From staff reports
Catawba snapped a four-game losing streak, grabbing a 62-55 win over host Coker in South Atlantic Conference men’s basketball action on Wednesday night at the DeLoach Center. The Catawba Indians improve to 8-11 overall and 6-7 in the SAC. The Cobras fall to 6-11 and 2-11.
Jameel Taylor scored 13 points to lead Catawba, with Rakeen Brown adding 11 points.
Jeremy McLaughlin provided nine points and six rebounds as the Indians nursed a 10-point lead with four minutes to play to the finish.
Coker pulled within two points on several times early in the second half before a three-pointer from Taylor and a layup from Troy Warren pushed the Indian margin to 44-36 with 10:20 left. Brown followed two Coker baskets with a layup and a three-pointer to make it 49-40 at the 6:52 mark.
Following a breakaway dunk by Jerrin Morrison with 4:32 remaining, the Indians had the game’s biggest lead at 53-43. Coker made three free throws on its next two possessions and after Catawba missed two at the line, Aubrey Daniel’s three-pointer had the Cobras within 53-49 with 2:34 remaining.
Daniel hit a trio of three-pointers and finished with a game-high 14 points for Coker.
Catawba is back home at Goodman Gym on Saturday as the Indians host Mars Hill at 4 p.m.

Catawba women roll
Five Catawba College women’s basketball players posted double-digit scoring totals in a 72-57 victory over Coker College in South Atlantic Conference action Wednesday night at the DeLoach Center.
Catawba improves to 9-10 on the year with the victory and now stand at 6-7 in the conference. The Cobras fall to 6-13 overall and 5-8 in the SAC.
Catawba was led by Jada Huntley with 15 points . Serena Brown had 14. Terri Rogers recorded 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Emma Ucinski scored 11.
Catawba shot 24-for-55 (43.6%) from the field, including 7-of-17 from 3-point range.
Coker’s Jazz Green led all scorers with 16 points and also had 10 rebounds.
Catawba will return home on Saturday to host Mars Hill at 2 p.m.

Prep hoops
East Rowan’s girls got off to a good start but couldn’t sustain it in a 73-40 home loss to Hickory Ridge on Wednesday.
Hickory Ridge outscored the Mustangs 21-3 in the second quarter.
Hickory Ridge (16-2, 12-1) is in second place in the SPC.
Nia Daniel led the Ragin’ Bulls with 13 points. Sydney Miller had 12.
Hickory Ridge forced 26 turnovers and beat the Mustangs 37-28 on the glass.
For the Mustangs, Shenique Pharr had 14 points and Shenell Pharr and Jocelyn Lowe had eight each.
Brittany Small had eight rebounds, while Lauren Weisensel had six.
In the boys game, Hickory Ridge romped 86-45.

Girls
Hickory Ridge (16-2)
Daniel 13, Shears 10, Miller 12, Scott 2, Means 6, Fitzsimmons 4, Neal 4, McManimen 8, Benjamin 2, Hicks 2, Jones 4, Smith 6.
East Rowan (10-9)
Shenique Pharr 14, Lowe 1, Small 4, Lowe 8, Weisnell 4, Harrison 1, Shenell Pharr 8.

Hickory Ridge 14 21 17 21 — 73
East Rowan 15 3 11 11 — 40

MLB
Mike Puma of the New York Post wrote this week that the Mets are unlikely to bring back Bobby Parnell, even on a minor league deal.
Parnell (East Rowan) worked his way back from Tommy John surgery last season, but the 31-year-old had diminished velocity and posting a 6.38 ERA in 24 innings.
Parnell may have to accept a minor league contract to get a chance with another team.

College softball
Limestone is the favorite in Carolinas Conference softball.

Preseason Poll
1. Limestone (8) 88
2. Mount Olive (1) 75
3. Belmont Abbey 73
4. Pfeiffer (1) 63
5. King 56
T6. North Greenville 53
T6. Erskine 53
T8. Lees-McRae 30
T8. Barton 30
10. Converse 19
East Diamond Sports
East Rowan Diamond Sports is searching for qualified umpires for the 2016 spring season of baseball and softball.
Weekend tournaments and all-star tournaments will also be hosted by ERDS that will require umpire staffing.
For those with a good basic knowledge of the game that need additional training, the league will work with those candidates to improve their abilities.
For personnel who have a great knowledge of the game but may not be able to do plate work, the league can assign those candidates to coach pitch baseball and softball.
The majority of all games are scheduled on weeknights only.
Weekends are only used for rainouts and weekend travel tournaments.
Anyone interested or needing more information, please contact Tim Free at 704-223-1621 or email compdesign71@hotmail.com.

Shamrock Run
The 28th anucal Shamrock Run & Walk through historic Mocksville will be held on Saturday, March 5.
Registration Link: www.ShamrockRunNC.com. Online registration closes at noon, March 2.
Email:Director@ShamrockNC.com.
Call (336)-751-2973.

Run Kannapolis
Fifteen people were honored with the “Beast” award for completing all seven 5K events as part of the Run Kannapolis Series.
In its first year over 1,000 people walked or ran in at least one of the seven 5K events held in the City. The Run Kannapolis series is part of the City’s Discover a Healthy Life brand.
Completing all seven events in 2015 were David Baucom, Keith Eagle, Sarah Edwards, Jay Evans, Brandon Farabee, Tucker Farabee, Christine Hall, Hayden Hamlin, E.B. Lentz, Lisa Lentz, Zach Martin, Sherri Prescott, Tim Roth, Kevin Stegall and Kim Wagner.
Nine people completed six races; 14 completed five races, and 28 finished four races.
Runners/walkers are encouraged to participate in the entire series of races but series awards will be provided to only those who finish at least five events.
For those who participate and finish all seven events, there will be special recognition at the end of 2016.
The eight 5K 2016 events start on March 19 with the Spring It On 5K.
For more information on Run Kannapolis visit www.runkannapolis.com.

Women’s hoops
The Augusta Jaguars beat the UNC Pembroke Braves for the second time of the 2016 season with a 56-52 road win on Wednesday night in the English E. Jones Center.
Avery Locklear (South Rowan) scored 17 points for the Braves.