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5-20-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and soccer, High school football, baseball, softball and soccer, Legion baseball, Middle school athletics, College softball, NASCAR

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 […]

5-10-23 roundup: Pro football, basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, Legion baseball, High school baseball, softball, tennis, golf and basketball, College baseball and football, Middle school baseball, soccer and track, NASCAR

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 […]

5-9-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, Legion baseball, High school baseball, softball and tennis, College baseball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

5-8-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball, softball and tennis, College baseball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

5-7-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and soccer, High school baseball, softball, tennis, College baseball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

5-6-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and soccer, High school baseball, softball, tennis, College baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

5-5-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and soccer, High school baseball, softball, tennis and soccer, College baseball and softball, Middle school baseball, soccer and track, NASCAR

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 […]

5-4-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and soccer, High school baseball, softball, tennis and soccer, College baseball, softball and golf, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

5-3-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and soccer, High school baseball, softball, tennis and soccer, College baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

5-2-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and soccer, High school baseball, softball, tennis and soccer, College baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

5-1-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and soccer, High school baseball, softball and tennis, College baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-30-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-29-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College baseball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-28-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-27-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball, softball and basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-26-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball, softball and tennis, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-25-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-24-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball, softball and basketball, College baseball and basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-23-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College football, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-22-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-21-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball, softball and track, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-20-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College football, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-19-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball and soccer, High school baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-18-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball and soccer, High school baseball, softball, soccer, golf and football, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

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 […]

4-17-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, football and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College volleyball, NASCAR

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 […]

4-8-23 roundup: Pro basketball, soccer, golf and baseball, High school baseball and softball, College volleyball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR

By Richard Walker Former South Point High standout Garrett Davila will be making a homecoming for a stop that has him one step away from the major leagues. Davila, a 2015 South Point High graduate, was promoted by the Chicago White Sox organization from Class AA Birmingham to Class AAA Charlotte on Saturday. A 4th-round […]

4-7-23 roundup: Pro basketball, soccer, golf and baseball, High school baseball, College basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker Five area players were announced on Thursday as members of the West team that play in this summer’s annual N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star football game. They are Mason Avery of West Lincoln, Myles Jackson of Forestview, Justin Lipscomb of Shelby and Kahari Surratt and Lemont Wilson of Burns. Players were nominated […]

4-6-23 roundup: Pro basketball, soccer, golf and baseball, High school baseball, softball, golf and soccer, College basketball, Middle school baseball, soccer and track

By Richard Walker Cramer High School boys golfer Aiden Vargosko and his teammates set a N.C. High School Athletic Association record for single day individual and team excellence on Tuesday at Cramer Mountain Country Club. Vargosko set records best 9-hole score (27) and best 18-hole score (61) for a round in non-NCHSAA championship play history […]

4-5-23 roundup: Pro basketball, soccer and baseball, High school baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker The Gaston County Baseball Championship will hold its 35th tournament next week at Gastonia’s Sims Legion Park. Defending champion East Gaston is the host and four games are slated to be played next Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. South Point is the winningest team in tourney history with 61 overall victories and eight […]

4-4-23 roundup: Pro basketball, soccer and baseball, High school baseball, softball and soccer, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker Former East Lincoln High product Alec Burleson is making an impact for the St. Louis Cardinals through three games. The 2017 East Lincoln High graduate, Burleson is hitting .308 with one home run and two RBIs while playing left field. Burleson had become the first East Lincoln High alumnus to play in […]

4-3-23 roundup: Pro basketball, soccer and baseball, High school baseball and softball, College basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker The N.C. High School Athletic Association could be close to a seismic change in how it classifies its schools. A vote is now underway to determine whether or not a proposed amendment to the NCHSAA bylaws will pass. Every principal of a NCHSAA member school was to have received the ballot via […]

4-2-23 roundup: Pro basketball, soccer and baseball, High school baseball and softball, College basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker In a year where parity and unexpected results have been the norm, Connecticut has a chance Monday night to join some select NCAA basketball company. The Huskies can become the sixth school in NCAA tournament history with five or more championships if the Huskies can knock off San Diego State in the […]

4-1-23 roundup: Pro basketball, soccer and baseball, High school baseball and softball, College basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker Fresh off its historic Big South Conference and Football Championship Series playoff run, Gardner-Webb held its 2023 spring game on Friday night at Spangler Stadium. A crowd of more than 1,200 attended the game in which the White team posted a 14-0 victory over the Black team. The top priority this spring […]

3-31-23 roundup: Pro basketball, soccer and baseball, High school baseball and softball, College basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker The biggest surprise team of the 2023 Final Four has a Belmont Abbey and Charlotte connection. Florida Atlantic’s longest-tenured assistant, Kyle Church, is the son of former Belmont Abbey and Charlotte 49ers coach Robbie Church and Kyle Church played for the 49ers’ men’s basketball team. Born when his father was Belmont Abbey […]

3-30-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker Former Forestview High and Gaston Day School standout Nate Hinton’s double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds Wednesday night led the Cleveland Charge into the semifinals of the NBA G League playoff on Friday. Hinton, a 2018 Gaston Day graduate, and the No. 5 seed Charge defeated the No. 4 Maine Celtics […]

3-29-23 roundup: Pro basketball, football and soccer, High school baseball, softball and track, College basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker Intrigue continues about the upcoming Carolina Panthers No. 1 overall pick for the April 27-29 NFL Draft in Kansas City, Mo. New Panthers head coach Frank Reich added to the rumor mill with his comments on Tuesday at the NFL League Meetings. After large Carolina team contingents went to the NFL Pro […]

3-28-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school baseball, softball and soccer, College basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker Gaston College’s baseball and softball programs each recorded milestone victories a mile apart and an hour apart on Tuesday in Gastonia. On Tuesday afternoon at CaroMont Health Park, the Rhinos’ softball team posted its first victories over Surry Community College in a doubleheader sweep. And on Tuesday afternoon at Sims Legion Park, […]

3-27-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school baseball, softball and soccer, College basketball and football, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker Several former local products played or coached college basketball in the 2022-23 season and one of them is looking to play again at a higher level next season as we wrap up the season. Dame Adelekun, a 2019 Gaston Day product who has played at Dartmouth for four seasons, entered the transfer […]

3-26-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College basketball and football, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker It’s amazing what a difference week can make in the NCAA tournament. Just a week ago, many writers who cover major college conferences not named the ACC were celebrating the league’s apparent demise. Longtime power North Carolina was being criticized for declining a NIT appearance. Virginia and N.C. State lost in the […]

3-25-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College basketball and football, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker Former East Lincoln High product Alec Burleson will be on the opening day roster as an outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. A year ago, Burleson became the first East Lincoln High product to play in the major leagues when the Cardinals called him up from Class AAA Memphis late in the […]

3-23-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school baseball, softball and soccer, College basketball and baseball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker Former North Gaston High standout Tyler Bradley recently was named NCAA Division II national player of the week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association on March 8. A 2018 North Gaston graduate who helped Caldwell Tech to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III World Series last season, Bradley batted […]

3-22-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College basketball, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker The Charlotte 49ers won their first national postseason tournament on Wednesday with a 71-68 victory over Eastern Kentucky to take the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) championship at Daytona Beach, Fla. The 49ers (22-14) never trailed and twice led by 21 points in the first half before surviving a rally by Eastern Kentucky. […]

3-21-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school baseball, softball, soccer and track, College basketball, football and golf, Middle school baseball and soccer

By Richard Walker Gastonia’s Harold Varner III is now a part of sponsoring a college golf championship. Varner, a 2008 Forestview High graduate and first touring PGA pro from Gastonia in history, will use his charitable HV3 Foundation to partner with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and be a part of their 59th annual […]

3-20-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer, College basketball

By Richard Walker The Charlotte 49ers advanced to the semifinals of the CBI postseason tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Monday night with a 76-65 victory over Milwaukee. The 49ers (20-14) advance to face Radford at 9 p.m. in Tuesday’s semifinals. In Monday’s win, which came against a Milwaukee (22-12) team coached by former Queens […]

3-7-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school basketball and baseball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker Holbrook Middle School’s girls basketball team completed a second straight unbeaten season on Tuesday night to claim the Gaston County Conference title. The 39-18 victory over Belmont at the Ashbrook High School gymnasium increased the Lions’ winning streak to 25 games. Only three streaks have been longer in league history – 36 […]

3-6-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, baseball, softball and girls soccer, Middle school basketball, College basketball

By Richard Walker Two teams will pursue unbeaten seasons when the Gaston County Conference’s boys and girls championship games are played on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The girls championship on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Ashbrook High gymnasium, Holbrook (11-0) looks to extend its winning streak to 25 games and complete a second […]

3-5-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker For the second time in school history, Gardner-Webb’s women’s basketball team will be playing in the NCAA tournament. The Runnin’ Bulldogs completed an unbeaten run through the Big South Conference on Sunday night with a 74-61 victory over High Point at Charlotte’s Bojangle’s Arena. Gardner-Webb improved to 29-4 overall with their 21st […]

3-4-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker It was a tough day for Lincoln County’s state championship basketball hopefuls on Saturday. East Lincoln’s girls saw their title hopes and pursuit of an unbeaten season vanquished in a 49-42 Western 3A finals loss to West Rowan at the McDowell High School gymnasium. Coach Jason Otey’s finishes 31-1 and with the […]

3-3-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker The two remaining area state playoff basketball hopefuls took as different a paths as you can take to reach today’s regional finals. But East Lincoln’s girls and Lincoln Charter’s boys are one step away from a March 11 date in their respective state championship games. East Lincoln’s girls entered the season with […]

3-2-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school football, basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school basketball, College basketball

By Richard Walker Next week’s Gaston County Conference middle school basketball championship finals matchups have been set after Thursday’s semifinals saw three favorites and one underdog take victories. In the boys final, unbeaten Southwest (11-0) will host No. 3 seed Holbrook (9-2) next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Huss High School gymnasium. And in […]

3-1-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school basketball, College basketball

By Richard Walker South Point, Huss and Crest lead the 2023 All-Big South 3A Conference boys basketball selections in voting by league coaches. The Red Raiders, who took their first conference regular season title in school history, were represented by first team selection Greyson Kines and second team selections Sean Gore, Jaquis Rumph and Dylan […]

2-28-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school basketball, College basketball

By Richard Walker A pair of Lincoln County schools are the area’s last remaining playoff teams after Tuesday’s regional semifinals. And both will pursue Western titles on Saturday. Lincoln Charter’s boys advanced to the Western final for the fifth time in eight years after knocking off East Gaston 73-57. The Eagles (25-11) previously finished as […]

2-27-23 roundup: Pro basketball, football and soccer, High school basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker East Gaston High’s historic boys basketball playoff run continues on Tuesday when they face the area’s most experience postseason team in the Western N.C. 2A semifinals. East Gaston (25-2), which has never been this far in the playoffs in school history, will host Lincoln Charter (24-11) at 7 p.m. The Warriors’ historic […]

2-26-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker Gardner-Webb’s women’s basketball team completed a historic run through the Big South Conference on Saturday. The Runnin’ Bulldogs defeated USC Upstate 83-58 on “Senior Day” to complete the first 18-0 run through the league by a men’s team or women’s team in Big South Conference history. In fact, only seven other team […]

2-25-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker Five area high school basketball teams advanced to next Tuesday’s Western semifinals. In Class 3A boys, Crest won 85-70 at South Point to advance the No. 13-seeded Chargers into a matchup at top-seeded Central Cabarrus. In Class 2A boys, East Gaston won its first-ever third round game 58-40 over visiting Hendersonville and […]

2-24-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker Eight area high school basketball teams enter Saturday’s third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association still in pursuit of state titles. Boys teams from East Gaston and South Point are in the midst of historic seasons while Crest and Lincoln Charter and in somewhat familiar situations. The girls team from […]

2-23-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, Middle school basketball, College basketball, Hall of Fame

By Richard Walker The 2023 Gaston County Sports Hall of Fame will hold induction ceremonies on May 22 at the Gastonia Conference Center. University of North Carolina head football coach Mack Brown will be the featured speaker for the 5 p.m. event. Brown becomes the 10th national championship-winning coach to speak at the banquet that […]

2-22-23 roundup: Pro basketball, football and soccer, High school basketball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and football

By Richard Walker Former Forestview and Gaston Day standout Nate Hinton was invited to be a member of USA Basketball’s 12-man roster for the 2023 USA Men’s World Cup qualifying team. Hinton and his teammates have two games this week as the United State played Uruguay in Montevideo, Uruguay on Tuesday before playing Brazil in […]

2-21-23 roundup: Pro basketball, football and soccer, High school basketball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and football

By Richard Walker The winningest basketball coach in Gaston County history had his career come to an end in Tuesday’s first round of the 2023 state playoffs. Cherryville’s Scott Harrill, who announced his retirement earlier this month, had his Ironmen eliminated 95-60 by No. 3-seeded Eastern Randolph in the Class 1A playoffs. A 1989 Cherryville […]

2-20-23 roundup: Pro basketball, High school basketball and wrestling, Middle school basketball, College basketball and football

By Richard Walker Whether you have state playoff experience or not, this week offers the opportunity to make history for 27 high school basketball teams from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties as the N.C. High School Athletic Association tournament begins on Tuesday. Here are the pairings of area teams for Tuesday’s opening round games: -BOYS […]