6-23-22 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball and soccer, Legion baseball, College baseball and athletics

By Richard Walker

The Charlotte Hornets went big in the draft as they drafted two college centers.

But the franchise traded one center away in a deal that will reportedly net five future draft picks and kept the other one.

Charlotte first selected Memphis center Jalen Duren with the 13th overall pick in the draft before choosing Duke’s 7-foot-2 Mark Williams at No. 15.

The Associated Press reported that Duren was traded to the New York Knicks for a future first-round draft pick and four second-round draft picks since the trade had not been confirmed by the NBA.

Williams is a 242-pounder with a 7-foot-6 wingspan. His shot-blocking ability could give the Hornets the rim protector they have coveted for years.

At Duke, Williams averaged 7.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 15.3 minutes per game as a freshman and 11.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 23.5 minutes per game as a sophomore as he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and helped the Blue Devils to the Final Four.

“It’s an area that we need help and we hope he continues to develop at a rapid pace,” Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak told media on Thursday night. “He made great strides his first two years at Duke. He gives us great size with rim protection and rebound the ball. He has a great length and he is a great kid who should get better.”

Charlotte ranked 22nd in the NBA last season in allowing points in the paint (48.1 average).

Kupchak said he didn’t want to draft two rookies in the first round after having three rookies on the roster last season.

“We didn’t feel using both picks was prudent,” Kupchak said.

The Hornets later made another trade with their second-round pick as they swapped their No. 45 pick – Charlotte selected Josh Minott of Memphis – and one of the picks they received from New York (2023 second-rounder) to Minnesota for the Timberwolves’ No. 40 selection Bryce McGowens of Nebraska.

A 6-foot-7 freshman guard from Pendleton, S.C., McGowens was named Big Ten Conference Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press after averaging a team-high 16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He also was selected third team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media.

The Hornets went 43-39 last season and lost in a 29-point blowout loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament. It marked the sixth straight season Charlotte failed to make the playoffs – and ultimately led the team to fire head coach James Borrego.

Charlotte remains without a head coaching replacement as Kupchak and team owner Michael Jordan are in charge of all major team decisions.

Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson had agreed in principle to a four-year contract to become the team’s next head coach last week before informing the team last weekend he would not be coming to Charlotte.

Kupchak commented to the media on Thursday about Atkinson’s decision: “Disappointed and still feel like he would have been a good selection. I think he would have been a good pick, but if he’s not comfortable I’d rather find out now than a year from now.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legion baseball

Cleveland County 4, Cherryville 0: Isaiah Lowe (winning pitcher, 14 strikeouts in 5 innings), Boone Cartee (2 hits) and Cole Drewery (2 hits) led Cleveland County in the road victory.

Gastonia 11, Mint Hill 8: Austin Parker (2 hits, 1 RBI), Chandler Meeks (triple, RBI), Chase Sharpe (double) and Jesse Osborne (winner with 4 innings relief) led Gastonia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junior Legion baseball

Area IV East Division standings (through Thursday):

Matthews 9-1
Burns 9-1
Shelby 5-4
Dallas 6-5
Belmont 5-6
Cherryville 3-6
Stuart Cramer 2-8
Gaston Christian 1-9

(Thursday’s games)
Cherryville 14, Belmont 11
Matthews at Burns (ppd., no date)
Shelby 10, Gaston Christian 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

College athletics

Gardner-Webb University Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch announced on Thursday he will retire after completing his 25th season in that role.

Burch, who turns 65 in July, will remain at GWU during the upcoming academic year, serving in the role of Vice President for Athletics until his successor is hired and thereafter working to ensure a successful and smooth transition.

“The opportunity to lead this athletics department is one I will always cherish and look back upon with appreciation,” said Burch, a 1980 GWU graduate from Charlotte Independence High School who played football and tennis for the Bulldogs. “This place, the people and its mission are tremendously important to me, but the time has come to step away and begin the next stage of my life. Retirement will center around a devoted family that has sacrificed often to allow me to enjoy a fulfilling and exciting career in college athletics. I am thankful to my wife, Dr. Franki Burch, and our children for their dedication and sacrifice. We have gained so much through our involvement with Gardner-Webb University and the town of Boiling Springs.
“I would like to thank our coaches over the years for their dedication and hard work, a tireless staff and the student-athletes who have made such a terrific impression on this institution – athletically and academically. The future of this school and its athletics department is bright and I am eager to see the Runnin’ Bulldogs succeed down the road.”

Said GWU president William Downs: “It has been my privilege to work with Chuck Burch over the last three years. Chuck loves Gardner-Webb. He cares deeply about each and every student-athlete. He works hard to promote our institution’s Christian values through athletic competition. Chuck has committed so much time and talent to leading our athletics programs, and all Runnin’ Bulldog fans and alumni owe him a profound debt of gratitude.”

Burch returned to his alma mater in May 1997 to take over leadership of the athletics department and led the program’s move into NCAA Division I athletics in 2000, which saw Gardner-Webb gain full conference membership in the Atlantic Sun Conference two years later. Gardner-Webb also was an associate member in the Big South Conference (football) prior to the 2002 season and moved into full membership in that league on July 1, 2008.

During Burch’s time in charge, Gardner-Webb has seen 15 teams win conference titles at the Division I level, in addition to numerous individual honors – ranging from All-America and All-Conference recognition to conference titles and national tournament berths.

Additionally, GWU athletics has also seen the construction of several major facilities during the past 25 years, including John Henry Moss Stadium and Bill Masters Field for baseball, Brinkley Family Stadium for softball, the Gardner-Webb Football Center and Spangler Stadium renovation, Greene-Harbison Soccer Stadium, tennis courts and a major renovation to Gardner-Webb’s swim facility.

Burch and his wife Franki raised their three children – Travis, Danielle and Amy – in Boiling Springs. The couple has three grandchildren – Bailey, Afton and Bennett.

 

 

Pro baseball

Zach Jarrett’s walkoff home run lifted the Gastonia Honey Hunters past the visiting Charleston Dirty Birds 5-4 on Thursday night to complete a 2-1 series victory at Gastonia’s CaroMont Health Park.

Gastonia (38-17) remains atop the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

The full Gastonia Honey Hunters’ 2022 schedule (Games times 6:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 4:15 on Sunday):

April (8-1)
21 Lancaster, Pa. (L 2-5)
22 Lancaster, Pa. (W 4-3)
23 Lancaster, Pa. (W 8-1)
24 Lancaster, Pa. (W 13-4)
26 Wild Health, Ky. (W 12-1)
27 Wild Health, Ky. (W 17-4)
28 Wild Health, Ky. (W 6-4)
29 Staten Island (W 5-4)
30 Staten Island (W 6-5)

May (16-10)
1 Staten Island (W 10-5)
3 at York, Pa. (W 3-1)
4 at York, Pa. (L 4-5 in 10)
5 at York, Pa. (W 12-7)
6 at Staten Island (ppd.)
7 at Staten Island (ppd.)
8 at Staten Island (W 4-1)
8 at Staten Island (W 7-2)
10 at So. Maryland (W 2-0)
11 at So. Maryland (L 0-4)
12 at So. Maryland (L 2-4)
13 at Staten Island (ppd.)
14 at Staten Island (ppd.)
15 at Staten Island (L 1-2)
15 at Staten Island (W 1-0)
16 at Staten Island (W 8-3)
17 So. Maryland (L 4-5)
18 So. Maryland (L 6-8)
19 So. Maryland (W 13-1)
20 Charleston, W.Va.(W 12-10)
21 Charleston, W.Va.(W 6-4)
22 Charleston, W.Va.(L 1-8)
24 at Lancaster, Pa.(W 2-1)
25 at Lancaster, Pa.(L 3-13)
26 at Lancaster, Pa.(L 1-4)
27 at Long Island (W 5-3)
28 at Long Island (W 10-3)
29 at Long Island (W 3-2)
30 at Long Island (W 5-2)
31 Long Island (L 7-8)

June (14-6)
1 Long Island (L 9-10 in 11)
2 Long Island (L 0-5)
3 at High Point (W 5-4)
4 at High Point (W 8-3)
5 at High Point (W 8-3)
7 at Charleston,W.Va.(L 5-7)
8 at Charleston,W.Va.(W 6-0)
9 at Charleston,W.Va.(W 3-2)
10 High Point (W 7-6)
11 High Point (W 6-4)
12 High Point (W 9-5)
14 Charleston, W.Va. (L 4-6)
15 Charleston, W.Va. (W 14-7)
16 Charleston, W.Va. (W 2-0)
17 at Lexington, Ky. (W 6-1)
18 at Lexington, Ky. (L 2-3 in 10)
19 at Lexington, Ky. (W 4-0 in 11)
21 Charleston, W.Va. (W 8-7)
22 Charleston, W.Va. (L 1-4)
23 Charleston, W.Va. (W 5-4)
24 at So. Maryland
25 at So. Maryland
26 at So. Maryland
28 Wild Health, Ky.
29 Wild Health, Ky.
30 Wild Health, Ky.

July
1 at Lexington, Ky.
2 at Lexington, Ky.
3 at Lexington, Ky.
4 High Point
–end of 1st half of season
5 High Point
6 at High Point
7 at High Point
8 High Point
9 High Point
10 High Point
12 at Wild Health, Ky.
13 at Wild Health, Ky.
14 at Wild Health, Ky.
15 Lexington, Ky.
16 Lexington, Ky.
17 Lexington, Ky.
19 at York, Pa.
20 at York, Pa.
21 at York, Pa.
22 at High Point
23 at High Point
24 at High Point-
26 Lexington, Ky.
27 Lexington, Ky.
28 Lexington, Ky.
29 York, Pa.
30 York, Pa.
31 York, Pa.

August
2 at Lexington, Ky.
3 at Lexington, Ky.
4 at Lexington, Ky.
5 High Point
6 High Point
7 High Point
9 Staten Island
10 Staten Island
11 Staten Island
12 at High Point
13 at High Point
14 at High Point
16 So. Maryland
17 So. Maryland
18 So. Maryland
19 High Point
20 High Point
21 High Point
23 at Charleston,W.Va.
24 at Charleston,W.Va.
25 at Charleston,W.Va.
26 at High Point
27 at High Point
28 at High Point
30 High Point
31 High Point

September
1 High Point
2 Wild Health, Ky.
3 Wild Health, Ky.
4 Wild Health, Ky.
6 at Wild Health, Ky.
7 at Wild Health, Ky.
8 at Wild Health, Ky.
9 Lexington, Ky.
10 Lexington, Ky.
11 Lexington, Ky.
13 at High Point
14 at High Point
15 at High Point
16 at Charleston,W.Va.
17 at Charleston,W.Va.
18 at Charleston,W.Va.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro soccer

Here’s the full Charlotte FC MLS schedule for the 2022 season (with results):

(6-8-2 record)
Feb. 26 at D.C. (L 0-3)
March 5, L.A. (L 0-1)
March 13, at Atlanta (L 1-2)
March 19, New England (W 3-1)
March 26, Cincinnati (W 2-0)
April 2, at Philadelphia (L 0-2)
April 10, Atlanta (W 1-0)
April 16, at New England (L 1-2)
April 23, at Colorado (T 0-0)
April 30, at Orlando (L 1-2)
May 7, Miami (W 1-0)
May 14, Montreal (L 0-2)
May 22, Vancouver (W 2-1)
May 29, at Seattle (L 1-2)
June 11, New York (W 2-0)
June 18, at Columbus (T 1-1)
June 25, at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
June 30, Austin, 7 p.m.
July 3, at Houston, 8:30 p.m.
July 9, Nashville, 7 p.m.
July 16, at Miami, 8 p.m.
July 23, at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
July 30, Columbus, 7 p.m.
August 3, D.C., 7 p.m.
August 6, Chicago, 7 p.m.
August 13, at LAFC, 10:30 p.m.
August 17, at New York City, TBD
August 21, Orlando, 7 p.m.
August 27, Toronto, 7 p.m.
September 3, at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
September 10, New York City, 7 p.m.
September 17, at Chicago, 8 p.m.
October 1, Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
October 9, at New York, TBD

 

 

 

 

 

Auto racing

The 2022 NASCAR cup schedule (with winners):

Feb. 6 Busch Light Clash (Joey Logano)
Feb. 17 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 (Brad Keselowski)
Feb. 17 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 (Chris Buescher)
Feb. 20 Daytona 500 (Austin Cindric)
Feb. 27 Wise Power 400 (Kyle Larson)
Mar. 6 Pennzoil 400 (Alex Bowman)
Mar. 13 Ruoff Mortgage (Chase Briscoe)
Mar. 20 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (William Byron)
Mar. 27 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix (Ross Chastain)
Apr. 3 Toyota Owners (Denny Hamlin)
Apr. 9 Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 (William Byron-2)
Apr. 17 Food City Dirt Race (Kyle Busch)
Apr. 24 Geico 500 (Ross Chastain-2)
May 2 DuraMAX Drydene 400 (Chase Elliott)
May 8 Goodyear 400 (Joey Logano)
May 15 AdventHealth 400 (Kurt Busch)
May 22 NASCAR All-Star Open (Daniel Suarez)
May 22 NASCAR All-Star (Ryan Blaney)
May 29 Coca-Cola 600 (Denny Hamlin-2)
June 5 Enjoy Illinois 300 (Joey Logano-2)
June 12 Toyota/Save Mart 350 (Daniel Suarez)
June 26 Ally 400
July 3 Kwik Trip 250
July 10 Quaker State 400
July 17 Ambetter 301
July 24 NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono
July 31 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard
Aug. 7 FireKeepers Casino 400
Aug. 14 Federated Auto Parts 400
Aug. 21 Go Bowling at The Glen
Aug. 27 Coke Zero Sugar 400
Sept. 4 Cook Out Southern 500
Sept. 11 Hollywood Casino 400
Sept. 17 Bass Pro Shops Night Race
Sept. 24 AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500
Oct. 2 YellaWood 500
Oct. 9 Bank of America ROVAL 400
Oct. 16 South Point 400
Oct. 23 Dixie Vodka 400
Oct. 30 Xfinity 500
Nov. 6 NASCAR Cup Series Championship

 

 

 

 

 

College baseball

College World Series at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb. (June 17-27)

June 17
Game 1: Oklahoma 13, Texas A&M 8
Game 2: Notre Dame 7, Texas 3

June 18
Game 3: Arkansas 17, Stanford 3
Game 4: Mississippi 5, Auburn 1

June 19
Game 5: Texas A&M 10, Texas 2 (Texas eliminated)
Game 6: Oklahoma 6, Notre Dame 2

June 20
Game 7: Auburn 4, Stanford 1 (Stanford eliminated)
Game 8: Mississippi 13, Arkansas 5

June 21
Game 9: Texas A&M 5, Notre Dame 1 (Notre Dame eliminated)
Game 10: Arkansas 11, Auburn 1 (Auburn eliminated)

June 22
Game 11: Oklahoma 5, Texas A&M 1 (Texas A&M eliminated)
Game 12: Arkansas 3, Mississippi 1

June 23
Game 13: Mississippi 2, Arkansas 0

College World Series Finals
(Best-of-three series)
Game 1 (June 25) Oklahoma vs. Mississippi, 7 p.m. on ESPN
Game 2 (June 26) Oklahoma vs. Mississippi, 7 p.m. on ESPN
Game 3 (June 27 if necessary) Oklahoma vs. Mississippi, 7 p.m. on ESPN