South Iredell officially announced the hiring of Brian Reese as its next varsity boys basketball coach on Tuesday.
A former national champion with the North Carolina Tar Heels? This is a major splash in the Iredell coaching ranks.
Just think, Reese has the luxury of being able to pick the brain of one of the greatest college coaches of all-time, that being Dean Smith.
Couple that with the fact Reese, who is very humble, seems driven to succeed at a program falling on hard times, and you've got lots of potential.
Two thumbs up for this selection, South Iredell. Way up.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Gimme Mr. Popularity; hit the road, Kyle
Isn't it funny how Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s announcement Wednesday that he's joining Hendrick Motorsports next season coincided with the revelation Kyle Busch wouldn't be back?
When asked at the press conference by moderator Winston Kelley how there was room for Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick said he had pursued a contract extension with Busch but discovered the 22-year-old was being approached by other teams.
"It became pretty obvious ... that maybe a fresh start might be good for both of us," Hendrick said.
How convenient.
What it boils down to: Earnhardt Jr. -- who fans and sponsors adore -- was available, meaning Busch, a Las Vegas native with four wins in two full Nextel Cup seasons, was expendable.
When asked at the press conference by moderator Winston Kelley how there was room for Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick said he had pursued a contract extension with Busch but discovered the 22-year-old was being approached by other teams.
"It became pretty obvious ... that maybe a fresh start might be good for both of us," Hendrick said.
How convenient.
What it boils down to: Earnhardt Jr. -- who fans and sponsors adore -- was available, meaning Busch, a Las Vegas native with four wins in two full Nextel Cup seasons, was expendable.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
SPC has Wildcats' number
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.
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.
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."
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