For the second consecutive year, Lake Norman's girls soccer team saw another stellar season end in the quarterfinals of the 3A state playoffs.
Porter Ridge parlayed a late first-half goal into a 1-0 victory on Saturday night. It eliminated Lake Norman (20-2-3) and propelled the Pirates (22-3-2) on to the Western Regional final, where they will play Charlotte Catholic for a berth in the state final.
"I think we are a team that had the potential to play with anybody in the state," said Wildcats coach Dane Perry, who is leaving Lake Norman at the end of the year to coach and teach at newly-built Mallard Creek High School in Huntersville.
"Would liked to have gotten a shot at Catholic or (Jacksonville) White Oak or (Burlington) Williams, or somebody like that, but you've got to get through the quarterfinals before you can look at those."
Getting through the South Piedmont Conference has been the real bugaboo. Conference champion Porter Ridge became the third SPC team in five years to oust North Piedmont Conference champion Lake Norman from the playoffs.
The Wildcats are 0-3 in postseason games pitting them against SPC opponents.
Talk about a thorn in the side. Yikes.
If Lake Norman never sees another SPC team in the playoffs it will be too soon.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Too much hype surrounding young NASCAR driver
Somebody please hurry up and sign Dale Earnhardt Jr.
On May 10th, Junior announced he would be leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the 2007 Nextel Cup season, making him a free agent.
A week has passed since he declared his intentions, and already I'm sick of hearing about Dale Jr. this and Dale Jr. that.
This guy is treated like a god. How many championships has he won?
Answer: zero, zilch, nada.
The hype is about Junior's marketability and, when it boils down to it, the root of that is pedigree. His popularity stems from his father, the late Dale Earnhardt.
Junior has said he wants to take a few weeks before opening the negotiating process.
NASCAR's most popular driver should have his pick of teams. Three owners — Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs and Richard Childress — are front-runners to acquire his services.
Whatever. Someone sign him fast so we can stop this uncalled for hysteria.
On May 10th, Junior announced he would be leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the 2007 Nextel Cup season, making him a free agent.
A week has passed since he declared his intentions, and already I'm sick of hearing about Dale Jr. this and Dale Jr. that.
This guy is treated like a god. How many championships has he won?
Answer: zero, zilch, nada.
The hype is about Junior's marketability and, when it boils down to it, the root of that is pedigree. His popularity stems from his father, the late Dale Earnhardt.
Junior has said he wants to take a few weeks before opening the negotiating process.
NASCAR's most popular driver should have his pick of teams. Three owners — Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs and Richard Childress — are front-runners to acquire his services.
Whatever. Someone sign him fast so we can stop this uncalled for hysteria.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Wildcats to hit the road
Porter Ridge defeated Reagan 2-0 in the third round of the 3A state girls soccer playoffs on Wednesday night.
This means Lake Norman (20-1-3) will be traveling to Indian Trail for a quarterfinals showdown with the Pirates (21-3-2). The date and time have yet to be announced.
The Lake Norman-Porter Ridge winner advances to play for the right to represent the West in the state title game.
Something to keep in mind: If Lake Norman eliminates Porter Ridge and Asheville T.C. Roberson knocks off Charlotte Catholic in another quarterfinal, Lake Norman would host the Western Regional final.
This means Lake Norman (20-1-3) will be traveling to Indian Trail for a quarterfinals showdown with the Pirates (21-3-2). The date and time have yet to be announced.
The Lake Norman-Porter Ridge winner advances to play for the right to represent the West in the state title game.
Something to keep in mind: If Lake Norman eliminates Porter Ridge and Asheville T.C. Roberson knocks off Charlotte Catholic in another quarterfinal, Lake Norman would host the Western Regional final.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Ouch, that hurts
Back in the state playoffs for the first time since 2001, West Iredell's softball team botched its chance to advance on Tuesday.
The Warriors surrendered three unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and lost 5-4 to Eastern Randolph. Needing only one out to get out of the inning unscathed, a throwing error on a routine play cost them dearly.
"People make mistakes," Warriors senior right fielder Tia Edwards said. "It happens."
Committing four errors, there was plenty of blame to go around. That's unfortunate, too, because the miscues overshadowed a strong showing at the plate. Three West Iredell players had at least two hits and an RBI. In fact, the Warriors doubled up Eastern Randolph in the hits department.
And yet somehow it wasn't enough offense to lead West Iredell to its first playoff win since 2000, the year the Warriors reached the quarterfinals.
This one's going to sting for a while.
The Warriors surrendered three unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and lost 5-4 to Eastern Randolph. Needing only one out to get out of the inning unscathed, a throwing error on a routine play cost them dearly.
"People make mistakes," Warriors senior right fielder Tia Edwards said. "It happens."
Committing four errors, there was plenty of blame to go around. That's unfortunate, too, because the miscues overshadowed a strong showing at the plate. Three West Iredell players had at least two hits and an RBI. In fact, the Warriors doubled up Eastern Randolph in the hits department.
And yet somehow it wasn't enough offense to lead West Iredell to its first playoff win since 2000, the year the Warriors reached the quarterfinals.
This one's going to sting for a while.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Wildcats experience learning curve
Lake Norman's baseball team bid farewell to its seniors on Friday night.
The Wildcats lost 1-0 in the first round of the 3A state playoffs to Southwest Guilford. The Cowboys, winners of the 1997 2A state championship, reached the 2006 quarterfinals before losing 1-0 to eventual 3A state runner-up Ragsdale.
"We hadn't been here, and they've got a tradition," said Wildcats coach Robert Little, whose team managed two hits and struck out 14 times against Cowboys pitcher Warren Slack.
If Lake Norman could have mustered any offense Friday, the Wildcats would've picked up that first playoff win in their debut. Instead, they'll have to settle for simply qualifying for the first time since the program began in 2003.
Starting five sophomores, Lake Norman finished its season at 13-9. The Wildcats tied for third in the North Piedmont Conference.
"Hopefully, we're going to build on that," Little said.
There's reason to believe they will. Outside of three graduating seniors, the Wildcats return the vast majority of their players in 2008.
Lake Norman will add a lot, too. The junior varsity squad didn't lose a game this season, compiling a record of 19-0-2.
"Looks like our future is going to be great," sophomore second baseman Eric Manser said. "We've got a great JV team. Hopefully, we'll get back (to the playoffs) and do better next year."
The Wildcats lost 1-0 in the first round of the 3A state playoffs to Southwest Guilford. The Cowboys, winners of the 1997 2A state championship, reached the 2006 quarterfinals before losing 1-0 to eventual 3A state runner-up Ragsdale.
"We hadn't been here, and they've got a tradition," said Wildcats coach Robert Little, whose team managed two hits and struck out 14 times against Cowboys pitcher Warren Slack.
If Lake Norman could have mustered any offense Friday, the Wildcats would've picked up that first playoff win in their debut. Instead, they'll have to settle for simply qualifying for the first time since the program began in 2003.
Starting five sophomores, Lake Norman finished its season at 13-9. The Wildcats tied for third in the North Piedmont Conference.
"Hopefully, we're going to build on that," Little said.
There's reason to believe they will. Outside of three graduating seniors, the Wildcats return the vast majority of their players in 2008.
Lake Norman will add a lot, too. The junior varsity squad didn't lose a game this season, compiling a record of 19-0-2.
"Looks like our future is going to be great," sophomore second baseman Eric Manser said. "We've got a great JV team. Hopefully, we'll get back (to the playoffs) and do better next year."
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Tough break for Devils
Mooresville girls soccer coach Steve Stith had plenty of reason to be upset with the officials after his team's first-round playoff loss to Kernersville Glenn on Wednesday night.
But the veteran coach took the high road. He didn't attempt to comment on two shaky calls that went against his squad. Instead, he talked about what his girls could have done better to win a game they relinquished a 1-0 lead and ended up losing 2-1 in a penalty-kick shootout.
The Blue Devils had a goal disallowed in the 25th minute. Officials said that Brittney Dailey did not wait the appropriate amount of time before taking her free kick. Yet, somehow, they didn't didn't whistle the play dead as Dailey went to serve the ball into the box. No, they waited to halt the action until after Kenley Streetman scored to give Mooresville what it thought was a 2-0 lead.
Stith didn't complain after it was explained to him why the goal was nullified.
Glenn eventually tied the game and forced overtime. Perhaps it should have never reached sudden-death overtime or a shootout.
Mooresville probably should have been awarded a penalty shot in the sixth minute of the first overtime when one of its players was fouled. It was borderline, but it looked as though the hard foul occurred inside of the penalty area.
A penalty shot was not awarded and, with the ball positioned just outside the box, the Blue Devils came away empty-handed on the ensuing free kick.
It was like the foul referees choose not to whistle with two seconds left in a basketball game that's tied. They don't want to be the goat.
Stith sensed that apprehension on Wednesday, but he just folded his arms, turned and muttered, "I know you don't want to make that call ..."
Considering their poor showing in the shootout, there's no guarantee that the Blue Devils would have made a penalty kick after that foul in the first overtime. But it sure looked like they deserved the opportunity.
Those are the breaks.
But the veteran coach took the high road. He didn't attempt to comment on two shaky calls that went against his squad. Instead, he talked about what his girls could have done better to win a game they relinquished a 1-0 lead and ended up losing 2-1 in a penalty-kick shootout.
The Blue Devils had a goal disallowed in the 25th minute. Officials said that Brittney Dailey did not wait the appropriate amount of time before taking her free kick. Yet, somehow, they didn't didn't whistle the play dead as Dailey went to serve the ball into the box. No, they waited to halt the action until after Kenley Streetman scored to give Mooresville what it thought was a 2-0 lead.
Stith didn't complain after it was explained to him why the goal was nullified.
Glenn eventually tied the game and forced overtime. Perhaps it should have never reached sudden-death overtime or a shootout.
Mooresville probably should have been awarded a penalty shot in the sixth minute of the first overtime when one of its players was fouled. It was borderline, but it looked as though the hard foul occurred inside of the penalty area.
A penalty shot was not awarded and, with the ball positioned just outside the box, the Blue Devils came away empty-handed on the ensuing free kick.
It was like the foul referees choose not to whistle with two seconds left in a basketball game that's tied. They don't want to be the goat.
Stith sensed that apprehension on Wednesday, but he just folded his arms, turned and muttered, "I know you don't want to make that call ..."
Considering their poor showing in the shootout, there's no guarantee that the Blue Devils would have made a penalty kick after that foul in the first overtime. But it sure looked like they deserved the opportunity.
Those are the breaks.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Hounds poised to acquire championship hardware
I don't want anybody else to take credit for getting the prediction right, so I'm going to go ahead and say it: Statesville's boys tennis team will win the 2007 3A state championship.
The Greyhounds looked awesome Tuesday, obliterating their first-round playoff opponent, 5-0. And it wasn't just anybody they beat. Defending state champion Hickory, winner of the last four Western regional titles, packed its bags early.
Five of Statesville's top six players -- Preston Spencer, Russ Ferrari, Thomas Fanjoy, Thomas Gaither and Luke Gillis -- helped the Greyhounds reach the state semifinals last season before losing to Hickory.
Yes, look for Statesville to hoist the program's first state championship trophy since 1997 on May 26 in Burlington.
The Greyhounds looked awesome Tuesday, obliterating their first-round playoff opponent, 5-0. And it wasn't just anybody they beat. Defending state champion Hickory, winner of the last four Western regional titles, packed its bags early.
Five of Statesville's top six players -- Preston Spencer, Russ Ferrari, Thomas Fanjoy, Thomas Gaither and Luke Gillis -- helped the Greyhounds reach the state semifinals last season before losing to Hickory.
Yes, look for Statesville to hoist the program's first state championship trophy since 1997 on May 26 in Burlington.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Back in the swing of things
Congratulations are in order and, believe me, this has been a long time coming.
High school baseball and softball labored for noticeable success over the last several years in Iredell County while other spring sports flourished.
Not this season.
The county is sending at least two baseball and softball teams to the playoffs. The N.C. High School Athletic Association expanded the brackets, which helped, of course.
But North Iredell and West Iredell earned their way in softball, as did Lake Norman and Mooresville in baseball.
South Iredell might qualify in both sports.
BASEBALL
Winning all but three of its conference games, Mooresville captured the North Piedmont 3A championship, the Blue Devils’ first league title since 1985. They are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2000, which is also the last time a county baseball team qualified.
Lake Norman won its last three games of the regular season to clinch the first playoff berth for the program, which began in 2003.
SOFTBALL
West Iredell and North Iredell boast quality pitchers, and if the Warriors and Raiders get any hitting — timely or otherwise — they will be a tough out (no pun intended).
High school baseball and softball labored for noticeable success over the last several years in Iredell County while other spring sports flourished.
Not this season.
The county is sending at least two baseball and softball teams to the playoffs. The N.C. High School Athletic Association expanded the brackets, which helped, of course.
But North Iredell and West Iredell earned their way in softball, as did Lake Norman and Mooresville in baseball.
South Iredell might qualify in both sports.
BASEBALL
Winning all but three of its conference games, Mooresville captured the North Piedmont 3A championship, the Blue Devils’ first league title since 1985. They are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2000, which is also the last time a county baseball team qualified.
Lake Norman won its last three games of the regular season to clinch the first playoff berth for the program, which began in 2003.
SOFTBALL
West Iredell and North Iredell boast quality pitchers, and if the Warriors and Raiders get any hitting — timely or otherwise — they will be a tough out (no pun intended).
This will be the first playoff appearance for West Iredell since 2001. The year before that, the Warriors reached the final eight.
North Iredell is making its fast-pitch playoff debut. The Raiders have been to the playoffs twice (1991, '96), but both of those trips were during the slow-pitch days.
It's nice to see baseball and softball get back into the swing of things.
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