Area sports briefs: West at East tonight
Published 12:00 am Monday, December 19, 2011
From staff and wire reports
It’s an unusually active Monday for prep basketball, with the East Rowan-West Rowan boys matchup in Granite Quarry serving as tonight’s headliner.
Both teams are off to 2-0 starts in the NPC. East’s boys have won four in a row for the first time since the 2007-08 season. West has won its last seven meetings with the Mustangs.
West’s boys topped Statesville, Salisbury and South Rowan last week and have an equally challenging week in front of them. They play at North Rowan on Wednesday and will make up a home game with Salisbury on Thursday.
The East and West girls teams will try to build on Friday’s big NPC road wins. West’s girls are 2-0 and in first place in the league.
Carson is at home against Statesville. Carson’s girls are seeking their 10th straight win. The Cougars can clinch the No. 1 seed for the Christmas tournament with a victory tonight.
See today’s Scoreboard for a look at how the Moir seeds are shaping up. Seeds and pairings will be finalized after Thursday’s games.
South Rowan plays at North Iredell in another NPC doubleheader tonight. It’s early, but it’s a critical game for the South boys if they’re going to be a factor in the NPC.
The Raider girls have their eye on an upset. A playoff berth is a realistic goal for SR.
With North Rowan losing on Saturday to Salisbury, Davie slid into the driver’s seat for the No. 1 boys seed for the Moir. The War Eagles can clinch the top seed and the first-round bye by beating Forbush on Tuesday.
Hurricanes fall in Florida
SUNRISE, Fla. — Kris Versteeg scored 3:08 into overtime, giving the Florida Panthers a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday night.
Stephen Weiss’ shot from in front was blocked, but Versteeg found the loose puck and swept it in from the left side of the crease for his team-leading 16th goal of the season.
Tim Gleason and Chad LaRose had goals for the Hurricanes, who got 23 saves from Cam Ward. Carolina has lost 10 of 12.
Prep swimming
East Rowan’s girls scored 142 points and won a swim meet with North Iredell (82) and Carson (69).
Madison Hall won two events (200 IM, 2:41.53 and 100 back, 1:13.71) for the Mustangs.
Other East winners were Hailey Bartleson (200 free, 2:21.32), Meagan Barbetto (50 free, 27.75), Meridith Brown (100 fly, 1:21.34), Anna-Leigh Shuping (100 free, 1:05.88) and Jessica Yelland (500 free, 6:22.85).
East swept the relays, with Bartelson, Shuping, Hall and Barbetto taking the 400 free (4:22.53). Hall, Barbetto, Bartelson and Melissa Fischer won the 200 medley relay. Bartelson, Shuping, Barbetto and Katelyn Buffett won the 200 free relay.
Talley Medina led Carson. She was second in the 200 free and 500 free. Carson’s Taylor Barringer was second in the 100 breast.
In the boys meet, East (109) nipped Carson (107). North Iredell (70) was third.
Individual winners for East were Luke Evans (50 free, 24.04) and Charles Goff (100 breast, 1:17.70).
East’s Evans, Danny Martin, Jason Troutman and Caleb Beaver won the 400 free relay (4:02.13).
Individual winners for Carson were John Patella (200 free, 2:15.42), Greg Tonnesen (200 IM, 2:37.67). Daxton Griffin (100 fly, 1:14.06) and Henry Brown (100 free, 1:01.58).
Tonnesen, Brown, Patella and T.J. Smith won the 200 free relay and the 200 medley relay.
Pfeiffer basketball
Pfeiffer’s men’s basketball team lost to Apprentice School’s Builders 89-84 on Sunday at Merner Gym.
Reggie Hollinger scored 22 points to lead Pfeiffer (5-4). The Falcons won’t play again until they visit Livingstone on Dec. 31.
Rockwell Christian basketball
Rockwell Christian’s boys are off to a 4-0 start in conference play.
In a 54-46 win against Cramerton, Alex Straight scored 19 points and Andrew Straight had 17.
In a 60-51 win against Monroe’s Shining Light Baptist Academy, Andrew poured in 29 while his brother, Alex, had 13.
In a 50-32 win against Calvary King, Andrew had 22 and Alex scored 11.
The Chargers are off until Jan. 3.
Catawba swimming
The Catawba swim teams had a strong second day of competition at the Nova Southeastern Shark Invitational.
Six more school records were beaten.
Andrew McCollister (Salisbury) set a school record of 4:04.07 in the 400 IM.
Game of Honor
The documentary “Game of Honor” is set to air on Showtime on Wednesday at 10 p.m.
It follows the Army and Navy football teams this year from the beginning , with an in-depth look at their unique experiences in the classroom and military training as well as the football field. Army’s Jon Crucitti and Navy’s Brantley Horton, former West Rowan athletes, aren’t featured but both can be seen in the documentary.
East Diamond Sports
East Rowan Diamond Sports will have registration for spring baseball for all ages — T-Ball, Coach Pitch, Minors and Majors — on Sundays, Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29.
T-ball is $65. Every other level is $75.
The U.S. Baseball Academy camp is returning to East Rowan for the third year, starting in January.