By Richard Walker The North Carolina High School Athletic Association earlier this week released its final 2022-23 Wells Fargo all-sports trophy standings for each of the four classifications and from all of the state’s conferences. Among area schools, Mountain Island Charter finished 4th in the overall 1A standings, 3 area schools were in the top […]
By Richard Walker The HighSchoolOT website devoted to prep sports recently released its 2023 All-North Carolina teams for baseball and softball. Twelve athletes from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties were honored – 7 in baseball in 5 in softball. In baseball, N.C. 2A state champion Burns’ Marshall McGowan was a 1st team infielder, Ben Mauney […]
By Richard Walker Cherryville’s Fraley Field will host the 22nd North Carolina Junior American Legion baseball tournament starting on Saturday. Host Cherryville Post 100 and Area IV champion South Caldwell will be considered the “home teams” when the event begins with four games on Saturday. After four games on Sunday, three games are slated for […]
By Richard Walker Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper announced on Monday they will be expanding their Hall of Honor when wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad and defensive end Julius Peppers are inducted at halftime of the Oct. 29 home game against the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium. “Muhsin Muhammad and Julius Peppers were drafted […]
By Richard Walker Former Crest High standout Riley Cheek earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors while also helping Queens in its first season of NCAA Division I baseball. Also named the Atlantic Sun Conference Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Cheek was a third team honoree after maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. A 2018 […]
By Richard Walker Just one day after winning its first softball state championship in school and Lincoln County history, East Lincoln leads the 2023 All-Western Foothills 3A Conference team in voting done by the league’s coaches. The Mustangs, who finished with a 25-3 overall record, eight all-conference selections led by Western Foothills pitcher of the […]
By Richard Walker Burns High’s baseball team and East Lincoln High’s softball team completed historic state championship runs on Saturday. Burns won its first baseball state title by completed a 2-0 series win over South Granville with a 9-5 victory at Ting Stadium in Holly Springs. After winning 6-1 on sophomore right-hander Colby Putnam’s 4-hitter […]
By Richard Walker A big fourth inning moved Burns within a single victory of the school’s first high school baseball state title on Friday at Ting Stadium in Holly Springs. Trailing 1-0 after 3 1/2 innings, Burns scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and Bulldogs’ starter and winner Colby Putnam made […]
By Richard Walker Three area high school teams in three different spring sports this weekend will be pursuing state championships – Burns in baseball, East Lincoln in softball and South Point in girls soccer. Here’s a look at each team: Burns baseball – Coach Alex Leonhardt’s team is 26-4 and on a 6-game winning streak […]
By Richard Walker Gaston College’s historic National Junior College Athletic Association baseball World Series run came to an end on Wednesday in a 15-0 loss to Blinn, Tex. The loss ends the Rhinos’ season with a 50-13 overall record and fifth-place finish in the school’s first-ever World Series appearance. The 50 wins makes the Gaston […]
By Richard Walker Burns High’s baseball team and East Lincoln’s softball team, who last week set history by advancing to their first-ever state championship appearances, got their best-of-3 finals series schedules from the N.C. High School Athletic Association on Tuesday. Burns meets South Granville in a series that begins on Friday at 8 p.m. at […]
By Richard Walker The state of North Carolina will be represented by a record eight schools in the NCAA baseball tournament after pairings were announced on Monday. Campbell of the Big South Conference, Charlotte of Conference USA, Duke, North Carolina, N.C. State and Wake Forest of the ACC, East Carolina of the American Athletic Conference […]
By Richard Walker Gastonia’s Harold Varner III on Sunday won his first professional golf tournament on United States soil. A 2008 Forestview High graduate, the 32-year-old Varner shot 12-under-par in the three-round event held at Trump National Course in Sterling, Va., to claim the $4 million title prize. The win was capped by a birdie […]
By Richard Walker A pair of former local standouts helped Campbell win its second straight Big South Conference baseball championship on Saturday and earn an automatic berth in next week’s NCAA tournament. Former Crest High standout Lawson Harrill and former Gaston College standout Chandler Riley were named to the all-tournament team after the Camels beat […]
By Richard Walker East Lincoln High School’s softball team set history on Friday night as it defeated Rockingham County 2-1 to win the best-of-3 Western N.C. 3A championship series 2 games to 1. It advances the Mustangs (23-2) to the state finals for the first time in the school’s 56-year history. Here is the area’s […]
By Richard Walker Burns High School set school history on Thursday after completing a sweep of Eden Morehead in the best-of-3 Western N.C. 2A baseball championship series. After the Bulldogs won 7-0 over Eden Morehead at home on Tuesday in the opener of the series, Burns closed out the series on Thursday with a 13-6 […]
By Richard Walker Former Crest High standout Lawson Harrill of Campbell and Gardner-Webb’s Bobby Alcock were voted as Big South Conference player and pitcher of the year, respectively, in voting by the league coaches. Other top awards that were announced on Wednesday were Campbell’s Justin Haire as Coach of the Year, Campbell pitcher Jackson Roberts […]
By Richard Walker The featured speaker for the 2023 Gaston County Sports Hall of Fame banquet on Monday was University of North Carolina head football coach Mack Brown. But Brown spent much of his speech discussing the talent, work ethic and resilience of former Ashbrook High standout British Brooks. Brooks, a 2018 Ashbrook High graduate, […]
By Richard Walker Former Southwest Middle School and Gaston Day School standout Keyshawn Woods is a basketball champion and most valuable player. Woods scored 33 points, including the last three at the free throw line of an 82-81 Tindastoll victory over Valur in the Icelandic basketball title game last Thursday. Woods, who played high school […]
By Richard Walker Belmont Abbey College’s baseball team moved within one victory of becoming the winningest team in school history in Saturday’s come-from-behind 10-9 victory at Newberry that wrapped up a NCAA Division II Southeast Regional 2 title. Coach Chris Anderson’s team improved to 41-16 entering a best-of-3 Southeast Super Regional at Conference Carolinas rival […]
By Richard Walker When the 2023-24 athletic season begins at Mount Holly Middle School, a familiar face will be missing. Mike Nixon, who has coached softball, volleyball, boys soccer and boys track at the school he once attended announced earlier this month that he was retiring after a long, successful coaching career. Nixon’s teams have […]
By Richard Walker Gaston College learned who it will play in its historic National Junior College Athletic Association Division I World Series appearance in Oxford, Ala., on Friday. The NJCAA announced the Rhinos (43-8) will open their first World Series appearance on Tuesday May 23 against Florida SouthWestern (49-5). Gaston College was seeded 15th of […]
By Richard Walker Area college baseball is having possibly its best season ever as a second-year junior college (Gaston College) has advanced to the NJCAA World Series, a NCAA Division II school (Belmont Abbey) is making its second straight regional tournament appearance and NCAA Division I schools Charlotte, Davidson, Gardner-Webb and Queens are enjoying varying […]
By Richard Walker Big South 3A Conference champion South Point along with runner-ups Kings Mountain and Crest and fourth-place finishers North Gaston and Cramer led the all-league team done in voting by conference coaches. South Point had three first team selections in Patrick Blee, Gavin Smith and Talan McConnell, three second team selections in Zeke […]
By Richard Walker The Charlotte Hornets came close to winning the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday. But the Hornets moved up for the fifth time in their draft lottery history and will choose No. 2 overall behind lottery-winning San Antonio. The Spurs are expected to draft 7-foot-3 Frenchman Victor Wemebanyama who is considered a “can’t […]
By Richard Walker On Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. in Chicago, the Charlotte Hornets upcoming history could be altered forever when the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery is conducted. The Hornets are coming off a disappointing 27-55 record and have the fourth-best chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick in a draft with 7-foot-3 French […]
By Richard Walker Gaston College took on all sorts of challenges this weekend – and the Rhinos answered them all to win the National Junior College Athletic Association East District tournament at Gastonia’s Sims Legion Park. Gaston College came through the loser’s bracket and defeated national power Florence Darlington Tech twice on Sunday – by […]
By Richard Walker After opening the day with disappointment, Gaston College’s baseball program ended Saturday with the exhilaration of knowing they will be playing for a National Junior College Athletic Association East District title on Sunday. Preston Hall’s 2-out, 2-run RBI single completed a comeback from a 6-3 deficit for an 8-7 victory over Harford, […]
By Richard Walker The Charlotte Hornets on Friday announced on Friday the organization will be commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the inaugural 1988-89 Hornets season during the upcoming 2023-24 NBA campaign. A season-long celebration of the past, present and future of Charlotte NBA basketball will include a series of 35th Anniversary games that will feature […]
By Richard Walker The Carolina Panthers found out their 2023 NFL regular season schedule on Thursday night. And the team will play on national television twice, including a Monday Night Football home opener on Sept. 18 against NFC South Division rival New Orleans. In a nod to the past, new Panthers head coach Frank Reich’s […]
By Richard Walker The Gaston County Conference middle school closed this week with the final four champions of the year crowned in athletic events on Monday and Tuesday. In baseball on Tuesday, Chavis capped a topsy-turvy year with a 2-0 win over visiting Stanley for its county-record 10th overall title. The Wolverines of coach Tony […]
By Richard Walker The North Carolina American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame returned to Cherryville for the seventh time in its 56-year history and Post 100 welcomed six new inductees and had a featured speaker with local ties. The speaker, longtime college baseball coach Rusty Stroupe, played for Cherryville’s 1981 N.C. Legion state championship team […]
By Richard Walker A pair of No. 1 baseball seeds lead the Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties high school baseball and softball playoffs that get underway on Tuesday. In pairings released Sunday by the N.C. Independent Athletic Association and Monday by the N.C. High School Athletic Association, 19 baseball teams and 17 softball teams will […]
By Richard Walker Wyndham Clark closed out strong to take his first PGA win in his career on Sunday at the Wells Fargo Championship. Clark shot a final round 68 to win by four strokes of second place Xander Schauffele. Clark’s previous best PGA finish came in 2020 when he lost a playoff to Brian […]
By Richard Walker Wyndham Clark holds a 2-shot lead after three rounds of the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club. Clark seeks his first PGA victory as his best finish came in 2020 when he lost a playoff to Brian Gay in the Bermuda Championship. Here are the scores following Saturday’s third […]
By Richard Walker There’s a three-way atop the leader board at the Wells Fargo Championship at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club. Tyrrell Hatton, Nate Lashley and Wyndham Clark are tied at 8-under-par 134 after two rounds of the tournament. Here are all of Friday’s scores following the second round: 1 Tyrrell Hatton -8 69 65 134 […]
By Richard Walker Former North Gaston High golfing star and Gaston County Sports Hall of Fame inductee Larry Penley is among 11 members of the 2023 Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame. Penley, who played and coached golf at Clemson, will be honored with 10 others during the Sept. 23, 2023 weekend that coincides with the […]
By Richard Walker Defending champion Belmont is the top seed in both the Gaston County Conference baseball and girls soccer middle school playoffs as they begin on Thursday. In baseball, Belmont (9-1) seeks its fourth title since 2017 – the Wildcats won in 2017, 2018 and 2022 – when it opens on Thursday at home […]
By Richard Walker Pro-am play continues on Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Golf Championship at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club. The tournament will feature six of the 10 highest-ranked players in the world – Rory McIlroy (No. 3), Patrick Cantlay (No. 4), Xander Schauffele (No. 5), Matt Fitzpatrick (No. 6), Max Homa (No. 7) and Jordan […]
By Richard Walker Former Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls won the celebrity putting challenge as the Wells Fargo Golf Championship at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club as week-long festivities began on Monday. In a tournament with six of the 10 highest-ranked players in the world – Rory McIlroy (No. 3), Patrick Cantlay (No. 4), Xander […]
By Richard Walker Six of the top 10 golfers in the current World Golf Rankings will be in the field this week as the Wells Fargo Golf Championship at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club. Rory McIlroy (No. 3), Patrick Cantlay (No. 4), Xander Schauffele (No. 5), Matt Fitzpatrick (No. 6), Max Homa (No. 7) and Jordan […]
By Richard Walker Gaston College and Belmont Abbey closed their regular seasons with impressive home victories on Saturday. Gaston College won 14-2 win over visiting Hosanna Bible College at Gastonia’s Sims Legion Park gave Gaston College its second straight 41-9 regular season record. The Rhinos honored 23 players on “Sophomore Day” before the game. Twelve […]
By Richard Walker With a crowd of 1,000 fans at a midday Friday pep rally, the Carolina Panthers officially introduced their newest franchise quarterback Bryce Young. Young, picked No. 1 overall in Thursday’s NFL Draft, met with fans, Panthers staffers and local media after arriving on a flight from Kansas City, Mo., on Friday. “It’s […]
By Richard Walker The Carolina Panthers did what had been expected for the last few weeks on Thursday night when they officially made Alabama quarterback the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Young becomes the third quarterback selected in the first round in the 29-year history of the Panthers; No. 5 overall […]
By Richard Walker Bessemer City’s Kevin Millwood will be honored by the Philadelphia Phillies before Thursday’s 1:05 p.m. home game against the Seattle Mariners at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. Millwood will be throwing out a ceremonial first pitch to honor the 20th anniversary of his no-hitter for the Phillies in an April 27, 2023 no-hitter […]
By Richard Walker The Carolina Panthers are set to make their second No. 1 overall selection when the 2023 NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday in Kansas City, Mo. And the team is expected to select Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with that first selection, the Panthers will become the 18th team to select […]
By Richard Walker Several local products are making impacts on the high school, college and pro scene. Former East Lincoln and Lincolnton star Sage Surratt on Sunday has the best pro football game of his career with 11 catches for 121 yards and one touchdowns for New Orleans in the Breakers’ 38-31 USFL victory over […]
By Richard Walker The Charlotte 49ers officially ushered in the Biff Poggi era with an exciting Spring Game in front of 5,250 fans at Jerry Richardson Stadium on Saturday night. In the game, quarterback James Foster’s 5-yard pass to Reggie Givhan III with 2:49 left to play capped a 16-point rally as TEAM MILLER/GREEN came […]
By Richard Walker Gardner-Webb University announced on Saturday that Scott Merritt will be its new head women’s basketball coach. A press conference to introduce Merritt will be held next week in Tucker Student Center on campus with the details to be announced at a later date. Merritt becomes the 13th women’s basketball head coach in […]
By Richard Walker The Gastonia Honey Hunters are a week away from opening their 2023 season. Gastonia won both halves of the Southern Division races with records of 45-21 in the first half and 43-23 in the second half before losing three games to two in a Southern Division playoff series. Here is the full […]
By Richard Walker The N.C. High School Athletic Association is set for major changes after a vote to increase the state’s number of classifications passed. An amendment proposal was sent to the 432 NCHSAA principals and needed 324 votes to pass that would increase the state’s classifications from the current four to at least seven […]
By Richard Walker One of the area’s winningest basketball coaches is retiring from the sidelines as Bessemer City’s Danny McDowell announced he was resigning his head coaching job on Wednesday. A Kings Mountain High native who was a member of Gaston College’s first baseball team in 1968, McDowell got his college degree from Appalachian State […]
By Richard Walker Gardner-Webb will soon have its fourth major leaguer after Mason Miller was promoted to the Oakland Athletics. Miller, a third round pick in the 2021 major league draft, was promoted from Class AAA Las Vegas after going 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings this season. A […]
By Richard Walker A pair of former local high school baseball standouts have set career milestones in recent weeks. Lane Hoover, a 2018 Lincolnton High graduate, is hitting .320 with two home runs and 15 RBIs for East Carolina’s No. 7 nationally-ranked Pirates. He also now has 160 career runs, which is the new record […]
By Richard Walker Gaston College’s 11th doubleheader sweep of the season on Sunday – by 4-1 and 4-0 scores over Louisburg – will give the Rhinos a chance to win the Region 10 regular season title next week. The Rhinos improved to 39-5 overall and 15-3 in Region 10. Gaston College is ranked No. 15 […]
By Richard Walker Former South Point High multi-sport standout Tanner Muse will have a new NFL home. The NFL Network reported on Saturday that Muse is expected to sign a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A 2015 South Point High graduate who won two College Football Playoff national championships at Clemson, Muse was […]
By Richard Walker Family mattered for North Gaston High School as tournament MVP Caleb Cloninger matched his father Chris Cloninger’s 1997 feat of winning Gaston County Baseball Tournament most valuable player honors while leading the Wildcats to an 11-3 championship game victory over East Gaston. Also like his father, who threw a no-hitter in ’97 […]
By Richard Walker North Gaston moved into second place all-time in the Gaston County Baseball Tournament with its seventh championship in a 11-3 victory over East Gaston in Thursday’s title game at Sims Legion Park. The Wildcats had previously won GCBT titles in 1987, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011 and 2018. South Point remains the all-time […]
By Richard Walker The Charlotte 49ers will host their annual Green-White football game on Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at Jerry Richardson Stadium. It’ll mark the initial spring game under new coach Biff Poggi and gates will open at 6 p.m. with free admission to any fans who want to attend. Named head coach […]
By Richard Walker Based on how the Charlotte Hornets finished their 2022-23 schedule, many fans of the team will determine success or failure of this season based on what happens in the NBA Draft lottery on May 16. That’s when the organization will have a 12.5 percent chance of getting the No. 1 overall pick […]