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Kevin Carver
Forest City won in pool play, but lost to the eventual national champions at the ninth grade level. The team, who finished third overall in the nation featured Rutherford County kids, Devonte Boykins (East High), Rhoderic Ross (East high) and Travis Waldroup-Rodriguez (TJCA) in what was a 71-7 mark over the summer.
The sixth and eight grade teams also won USBA national titles in Myrtle Beach to conclude their summer. “Were competing and beating well-sponsored teams across the nation,” Program director and head coach of the Forest City Heat Larry Ross said. “The future is bright and the program is heading in the right direction.”
In little league action, Forest City won the junior league state softball title. The young ladies will head to regionals this weekend in sunny, Fort Myers, Florida. After ousting Forest City, Chase 11 & 12 year-old softball was eliminated at Dunbar Park to finish fourth overall in the state.
On the boys side of the equation, Rutherfordton and Chase fell in the senior league state tourney at R-S Central. Chase got the only county victory by beating Rutherfordton on Sunday.
On Monday, Rutherfordton came up a run short of staying alive in the junior league state tourney. However, they narrowly lost 15-14 to Cherryville.
Locally, the high school football season is just a couple of days away from really cranking up with official practices. On August the 12th, three of the four county teams will find themselves at Allen Stadium (Chase High) for the Rutherford County Football Jamboree. All four high schools play their first game of the season the following week on the 19th with Thomas Jefferson the only one on the road that night.
The subject of football couldn’t come at a better time. The National Football League (NFL) ended the lockout on Monday, leaving many fans and fantasy football owners elated. In retrospect, the players union and the all 32 NFL owners came to terms in a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement.
While both sides are going to get more money (owners by percentage and players by higher salaries), the players in return also earn benefits and a coveted section of bylaws which should improve safety conditions in the agreement. So, are you ready for some football?
On the NASCAR scene, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the site of this weekend’s Sprint Cup race for the Brickyard 400. This Sunday marks the 18th annual event and only 10 names have gained victory at one of the series marquee events. Only six will be among the 43 starters in Sunday’s field: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, Kevin Harvick and last year’s winner Jamie McMurray.
Ask yourself, how many times has Jeff Gordon won the Brickyard 400, then how many times Tony Stewart has done so. Put the numbers side-by-side and that is your winner this weekend. I have good reason not to speak of his name.
Coincidentally, the Indianapolis Raceway Park across town is making news as well, but not in a way many had hoped. This Saturday night will be the 30th and final Nationwide race at IRP.
NASCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway decided to take the Nationwide race away from the .686-mile short track and transfer it over to the 2.5-mile facility next season. For now, the Camping World Truck Series will remain an annual stop at IRP, but that could change as well.
