Wingate University has begun building its basketball “House” with a West Rowan foundation.

Antwan House, who averaged 14 points and nine rebounds for Mike Gurley’s state 3A runnerup last season, is on the Wingate campus and is redshirting his freshman year.

“I feel Wingate is getting a steal,” said Gurley. “Antwan can be a good small forward in the South Atlantic Conference. Wingate will be pleasantly surprised and Antwan will be surprised by how good the competition is in the SAC.”

Gurley is also pleased that House is sitting out a year.

“Ibroke my ankle the week before I went to Belmont-Abbey,” said Gurley. “It’s the best injury I ever had. I was not basketball-gifted enough to play that first season. But it allowed me to acclimate myself to the environment. I felt like the third person in a novel. I could see what went on and use it to my advantage. I think Antwan will do the same.”

Gurley likens House’s situation to Britt Jernigan at Catawba. Jernigan, a long-range shooter, is redshirting this season.

Baker now has two former North Stanly stars. Quentin Bryant joined the team last year.

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Gurley has already seen House and Scooter Sherrill (N.C. State) sign this year and when the 1999-2000 season ends, he might yet have another signature: Frankie Williams.

The 6-foot-7 senior got his first chance to play before scouts at the recent Raleigh Roundball Classic at Millbrook High School.

Donte Minter, a sure Division I prospect in two years, was invited to the camp, put on by referee Mike Palmer. Gurley asked if Williams could attend.

“Frankie was an unknown quantity to college coaches,” said Gurley. “He doesn’t play AAUso his name and phone number aren’t plastered all over the Internet like every Frank, Dick and Harry who thinks they can dribble and chew gum at the same time.”

Gurley was definitely proud of his 6-foot-7 seniorforward.

“This was the first time a lot of people had seen Frankie play and he played so well,” Gurley said. “He was active on the boards, he ran the floor well and he was scoring. I had communication with Mars Hill, Wingate and Erskine. He made a name for himself.”

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Catawba’s women’s team was strong last year with its 20-plus-win season and coach John Duncan has added a familiar transfer to the mix.

Donna Carr, who became the ninth-leading scorer in Rowan County history with 1,659 points before graduating from Salisbury in 1995, has decided to leave South Carolina and play at Catawba.

Carr will have one year remaining. She will sit out this season and be eligible for the 2000-2001.

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And since it is football season, how about forgetting basketball for a moment.

Danny Misenheimer, the East Rowan hulk has narrowed his college choices to five: Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, Elon, Wofford, Western Carolina and Catawba.

If Misenheimer wants to leave home and see another part of the country, Sacred Heart is the leader.

Located in Fairfield, Ct., it is Division I in track and wrestling and Division I-AA in football. Misenheimer is a bonafide star in each sport.

“The coach there said I could do two sports the first year and if I handle it, I could maybe do all three,” Misenheimer said. “But I don’t know if I want to go Division I and just be a number or go somewhere around here and be where my family can see me play a lot.”

Enter Catawba.

Misenheimer said coach David Bennett has offered a full ride.

“Catawba is definitely one of my choices,” Misenheimer said. “It is ranking high up.”

Misenheimer said Bennett is one of the main reason he is considering Catawba.

“I love him, he’s a great guy,” said Misenheimer. “He’s so into the game and so into his team.”

On the field, the Indians have impressed Misenheimer also.

“They play major defense and the offense is good,” he said.

But what really turned Misenheimer’s head was that the staff is still intact.

“They all had a chance to move to Presbyterian but stayed at Catawba. That tells you something right there.”

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And finally...

With all of the transfer controversy going on, here’s a little note about Michael Blount, who played at Salisbury, transferred to North Rowan and transferred back to Salisbury.

He won’t be playing for Salisbury, North or anyone for that matter — but not because of a school board policy.

Blount broke his collarbone in a playground pick-up game over the weekend.

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