2016 July Through December

We continue our look back which I covered on this blog during the year 2016.  Today the start of the year 2017 we look back at the backside of 2016.

July:

Hobbs Johnson was released by the Milwaukee Brewers from his minor league contract.

Brian Goodwin scored the winning run as the International League All Stars beat the Pacific Coast League All Starts 3-2

Rocky Mount's Nick Bynum is the leading rusher for the East squad in the East West All Star high school All Star game rushing 12 times for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Southern Nash's Jaquay Mitchell is named the East West all Star game MVP after making three catches for 88 yards and a 65 yard touchdown catch from Southern Nash Teammate Zack Foster

Rowan County wins the State American legion tournament and finishes second  in the World series losing 8-6 in the final 12 inning game.

Renny Taylor Nash Central history teacher won the Sons of the Revolution History Teacher of the Year award.

Jason Battle of Rocky Mount was named to be an assistant coach in the 2017 East West All Star game.

Joe McCarthy of Northern Nash will be the head coach of the East soccer  team in next year's East West Soccer All Star game.

August:

Brian Goodman gets his second call up to the Washington Nationals which made him eligible to appear in the playoffs if Washington makes it.  He hit 286 for his seven weeks in majors.

September:

Tarboro/Northern Nash forced to postpone their football game but I bet you have forgot why.    Tropical Storm Hermine hit labor Day Friday night and they were the only game in area did not play on Thursday setting up the three games in eight days later in season.  I bet you remember Hurricane Matthew being the culprit.

North Carolina Wesleyan football team hosted the #1 Division Three team Mount Union.  It was Mt Union first ever game in NC and it was NCWC first ever game in any sport against a number one team.

Rocky Mount football player Sherrod Green is named to the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team but will not play due to the Gryphons making it to the State Championship game.  NC team won 21-14

Probably the biggest news of the year former Wake Forest Golfer Arnold Palmer dies at the age of 86.  The golfer who brought the PGA to TV amassed an golfing empire long after his golfing days were over.

October:

Northeast Prep cancels the remaining football season after team didn't have enough healthy bodies to play safely.

Hurricane Matthew shuts down eastern North Carolina closing schools in some areas more than a week.

Hall of Fame weekend at North Carolina Wesleyan induct the 1999 National Championship baseball team, Charlie Long baseball coach and long time assistant Ernie Jones

NCHSAA relents due to flooding in eastern North Carolina and adds an extra week to football season.

Wife  Kim and son Zack of the Southern  Nash's football coach Brian Foster hurt in head on collision near Wilmington during week out for Hurricane Matthew disrupting their lives in the middle of an undefeated football season.

Northern Nash Cross Country team wins East regional qualifying for the State championships.

November:

Due to the lost days from Hurricane Matthew the NCHSAA extends the regular season one week there by extending the football playoffs until December 17th.

Rocky Mount's Michelle Gainey wins the Big East Volleyball player of the year.

November was national Signing date for college baseball players and  three Rocky Mount area players are signed.  Faith Christian's Landon Roupp, RMA's Reid Johnston and Rocky Mount's David Harrison all signed D 1 baseball offers signing with UNC Wilmington, NC State and NC State.

The Lady Birds of Southern Nash broke a 48 game losing streak in basketball opening their 2016/17 season beating Bunn 31-29.

December:

Tarboro's Tyquan Lewis now a defensive end at Ohio State won the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the year.

Rocky Mount Football wins the East 3A Regional with a miraculous 99 yard touchdown pass with 18 seconds to play to tie Havelock and won in triple overtime 35-34.

The Gryphons lose the State Championship game 16-7 to  South Point denying Rocky Mount back to back state titles

There it is, a look back at 2016 as viewed by this blog.  Let's see what 2017 has in store for us.