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Like a year ago, when R-S Central led East Lincoln for most of the game, but the Mustangs came back and won. Likewise happened again to East Rutherford in the playoffs last week.
East Rutherford's Basketball team lasted the longest of the county teams in the playoffs, but were knocked out by East Lincoln in the fourth round, 74-65. They beat Walkertown in the third round without much problem, but it was the Sidney Dollar show and the Mustang defense that overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to move past the Cavs.
East Rutherford (22-6) loses three key players in Christian Walker, Quay Logan and Isaiah Lathan. Walker didn't mind hitting big shots, Lathan was a force inside, especially down the stretch and Logan was the motor who ran the offense. They beat R-S Central three times, didn't lose a game at home, beat Shelby once and won the Chesnee Christmas Tourney. So, congrats to them on a great season, just three wins shy of a state title.
Three High School Sports kicked off in the past week and here are some quick blurbs about them in the early season.
Baseball
The Southwestern 2A looks like Chase, East, Central and South Point are all going to beat up on each other this season.
Chase (3-0, 2-0) has 10 seniors, the deepest pitching rotation in the county, and already beat East Rutherford. It's still early, but this could be a sign of good things to come for the Trojans.
East Rutherford (3-1, 1-1) got a big win against South Point last week before falling to Chase. They normally play better as the year goes.
R-S Central (2-2, 1-1) has just two seniors, but they will be competitive nonetheless. They visit Chase in a big match up at home on 3/19.
R-S Central and East Rutherford will face off at East on Friday (3/15) in the rivalry game.
Softball
As for the Southwestern 2A, Chase, R-S and East look to fight it out again this season.
Chase (2-1, 2-0) dominated East Rutherford until the Lady Cavs came back to make it a closer 6-4 game. Faith Harrill is pitching well and five different players had an RBI against the Lady Cavs. They did have a surprising loss to East Henderson, but the season is early.
R-S Central (5-2, 3-0) This is a very young group and they have only given up one run in league play so far.
East Rutherford (2-1, 1-1) Should have the biggest advantage as they return nearly everybody from a year ago.
Women's soccer
R-S Central (2-0) Team captain Morgan Hill has helped Central beat McDowell twice 6-2 so far.
East Rutherford (0-2) has played two very good teams and only scored one goal so far.
Chase (1-1) Split with Patton so far and should be tough with senior Griselda Jimenez back this season.
Thomas Jefferson (1-0-1) Freshman Margaret Schweppe has led the charge in scoring six goals.
Notes: UNC has beat Duke twice, without Zion Williamson. I am curious to see how big of a factor he could make in a possible third meeting this week in the ACC Tourney. If he plays and he is completely healthy, the Tarheels are in trouble. Still, Virginia, UNC, Duke and Florida State are the four best teams in the ACC by far this season. One of those four win the ACC tourney this weekend, that's all I can say at this point.
NASCAR goes to California this weekend...give me Denny Hamlin as the winner.
Antonio Brown has played his last game as a Steeler and joins the Raiders. Is Derek Carr and Jon Gruden really the answer?
And finally, nearby Gardner Webb will play in the Men's NCAA Basketball Tourney after beating Radford this past weekend. Congrats to the Runnin' Bulldogs.
