Area One Gone In Legion Tournament

Opening Day was Friday for the 2016 North Carolina American Legion State Baseball Tournament.  Pitt County representing Area One East and the top seed of the East.  Garner the West division champion and the number two in the east both took the field at Wingate University.

It would turn out to be a great day for Area One as Pitt County opened the tournament Friday morning and they only took seven innings to devour Caldwell County 13-3.  Game two saw Area One rep Whiteville defeating High Point  7-6 in extra innings.  The third game of the day Rowan County clipped Wilmington 7-4 and the night cap Garner beat the host team Union County 9-4.  A very good day for Area One.

Saturday starts with the four losers on Friday starting the day off with Caldwell County ending Wilmington's tournament 5-2.  The second game Union County remained alive easing High Point back home 6-2.  The afternoon session saw Rowan County win the first winners bracket game  7-2 over Pitt County.  Garner joined the one time losers to Whiteville 12-4.  Two days into the state tournament and six teams remain two are unbeaten Whiteville and Rowan County and four are now in the losers bracket Caldwell County, Pitt County, Garner and Union County.

Only three games on Sunday as two losers brackets games during the afternoon and the two unbeatens get prime time.  It took extra innings but Pitt County is knocked out 10-9 by the host team Union County.  The second game is the end of the line for Garner  as they fall 4-3 to Caldwell County.  Bad day all around for Area one as the state tournament is over. Last night Rowan County beat Whiteville 10-1.  The four teams left are Rowan  County, once beaten Whiteville, Union County and Caldwell County.  All four teams are in action today, no bye for the unbeaten team.

As promised I did leave off a few athletes who will be playing college sports.  Nick Bynum and JaQuez Johnson-Rocky Mount-Football-Shaw.

The Sports section of the Raleigh News and Observer did and article in their sports section featuring Rocky  Mount High and their chances of repeating as 3A state football title.  It was a good read.

Speaking of great articles Josh Walfish's article in the Sunday Rocky Mount Telegram concerning innings being pitched by high school pitchers was right on.  I read an article several years ago by Doctor James Andrews the noted surgeon who perform the first so called Tommy John surgery.  He says that every pitcher needs three months of non-throwing once a season is complete for rest to the arm.

One thing that has happened to our society when we dedicate our life to one sport at ten years old is we don't know other sports that we might be good in.  A good example of one sport not using all your muscles.  Right after my freshman football season in high school I thought I was in excellent physical condition.  First day of basketball practice I was aching and gassed after all the different drills in basketball over football.  Let your kid play anything they want to.  Most of the time they will let you know the ones they don't like.  You may find trying to become great in baseball only to see your child might have been a better player in soccer.

New Members Join Wesleyan Hall Of Fame

It is for sure of one thing if you play sports at North Carolina Wesleyan College and your team wins a National Championship you can count on your team being elevated to the North Carolina Wesleyan Hall Of Fame 17 years after it happens.  That is going to happen to the 1999 baseball team who became the second Battling Bishops baseball team to win it all.

1989 the Mike Fox led Battling Bishops won the DII National Championship and in 2006 the entire team was named to the Hall Of Fame.  Can't leave out any National Champions so it is now a tradition at NCW that 17 years after you win it you get in.  So during the Homecoming weekend on October 15th the 1999 team will join 1989 in the North Carolina Wesleyan Sports Hall Of Fame.

Charlie Long's first team went 42-9 and on June 1st 1999 beat St Thomas 1-0 to win the National Championship.  The history of Division II baseball it is still the only 1-0 championship game.  Expect a big crowd for the ceremonies as the entire team is expected back to Rocky Mount and here is a list.

Robbie Adams                                               Kevin McNeil
Tim Autry                                                      James Pitney
Barry Blake                                                    Jon Rardin
Pat Bullard                                                     Scott Robeson
Nick Buonocore                                             Dan Salax
David Capabianco                                          Brett Schultz
Ryan Crammer                                               Jason Sigley
Jim Faraci                                                       Jed Snead
Russ Fink                                                        Jeremy Stewart
Sean Flemming                                               Carl Wheeless
Buddy Hernandez                                            Mike Wilchinski
Chris Johnson                                                  Taylor Williams
Daniel Johnson                                                Brian Woolston
Andy Jones                                                      Tim Wright
Steve Ladlick                                                   Joel Yednock
Jon Markle                                                       Head Coach Charlie Long
Jason Maurer                                                   Asst Coach Ernie Jones
Andrew McFarland                                         Asst Coach Jerry Edwards

It would be mighty hard to put a team in the Hall Of Fame without the coach being in there too especially since he is still coaching at Wesleyan.  Charlie Long who has been at North Carolina Wesleyan since 1991 and took over for Mike Fox as baseball coach in 1999.  He has won 429 games as coach, one national championship.  He has been USA South Coach of the year three times.  His coaching record in the D II playoffs is 16-9.  He trails only Mike Fox on the all times wins list at North Carolina Wesleyan.  Of course he of one of two coaches to lead a Wesleyan team to a national championship.

The final person heading to the Hall Of Fame is Ernie Jones who came to Wesleyan in 1991 to finish out his college baseball career.  Once Charlie Long took over the baseball program in 1999 Ernie came back to be an assistant coach and was with Charlie for more than 400 wins and the National Championship.  Between his Wesleyan playing days and coaching 17 years. Ernie has been a part of 10 conference regular season or tournament titles.  Six NCAA bids, three regional championships and three world series appearances.  During his 17 years as an assistance coach that is the longest tenure assistant coach in the history of Wesleyan.

Hall Of Fame weekend is October 15th.

Twin Counties Players March On

Now that the North Carolina Coaches Association has now concluded their convention in Greensboro and all the All Stars games are concluded every senior high school players have now finished their high school careers.  There are some that will move on to college and continue playing sports.  Before I even start I know somewhere along the way I have missed one but here is a list compiled as the year has gone on of those players that are fortunate enough to keep playing varsity sports in college  from the Twin county area.  If you see one that I have missed please pass it on to me because I don't want anyone deserving be left out.

FOOTBALL:
Marcus Williams- South West Edgecombe -Football- Appalachian State
Antwoin Pittman-North Edgecombe-Football-Winston Salem State
Jacob Hunter- Tarboro-Football- Chowan
Tahj Deans- Southern Nash- Football-East Carolina University
Zack Foster-Southern Nash-Football-North Carolina Wesleyan
Gage Chilton-Rocky Mount Academy-Football-Methodist University
B J Sanders-Rocky Mount-Football-Charleston Southern
Nick Bynum-Rocky Mount-football- Shaw
Ja'quez Johnson-Rocky Mount-Football-Shaw
Jack Wellenhofer-Rocky Mount-Football-UNC Charlotte

BASKETBALL:
Josh Mullins-Nash Central-Basketball-North Carolina A&T
Jahlia Williams-Northern Nash-Basketball- Winston Salem State

BASEBALL:
Jarrett Mobley- SouthWest Edgecombe-Baseball- Pembroke State
Luke Mills-Faith Christian-Baseball North Carolina Wesleyan
Noah Shrock- Nash Central-Baseball- North Carolina Wesleyan

Track And Field:
Nadir Thompson-Southern Nash-Track and Field- North Carolina State
Devonte Hyman-SouthWest Edgecombe-Track and Football-Virginia Lynchburg
Raquan White-Southwest Edgecombe-Track and Field-Virginia Lynchburg
Teyanna Dessaure-Rocky Mount-Track and Field- Mount Olive
Nyanna Edwards-Rocky Mount-Track and Field-Mount Olive
Laneeja Sheppard-Rocky Mount-track and Field- Mount Olive

SOCCER:
Rebekah Beal-Northern Nash-Soccer-Chowan
Hunter Franks-Rocky Mount Academy-Soccer-Louisburg College

SWIMMING:
Jenn Jackson Nash Central-Swimming-Gardner Webb

There is no doubt the Twin County area is a sports mecca.  Todd Gurley Tarboro, Montrezl Harrell North Edgecombe, Brian Goodwin Rocky Mount, Benton Moss Rocky Mount, Collins Cuthrell Rocky Mount  are all still active in professional sports after their college days.  I wonder who in the class of 2016 will join them.

Computers

Former N C State Shortstop Trea Turner has been called up to the Washington Nationals as another Nationals player is on the 15 day disabled list.  He got the call up in September last year after Syracuse fell out of the AAA playoffs.  He almost made the opening day roster back in April but the Nationals sent him back to the Chiefs for defense.

If Turner gets sent back to Syracuse you would have to wonder what in the world is the management thinking.  So far since his recall he is hitting 308.  He has played short and second and could be used in the outfield if needed.  Wednesday night Turner stole home for  only the third time in Washington Nationals history however short that history might be.

Where Turner has turned  on Major League baseball is what he did before the steal of home.  These days computers check and time everything.  Tuesday night Turner tripled and the computer said his 270 foot  run from home to third base was at 22.4 miles and hour.  Now as a fan that watches baseball and have seen turner run live at  N C State I know he is fast but how fast is fast?  The computers clocked him running at 22.4 miles per hour.  Still what does that mean to me an you.  22.4 miles an hour is the third fastest any player has run a triple in Major League Baseball this year.  That was Tuesday.

The reason Turner was on third Wednesday night was he got another triple and this time the computers say he ran at 22.7 miles and hour which is the fastest anyone has made it to third on a triple this season.  If you go on MLB.com and watch both the triple and the steal of home there is no doubt speed kills.

Trea Turner is the fastest man in major league baseball.  Much like just a couple of weeks ago we talked about Whit Merrifield  getting the folks in Kansas City excited, DC is koo koo for Trea Turner.  His speed can get to grounders that other players let go as hits.  Pop ups are catchable almost any where on the field  for him. 

I doubt that Trea Turner will ever visit a minor league baseball field again unless it is an injury rehab assignment. Turner's good fortune is hindering our very own Brian Goodwin.  Brian is tearing up pitching since he has returned from the AAA All Star game.  His average is back up to 293 after having dipped to 282 two weeks ago.  Brian is an outfielder so Turners who is an infielder/outfielder just may take any opening that could go to Brian.

When you look at the shortstop and centerfielder that have played for the Nationals  all season their  batting averages are dismal.  There is no reason that Turner should not be at short and give Brian his shot in center.  Just maybe Turner's success will open the eyes of Washington's management to see why in the world to you keep guys in starting jobs in the majors when your AAA club has replacements to do better than the starters they have now.

Michael Taylor has been the main centerfielder for most of the year.  He is hitting 226 while Brian  is 293.  Brian has driven in 52 runs while Taylor 14.  Brian has one triple and none for Taylor.  doubles Brian leads 23-10.  Stolen bases is 13 out 16 for Goodwin and 10/13 for Taylor.  I truly think something is going to happen for  Brian Goodwin before the trade deadline August 1st..  He is either going to get traded or they have to bring him up.  He's playing a whole lot better than what they have in centerfield now.

Nash County Allstars Shine At East West

Basketball played two games on Monday.  Soccer had another two games on Tuesday.  The only Nash County athlete to play in any of the four games Monday and Tuesday was Rebeka Beal of Northern Nash.

Tonight Zach Foster quarterback of Southern Nash was joined by teammate Jaquay Mitchell wide receiver. Nick Bynum of Rocky Mount provided a third Nash County performer.

Defense dominates this football game as after the dust had settled the girls soccer game last night scored more goals than touchdowns were scored in the football game through the first three quarters. Last night three goals were scored in a 2-1  win by the east.  By the end of the third quarter only three field goals had been able to put points on the board.  The East led 6-3.

Fireworks by the East and by the Southern Nash Duo.  Zack Foster finds his former teammate Jaquay Mitchell on a 65 yard pass completion and the East leads by more than a touchdown early in the fourth quarter 13-3. A stout east defense forces a West punt which the east brings to the west Red Zone.  From five yards out Rocky Mount's Nick Bynum scores and the east midway through the fourth leads 20-3 and they would be the final score.

Southern's Jaquay Mitchell with his long bomb reception for a east touchdown proved to be the longest play of the game  is named the Offensive MVP of the game. Mitchell had three catches for 88 yards and the first east touchdown while Nick Bynum was the leading rusher in the game carrying the pigskin 12 times for 66 yards and a touchdown. Zack Foster being the passer on the Mitchell touchdown all three players from Nash County did their part in both East touchdowns

The east wins four of the five allstar games played this week.

During Legion season Post 58 had several volunteer coaches including Will Edwards.  Will a graduate of Rocky Mount High is a rising sophomore at Chowan College.  His freshman year he pitched in 12 games starting 5.  His record in the spring was 0-4 with a 6.93 ERA.  He was in the Legion dugout for the first few games until he joined the Fayetteville Swampdogs.

So far this summer Will  Edwards has pitched in 11 games totally 15 innings.  His record is 0-2.  He has joined his former teammate at Rocky Mount and Chowan Cody Smith who is also pitching in Fayetteville.  Cody after being named the left hander pitcher of the year in the CIAA this spring has pitched 37 innings for the Swamp Dogs.  His ERA is 4.58 and he has a 1-4 record this summer.

The Swamp Dogs play in the Coastal Plain league. Blake Helms  is pitching for Fuquay Varina  in the Carolina Virginia  Colleigiate League. We told you last week that he made the CVCL All Star team and since had pitched one time since then.  Blake's incredible season is still going strong.  He has completed two games in seven appearances.  He has now pitched 36 innings and only given up two earned runs.  His ERA the last time we talked was based on 29 innings and two runs which was .061 but has dropped to .050.  So far this summer Blake is throwing BB's

State Tournament Set

The 2016 North Carolina American Legion State Tournament is set after all area championships were decided Monday night.  The opening game of a four game day will start Friday morning at 9:30.  The area one one game playoff was Monday night and Pitt County won by a 12-2 score and by winning earned the championship of Area One. The schedule Friday:

9:30 am. Caldwell County number two from Area Four will play the champion of Area Three High Point.

12:30pm. Whiteville number Two from Area Two will play the Champion of Area One Pitt County

3:30pm.  Rowan County number two from Area Three will play the champion of Area Two Wilmington

7:00pm.  Garner the number two from Area One will play the champion of Area Four Union County. Union County is also the host team who would have been in the tournament as the host team but won their area.

Monday night in the East West All Star games in Greenboro there were two twenty point wins.  The West Girls beat the East 105-85 while the East Boys beat the West 118-98.

Tuesday in girls soccer the East Girls beat the West by a 2-1 score.  The boys game ran into weather delay five minutes into the game with the East leading 1-0. Finally resuming the East wins 3-2.  The football game is tonight closing out the week of the East West All Star Games.

All of these all star games are part of the NC High School Coaches Association state convention.  Once all the coaches return home fall sports practices will begin on Monday August 1st and the first high school football games will begin on Friday night August 19th.

Nash Central will open on the road at Tarboro
Corinith Holders will visit Northern Nash
North wood will travel to Southern Nash
The defending 3-A state champions Rocky Mount Gryphon's will host South Granville.  High school football starts 30 days from today.

Living Out A Dream

They say that Parents live out their dreams through their children.  We see it every day on a ball field or gym.  There are some parents that love that little league game more than their kids do.  They might be looking for that college scholarship for their child or they just might be wanting their children to be what they were not when they came along.

All Four of my children are now through college.  Stephanie didn't play sports but was a dancer so we did the dance scene while she grew up and even went to college for dancing.  Today with two children both into  travel soccer in Wake Forest.  Her husband works for the RailHawks in the youth programs so her family is soccer 24 hours a day.

Amy played softball and ran cross country in high school but was never a serious competitor.  This year she had her first child and works for Wake Med and the YMCA of Wake County where she specialized in health care.  Her husband is a banker in Raleigh and loves those Demon Deacons.

Morgan found out early that she had a health condition that she would not be able to play sports so she took part as manager for at one time or other during her high school days, football, basketball, volleyball, softball.  She even went to Campbell on a partial scholarship being the manager of the Campbell Volleyball team.  Now looking for a job in sports management but working for the fourth summer with the Rocky Mount Parks and Rec.

Brooks ran cross country, track and field and tennis during his high school career,  Joined the N C State Mountain bike team in college and spent his first six years in coastal management until bitten
 by the coaching bug.  He has started from nothing in Triathlon coaching and his company All Out
 Multi Sports has a equipment sponsor that provides all his athletes with any clothing needed just like all others athletes have in college of pro.

He has the ability to tell others how to swim, run and ride a bike better.  He coaches all ages from doctors to teenagers.  A recent race he had seven  athletes running in five age groups and all seven finished first or second or third in their age group. Top three get up to the podium to receive a metal.   He has caught the attention of other athletes wanting to know how they can be better.

Brooks is in the midst of conducting a camp that he is coaching at the United State Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs Co.  The top U23 Tri athletes from the United States will be working with him.  U 23 is the future athletes who one day might bring home gold for the US in Triathlon events.  On the world stage the US is way behind others so they are working hard with our best in the nation under 23.

A typical work day is 4000 meter swim in the morning.  Two to three hour bike ride midday and a 5-8 mile run in the evening.  If you saw the Olympic swimming trials  that were on TV just a week ago those swimmers that are on the Rio team are there every day but will be leaving shortly to go to Rio to adjust to the  seas level breathing compared to Colorado Springs 5,000 foot elevation.

One day this week he took his athletes to Pike's Peak which is 12 miles from the Training Center.  Whether you run or ride a bike Pike's Peak is a killer.  The start is 9,390 above sea level and at the top 14,115 feet.  It is 12.42 miles to the top.  The grade upward averages 7 degrees and at max is 10 degrees.  It seems as if you are going straight up.  There are 156 turns on the way.

I have three pictures.  The first is his security badge to get into the training center.  One of two full size Olympic Pools at the the training center and the third Brooks working with his athletes on their bikes.