eric Mayo drills a halfcourt shot at the buzzer, but it was waved off by the referee.

Fourth quarter under way
Shelby leads 58-39 with 6:30 left. Murray now with 18 points on the night.
Shelby has increased lead to 63-41 with 5 minutes left.
Murray with 2-of-2 at the line as Shelby now leads 65-41 with 4:30 left. EL has just one FG and 3 points in the fourth quarter. SHS has outscored the Mustangs, 17-4 in the fourth quarter and leads 69-42.
With 2 minutes left, Hollifield is clearing the bench with five subs on the floor. SHS leads 73-44.
Shelby wins 76-48 and will face Pisgah Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem with a berth in the 2A State title game at stake.

First semifinal - Pisgah 69, Starmount 60

2008-03-05T19:13:00.013-05:00

Set up on the baseline here at North Forsyth's gym. Interesting set up ... The scorer's table is behind one of the baskets - situated in the middle of a row of tables with all of the media representatives. The two teams are seated on opposite sidelines, and substitues have to come down the sideline and behind the basket to check in the game.

The place is packed for the first semifinal game between Boonville Starmount and Canton Pisgah. There are already a few Shelby and East Lincoln fans in the stands as well.

Semifinal No. 1 updates
With 5:34 left in the second quarter, Starmount leads 26-17.

Halftime - Since I posted the first update, Pisgah went on a 13-2 run to close the half and leads 30-28 going into the break.

The second half is under way with Pisgah leading 37-35 with 5:30 left .... Shelby's boys just arrived at the gym and the Golden Lions are watching the action. Shelby went to Mount Tabor High and had a shoot-around before coming to North Forsyth. According to head coach Aubrey Hollifield, "The shoot-around went great. We were able to get loose and get our legs under us."

Shelby will be the visitors and will wear its black uniforms with gold trim, while East Lincoln will be in its white uniforms with green and orange trim.

End of third quarter - Pisgah leads 45-41 after three. Middle of third quarter, Pisgah has taken control of the game and leads 58-47. With 2:25 left, Pisgah leads 62-52.

Pisgah wins 69-60 behind a dominant second-half effort. The Black Bears will face the Shelby/East Lincoln winner Saturday at 4 p.m. at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem for the Western Regional title.

In case you were wondering, here are the teams battling it out in the 2A East regional.

Friday at ECU's Minges Coliseum

7 p.m.: South Lenoir (16-12) vs. West Bladen (27-2)

8:30 p.m.: Farmville Central (22-3) vs. Southern Vance (16-8)

Blogging from Winston-Salem Wednesday

2008-03-04T19:30:00.005-05:00

Wanted to let folks know that I'll be blogging live Wednesday night from Shelby High's 2A Western Regional semifinal contest against East Lincoln at North Forsyth High School. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., and the contest will follow the first semifinal between Boonville Starmount and Canton Pisgah, which starts at 7 p.m.

I hope to be at North Forsyth in time to catch a good portion of the first semifinal and will try to post some information from that game as well.

From Alan Ford's story in Tuesday's edition ...
Game info: Tickets will be $8. Because the semifinal games are at a high school gym with limited capacity (as compared to the Saturday finals at Lawrence Joel Coliseum), local fans planning to attend may want to arrive in time to watch both games. When the gym capacity is reached, no more will be allowed in and the gym will not be cleared after the first contest is done.

Directions: Traveling east on Interstate 40 from the Hickory-Statesville corridor, take Business 40 when you get to Winston Salem. Go to exit 6B and take U.S. 52 north. Proceed on 52 to exit 115 (the University Parkway South exit). Turn right onto Hanes Mill road. The North Forsyth Campus entrance is a half-mile ahead on left.

New Star sports e-mail address

2008-01-24T00:36:00.001-05:00

Wanted to let folks know we have a new e-mail address for reporting scores, local announcements or just for getting in touch with The Star sports duo in general.

The new address is sports@shelbystar.com. It's up and running now, so feel free to give it a shot.
We still have our personal e-mail accounts at The Star, but this general address should make things much easier for everyone that uses e-mail to get information to us. Alan and I will both receive the e-mails that are sent to this address.

Of course, you can still call us at (704) 669-3340 or (704) 669-3336 or fax to (704) 484-0805.

NFL Playoff picks

2008-01-05T15:28:00.000-05:00

Almost too late for these, but here's an abbreviated version of how I see the NFL Playoffs shaking out ...

Wild Card round
Redskins at Seahawks - Seahawks; Giants at Buccaneers - Giants; Jaguars at Steelers - Steelers; Titans at Chargers - Chargers.

Divisional round
Seahawks at Packers - Packers; Giants at Cowboys - Cowboys; Steelers at Patriots - Patriots; Chargers at Colts - Colts.

NFC Championship: Packers at Cowboys - Packers; Colts at Patriots - Patriots.

Super Bowl: Packers vs. Patriots - Patriots.

Live from Gardner-Webb at Charlotte

2007-12-22T13:50:00.000-05:00

About eight minutes from tipoff as GWU will take on Charlotte at Halton Arena. I'll post updates as often as possible.

Starters
GWU - Grayson Flittner; Thomas Sanders; Aaron Linn; Nate Blank; Samba Fall
Charlotte - Michael Gerrity; Charlie Coley; Leemire Goldwire; Lamont Mack; An'Juan Wilderness

The 49ers are in their home white uniforms with green letters and black trim; The Runnin' Bulldogs are in their road reds with white letters and black trim.

Game is tipped off
1st half
GWU has jumped out to a 10-4 lead at 16:12 after a pair of makes at the line by Nate Blank. Thomas Sanders has 6 of GWU's first 10 points and has one assist.
Charlotte is 2-of-7 from the floor in the first four minutes with three turnovers.
GWU continues to lead 12-8 with 11:40 left in the first. With just one turnover, the Dogs have done a solid job against Charlotte's pressure defense in the early going. The 49ers lead the rebounding edge 11-5 and have six offensive boards.
GWU has gone cold and has suffered a few turnovers over the last several minutes. Charlotte is in the middle of a 16-4 run over the last eight minutes and now leads 20-14 after a 3-pointer by Michael Gerrity with 8 minutes left in the first.
Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz just given a technical foul with 6 minutes left in the half. Grayson Flittner hits both technical foul shots and GWU cuts the deficit to 27-21. Sanders nails 2-of-2 on the next possession to make it 27-23 at 5:09.
Charlotte now leads 33-27 at 3:03 after a pair of 3's by Leemire Goldwire. Goldwire has 14 points and has hit 4, 3-pointers in the first half.
The 49ers go on their second 16-4 run on the half over the final 3-plus minutes and will take a 43-29 lead into the half.
Leading scorers - GWU: Sanders 12; Blank 8. Charlotte: Goldwire 14; Dewhurst 10.

Quick take - Rebounds (26-15 edge) and second chance points (15-0 edge), along with the 3-point shooting of Goldwire (4-for-9), have been the big keys to the 49ers ability to get out to a 14-point lead at the half. GWU closed the gap to 27-25 with just over three minutes left and looked poised to keep it close the rest of the half, but Charlotte turned up the pressure defense down the stretch and steadily built its lead.

2nd half
Charltotte leads 51-33 with 15:32 left. Thomas Sanders picked up his fourth foul early in the half and will have to sit for a while. Aaron Linn also has three fouls and it looks as if Samba Fall will not return as he hobbled off the court late in the first half with an apparent ankle injury and was still walking lightly on the ankle when the team broke the huddle after the timeout.
Backcourt pressure has caused GWU to use three timeouts in the game, including one with 15:28 left in the second.
Goldmire makes 2 more 3's, now 6-of-11 from long range and 7-of-13 from the floor, as Charlotte now has a 59-38 lead with 11:30 left.
Charlie Coley with a couple of big second half dunks for Charlotte. Sanders and Linn back out on the floor for GWU with just under eight minutes left in the game. The 49ers lead 67-42.
With just under four minutes left, Charlotte leads 76-47.

Final score - Charlotte 83, Gardner-Webb 51

2007 AP All-State team

2007-12-19T21:48:00.000-05:00

The coach of the year will be named on Thursday, Dec. 20. The player of the year will be named Friday, Dec. 21.

2007 AP All-State prep football team for N.C.
The voting breakdown for the 2007 Associated Press All-State prep football team for North Carolina, as cast by a statewide panel of 20 media members. Number of votes are in parentheses.
OFFENSE
QB—Darius Thomas, West Charlotte (15)
RB—Terrence “Buggy” Kincaid, McDowell County (13)
RB—Eric Breitenstein, Watauga County (9)
WR—Levon Curtis, Western Alamance (18)
WR—Jarrett Boykin, Matthews Butler (7)
TE—Dwayne Allen, Fayetteville Sanford (11)
OL—Jonathan Cooper, Wilmington Hoggard (19)
OL—Michael Via, Northeast Guilford (15)
OL—Nick Becton, New Hanover County (14)
OL—Josh Clark, North Gaston (14)
OL—Casey Augustine, Watauga County (7)
OL—Xavier Nixon, Fayetteville Britt (7)
DEFENSE
DL—Lanston Tanyi, Shelby (16)
DL—Terry Vaughan, New Bern (16)
DL—Allen Crowder, Eastern Alamance (11)
DL—Jarvis Pierce, Charlotte Independence (9)
LB—Austin Johnson, Hickory (15)
LB—Kevin Reddick, New Bern (10)
LB—Dwayne Maddox, Crest (8)
DB—Robert Blanton, Matthews Butler (16)
DB—Ed Gainey, Winston-Salem Mt. Tabor (10)
DB—Josh Gossett, Asheville Roberson (9)
DB—Justin Avery, West Rowan (8)
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK—Casey Barth, Wilmington Hoggard (18)
P—Matt Milisor, Greensboro Page (9)
KR—Jameze Massey, Monroe (14)
ATH—E.J. Abrams-Ward, Thomasville (4)
ATH—A.J. Blue, North Gaston (4)

Live from Raleigh - Shelby vs. Reidsville

2007-12-08T18:44:00.000-05:00

Pre-game

About 45 minutes before kickoff here at N.C. State's Carter-Finley Stadium. The pressbox here in Vaughn Towers is plush and the pre-game lasagna hit the spot after the ride from Shelby!

In State football championship action earlier today in Chapel Hill, North Gaston suffered a 62-36 setback to Western Alamance in the 3A ranks. The 98 combined points was an NCHSAA neutral site championship record dating back to 1989.

In the 2A title, Lincolnton defeated South Columbus, 28-14, to claim its second championship and first since 1993.

4A - Wilmington Hoggard 28, Mount Tabor 0
3AA - Greensboro Dudley 28, Charlotte Catholic 20
1A - Plymouth 20, North Duplin 13

Shelby and Reidsville are going through their pregame warmups. The Golden Lions are the home team and are in their black jerseys with black pants and gold helmets. The Rams are in their white tops with gold pants and gold helmets.

The two teams have taken the field, the National Anthem has been sung and we're almost set for kickoff.

Shelby won the toss and elected to defer to the second half.

First quarter
Reidsville takes first drive and moves all the way down the Shelby 20. Reidsville's James Scheer misses a 37-yarder wide left.
Shelby takes over at its own 20 and is now at the 45 after a pair of runs by Larry Raper and Marc Williams. 5:45 on the clock
Shelby's drive stalls as Reidsville stops the run. Lions forced to punt near midfield with 4:20 left
Reidsville just used its second timeout at the half with 4:13 left in the first quarter. They have the ball at their own 23 to start the possession.
Reidsville goes three-and-out and punts.
Shelby with the ball near midfield after a nice run by Williams with the clock at three minutes.

First quarter comes to a close with game scoreless. Reidsville has the ball at its own 38 with a 3rd and 2 when the second quarter starts.

Second quarter
Howard Thompson breaks loose for a 68-yard TD run on a QB keeper with 10:57 left to put Shelby on the board. Turner Almond's kick makes it 7-0.
Reidsville answers with a TD on a 20-yard pass from Ray Butchee to Kerry Hammock. Scheer's kick makes it 7-7. The scoring drive was keyed by a 52-yard catch-and-run from Butchee to Mike Brown. 8:03 left in the second.
Now 4:50 left in the second after Reidsville forces a punt.
The Rams have moved quickly down the field set up by a 36 yard pass from Butchee to Marlon Roach. Reidsville with 1st and 10 at the SHS 16 with 3:37 left.
Reidsville overcomes an intentional grounding call and on the next play Butchee hits Brown on a 30-yard TD pass over the middle. Butchee now with 161 yards passing in the first half.
Shelby fumbles deep in its own territory with 2:30 left and Reidsville now has a first and 10 at the SHS 8.
Tayon Graves carries it eight yards for TD as Scheer's kick makes it 21-7 with 2:26 left.
SHS goes three-and-out on next possession and is forced to punt. After the timeout, there will be 15 seconds left in the half as the Lions are about to punt.
First half ends with Reidsville leading 21-7. The halftime lasts 15 minutes ... be sure to check out WGWG-FM 88.3 for halftime analysis.

Third quarter
Shelby will start on its own 20 to begin the second half.
After forcing a punt on SHS first possession, Reidsville goes up 28-7 on a 1-yard blast by Graves. Scheer's kick was good at 7:27. The drive was keyed by a 32-yard reverse pass from Hammock to Niko McGirt.
With 6:30 left in the quarter, SHS has moved out to its own 40 thanks to a long run by Thompson.
The two teams trade fumbles with SHS' Lanston Tanyi recovering one by the Rams. SHS cashes in on the turnover on a 7-yard TD run by Donovan Gidney. The XP was blocked as Reidsville leads 28-13 with 2:48 left in the quarter.

Fourth quarter
SHS will get the ball back to start the fourth as the Rams are about to punt it away.
Thompson completes a 14-yard fade pass to Tim Gullatte with 7:50 for a TD. Almond's extra point makes it 28-20.
Reidsville has chewed over four minutes off the clock and now has a big 3rd and 15 with 2:51 left in the game. The ball is at the SHS 42.SHS picks up the first and the drive stays alive.
SHS forces a punt and will get at least one more shot at it with 2:40 on the clock and one timeout. Reidsville punts it away and SHS now has a 4th and 2 with 1:45 left.
After four incompletions, SHS turns it over on downs and Reidsville will run out the clock.

Final score - Reidsville 28, Shelby 20

Saturday's coverage

2007-12-07T15:28:00.000-05:00

Figured I would post this a day early to let folks know the plan for Saturday's coverage of the 2AA State football championship between Shelby and Reidsville in Raleigh.

Making the trip with me to Carter-Finley Stadium will be Star photographer Brittany Randolph and interactive reporter Kristy McSwain.

I'll be blogging live updates from the game, while Brittany will have photo updates at halftime and after the game at http://starphotochampionship.blogspot.com and Kristy will have video highlights at www.shelbystar.com after the game.

Also, I'll be in the radio booth at halftime on WGWG-FM 88.3 with Andy Foster and Dennis Davis, who will be calling the game. We're hoping to video the halftime report and also post that to www.shelbystar.com.

The game can also be heard on WOHS-AM 730 and WADA-AM 1390 with David Allen and Brent Pasko.

If you're making the trip, have a safe trip to Raleigh!

Live from Mount Pleasant at Shelby

2007-11-30T19:10:00.000-05:00

About 20 minutes before kickoff here at Blanton Stadium as Shelby will host Mount Pleasant in the 2AA West finals. The winner will take on the winner of Reidsville and Southern Vance next Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

Uniforms - The Tigers are in their gold (almost yellow) jerseys with white pants and helmets. The Golden Lions are in their black jerseys with black pants and blue helmets.

Great rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by SHS cheerleader Molly McKinney.

Mount Pleasant won the toss and elected to receive.

First quarter
MP will start the first drive on its own 16
Marc Williams and Lanston Tanyi sack MP QB Tye Hill on third down and SHS will take over at midfield after the punt.
Howard Thompson runs left on an option keeper for 30 yards on the Lions' first play from scrimmage to put SHS at the 20.
SHS now inside the MP 5 and goes up 6-0 on a 4-yard touchdown run by Donovan Gidney. Turner Almond's kick is good to make it 7-0 at 7:38.
MP has it on its second drive at the 30.
MP picks up first, first down on an 8-yard completion from Hill to Jason Talbert at 6:30 as the visitors have it at midfield.
Jonathan Hopper breaks up a pass downfield to force 4th down and MP's second punt of the quarter. SHS will start second drive at the 16 with 3:12 left.
Thompson finds WR Zacc Gullatte on a 34 yard pass to put SHS at the 50.
First quarter complete with SHS leading 7-0. The Lions will have the ball at the MP 34 as the second quarter begins.

Second quarter
Thompson finds Gullatte wide open down the right sideline for a 34-yard TD strike as Almond's kick makes it 14-0 at 11:53.

Quick take: SHS has done a solid job of mixing the run with a couple of effective passes in the early going - with good blocking as usual.

Aaron Briscoe causes Hill to fumble and Quevalas Murray recovers to give it back to Shelby at the MP 35. Thompson is quickly sacked by MP's Fred Heintz back behind midfield with 9:42 left.
MP forces a punt and will take over way back at its own 6 after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty with 8:37 left in the half.
MP with a couple of first downs and is now at its own 30 with 6:22 left in the half.
MP with its longest pass of the game from Hill to Talbert for 23 yards as MP moves across midfield with 5:30 left.
Jose Sanchez with MP's longest rush of the game down to the 30. Sanchez follows with a run to the 23, setting up a 3rd and 1. Forte carries to pick up the first down inside the 20.
MP with a 4th and 8 at the SHS 17. Hill throws an incompletion and MP turns it over on downs at the 16 with 2:24 left in the half.
SHS backed up to the 12 with 1st and 15 with 2 minutes left in the half.
Gidney and Thompson with a couple of nice carries to get SHS to midfield with 1:17 left in the half.
After an illegal participation penalty, SHS runs out of time at the end of the half.
14-0 SHS leads at the half.

Key stats: Rushing - SHS: Gidney 5-46, Thompson 5-36. MP: Sanchez 11-45, Forte 8-35
Passing - SHS: Thompson 3-4, 74 yards. MP: Hill 3-6-0 35 yards.
Receiving - SHS: Z. Gullate 2-68.

Both teams with 8 first downs.
SHS rushes for 97, passes for 74 yards.
MP rushes for 71 yards, passes for 35 yards.
Hill's fumble was the only turnover of the half.

Second half about to start and SHS will have the ball.

Third quarter
MP's onside kick goes out of bounds and SHS will start near midfield.
SHS now inside the 30 with 10 minutes left in the quarter after a MP penalty.
SHS using its power running game to move down the field. Now down to the 17 with 6:50 left in the quarter.
With the ball positioned in the middle of the field, Almond nails a 32 yard field goal with 5:41 left to make it 17-0. SHS chewed up 6 minutes of clock on the first drive of the half.
MP forced to punt after a three-and-out and SHS will take over at its own 34 with 4:36 left.
After a grounding penalty, SHS forced to punt and MP will take over at its own 31.
Another quick possession and MP forced to punt again and SHS will take over at its own 30 with 1:11 left.
Third quarter ends with SHS leading 17-0. SHS with the ball at its own 37 with a 3rd and 2 when the quarter begins.

Fourth quarter
SHS will punt for the second straight possession and for the third time on the game and MP will take over at its own 46 with 10:44.
SHS' Jonathan Hopper picks off an MP pass with 10:18 left and brings it back across midfield. Hopper hit hard from the blindside and fumbles, MP recovers at its own 33 with a fresh set of downs.
MP moving the ball midway through the quarter and is now inside the SHS 35 with 7:45 left.
SHS' Corey Brooks (now with 11 tackles) makes two key stops to force a 4th and 2 with 6:00 left. Aaron Briscoe stops Forte on fourth down as MP turns it over on downs at the SHS 25.
Now 4:47 left and SHS with the ball at the 31 with 1st and 15.
Thompson keeps the clock moving with a first down run across midfield. SHS with the ball at the MP 40 with 3:27 left.
SHS now 1:05 away from its fourth straight championship berth

Final score, SHS 17, MP 0.

The Lions will likely play Reidsville, which is up big on Southern Vance, in the 2AA State Championship next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Raleigh.

Tonight's coverage (11/30)

2007-11-30T16:06:00.000-05:00

I'll be blogging live from the 2AA West final between Shelby and Mount Pleasant tonight at Pearley Allen Field at Blanton Stadium. Also, check out www.shelbystar.com for my halftime and postgame video analysis, along with interactive reporter Kristy McSwain's video highlights of the game.

Photo editor Jeff Melton will be posting photo updates on his blog.

Proposed conference realignment for 2009-20013

2007-11-30T13:19:00.000-05:00

From Phil Gardner's story posted on www.varsitync.com.

On Thursday, the N.C. High School Athletic Association revealed the first draft of conferences for the next statewide realignment, which will begin in 2009.

The draft calls for Hunter Huss and South Point to join a wacky nine-team class 3A conference that stretches across four counties. The Huskies and Red Raiders would join Charlotte Catholic, Harding and Waddell from Mecklenburg County, Marvin Ridge, Parkwood and Weddington from Union County, and Anson County High.

Meanwhile, Ashbrook, Forestview and North Gaston would join Burns, Crest, Kings Mountain and R-S Central in a seven-team 3A league.

East Gaston, the lone Gaston County school remaining in class 4A for the next realignment, would join Charlotte schools South Mecklenburg, Olympic, Garinger, Myers Park and West Mecklenburg in a six-team 4A league.

Gaston County’s smallest schools would stay together under the current draft, as Bessemer City, Cherryville and Highland Tech would join all four Lincoln County schools, plus Chase, East Rutherford and Shelby in a monster 10-team 1A/2A combination conference.

The draft released Thursday was just that — a draft that could be (and likely will be) changed several times.

Local schools are required to react to the draft by attending the West meeting Jan. 24 at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory.

After that, the realignment committee will review proposals from various schools and draw up a second draft by February. The committee will finalize conferences in March, subject to final appeals.

4A CONFERENCE 12
South Mecklenburg
Olympic
Garinger
Myers Park
West Mecklenburg
East Gaston

3A CONFERENCE 12
Anson
Marvin Ridge
Parkwood
Weddington
Waddell, E.E.
Harding
Charlotte Catholic
Hunter Huss
South Point

3A CONFERENCE 13
North Gaston
Ashbrook
Forestview
Crest
Kings Mountain
Burns
R-S Central

2A CONFERENCE 12 (combination 1A/2A)
Shelby
East Rutherford
Chase
Lincolnton
East Lincoln
West Lincoln
North Lincoln
Bessemer City
Cherryville
Highland Tech

Game time - Pisgah at Shelby

2007-11-23T19:12:00.000-05:00

Uniforms - Pisgah is in its white tops with red letters, numbers and trip with white pants with black helmets. Shelby is in its black tops with gold numbers and letters with black pants with old gold helmets.

The Pisgah side is near capacity and the Shelby side is full near the middle section and fans are still filtering in.

Pisgah won the toss and deferred to the second half.

Both teams with their own unique pregame entrances ... Shelby of course has its traditional pile up at the sideline. Pisgah runs in beside the cheerleaders. The cheerleaders carry a big, circular red with a large "P" in the middle. When the cheerleaders reach the 50 yard line, they run around in circles, then duck under the banner and come out.

First quarter
Big kickoff return by SHS Larry Raper, then a first down run by Raper as the Lions have moved down to the PHS 23 with 11:25 left in the first.

Shelby fails to pick up a fourth and seven at the 27 as QB Howard Thompson is sacked at 9:47 and Pisgah recovers the fumble to take over in SHS territory.

Pisgah fakes a punt and picks up a first down on a pass from Jarrod Conard to Josh Piurowksi.

Pisgah has moved inside the SHS 35, mostly with short passes from Tyler Jaynes to his receivers.

Jaynes picked off by Aaron Briscoe (tipped by Quevalas Murray), who brings it all the way back to the Pisgah 35 with 3:28 left.

Shelby's Raper goes around the right side from six yards to make it 6-0 at 1:17. Turner Almond's kick was good to make it 7-0.

Quick take - Shelby's defense has come up with big plays all year and Briscoe's pick and return was another one. Pisgah's defense had trouble stopping the Lions' speed on running plays after the interception.

Pisgah takes over at the 22 on its next drive.

First quarter complete with Shelby leading 7-0 and Pisgah with the ball at its own 40.

Second quarter
Pisgah has used the direct snap to running back Brad Bermudez for four-yard gains twice on this drive.

Lanston Tanyi and Corey Brooks sack Jaynes at 8:55 to force a 3rd and 20. On the third down play, Calvin Gullatte delivers a big hit on a PHS receiver to force fourth down at 8:37.

Short punt by Pisgah and Shelby takes over at the 50 at 8:23.

SHS fullback Donovan Gidney breaks loose down the right side for a 50-yard TD run at 7:35. Almond's kick makes it 14-0 at 7:35.

Quick take - Shelby's short field was set up by a short punt, which wasn't blocked, but was altered by the pressure of Corey Brooks. Even when he doesn't get his hands on the ball, Brooks finds a way to make a difference in a game.

Shelby's Roderick Blake picks off a Jaynes pass at 7:12 to set up a first and goal at the nine.

Gidney charges in from four yards out at 6:07. Almond's kick makes it 21-0 as the Lions have taken control of the game in the second quarter.

Pisgah with the ball at the Shelby 31 with 5:45 left in the half.

Face mask on Shelby negates a fumble recovery by Murray as Pisgah has it across midfield at 4:43.

After a Jonathan Hopper sack, Pisgah calls a timeout facing 4th and 16 with 1:53 left.

Jaynes completes a pass to Connard, who tries to lateral to Bermudez, but it results in a fumble and Shelby recovers and takes over at its own 33 with 1:32 left.

Gidney fumbles and gives it right back to Pisgah at the SHS 33 with 1:00 left.

Pisgah tries a 36 yarder, but Lanston Tanyi blocks the attempt. Shelby will take a knee with 10 seconds left. First half comes to a close with Shelby leading 21-0.

First half take - The interception by Briscoe seemed to turn the momentum of this game completely in Shelby's favor. Since that pick, the Bears have had a couple of solid drives, but Shelby's speed on defense and special teams has been too much for the visitors to handle. Gidney's 50 yard TD run was one of this most impressive carries of the year for Shelby.

A few key stats ...
Jaynes is 13-of-24 with two interceptions for 97 yards in the first half.
Gidney has rushed six times for 71 yards with 2 TD's for Shelby.
The Lions have 10 first downs to Pisgahs' four.
Pisgah has rushed for only 24 yards.

Third quarter
Pisgah starts with the ball at its own 35.

Shelby takes over at its own 32 with 9:40 left in the quarter.

Marc Williams rushes in from 68 yards at 9:28. Almond's kick fails as SHS leads 27-0.

Pisgah's fake punt doesn't work this time as Briscoe stops Drew Hall with a big tackle - setting up Marc Williams' 24 yard TD run. Shelby's touched the ball twice this half and Williams has scored on both plays. Almond's PAT was blocked. 33-0 SHS at 7:17

Jaynes has the Bears inside the SHS 15 with 4 minutes left in the third.

Jaynes connects with Connard on a fade pass to the left corner of the end zone to get Pisgah on the board. Victor Gamez PAT makes it 33-7 AT 1:25.

Larry Raper busts loose for an 80-yard TD run as Shelby goes up 40-7 after Almond's kick. 26 seconds left in the third.

After 3, Shelby 40, Pisgah 7

With the game well in hand, I'm going to head down to the stands and talk to a few fans about their impressions of the Lions' performance tonight.

"I'm not really all that surprised. Knowing what I know about Shelby and what I know about them, I figured we would be keyed up for this game and not looking ahead." - Shelby fan Jim Rose.

"I figured this would be a much tougher game with that group coming down from Pisgah. I guess we were ready for this team. I was really impressed with how our defense came to play." - Shelby fan Earl Fuller.

Fourth quarter
Pisgah scores a late TD to make it 40-14 with 1:10 left.
Final score - Shelby 40, Pisgah 14

The Lions will host Mount Pleasant in the West final next Friday at 7:30 p.m. Mount Pleasant defeated North Lincoln, 18-13 to advance.

Live from Pisgah at Shelby

2007-11-23T19:00:00.000-05:00

Shelby fans before the game
Pisgah fans before the game

Live from the pressbox at Pearley Allen Field at Blanton Stadium about 25 minutes until kickoff. I talked to a few fans before the game to get their takes on the game and the tradition at the two schools ...
Former Shelby player Joey Famble (C/0 1997)
"I'm very excited. Every time we play Pisgah, it's a great game. We made the trip up there last year, and this time they have to come to the Lions' den. It's always a hardnosed battle. The key will be who has the best defense and we all know that's the Golden Lions!"

Former Pisgah player Brandon McGaha (C/0 2002)
"I love this program to death. The fans are a big part of Pisgah football. A lot of times we have more fans at away games than at home games. They love their football."

Longtime Pisgah fan Walt Leatherwood
"You can't beat it. I've been coming to games for 40 years. My son Frank finished up at Pisgah. We go everywhere. If there's a ballgame, we're going to be there."

Longtime Pisgah fan W
Longtime

Tonight's coverage (11/23)

2007-11-23T14:21:00.000-05:00

I'll be posting live blog updates from the Pisgah at Shelby, third round 2AA State playoff game tonight at Pearley Allen Field and Blanton Stadium.

I plan on getting out to the stadium around 6 p.m. and posting some early posts and possibly some pictures of the fans as it should be a packed house on both sides.

We plan on doing some different things with The Star Car technology as well tonight ... The plan is for me to go down to the car at halftime and give a short video analysis at halftime and following the game.

Look for that video and more videos from the game by interactive reporter Kristy McSwain online at www.shelbystar.com

Welcome back Tom

2007-11-19T18:31:00.001-05:00

Forgive the Braves homer in me for a post, but it's good to have Tom Glavine back in an Atlanta uniform ... presumably to close out his career where it started.

Looking forward to seeing him as the No. 3 starter behind Smoltz and Hudson. The Braves were definitely missing a solid arm in that 3 spot last year.

Here's a feature put together last year by the Lowell (Mass.) Sun about Glavine's formative years as a baseball and hockey player.

Crest at Mount Tabor updates

2007-11-16T19:51:00.000-05:00

First quarter
Mount Tabor strikes first on a 6 yard pass from Donny McElveen to Lemar Wilson. McElveen hit six of his first six passes in the first quarter.
Score 7-0 Tabor with 10:20 left in the second quarter.

2nd quarter
Tabor turns it over on downs early in the 2nd, then gets a 23-yard run from Reggie Wilkins to move into Tabor territory.
Tabor forces a punt at 7:31
Set up by a 56-yard pass from McElveen to Wilson, McElveen sneaks in from the 1 to make it 14-0 at 5:24
Set up by a 24-yard run by quarterback Zac Halbert, Crest gets on the board with 3 minutes left in the half on a 1 yard run by Tosh Toms to make it 14-7 after Trever Austin's kick.
The two teams traded interceptions late in the half. Tabor cashed in on its pick by Shrine Bowler Ed Gainey as Hunter Furr rushed in from 77 yards out. The score stands at 21-7 at the half.

A few key stats ... Tabor's Hunter Furr has 13 rushes for 130 yards with one touchdown, while the quarterback Donny McElveen is an efficient 9-for-11 for 148 yards and one touchdown.
Tabor has ran 34 plays to Crest's 23.
Crest's biggest gain of the game was Halbert's 24-yard rush on a keeper to set up Toms' touchdown. Ryan Black has 30 yards on six carries, while Toms has 16 yards on five carries. Halbert is just 1-for-7 passing with one interception.

3rd quarter
Crest has taken the first possession of the half down to the Tabor 3. 4th and goal with 7:26 left.
Trever Austin misses a 20 yarder.. Tabor takes over at the 20
Tabor drives 80 yards to go up 27-7 on a sneak by McElveen. The kick failed with 2 seconds left in the quarter.

4th quarter
Halbert finds Reggie Wilkins on a 72-yard catch and run for a TD with 11:44 left. Austin's kick makes it 27-14.
Tabor puts together another long drive and Ed Gainey rushes in from short yardage. The kick fails after an unsportsmanlike penalty. 33-14 Tabor with 4:34 left.
Tabor tacks on another score after a Crest INT on a McElveen pass to Brandon Miller. 40-14 after the extra point.
Crest with the ball at its own 31 with 2:17 left.
Crest turns it over on downs at the Tabor 38. Tabor will take a knee and run out the clock.
Final score, Tabor 40, Crest 14

Live from Crest at Mount Tabor

2007-11-16T18:16:00.000-05:00

Live from the pressbox at Mount Tabor High School. We're about one hour from kickoff here in Winston-Salem and the temperature is dropping ... it's 45 now with the forecast set to be in the high 30s by game time.

Crest is in its white tops with green numbers with green pants with gold helmets. Mount Tabor is in its blue tops with gold letters with gold pants and blue helmets.

The Crest band made the trip and the cheerleaders are on the sideline. There's already a pretty good Charger contingency in their seats on the visitors side. The teamline.cc broadcasting crew are setting up their stuff on the top of an RV beside the visitors stands.

Note: Mount Tabor assistant coach Chad Sapp (defensive backs) is the only current member of the Spartans coaching staff that was on the staff during the 1994 playoff thriller at Crest, won by the Chargers. Sapp was a student assistant and statistician that year for Tabor.

Tonight's coverage (11/16)

2007-11-16T17:24:00.002-05:00

Pulled off at the Chik-Fil-A not too far from Mount Tabor High School, which hosts Crest tonight in the second round of the 4A football playoffs. The Crest teamline.cc broadcast crew pulled into the parking lot the same time we did ... they'll be broadcasting tonight from the top of an RV!

I'll be posting live updates from tonight's game here, while Star photographer Jeff Melton will have photo updates at http://jeffmeltonstar.blogspot.com/

Also, check out videos after the game by Interactive Reporter Kristy McSwain at www.shelbystar.com

For scores from around the area, visit the scrolling ticker at www.varsitync.com

Live from West Stokes at Shelby

2007-11-09T19:06:00.000-05:00

About 20 minutes from kickoff here at Pearley Allen Field at George Blanton Memorial Stadium.

The Black and Gold "S" is painted at midfield, so you know it's playoff time at Shelby.

Shelby is in its black tops with black pants with gold helmets. West Stokes is in its white tops with gold pants with gold helmets. The winner of this game takes on the winner of North Surry (6-5) and West Henderson (4-6).

A couple quick notes: West Stokes QB Jonathan Adams has an ankle injury and may not start at QB. However, Adams, a solid all-around athlete, may play another offensive position.

Got word that South Meck (4A) was cited for an ineligible player and had to forfeit its first round playoff contest at Central Cabarrus.

Game time
West Stokes won the toss and deferred to the second half. Shelby will get the ball to start the game.

First quarter
Shelby has rolled out to a 28-0 lead with 4:23 left in the quarter.
Larry Raper has two touchdowns - a 57-yard rushing score and a 33-yard TD grab from Howard Thompson.
Jaurice Haynes has a 42 yard punt return for a score, while Marc Williams rumbled in from 38 yards out. Turner Almond is 4-for-4 on extra points.
SHS goes up 35-0 at 1:58 on a 1 yard run by Donovan Gidney. Almond's kick was good.
Second quarter

Second quarter
SHS goes up 47-0 at 6:59 on a 19 yard TD run by Williams and a 28-yard INT return by Jonathan Hopper.
First half ends with SHS leading 47-0 and obviously in complete control.
West Stokes blocked a punt near the end of the half and missed a 32-yard FG with nine seconds left.

Third quarter
SHS' Zacc Gullatte picks off a pass inside the 10 to stop WS longest drive of the game. Now 1:33 left in the third quarter.

Fourth quarter
WS gets on the board with a safety midway through the fourth. Now 47-2 with 7:07 left.
Shelby's Mario Finney rushes in from 30 yards out and Ben Greene's kick makes it 54-2 at 2:44.
Final 54-2, Shelby wins

Gabe Whisnant: Coverage tonight (11/9)

2007-11-09T15:43:00.000-05:00

I will be blogging live from the 2AA first round playoff game between West Stokes and Shelby tonight at Pearley Allen Field at George Blanton Stadium. Check back to the blog through the night for updates.

I'll also try to post as many score updates as possible on Northwest Cabarrus at Burns, Kings Mountain at South Point and Crest at East Forsyth.

Star photographer Jeff Melton will be posting live photo updates. Visit his blog at http://jeffmeltonstar.blogspot.com/

After the game, check out Adam Fenwick's videos at www.shelbystar.com and www.varsitync.com.

Also, check out the live, scrolling ticker tonight at www.varsitync.com for scores from around the area.

Enjoy the games!

More quotes from GWU players and associate coach

2007-11-08T18:03:00.002-05:00

A few quotes not used in the GWU basketball follow-up story that will appear in Friday's edition of The Star ...

Senior forward Thomas Sanders
On not letting the mystique of Rupp Arena affect the Bulldogs' play: "I think last year playing at UNC, Wisconsin, N.C. State and Wake helped us. I don’t think it bothered us like last year. We were more prepared mentally. "

On watching Kentucky play the night before against Central Arkansas: "We saw them and we know if we played smart and played with poise and confidence, we could beat them."

On the boost Wednesday's win could give the team: "Our confidence is sky high. We’re not scared to play anybody now. We know if we can beat Kentucky, we can definitely beat anybody in our conference. "

Sophomore guard Grayson Flittner
On the preparation for the game: "Credit the coaches. They gave us a scouting report and we executed it. We played with great poise and executed all night."

On the 14-0 run to start the game: "We took the crowd out right away. We’re a young group, and I think taking the crowd out really helped us. Every time they made a little run, we answered right back and never let the crowd in it."

On maintaining focus after the win: "This is a great confidence booster, but at the same time we have to stay level headed and humble. We need to take care of getting ready for North Greenville, then get ready for Connecticut or Buffalo."

On the new editions to the team: "We picked up great competitors in Aaron Linn and Nate Blank. Those guys are going to get after it. We need five solid basketball players out there, and that’s what happened."

Junior guard Aaron Linn

On the newcomers meshing with the returning players: "They got a lot of experience playing a tough schedule last year and they brought in a great recruiting class. We just wanted to come in and mesh with those guys. It all just came together when we needed it to."

On Grayson Flittner's performance: "Grayson is great with the ball in his hands. He's an excellent passer and shooter. When somebody like that gets on, you just have to get him the ball. He played a great overall game."

Associated head coach Chris Holtmann

On the early season strides: "We’re still learning about this group. We've got nine freshman and sophomores. We’re learning about what they can do. It’s fun because they want to get better and are fearless in their approach."

On the assistants interaction with the head coach: "Coach Scruggs has a great approach during the games. He’s real level-headed and even-keeled. The first thing for us is to prepare the team thoroughly for the opponent within our basic offense and defensive systems. During the game, its’ about making adjustments and substitutions. He’s (Scruggs) great in responding to the information he’s given.

On staying focused the rest of the season: "Appalachian State beating Michigan is a great parallel. It’s a reminder to us, because App. State is now in a dogfight in the Southern Conference. Two or three weeks after they beat Michigan, they lost to Wofford. Conference play is a different animal. What we’re playing for is winning our conference and getting position for the conference tournament. Beating Kentucky doesn’t mean you’re going to go in and beat Belmont."

Students celebrate GWU win

2007-11-08T02:53:00.000-05:00

I’ve made the easy drive from Shelby to Boiling Springs plenty of times.

As soon as I left the office late Wednesday night, I knew this trip to Gardner-Webb would be one I would never forget.

I was right.

The Runnin' Bulldogs impressive 84-68 triumph over No. 20 Kentucky at the hoops’ mecca of Rupp Arena sent a burst of energy on a chilly night across the GWU campus. Students bundled up and filed out of their dorms and apartments following the upset – celebrating the biggest basketball win in the school’s history.

Around 12:30 a.m., I made it inside Paul Porter Arena where nearly 100 strong gathered - the chants and drums kept getting louder as I approached from Main Street.

But it didn’t end there.

The crowd moved and cheered in unison, picking up trumpeters and more students along the way. The route went down to the Clock Tower, through the new on-campus apartments, up College Ave. and to the front of the school on Main Street.

The student’s photo opportunity made for a much-needed pause … GWU police chief Barry Johnson had a Segway. I didn’t.

“You got to let kids be kids. It’s a well-behaved crowd, and we don’t expect any problems at all,” Johnson said. “It’s not everyday you knock off the No. 20 team in the nation. Go Bulldogs!”

The excited - and at the same time orderly - crowd would eventually make their way back to the dorms, but this is the type of win that will no doubt resonate through the season and beyond for the Bulldogs’ faithful.

“They were picking us 8^th in the Atlantic Sun and we upset Kentucky,” junior Brian Grant of Marietta, Ga. said. “Everybody is going to come out and support the ’Dogs now no matter what … it’s going to be huge.”

Huge … the perfect way to describe what happened Wednesday night in Lexington, Kentucky and Boiling Springs.

Live from Burns at Kings Mountain

2007-11-02T18:07:00.001-05:00

About 20 minutes from kickoff here at John Gamble Stadium on Senior Night. Kings Mountain its black uniforms and black pants with black helmets. Burs is in its white tops with blue pants with blue helmets.

Follow the Crest at South Point game here http://blogs.gastongazette.com/PhillipGardner/Default.aspx

What's at stake: The top 3A seed from the Southwestern 2A/3A Conference for next Friday's State playoffs. The winner will get at least one home playoff game.

Awesome rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by KM student Jordan Page.

Burns won the toss and elected to receive.

First quarter
KM drives and scores on 2nd possession on an 18-yard run by Michael Roberts. Alex Randall's kick makes it 7-0 at 2:17.

Second quarter
KM goes up 14-0 on a 46-yard flea-flicker from Roberts to Neil Scott down the middle of the field. Marlon Whitesides took the initial hand off, then flipped back to Roberts, who threw to a wide open Scott. Randall's kick makes it 14-0 at 11:48.

Now 8:09 left in the half. Burns with the ball at the KM 23 with a 3rd and 17.

Burns pulls within seven at 14-7 at 7:16 on a 2-yard run by Varan Hamrick. Ethan Martin's kick was good. KM was hit with two long penalties on the scoring drive and now has 52 yards in penalties in the first half.

Roberts - now with 103 yards rushing - charges in from 3 yards out at 5:16. Randall's kick makes it 21-7.

Burns answers with four minute scoring drive as Keron Phelps hits Monterrio Merriweather on an 18-yard strike. Kick goes wide as its 21-13 KM leading at 1:55.

The two teams trade interceptions late in the half with Burns' coming deep in KM territory.

Halftime - KM 21, Burns 13

KM will get the ball to start the 3rd

Burns ties it at 21-21 on a 17-yard run by Phelps for TD, then a 2-point conversion pass from Phelps to Donta Hopper at 8:14.

Burns goes up 28-21 on a 49-yard rumble by Phelps.

KM answers on a 6 yard run by Joe Chambers. 28-28 at 1:41 of 3rd

Fourth quarter
KM goes back up on a 45 yarder by Randall. 31-28 at 11:49

Burns ties it at 31-31 with 8:26 left on a 27 yarder by Martin.

KM at the Burns 30 with a 3rd and 5 with 4:44 left.
KM still driving at the 30 with 3:52 left. KM calls timeout at 2:28, still has one left. Burns also with one timeout. Mounties with a 3rd and 11 at the 26 with the game tied 31-31.

Roberts throws an INT and Burns gets it back with 1:40 left near midfield.

Burns at the KM 23 with a 3rd and 13 with :32.7 left. A KM player is down on the ground injured and play is stopped.

Phelps hits Aldrick Watson on a 23 yard strike over the middle with 18.7 left. Martin's kick goes wide. Burns leads 37-31 with 18.7 left.

KM's got time for one more play at the Burns 38 with 5.3 seconds left.

Burns bats down a pass near the endzone at the horn and holds on for a 37-31 triumph.

Tonight's coverage (11/3)

2007-11-02T15:36:00.000-05:00

I will be blogging live from the big Burns at Kings Mountain battle tonight at John Gamble Stadium. Check back to the blog through the night for updates.

Star photographer Jeff Melton will be posting live photo updates. Visit his blog at http://jeffmeltonstar.blogspot.com.

After the game, check out Adam Fenwick's videos at www.shelbystar.com and www.varsitync.com.

Also, check out the live, scrolling ticker tonight at www.varsitync.com for scores from around the area.

Enjoy the games!

Trinity vs. Millsaps 10/27/07

2007-10-29T15:15:00.001-05:00

Eat your heart out Cal vs. Stanford ... one of the craziest plays you'll ever see!

Associated Press
Picture the ending of the Stanford-California game in 1982, without the band and with three times as many laterals.
Trinity University used 15 laterals after a completed pass on the final play of the game for an unlikely touchdown and 28-24 victory Saturday at stunned Millsaps. Call it the ``Mississippi Miracle'' for the Tigers, an NCAA Division III team in San Antonio.
``Things have to go perfectly for that to work,'' coach Steve Mohr told The Associated Press after the Tigers got home Sunday night from Jackson, Miss. ``We couldn't do that against air if we tried.''
There were 2 seconds left, only enough time to snap the ball once, when Trinity (7-1) took over at its own 40.
Blake Barmore dumped a short pass over the middle to a wide-open Shawn Thompson, who gained 16 yards before he ran into a defender and made the first pitch to Riley Curry. Then there was another lateral, and another and another.
Curry got the ball four times, the last after it was bounced off the turf into his hands around the 34 and he sprinted to the end zone. He crossed the goal line 62 seconds after the ball was snapped.
That bounce was the only time the ball touched the ground, and Mohr thinks that actually helped the Tigers.
``Some of the Millsaps players stopped. That created the seam for Curry,'' said Mohr, figuring some of the exhausted defenders might have thought it was like an incomplete pass to kill the play. ``It was never batted, never touched the ground except the last throw, 14 straight completions.''
California needed only five laterals on its game-ending kickoff return for a touchdown in 1982, when Stanford's band had stormed the field thinking the game was over.
Seven different Trinity players touched the ball, including two offensive linemen. Josh Hooten, a 266-pound guard, got it twice.
Hooten was the recipient of the second pitch, then threw the ball over his shoulder. Luckily, it went to receiver Michael Tomlin.
``He caught it and pitched it over his head blindly,'' Mohr said. ``It was like he caught it and thought he's not supposed to have it. It was comical.''
The third touch by Curry ended when he pitched back to Tomlin and then Curry wound up on the ground after being tackled. Tomlin ran toward the sideline and got rid of the ball as he went down in a crowd, throwing to Hooten, who quickly pitched to Brandon Maddux.
With defenders surrounding him, Maddux desperately pitched the ball back toward the middle of the field. It took a perfect hop to Curry, who had gotten back to his feet.
``The worst part about it is we had five or six guys just quit on the play,'' Millsaps coach Mike DuBose, the former Alabama coach, told The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger. ``That type of thing just shouldn't happen. Sure, we were tired. But so was Trinity. You have to finish the play. We stopped.''
Trinity cut it to 24-22 when Barmore threw a 13-yard TD pass to Curry with 2:11 left. But Barmore threw an incompletion on the 2-point conversion try and Millsaps recovered the attempted onside kick.
But the Majors (6-2) gave the ball back after failing to convert on fourth-and-2.
With the victory, Trinity remained in contention for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference title and an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III playoffs. Millsaps would have clinched the playoff spot by winning.
``This puts us in position to play for something in November,'' said Mohr, 143-53 in his 18 seasons at Trinity. ``It doesn't guarantee anything. Our kids understand it, but at least it kept us in the hunt.''

Scores and Updates (10/26)

2007-10-26T18:37:00.000-05:00

Halftime scores
Crest 37, East Gaston 0
Shelby 28, Chase 0
Kings Mountain 10, R-S Central 7
Burns 27, East Rutherford 0

Live from East Rutherford at Burns

2007-10-26T17:33:00.000-05:00

About an hour before kickoff here in Lawndale on Senior Night. After all of the rain over the last couple of days, the field looks to be in good shape. No more rain in the forecast and the temperature is currently 63 degrees.

Burns is in its Columbia Blue tops and pants with blue pants. East is in its white tops with black pants with white helmets.

Seniors on Burns' roster
Donta Hopper, Tyler Gill, Derek Shaffer, Varan Hamrick, Kenneth Roberts, Marcus Tuft, Keron Phelps, Julian Kee, Ethan Martin, Corey Smith, Aaron Mayhew, Kenny Lail, Darrell Coates, Duston Jones

Great rendition of the National Anthem by the Burns chorus.

Burns head coach Ron Greene now being given his Shrine Bowl blazer. Greene will be an assistant coach for the N.C. team for December's game against S.C. at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.

First quarter
Burns will start with the ball on its own 38.
Varan Hamrick with 42 yards on the first series and caps the drive with a 13-yard TD run. Ethan Martin's kick makes it 7-0 at 9:40.
Keron Phelps scores on a QB keeper from 55 yards out. Martin's kick makes it 14-0 at 6:03.

Second quarter
Hamrick goes up the middle 37 yards to paydirt at 6:26. The kick failed, 20-0 Burns.
Hamrick with 146 yards rushing after a 21-yard scoring run on an option left. 27-0 Burns at 2:28.
Burns defense holds deep in its own territory to keep ER off the board at the end of the half.
Halftime score - Burns 27, ER 0

Third quarter
ER will start the second half with the ball on its own 37
Burns goes up 34-0 at 7:41 on a 20-yard pass from Phelps to Donta Hopper. Martin's kick is good.

Fourth quarter
ER gets on the scoreboard with 6:30 left on a 3-yard sneak by QB Jordan Mabe. 34-7
Final score, Burns 34, ER 7

How the football playoffs work

2007-10-22T17:34:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the Gaston Gazette's Phil Gardner for posting this on varsitync.com. This is a great breakdown of how the playoff process works for high school football in N.C.

THE PLAYOFF PROCESS
The following procedures were adapted from the N.C. High School Athletic Association handbook:

QUALIFICATION
All classifications will field 64 teams.
Each school will report a 10-game record and may drop any non-conference game if it played 11 games.

To qualify:
1. In a split conference, a team must finish first or second in its division.
2. A team must have four wins overall if it does not finish first or second in a split conference.
3. If not enough teams qualify using the criteria in No. 1 and No. 2, the teams with the highest conference winning percentage would qualify next.
4. If too many teams qualify using the criteria in No. 1 and No. 2, the NCHSAA will use the number of conference wins to determine qualifiers.
(The 1A classification will qualify 64 teams with the best overall record.)

SUBDIVIDING
Once the 64 teams for each classification are determined, they will be divided into the large 32 and small 32 based on this year’s enrollment. Class 1A becomes 1AA and 1A, 2A becomes 2AA and 2A, etc.

Each group of 32 will then be divided into the 16 easternmost and 16 westernmost teams.

SEEDING
1. All conference No. 1 seeds will be seeded first by overall records. If teams in different classifications are tied for their respective conference championship, they will both be seeded as No. 1 seeds. If a team finishes first its division of a split conference, it is seeded as a No. 1.
2. All No. 2 seeds are seeded by overall records.
3. All No. 3 seeds are seeded by overall records.
4. All other qualifying teams are seeded based on overall record, regardless of conference finish.

Final scores (8/20)

2007-10-19T18:57:00.000-05:00

Alexander Central 26, Morganton Freedom 23
Alleghany County 20, Elkin 14
Anson County 17, Monroe Sun Valley 6
Apex 28, Cary 21
Apex Middle Creek 38, Lee County 20
Ashe County 24, Boonville Starmount 21
Asheboro 19, Trinity 6
Asheville 39, Waynesville Tuscola 7
Bertie County 40, Kill Devil Hills First Flight 0
Bessemer City 41, Lincolnton 22
Black Mountain Owen 25, Hendersonville 22
Brevard 21, Canton Pisgah 17
Bunn 56, Franklinton 0
Burlington Cummings 28, Hillsborough Cedar Ridge 21
Burnsville Mountain Heritage 22, Mitchell County 14
Burns 37, Forest City Chase 14
Catawba Bandys 20, Maiden 0
Charlotte Ardrey Kell 28, Charlotte Providence 20
Charlotte Catholic 35, West Mecklenburg 15
Charlotte Country Day 27, Charlotte Providence Day 0
Charlotte Harding 49, Charlotte Berry Tech 0
Charlotte Independence 76, Weddington 27
Charlotte Latin 42, Belmont South Point 20
Charlotte Olympic 41, Charlotte Garinger 7
Charlotte Victory Christian 35, Gastonia Highland Tech 0
Charlotte Waddell 21, Concord Robinson 13
Cherokee 52, Rosman 21
Clinton 41, Croatan 12
Concord 35, Marvin Ridge 7
Currituck County 28, Elizabeth City Northeastern 13
Crest 56, Hunter Huss 14
Davie County 26, Winston-Salem Reynolds 7
Dunn Midway 21, Salemburg Lakewood 6
Durham Jordan 35, East Chapel Hill 28
Durham Riverside 20, Northern Durham 16
East Burke 49, McDowell County 33
East Davidson 46, Carrboro 26
East Duplin 41, Swansboro 0
East Henderson 26, West Henderson 20
East Lincoln 57, West Lincoln 24
East Mecklenburg 13, Charlotte Myers Park 7
East Montgomery 49, Chatham Central 6
East Rowan 36, North Iredell 6
East Surry 28, Kernersville McGuinness 0
Eastern Alamance 33, South Granville 16
Eastern Guilford 45, Mayodan McMichael 21
Eastern Randolph 35, Randleman 17
Eastern Wayne 28, Wilson Beddingfield 20
Eden Morehead 36, Yanceyville Yancey 6
Edenton Holmes 34, Pasquotank County 33
Enka 41, Asheville Erwin 31
Erwin Triton 40, Cameron Union Pines 37
Fairmont 35, Red Springs 7
Fayetteville Britt 41, Southern Pines Pinecrest 0
Fayetteville Byrd 28, Hoke County 27, OT
Fayetteville Pine Forest 41, Lumberton 17
Fayetteville Seventy-First 29, Fayetteville Westover 7
Fuquay-Varina 36, Morrisville Green Hope 0
Garner 24, Southeast Raleigh 19
Gastonia Ashbrook 35, Gastonia Forestview 13
Goldsboro 27, Farmville Central 25
Graham 22, Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons 15
Greensboro Page 30, East Forsyth 28
Greenville Rose 45, Greenville Conley 6
Harnett Central 52, Hope Mills Gray's Creek 21
Harrells Christian Academy 42, Fayetteville Christian 8
Havelock 20, South Central Pitt 18
Hayesville 42, Robbinsville 34
Hickory 28, Lenoir Hibriten 7
High Point Central 42, Fayetteville Smith 0
Hope Mills South View 35, Cape Fear 0
Huntersville Hopewell 35, Mallard Creek 0
Jacksonville 47, West Brunswick 12
Jacksonville Northside 28, Southwest Onslow 7
Jacksonville White Oak 42, Wilmington Ashley 35
Jamestown Ragsdale 51, Southwestern Randolph 15
Jones County 48, East Carteret 32
Kannapolis Brown 35, Hickory Ridge 0
Kernersville Glenn 63, Winston-Salem Parkland 41
Kings Mountain 35, East Rutherford 10
Lawndale Burns 37, Forest City Chase 14
Louisburg 30, Northampton-East 18
Manteo 20, Perquimans County 6
Matthews Butler 19, South Mecklenburg 16
Mooresville 49, South Rowan 28
Mt. Airy 35, West Wilkes 12
Mt. Pleasant 21, Albemarle 0
New Bern 14, Washington 13
Newton Foard 41, Claremont Bunker Hill 19
Newton-Conover 44, West Caldwell 13
North Buncombe 31, Franklin 23
North Duplin 21, Ayden-Grifton 8
North Edgecombe 24, Weldon 12
North Gaston 50, East Gaston 13
North Lincoln 23, Cherryville 9
North Mecklenburg 34, Charlotte Vance 13
North Rowan 21, Central Davidson 14
Northeast Guilford 14, Greensboro Dudley 13
Northern Vance 33, Burlington Williams 21
Oxford Webb 34, Southern Alamance 7
Pamlico County 32, Lejeune 6
Pembroke Swett 18, Fayetteville Sanford 16
Pender County 34, East Columbus 0
Pittsboro Northwood 37, Orange County 34
Raleigh Athens Drive 49, Panther Creek 0
Raleigh Leesville Road 38, Raleigh Millbrook 35
Raleigh Wakefield 34, Raleigh Enloe 14
Reidsville 48, Winston-Salem Atkins 12
Richmond County 30, Scotland County 27, OT
Rocky Mount 17, Nash Central 0
Rocky Mount Academy 42, Cary Christian 40
Shelby 27, R-S Central 3
Siler City Jordan-Matthews 40, North Moore 0
Smithfield-Selma 21, Holly Springs 19
South Columbus 62, South Brunswick 0
South Stokes 49, East Wilkes 19
Southern Durham 21, Person County 13
Southern Guilford 28, West Stokes 6
Southern Lee 40, Western Harnett 21
SouthLake Christian 35, Charlotte Northside Christian 0
Southside Christian, S.C. 37, Derita Christian Academy 6
SouthWest Edgecombe 34, Northern Nash 6
Southwest Guilford 20, Pfafftown Reagan 0
Swain County 32, Andrews 13
Sylva Smoky Mountain 45, North Henderson 28
Thomasville Ledford 28, Salisbury 7
Tyner Academy, Tenn. 48, Murphy 29
Wake Forest-Rolesville 21, Raleigh Sanderson 3
Wallace-Rose Hill 28, Clinton Union 0
Warsaw Kenan 27, Hobbton 0
Watauga County 27, South Caldwell 7
West Bladen 32, South Robeson 8
West Charlotte 36, Central Cabarrus 0
West Davidson 30, Lexington 14
West Forsyth 39, North Davidson 7
West Iredell 14, Statesville 6
West Johnston 37, Knightdale 12
West Montgomery 83, South Davidson 3
West Rowan 35, Lake Norman 0
West Stanly 7, South Stanly 6
Western Alamance 49, Western Guilford 14
Wilkes Central 22, North Surry 19
Williamston 33, Pinetown Northside 14
Wilmington Hoggard 52, Wilmington Laney 7
Wilson Hunt 19, Pikeville Aycock 12
Winston-Salem Carver 24, High Point Andrews 21
Winston-Salem Mt. Tabor 30, North Forsyth 24
^POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
Chapel Hill vs. Durham Hillside, ppd. to Oct 20.
South Johnston vs. Spring Lake Overhills, ppd. to Oct 22.
Northwest Halifax vs. Southern Vance, ppd.
Southern Nash vs. Wilson Fike, ppd. to Oct 22.
West Carteret vs. West Craven, ppd. to Oct 22.

Live from Kings Mountain at East Rutherford

2007-10-19T18:00:00.000-05:00

About 30 minutes from kickoff here at Bryan Harrill Stadium here on Parent's Night in Bostic.

Kings Mountain is in its all white tops with black pants and black helmets. East Rutherford is in black tops, black pants and black helmets.

KM wins the toss and defers to the second half.

First quarter
After recovering a fumble near midfield on ER's first drive, KM scores on a 34-yard TD run by Joe Chambers. Alex Randall's kick makes it 7-0 at 8:27.
ER answers with a 10-play drive, which stalls at the KM five. Tamer El Amoor boots a 22-yard FG to make it 7-3 at 3:49.
Set up by a 57-yard run by Michael Roberts, Chambers rushes in from 22 yards out. Randall's kick makes it 14-3 at 3:16.

Second quarter
KM goes up 21-3 on a 1-yard sneak by Roberts. Randall's kick makes it 21-3 at 11:18
ER with a key, early 4th and 3 at the KM 27. ER QB Devince Boykins throws an incompletion, turning it over on downs to KM at the 27.
Late 2nd quarter ... Randall's 47 yard FG had the distance but missed wide right.
ER now with the ball deep in own territory at 2:21
Randall kicks a 30 yard FG before halftime to make it 24-3 as the teams head to the locker room.

Key stats - KM: Rushing: Chambers 9-91; Roberts 8-120. Passing: Roberts 5-10-0 83 yards. Receiving: Sharif Burris 2-32, Neil Scott 2-25. ER: Rushing: Michael Milam 7-45; Passing Boykins 3-10-0 73 yards. Receiving: Tyler Hamilton 2-49.

3rd quarter
Randall kicks a 22 yarder to make it 27-3 at 7:36
3rd quarter ends with KM driving near midfield

4th quarter
Joe Chambers rushes for 19 yards and now has 160 yards on the night.
6 minutes left in the game.
Chambers rushes in for his third TD of the game ... now has 187 yards on 30 carries in a stout performance. Roberts 2-point conversion run, 35-3.
ER punches in its first TD late in the game on a 3 yard run by Hamilton. El Amoor's kick makes it 35-10 with 15 seconds left.

Final score KM 35, ER 10.

Tonight's coverage (10/20)

2007-10-19T16:23:00.000-05:00

I'll be blogging live from Kings Mountain at East Rutherford tonight and Adam Fenwick will be shooting video.

Check back to the blog through the night for live updates.

Live from GWU at Wofford

2007-10-13T12:17:00.000-05:00

Beautiful day for college football here in Spartanburg, S.C. About 10 minutes from kickoff at Gibbs Stadium. Check back to the blog for updates from today's game.

First quarter
Wofford will start the first half with the ball at its own 40.
Terriers methodically driving down the field, now inside the GWU25.
Wofford's Adrian Young plunges in from four yards out. Patrick Mugan's kick makes it 7-0. Scoring drive - 12 plays, 55 yards, 5:38.
GWU starts its first offensive series at own 27 and goes three and out.
Wofford will begin next drive at own 25.
Terriers inside GWU's 20 again and already have nine first downs. Kevious Johnson scores from one-yard out and Dugan's kick makes it 14-0 at 3:25. Drive - 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:38.

Second quarter
GWU with ball near midfield and 3rd and 13 after picking up a couple of first downs through the air. Wofford forces a punt and will take over at its own 10.
GWU's Cedric McGowan picks off a Collier pass inside the GWU 10 at 11:12. GWU ball at own 22.
Wofford's Mychael Johnson picks off Stan Doolittle on second play of next possession. Wofford ball at GWU 47 at 10:41.
GWU forces first Wofford punt and has ball near midfield at 7:38
GWU's Michael Hanna booms a 53 yard punt and pins the Terriers inside the 5. Hanna having a solid first half for the Bulldogs.
GWU's Kendrick Best with an interception of Ben Widmyer near midfield at 3:50.
Bulldogs capitalize with an 8-play, 49-yard scoring drive capped by a 1-yard fade pass from Doolittle to Duvaughn Flagler to make it 14-7 at 1:34.
Wofford runs out the rest of the first half clock.
Halftime score - Wofford 14, GWU 7

Key stats: First downs - GWU 7, Wofford 14; Rushes-yards - GWU 10-25, Wofford 34-160; Passing yards GWU 95, Wofford 71; Passes - GWU 13-17-1, Wofford 7-10-2.

Rushing: GWU - David Montgomery 6-23, Wofford - Kevious Johnson 11-58, TD.
Passing: GWU - Stan Doolittle 13-17-1, 95 yards, TD, Wofford - Josh Colllier 6-8-1 73 yards, Ben Widmyer 1-2-1 -2 yards.
Receiving: GWU - Montgomery 6-39, Dobson Collins 4-25, Duvaughn Flagler 3-31, TD, Wofford - Andy Strickland 3-44.

Second half
Third quarter
GWU will start the second half with the ball at its own 40
On his first series at QB, Devin Campbell connects with TE Hughie Dixon on a 43-yard TD strike over the middle. Taylor Ports' kick makes it 14-14 at 13:50.
Wofford counters with a quick, three-play, 65-yard scoring drive as Johnson carries in on an option pitch from 16 yards out to make it 21-14 at 13:04.
Crazy sequence ... GWU loses 13 yards on a tipped pass play, then attempts a quick kick on third down at its own 1. The punt is blocked and recovered by Layton Baker for a touchdown. Dugan's kick makes it 28-14 at 12:07.
GWU converts a 4th and 8 on a tough, 27-yard completion from Campbell to Nick Melton to set up first and goal at the 6.
GWU's Evan Kay hits a 27-yard FG to cut the lead to 28-17 at 7:20.
Bulldogs inside the Wofford 30 with 2:46 left in the third.
GWU fails to pick up a 4th and 6 and turns it over on downs to the Terriers at the 25 at 2:24.
Wofford moves down to the GWU 15 in eight plays, keyed by big runs by Dane Romero and Justice Joslin, to end the third quarter.

Fourth quarter
Collier sneaks in from 1 yard out. Dugan's kick makes it 35-17 at 12:19
GWU loses a fumble after a completed pass and Wofford cashes in with a 27 yard FG by Dugan - 38-17 at 9:14
Final score - Wofford 52, GWU 17

Live from KM at Shelby

2007-10-12T18:04:00.000-05:00

About 26 minutes from kickoff of the 80th edition of the Battle of Buffalo Creek. Shelby leads the all-time series 61-17-1 heading into tonight's battle at Pearley Allen Field at George Blanton Stadium.

The Golden Lions are in their black tops, black pants and gold helmets. The Mountaineers are wearing white tops, white pants and black helmets.

The Gaston Gazette's Phil Gardner is blogging from the North Gaston at Crest contest at http://blogs.gastongazette.com/PhillipGardner/Default.aspx

Great rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by SHS senior Robert Bullock

First quarter
SHS' Jaurice Haynes with a 55 yard fumble recovery for a TD on KM's 3rd play. Almond's kick makes it 7-0.
KM marches 75 yards on nine plays, capped by a 34 yard pass from Michael Roberts to Neil Scott to tie it at 7-7 after Alex Randall's kick with 6:08 left
KM recovers a fumble, then turns it into a score five players later on a one-yard sneak by Roberts. Randall's kick makes it 14-7 at 4:47

2nd quarter
KM with ball at the Shelby 38 after forcing a punt.
SHS gets a blocked kick from Corey Brooks, then scores five plays later on a 1-yard rumble by Donovan Gidney. Almond's kick makes it 14-14 at 8:11

First half ends with the score tied at 14-14. Shelby misses out on a golden chance to take the lead late in the first half. After a long punt return by Jonathan Hopper, the Lions lost a fumble at the KM 5. The Mounties ran out the rest of the clock and the teams headed to the locker rooms.

Stat leaders - Rushing: KM - Joe Chambers 15-57; Shelby - Marc Williams 3-15. Passing: KM - Michael Roberts 4-8-0 64 yards, TD; Shelby - Howard Thompson 0-0-0 0 yards. Receiving: KM - Neil Scott 2-42, TD.

Defensive leaders KM: Ray Baxter, Thomas James, Antonio Sloan with two tackles each. Austin Miller and Tony Barnett with one fumble recovery each; Shelby: Lanston Tanyi, Donovan Gidney, Aaron Briscoe, Quevalas Murray, Corey Brooks with two tackles each. Tanyi and Brooks with one fumble recovery each.

Both teams have two turnovers each. Shelby has one score by a fumble recovery and the other set up by a blocked punt. KM has one touchdown set up by a fumble recovery and one sustained drive. KM has a 7:00 minute edge in time of possession and has ran 18 more plays than Shelby.

Third quarter
Shelby will start the second half with the ball
Shelby's Jonathan Hopper 80 yard kickoff return down the middle of the field for a TD. Almond's kick makes it 21-14 at 11:44.
Both teams trade turnovers, SHS capitalizes on a Roderick Blake INT as Marc Williams rushes in from 19 yards. Almond's kick makes it 28-14.

Fourth quarter
KM with the ball near midfield as the fourth quarter is just under way
Jonathan Hopper with an 85 yard strip-and-score with 6:45 left in the fourth. Almond's kick makes it 35-14. Shelby with a 3 TD lead with only two first downs on offense.
SHS gets a 46 yard TD run by Jaurice Haynes to put the home team ahead 41-14 with 2:56 left.

Final score SHS 41, KM 14

Top 5 Sports Commercials

2007-10-12T17:08:00.001-05:00

No. 3 - Chicks Dig the Long Ball - Nike

"Hey, we got Cy Young winners over here!"

Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine during their hey-days with the Braves, beefing up to hit the long ball ...
The only bad thing about this commercial is that it will always be somewhat linked to the Steroid Era and the over-hyping of bulky home run hitters.

Enough seriousness, it's a funny commercial.

Tonight's coverage (10/12)

2007-10-12T12:06:00.000-05:00

I'll be blogging live from Kings Mountain at Shelby tonight. Check back to the blog for updates from that game.

On Saturday, I'll be posting updates from Gardner-Webb at Wofford. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. in Spartanburg, S.C.

Star photographer Jeff Melton will be posting live photo updates. Visit his blog at http://jeffmeltonstar.blogspot.com.

After the game, check out Adam Fenwick's videos from Shelby-Kings Mountain at www.shelbystar.com and www.varsitync.com.

Also, check out the live, scrolling ticker tonight at www.varsitync.com for scores from around the area.

Enjoy the games!

Schuerholz staying with Braves as President, Wren named GM

2007-10-11T23:36:00.000-05:00

Update: Nice to see Schurholz is going to remain with the franchise as President ... Frank Wren couldn't ask for a better mentor as the new GM. I imagine Bobby Cox is a year, maybe two, away from retiring as well ... hope he will follow suit and stick around Atlanta for a while in another role.

ATLANTA (AP) -- John Schuerholz stepped aside Thursday after 17 years as general manager of the Atlanta Braves with only one regret.

Despite an unprecedented 14 straight division titles, the Braves won just one World Series.

With a few more rings, he figured, this would have been the perfect farewell.

"What else is there?" said Schuerholz, who will become team president and turn over the GM duties to his right-hand man, Frank Wren. "It would have been, unequivocally, the complete validation of the grand nature of this franchise. Nobody could have said anything about the Atlanta Braves and ended the sentence with the word 'but."'

Otherwise, Schuerholz has no complaints with his career, one that could land him a spot in Cooperstown someday.

He turned 67 last week and was admittedly worn down by the grind of more than a quarter-century as a general manager. Before coming to Atlanta, he spent nine years in the same post with the Kansas City Royals, winning another World Series title in 1985.

But he will forever be remembered for his impact on the Braves, a perennial last-place team when he took over in 1991. That very first year, Atlanta won the NL West and went all the way to the World Series. In the years that followed, the division titles kept coming with numbing regularity, until the streak finally ended with a third-place finish in 2005.

"Obviously, John has done an unbelievable job with the organization," outfielder Jeff Francoeur said. "He definitely deserves to retire and enjoy what he's accomplished. It's sad, because we didn't want to see him go."

Actually, he's not going anywhere. Schuerholz signed a four-year contract and remains second in command to chairman Terry McGuirk, but will step away from day-to-day personnel decisions, such as trades, free-agent signings and other roster moves.

"I'll miss that," Schuerholz said during a news conference at Turner Field.

Wren, a former GM with the Baltimore Orioles, spent the past eight years working for Schuerholz and hoping to eventually replace him.

"Our styles are different," said Wren, who also got a four-year deal. "But our philosophies are very, very similar."

Wren only got word Tuesday that Schuerholz was looking to move upstairs, even though the idea was first proposed by McGuirk six months ago. Schuerholz broke the news to his successor over iced tea after they watched a developmental league game in central Florida.

"I really had no inkling this was coming," Wren said.

AP - Oct 11, 5:26 pm EDT
More Photos

Schuerholz, who's always been notoriously tightlipped about personnel moves and the inner workings of the organization, grinned and pumped his fist when Wren described his reaction.

"I can keep a secret," said Schuerholz, baseball's longest-serving GM with one team.

The 49-year-old Wren turned down an offer to become Pittsburgh's general manager a few years ago and didn't pursue a couple of similar opportunities. Now, he's got the job he really wanted.

"We're going to keep doing things the way we've been doing them," Wren said. "The Braves way. It's been working pretty well."

While Schuerholz is willing to provide advice in player matters, calling himself a "mentor" and a "sounding board," he'll mainly be involved in the business side of the franchise. He made it clear that he won't be looking over Wren's shoulder.

"I let people establish themselves, do their jobs and support them," Schuerholz said.

Atlanta's only World Series title came 12 years ago, a six-game victory over the Cleveland Indians that gave the city its first, and still only, major sports championship.

Four other times during the streak, the Braves lost in the World Series. They also were the losing team in four NL championship series, and were eliminated four more times in the division series.

After the team's ownership passed from Ted Turner to Time Warner, the Braves began to cut payroll though they remain one of the highest-spending teams in baseball. McGuirk said the move had nothing to do with another ownership change from Time Warner to Liberty Media.

This season, the Braves missed the playoffs for the second year in a row with another third-place finish in the NL East.

Still, the postseason failures and recent slide do little to diminish Schuerholz's reputation for assembling talented teams year after year, with manager Bobby Cox running things in the dugout throughout the remarkable run.

The 66-year-old Cox has a year left on his contract and hasn't made any decision about whether he'll return beyond 2008. But the change in GMs shouldn't have an impact.

AP - Oct 11, 5:11 pm EDT
More Photos

"I think everything's great," Cox said when reached on his cell phone. "Frank is extremely capable and a huge part of what we've done through the years already. The good thing is both of them are still here. It's business as usual."

Schuerholz came to the Braves from Kansas City in 1991, taking over a last-place team that had plenty of potential: pitchers John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Steve Avery were just starting their careers.

The new GM filled out the roster with established veterans such as Terry Pendleton and Sid Bream, a combination that took Atlanta from worst to first in the NL West and all the way to a 1-0, 10-inning loss to Minnesota in Game 7 of the World Series.

Even though Smoltz is the only player who's been with the Braves throughout the Schuerholz era, the general manager kept a steady flow of talent moving through Atlanta.

Greg Maddux and Andres Galarraga were signed as free agents. Fred McGriff and Gary Sheffield came to the team through trades. Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, Brian McCann and Francoeur worked their way up through the farm system.

Schuerholz left his job as a junior high school teacher to begin his front-office career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966. He moved to Kansas City two years later with the expansion Royals, eventually working his way up to general manager in 1981, at the age of 41.

During his nine years as GM, the Royals won two division titles and the '85 Series with a seven-game victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

"John Schuerholz is an unbelievable judge of talent," Chipper Jones once said. "It almost seems like he has a crystal ball."

End of an era: Braves' Schuerholz to resign

2007-10-11T13:57:00.000-05:00

I always thought GM John Schuerholz and manager Bobby Cox would go out together, but that apparently doesn't seem to be the case - not yet at least. This is tough as a Braves fan, because Schuerholz, along with Cox, have been the glue of this organization through the years. It will be interesting to see who Atlanta gets for the GM job ... they'll have some big shoes to fill.

ATLANTA (AP) -- John Schuerholz will resign as general manager of the Atlanta Braves on Thursday after assembling teams that won a record 14 straight division titles and the 1995 World Series championship.

A baseball person familiar with the decision said Schuerholz was quitting after 17 years as the Braves' GM but would remain with the team in a senior capacity, perhaps as president. The person requested anonymity because the official announcement had not been made.

Schuerholz, who turned 67 last week, is also an executive vice president with the team, second in command to chairman and current president Terry McGuirk. Assistant general manager Frank Wren, a former GM with the Baltimore Orioles, is the most likely candidate to replace Schuerholz as the one who oversees trades, free-agent signings and other roster decisions.

Outfielder Jeff Francoeur said he got word of Schuerholz's decision earlier Thursday.

"I figured he would be with us another year of two," Francoeur said. "It kind of happened quick for all of us. It caught us off guard."

The team had no immediate comment other than to schedule an afternoon news conference for a "major announcement." Schuerholz was baseball's longest-serving general manager with one team.

The Braves won 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 -- Schuerholz's first season in Atlanta -- until 2004, a streak unprecedented in any of the major American sports. The only blemish on his resume was a lack of success once his teams got the playoffs.

Atlanta's only World Series title came 12 years ago, a six-game victory over the Cleveland Indians that gave the city its first, and still only, major sports championship.

Four other times during the streak, the Braves lost in the World Series. They also were the losing team in four NL championship series, and were eliminated four more times in the division series.

After the team's ownership passed from Ted Turner to Time Warner, the Braves began to cut payroll though they remained one of the highest-spending teams in baseball.

In 2005, Atlanta's postseason streak ended with a losing season and third-place finish in the NL East. The Braves climbed back over .500 this season but again finished third, out of the playoffs.

Still, the postseason failures and recent slide do little to diminish Schuerholz's remarkable record of assembling talented teams year after year, with manager Bobby Cox running things in the dugout throughout the remarkable run.

The 66-year-old Cox has another year left on his contract.

"Obviously, John has done an unbelievable job with the organization and this team," Francoeur said. "He definitely deserves to retire and enjoy what he's accomplished. It's sad, because we didn't want to see him go."

AP - Oct 11, 1:41 pm EDT
More Photos

More than two years ago, Schuerholz said he already had plotted out how his career as general manager would end, but he wouldn't give any details. Just last week, after the Braves wrapped up another playoff-less season, he refused to discuss his future.

"Move on to another one," he said. "I'm not going to go into that. No questions about that. Next subject."

Schuerholz came to the Braves from Kansas City in 1991, taking over a last-place team that had plenty of potential: pitchers John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Steve Avery were just starting out their careers.

The new GM filled out the roster with established veterans such as Terry Pendleton and Sid Bream, a combination took Atlanta from worst to first and all the way to Game 7 of the World Series.

The memorable series ended with a 1-0, 10-inning loss at Minnesota, a precursor of more postseason losses to come.

Even though Smoltz is the only player who has been without the Braves throughout the Schuerholz era, the general manager kept a steady flow of talent moving through Atlanta.

Greg Maddux and Andres Gallarraga were signed as free agents. Fred McGriff and Gary Sheffield were acquired in trades. Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, Javy Lopez and Ryan Klesko were developed by a productive farm system.

More recently, Francoeur and All-Star catcher Brian McCann came up from the minors to lead the next generation.

During his nine years as GM, the Royals won two division titles and the 1985 World Series with a seven-game victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

"John Schuerholz is an unbelievable judge of talent," Chipper Jones once said. "It almost seems like he has a crystal ball."

Top 5 Favorite Sports Commercials

2007-10-09T13:00:00.001-05:00

No. 4 - This is SportsCenter Ad- Competition

"Charley come on out and get your whoopin'. Charley come on out ... Steiner!"

This list wouldn't be complete without a SportsCenter commercial. Of the many that have made me laugh through the years, I'd say this is my favorite. You could easily have a countdown of the top SC spots ... might have to do that one down the road.

Top 5 Favorite Sports Commercials

2007-10-07T00:21:00.001-05:00

No. 5 - Larry Bird vs. Michael Jordan - McDonald's

"Off the floor, off the scoreboard, off the bankboard, no rim."

Two of the greats going back and forth in an improbable game of H-O-R-S-E in a 1993 Super Bowl spot. The best aspect of this (and the Magic vs. Bird Converse) ad was the fact that it played up a head-to-head matchup. You don't get many of those now it seems.

Check back through the week for the countdown of my favorite sports commercials. This list could be a lot longer, so feel free to post any of your favorites as well.

Friday, Oct. 5 football scores

2007-10-06T00:07:00.000-05:00

Albemarle 34, Monroe 6
Anson County 36, Indian Trail Porter Ridge 14
Apex Middle Creek 35, Cary 28
Asheville 24, Asheville Roberson 9
Ayden-Grifton 52, Rosewood 0
Belmont South Point 35, Gastonia Ashbrook 21
Bertie County 53, Elizabeth City Northeastern 7
Bessemer City 18, West Lincoln 12
Black Mountain Owen 49, Burnsville Mountain Heritage 6
Boonville Starmount 35, Surry Central 7
Brevard 13, Sylva Smoky Mountain 3
Burlington Cummings 56, Orange County 12
Cameron Union Pines 35, Hope Mills Gray's Creek 12
Canton Pisgah 37, West Henderson 20
Central Davidson 7, Thomasville Ledford 0
Chapel Hill 19, Northern Durham 12
Charlotte Berry Tech 19, Charlotte Garinger 15
Charlotte Catholic 30, Charlotte Harding 14
Charlotte Country Day 17, Crest 0
Charlotte Independence 61, Charlotte Ardrey Kell 3
Charlotte Providence 29, South Mecklenburg 22
Charlotte Vance 6, Mallard Creek 3
Charlotte Waddell 35, Charlotte Olympic 24
Clinton 38, Swansboro 14
Davie County 35, West Forsyth 15
Dunn Midway 22, Clinton Union 21
Durham Hillside 39, Durham Riverside 7
Durham Jordan 31, Southern Durham 21
East Burke 28, Alexander Central 16
East Davidson 13, North Rowan 12
East Forsyth 30, Northwest Guilford 21
East Henderson 42, North Henderson 24
East Lincoln 60, Cherryville 17
East Mecklenburg 28, Weddington 7
East Montgomery 48, North Moore 0
East Rowan 42, South Rowan 29
East Rutherford 28, R-S Central 21, OT
Eastern Alamance 37, Northern Vance 13
Elkin 26, East Wilkes 0
Erwin Triton 47, Western Harnett 17
Farmville Central 39, North Lenoir 14
Fayetteville Britt 27, Fayetteville Seventy-First 16
Fayetteville Pine Forest 31, Fayetteville Smith 0
Fayetteville Westover 6, Hoke County 0
Franklin 34, Waynesville Tuscola 23
Garner 35, Smithfield-Selma 14
Gastonia Huss 51, East Gaston 17
Goldsboro 20, Tarboro 0
Greene Central 13, North Pitt 6
Greensboro Dudley 26, Eden Morehead 0
Greensboro Grimsley 31, High Point Central 6
Greenville Conley 41, West Carteret 6
Greenville Rose 45, Havelock 7
Harnett Central 42, Spring Lake Overhills 18
Harrells Christian Academy 48, North Raleigh Christian 8
Hayesville 21, Swain County 20, OT
Hendersonville 30, Avery County 24, OT
Hertford County 49, Currituck County 20
Hickory 59, Newton-Conover 20
Hickory St. Stephens 43, Claremont Bunker Hill 21
Hillsborough Cedar Ridge 25, Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons 14
Hope Mills South View 20, Fayetteville Sanford 6
Huntersville Hopewell 34, Central Cabarrus 0
Jacksonville Northside 31, South Lenoir 0
Jones County 27, Lejeune 26
Kernersville Glenn 21, High Point Andrews 7
Knightdale 35, Holly Springs 7
Lee County 30, Panther Creek 0
Lenoir Hibriten 35, Newton Foard 10
Louisburg 38, Southeast Halifax 6
Maiden 38, West Caldwell 15
Marvin Ridge 35, Hickory Ridge 31
Matthews Butler 42, Charlotte Myers Park 14
Mitchell County 38, Polk County 31
Monroe Sun Valley 40, Concord 10
Mooresville 31, Lake Norman 10
Mt. Airy 50, North Stokes 26
Mt. Pleasant 31, Marshville Forest Hills 14
Murphy 54, Robbinsville 27
Nash Central 40, Wilson Fike 7
New Bern 35, South Central Pitt 27
New Hanover County 19, Wilmington Laney 7
North Brunswick 43, Pender County 32
North Buncombe 17, Asheville Erwin 14
North Davidson 17, North Forsyth 6
North Duplin 21, North Johnston 7
North Gaston 41, Gastonia Forestview 14
North Mecklenburg 23, West Mecklenburg 14
Pamlico County 32, Dixon 6
Pasquotank County 34, Kill Devil Hills First Flight 15
Pembroke Swett 27, Lumberton 7
Person County 60, East Chapel Hill 0
Pittsboro Northwood 30, Graham 20
Princeton 35, Seven Springs Spring Creek 6
Raleigh Athens Drive 49, Fuquay-Varina 21
Raleigh Leesville Road 37, Raleigh Wakefield 5
Raleigh Millbrook 14, Raleigh Sanderson 3
Randleman 24, Southwestern Randolph 7
Robersonville Roanoke 28, Manteo 7
Rockingham County 31, Yanceyville Yancey 25
Rocky Point Trask 21, Fairmont 7
Rosman 3, Andrews 0
Scotland County 14, Fayetteville Byrd 9
Shelby 30, Burns 13
South Brunswick 21, Whiteville 7
South Columbus 46, East Columbus 0
South Granville 23, Oxford Webb 13
South Iredell 26, North Lincoln 18
South Johnston 29, Southern Lee 25
Southeast Guilford 14, Asheboro 7
Southeast Raleigh 44, East Wake 18
Southern Alamance 36, Burlington Williams 35
Southern Guilford 34, Mayodan McMichael 3
Southern Vance 26, Bunn 14
Southern Wayne 28, Eastern Wayne 20
Southwest Onslow 35, Richlands 14
Statesville 37, Northwest Cabarrus 30
Thomasville 32, West Montgomery 7
Topsail 45, East Carteret 9
Wake Forest-Rolesville 14, Raleigh Broughton 13
Wallace-Rose Hill 28, Hobbton 6
Warren County 36, Northwest Halifax 6
Warsaw Kenan 45, Salemburg Lakewood 0
Washington 14, West Craven 13
Watauga County 38, McDowell County 29
West Bladen 52, St. Pauls 51
West Charlotte 62, Concord Robinson 6
West Davidson 28, Salisbury 26
West Iredell 35, North Iredell 14
West Johnston 27, Clayton 21
West Rowan 20, China Grove Carson 0
Western Alamance 28, Northeast Guilford 14
Westminster Catawba Christ, S.C. 54, Asheville School 36
Wilmington Ashley 30, West Brunswick 28
Wilmington Hoggard 41, Jacksonville White Oak 13
Wilson Beddingfield 41, Pikeville Aycock 7
Wilson Hunt 35, Kinston 13
Winston-Salem Atkins 34, Eastern Guilford 31
Winston-Salem Carver 39, Southwest Guilford 7
Winston-Salem Reynolds 26, Winston-Salem Mt. Tabor 7
^POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
Northampton-East vs. North Edgecombe, ppd. to Oct 8.
SouthWest Edgecombe vs. Rocky Mount, ppd. to Oct 8.

Scores and updates

2007-10-05T18:43:00.000-05:00

Country Day 17, Crest 0 - Final
KM 13, Chase 0 - Half
Ashbrook 21, South Point 21 - 4th
R-S Central 7, E. Rutherford 7 - Half

Independence 47, Ardrey Kell 3, halftime
West Charlotte 48, Robinson 6, halftime
E. Lincoln 34, Cherryville 10, halftime
Charlotte Latin 14, Providence Day 0, halftime
Charlotte Catholic 23, Harding 0, halftime
Hopewell 27, Cent. Cabarrus 0, halftime
Vance 6, Mallard Creek 3, end 3Q
Garinger 9, Berry 6, end 1Q
Mooresville 17, Lake Norman 0, halftime
East Meck 28, Weddington 0, halftime

Live from Burns vs. Shelby

2007-10-05T17:47:00.000-05:00

About 40 minutes from kickoff here in Lawndale. The sun is sinking below the trees and it's going to be another perfect night for football in Cleveland County.

Burns is in its columbia blue tops and pants with blue helmets. Shelby is wearing its white tops and white pants with gold helmets.

Nice renditions of America the Beautiful and The Star Spangled Banner by the Burns Treble Ensemble.

Captains - Shelby: Aaron Briscoe and Chris Scott; Burns: Keron Phelps and Julian Kee (also joined by the rest of the BHS seniors).

Shelby wins toss, defers to second half. Bulldogs will start on offense.

"This is Burns against Shelby, get on your feet and act like it." - Tony Beaver, Burns P.A. announcer.

1st quarter
- Burns picks up a first down, then punts away on first possession.
- Shelby with ball at BHS33 with 5:20 left in first
- Howard Thompson to Tim Gullatte on a 32-yard TD pass down the middle. Turner Almond's kick makes it 7-0 at 3:38 of first.
- Burns fumbles kickoff, Shelby turns turnover into points quickly as Thompson hits Larry Raper on a 30-yard strike. Almond's kick makes it 14-0 at 3:18.
- Shelby's Larry Raper burst through the middle for a 79-yard TD. Almond's kick makes it 21-0 after 1.

2nd quarter
- Shelby's Corey Brooks picks off a BHS pass at Burns 28.
- Almond drills a 44-yard FG at 9:08 to make it 24-0. The FG was Almond's first of the season.
- Burns gets on the board with :42 seconds left as Keron Phelps finds Monterrio Merriweather for a 14-yard TD strike. Ethan Martin's kick makes it 24-7.

First half breakdown:
Shelby's quick-strike ability on offense and stout defense helps the Golden Lions jump out to a 24-0 lead. Thompson got plenty of protection on the two big passing plays to Gullatte and Raper. Raper had a huge hole to run through on the 79-yard dash.
The Lions' defense has two turnovers to their credit and forced one turnover on downs in the red zone. Shelby turned the turnovers into 10 points, including Almond's long 44-yard FG.
Burns has shown some solid flashes on offense, mostly due to the running of Phelps (49 yards). Phelps' receivers have dropped several big passes on crucial plays. The Bulldogs' lone touchdown of the half came after Shelby's first turnover late in the half.

Great performance by the Burns band with its "Wonderland, a tribute to Stevie Wonder" halftime show. You can't beat the horns on "Sir Duke."

Third quarter
- Burns forces first SHS punt early in the 3rd
- Almond misses a 27 FG midway through the third.

Fourth quarter
- Donta Hopper picks off a Thompson pass at the BHS 2 to stop a Shelby drive.
- Varan Hamrick punches it end from 5 yards out. Martin's kick is blocked. 24-13 at 10:08. The score was set up by a 62-yard catch-and-run from Phelps to Aldrick Watson.
- Shelby answers as Thompson finds Raper again with a 31-yard strike. Almond's kick wide to make it 30-13 at 6:00. Raper now with 241 yards of total offense.
- Shelby runs out the clock after Burns turns it over on downs.
- Final score: Shelby 30, Burns 13

Tonight's coverage (10/5)

2007-10-05T15:02:00.000-05:00

I'll be blogging live from the Shelby at Burns game tonight. Check back to the blog for updates from that game.

After the game, check out Adam Fenwick's videos from Shelby-Burns at www.shelbystar.com and www.varsitync.com.

Star photographer Jeff Melton will be posting live photo updates from the Charlotte Country Day at Crest contest. Visit his blog at http://jeffmeltonstar.blogspot.com.

Also, check out the live, scrolling ticker tonight at www.varsitync.com for scores from around the area.

Enjoy the games!

Scores and Updates (9/28)

2007-09-28T18:21:00.001-05:00

Watauga scores with 7 minutes to go, makes 2-point play. Shelby 34-15.
Crest def. Forestview 35-0
28-21 N. Gaston over Ashbrook 4th quarter

Live from Kings Mountain

2007-09-28T18:09:00.000-05:00

Set up here in the pressbox at John Gamble Stadium. Beautiful night for football in Kings Mountain as we're about 20 minutes from kickoff.

Kings Mountain is in its black tops with white pants and black helmets. East Gaston is in white tops and white pants with red helmets.

Captains - KM: Tony Barnett, Jerry Lowery, Brandon Davis, Thomas James; EG: Charles Johnson, Zac Wooten, Daniel Rogers, Stephen Timpson.

KM won the toss and elected to receive.

First
- KM fumbles away first possession
- EG drives down to the 20, then misses 37 FG with 7 minutes left in first
- KM's Michael Roberts finds Neil Scott for a 22-yard TD pass on 4th and 5. Alex Randall's kick makes it 7-0 at 1:44
- Roberts finds Scott for a 26 TD pass with 4:54 left in the 2nd. 14-0 after Randall's kick.
The reason for the less-frequent updates .... both teams are in no-huddle offense and things are moving fast.
- Charles Johsnon 30 TD run around the left side pulls EG within 8 at 14-6 with 4:10 left. The XP failed.
- KM takes advantage of a huge personal foul penalty and scores on a 5-yard scamper by Leon Staton. Randall's kick makes it 21-6 at 1:27.
- Alex Randall hits a 33 yard FG at the first half horn to make it 24-6 at the half.

Pressbox update - Jake Dixon's oysters are as good - and the horseradish is as hot - as advertised. I had two in my rookie venture to John Gamble Stadium ...

3rd
KM goes up 31-6 at 7:20 on a 2-yard rumble by C.J. Belcher. Randall's kick good.
KM's Roberts sneaks in from 1 yard out late in the 3rd to make it 38-6 after Randall's kick. KM now has 13 first downs to EG's 3 first downs.
4th
EG's Charles Johnson runs back a punt 51 yards for TD. Cody Bishop's kick makes it 38-13 with 5:50 left in the game
EG'S Vidol Crawford hits Justin Clark from 3 yards out to make it 38-20 with 24 seconds left.

KM wins 38-20

Tonight's coverage

2007-09-28T12:31:00.001-05:00

I'll be blogging live from East Gaston-Kings Mountain tonight. Check back to the blog for updates from that game as well as scores from around the area.

Enjoy the games!

N.C. High School football poll (9/26)

2007-09-25T22:51:00.000-05:00

RALEIGH (AP) — The Associated Press state high school football poll for the week of Sept. 25, first-place votes in parentheses, records and total points as voted upon by a statewide panel of prep sports writers:

Class 4-A W-L Pts LW
1. Charlotte Independence (15) 4-1 150 1
2. Richmond County 5-0 118 2
3. Wilmington Hoggard 4-0 112 3
4. West Charlotte 5-1 86 5
5. Matthews Butler 4-1 79 6
6. Garner 6-0 73 7
7. Scotland County 5-0 72 8
8. Greensboro Grimsley 5-0 48 9
9. Shelby Crest 4-1 32 4
10. Hope Mills South View 6-0 25 —
Others receiving votes: Wake Forest-Rolesville 22, Raleigh Leesville Road 3, Gastonia Ashbrook 2, Pembroke Swett 2, Fayetteville Byrd 1.

Class 3-A W-L Pts LW
1. Western Alamance (12) 6-0 147 1
2. Rocky Mount (3) 6-0 138 2
3. Belmont South Point 5-0 94 4
T4. Asheville Roberson 5-0 88 5
T4. SouthWest Edgecombe 5-0 88 3
6. Anson County 5-1 51 7
7. Charlotte Catholic 4-2 49 6
8. West Rowan 5-0 38 10
9. North Gaston 4-1 36 8
10. Northeast Guilford 4-1 22 9
Others receiving votes: Kernersville Glenn 20, Hickory 14, Eastern Alamance 10, Kannapolis Brown 9, Greensboro Dudley 8, Wilson Hunt 7, Hertford County 6.

Class 2-A W-L Pts LW
1. Reidsville (14) 5-0 149 1
2. Shelby (1) 4-1 125 2
3. Jacksonville Northside 5-0 113 4
4. South Columbus 5-0 96 6
5. Southern Vance 5-1 92 5
6. Mt. Pleasant 5-0 80 8
7. Southwest Onslow 4-1 68 7
8. Bunn 4-1 42 3
9. Burlington Cummings 3-3 14 10
10. Salisbury 5-1 10 —
Others receiving votes: Brevard 8, West Davidson 6, Pittsboro Northwood 6, Whiteville 5, North Lincoln 4, Lenoir Hibriten 2, Mitchell County 2, East Lincoln 2, Thomasville Ledford 1.

Class 1-A W-L-T Pts LW
1. Thomasville (12) 5-0-0 147 1
2. Warsaw Kenan (3) 6-0-0 138 2
3. Mt. Airy 5-0-0 114 3
4. Polk County 6-0-0 102 4
5. Plymouth 5-0-0 91 5
6. Jordan-Matthews 5-0-1 67 6
7. North Duplin 5-0-0 48 10
8. Wallace-Rose Hill 4-1-0 36 9
9. Ayden-Grifton 5-1-0 22 —
10. West Montgomery 4-1-0 19 7
Others receiving votes: East Bladen 11, Pender County 8, East Surry 7, Murphy 7, Salemburg Lakewood 4, Louisburg 2, Pamlico County 1, Cherryville 1.

A weekend to remember

2007-09-24T17:10:00.001-05:00

Column from Monday's edition of The Star

I said before I left with Gardner-Webb’s football team to Mississippi State that it would be a trip the program would never forget.

You can count me in on that statement as well.

Covering games is obviously what I do. Not a week goes by that I don’t see an impressive individual or team performance at the high school and college levels.

But it’s not often that I get to witness history in this business. That’s what happened Saturday night when the Runnin’ Bulldogs took the field at Mississippi State as the first Big South Conference program to face a squad from the mighty Southeastern Conference.

That fact will be far from the only lasting memory from the trip.

The bus rides, the charter flights, the conversations — not to mention the blogging — all made this an enjoyable journey to say the least. Don’t get me wrong, there was a good bit of work involved in interviewing folks, taking pictures, posting blogs and oh yeah, covering the game and getting a story back to The Star pretty quick Saturday night.

But there’s work and there’s work that’s a lot of fun. This weekend proved to be more of the latter.

First of all, I want to thank the good people at Gardner-Webb for the opportunity to go on this trip and for all the cooperation from the fans, players and coaches from Friday afternoon until the early morning hours on Sunday.

I also want to express my appreciation to all the folks that visited the blog in Cleveland County and Starkville, Miss. — and all points in between. One of the best moments of the weekend was when one of the Sports Information Directors from MSU come up to me in the pressbox and said she enjoyed following the blog over the weekend.

Due to time constraints last night, I didn’t get a chance to interview MSU coach Sylvester Croom or any of his players following the game. Here’s a few quotes from the university’s Web site.

From Croom: “First I wish Gardner-Webb players and coaching staff the best of luck the rest of their season. I thought that those kids came out in the second half when things were not looking their way and played with valiant effort. This is a game that we expect to win and are suppose to win, but it is very easy to overlook this kind of game and slip up.”

“We had never been in this type of situation, but our kids came out and put points up like I expected us to do in the first half. To Gardner-Webb’s credit they came back.”

From MSU linebacker Gabe O’Neal: “There are many teams that are starting to run that spread offense. We have to practice well against that and prepare the best we can. I think it is a good opportunity to face this offense because we will have to face it again later in the season.”

Here’s a few additional stats from Saturday night:
Gardner-Webb’s 334 total yards were more than either Tulane or Auburn gained against MSU.

Facing the SEC’S third-best pass defense, GWU finished with 203 passing yards and had more first downs (20) than the home team.

Defensively, GWU held MSU to just 118 yards in the second half (56 rushing) and just six first downs.

True freshman linebacker Jeffrey Williams finished with a career-high 11 tackles to pace Gardner-Webb’s defense. Mario Brown posted eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback pressure.

Next: The Runnin’ Bulldogs host Austin Peay Saturday at 6 p.m. in a non-conference contest.

More pics

2007-09-23T03:37:00.001-05:00

A shot from the pressbox down on the tailgating at The Junction

GWU warming up pregame

The teams coming out on the field

GWU's players headed to the locker room after the hardfought battle

Back home

2007-09-23T03:16:00.000-05:00

The bus pulled into Gardner-Webb right around 4 a.m. ... now back at home and tired isn't the word for it! Figured before I got some much-needed shut-eye, I would post a few more pictures from Saturday ... Look for a follow-up story from this weekend's trip to Mississippi in Monday's edition of The Star.

Another shot of The Junction Now that's tailgating ...

More cowbell ...

Bully the Bulldog, MSU's mascot

More blogging

2007-09-22T21:02:00.000-05:00

I've got a few more pictures and notes from the trip that I doubt I'll have time to post between the end of the game and when we get on the flight for Charlotte. Be sure to check back tomorrow for the follow-ups ...

Game blog

2007-09-22T18:00:00.000-05:00

GWU won the toss and deferred to the second half. MSU starts with ball at own 32.
1st
- MSU scores on long opening drive as big RB Anthony Dixon rumbles in around the right side for a 10-yard TD run at 10:02. Adam Carlson's XP makes it 7-0. MSU overcame two holding penalties inside the 20.
- GWU starts first drive at own 29. GWU picks up a first down on a 7-yard run by Brandon Jackson, but the drive is halted near midfield as De'Mon Glanton picks off a Devin Campbell pass and brings it back 60 yards for a score. Carlson's kick makes it 14-0 at 7:55.
- GWU picks up a pair of first downs before the drive stalls near mifield and GWU is forced to punt. MSU takes over at own 12 with 3:40 left.
- GWU's Mario Brown recovers a fumble at MSU 15 and takes over with 3:45 left.
- MSU flagged for past interference on 3rd and 7 with 2:34 left in first. GWU with first and goal at the 3. Another Pass Int. in the endzone gives GWU 1st and goal at the 1. GWU calls a timeout.
- First quarter ends after three-straight gains of no yardage at the 1 by GWU. The second quarter will start with GWU having 4th and goal at the 1.
2nd
- Doolittle throws an incompletion out of the end zone as GWU turns it over on downs at the MSU 1.
- GWU forces a punt and takes over at own 20 with 12:02 left in half.
- GWU fumbles a short, completed past and MSU recovers at 24. The play is reviewed and the call stands. 1st and 10 MSU at GWU 24.
- A bobbled snap causes MSU to miss a 27-yard FG try midway through the second. GWU takes over at own 20 with 7 minutes left in half.
- MSU drives 48 yards on 8 plans to take a 21-0 lead at 2:42 on Dixon's second TD run of the game - this one of 12 yards. Carlson added the XP.
- MSU with good field pos. at the GWU 30 with 1:23 left after a GWU punt. New QB Josh Riddell finds Tony Burks on a 30 yard TD strike after a GWU punt. Carlson's kick makes it 28-0 with 1:18 left.
First half complete with MSU leading 28-0. I'll post some stats when I get them ...

Breakdown: The missed opportunity at the end of the first quarter was big. If GWU cuts it to 14-7 at that point - and just as important gains momentum - this game could very well be much closer right now.
The Runnin' Bulldogs have had some success on both sides of the ball, but MSU's speed and size have seemed to take a toll. The two late touchdowns to push the score to 28-0 both came after three-and-outs by GWU as the defense spent a lot of time on the field late in the half.

Key stats: MSU leads the total yards by a margin of 365-103. MSU has done most of its damage on the ground with 34 carries for 261. Anthony Dixon leads MSU with 15 carries for 87 yards.
Both teams have used two quarterbacks. MSU with Wesley Carroll and Josh Riddell, while GWU's tandem has been Devin Campbell and Stan Doolittle.
Jarvis Williams is GWU's leading tackler with 6 stops.

3rd quarter
- Second half under way with GWU with the ball at own 20.
- GWU with a solid, 10-play, 63-yard drive to get on the scoreboard after a 33-yard FG by freshman kicker Evan Kay. Junior Dobson Collins had the big play on the drive with a long run on an end-around. Score now 28-3 with 10:43 left in the 3rd.
- MSU's Carlson answers with a 33-yarder to make it 31-3 with 7 minutes left.
- Kay hits a 20 yarder to cap a 9-play 70-yard drive with 4 minutes left. Score now 31-6. FG set up by a 36-yard catch-and-run from Doolittle to Duvaughn Flagler.

4th quarter
4th quarter under way with GWU driving inside the MSU 10. David Montgomery with several big runs on the drive. Phillip Peoples finishes off a 10-play, 80-yard drive to make it 31-12. The two-point conversion pass fails with 12 minutes left.
GWU has outscored MSU, 12-3 in the second half.
GWU'S Rent Sherrill picks off a Riddell pass with 11 minutes left near midfield.
With 6:16 left, Kay hits his third FG to make it 31-15 during a late-game rainstorm.

Gettin' loose

2007-09-22T17:25:00.002-05:00

GWU warming up before the game.

2007-09-22T17:25:00.001-05:00

2007-09-22T17:15:00.000-05:00

"The Junction," a sea of tents behind the stadium where the MSU faithful tailgate before (and after) the game. The Junction is only two years old and supposedly has added another dimension to the atmosphere around the stadium before games. Good eats and good folks (and cowbells) out there ...

1 hour until kickoff

2007-09-22T17:09:00.000-05:00

More like 50 minutes until GWU kicks off against Mississippi State at historic Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. The Runnin' Bulldogs will be wearing their white tops with silver pants and silver helmets. The "Maroon 'Dogs" are in their maroon tops with white pants and white helmets.

Both teams are going through pregame warm-ups now ...

I'm having a tough time getting connected through the MSU connection, but thanks to the Sprint Card I can do some posting. Pictures are taking a little time to post, but I'll try to get a few of the tailgating shots I took on here before the game gets underway.

Davis Wade before the crowd

2007-09-22T14:34:00.000-05:00

Click on the image to make it larger. I'm having to send these smaller for some reason ...

Welcome to Starkville

2007-09-22T13:58:00.001-05:00

Coach Steve Patton with some of the tickets to tonight's game.

Arrived at Davis Wade Stadium about 30 minutes ago and now up in the pressbox. I'm the only one here, seeing it's about 4 hours until kickoff! I caught a cab ride over early ... after I post this blog I'm going to head down and talk to both sets of "Bulldogs" fans and get a few pictures of the Starkville scene.

Rest of the day

2007-09-22T11:25:00.000-05:00

I'll be heading over to the stadium hopefully within the next hour to get a few pictures and talk to some Mississippi State fans. Once I get set up in the press box, I'll post pictures and blogs.

Team meetings

2007-09-22T11:06:00.000-05:00

Top photo, head coach Steve Patton addresses the players before the start of individual team meetings Saturday morning in the conference room of the Holiday Inn. Second photo, defensive line coach Mike Doolittle talks to his players as the specific units broke up into groups.

This is one of the parts of the trip that I was really looking forward to ... being able to sit in on the pre-game team meetings to hear some "X's and O's" talk. I sat in on the offensive meeting for the most part as offensive coordinator Joe Pizzo broke down the MSU defense on the projector screen. It's amazing the detail that goes into each play at each position. Indeed, football is about blocking and tackling, but I feel the thinking aspect of the game is often underappreciated.

Defensive line coach Mike Doolittle on the importance of team meetings
"It's touching up and remembering the finer points. We go through all the signals and to make sure everybody is straight ... make sure everybody is on the same page.
"This weekend, we especially wanted to remind them about the opportunity they have."

Doolittle on gearing up for Mississippi State
"We're telling our guys to weather the storm. You're going to get rocked a little bit. That's fine, you're going to rock them a little bit. Keep your composure and focus at all times.
"Get this thing into the fourth quarter and at that point the pressure goes all to them. From there, you just finish the job."

Defensive end Leon Hudson (So., Fayetteville) on team meetings
"You just pay attention to the coaches and make sure you know your assignments ... know what you have to do and go out there and be ready to play.
Each time you are in the meetings, something new comes up."

Big breakfast

2007-09-22T10:58:00.000-05:00

The Gardner-Webb football team painted Ryan's red this morning as the entire team and coaching staff came in for the most important meal of the day. Here's a few shots at Ryan's ... and from the walk back across the street.

Game day

2007-09-22T10:10:00.000-05:00

Just got back from breakfast at Ryan's and about to head downstairs to the team meetings. I'll post a few pictures when I get back up the to room and before heading to the stadium. The buses are set to pull out around 3 p.m. CST. Kickoff is 6 p.m. CST/7 p.m. EST.

The fans' perspective

2007-09-21T23:01:00.001-05:00

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Larry Bumgardner was on hand for one of Gardner-Webb’s biggest wins this decade when the Runnin’ Bulldogs went on the road and upset 1-AA nationally ranked New Hampshire back in 2000.
Before that victory and since then, he has followed various Gardner-Webb teams all over the country.
When the prospect of going with the Bulldogs to Mississippi State arose, it was a no-brainer.
No Gardner-Webb team in any sport has ever played in front as many fans as will be on hand tonight - approximately 40,000. No Big South Conference football squad has ever faced a Southeastern Conference team.
And Bumgardner wouldn’t miss it.
"This is something I’m very passionate about. Gardner-Webb football has grown over time. It’s an environment where there is a lot of excitement," said Bumgardner, a Gastonia resident. "Just being there for the kids and all the teams is reason enough to make these trips. That’s what it’s all about."
According to athletics director Church Burch, approximately 400 Gardner-Webb fans are making the trip to Starkville for the game. Thirty-five were on the team’s chartered flight that left out of Charlotte Friday afternoon.
Anthony Strange, a 1983 GWU grad and a member of the Board of Trustees, made the trek from Richmond, Va..
"It’s a great opportunity to be with the team and players. I love college football, and this is so exciting to see the program play in a venue like Mississippi State," said Strange, whose daughter Ashley currently attends GWU. "Something like this was so far from an idea back when I was in school."
For Burch and the rest of the athletic staff, tonight marks a historical event for the program.
"It gives our football program the kind of recognition that the basketball team has received after playing North Carolina, Wake Forest and Georgia," Burch said. "It gives us the opportunity to showcase our program on the national spotlight.
"I’m also proud for our fans. I’m sure they will be very loud and supportive … they are ambassadors of the university."

Last night

2007-09-21T22:46:00.000-05:00

Wide receiver Nick Melton and a few GWU players playing cards before lights out last night.

Melton's comments about the experience of the trip ...

"The best part so far has just been us being together on the plane and coming together as one. They're treatin' us like stars right now (the police escort to the hotel). We didn't just come here to play, we came here to win.

"It's good to get these big schools on our schedule, there's no telling who Gardner-Webb could play in the next few years."

Reader e-mails

2007-09-21T22:13:00.000-05:00

With things winding down around here, figured I would post a couple of e-mails I've received since I started on the trip. Always nice to hear from new folks, from both near and far ...

Greetings from Mississippi. I hope you enjoy your trip and the visit to the MSU campus. Be sure to get to "The Junction" plenty early and enjoy the atmosphere. The MSU players arrive at the stadium about two hours before kick off. You definitely do not want to miss that. I have dreaded this game since the schedule came out. We have a tendency to look past non-SEC opponents. That, coupled with the fact that some kind of virus has spread through the team this week, is cause for concern. If you need some info about the campus, campus history, places to eat, etc., just email me back and let me know. Looking forward to reading your chronicle of the trip. Again, have a good flight down and enjoy your time at MSU

Jay Stegall

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Enjoyed your article GW football is much more exciting than where I was in school there 1968-72----can’t wait for the App. game---I am disappointed that GW does not have a ticket available link on their site---have fun, I hear it’s the best

Mike E. Stamey--

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SEC country

2007-09-21T19:45:00.000-05:00

Need proof the SEC is king down here? Four front page Friday stories, three SEC preview stories and one SEC column. You can't beat it as a college football fan ...

2007-09-21T19:34:00.000-05:00

One of the first things I always do when I get into a new town when travelling is pick up the local newspaper, regardless of the size of the town. I always think it's interesting to see how other papers play up or down similar national stories, and of course to check out how they cover their local sports. Good preview story of the GWU-MSU game by the local Commercial Dispatch (www.cdispatch.com).

Settling in

2007-09-21T19:21:00.000-05:00

And boy, was it a welcome! After unboarding at the Columbus, Miss. airport, the three charter buses received a police escort down the highway and to our hotel. According to Trooper L. Morgan of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, this is standard procedure for visitors of MSU that come into town. The buses will also be escorted from Columbus to nearby Starkville for the game tomorrow as well.

GWU fans and players unboard the plane

2007-09-21T18:04:00.000-05:00

Air-blogging (kind of)

2007-09-21T17:42:00.002-05:00

Air-blogging (kind of)
I mentioned in Wednesday’s column that it had been six years since I had been on an airplane.
The two coolest things about flying to me …
1) The acceleration during take off (anybody know how fast?) I’ve never been a big “adrenaline junkie,” but moving down the runway that rapidly is quite a rush.
2) That sense of amazement when you get above the clouds, especially with the clear blue skies we were floating through. Wow! Window seats are definitely the way to go. I’m generally not a huge fan of heights, but looking down doesn’t bother me in a plane.

The coolest thing about the inside of this plane… watching ESPN and blogging (well, on a Word document at least) at 32,000 feet (rough estimate). I could get used to this …

Starting the descent to Columbus, Miss. The captain said its 83 degrees with light wind. Sounds good!

Boarding

2007-09-21T17:42:00.001-05:00