High school notebook: In softball, the premium is on pitching
As always, pitching will be paramount in the NCHSAA softball state championships this weekend. Three area teams will try to ride their top arms to titles at Walnut Creek Softball Complex in Raleigh.
In the 3-A tournament, Southwestern Randolph (28-1) opens today against two-time defending state champion Kings Mountain (26-2). The Cougars, led by Anna Maness (10-1, 0.29 ERA), probably will have to get past Morgan Childers and her 0.14 ERA and 343 strikeouts at some point.
North Davidson's Danielle Glosson is 29-1 with a 0.53 ERA and 352 strikeouts and gives the Knights a good shot at the 4-A title.
Chelsea Leonard has 383 strikeouts and a microscopic ERA for Central Davidson (29-1), one of the 2-A contenders.
Dwight Jones TO ENROLL LATE AT UNC: Cummings receiver Dwight Jones will not enroll at North Carolina for the second summer session with most of the Tar Heels' incoming recruits because he hasn't achieved a qualifying SAT or ACT score. Dwight Jones will take both exams again this month.
Dwight Jones hopes to enroll at UNC in time for the fall semester, Cummings athletics director Jay Perdue said. If he fails to qualify, Dwight Jones likely will enroll at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., for a semester.
"His GPA is fine," Perdue said. "He's doing real well right now on his two academic subjects this semester. He's done a review session with some folks to help on the SAT. He's just waiting to take it again."
EAST-WEST BASKETBALL: Dudley and Northeast Guilford will be represented in both East-West All-Star basketball games next month.
Sierra Little of Dudley and Mercedes King of Northeast have been selected to play for the West in the girls game July 16 at the Greensboro Coliseum, along with Eastern Randolph's Casey Moore. Rockingham County's Woody Wall will coach the West girls.
Dudley's Kenny Belton, a Cincinnati signee, and Northeast's Mezie Uzochukwu highlight the West boys roster. They'll be joined by Glenn's Chris Jacobs and coached by Page's Robert Kent.
LACROSSE ALL-STATE: Page goalie Bryan Romaine and Western Guilford's Scott Bowles have earned All-American lacrosse honors and head the list of area all-state players. Romaine was named first team all-state for 4-A, and Bowles is first team for 2-A/3-A.
Page's Evan Smith was named coach of the year for the 4-A division.
Grimsley's Mike James made the 4-A second team.
First-teamers for 2-A/3-A include: Taylor Mendoza, Nick Remmey and Caleb Thompson of Western Guilford; and Alex Porter and Cory McIntyre of Bishop McGuinness. Western's Austin Ranieri is second team along with David Gunn and Chucky Lewis of Southeast Guilford.
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