Several weeks ago, I predicted which five Iredell teams had legitimate shots of winning state championships this fall.
I had Mooresville's boys cross country team the most likely to do so, followed closely by Lake Norman's boys soccer team.
I'd like to say thank you for making me look good. They both claimed state titles. West Iredell's volleyball team (my third choice) didn't do too bad either, finishing as the 3A state runner-up.
What a great fall sports season. Having said that, Lake Norman is, without doubt, the most dominant team I've seen in my seven years covering high school sports for the R&L.
With their 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Wilson Fike in Friday night's 3A state soccer championship, the Wildcats completed an unblemished 29-0 season. They outscored their opponents 120-12 along the way.
Sound familiar? That's because Lake Norman punctuated last year's 27-0 season with the first of their back-to-back titles. Their last loss came on Nov. 12, 2005, when crosstown rival Mooresville edged them 2-1 in the state quarterfinals.
The Wildcats have won 56 straight. There were no ties -- I repeat, no ties -- during that run.
That's impressive.
Good job, guys.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
College basketball tips off, gets crazy already
Grand Valley State, a Division II school from Allendale, Mich., knocked off Michigan State 85-82 in double overtime on Nov. 2.
Findlay, a Division II school in Ohio, shocked Ohio State 70-68 on Tuesday.
Wednesday night, Gardner-Webb upset Kentucky at Rupp Arena in a game that, unlike the aforementioned exhibitions, counted toward their overall records.
Check your calendars. It’s not March, but the madness has already begun in college basketball.
It should be another thrilling season on the hardwood. Hopefully the unpredictability will rival college football this fall.
Maybe there’s another Cinderella out there like George Mason.
Findlay, a Division II school in Ohio, shocked Ohio State 70-68 on Tuesday.
Wednesday night, Gardner-Webb upset Kentucky at Rupp Arena in a game that, unlike the aforementioned exhibitions, counted toward their overall records.
Check your calendars. It’s not March, but the madness has already begun in college basketball.
It should be another thrilling season on the hardwood. Hopefully the unpredictability will rival college football this fall.
Maybe there’s another Cinderella out there like George Mason.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Warriors heading to Raleigh for state championship
Congratulations are in order for West Iredell's volleyball team.
The Warriors defeated a very talented Enka squad in the 3A Western Regional final on Tuesday night to advance to the state championship.
Showing poise and determination, West ousted Enka 3-0 (25-21, 30-28, 26-24). The Warriors saved two game points in the second game and three in the third to prevail in both. It was incredible.
I won't be surprised at all if West (28-5) brings back the school's first state championship on Saturday.
The Warriors defeated a very talented Enka squad in the 3A Western Regional final on Tuesday night to advance to the state championship.
Showing poise and determination, West ousted Enka 3-0 (25-21, 30-28, 26-24). The Warriors saved two game points in the second game and three in the third to prevail in both. It was incredible.
I won't be surprised at all if West (28-5) brings back the school's first state championship on Saturday.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Iredell's state title contenders are ...
We’re getting very close to the postseason for all minor sports. Iredell has several teams capable of making the deepest of playoff runs.
The following are my top-five picks from the county to win an NCHSAA state championship this fall (No. 1 being the most likely):
No. 5: North Iredell’s volleyball team
The Raiders boast plenty of talent. Stephanie Bennett, Taylor Clendenin and Molly Rhyne are solid at the net. Anna Wells is a quality setter. North Iredell’s serve receive and defense has to improve, though, in order to reach the final.
No. 4: Lake Norman's girls cross country team
The Wildcats returned three of their top four runners from last year’s squad. Alexa Van Epern, Kaitlyn Ferguson and Jessica Fedorka helped garner a ninth-place finish at the 2006 3A state championship meet. Lake Norman added two strong freshmen, who are running productively this season. Asheville T.C. Roberson will be favored to capture the title.
No. 3: West Iredell's volleyball team
The Warriors have been a consistent contender for almost an eternity now. They’ve advanced to the regional final four times in the last 10 years and made one state championship appearance. West Iredell might not be quite as good as last year, when it probably should’ve won the title. (West blew a healthy lead late in the fifth game of its third-round playoff match and lost to eventual champion Southwest Guilford). Seniors Marrissa Church, Megan Courson and Bria James lead another gifted lineup. No doubt, the Warriors have a shot to claim that elusive championship.
No. 2: Lake Norman’s boys soccer team
The Wildcats have given us no reason yet to believe they won’t win their second straight 3A state championship. They’ve won all of their games this season, most of them handily. Last week, top-ranked Lake Norman triumphed 2-1 on the road at perennial power Charlotte Catholic, currently ranked second. The Wildcats rallied to do it. Pretty impressive stuff. Lake Norman is skilled at every position. Highlighting a savvy cast of players is forward Matt Foxx, midfielder Ryan Mertes and defender Matt Gwilt. Lake Norman will be a tough out in the playoffs. That’s for sure.
No. 1: Mooresville’s boys cross country team
If the Blue Devils’ top seven runners stay injury-free, Mooresville will repeat, and it won’t even be close. Without question, they’re built for another 3A state championship run. Last weekend, they competed in the McDonald’s Invitational in Richmond, Va. Mooresville placed ninth in a field featuring 21 of the Southeast’s top teams. Patrick Campbell led the way, clocking in at 15 minutes, 44 seconds -- good enough for fourth place. Josh Cox, Nathan Craig, Chase Martin, Joseph Newman, and Graham and Jordan Sledge are strong as well and probably make Mooresville too talented to overcome this November.
Blue Devils will go back-to-back.
The following are my top-five picks from the county to win an NCHSAA state championship this fall (No. 1 being the most likely):
No. 5: North Iredell’s volleyball team
The Raiders boast plenty of talent. Stephanie Bennett, Taylor Clendenin and Molly Rhyne are solid at the net. Anna Wells is a quality setter. North Iredell’s serve receive and defense has to improve, though, in order to reach the final.
No. 4: Lake Norman's girls cross country team
The Wildcats returned three of their top four runners from last year’s squad. Alexa Van Epern, Kaitlyn Ferguson and Jessica Fedorka helped garner a ninth-place finish at the 2006 3A state championship meet. Lake Norman added two strong freshmen, who are running productively this season. Asheville T.C. Roberson will be favored to capture the title.
No. 3: West Iredell's volleyball team
The Warriors have been a consistent contender for almost an eternity now. They’ve advanced to the regional final four times in the last 10 years and made one state championship appearance. West Iredell might not be quite as good as last year, when it probably should’ve won the title. (West blew a healthy lead late in the fifth game of its third-round playoff match and lost to eventual champion Southwest Guilford). Seniors Marrissa Church, Megan Courson and Bria James lead another gifted lineup. No doubt, the Warriors have a shot to claim that elusive championship.
No. 2: Lake Norman’s boys soccer team
The Wildcats have given us no reason yet to believe they won’t win their second straight 3A state championship. They’ve won all of their games this season, most of them handily. Last week, top-ranked Lake Norman triumphed 2-1 on the road at perennial power Charlotte Catholic, currently ranked second. The Wildcats rallied to do it. Pretty impressive stuff. Lake Norman is skilled at every position. Highlighting a savvy cast of players is forward Matt Foxx, midfielder Ryan Mertes and defender Matt Gwilt. Lake Norman will be a tough out in the playoffs. That’s for sure.
No. 1: Mooresville’s boys cross country team
If the Blue Devils’ top seven runners stay injury-free, Mooresville will repeat, and it won’t even be close. Without question, they’re built for another 3A state championship run. Last weekend, they competed in the McDonald’s Invitational in Richmond, Va. Mooresville placed ninth in a field featuring 21 of the Southeast’s top teams. Patrick Campbell led the way, clocking in at 15 minutes, 44 seconds -- good enough for fourth place. Josh Cox, Nathan Craig, Chase Martin, Joseph Newman, and Graham and Jordan Sledge are strong as well and probably make Mooresville too talented to overcome this November.
Blue Devils will go back-to-back.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Repeat in store for Wildcats?
I figured losing all but one of its starting defenders -- not to mention the county player of the year -- would be too much for Lake Norman's boys soccer team to overcome in its quest to win another state championship.
I think I'm going to be wrong. Big time.
The Wildcats are playing as crisp as they did last season, when they captured the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A state title and completed a perfect 27-0 season.
The win streak is 39 games following Monday's 3-1 victory over Northwest Cabarrus which decided who took over first place outright in the North Piedmont Conference.
Top-ranked Lake Norman is at second-ranked Charlotte Catholic on Thursday. If the Wildcats triumph in that affair, I say Iredell County is destined to have its first back-to-back NCHSAA state champion since the Statesville girls tennis team won in 1999 and repeated in 2000.
I think I'm going to be wrong. Big time.
The Wildcats are playing as crisp as they did last season, when they captured the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A state title and completed a perfect 27-0 season.
The win streak is 39 games following Monday's 3-1 victory over Northwest Cabarrus which decided who took over first place outright in the North Piedmont Conference.
Top-ranked Lake Norman is at second-ranked Charlotte Catholic on Thursday. If the Wildcats triumph in that affair, I say Iredell County is destined to have its first back-to-back NCHSAA state champion since the Statesville girls tennis team won in 1999 and repeated in 2000.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
It's great to be a Mountaineer
Big Blue who?
I'm not going to say I knew Appalachian State would go into the Big House on Saturday, shock the world and beat Michigan. That would be a lie. But I'm not going to sit idle either and miss relishing the Mountaineers' 34-32 victory over the most prestigious college football program in country.
Incredible.
Where are the naysayers now? You know, the ones who downplayed the significance of Appalachian's back-to-back national championships because they came at the Division I-AA and Football Championship Subdivision level.
My co-worker Brad Norman -- like me, an Appalachian State graduate -- put it best: No more Division II cracks. No more comments about our junior varsity title.
Maybe now others around the country will learn how to pronounce Appalachian State correctly.
I'm not going to say I knew Appalachian State would go into the Big House on Saturday, shock the world and beat Michigan. That would be a lie. But I'm not going to sit idle either and miss relishing the Mountaineers' 34-32 victory over the most prestigious college football program in country.
Incredible.
Where are the naysayers now? You know, the ones who downplayed the significance of Appalachian's back-to-back national championships because they came at the Division I-AA and Football Championship Subdivision level.
My co-worker Brad Norman -- like me, an Appalachian State graduate -- put it best: No more Division II cracks. No more comments about our junior varsity title.
Maybe now others around the country will learn how to pronounce Appalachian State correctly.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Lake Norman soccer continues its winning ways
Matt Foxx is a force to be reckoned with. He proved it again on Monday night, leading the Lake Norman boys soccer team to a convincing 5-0 win over West Iredell.
Foxx netted four goals, tying the school record for scores in a game. His performance overshadowed a crisp offensive display by the entire Lake Norman team, which is off to a fast start in its 3A state title defense.
"We're just trying to keep a level head and keep winning," said midfielder Corey Evans, who assisted two goals against West Iredell.
So far, so good.
Lake Norman, which won all 27 of its games last season, improved to 3-0. The Wildcats have outscored their first three opponents 14-1, and they don't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Foxx netted four goals, tying the school record for scores in a game. His performance overshadowed a crisp offensive display by the entire Lake Norman team, which is off to a fast start in its 3A state title defense.
"We're just trying to keep a level head and keep winning," said midfielder Corey Evans, who assisted two goals against West Iredell.
So far, so good.
Lake Norman, which won all 27 of its games last season, improved to 3-0. The Wildcats have outscored their first three opponents 14-1, and they don't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
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