The eight-team American Legion World Series field has been set after ultra-competitive regional competition was completed on Sunday. Only Whitehouse (N.J.) Post 284 finished with an unbeaten record of the eight regional champions that also include Bedford (N.H.) Post 54, Jacksonville (Fla.) Post 316, Tupelo (Miss.) Post 49, Midland Berryhill (Mich.) Post 165, Lincoln Carpet […]
(All game times listed are local) Region 1 (Northeast) Fitton Field, Shrewsbury, Mass. (Game 7 at Tivnan Field, Worcester, Mass.) Thursday’s Results Game 1: Essex Junction (Vt.) Post 91 d. Cumberland (R.I.) Post 14, 4-1. Jake Philbeck (7-hitter, 5 strikeouts), Owen Labar (3 hits) and Nick Calono (2 hits, double, 1 RBI) led Essex and […]
Here are the pairings and results for all eight regionals: (All game times listed are local) Region 1 (Northeast) Fitton Field, Shrewsbury, Mass. Thursday’s Results Game 1: Essex Junction (Vt.) Post 91 d. Cumberland (R.I.) Post 14, 4-1. Jake Philbeck (7-hitter, 5 strikeouts), Owen Labar (3 hits) and Nick Calono (2 hits, double, 1 RBI) […]
Here are the pairings and results for all eight regionals: (All game times listed are local) Region 1 (Northeast) Fitton Field, Shrewsbury, Mass. Thursday’s Results Game 1: Essex (Vt.) Post 91 d. Cumberland (R.I.) Post 14, 4-1. Jake Philbeck (7-hitter, 5 strikeouts), Owen Labar (3 hits) and Nick Calono (2 hits, double, 1 RBI) led […]
Here are the pairings for all 8 regionals: (All game times listed are local) Here are the pairings and results for all eight regionals: (All game times listed are local) -Region 1: Northeast (at Shrewsbury MA) (Thursday, August 6) Game 1 – Essex (VT) Post 91 vs. Cumberland (RI) Post 14, 9:30 a.m. Game 2 […]
Here are the pairings for all 8 regionals: (All game times listed are local) -Region 1: Northeast (at Shrewsbury MA) (Thursday, August 6) Game 1 – Essex (VT) Post 91 vs. Cumberland (RI) Post 14, 9:30 a.m. Game 2 – Bedford (NH) Post 54 vs. Franklin (MA) Post 75, DH Game 3 – Sanford (ME) […]
By Richard Walker Garner won its fifth N.C. American Legion baseball state championship on Wednesday as it capped an unbeaten 4-0 record in the nine-team tournament at Gastonia’s Sims Legion Park with a 10-5 victory over Union County. Garner, which previously won state titles in 1999, 2004, 2021 and 2023, improved to 27-2 and will […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1/2-2 State Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2/0-2 State Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4/3-2 State Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1/2-2 State Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2/0-2 State Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4/3-2 State Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 […]
By Richard Walker Unbeaten Garner and Union County are the finalists for the 2026 N.C. American Legion baseball state championship game on Wednesday at Gastonia’s Sims Legion Park. Union County eliminated the Gaston Braves and Cherryville in back-to-back games on Tuesday, including an 11-6 nightcap over Cherryville that didn’t finish until 11:56 p.m. N.C. state […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1/2-1 State Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2/0-2 State Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4/3-1 State Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 […]
By Richard Walker Four teams remain in the 2026 N.C. American Legion baseball state tournament – including Cherryville and the Gaston Braves – with two more days left in the event. N.C. state tournament pairings and results (at Gastonia Sims Legion Park): (Friday, July 24) Game 1- Host/Gaston Braves 12-13 vs. Area 4 No. 2/Shelby […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1/2-0 State Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2/0-2 State Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4/2-1 State Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 […]
By Richard Walker Six teams remain in the 2026 N.C. American Legion baseball state tournament after five more games on Sunday – including Cherryville and the Gaston Braves – with three more days left in the event. N.C. state tournament pairings and results (at Gastonia Sims Legion Park): (Friday, July 24) Game 1- Host/Gaston Braves […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1/1-0 State Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2/0-1 State Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4/1-1 State Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 […]
By Richard Walker The Gaston Braves honored their past on the first full day of the 2026 North Carolina American Legion baseball state tournament at Gastonia’s Sims Legion Park. Art Shoemaker, Phil Tate and Darrell Van Dyke threw out ceremonial first pitches before the fourth and final game on Saturday. Each was instrumental in the […]
By Richard Walker The N.C. American Legion state tournament got underway Friday afternoon and the nine-team field attended a banquet at Sandy Plains Baptist Church where seven men were inducted into the N.C. Legion Hall of Fame. The host Gaston Braves knocked off Shelby 10-3 in Friday’s tournament opener before Guy Fisk of Asheville Post […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1/0-0 State Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2/0-1 State Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4/1-0 State Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 […]
By Richard Walker Three area teams begin their pursuit of a N.C. American Legion baseball title this weekend as the host Gaston Braves meet Area IV runner-up Shelby on Friday to begin the 2026 state championship tournament at Gastonia’s Sims Legion Park. Area IV champion Cherryville begins play at 1 p.m. on Saturday against Area […]
By Richard Walker Former Lincolnton multi-sport athlete Brett Carey has a new coaching home. A longtime college basketball assistant, Carey has been named associate head coach at Gardner-Webb University by head coach Jeremy Luther. Carey comes to Gardner-Webb after one year at UNC Charlotte. A former All-Big South player at UNC-Asheville who played professionally, Carey […]
By Richard Walker Former Gaston College baseball standouts Trevor Lucas and Brandon Crabtree were selected during the July 11-12 Major League Baseball Draft. And Lucas became the highest-drafted player in school history. A standout on Gaston College’s 2024 team, Lucas was a fourth round selection (129th overall) of the Seattle Mariners in the 2026 Major […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker The pairings are now set for the 2026 N.C. American Legion baseball state tournament that will be held at Gastonia’s historic Sims Legion Park. The five most frequent state tournament participants lead the field as Wilmington (19th state tournament), Cherryville (17th), Garner and Rowan County (16th) and Shelby (12th) are a part […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker The return of high school athletics is less than a month away as athletes will begin practice the last week of July. Here is the 2026-27 N.C. High School Athletic Association schedule by sport for the upcoming school year: Cross Country First Practice: Jul. 29 First Contest: Aug. 10 Regionals: Oct. 30-31 […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker In its sixth year as a program, Cleveland Community College’s baseball recently had its first Major League Baseball draft pick. Jackson Nash, a right-handed pitcher, was selected in the 12th round of the 2026 draft by the Texas Rangers with the 357th overall pick on July 12 out of Longwood University. A […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker Cherryville American Legion Post 100 extended its N.C. Area IV championship total to 22 on Friday with a 9-4 win over visiting Shelby in the one-game 2026 N.C. Area IV championship game. Post 100 improved to 24-5 and will have the No. 1 seed for Area IV in next week’s state tournament […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/7-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-2 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker A pair of recent Burns High baseball standouts have had a big week as Joseph Webb signed a major league free agent contract with the Seattle Mariners and Colby Putnam made his a successful first pitching start in the prestigious Cape Cod League. Webb, a 2022 Burns graduate, was signed out of […]
By Richard Walker Pairings have been released for the 2026 N.C. American Legion baseball tournament that will be played at Gastonia’s Sims Legion Park. For the second time in the 26-year history of the event, nine teams will be in the field. The host Gaston Braves will open the tournament on Friday, July 24 at […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/6-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/6-1 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-4 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker The 2026 N.C. American Legion junior state tournament begins on Saturday at Cherryville’s Fraley Field after some teams declined their bids to the 25th annual event. And there’s a good chance of a first-time winner as host and Area IV champion Cherryville is the only team in the field with a previous […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/6-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/5-1 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-3 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-4 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker Major League Soccer has announced the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge roster. Set for 7:30 pm ET on July 28 at Truist Field in Charlotte, North Carolina, and broadcast live on Apple TV, the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T will once again feature a dynamic lineup of competitions designed to test […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/5-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/4-1 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-2 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-3 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker Cherryville American Legion Post 100 won its fourth N.C. Area IV junior Legion championship on Sunday afternoon with a 4-1 victory over Shelby at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium. Cherryville, which improved to 15-5 and coached by Stan Haynes, trailed 1-0 before scoring twice in the sixth and seventh innings to take […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/5-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/4-1 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/4-2 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-3 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker Four area teams are considered state championship favorites by longtime N.C. high school football observer Deana King in 2026 preseason rankings. Defending champions Shelby and Crest are ranked No. 1 in Class 3A and 5A, respectively. And Lincolnton (3A), Cramer (4A), East Lincoln (5A) and Ashbrook (6A) also received top rankings. Here’s […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/4-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/4-0 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/3-2 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-2 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker The Knothole Foundation of Charlotte is proud to announce the return of one of its signature events — the 7th Annual Diversity in Baseball HBCU Showcase — which will take place August 5–6 at the Richard “Stick” Williams Dream Fields & Education Center in Charlotte. Now in its seventh year, the annual […]
By Richard Walker The N.C. Area IV American Legion baseball semifinals will begin on Saturday – and Gaston County continues to show its longtime dominance in the sport. Since the current playoff format was adopted in 1953, at least one Gaston County team has advanced to the semifinals 68 times out of 73 years. Only […]
By Richard Walker The Carolina Panthers announced on Wednesday the team’s annual Fan Fest Powered by Verizon will take place on Friday, July 31, at Bank of America Stadium. Fans will have the opportunity to attend the team’s open practice and enjoy performances by Panthers entertainment teams as well as a fireworks finale and laser […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/3-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/3-0 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/3-1 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-3 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/3-1 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-3 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-3 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-3 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/2-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/2-0 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/2-1 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/1-2 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/2-1 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-2 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-2 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-2 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker Twenty six local athletes have been named to the N.C. Softball Coaches Association’s all-state teams. The honors were highlighted by Kings Mountain’s Madeline Huffman, who was named Class 6A pitcher of the year, and North Lincoln’s Mayden Reames, who was named Class 5A co-pitcher of the year. Here’s the all-state selections from […]
By Richard Walker Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson announced Monday that the team has signed center/forward Hannes Steinbach and guard Christian Anderson Jr. to rookie-scale contracts. The Hornets selected Steinbach with the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. A native of Würzburg, Germany, Steinbach averaged 18.5 points, a Big Ten-leading […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/1-1 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/2-0 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/1-1 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/0-2 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/2-0 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/1-1 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-2 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/1-1 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker The Atlantic Coast Conference has announced the dates and locations for its 27 ACC Championship events for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year. “We are looking forward to another incredible year in the ACC and are dedicated to providing first-class championship events for student-athletes, coaches, programs, alumni and fans,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips […]
Area IV standings Area Overall/Playoffs Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4/1-0 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8/1-0 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8/1-0 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7/0-1 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9/1-0 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10/0-1 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11/0-1 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12/0-1 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13/DNQ Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker The 2026 high school football season starts in late August. Here are the schedules for schools in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties by conference with league games in all caps: -Big South 5A/6A Ashbrook Aug. 21 Palisades Aug. 28 Berry Academy Sept. 4 Northwest Cabarrus Sept. 9 at Marvin Ridge Sept. 18 […]
By Richard Walker The Charlotte Hornets have announced their 2026 Las Vegas Summer League roster. It includes 2026 first round picks Christian Anderson and Hannes Steinbach, 2025 first round picks Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Liam McNeeley and 2024 first round pick Tidjane Salaun. Here’s the complete roster with name, position and school/country: Michael Ajayi […]
Area IV standings Area Overall Cherryville Post 100 15-1 17-4 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8 Caldwell County Post 29 9-7 9-7 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9 Rutherford County Post 423 6-10 6-10 Gastonia Post 23 5-11 5-11 Hickory Post 48 4-12 4-12 Burke County Post 21 3-13 3-13 Regular-season […]
By Richard Walker Cherryville is the top seed entering the N.C. Area IV American Legion baseball playoffs after the regular season ended on Thursday night. Post 100 finished 14-1 in Area IV action to win the title. Cherryville will meet No. 8 Hickory in the opening round, with No. 2 Shelby facing No. 7 Gastonia, […]
Area IV standings Thursday, July 2 Hickory at Cherryville (C 13-11) Caldwell County at Asheville (A 11-8) Shelby at Gastonia (G 9-8 in 8) Area Overall Cherryville Post 100 14-1 16-4 Shelby Post 82 11-5 14-8 Asheville Post 70 10-6 13-8 Caldwell County Post 29 9-6 9-6 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9 Rutherford County […]
By Richard Walker The National Basketball Association announced that the Salary Cap for the 2026-27 season has been set at $164.961 million. The Tax Level for the 2026-27 season is $200.428 million. The Salary Cap and Tax Level go into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, July 1. Teams are permitted to begin negotiating […]
Area IV standings Wednesday July 1 x-Anderson, S.C. at Shelby (canceled) Caldwell County at Burke County (CC 9-5) Shelby at Rutherford County (S 4-2) Area Overall Cherryville Post 100 13-1 15-4 Shelby Post 82 11-4 14-7 Caldwell County Post 29 9-5 9-5 Asheville Post 70 9-6 12-8 Gaston Braves Post 144-266 9-7 9-9 Rutherford County […]
By Richard Walker After completing the regular season on Tuesday night, Burns and North Wilkes will be the top seeds in the N.C. Area IV American Legion junior playoffs that begin on Wednesday. Burns won the South Division title and North Wilkes the North Division. Defending state champion South Caldwell is No. 4 in the […]
Area IV standings Tuesday, June 30 Asheville vs. Gaston Braves (at East Gaston, GB 7-3) Cherryville at Shelby (C 8-5) Gastonia at Burke County (G 14-4 in 5) Hickory at Caldwell County (CC 6-3) Area Overall Cherryville Post 100 13-1 15-4 Shelby Post 82 10-4 13-7 Caldwell County Post 29 8-5 8-5 Asheville Post 70 […]