Local Sports

PREP NOTEBOOK: Indians edged in OT by Hickory

January 14, 2012

Behind 12 points from Zach Jarrett and 10 points from Raheim Connelly, the Red Tornadoes (15-2, 5-0) continued their undefeated play in the Northwestern 3A/4A with an overtime victory against St. Stephens.

Drew Starkey led the Indians (11-6, 3-2) with 18 points, while Jordan James added 12 points.

Bunker Hill 65, Maiden 42

Behind 17 points from Jordan McGinnis and 13 points from J'lean Wilson, the Bears earned improved to 3-13 overall and 3-4 in the Catawba Valley 2A with a victory against the Blue Devils.

County wrestling teams support paralyzed wrestler

January 13, 2012

Tragedy struck Dec. 3 for Alleghany High School senior wrestler Luke Hampton.

During a meet at Hibriten High School, attended by both Fred T. Foard and Maiden High Schools in Lenoir, Hampton charged an opponent during a match at his 182-pound weight class.

The 17-year-old’s life changed forever.

Breaking his C5 and C6 vertebrae by striking a padded wall, Hampton, then ranked No. 1 in the state in his weight class, became paralyzed from the neck down.

The Hampton family immediately sought help. All of Catawba County’s prep wrestling teams answered.

With Horford out, Hawks rout Bobcats 111-81

January 13, 2012

ATLANTA — Before the Atlanta Hawks took the court, Joe Johnson whispered a message to teammates Josh Smith and Jeff Teague.

"We have to take ownership," Johnson said, "at both ends of the court."

Clearly, they were listening.

Smith scored 30 points, Johnson added 23 and Teague chipped in with 16, leading the Hawks to a 111-81 rout of the Charlotte Bobcats on Thursday night in Atlanta's first game without All-Star center Al Horford.

Rangers announce Crawdads' 2012 field staff

January 11, 2012

The Texas Rangers, Major League parent club of the Hickory Crawdads, have announced the 2012 field staff for the ‘Dads.

Third-year field manager Bill Richardson, accompanied by pitching coach Storm Davis, will return.

Hitting coach Josue Perez and coach Humberto Miranda will be new to the staff this season.

Last year’s training and conditioning tandem will return in athletic trainer Jacob Newburn and strength and conditioning coach Anthony Miller.