What’s Up in Local Sports

By Calvin Hastings

The ACC Carolina Barnstorming Tour is coming back to Gastonia on Tuesday night, April 13th.  Last year’s tour brought in such stars as Tyler Hansbrough and Danny Green.    Two thousand fans packed the Hunter Huss gym for last year’s event.   This year’s event will be held at Gaston Day School with rosters representing each of the big four, North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest and N.C. State.

This year’s roster includes Marcus Ginyard and Deon Thompson from North Carolina.   John Scheyer, Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas of Duke.   Ishmael Smith, L.D. Williams, Chas McFarland and David Weaver of Wake Forest.  Dennis Horner and Farnold Degand of N.C. State.   Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at Essic Sport Shop, the Sports Center, Medical Center Pharmacy and Gaston Day School.  General Admission for the game is $15.00 with a limited number of V.I.P. tickets for $50.00.  VIP tickets include a post game reception with the players and a courtside seat at the game.   This  is the 32nd year for the Carolina Barnstorming Tour and will feature a 3-point contest and dunk contest at halftime.   Players will be available after the game for autographs.

The roster for the local team  includes Seth Taylor of North Gaston, Dejaun Means, Preston Holmes and Jack Sumner of Forestview.  Quentin Smith and Sterling Mack of Hunter Huss.  Christian Lawrence of South Point.  John Floyd of East Gaston.  Zach Hayes of Gaston Christian.  Pet Sumner and Tony Lester of Gaston Day.  And Josh Byrd of Ashbrook.    A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.   This year’s event is again promoted by the Sumner Group.

Bessemer City boys head basketball coach and girls softball coach Calvin Albright is calling it quits.  Albright has resigned from both positions at the school and will remain at Bessemer City as a teacher.   Athletic Director Brian Thornburg said the school will soon start looking for a new boys basketball coach.   Albright’s daughter and former assistant Kelly Duncan is serving as interim girls softball coach.  She is also the head JV/Varsity volleyball coach.   In 15 seasons as head girls softball coach Albright’s teams finished with 130 wins and 148 losses.   After four years as head boys basketball coach the teams scored 56 wins against 45 losses.  In 2008 Albright was chosen as the Conference Head Coach of the Year.

Ashbrook has announced that head football coach MikeBriggs has resigned.  Briggs has served as the school’s head coach for the past five seasons.  Briggs will remain as a physical education teacher at the school.   In five season Ashbrook posted a record of 26-36.  No replacement has yet been named.  Briggs stated he is not interested in pursuing another head coach job.   Briggs guided the Greenwave to the 2005 Big South Conference championship and led the Greenwave to the third round of the playoffs in 2007.

Pinegrove Golf Course held their member/member tournament last week.   The Championship Flight Winner was the team of Tim Alexander and Phil Poston.  The 1st Flight Winners were Eddie Dubesko and David Elliott.  The 2nd flight winners were Tim Diehl and Daryl Cook and the 3rd Flight Winners were Larry Kane and Paul Darst.

Cherryville’s Terry Whisnant has been named the North Carolina District 10 Player of the Year.  District 10 covers Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba, Burke and McDowell counties.   Teammate Thomas Bess was named to the All-District Team.   Whisnant was also named to the NCPREPS.COM All-State team.    Other district team members included Kendall Bethea of East Lincoln.  Thomas Bess of Cherryville.  Chris Johnson and Jack Sumner of Forestview.  Brian Brown of Kings Mountain.  And Jontavian Hall, Jihad Wright and T.J. Wilson of Hunter Huss.   Hunter Huss coach Ron Bray was named the Coach of the Year after leading Hunter Huss to the Big South regular season co-title, tournament championship and sectional title.

Hats off to Gaston Christian’s Caitlyn Campbell.   Campbell tossed a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts in a 9-0 win last week over Southlake Christian.

Congratulations to Steve Rucker of Gastonia.   Rucker scored his second hole in one as he aced Hole #5 at Kings Mountain Country Club.   Rucker used an 8-iron on the 129 yard hole.   Travis Scronce, Jason Payne, Phillip Grooms, Bruce Young, Max Hudson, Evan Carpenter and Bubba Barrett all witnessed the shot.

James Black of Ashbrook picked up medalist honors after a nine hole event last week at Cowen’s Ford Country Club.  Black fired a six under par 30 in Ashbrook’s win over East Gaston.

Greg Bunner of Highland Tech fired a 34 to take the medalist honors in a match with South Point last week at the Cherryville Country Club.

Forestview’s Shannon Smith was named to the NCPREPS.COM all-state first team.   Smith led the Lady Jaguars to the state 3A championship.   Smith averaged 23.2 points per game along with 7.2 assists per game.

Congratulations to David Gaines.  Gaines coached Christ School to the NCISAA 3A boys state title winning its fourth straight and posting a 37-1 record this season.  Gaines played at Grier Middle School and is a 12 year coach at the school.

Also, United Faith won its second straight NCISAA Class 1A state title under head coach Shaun Wiseman.  Wiseman is a 1996 graduate of Cherryville High School leading his team to a 34-6 record this past season.

Pet Sumner of Gaston Day has been selected to play in the 19th Charlotte All-Star classic on March 27th at Providence Day.   Forestview’s Shannon Smith and Kelsey Harris will play in the girls game.

Cherryville’s Darius Howell has committed to play basketball at Lees McRae college.   Howell averaged 13.8 points and 10.1 assists per game for the Ironmen, winners of the Southern Piedmont Conference regular season and tournament championship.

Highland Tech is ranked 4th in the North Carolina High School Tennis Coaches Association State 1A Poll.   Mt. Airy is the top ranked 1A Tennis Team in the state.

The Lincoln County Sports Hall of Fame has announced its 2010 class.   They include former West Lincoln High basketball coach Kelly Childers.   Lincolnton High football player and former Lincoln County School superintendent Marty Eaddy.   Former Lincolnton High football player and current assistant coach Craig Kiser.   Former East Lincoln football player Johnson “Jeep” Hunter.   Lincoln County athletic coach Emmett Michael.    Former Lincoln Times Sports editor Mike Powell and the late Donnie Vernon, a former West Lincoln High football player.  The seven will be inducted into the Hall on June 26th at the Citizen’s Center at 6:00 PM.   Tickets are $30.00 each and will soon be on sale.

The Gastonia Grizzlies will face USA Baseball’s national collegiate team this summer at Sims Legion Park in Gastonia.   The event will be held July 12th and will be the first time the Grizzlies will host the national team.   It’s the first stop for the team as it will prepare for the World Baseball Championship starting July 30th.   USA Baseball uses the national team to showcase the best American baseball in the country.   Tickets will be on sale at Medical Arts Pharmacy starting May 1st.

Free physicals will be offered to Gaston County athletes on April 24th.   The 7th annual free physical day will take place at Carolina Orthopaedic at 620 Summitt Crossing in Gastonia.   Physical forms are available at each school.   A parent or guardian’s signature must be on the form.   Each school will also have the time set aside for that day.

Gardner Webb pitcher Michael Hanzlik has been named the Big South Conference Crons Brand Pitcher of the Week.  Hanzlik tossed a complete game one hit gem in Gardner Webb’s 9-0 win last week over Harvard.  At one point Hanzlik retired 21 batters in a row allowing only a singe in the 2nd inning.

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew & Kerri Luksa

Finally, last Saturday, my daughter Kerri  teamed up with Andrew Luksa as they were wed at Hephzibah ARP Church.   It was a wonderful time for our family.   My daughter was absolutely beautiful.  Now I know where the saying “beautiful bride” comes from.   I am so proud of both her and Andrew.   I wish them the very best and since this is a sports column I believe they both hit it out of the ballpark.  Love you guys!  Dad.

What’s Up with Rubbing’s Racing

By: Clint Spencer

For Superman it was Kryptonite, before last season it was Texas Motor Speedway for Jeff Gordon and until this past Sunday it was Bristol for 4 time champ, Jimmie Johnson.   In his 16 cup starts prior to Sunday’s win, Johnson had never visited victory lane at the half-mile arena style track in Tennessee.  In a career that has now seen 50 wins and four straight championships, Bristol was the one track that Johnson could not tame.   We all knew as fans that it would only be a matter of time before Johnson knocked the monkey from his back.  He’s the best driver in the garage and his spirit and determination to never give up paid off for him this weekend.  Johnson’s win on Sunday marked his 50th career win in 296 career starts.  He is now tied on NASCAR’s all time win list with some pretty good company, Newton’s own Ned Jarrett and NASCAR’s moonshiner, Junior Johnson.

Johnson who started fourth for the Food City 500 led three times for 84 laps including the final seven.  Kurt Busch, last year’s Food City 500 winner, was on track to pick up his second win this season and sixth at Bristol.  However, when a caution came out for debris with 17 laps to go, all the leaders headed to pit row including Johnson and Busch.  Both drivers took four tires while Biffle, Edwards, Kenseth and Stewart all took two giving them the first four positions on the restart.   Busch would grab the fifth spot while Johnson would restart the race at sixth with 10 laps to go.  On the restart, traffic stacked up in front of Busch while Johnson was ever to maneuver his way around.   Busch fought his way back up to third but his 278 laps led would not include the most important one, the last.

Tony Stewart would finish the 500 mile event in second place, his first top five for 2010.  Smoke would climb 3 spots in the standings to fifth.  Busch was third followed by Greg Biffle in fourth.   Biffle’s teammates, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards would follow in behind the #16 in fifth and sixth place.  Dale Earnhardt Jr., would fight his way back from a pit road speeding penalty to finish the race in seventh, making him the second highest finishing Hendrick driver in the race.  And as a Junior fan that is like a win to me.  He would also climb five spots in the points to eighth.  McMurray, Kyle Busch, and Jeff Burton rounded out the top ten.  Kyle Busch would move five big spots in the standings to tenth.  Kevin Harvick would finish 11th and retain the points lead for another week.  He heads into Martinsville with a 1 point advantage over Matt Kenseth.  Clint Bowyer, my predicted winner for the Food City 500 would have engine trouble early and would finish the race all the way back in 40th position.  Paul Menard would manage to hold onto an 18th place finish which keeps him in the points for another week at ninth.  Mark Martin and Scott Speed would both be kicked off their horses and out of the top 12 as Martin fell back nine positions while Speed dropped six.

Prediction for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway:  You will notice one major change this weekend; the spoiler makes its return after three seasons of the wing.  However, one thing will not change, Johnson’s dominance at .5 mile paper clip shaped track in Virginia.  That’s right folks Mr. Martinsville himself will pick up his fourth win of the season with this weekend’s victory.  Look for the #48 in victory lane.

Be The Champ of NASCAR Pick'em

Whats Up With The Litter Sweep

By Calvin Hastings

As you can see in the adjacent photo, Mayor Ted Alexander got involved in last year’s Litter Sweep. This year’s event is set for Saturday, April 17th in Shelby. The roadways selected for this year’s event is Marion Street from Cline Street to Highway 74 West. Lafayette Street from West Grover Street to Wendys. And West Warren Street from South Lafayette Street to Highway 74 West. The event is sponsored by Keep Shelby Beautiful. The Litter Sweep is a roadside cleanup to remove litter from the roadways of our community. Litter Sweep is held each year in the spring and is considered to be part of the Great American Cleanup. Millions of citizens across America each year take part from March through May in the Great American Cleanup campaign to help beautify their community. If you would like to participate contact Mary Byrnes a the City of Shelby Planning Services at 704-484-6829. You will be provided with cleanup supplies including orange safety vests, gloves, orange bags for general trash and blue bags for recycling plastic, metal and glass. Get involved. Be a part of this year’s Great American Cleanup.

What’s Up with the Annual Easter Egg Hunt

By Calvin Hastings

This year’s Uptown Shelby Easter Egg Hunt is set for Saturday, March 27th at 11:00 AM on the court square in uptown Shelby. Thousands of Easter Eggs will be hidden for children ages up to eight years old. Kids ages 8-11 can come out for a fun scavenger hunt starting on the court square and going around uptown Shelby. There will be fun crafts, face painting and the YMCA Inflatable Obstacle Course. This year’s sponsors include the Uptown Shelby Association, Higher Learning Childcare Academy, Victoria-Stephen Speciality gifts, H&H Pest Congrol, Cleveland Headline News, Pleasant City Wood fired Grill and Child Care Connections. For more information call the Uptown Shelby Association at 704-484-3100 or visit their Facebook page or go to www.uptownshelby.org.

Cleveland Community College Student Government Association President, Keith Rhodes, was named the 2010 recipient of the Karen Yerby Award during the annual spring conference of the NC Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association held recently in Durham.

The Karen Yerby Award is given to the individual who has been of the greatest assistance to the North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association. As CCC SGA President, Rhodes was instrumental in planning all phases of the North Carolina Community Colleges’ 3-on-3 basketball tournament that was held at the Charlotte Bobcats arena. Rhodes said he wanted to plan an event where all community college students, faculty, staff and their families could come together for one event. “This award is certainly a validation of all of the hard work and time Keith devotes to anything he pursues,” says CCC Student Activities Advisor, Chris Osborne. “He is definitely deserving of the award and works extremely hard not only for the CCC student body, but also for the state student government association. We are very proud of him.”

As CCC SGA President, Rhodes is responsible for working closely with other members of the SGA in planning all SGA sponsored events on the CCC campus and working closely with many community organizations. , Rhodes is currently pursuing an Associate in Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from CCC. In addition to serving as the CCC SGA president, Rhodes serves on the executive board of Cleveland County Communities in Schools, the CCC Board of Trustees, and is Co-Chair for the Cleveland County Young Democrats. He is a member of Maple Springs Baptist Church and enjoys mentoring students at Crest Middle School. He is also the recipient of many other awards including; The Time Warner Cable Mentor Award and Wal-mart Distribution Volunteer Award.

The N4CSGA is a student based and student run organization made up of three parts, the General Delegation, the Executive Board, and the Advisory Council. Students from each of the 58 North Carolina Community Colleges work together through this organization to advocate and communicate with state legislators and lawmakers about issues facing community colleges.

What’s Up with Patticakes

By Tammy Kronk

When Patti Hegler started training herself to decorate cakes in 2005 she did not know how necessary it would become for her to be able have a flexible schedule in the future. She and her husband Johnny had always cooked and baked together for family gatherings. It was something they have always enjoyed doing together. Johnny has had some major health issues and has been on disability now for quite sometime. For the first six months he was at home Patti had to be able to be at home with him constantly. Johnny is her biggest supporter. He always encourages her and says there is nothing she can not do. Baking gives them something they can do together. It keeps him involved.

Patti started making cakes for family and friends and one thing led to another. In March of 2009 she opened a business and went on line in April of last year. Using sites like Craigs List, Gathering Guide, Wedding Wire, and Decidio to help promote her business. She also used the traditional methods of advertising and business cards and her favorite one, word of mouth. It was through the site Decidio that Patti got her biggest order ever. ESPNU contacted her to do the cake for their fifth anniversary celebration. It was for their corporate offices in Charlotte. Excited was an understatement. She presented the cake to them on March 2 at their television studio. Present at the celebration was the Mayor of Charlotte, the President and Vice President of ESPN, their promotional coordinators, and the entire staff. “This is the highlight of my career so far” Patti said. She has also been contacted by several local country clubs for events. Most recently Patti was on display at Merle Norman/Studio 220 during this years art crawl in Lincolnton.

Patti makes all of her cakes from scratch as well as other items. She makes pies, cookies, fudge, brownies, and dipped apples. She has a cake for any occasion. Check out Patti at her website www.patticakesnc.vpweb.com. You can contact her at 828-241-1236 or email her at patticakesnc@yahoo.com.

What’s Up in Hollywood Sports

By Kevin Hastings

This week we are counting the reasons why I am thisclose to giving up on rooting on baseball. Last week Buster Olney of ESPN reported that the Philadelphia Phillies were having inside discussions on offering a trade to the St. Louis Cardinals for Albert Pujols. What Buster failed to make clear was that the Phillies were the ones having discussions and no one from St. Louis’ side had ever talked about trading Pujols.

So I should be upset at the reporting right? A little bit for the inaccuracy of the report but I’m more upset that in baseball trades like this happen all the time because like Olney reported “the Cardinals may have trouble re-signing their star player.”

This past week the Minnesota Twins gave the best catcher in baseball, Joe Mauer, an 8-year, $184 million dollar contract. There were previous talks that the Twins would not be able to afford Mauer and he would eventually end up with a big market team instead. You see in baseball there is no salary cap so teams can spend as much as they would like on personnel. In football, basketball and hockey there is a salary cap keeping the competitiveness to a more even playing field.

Baseball has the problem of thinking what’s good for the Yankees and Red Sox is good for baseball. When one of these teams isn’t in the World Series you have people all over the country whining about how baseball is boring and there are no good teams anymore. But when the Sox and Yankees are still in it, baseball couldn’t be any better. Bull-hockey! Teams paying players whatever they would like is a good thing. Some teams being able to and allowed to spend more money on 1-5 players than other teams do on their whole roster is not fair. It’s that plain and simple.

You can’t blame New York, Boston, Los Angeles or Chicago for playing by the rules they’re given but if these teams really truly believed in what’s best for the sport and not what’s best for their team then they would wake up and smell the roses.

Baseball is losing fans by the day and the day the St. Louis Cardinals have to trade Albert Pujols just because they can’t afford him and another team can is the day I walk out on the sport. There’s no reason St. Louis can give Matt Holiday, the guy who cost the Cards the World Series last season by dropping a pop-up and striking out more times than Gilbert Gottfried, $150 million and then turn around and say “We can’t afford Pujols.” Don’t give me that jive talk. If you can’t afford Albert trade Holliday or better yet don’t sign him in the first place. It’s that simple.

It’s hard to be a baseball fan and not pull for a big market team nowadays. Why should there even be a Kansas City Royals or Pittsburgh Pirates fan left? The New Jersey Nets are about to beome the worst team in NBA history and after acquiring the #1 pick this off-season will be a playoff contender next season. That will NEVER happen in baseball.

Baseball people will point out that they have had more diversity in their champions than any other sport since the expansion of the playoffs. That’s true but the facts they leave out aren’t as supportive to that claim. You see money can’t buy you a championship but it sure can buy you a playoff spot.

Once you get into the playoffs you have to beat the other teams. In the regular season you play 162 games through Spring, Summer and Fall. The regular season is a marathon, not a sprint and about outlasting the competition. The teams who can afford the most and best players will be the teams to make the playoffs. For example the Yankees and Red Sox can afford to pay their #8 hitter more than most teams can afford to pay their leadoff. This is an unfair and distinct advantage over the rest of the field. Of the 8 teams that make the playoffs each season, on average 6 of those 8 are in the Top 10 in payroll. Come on baseball, the evidence is overwhelming! Get a salary cap.

Last week after the Olney report, almost every show on ESPN was talking about a Pujols-Howard swap. It almost makes me wonder if ESPN is back to trying to create news like TMZ rather than reporting on what’s really happening. ESPN has been known to do this in the past so I really wasn’t surprised when Olney came on three days later to report that the Cardinals have never discussed a trade of Albert Pujols. That makes me angry at Olney but happy with St. Louis. For now the best player in baseball remains with the team that drafted him. For now the Cards can “afford” the best player in the game. If the point comes when they can’t “afford” him anymore and he’s still the best, well then I’m done with this sport.