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High School basketball- Boys: East Rutherford had their struggles against arguably the best team in the SMAC this past week in East Burke. East Rutherford had no answer for East Burke’s inside-outside game and lost 78-58 at home. It was East Rutherford’s first double-digit home loss since the 2010 playoffs to Salisbury. Calvin Camp had 27 points in the loss for East Rutherford. However, they do host a huge conference game with rival Shelby this coming Friday (1/30).
R-S Central gave Crest all they could handle in a home court match up, but fell 55-49. R-s Central got 15 points from Brian Hunt and led a good bit, but were not able to hold on. The Hilltoppers will host Burns (1/29), go to Chase on Friday (1/30) and host Kings Mountain (2/3).
Chase is playing better despite just a roster of nine. The lost a close game with Draughn this past week in which center, Zach Anderson had 15 points. Only three on the club are seniors.
“My goals is for us to continue to grow and play within ourselves,” Chase Men’s Basketball Coach Joe Jessen said. “I want to continue to compete no matter what as our youth is a good sign for the future.”
The Trojans will host R-S Central on Friday (1/30).
Thomas Jefferson just upset North Henderson, but won’t be back home until they host Enka at Cool Spring Gym on 2/5.
Girls: R-S Central (12-5) is continuing to hold strong among the 2A ranks and almost upset Crest this past Friday. Central held the lead for most of the way, but lost a 64-61 heart-breaker. Crest has now won 11 in a row. The Lady Chargers Adiyah Ussery (just scored 32, averages 21 points and 9 rebounds) and Central’s Te’ja Twitty (dropped in 28 points, averages 26.5 and 14.5 rebounds per game) are up for conference player of the year. Crest girls are ranked ninth in 3A and R-S Central No. 12 in 2A at the moment.
East Rutherford was defeated in it’s only game of the week as they hosted East Burke. Claire Jackson played well for the injured Kendra Ross and Tamara Blanton posted 21 in a 65-53 loss. The Lady Cavs really need to win three or four of the next six games to likely make the playoffs. While that task will not be easy, it’s very doable with what is left on the schedule.
Thomas Jefferson’s girls have won two of their last three games. Alyssia Edwards has averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and a block in the last three contests.
Makayla Gordon and Kealynn Watkins did all they could, but the young Chase Trojans fell to Draughn for the second time this season. They unfortunately remain winless on the season.
Well, it’s that time of year again…The Super Bowl is here. Considering the way Seattle conducts themselves overall and New England tries to cheat, it’s tough to really look forward to the event. I might pull for the refs. Who knows? Maybe one of them can figure out the right specifications on air pressure inside of a football.
Despite the controversy, give me New England 24-17. While I believe in Seattle overall, I just don’t see a repeat for the Seahawks. You would think Seattle should be more focused, but usually this is when the Patriots do what they can to overcome adversity. I feel like they are both evenly matched with the exception that Seattle has a tougher conference.
As all of you have heard by now, Jeff Gordon is retiring by season’s end. It’s strange how Jeff Gordon came along when Richard Petty retired and things worked out. I think many felt that once Richard retired, things wouldn’t be the same. The same is probably true for those who have followed Jeff Gordon. Dale Earnhardt’s death also altered the sport of NASCAR. Those three facts of this current era will never change. Now what, when, why, where and how will the sport cope going forward? 2016 begins the new era.
And congrats to Mike Krzyzewski in nabbing 1,000 NCAA basketball coaching wins on Sunday. Like him or not, Coach K took a small college in Durham and made it a powerhouse on the basketball court. I think to myself, If only dear friend Jim Valvano could have been there in person to see it.
