The CHS Ironmen Spring Sports Awards Ceremony took place in May. The various teams and their athletes were honored with a number of awards. The Eagle will bring you some of the those awards, starting with the teams first then moving on to individual awards in the coming weeks. The welcome was given by Principal Shawn Hubers and Travis Dellinger, President of the Ironmen Booster Club spoke, as did Dr. Jennifer Wall, the Vice President of the IM Booster Club. Other Booster Club officers are: Secretary Chad Hovis; Treasurer Michelle Miller; and Co-Treasurer/Resources Sarah Fowler. Ironmen Athletic Director Scott Harrill also addressed the student/athletes. telling them what a great job they did. Each team’s coach handed out their awards.

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Coach Bob Reynolds’ senior Legion men took two games prior to their taking a week off, downing Hickory Post 48 and York, S.C., Post 66. Both games were played at Fraley Field/Memorial Stadium in Cherryville.
Currently the team is 11-6 overall and is 7-0 in Western Division play.

Against Hickory
(Post 48)
In this Tuesday, June 14 game, the Post 100 men won by a score of 8-2.
Coach Reynolds started Will Blackburn, who struck out nine (9) batters and walked four (4). He was followed by another right-hander, Kanon Willis, who struck out one batter and walked one. Blackburn got the win.
Hitters for the Post 100 men in this one were Landon Hahn (1-4, a double, and an RBI); Will Fowler (1-4, an RBI); Willis (2-3, a double, and an RBI); Joseph Webb (2-3, a home run, 3 RBIs); Jacob Hamrick (2-3, a triple, a walk, and an RBI); Collin Robinson (2-3, a double and an RBI); and Landon Jenkins (a walk).
The Cherryville Legion ball club got their eight runs off of nine hits.
Against York, SC
 (Post 66)
The Post 100 men defeated the Post 66 ball club by a score of 4-0 in this matchup, played on Wednesday, June 15, at Fraley Field. They got their four (4) runs off of nine (9) hits.
Starting pitcher was Joseph Webb, who struck out six batters and walked two. Coming in after Webb was Noah Huss who struck out one Post 66 batter. Webb was credited with the win.
Hitters in this one were Landon Hahn (1-4, a base hit, and hit by a pitch); Cole Irby (1-4, a base hit, a walk, and hit by a pitch); Kanon Willis (1-4, 1 RBI); Colin Huss (1-3, and an RBI); Will Fowler (1-1); Chase Miller (3-3, a double); Taylor Cook (1-2); Collin Robinson (a fielder’s choice and an RBI); Jacob Hamrick (1-1); and Tobias Miller (a walk, and an RBI).
Post 100 will play next, according to their schedule, on Wednesday, June 22, at Caldwell County (Post 29), starting at 7 p.m. They will then play at home against Cleveland County Post 82 & 155 on Thursday, June 23, starting at 7 p.m.
The team will then take part in the North-South Challenge, which takes place at Fraley Field Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 26.
On Friday (June 24), Ft. Mill will take on Rutherford County at 5:30, followed by Ft. Mill against Post 100 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s games (June 25) will see Greer take on Rutherford County at 11 a.m.; Greer against Fuquay-Varina at 1:30; Florence against Rutherford County at 4 p.m., followed by Florence versus Post 100 at 6:30 p.m.
The Sunday, June 26 games have Florence against Fuquay-Varina at 12 noon, followed by Ft. Mill against F-V at 2:30 p.m., then Greer versus Post 100 at 5 p.m.
On Monday, June 27, Post 100 will play Asheville at Fraley Field, starting at 7 p.m. Then, they are scheduled to play Fuquay-Varina at Campbell University on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m., and against F-V again on Thursday, June 30 at a time to be announced.
On Friday, July 1, at a time to be determined, the American Legion Area IV playoff pairings meeting will be held at the Post 100 Legion building in Cherryville.
The Area IV playoffs are scheduled to begin the next day, July 2.
(Additional information by Susan L. Powell and Danny Eaker)

Cherryville team defeats Wayne County but loses to Randolph County earlier in Classic

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville’s Post 100 Legion seniors baseball team is currently, after their June Classic, 5-0 in Area 4 Division play; 8-6 overall (as of Sunday, June 12).
On Thursday, June 9, the Post 100 seniors played Cleveland County and eked a 1-0 win. They then started playing the 2022 June Classic games which would see teams playing at Fraley Field in Cherryville and at Keeter Stadium in Shelby.
In Friday, June 10’s Classic action at Fraley Field, the Post 100 senior team downed Rowan County by a score of 12-6.
On Saturday, June 11, Classic action continued with the Post 100 men taking on Wayne County, who had earlier at Fraley Field, defeated Randolph County by a score of 4-3. Cherryville handed Wayne County a 5-1 defeat, then later in the night’s diamond action lost 9-8 to Randolph County.
In action against Post 11 (Wayne County), pitcher Landon Hahn got the win as Post 100 got five runs off of 11 hits. Hahn was stellar on the mound as he gunned down two base runners as they played off the bags at first and second.
Game Two had Post 100 pitted against Post 45 of Randolph County. The Randolph County men jumped out to an early lead and it took a bit for our Post 100 men to catch up but it looked like it was going to be a game going into the seventh inning as Post 100 closed the gap, getting 8 runs and looking as if they might tie the game, forcing extra innings. Such was not to be as Post 45 won the game by a score of 9-8.
Coach Bob Reynolds used four (4) pitchers in this one starting with Noah Gantt, who struck out one and walked four. Next on the mound was CHS product Brayden Reynolds, who struck out two and walked four. Following young Reynolds on the mound was Will Blackburn, who walked three and walked one. Blackburn was in turn followed by another CHS product, Chase Miller, who was the last Post 100 pitcher on the mound.
The Post 100 men got their eight runs off of 10 hits as they battled back to inch closer to tying the game.
Hitting well or getting on base for the Post 100 team were Landon Hahn (2-4); Zane Brockman (2-4, a double, 2 RBIs); Cole Irby (2-4, a double, a home run, a walk, and 2 RBIs); Ashton Pope (1-3, a walk, and 2 RBIs); Reid Stroupe (got on due to an error); Will Fowler (2-4, a double and a walk); Kanon Willis (1-4 and an RBI); and Taylor Cook (on base due to being hit by a pitch).
According to Richard Walker’s SportsHub.com web site, on Sunday, June 12, at the June Classic games played at Keeter Stadium’s Veteran’s Field, in Shelby, Group A, which was Number 1, Rowan County taking on Group B, represented by Number  2, Cherryville, Post 100, Rowan County was victorious, winning 5-1 over the Cherryville Legion senior team.
The Post 100 men will be back in Fraley Field action on Monday, June 13 as Henderson visits the Post 100 men. This is followed up on Tuesday, June 14 (weather permitting), by Hickory visiting the Post 100 American Legion senior team.
The last home game of that week will pit Post 100 against visiting York, S.C, in an Area IV matchup on Wednesday, June 15.

(Additional stats and info thanks to Richard Walker and CarolinasSportsHub.com; Susan L. Powell; and Danny Eaker)

Cherryville Legion team is also 5-3
overall so far

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville’s American Legion Post 100 ball club played Burke County Post 21’s ball club at Fraley Field on Tuesday, May 31, defeating them by a score of 14-5.
Head coach Bob Reynolds utilized two pitchers in this battle: Will Blackburn, and Ashton Pope. Blackburn got the win, striking out six batters and walking three. Pope came in and got two strikeouts. Blackburn helped himself at his turn at bats by going 1for 4, and getting walked. Pope also helped himself going 2 for 4; one a hit to the Fraley Field fence, and getting 3 RBIs.
Other hitters for the Post 100 men were lead-off batter Landon Jenkins (3-5, a triple, and 3 RBIs); Zane Brockman (4-5, a double, scored on a wild pitch, and 3 RBIs); Cole Irby (1-5, a double, and an RBI); Jacob Hammrick (1-4, a double, and a walk); Taylor Cook (2-4, 2 hits, and a walk); and catcher Reid Stroupe (2-4, a double, 2 hits, a walk, and an RBI).
The Post 100 men got their 14 runs off of 16 hits to the detriment of the Burke Post 21.
Since Legion play started in May, and according to Richard Walker’s CarolinasSportsHub.com web site, Post 100 is currently 4-0 in the Area IV Western Division, and 5-3 overall.
In other Post 100 AL matchups, also listed on Mr. Walker’s web site, from the most recent to the oldest game listed for Post 100, on June 1, Cherryville defeated Rutherford County Post 423, 7-6.
The day before, Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day), Post 100 was at Rowan, losing to Post 324 8-1). The Saturday, May 28 game between Caldwell Post 29 and Cherryville, played at Cherryville, was suspended to June 22 with Caldwell leading 4-2 with two outs in the top of the seventh inning.
On May 27, Post 100 was at Hickory Post 48, handing that team an 18-3 loss in five innings. The May 26 matchup between Rutherford Post 423, scheduled to be played at Cherryville’s Fraley Field was postponed, with no date set for a game.
On May 25, the Post 100 game at Henderson was also postponed until Tuesday, June 28, and the May 23 game pitting Cherryville at Gastonia was also postponed with makeup date set.
May 22 saw Post 100’s baseball squad blank Cherryville at Burke 12-0 in five innings of play, while the day previous day, May 21, Post 23 of Gastonia played at Post 100’s home field with Post 100 taking that game by a score of 22-0 in five innings.
On Tuesday, June 7, Post 100 was at Rock Hill, in South Carolina, taking on Post 34, and on Wednesday, June 8, they are in an Area IV matchup against Asheville Post 70, at Asheville (game starts at 7 p.m.). On Thursday, June 9, they play at Cleveland Co. Post 82 and 155; game time also starting at 7 p.m.
The Cleveland Co. Classic starts June 10 and runs through June 12 with games at Fraley Field on Friday and Saturday, and games at Keeter Stadium on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
(Additional info and stats: Richard Walker of Carolinas Sports Hub.com; Susan L. Powell; and Danny Eaker)

Team’s wins best 2 of 3 games; ends Union Academy Cardinals run

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The 2022 iteration of Coach Scott Heavner’s CHS Ironmen diamond kings are the NCSHAA West 1A Regional champs, defeating the Cardinals of Union Academy in the best 2 of 3 matchups last week.
The Ironmen eked out a 6-5 win on Saturday, May 28 at Fraley Field as they came home for a final Game Three matchup against the Cardinals, who won their May 26 game at the Cardinal’s home field, causing the third game to be played as the series was tied 1-1.
The Cardinals had the lead 5-3 going into the sixth inning but the Ironmen scored three runs in that inning on a hit by lefty hitter Colin Huss.
Coach Heavner used four pitchers in this battle, starting with Kanon Willis, who went one and a third innings before being relieved by Brayden Reynolds. Reynolds had a tough time and Heavner sent in Chase Miller, who finished that inning. Junior right-hander Landon Hahn came in and pitched, coming back also in the seventh inning and wrapping things up for the Ironmen. Hahn got the win.
Hitters for the Ironmen were Collin Robinson (1-3, an RBI); Will Fowler (1-3); Willis (1-2, an RBI); Tobias Miller (1-3); Trip Creason (1-2, and RBI); and Huss (1-1, 3 runs driven in).
With this win, the CHS Ironmen are the NCHSAA 2022 West 1A Regional champs!
They move on to play the Perquimans Pirates at the 2022 Baseball State Championship series starting Friday, June 3, at 8 p.m., at Ting Stadium in Holly Springs, NC.
This 1A Championship pits #1 Perquimans against #3 CHS with Game 1 (as announced) starting June 3, at 8 p.m., with Perquimans as the home team. Game 2 will be June 4, at 2 p.m., with CHS as the home team. Game 3, should one be needed, will be also on June 4, at 8 p.m., with Perquimans again as the home team.
Please note, according to the NSHAA, Game 3 could and will be moved to 5 p.m., if the other series at the site does not reach Game 3.

In this series: Game One (May 24)
The Ironmen won this one by a score of 9-1, with the winning pitcher being Brayden Reynolds. Reynolds struck out 3 and walked 2. Chase Miller followed young Reynolds in this one.
The Ironmen got their nine runs off of 10 hits. The game was played at Fraley Field.
Hitters were: Hahn (a base hit and a walk); Robinson (two base hits and a fielder’s choice); Heavner (2-4, an RBI); Fowler (on base/fielder’s choice); Willis (2 hits, one a home run; a walk; and a fielder’s choice; an RBI);Chase Miller (3 hits; a home run; hit by a pitch; 4 RBIs); Tobias Miller (a walk); Trip Creason (a walk); and Huss (2-3).

Series Game Two (5-26-22)
The final score of this Ironmen away game loss was 5-10 in favor of the Cardinals. The losing pitcher was Eli Newsome who had 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Trip Creason came in and finished the game for the Ironmen. He had 3 strikeouts and one walk.
Hitters for the CHS men were Hahn (hit by a pitch and an error); Robinson (2-4, an RBI); Heavner (2-3, 2 home runs and 3 RBIs); Fowler (got on due to an error); T. Miller (2-3, and scored a run); Creason (hit by a pitch, on base); and Huss (on by a walk).
The Ironmen are currently 21-10 overall, 8-4 in SPC 1A play as they head into the state championships.
(Additional information by Susan L. Powell and Danny Eaker).

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The CHS Ironmen diamond kings have moved deeper into the NCHSAA 1A/2A playoffs with defeats of the East Wilkes Cardinals and the Uwharrie Charter Eagles last week at Fraley Field.
Against E. Wilkes
In this 4-3 win, the Ironmen got those four runs off of just two (2) hits. Still, it was enough as the “Kardiac Kids” hung on, as they always do, confounding some of the better high school baseball minds in the area.
That said, the winning pitcher in this matchup was young Eli Newsome, who struck out four batters and walked three. Brayden Reynolds got the save, striking out two Cardinals batters.
Hitters for the Ironmen in this one were Landon Hahn (3-4, on base twice on errors, an RBI); Collin Robinson (walked twice); Will Heavner (1-4, a walk); Will Fowler (1-4, one hit, a triple); Kanon Willis (1-4, a double, a walk, and an RBI); Chase Miller (2 walks, a base hit); Logan Hendricks (hit by a pitch and on base); Trip Creason (1-4, a walk, 2 RBIs); and Colin Huss (got on base by a fielder’s choice).

Against Uwharrie Charter
The Eagles of Uwharrie Charter came into Fraley Field looking to put this young Ironmen team out of action, as they have done in the past, but this time the baseball dieties were not on their side as the Ironmen dealt them a 7-5 drubbing, effectively ending that team’s drive to advance in the NCHSAA playoffs.
The  Ironmen scored their seven (7) runs on four hits and Kanon Willis got the win with young Brayden Reynolds once again notching another save.
Right-hander Willis, steely-eyed as always, struck out five (5) batters and walked only two. Young Reynolds struck out two (2) and walked only one Eagles batter.
Hitters for Coach Heavner’s squad in this one were Hahn (2-4, a solo home run smash, a walk, and a base hit); Robinson (1-4, 2 RBIs); Heavner (2-4 and scored on a wild pitch); Fowler (1-4, an RBI); Willis (2 walks); Numarius Good (scored on a wild pitch); Chase Miller (1-4, scored on a balk); Tobias Miller (2 base hits and two walks); Creason (1-3); and Huss (1-3).
The Ironmen will play at home at Fraley Field next week, barring any inclement weather.

(Additional information and stats by Susan L. Powell and Danny Eaker)

Ladies currently 16-8 overall; 10-2 in SPC 1A/2A play

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Coach A.J. Henley’s CHS Lady Ironmen took two wins at their home field last week as they moved forward in their playoffs quest.
Against Swain County
First up in the CHS ladies’ quest was a solid 12-2 win in the first round of the playoffs against the visiting Swain County Lady Devils as they rapped a number of hits, taking control of the game and ending the Lady Devils in five innings of play. The winning pitcher was Krista Davis, as she went the distance to take the battle to the Swain County team.
Against North Stokes
The Lady Vikings of North Stokes (#24-seed) traveled to Cherryville on Wednesday, May 11 to face the #8 seed Lady Ironmen in a second round, CHS home game playoffs matchup.
Once again, right-hander Krista Davis was on the mound for Coach Henley’s ladies and as usual, she delivered, getting the win as she held the Lady Vikings to a no-hitter, as the Lady Ironmen defeated them by a score of 7-0.
Coach Henley said his best hitter of the game was first baseman Riley Bryant who went 3 for 3. But he added the ladies had five others who hit well for the team, getting a hit apiece.
The CHS Lady Ironmen are scheduled to travel and play their third playoff game away against Norwood’s South Stanley Lady Bulls, a team that is 24-3 overall.

(Additional information by Coach A.J. Henley, Susan L. Powell, and Scott Harrill)

Justin W. Willyoung, Head Men’s Track and Field Coach at Cherryville High School waxed philosophical about his team’s recent Championship win last week.
“Where do I even begin with this one?” said Coach Willyoung.
“Let’s just say I spent hours and hours in the evening and weekends drawing up all possible scenarios; point combinations, underperformances, over performances, wildcard entries, etc.  and none of them ended up being even close to what actually happened. Every now and then all that stuff goes right out the window and the team just steps up and does amazing things exactly when it’s needed the most.”
He continued, “I feel like this team was destined to make this happen; that is the only way to explain the outcome. The meet did not start well for us, we left a ton of points on the table, we had some underperform and a few other schools over performed. We found ourselves unfamiliarly down early and our chances of winning kept getting smaller and smaller as the day went on. We got a few big sparks from guys that were trying some new events who did very well.”
Willyoung noted junior Danyel Thompkins came through in a big  way by scoring unexpected points in the 110 hurdles and the 800 meter dash. Young Thompkins was also a member of the 4x100-meter relay team.
Said Justin, “Danyel gutted out some great races and gave us the chance to stay in the meet,” adding that senior Cooper Sloan had his workload altered to try and match the flow of the meet and he adjusted amazingly well.
“Our seniors did what they always do and when the pressure was on, they excelled. The pivotal part of the whole meet came with three events left when we were almost mathematically eliminated from a chance at victory. Down 27.5 points with three events to go there was only one way to win and this is where it gets legendary!”
Willyoung noted that as they were heading into the 200-meter dash CHS needed a clean sweep of that event to stay alive. The only problem was that the men were ranked 4th, 5th, and 6th.  “However, this was no ordinary group,” he said. “This was seniors Jackson Owens, Cooper Sloan, and Mason Grindstaff. This was a group I knew I could put the entire weight of the situation on their shoulders and be confident that they could make it happen. I pulled them together and said that our only chance to win this meet was a clean sweep, that’s its… no other options.”
“We got this coach”, Willyoung quoted them as saying, and the rest is history. They would go on to take 1, 2, 3 in that event but not without a little drama.
Said Willyoung, “Coming off the turn and into the final stretch we were sitting in 1st (Jackson), 4th (Cooper), and 6th (Mason). Jackson maintained his lead and cruised to an easy victory, Cooper made an amazing push and vaulted into 2nd where he would stay, and Mason, with 50 meters to go, was still in 6th. It seemed unlikely that we would get our sweep, but right at that moment Mason did what Mason does and dug deep; he hit another gear and sprinted past the rest of the competitors into 3rd. It was an absolutely amazing clutch performance! Time and time again this season our seniors have come up big in high stakes situations, these three young men did it and gave us our chance. Now, all of the sudden over the course of just one event, we found ourselves sitting 3.5 points back with two events left. In the 2-mile we had just one competitor, freshman Logan

 “Jud” Ervin. We desperately needed Jud to have a personal best performance, beat the Burns kids that were in that race and score us valuable points. He did all three.”
Said Willyoung, “Jud crushed his personal best time by 10 seconds and scored us 3 points to bring us within ½ a point headed into the last event. So there we were, ½ point out of 1st place and in another must-win situation. Burns was seeded less than one second behind us in this event, the 4x400-meter relay and if they won, it was over. Once again, I gathered the boys together, Jackson Owens, Cooper Sloan, Yandel Lazala, and Jack Mulvey and let them know what we needed. They already knew and they were ready. Yandel jumped out of the gate early and gained us a lead that we would never relinquish, Cooper and Jack widened the gap and Jackson brought it home and just like that, in the span of three events, we went from almost zero percent chance to win the meet to Conference Champions! Truth be told, if there was one event and one group of young men needed to win a meet, I would pick this group every single time. Our 4x400-meter relay is highly ranked in the state and all four competitors and our two alternates for that event are absolute warriors. They come out and compete hard in this event each and every time.”
Champions: (ALL of CHS’ champions set new meet records in their events and CHS is the first ever 1A/2A Southern Piedmont Conference champions): Jackson Owens – 200 meter, 400 meter, 4x400-meter relay; Cooper Sloan – Shot Put, 4x400-meter relay; Yandel Lazala –4x400-meter relay; and Jack Mulvey – 4x400-meter relay.

All Conference: Jackson Owens, Cooper Sloan, Yandel Lazala, Jack Mulvey, Gavin Cease, Mason Grindstaff, and Taishan Bell.
A list of everyone who finished; every young man we brought contributed to the win: 4x100 relay – 6th place, Kam Bolin, Gavin Cease, Danyel Thompkins, Marlon Gomez; 4x200 relay – 2nd place, Gavin Cease, Yandel Lazala, Cooper Sloan, and Mason Grindstaff; 4x400 relay – 1st place, Yandel Lazala, Cooper Sloan, Jack Mulvey, and Jackson Owens; 4x800 relay – 5th place- James Bell, Cain Cash, Marlon Gomez, and Robbie Bowman; Taishan Bell – 2nd Long Jump, 5th triple jump, and 7th 400 meter’ Amarius Berry – 5th discus’ Kam Bolin – 6th 110 hurdles, 7th 300 hurdles, and 6th 4x100 relay; Logan Ervin – 6th 3,200 meters; Mason Grindstaff – 3rd 200 meters, and 6th 300 meter hurdles; Caleb Hovis – 5th shot put; Yandel Lazala – 6th triple jump, 6th 400 meters, 2nd 4x200, and 1st 4x400 relay; Jack Mulvey – 3rd high jump, 3rd triple jump, and 4th long jump, 1st 4x400; Jackson Owens – 3rd 100 meters, 1st 200 meters, 1st 400 meters, and 1st 4x400 relay; Cooper Sloan – 1st shot put, 2nd 200 meter, 2nd 4x200, and 1st 4x400; and Danyel Thompkins – 6th 800 meter, 7th 110 hurdles, and 6th 4x100 relay.

Team is currently 15-9 overall; 8-4 in SPC play; listed as 3rd in the conference

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The CHS Ironmen won two games in SPC tournament play last week but lost one to Burns, who barely hung on by one run to take the win over a determined Ironmen squad.
The week also saw the CHS men make a clean sweep of the three games they played against rival BCHS, two at home and one away.
Against BCHS (May 3)
Lefty pitcher Colin Huss got the 16-2 win in this one as he struck out six batters and walked two; Huss was followed on the mound by Chase Miller who struck out two BCHS batters. Miller was in turn followed by Collin Robinson who struck out three Yellow Jackets batters. The Ironmen got their 16 runs off of 10 hits.
Hitters for the CHS men in this matchup were: Landon Hahn (3-5, a walk, and 2 RBIs); Robinson (3-5, 3 walks, and scored on a wild pitch); Will Heavner (an RBI); Will Fowler (2-3, 2 walks, and scored on a wild pitch); Kanon Willis (1-3, and scored on a wild pitch); Chase Miller (2-4, a double, a walk, and 2 RBIs); Trip Creason (3-3, a walk, scored on a wild pitch, and 2 RBIs); Nate Bookout (a walk); Tobias Miller (3-3, a walk, and 2 RBIs); Logan Hendrick (1-1, and an RBI); Huss (2-2, and 2 RBIs); and Eli Newsome (2 walks).
Against East Gaston (May 4)
The Ironmen traveled to East Gaston for this one and stroked out a 9-5 semifinals victory over a tough Warriors ball club, giving the Ironmen their second SPC 1A/2A conference tournament win. The winning pitcher was Kanon Willis, who went six innings and struck out five batters. The Ironmen racked up seven runs off six hits in the first inning alone. For the game, the Ironmen got their nine runs by rapping out 12 hits. Landon Hahn pitched the last inning, getting three strikeouts.
Hitters for the CHS men were Hahn (3-4, 4 RBIs); Chase Miller (4-4, an RBI); Colin Huss (1-3, 2 RBIs); Willis (1-4, an RBI); Collin Robinson (1-4, an RBI); Will Heavner (1-3); and Will Fowler (1-4).
Against Burns (May 5)
The Ironmen were once again on the road in the 'semis’, traveling to play the Bulldogs at Burns. The men sadly lost by only one run to the tenacious 'Dogs by a score of 4-3.
Freshman pitcher Eli Newsome started for Coach Heavner, followed by senior Trip Creason. Chase Miller finished the game and was credited with the loss.
Ironmen slugger Will Fowler was 2 for 3 and blasted a three-run home run. The youngster has, at last count, four HRs under his belt this season. Young Fowler also got 3 RBIs for his effort. Collin Robinson was 2 for 3 also.
The first round of the state playoffs began Tuesday, May 10.
The Ironmen also recognized some of the members of the 1982 state championship team that were at Fraley Field on Friday, May 6. The team finished their regular season 20-1 and won the SD-7 Conference championship, losing only to Fred T. Foard High. They finished their season at 25-2 and with a state championship for Coach Henry Jones, his second of six total state championships won in his long and illustrious career.
(Additional information by Susan L. Powell and Danny Eaker)

Ironmen currently 13-8 overall; 8-4 going into the playoffs

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The CHS baseball Ironmen ended their regular season with an 11-1 win over the rival BCHS Yellow Jackets last Friday, April 29, at Fraley Field. That same week saw them defeat the visiting West Lincoln Rebels 9-3 in what was head coach Scott Heavner’s 300th career win.

Against West Lincoln
In this Wednesday, April 27 game, lead-off batter, junior Landon Hahn was 3-5, with a double and 2 RBIs; followed by Tobias Miller who was 3-4, and Collin Robinson, who was 2-5. Three batters, Will Heavner, Will Fowler, and Kanon Willis, were 2-4 at the plate. Heavner score on a wild pitch and had an RBI while Fowler had 2 RBIs and Willis had one RBI. Hitting 2 for 3 at-bats were Logan Hendricks and Collin Huss. Hendricks, one of two seniors on the team, got a double and 2 RBIs. Starting pitcher Eli Newsome, who struck out three and walked one, was 1-1 and got walked. Hahn came in and struck out two Rebels batters, followed by Huss coming in and striking out three batters and walking one.
The Ironmen got nine runs off of eight hits in this game to get the win.

Against Bessemer City
The Yellow Jackets and Ironmen faced each other on Tuesday, April 26; in an away game in which the BCHS squad got hammered 18-1 by the Ironmen, giving Coach Heavner his 301st win. The Jackets came from The Hive on Friday, April 29 to Fraley Field to try and get some sort of payback, but such was not to be as the Ironmen once again held the Jackets to just one run, defeating them to end the CHS men’s regular season at 13-8 overall; 8-4 going into the playoffs.
Senior Trip Creason was the starting pitcher. He struck out 7 batters and walked only two. Kanon Willis came in and struck out two batters.
For the Ironmen, it was home run night as Will Heavner (3-4, an RBI, two walks) blasted one into the atmosphere, followed by Creason’s solo homer later on in the game. Creason was 2-3, with a walk on the night as well.
Other hitters for the Ironmen in this matchup were Hahn (2-4); Robinson (3-4, 3 walks); Fowler (2-4, a double, put on base, and 3 RBIs); Willis (3-4, a walk, 2 doubles, scored on a wild pitch, and 2 RBIs); Chase Miller (1-4, a double, scored on a balk); and Huss (2-3, got on base on an error, and a walk). The Ironmen got their 11 runs off of 8 hits.
According to CHS Athletic Director Scott Harrill the SPC 1A/2A Tournament playoffs were set to begin Tuesday, May 3 and continue on Wednesday, May 4, and Friday. May 6.
Sixth seed BCHS will play third seed CHS; 7 seed Thomas Jefferson is scheduled to play 2 seed East Gaston, while 5 seed Highland Tech will face 4 seed Shelby. Number one seed Burns has a bye.

(Additional information and stats by Susan L. Powell and Danny Eaker)

Head CHS men’s track coach Justin Willyoung is plain spoken about things, especially when it comes to winning.
“First thing I would start with about this (Gaston County track) meet is that it was four years in the making (and) was a product of four years of hard work, determination, and dedication by this group especially our seniors.”
When Willyoung took over four years ago he had nine kids his first day of practice – boys and girls combined. When they got to the county meet that year, he said, “I will never forget that they didn’t have a packet ready for us or really factor us in at all in planning for the meet. Someone jokingly said, 'We always forget you guys are even in the county.' I calmly said, 'This will definitely be the last year anyone forgets about Cherryville at this meet.' I remember walking right out to our small group of kids and saying to a few freshmen (our current seniors) that were sitting there, 'When you are seniors we are going to win this thing.' They all agreed and four years later THEY made it happen! I could not be more proud of this group and what they have already and will continue to accomplish this season.”
He continued, “This team embodies the true spirit of what the Ironmen are all about. We are the smallest school and one of the smallest teams in the county. The big schools have the luxury of only needing their kids to run one or two events. Almost all of our guys do four events each meet. It is grueling and painful and truly takes a special athlete to do that every week of the season, but our guys not only do it but get better every day. Team spirit is at 110 percent at our meets; it’s so contagious that other teams end up cheering us on! This is a special group of young men.”
Coach Willyoung said he’d like to give a “shout out” to Gaston County Track MVP Jackson Owens.
“Jackson knowingly and willingly sacrificed individual glory and the prestige of being a county champion in individual events to make sure his team was in the best possible position to win,” he said. “He chose a workload for this meet that is nearly unreasonable to ask of any young man. I tried to talk him out of it but he insisted it was best for the team and it paid off. He earned the respect of those around him and the county coaches voted him as track MVP.”
Jackson was second in the 400-meter dash, third in the 800-meter dash, 10th in the 100-meter dash, and ran the anchor leg of the winning 4x400-meter relay, said Willyoung. 
“I would also like to recognize Field MVP Jack Mulvey for dominating the jumping events and running an impressive leg of the winning 4x400-meter relay. Jack has been a consistent top performer all season and has an impressive drive to win. He is consistently improving each meet and has his sights set on State in multiple events and a second consecutive conference Field MVP title.” 
Willyoung also singled out Kam Bolin, a two-event winner in the 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles and who also ran the anchor leg on the fourth place, 4x100-meter relay team.  Said Willyoung, “Kam has steadily improved all season and always comes through when he’s needed. Kam will do any event at any time if asked. He is seeded high in the region in the 110 hurdles.”
Seniors Mason Grindstaff, Cooper Sloan, and Gavin Cease majorly contributed to the team victory, placing in their events and scoring valuable points for the team total, noted Willyoung.  “Cooper was a member of all three relay teams, earning first place in the 4x400, second in the 4x200, and fourth in the 4x100. He also placed third in the shot-put ,where he threw a personal best. Mason was a member of the second place 4x200 relay, fifth in the open 200-meters and second in the 300 hurdles. Gavin was a member of the second place 4x200 relay and fourth place 4x100-meter relay,” Coach Willyoung added.
Junior Yandel Lazala made a significant impact on the track and in the field, said coach.
“He was a member of the winning 4x400-meter relay team, sixth in the open 400-meter dash, second as a member of the 4x200-meter relay, and sixth in the triple jump.” noted Willyoung.
Willyoung noted sophomore Taishan Bell “…impressed on the track and in the field as well” taking second in the long jump, fourth in the triple jump, sixth in the high jump and fourth in the 110-meter hurdles.
“Taishan and Yandel have bright futures on the track team!” he said. adding that junior Danyel Thompkins scored valuable points in the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. 
Said Coach Willyoung, “Every member of the boys team contributed to the team victory.”
The breakdown of events and places that scored points toward the team total: 4x800-meter relay – 6th: Kadin Beaver, Cain Cash, Jud Ervin, and James Bell; 110 hurdles – 1st: Kam Bolin, 4th: Taishan Bell, and 5th: Danyel Thompkins.
The 4x200 relay – 2nd: Cooper Sloan, Gavin Cease, Yandel Lazala, and Mason Grindstaff; 4x100 relay – 4th: Cooper Sloan, Gavin Cease, Kam Bolin, and Marlon Gomez; 400-meter – 2nd: Jackson Owens and 6th: Yandel Lazala.
The 300 hurdles – 1st: Kam Bolin, 2nd: Mason Grindstaff, and 5th: Danyel Thompkins.
In the 800-meter – 3rd: Jackson Owens; the 200-meter – 5th: Mason Grindstaff; and the 3,200-meter – 5th: Jud Ervin.
In the 4x400 relays – 1st: Cooper Sloan, Yandel Lazala, Jack Mulvey, and Jackson Owens; in the High Jump – 1st: Jack Mulvey and 6th: Taishan Bell; in the Long Jump – 2nd: Taishan Bell and 5th: Jack Mulvey; in the Triple Jump – 3rd: Jack Mulvey, 4th: Taishan Bell, and 6th: Yandel Lazala.
In the Shot Put – 3rd: Cooper Sloan and 8th: Mason Grindstaff; and in Discus – 5th: Elijah Gibson, 6th: Tyler Foley, and 8th: Amarius Berry.
“A great team effort,” said Coach Willyoung.
Head Lady Ironmen track and field coach Houston Gilmore said of the girl’s track team’s performance at the Gaston County Meet, “The girl’s track team finished in fifth place in the county meet. It was a great team effort from all of the girls.”
The team was highlighted, he noted, by top-five finishes by the following ladies: Rylee-Grace Burgis, Khya Brooks, Callista Spencer, Landrie Wofford, Sarah Rayfield, and all of the relay teams.
“Congratulations to all of the girls!” he said.

Cancer Night walk; Senior Night are
April 29

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

On Tuesday, April 12, the CHS Lady Ironmen took on the visiting Lady Rams of Highland Tech and defeated them by a score of 11-1. The team currently 10-4 overall; 8-1 in SPC 1A/2A play.
Head coach A.J. Henley said pitcher Raegan Nowowiecki got the win. Hitters for the CHS ladies in this one were Laila Davis, who was 3-4; Emma Proctor (2-4); and catcher Lexi McSwain, who went 2-3.
The CHS ladies traveled to Highland Tech on Thursday, April 14 to play the Lady Rams again, this time on their own home turf; once again inflicting a 13-4 loss onto the Lady Rams.
Pitcher Raegan Nowowiecki got the win in this one, striking out 12 HT batters.
Leading hitters in this one for the CHS ladies were Landyn McBride, Emma Proctor, Ava Miller, Krista Davis, and Riley Bryant.
The CHS Easter Tournament, which started Tuesday, April 19, and goes into Wednesday, April 20, had Cherryville hosting the West Lincoln Lady Rebels; the North Gaston Lady Wildcats; as well as teams from North Lincoln, East Lincoln, and Kings Mountain. Regular play will resume after the Spring Break holiday as the Lady Ironmen play the BCHS Lady Jackets on Tuesday, April 26 at Bessemer City; the East Gaston Lady Warriors on Thursday, April 28 at CHS; and the Lady Jackets again at CHS on Friday, April 29.
Coach Henley wanted to remind everyone that Cancer Night and Senior Night are also on Friday, April 29.
The SPC 1A/2A Conference Tournament starts Tuesday, May 3 and runs through Friday, May 6, places and times to are yet to be determined.
(Additional stats/info by A.J. Henley)

Ironmen are 7-6 overall; 4-4 in SPC 1A/2A play

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The CHS baseball Ironmen came up with back-to-back away and home losses on Wednesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 7, respectively, to the Warriors of East Gaston High School.

Against East Gaston (away)
This game, originally scheduled for April 5, was played on April 6, and resulted in a 0-6 loss for the visiting Ironmen. Pitcher Eli Newsome took the loss in this one. Hitters for the Ironmen in this matchup were Chase Miller (1-3); Will Heavner (1-3); Kanon Willis (1-2);and Tobias Miller (1-2).

Against East Gaston (at Fraley Field)
The two teams – the Warriors and the Ironmen – met again, this time at Fraley Field, but the results, though not as tough on the young men as their previous loss, was still not what they wanted as the Warriors batters managed to get an 8-5 win over the scrappy Ironmen, who stayed in the game for nine innings of play.
Hitters for the CHS men in this one were Landon Hahn (2-5); Will Heavner (2-5); Will Fowler (2-5, in on a walk, 2 RBIs); Kanon Willis (2-5, 2 RBIs); Collin Robinson (3-4); and Tobias Miller (1-5, a double, one RBI). Chase Miller got on base on a walk.
Coach Heavner’s starter, Brayden Reynolds, struck out two batters and walked one. Willis came in relief and finished the game, striking out four and walking two.
The Ironmen squad had five runs off of 10 hits in this losing endeavor.
They played at home on Tuesday, April 12, against Highland Tech, then are scheduled to play them away on Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m.
According to the team’s schedule they are away at the Beach Diamond Invitational Monday through Friday, time and place TBA, as per the schedule.

(Additional information and stats by Susan L. Powell and Danny Eaker)

According to head men’s golf coach Timmy Fleming, the Cherryville High School golf team placed first in their match on Monday, March 28, at Cherryville Golf and Country Club. Coach Fleming noted the team’s score was 161.
Said Fleming, “East Gaston came in second with a score of 165. Highland Tech, Thomas Jefferson, Shelby, Burns and Bessemer City also competed.”
The Medalist for the match was Shelby’s Barek Cardell, firing a 36.
Cherryville’s Tedder brothers, Jackson and Blake, both finished close with a pair of 38s.
The Cherryville team competed in another conference match on Monday, April 4, at Green Meadows.

Three Lady Ironmen wrestlers a “first” for the school

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville High School’s head wrestling coach Matt Powers said the 2021-2022 season has wrapped up and will go down as another record year.
Said Powers, “On a short turnaround from the COVID-19 sports season, the Ironmen wrestling team, back in the traditional setting of a Winter sport, looked to replace two Seniors in the lineup that had been multiple-time state qualifiers and placers. At the beginning of the season, it looked as if the lone returning two-time state qualifier and one-time placer would lead the team surrounded by athletes who had had a limited COVID season.” He continued, “Even though we could not fill a complete lineup most of the season, the team finished the season 15-19, and 7-1 in combined Southern Piedmont – Catawba Shores 1A/2A Conference. The only conference loss came to 2A East Gaston. The team won their first-round State playoff dual against South Stokes before falling in the second round to Swain County. The team was ranked throughout the season at one point 5th in the state 1A.”
Powers noted the Ironmen wrestling team qualified 10 wrestlers for the western regional held at Allegheny High School, came out 5th place as a team, and qualified four wrestlers for the State Championships (the highest number of qualifiers in a single season). Those four represented CHS at the State tournament, finishing 9th in the state 1A, which Coach Powers believes is the highest place CHS has ever finished.
All-Conference wrestlers were: Robbie Bowman (120-pound class); Chase Miller (152-pound class); Kam Bolin (160-pound class); Mason Grindstaff (182-pound class); and Tobias Miller (195-pound class). The SPC 1A/2A Conference Wrestler of the Year was Chase Miller, who Coach Powers noted also joined the (CHS) 100 Match Win Club.
Powers also stated State Qualifiers were Bowman, C. Miller, Bolin, and Grindstaff, while the State Placers were C. Miller (2nd) and Grindstaff (3rd).
Other notable pieces of information: Yanet Guadarrama, Josie Roper, and Alyssa Roberts were Cherryville’s first three female wrestlers.
Powers said, “Yanet Guadarrama was the first female wrestler to win a match, was the first female to medal at an individual tournament, placing 3rd at West Caldwell’s Warrior Invitational, and the first female to qualify for the Western Regional tournament.”
He continued, “All three ladies wrestled at the NC Women’s Invitational where Alyssa Roberts was the first female from CHS to qualify for the top 16 bracket at that tournament.”

Team currently 4-2 overall; 2-0 in SPC 1A/2A play

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Coach Scott Heavner’s Ironmen varsity squad won a pair – a home game and an away game – and lost one at home in last week’s work on the diamond.

Against Shelby
The Golden Lions of Shelby High came to Fraley Field on Tuesday, March 15 and gave the Ironmen a tough time of it, but the Ironmen came away with a narrow 3-2 victory. The Lions, along with Burns and East Gaston, are a couple of the new opponents the CHS teams now have to face in the 1A/2A Southern Piedmont Conference.
Pitchers Kanon Willis and Braden Reynolds struck out 11 Lions batters between them (Willis-7; Reynolds-4. Willis walked 3 batters).
Hitters for the CHS men in this one were Willis (1-3, 2 RBIs) and Tobias Miller (1-3,  an RBI), and batter Will Heavner, who was walked and got on later on an error by the Lions.

Against Community School of Davidson
This was another home game for the Ironmen, played on Thursday, March 17, and it didn’t quite go the way they wanted it as the visiting CSD Spartans handed the CHS men an 8-3 loss at Fraley Field.
Coach Heavner wound up using five pitchers in this one.
Starter and senior Trip Creason walked one Spartan batter and was followed on the mound by Chase Miller, who had one strike-out but walked two batters. Senior Logan Hendrick came up next, walking four Spartans and striking out three. Left-hander Collin Huss was up next, walking three batters before Coach Heavner took him out and finished up with Nate Bookout, who struck out a CSD batter.
Hitters for the Ironmen were Landon Hahn (1-4, a double, 2 RBIs) and Will Fowler (1-4). Huss was walked and also had an RBI. Will Heavner was walked but later had a base hit.

Against Shelby
The Ironmen faced the Golden Lions again on Friday, March 18 in an away game at Shelby High School. Once again the Ironmen defeated the Golden Lions by a score of 2-1.
Hitters for the Ironmen were Tobias Miller, who doubled in the sixth inning. Pitcher Eli Newsome lasted the game, striking out nine Lions batters for the win.
The Ironmen were scheduled to play Maiden (at Maiden) on Monday, March 21, at 7 p.m. They will play Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy on Tuesday, March 22, at 5 p.m.

(Additional info/stats by Susan L. Powell and Danny Eaker)

The Cherryville Little Ironmen’s William H. Puckett, III said in a recent media release that on Saturday, March 5, at Nixon Gym, their organization had its final day of Saturday basketball.
The scores and standouts from each game are as follows:
For the 5-8th grade game (middle school age), it was App State versus Georgetown. App State were the Tournament Champions, and the final score was App State 43, Georgetown 42. It came down to a nail biter of a game, Puckett noted.
Standouts for each team were: App State – number 0, Aaron Heavner (with 22 pts.), and Landry Pruitt (with multiple rebounds and 3 points). For Georgetown  it was number 3, Elijah Proctor (with 31 points) and number 10, Enijahe Whitworth (with 10 points).
For the 3-4th grade age group it was the Oregon Ducks versus App State. The Oregon Ducks were Tournament Champions in this one with the final score: Ducks – 15, App State – 6.
Said Puckett, “It was a very defensive game.”
The Ducks standout was Brayden Atkins (with 5 points) and Kye Gidney (with 4 points).
App state was led by Dane Harris, with 3 points.
The final game was the Kindergarten – 2nd grade age group with the Oregon Ducks the Tournament Champions.
Again, noted Mr. Puckett, “This was a very exciting game.”
The final score was Oregon Ducks – 37, versus Duke Blue Devils – 27.
The Ducks were led by number 23, Cason Puckett (with 18 points), and  number 7, Robert Ott (with 11 points).
The Duke Blue Devils were led by  number 00, Brody Self (with 22 points), and  number 33, Lawson Walls (with 3 points).
Said Puckett, “We had a fundraiser and the top 18 kids had the opportunity to ride in a limousine to the Charlotte Hornets versus the San Antonio Spurs game. In all, Cherryville Little Ironmen hosted over 270 players, parents, and siblings at the Hornets game. It was an awesome time for the kids!”
Puckett noted the Little Ironmen wish to give their thanks to Dan Harris, Kelly Harris, Hannah Garrett, and Haley Craft for their hard work and dedication.
Also, thanks is given as well to the referees, Cherryville High School student-athletes, Landon Hahn, Chance Hunt, and Darrien Floyd for their help in refereeing the games. 

Team currently has a 1-2 start in their
opening games

Against West Lincoln
In their first regular season game, the 2022 CHS softball ladies lost to the West Lincoln Lady Rebels 4-2 on Monday, Feb. 28 in a non-conference, away game.

Against Stuart Cramer
Next up for the Lady Ironmen diamond queens was a non-conference away game against the Lady Storm of Stuart Cramer, in Belmont, on Thursday, March 3.
Head coach AJ Henley’s hard-playing CHS ladies barely lost this one (by one run), with a final score of 5-4.
According to Max Preps sports web site, the Lady Ironmen scored a run in the first inning, getting on the scoreboard first; then pegged two (2) more runs in the 6th inning, and got their final, hard-earned run in the 7th inning.

Against Lincoln Charter
This one was a non-conference home game for the Lady Ironmen, and was a great win for the team.
The game score was 2-1, in favor of the Lincoln Charter Lady Eagles, in 4th inning, but the Lady Ironmen tied the game in the in short order.
However, never count the Lady Eagles out as they homered and went ahead by one run in the 5th inning.
The stalwart Lady Ironmen hung on and battled back, and defeated the Lady Eagles 3-2 in 10 innings of play.
The winning pitcher was Raegan Nowowiecki, for the Lady Ironmen.
Weather permitting, the ladies will take the field at CHS on Wednesday, March 9 against West Lincoln, then will play again at home, as they face off against the Lady Wildcats of North Gaston. Both games are non-conference matchups.

During last week’s Championship 2022 NCHSAA 1A Wrestling State Tournament, two CHS wrestlers made it into the Final Placements. They are: at 152 pounds – in 2nd Place, Chase Miller; and at 182 pounds and finishing the state in 3rd Place is Mason Grindstaff of Cherryville.
Starting with the Quarterfinal Round of the 2022 NCHSAA 1A Wrestling State Tournament, and moving on through until the finals and consolation matches, here is how the four CHS wrestlers who made it to the state tournament fared.
In the Quarterfinals, the young men competed well with two of them, Chase Miller (152 weight class) getting a win in sudden victory period 1, over South Stanley’s Michael Gabbard, and Mason Grindstaff (182 weight class), getting a win by decision over Uwharrie Charter’s Jaden Maness.
The following are the stats for the quarterfinal matches/weight classes in which the four wrestled:
120 lb. – Tristan Hale (South Davidson, 47-0) won by tech fall over CHS’ Robbie Bowman (33-18) (TF-1.5 2:48 [15-0]);
152 lb. – Chase Miller (Cherryville, 44-7) won in sudden victory period 1 over Michael Gabbard (South Stanly, 32-5) (SV-1 7-3);
160 lb. – Isaac Williams (Union Academy, 31-7) won by fall over Kam Bolin (Cherryville, 38-12) (Fall 3:36); and
182 lb. – Mason Grindstaff (Cherryville, 37-7) won by decision over Jaden Maness (Uwharrie Charter, 37-11) (Dec 6-2).
In the Championship Semifinals, held on Friday, Feb. 18, in the 152 lb. class, Chase Miller (Cherryville, 45-7) won by fall over Dylan Ramage (East Wilkes, 28-14) (Fall 2:43), and  Kyle Fink (Robbinsville, 45-4) won by major decision over Mason Grindstaff (Cherryville, 37-8) (MD 9-1).
In the 2022 NCHSAA Individual Wrestling State Tournament Consolation Round Results – Final Day, on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, the results were: 182 pound class – 3rd Place Match, Mason Grindstaff (Cherryville, 39-8) won by decision over Jaden Maness (Uwharrie Charter, 39-12) (Dec 4-1).
In the 1A Wrestling State Tournament Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 Consolation Semifinals, the results were: in the 160 pound class, Bradley Parker (Avery County, 31-4) won by fall over Kam Bolin (Cherryville, 39-13) (Fall 1:30), while in the 182 pound class, Cherryville’s Mason Grindstaff (39-8) won by fall over Noah Maltba (Mitchell, 27-17) (Fall 0:59).
In the 2022 NCHSAA 1A Wrestling State Tournament Consolation First Round (also on Saturday, Feb. 19, in the 120 pounds classification, Robbuinsville’s Logan Hyde (23-11) won by decision over Robbie Bowman (Cherryville, 33-19) (Dec 11-7). In the 160 pound class, CHS’ Kam Bolin (39-13) won by fall over Darren Joyner (Southside, 10-6) (Fall 1:00).
In the 1A Wrestling State Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 19, Consolation Semifinals, in the 160 pound class, Bradley Parker (Avery County, 31-4) won by fall over Kam Bolin (Cherryville, 39-13) (Fall 1:30), while in the 182 pound class Mason Grindstaff (Cherryville, 39-8) won by fall over Noah Maltba (Mitchell, 27-17) (Fall 0:59).
In the tournament’s Championship Finals, held also on Saturday, Feb. 19, in the 152 pound class, Tristan Adams (Avery County, 24-4, Jr.) won over Chase Miller (Cherryville, 45-8, Jr.) by decision (Dec 5-3).

EG Warriors; BCHS Lady Yellow Jackets move on

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The CHS Lady Ironmen lost 27-22 in the first round of the SPC 1A/2A playoffs last Tuesday, Feb. 15, to the BCHS Lady Yellow Jackets in a game played at Bessemer City’s gym.
On that same night, back at Nixon Gym, the Ironmen varsity men were handed a 51-66 defeat at the hands of a better prepared East Gaston Warriors.
The Ironmen had handed the scrappy Warriors two defeats earlier in January and it is to be suppose the East Gaston hoops squad was looking for a little payback, which came in the form of a loss to the CHS men in SPC 1A/2A first round tournament action at the CHS home court of Nixon Gym.
The leading scorers for Coach Harrill’s Ironmen were junior Carson Kelly, with 11 points; and senior Jack Mulvey and sophomore Khanye Kennedy, each with 10 points apiece. They were the only Ironmen in double figures for the night.
Cooper Sloan and Landon Hahn each had 6 points, followed by Chance Hunt, with 4 points. Rounding out the low scoring night for the Ironmen were Numarius Good and Darrien Floyd, each with 2 points apiece.
According to information from the NCHSAA’s 2022 NCHSAA, the Men’s & Women’s Basketball Brackets have been finalized as of Saturday, Feb. 19, with first round games scheduled for the home of the higher seed on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022.
In those first round men’s pairings the #20-seed Ironmen will travel to take on #13-seed Swain County. That game, according to Coach Harrill, is to start at 6 p.m.
The State Championships will be held – according to NCHSAA information – on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at UNC’s Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill and Reynolds Coliseum at NC State University in Raleigh.
(Additional information and stats by Susan L. Powell)

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville High School’s head basketball coach Scott Harrill picked up a massive victory on Friday night, Feb. 11, against the visiting Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons as he notched his 400th coaching win.
Harrill, mobbed by family, friends, fellow coaches and players alike, stood in the middle of an Ironmen scrum thanking everyone for the well wishes and support. Coach Harrill noted he couldn’t have done what he has done without the help and support not just of his many players throughout his many years of coaching, but thanked also his lovely wife, Teresa; sons, Trevor and Lane; his mom and dad, Marie and Howard Harrill, as well as his assistant coaches Dennis Tate, Dr. Bud Black, and Antonio Griggs, as well as long-time team manager Lee Roy Montgomery, and all the CHS Ironmen school principals, staff, Booster Club folks and other Ironmen team personnel who contributed so much throughout the years to the hoops teams’ successes.
Principal Shawn Hubers said of the accomplishment, “400 wins is an amazing accomplishment! Coach Harrill always gets the best out of his players and this year is no different. Cherryville High School is blessed to have Coach Harrill leading our basketball team and athletic department.”
Last Friday night was Senior Night for the basketball seniors and the cheer squad seniors as CHS said “good-bye” to the following seniors student/athletes: Terayha Bess (girls’ basketball); Abby Burleson, Khya Brooks, Sydney Grace Abernathy, and Rylee Grace Burgis (cheerleading); and Gavin Cease, Carter Spangler, Jack Mulvey, and Cooper Sloan (men’s basketball). All the seniors were escorted onto the Bud Black Court at Nixon Gym by the parents.

Against NCSD Bears
The Ironmen played non-conference matches last week and the week before against the Bears of the North Carolina School for the Deaf and won both of those games.

Against the
TJCA Gryphons
The Lady Ironmen played the TJCA Lady Gryphons and lost to them 18-55. Four ladies got on the boards with points and they were Gabbie McCorkle (9 pts.); Terayha Bess (4 pts.); Krista Davis (3 pts.); and Ragan Hovis (2 pts.) The Lady Ironmen finished their regular season at 2-19 overall; 1-11 in SPC 1A/2A play.
In varsity men’s action the  Ironmen hoops squad had a bit of a time handling the Gryphons right out of the gate as they didn’t appear to want to just roll over and play dead, battling the running and gunning Ironmen squad hard, going not just toe-to-toe with them, but matching them shot for shot, three-pointer for three-pointer. The final score for this game – Coach Harrill’s 400th win – was 59-51, the Ironmen.
Carson Kelly led the men with 22 points (5 three-pointers), followed by Landon Hahn with 12 points.
The remaining Ironmen scorers were: senior Gavin Cease (6 pts.); Khanye Kennedy (5 pts.); senior Cooper Sloan (4 pts.); Numarius Good and Chance Hunt (3 pts. apiece); and seniors Carter Spangler and Jack Mulvey with 2 points apiece on the night. The men finished their regular season at 16-7 overall; 6-6 in SPC 1A/2A play.
The varsity Ironmen boys were slated to play East Gaston Tuesday night, Feb. 15, at Nixon Gym as the Conference Tournament started on Feb. 14, and run until Feb. 18.
The Sectional Playoffs are Feb. 19, 22, and 24, at locations to be determined.
(Additional information and stats by Susan L. Powell, Danny Eaker, and Scott Harrill.)

Two-point loss to Burns described as “heartbreaking”

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The CHS Ironmen varsity men got two good road wins against a couple of conference foes last week, and almost bagged a “W” against new conference foe Burns, but the Bulldogs hung on and pulled out the two-point win in spite of a great Ironmen effort.
 Against Burns
Coach Scott Harrill noted his men “…lost a heart-breaker 68-66 to Burns on Tuesday night.”
That said, he said the leading scorers for the Ironmen were Carson Kelly (23 points), Jack Mulvey, with a double-double 16 points and 14 rebounds, Numarius Good (6 points), Khayne Kennedy (9 points), Chance Hunt (4 points), and Carter Spangler (2 points).
The Lady Ironmen suffered 13-63 loss to the Burns Lady Bulldogs in their matchup at this same away game.
Against TJCA
In this away game, the CHS Lady Ironmen lost 10-61 to the Lady Gryphons.
The Ironmen boys hoops squad, said Harrill, “…won a big conference game, 55-44, at Thomas Jefferson.”
He continued, “The Ironmen played with great intensity and (it) was a back-and-forth game. The Ironmen came out hot with Carson Kelly hitting three three-pointers in the first quarter and Landon Hahn hitting two threes in the 18-point first quarter. The game ended up 28-23 at the half in favor of the Ironmen.”
Harrill noted the game was close with TJCA hitting a three-pointer with 4:32 remaining in the game to take a 44-41 lead.  Said Harrill, “That is when the Ironmen defense shut the Gryphons down. Numarius Good came up with three big steals for the Ironmen down the stretch and pushed the lead to 7.  Cooper Sloan came up with two big blocks in the final two minutes. Hahn went 4-4 from the free-throw line in the final minute to secure the 55-44 Cherryville victory.”
Coach Harrill said, “I am very proud of the way the men played tonight. They never quit on the defensive end. What a performance!”
Carson Kelly led the way with 20 points, and Landon Hahn had 11 points. Other scorers were: Numarius Good, 8 points; Carter Spangler, 3 points; Chance Hunt, 3 points; Jack Mulvey, 2 points; Gavin Cease, 4 points; and Cooper Sloan, 4 points.

Against Highland Tech
The Ironmen once again were on the road, traveling to Highland Tech Friday night, Feb. 4, for a rivalry game with the Rams.
In JV action, Coach Antonio Griggs said his young men lost to the JV Rams 43 to 58. His leading scorers were: Rayshawn Sewell (11 pts.); Steven Brown (9 pts.); and Amir Starr, with 8 points.
Coach Harrill said, “The Ironmen started the first quarter with Numarius (Good) making two big three-pointers followed by a Hahn 'three’. Cooper (Sloan) gave us a good post presence in the first quarter with three baskets in the paint, helping the Ironmen jump out to a 21-16 lead after one quarter.”
The second quarter, noted Harrill, saw many foul calls both ways. He added the free throw shooting could have been a little better for both teams. The half-time score was 32-25, Ironmen.  Coach said Jack Mulvey carried the Ironmen in the third quarter, scoring nine points and pulling down 5 rebounds in the quarter.  Said Harrill, “Cherryville hit 10 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the 63-50 victory.”
The Ironmen had five players in double figures: Carson Kelly – 14 points, Jack Mulvey – 14 points, Numarius Good – 12 points, Landon Hahn – 10 points, and Cooper Sloan – 10 points.
Carter Spangler had 2 points, said Coach Harrill, adding, “The back-to-back games were tough, and I am really proud of how hard Landon Hahn has been playing defense. He has shut down two of the top scorers in the conference the last two nights. Also, Numarius Good had been great for us in the fourth quarter coming up with big steals, and Cooper Sloan just continues to improve on the defensive end. We need to finish off the season with a win to keep the momentum in the playoffs.”
According to Max Preps, the Lady Ironmen are currently 2-18 overall; 1-10 in SPC 1A/2A play, and are 7th in the conference. The varsity Ironmen, also according to Max Preps, are currently 13-7 overall and are 5-6 in SPC 1A/2A play.
The varsity men played NCSD on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Nixon Gym, and then are slated to play Thomas Jefferson on Friday, Feb. 11, at Nixon Gym. The JV game starts at 4:30; followed by the varsity games beginning at 6 p.m.
The Conference Tournament is scheduled for Tuesday through Friday, Feb. 14-18 Conference Tournament (no information as to where it is to be played) and the Sectional Playoffs are scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday, Feb. 19, 22, 24, at a place and time yet to designated.
(Additional information/stats by Scott Harrill, Susan L. Powell, and Danny Eaker

Men currently 11-6 overall; ladies currently 2-15 overall

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville High’s Ironmen basketball teams battled two very tough teams last week; one in an away game and the second in a home game at Nixon Gym on the Bud Black Court. A game with NCSD that was meant to be played at home on the 24th of January has been postponed, moved to another date.

Against Shelby
The CHS Ironmen traveled to Shelby on Tuesday, Jan. 25 to play the Golden Lions.
First up in the away games were the Lady Ironmen, who suffered a 77-15 loss to the Lady Golden Lions. Individual scores for the varsity ladies were not available.
The varsity men took to the court and after a battle, lost to the Golden Lions by a score of 72-50.
The high scorer for the Ironmen in this game was junior guard Numarius Good with 12 points, followed by senior Jack Mulvey with 11 points.
Teammates Landon Hahn and Darrien Floyd each had 7 points. apiece to help in the game while sophomore Chance Hunt chipped in 6 points in an epic Ironmen effort against one of the tougher teams in the newly-created conference.
Junior Collin Huss had 4 points in this matchup while seniors Cooper Sloan (2 pts.) and Gavin Cease (shot 2 free throws and made one of them) added their efforts in the game.

Against BCHS
The powerhouse Yellow Jackets, county rivals of the CHS Ironmen, visited Nixon Gym on Thursday, Jan. 27, and both BCHS hoops teams walked away with wins against the Ironmen basketball varsity squads.
After a 42-35 win by Coach Antonio Griggs’ CHS JV hoops squad over the JV Yellow Jackets, the varsity Lady Ironmen took to the court against the Lady Jackets, coached by Billy James. The Lady Ironmen, coached by Carrie Dalton and Callie Hahn gave great effort but fell at the final buzzer, 25-65, to the Lady Jackets.
The leading scorer for the Lady Ironmen in this matchup was Krista Davis with 11 points, followed by senior Terayha Bess with 7 points. Gabbie McCorkle had 5 points and Ragan Hovis scored 2 points for the Lady Ironmen.
The varsity Ironmen boys team – led by high scorer Carson Kelly with 14 points – gave it their best shot against the Yellow Jackets, but Coach Danny McDowell’s BC squad won the second meeting between the two rival teams, 68-53 at the final buzzer. Kelly was the only Ironman in double digits in this game.
Seniors Jack Mulvey and Landon Hahn scored 9 and 8 points respectively in this matchup, followed by teammates Carter Spangler and Numarius Good, who each scored 5 points apiece. Senior Gavin Cease scored 4 points while Chance Hunt and Cooper Sloan each scored 3 points apiece. Junior Ethan Honeyman was fouled and he rounded out the Ironmen’s scoring as he bagged 2 points off of two made free throws.
Currently, the CHS varsity women are 2-15 overall; 1-9 in the SPC 1A-2A and the CHS varsity men are 11-6 overall and 3-5 in the SPC 1A-2A.
On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Ironmen traveled to play Burns, and on Thursday, Feb. 3, the CHS hoops teams are slated to play an away game against the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons with the JV game starting at 4:30, and the varsity games starting at p.m.
(Additional stats and info by Susan L. Powell and Danny Eaker)

Men improve to 11-4 overall; 3-3 in the  SPC 1A/2A

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The CHS Ironmen varsity hoops squads traveled to East Gaston last week to battle one of their new conference opponents, the East Gaston Warriors. The varsity men won their game 69-49, handing the Warriors their second defeat at the hands of the scrappy 1A team.
Head Ironmen boys basketball coach Scott Harrill said the Cherryville boys basketball team improved to 11-4 on the season after a good conference road win against the 2A East Gaston Warriors.
Said Coach Harrill, “The Ironmen saw senior Jack Mulvey have one of his best overall games, scoring 10 points, getting eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and drawing three charges!”  Harrill said the Ironmen were “in a hole” after the first quarter, being down 18-11. Cherryville tied the game by halftime at 28-all with sophomore Chance Hunt coming in to spark the Ironmen.
Hunt hit a three pointer, got two steals, and had two assists in the second quarter. Then Hunt really turned up the pressure for the Ironmen and they kept that energy the rest of the game.
The third quarter saw junior Carson Kelly get hot, hitting four three pointers in the third quarter and scoring 18 points in the third quarter on his way to a game-high 35 points.
The Ironmen built a 14-point lead going into the fourth quarter as big senior Gavin Cease had two big plays in the fourth quarter and a “nice and one finish” in the paint, noted Harrill, who added, “The strong center had a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with his eight points.”
Seniors Mulvey and Landon Hahn knocked down free throws in the fourth quarter, with the final score being CHS 69, East Gaston 49.
Coach Harrill said the Ironmen and Warriors both wore special National Guard uniforms on EGHS’ Military Appreciation Night. Harrill said, “I am always happy anytime we can honor the military. I loved the energy and effort the kids played with tonight. They really stepped up and we got some great play from Hunt and (senior) Carter Spangler coming in with a lot of energy.”
The senior – Spangler – finished with five big defensive rebounds, noted Coach Harrill, adding that such helping hold East Gaston’s leading scorer to zero points for the game.
The Ironmen played the Shelby Golden Lions on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Shelby, then play at home Friday night, Jan. 28, against the visiting Bessemer City Yellow Jackets. Games start at 4:30 p.m. (JV) and 6 p.m., for the varsity squads.
The Lady Ironmen played the East Gaston Lady Warriors, losing to that team by a score of 55-25. The CHS ladies are currently 2-13 overall; 1-5 in SPC 1A/2A play, according to MaxPreps.

(Additional information and stats by Danny Eaker)

Lady Ironmen get their second win
of this season

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Only one hoops game was scheduled for this past week: pitting the CHS Ironmen varsity men and women against the visiting Highland Tech Rams’ teams.
The CHS ladies got their second win of the season as they downed the Lady Rams at Nixon Gym by a score of 40-38. Coach Carrie Dalton’s women led the Lady Rams at half-time, 22-10.
The leading scorer for the CHS ladies in this matchup was junior Ragan Hovis with 13 points. Senior Terayha Bess got in the double digits with 11 points on the night.
Krista Davis and Gabbie McCorkle each had 6 points apiece, followed by sophomore Ceniya Powell and Evionna McDowell, who each had 2 points apiece.
In men’s varsity action the Ironmen started slow, but built up some momentum and led the Rams at half-time by a score of 36-33; only a three-point lead.
The CHS men held on and got the win, 76-48 at the end.
The leading scorer for the Ironmen was Carson Kelly, with 30 points, followed by Landon Hahn with 18 points and Khanye Kennedy with 11 points.
Darrien Floyd had 4 points and Jack Mulvey had 3 points in last week’s action.
Five CHS players had 2 points apiece. They were: Carter Spangler; Numarius Good; Chase Hunt; Gavin Cease; and Cooper Sloan.
There was game slated for Friday, Jan. 14, but the CHS Ironmen teams are next up in action as they are slated to play two away games: one played on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at East Gaston, and the other on Friday, Jan. 21, at Thomas Jefferson (JV @ 4:30; VAR @6 p.m. They are back home at Nixon Gym on Monday, Jan. 24, versus NCSD; VAR starting @ 6 p.m.
(Additional info/stats by Susan L. Powell)

 

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The CHS Ironmen hoops squads faced two tough schools last week while still on their holiday break; the East Gaston Warriors and cross-county rivals, the Bessemer City Yellow Jack-ets. The CHS men’s team came away with a win over the Warriors but lost to the BCHS squad in a road game on Friday, Jan. 7. The Lady Ironmen, still battling valiantly in every game, were unable to get a win in either of their two match-ups.

Against East Gaston
On Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022 the Lady Ironmen took on the visiting East Gaston Lady Warriors and were defeated 55-22 by that team at Nixon Gym.
High scorer for the ladies was Gabbie McCorkle, with 9 points (one a three-pointer), followed by Terayha Bess and Evionna McDowell who each had six points. Ragan Hovis and Krista Davis scored five points apiece in this one, and Ceniya Powell scored two points for the Lady Ironmen.
The CHS varsity men defeated the East Gaston Warriors by a score of 66-57 in their matchup on the Bud Black Court at Nixon Gym, immediately following the girl’s game.
Junior Carson Kelly led all Ironmen scorers with 26 points, followed by senior Landon Hahn’s 14 points.
Senior Jack Mulvey and sophomore Khanye Kennedy had nine points and seven points respectively in this game, followed by junior Numarius Good’s four points. Getting two points apiece in the game against the Warriors were seniors Cooper Sloan and Carter Spangler, and sophomore Chance Hunt.

Against Bessemer City
No matter the sport, it is always a royal rumble whenever these two schools meet and go at it.
Such was the case last Friday, Jan. 4 in two road games at BCHS as the Lady Ironmen and the Ironmen took on the Yellow Jackets teams.
In the first game the Lady Ironmen just couldn’t seem to find any momentum as the Lady 'Jackets came out swinging, and raced ahead to a 60-14 lead at the half. By the game’s running clock-shortened end, the BCHS ladies had sealed the win with final score of 77-29 over the CHS ladies.
Leading scorer for the Lady Ironmen was Gabbie McCorkle, with 16 points. Krista Davis had five points, followed by Terayha Bess and Ragan Hovis, who each had four points apiece in this matchup.
In the men’s game afterwards, the varsity BCHS men sprinted to a 26-13 halftime lead against the CHS Ironmen and things didn’t get much better in the second half as the Yellow Jackets downed the Ironmen 75-56.
Leading scorer for the Ironmen was Carson Kelly who had 22 points, five of which were three-pointers. He was trailed in double digits by senior Jack Mulvey who scored 16 points.
Cooper Sloan had eight points and Numarius Good had four points. Seniors Gavin Cease and Carter Spangler had two points apiece and senior Landon Hahn and sophomore Khanye Kennedy each one point apiece.
The Ironmen faced the Highland Tech Rams squads at Nixon Gym on Tuesday night, Jan. 11, and will be on the road, traveling to East Gaston to once again play the Warriors on Tuesday, Jan. 18. All varsity games start at 6 p.m.

(Additional information by Susan L. Powell)

On Thursday, Dec. 23, two CHS Ironmen wrestlers, Jack Dellinger and Chase Miller, had a great showing at the Lincolnton Wolves’ Reindeer Rumble.
The two also played Ironmen football earlier in the season for CHS head football coach Tim Pruitt, and comported themselves well on the field. They are now taking that level of determination and Ironmen pride to the mats for the new 2022 season of wrestling.
According to sports officials Dellinger earned wins in his two bouts in the Rumble, competing in his weight class of 220 pounds. Miller, not to be outdone, finished undefeated in the matchup. To say the least, CHS is VERY proud of these young men!
The young Ironmen grapplers are coached by head coach Matthew Powers.

CHS teams lose to visiting Golden Lions; Bulldogs at Nixon Gym

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The Ironmen hoops teams were paid a pre-Christmas visit by a couple of teams new to CHS’ division who wound up playing spoiler to their Christmas hopes of going into the holidays with a couple more wins under their belts.
Alas! Such was not to be.
On Friday, Dec. 17, the highly-anticipated meeting between the Ironmen and the Shelby Golden Lions took place on the Bud Black Court at Nixon and, after the JV squad starting things off, the Lady Ironmen took the court and battled the Lady Golden Lions. The Lady Golden Lions took the win, 65-15, over the CHS ladies. High scorer for the Lady Ironmen was Gabbie McCorkle, with 11 points. Terayha Bess score 3 points and Evionna McDowell scored a point.
The boys game followed and the Ironmen came out with great intentions but had a tough time getting shots to fall in. The Golden Lions kept up the pressure on the CHS men, who still played them a fast game. In the end, the Shelby men were just too big and had the basket zoned into their bomb sights as their big men got rebounds and sank shots, earning them a 95-73 win over the CHS men.
In double digits for the Ironmen were Landon Hahn with 31 points, and Carson Kelly with 28 points. Numerius Good had 9 points and seniors Gavin Cease and Cooper Sloan had 2 points apiece. Collin Huss score a point on a second quarter foul shot.
In the Monday, Dec. 20 home game against Burns, the Lady Ironmen were up against a tall, determined group of Lady Bulldogs, who made getting to the basket juts as tough as getting any shots once you got there. In the end, the CHS ladies lost to the Lady Bulldogs by a score of 53-14. High scorer for the Lady Ironmen was Krista Davis with 5 points. Terayha Bess, Gabbie McCorkle and Alexsandra Colvin each had 3 points apiece.
The Ironmen varsity men lost to the visiting Burns Bulldogs by a score of 72-70 in a hotly contested slugfest that went down to the wire. The CHS men led at the half, 33-26, but were unable to stay the course or widen that lead in the second half. A determined Burns club paced them, then caught up to and passed the CHS squad, in spite of stellar play by the Ironmen.
High scorers for the Ironmen were Numerius Good (25 points); Carson Kelly (17 points); and Landon Hahn (11 points). Seniors Gavin Cease and Jack Mulvey had 8 points and 6 points respectively. Khanye Kennedy had 2 points and Carter Spangler scored a point.
The Ironmen varsity teams played in the Dec. 27 and 28 Bud Black/Dennis Tate Holiday Classic, held at Nixon Gym.
Teams that played in the HC were, in addition to the Lady Ironmen and the Ironmen, the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons; the Piedmont Charter Patriots; the South Point Red Raiders; and the Pinnacle Classical Academy Eagles.
When the CHS teams come back from the holiday break, they will have played at home on Tuesday Jan. 4, the Warriors of East Gaston High School, then will be away at Bessemer City HS to take on the Yellow Jackets on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022.
(Additional information and stats by Susan L. Powell)

Two more games to play before Christmas break and Holiday Classic

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The Ironmen basketball teams played Pinnacle Classical Academy last Monday night, Dec. 13, at Nixon Gym, and the three teams handled themselves well, picking up a couple of wins as they head into the Christmas break.
The JV men won their matchup by a score of 62 to 18 over the JV Eagles squad.
Their game was followed by the Lady Ironmen taking on the Lady Eagles of PCA and the CHS ladies did very well for themselves in this one, pulling ahead in the second half only to stall, allowing the Lady Eagles to get the better of them. The Lady Ironmen lost to the PCA team by a score of 37 to 43.
Coach Carrie Dalton had two ladies in double digits in senior Terayha Bess and junior Gabbie McCorkle. Bess had 12 points on the night and was extremely effective under the net while speedster McCorkle had 22 points, a couple of them three-pointers to lead the Lady Ironmen scorers. Evionna McDowell had two points and Krista Davis had a point off a foul shot.
Coach Dalton’s numbers were down and she had only eight players for the game. Still those eight gave their all and almost pulled out what would have been their first win for the 2021 season had they been able to hold off a tough offense and solid defense by the PCA Lady Eagles. Six Lady Ironmen had fouls accrued against them and of those, four fouled out of the game.
In varsity men’s action Coach Scott Harrill’s squad defeated the Pinnacle Eagles by a score of 83-46, though the PCA team – coached by former Ironmen star standouts Darius “Zeke” Howell and Terry “Man” Whisnant II – fought hard against their speedy Cherryville adversaries.
Three Ironmen scored in double digits: Carson Kelly (28 points); Landon Hahn (17 points); and Darrien Floyd (10 points). Nine of Kelly’s points were off of three-pointers.
Nate Bookout came off the bench and scored 7 points (one a three-pointer), while teammates Jack Mulvey had 5 points and Gavin Cease and Collin Huss had 4 points apiece.
Big man Ethan Honeyman picked up three points off of three foul throws while Carter Spangler and Numerius Good each bagged 2 points apiece. Chance Hunt scored a point on a free throw in the first quarter. The Ironmen led the Eagles 53 to 26 as they went into the half.
The Ironmen teams went into the holiday season, and the Dec. 27-28 Bud Black/Dennis Tate Holiday Classic, facing off in two home court matchups against the visiting Golden Lions of Shelby High School on Friday, Dec. 17, then taking on the visiting Burns Bulldogs teams on Tuesday, Dec. 21.
(Additional info and stats by Susan L. Powell)

CHS’s Cheerleaders are Small Varsity D2; Varsity Game Day D2 state Champions

RALEIGH, NC – The NCHSAA Cheerleading Invitational returned to its usual home, the Raleigh Convention Center, after a year away due to COVID, with 132 registered routines and a brand-new trophy to present. In addition to the Carolina Cup, the award for the Varsity squad regardless of division posting the highest rated performance in the traditional competition, this year the “Game Day Division” presented the inaugural Tarheel Trophy to the highest rated varsity squad regardless of division in the event.
Cherryville High’s Cheer coach Wendy Holt said her ladies are the Small Varsity D2 and Varsity Game Day D2 state Champions.
“We won both of our divisions. Did not win the Tarheel Trophy,” she noted in a phone message to the Eagle.
 Of the first awarding of the Tarheel Trophy, that was enjoyed by West Forsyth’s Varsity squad, which posted a score of 95.6 to win the Varsity Game Day D1 Division in the event. The Carolina Cup, now in its 19th season, was collected by Northwest Guilford. The Vikings performance scored 89.1 to win the Small Varsity Non-Tumble D1 Division and the school’s first Carolina Cup.
According to information received in a media release from the NCHSAA last week, in Small Varsity D2, CHS was #1, with a score of 83.2, while the #2 slot was taken by Southwestern Randolph High School with a 72.4.
In Varsity Game Day D2, CHS was #1, with 87.7, followed by #2 East Davidson High School (87.3); #3 Union Academy (85.5); and #4 East Gaston High School (81.4).

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The 2021 CHS Ironmen varsity men’s roundball team appears to be off to a decent start as they are currently 3-1, though their coaches know the season is still young, much like the team itself.
Head coach Scott Harrill noted his Ironmen traveled to Shelby last week (Tuesday, Nov. 30) to take on former Ironmen point guard Darius Howell’s Pinnacle Eagles.
Harrill said, “The Ironmen were led by Landon Hahn with 12 points, and Carson Kelly with 11 points,” scoring in double digits for the night. Rounding out the scorers in this matchup were Gavin Cease, who had 9 points, 10 rebounds; Collin Huss with 9 points; Numerius Good with 8 points and 5 assists; Chance Hunt with 7 points; Jack Mulvey with 9 points; and Ethan Honeyman with 2 points. Harrill was glad to see the Ironmen start the season at 2-0 with the victory.
Things were a little different with the CHS men’s second crack at the North Gaston Wildcats, who handed the Ironmen a 65-57 loss in this road game.
Coach Harrill noted the Ironmen came back from being down 12 points to start the fourth quarter, only to go cold the last three minutes and drop a close one to the Wildcats.
Harrill said Carson Kelly led the Ironmen with 17 points, and Numerius Good’s 12 points, and Landon Hahn’s 11 points were the double-digit scorers in this one.
Gavin Cease had 4, Jack Mulvey 6, Darrien Floyd 2, and Cooper Sloan had 5 points to round things out for the Ironmen.
The West Lincoln Rebels came to town on Friday, Dec. 3, and started things off by handing the JV men and the Lady Ironmen teams losses. The JV’s lost to the JV Rebels 58-66, while the Lady Ironmen lost to the Lady Rebels by a score of 17-59.
The leading scorer for the ladies was Gabbie McCorkle, who had 7 points, followed by Krista Davis and Evionna McDowell who each had 3 points. Terayha Bess and Ragan Hovis each had 2 points apiece.
The Ironmen varsity men then took to the court and proceeded to do what they do best; start slow, then kick out the jams once they find their rhythm and shooting lanes. That said, they plow into much larger teams with a speed and accuracy that stuns and baffles their opponents to the point of upending any sort of strategy that opposing team might have come into Nixon Gym with in the first place.
The hot shooter on the night was Carson Kelly with 21 points, followed by Landon Hahn with 17 points. Hahn’s athleticism on the Bud Black Court last Friday night was astounding as he, at one point, literally snatched a passed ball right out of the anticipating hands of the Rebel player and took it down court for the CHS basket.
Senior player Jack Mulvey, equally athletic, scored 12 points, followed by Numerius Good and Khanye Kennedy’s 7 points each. Seniors Cooper Sloan and Gavin Cease each scored 3 points apiece and Collin Huss had 1 point on a free throw.
Coach Harrill said the boys played really hard, adding, “I am so happy with the progress the young team has made.”
He continued, “The student section was electric and brought so much passion to the game. We can’t wait to be back home Tuesday night (against Fred Foard) and at then back at West Lincoln on Friday.”
The Ironmen played Fred T. Foard at Nixon on Tuesday, Dec. 7, and will be away at West Lincoln on Friday, Dec. 10, with the JV game starting at 4:30 p.m.; the Lady Ironmen at 6 p.m., and the varsity men right after their game.
(Additional info and stats by Susan L. Powell and CHS AD Scott Harrill)

Lady Ironmen lose to Lady 'Cats 20-48 in season opener

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

As they headed into their Thanksgiving holiday the 2021 CHS Ironmen basketball squads (JV, and varsity men and varsity ladies) played their first non-scrimmage games at Nixon Gym on Monday, Nov. 22.
The results for the JV and Lady Ironmen teams wasn’t quite what they wanted as their Wildcat counterparts took the wins on the Bud Black Court, but for Coach Scott Harrill’s men, a hard-fought game resulted in a 63-53 victory for the Ironmen.
After the JV’s loss, CHS Coach Carrie Dalton’s Lady Ironmen lost 20-48 to the Lady 'Cats in a slow to get started for either team, low-scoring game in which the CHS ladies had a hard time of it, scoring just 7 points in the first quarter. By the half, they had 11 points on the board before heading to the locker room. While all the ladies who got some time on the court played with heart, Coach Dalton’s top scorers were Terayha Bess and Gabbie McCorkle, with 6 points apiece. Four other ladies score 2 points apiece; they were Ceniya Powell, Alexsandra Colvin, Krista Davis, and Evionna McDowell.
In varsity men’s action, came back from a half-time deficit of 28-34 to defeat the varsity Wildcats men’s team of North Gaston by a final score of 63-53. Carson Kelly was the high scorer for the CHS men with 21 points in the season opener. Senior Jack Mulvey followed with 13 points; returning player Numerius Good had 12 points; then big man Gavin Cease, with 10 points. Kelly, who was one of Coach Harrill’s three-point shooters last year was slow getting back into form but he finally found his “groove” in the third quarter with two 3-pointers, followed by two more in the fourth quarter.
Other shooters for the Ironmen in this matchup were newcomer Collin Huss ( a 3-pointer); and Cooper Sloan and Darrien Floyd, each with two points apiece.
The Ironmen teams traveled to play Pinnacle on Tuesday, Nov. 30, then are on the road again Wednesday, Dec. 1, to play North Gaston at North Gaston. On Friday, Dec. 3, they are home at Nixon Gym against the West Lincoln Rebels; games start at 4:30 p.m. (JV), and at 6 p.m. (varsity ladies), followed by the varsity men’s game.
(Additional information by Susan L. Powell)

JV/Varsity teams scrimmaged on Tuesday; Lady Ironmen scrimmaged Thursday, Nov. 18

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

While the points don’t really matter in a scrimmage, the visiting South Point Red Raiders had a good showing against the CHS varsity men last Tuesday, Nov. 16, downing the Ironmen 114-67.
The two teams played six eight-minute quarters, with Coach Scott Harrill’s Ironmen going against a team they don’t normally play in their regular 1A/2A conference season. The junior varsity men also scrimmaged in the earlier games and were coached by Coach Antonio Griggs, who also is one of Coach Harrill’s varsity team AC’s.
The JV’s, who played only two short quarters, did a good job but were overmatched by a larger, speedier Red Raiders JV squad. Coach Griggs praised his young men for staying strong and making some good moves against an equally youthful South Point team.
The varsity team is comprised of returners Jack Mulvey, Numarius Good, Carson Kelly, Gavin Cease, Landon Hahn, and Carter Spangler. They were joined by Ethan Honeyman, Nate Bookout, Darrien Floyd, Cooper Sloan, Collin Huss, Khanye Kennedy, and Chance Hunt.
Kelly was the high scorer in the scrimmage with 21 points, followed by Good’s 10 points. Kennedy and Floyd had six points apiece.
(Additional information by Susan L. Powell) 

One of 16 high school standouts picked for Dec. 18 game

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville High football player and senior Kadin Beaver is one of 16 local high school gridiron young men selected to play in the 2021 Queen City Senior Bowl, to be held at Charlotte’s Olympic High School, located at 4301 Sandy Porter Rd., Charlotte, on Dec. 18. The kickoff time is scheduled for 1 p.m., according to information on the QCSB website.
The mission of the bowl game is, as noted on the event description section of the website, is “…to create a memorable and rewarding experience for the best high school football players and coaches” in Charlotte/Mecklenburg and the counties surrounding the Queen City – counties such as Gaston, Cleveland, Cabarrus, and Union.
The teams are divided into East and West teams with Beaver being selected as the long snapper for the West team, he said recently.
Beaver, 18, has been at  CHS all four years, he said, adding his family moved to Cherryville from Gastonia when he was in the seventh grade. He attended John Chavis Middle School and played football there for Coaches Terry Moss and, later Seth Hartman.
Kadin said his mom, Ashlye, found out about the Queen City Senior Bowl, got the information and they submitted his name for possible selection in the bowl game.
“I was told they had 500 kids that applied,” Beaver noted, adding it was clearly an honor for him to have been selected from that large group of young men.
His parents, Ashlye and Buster Beaver, said of his selection, “We are very proud of him and for him.”
Kadin will be joined by the Mountain Island Raptor’s Dylan Bisson (QB) and WR Trae Nickelson (WR); South Point Red Raider RB Tyson Riley; Highland Tech Rams TE Trent Dockery; North Gaston Wildcat WR Brian Coley; Kings Mountain Mountaineer OL Tykel Smith; Crest Charger’s OL Taree Watkins and LB Nick Beason; Stuart Cramer Storm’s DL Arias Nash; Ashbrook Green Wave’s DL Jonathan Derricott; Burns Bulldog’s LB Azari Brown; Forestview Jaguar’s LB Jaycob Neely and ATH Camury Reid; Shelby Golden Lions DB Nathan Hopper Shelby; and East Gaston Warrior ATH Justin Hill.
The web site noted the coaches for the West team are: North Gaston’s Justin Clark, Highland Tech’s Pedro Truesdale, and Burns coach David Devine.
Beaver noted the teams will practice at Olympic HS starting Dec. 13 through 17, and will play Saturday, Dec. 18, also at OHS.
As for his future plans, Beaver said he hopes to be a long snapper in college and his number one college choice is Wake Forest as a walk-on hopeful. In his high school career, Beaver has played the long snapper position for the Ironmen, as well as tight end and quarterback.

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The CHS Ironmen football squad ended their 2021 season with a 36-15 road loss to the Cherokee Braves in the first round of the state West 1A playoffs.
The team’s 2021 season ends at 3-8 overall; 2-6 in SPC 1A/2A play and the high school gridiron careers of 10 fantastic, talented young seniors also comes to an end.
Head coach Tim Pruitt – who is suitably proud of his young men – said the team had a phrase all year long – “Knocking Down the Door” – which he felt helped the Ironmen along in what has been a tough year for them as they played in a very tough conference against some opponents who aren’t, as Pruitt said, “…going away, but will only get better as time goes on,” adding he hopes the Ironmen too, will get even better and continue to grow as 2022 comes along.
Of his team, Coach Pruitt, “We played with a lot of heart against Cherokee and all year long in one of the toughest 1A schedules around. I feel like we competed all year long. Our kids pulled together as the season went along.”
The Ironmen’s first TD of the night – which ate up 40 yards – came at the hands of a Kadin Beaver reception of a Chase Miller pass. Henry Gil’s PAT was good and the Ironmen got on the board. Pruitt noted the game was 28-0 in the middle of the second quarter before the Ironmen got a score.
“We outscored them (Cherokee) in over two quarters of the game,” noted Pruitt, who noted he had great play from both his offense and defense during the hard-fought game.
On defense, while there were a number of one-on-one tackles in which the Ironmen D-line shone brightest, three of Pruitt’s players got his attention with their performances. They were Kadin Beaver, Tobias Miller, and Landon Hahn, who, along with senior player Mason Grindstaff, had a great game against Cherokee, with Hahn getting an interception off the Braves’ vaunted QB, Donald Bradley.
“In the second quarter we came out and held them,” noted Pruitt.
On offense for the Ironmen, Chase Miller carried the ball 13 times for a total of 27 yards; Gavin Cease carried the ball seven times for a total of 18 yards; Jackson Owens carried the ball once for a yard; and Cooper Sloan, in spite of a recent ankle injury, carried the ball nine times for a total of 38 yards.
In the air, the Ironmen’s QB, Miller, completed seven of his 15 passes, slinging the ball to Hahn ( a 13-yard pass); Kadin Beaver (2 passes for 42 yards); Jackson Owens (one toss for six yards); and – of course, Sloan – two 'rockets’ for a total of 51 yards!
All told, the Ironmen’s offense put up a total of 233 yards against the mighty Braves.
Coach Pruitt noted his tackle leaders were Kadin Beaver – 17; Kam Bolin – 13; and Caleb Hovis – 9.
“Kadin also had a tackle for loss and a pass break-up. Kam had a forced fumble,” Pruitt said.
In other West 1A playoff action, long-time CHS rival, the 21-seeded Bessemer City Yellow Jackets lost on the road, 62-0 against powerhouse, 12th-seeded North Rowan.
(Additional information by Danny Eaker and Coach Tim Pruitt)

“Battle of the Belt” ends with CHS still in charge of the iconic item

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

In yet another “Battle of the Belt” between the CHS Ironmen football squad and their rivals, the Yellow Jackets of Bessemer City High School, a 23-6 victory means the vaunted trophy stays at CHS for another year. With this win, the Ironmen are now one game ahead of the ‛Jackets in their all-time series, 35-34-2, as the Ironmen have been victorious four times in their last six meetings.
The action began in earnest at BCHS’ stadium after the Yellow Jackets had their Senior Night festivities, recognizing their football, cheerleading, and band seniors and their parents before the game.
Taking the BCHS kickoff, the Ironmen got right to work with their offense running game as Cooper Sloan and Chase Miller racked up yardage. Quarterback Miller completed a pass to Landon Hahn for 18 yards. Another Miller pass was intercepted by the ‘Jackets, but they fumbled the ball and Kadin Beaver recovered it for the Ironmen. Miller called his own number and scrambled for 18 yards, getting closer to the end zone. Gavin Cease made a three-yard dash, taking the ball in for the Ironmen for the TD with 7:00 on the clock. The PAT was no good and the score was 6-0, Ironmen.
In second quarter play, the Yellow Jackets wasted no time in tying the game up 6-all with 11:18 on the clock. Their two-point conversion attempt was no good.
Ironman Kam Bolin recovered a ‘Jackets fumble, which the Ironmen, through a series of plays and runs, along with three completed passes by Miller to Cease and Hahn (5, 4, and 16 yards) took the CHS men to halftime.
The halftime stats and tallies are as follows: Cease – 5 carries/9 yards; Sloan – 2 carries/6 yards; and Miller – 12 carries/65 yards. Passing: Hahn – 3 catches/39 yards; Cease – 1 catch/4 yards. Air yards – 43; ground yards – 80, for a total of first half yards of 123.
The ‘Jackets received the kickoff and moved downfield, but fumbled. The Ironmen recovered the ball and proceeded to move it for what would be another CHS TD, with 8:48 on the clock. The PAT by kicker Henry Gil was good and the Ironmen were up 13-6.
Miller again divided his ball handling skills between calling his own number, handing off to Cease, or throwing to his go-to receiver, Hahn, as well as Carter Spangler, who was like a spider catching flies as he reeled in a couple of Miller’s spirals for 16 yards and 10 yards respectively. The Ironmen got close enough to the BCHS goal for the sure leg of kicker Henry Gil to bang it through for a three-point, 27-yard field goal with 1:16 on the clock, taking the Ironmen to a 16-6 lead.
The fourth quarter started poorly for the Yellow Jackets as Hahn intercepted their QB, Jameer Hopkins, and ran it back 35 yards. After a Miller called his own number, running for a total of 20 yards off of three rushes, the speedy CHS QB completed a 23-yard pass to Spangler for a TD with 7:00 on the clock. Gil’s PAT was good and the Ironmen’s lead went to 23-6.
The BCHS men were unable to keep a tough Ironmen defense off their backs, which kept them from scoring any more points for the remainder of the fourth quarter.
The game’s total rushing yards: 156; passing yards: 111, for a total yardage of 267 yards for the night. Miller had 25 carries for 132 yards (rushing); Cease had 9 carries for 20 rushing yards; Hahn caught 5 passes for 57 yards; Spangler caught 3 passes for 50 yards; and Sloan was 2 for 6. Miller completed 7 of 14 passes to get his 111 yards in the air.
The Ironmen are currently 3-7 overall; 2-4 in SPC 1A/2A play as they are now scheduled to travel to Cherokee to play that team in the first round pairings of the 2021 West 1A/2A State playoffs.
The pairing for the Ironmen and a couple of other local teams in that first round are (according to the NCHSAA): #13 Cherokee (5-4) vs. #20 Cherryville (3-7); #12 North Rowan (6-3) vs. #21 Bessemer City (2-8); and #6 Thomasville (7-2) vs. #27 Highland Tech (0-9).
(Additional information by Susan L. Powell and Danny Eaker)

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Raegan Nowowiecki, the CHS Lady Ironmen’s senior pitcher, recently signed a Letter of Intent to play college softball for the Lady Quakers of Guilford College.
Raegan, surrounded by her family members, coaches, and her many friends and Lady Ironmen teammates, signed the LOI at CHS in the library.
Nowowiecki played travel ball, noted her mom, Jennifer, for last eight years, primarily as a pitcher, and currently plays for Players Adidas Elite. She is coached by Autumn and Chris McCurry, said Jennifer.
When Raegan came to Cherryville, her mom said she played softball all two years at John Chavis Middle School, then played all four years at CHS under head softball coach AJ Henley.
“She will continue her softball and academic careers at Guilford College in Greensboro NC in the fall, and her intended will major will be Health Science. She plans on getting a Bachelor’s degree in that discipline, noted Mrs. Heavner.
Guilford, located in Greensboro, N.C., is a Division 3 NCAA college. Raegan will be coached by Dennis Shores and her pitching coach will be Staci Smith.
Parents Ricky and Jennifer Heavner and her sister, Savannah Heavner, are all – to say the least – very proud of and for her.
Said mom. Jennifer, “She has worked very hard for this and we’re just so proud of her!” Dad, Ricky echoed this sentiment as he smiled at her as she and her friends posed for “selfies” and photos after the signing, saying, “Yes sir! We ARE VERY proud of her!”
Raegan, along with softball teammate Laila Davis, represented CHS at the Body Armor state games this past summer of 2021. She was All-Conference her junior year; second team All-State and All-Area her junior year as well.
Raegan ranked 41st in the state in strikeouts; received “Best Pitcher” accolades; and was the Southern Piedmont 1A Pitcher of the Year; all in her junior year, said mom, Jennifer.
Lady Ironmen head softball coach AJ Henley said, “Raegan has been with me for three of her four years here at CHS as a starter for our team. I’m excited for her and proud for her that she is going to the next level, to play college softball. I am also looking for a great year from her this Spring, especially with the new freshmen coming in.”
Both coaches McCurry said they are “super proud” of Raegan, of how she always put in the time and the hard work to be the best she could be when it came to pitching and giving “110 percent” for the game of softball.
CHS AD Scott Harrill said, “We here at CHS are proud of Raegan and what she has done for our softball team. She is an amazing pitcher who has grown over the four years she has been her at CHS. We look forward to following her college career at Guilford and know she will represent CHS well.” 

At halftime of the CHS/TJCA football game on Friday, Oct. 15, the CHS varsity cheerleaders, under the direction of coaches Wendy Holt (head coach), and assistant coaches Heather Porter, and Tammy Wilson, were recognized by the Ironmen Booster Club and the athletic department of CHS for their outstanding accomplishments during the 2020-2021 competition season. At that time they were presented with their Game Day and State Championship rings. CHS Principal Shawn Hubers, AP Jada Warnock, and AD Scott Harrill presented the ladies their 2021 NC Cheerleading Coaches Association Game Day and Traditional State Champions, and the 2021 NCHSAA Game Day Non-Building State Champions with their rings.
Receiving rings were: Head Coach Wendy Holt, and assistant coaches Heather Porter and Tammy Wilson, and cheerleaders Maggie Beam, Lizzie Brannan, Allie Kaye Homesley, Madison Pruitt, Izzy Wilson, Sydney Abernathy, Khya Brooks, Rylee-Grace Burgis, Abby Burleson, Kendall Chupp, Sarah Eaker, Payton Godfrey, Anna Leigh Jones, Lani Philbeck, and Kylie Reynolds.
These CHS cheerleaders and Coach Holt have won a staggering total of 19 state titles since their first win in 2008. NC has two state championships for cheerleading. CHS has won both titles since 2015. CHS has also won a newest division at both competitions last season. This division is known as Game Day and includes a band dance and a situational sideline.
The coaches than the Ironmen Booster Club and the CHS athletic department, and faculty and staff for their continued support of the CHS cheerleading program.
Congratulations, Cheerleaders and Coaches!

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

As the 2021 football season winds its way down, the head coach Tim Pruitt’s CHS Ironmen were still in the hunt for a much-needed win, if for no other reason than a morale boost.
Last Friday night, Oct. 8, they got a big one – 50-14, to be exact – at the expense of the Highland Tech Rams. And on the Ram’s home turf. And during that team’s Homecoming Night ceremonies, no less!
It was pretty much the Cooper Sloan show, with star turns by the usual cast of stellar players: Chase Miller, Landon Hahn, Kadin Beaver, Shamyr Moss, Jackson Owens, Caleb Hovis, Gavin Cease, Carter Spangler, Kam Bolin, Henry Gil, Jack Mulvey, Mason Grindstaff, and, well, the list that night was seemingly endless as everybody got into the action on both sides of the line for the Ironmen.
The Ironmen’s first TD came in the first quarter with 8:44 on the clock as young Mr. Sloan not only got the TD, but powered it in the end zone for a two-point conversion afterwards, making the opening score 8-0, Ironmen. Sloan’s second TD came on a 30-yard run to the end zone with 2:54 on the clock. Quarterback Chase Miller ran it into the end zone for the Ironmen’s second two-point conversion, making it 16-0.
In second quarter action, Landon Hahn caught a Miller pass and got 25 yards out of it, followed up by yet another Sloan TD. this time with 10:38 on the clock. The extra point attempt was no good but the Ironmen were now up 22-0, with no answer from the Rams.
The Ironmen’s fourth TD of the night, also in the second quarter, came from senior wide right Carter Spangler, who caught a Miller pass and ran it 42 yards for the TD with 7:49 on the clock. Gil’s PAT was good and the score went to 29-0, CHS.
A Rams fumble was scooped up by speedy fullback Kam Bolin and the swift junior took it 28 yards into the end zone for a TD. With Henry Gil’s PAT being through the uprights, the score was 36-0, Ironmen.
Closing out the second quarter and the first half of play, Sloan once again scrambles 20 yards for TD with 2:50 on the clock. With Gil’s PAT kick good, the score was now 43-0, CHS.
The Ironmen, at half-time, had 177 yards rushing and 69 yards passing for a total of 246 yards.
After the Rams had their Homecoming festivities, the teams came back onto the field and third quarter play began.
At some point, the refs called for the game clock to continue to run, and Kadin Beaver assumed the QB duties. Ball carrying duties went to Gavin Cease for this quarter.
Cease, who carried the ball six times, rushed for 79 yards, with some of those yards being a two-yard scamper into the end zone with 7:28 on the clock for an Ironmen TD. Gil’s PAT was good and the Ironmen were up 50-0.
The Rams were finally able to get on the boards with a TD with 1:37 left on the clock in the third quarter, but their PAT was no good.
Starting the fourth, the Rams recovered their own onside kick and looked to move down the field under a new-found head of steam but senior cornerback Jack Mulvey has other ideas as he intercepted a Rams pass and ran it back for 15 yards.
The Ironmen had to turn it over on downs and the Rams capitalized on their good fortune, turning it into a TD with 2:45 left on the clock. Rams QB, senior Luke Whitted ran into the end zone for the two-point conversion and the game ended shortly thereafter, with the final being 5-14, CHS.
Coach Tim Pruitt said of his men, “I thought we executed our plays a lot better Friday night in keeping the ball away from our opponents. We were able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides, offense as well as defense. Anytime you can average 10 yards a game is a good night. We were able to force some turnovers and, on defense, tackle Caleb Hovis (#78) had seven tackles.”
(Additional information by Susan L. Powell and Danny Eaker)

1985 CHS Basketball State Championship team also inducted

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

At the Saturday, Oct. 2, Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet, 10 individuals and one sports team from CHS were honored by a large crowd of family and well-wishers. The 6 p.m., dinner was held at Cherryville’s First Baptist Church COC.
The crowd was regaled by guest speaker and 1994 Duke Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Gene Banks. Banks was part of the 1977-1978 team that reached the NCAA Championship that year, according to his short “bio”. Banks also played two seasons in the NBA, continuing his pro career in Italy and Israel.
In his introduction, Hall of Fame Committee member Calvin Hastings, himself a 2002 Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame member, noted that Banks “…coached in the NBA with the Washington Wizards,” and is currently the Athletics Director for Gaston College and their new team, the Rhinos. Banks is also special assistant to Gaston College President, Dr. Hauser, said Hastings.
Hall of Fame committee members who were present at the event were Jerry Hudson (President), Scott Harrill (Vice-President), Mike Powell (Treasurer), Dennis Tate, Danny Eaker (Secretary), Calvin Hastings, Dr. Bud Black, Al Graves, and Dr. Floyd Wright. Larry Sipe and Rocky Bennett were unable to attend due to other commitments.
Banks noted, “We are here honoring some great folks tonight.”
Banks said his decision to attend Duke didn’t come readily as he was looking at six other colleges and their winning basketball programs.
Banks said he likes what he sees in Cherryville, adding, “I like the energy I see here. And to the inductees… job well done!”
Terry Whisnant, Jr., one of the top scorers in North Carolina high school basketball history, and Thomas Bess, a three-sport standout, were among those voted in to the 2021 class by the committee as were the following: Larry Boyles (posthumously), Skeet Brackett (posthumously), Trentavious “Trent” Friday (one of the fastest men in Cherryville and Gaston County sports history and a track star who holds three state records and a national record in sprint events.), CHS Athletic Director and head basketball coach Scott Harrill (his record at Cherryville stands at 384-170, so far), Sonja Hoyle, Ebonee Johnson, Cameron Lovelace, Abby Owens, and the 1985 State Champion CHS men’s basketball team, who won the N.C. 2A championship under the leadership and coaching of the late David Watkins.
Fan of the Year awards went to Mrs. Linda Ballard and the Rev. Dr. Vince Hefner.
Inductee Skeet Brackett was a recreation and youth sports activist and Larry Boyles was an acclaimed amateur boxer in the 1950s and a member of the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame. Brackett’s widow, Libby accepted on her late husband’s behalf, noting how honored Skeet was to serve on the Hall of Fame Committee and how much he loved sports, whether it was coaching, or playing golf, a game he truly loved.
“He loved sports and he enjoyed teaching kids how to play the game,” she said.
Sports Hall of Fame President Jerry Hudson noted the group has been “…inactive for more than a decade, but met in March of this year to regroup, elect officers, and set a new agenda.”
The Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame has not inducted any new members since 2009, according to Treasurer Mike Powell.
With this year’s induction, the total of members in the Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame stands at 11 members, 15 of whom are posthumous inductions.
Bess, who lives now in Texas, was unable to be here to accept but Dr. Bud Black read a speech Bess sent for him to read to everyone, expressing his wish to be here “…and see all your smiling faces!”
Terry Whisnant, Jr.’s grandmother, Bonnie Whisnant accepted for her grandson, thanking the committee.
Friday, a professional athlete now living in Orlando, Fla., thanked his family, Coach Harrill, who he said has been “…like a father” to him, and all his friends who believed in him.
Harrill also thanked his family; wife, Teresa, his sons, Trevor and Lane; his mother and father; and his coaches.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to coach these kids. You know, becoming a coach was my dream,” he said, holding back his emotions.
He continued, “It’s about all of us. It’s a community thing. The kids keep me young. I hope I have taught them something. The Lord has blessed me and these kids have become my own.”
Mrs. Hoyle, who said she is 83, was a CHS Lady Ironmen basketball player. She said she was happy to be inducted, as did fellow Lady Ironmen basketball inductees Ebonee Johnson and Abby Owens Hawkins.
Johnson, the school’s all-time leading Lady Ironmen points scorer, said, “Thank you for all of the great years and great memories!”
Cameron Lovelace was noted as being one of the all-time great athletes to ever come from CHS by Coach Harrill.
Lovelace, like all of the inductees, thanked the committee for inducting him, adding it “…is a blessing to be inducted.”
Lovelace thanked Dr. Black, and apologized to him for all the “…broken clipboards.” He also thanked Coach Dennis Tate and Coach Harrill, as well as Leroy Montgomery, of whom he said, “We wouldn’t have the team we have if it wasn’t for him.” Lovelace also thanked his mom and dad, who taught him about hard work.
He closed his comments by saying, “I’ll always be an Ironman!”
Abby Owens Hawkins thanked former women’s basketball coach Alan Mauldin and said she will always cherish the memories she made playing CHS sports.
“I want to thank all my coaches, my parents, my sister, and I pray my daughter continues to enjoy sports. I especially want to thank my husband, Chad Hawkins.”
Harrill noted that inductee Terry Whisnant, Jr., who is in Florida celebrating his son’s birthday, was the NC state basketball player of the year, voted the Number One roundball player in Gaston County, had the most 40-point or more games in the history of Ironmen basketball, went on to play college ball at Florida State, then later in Europe as well as playing semi-pro ball. Terry’s grandmother, Bonnie Whisnant, accepted his induction plaque.
Lastly, the 1985 CHS men’s basketball team was inducted, and five of their members were on hand to accept for the team. Members there were Jay Moss, Kenny Poston, Jamie McSwain, Guerry Reardon, and Phillip Bradley.

(Additional notes/information for this article by Susan L. Powell)

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Lance Beam, head John Chavis Middle School softball coach, said recently his team is 6-0 against Gaston County opponents as their season comes down to its final games of their schedule.
Chavis defeated Belmont Middle by a score of 10-6 on Monday, Sept. 13, said Beam, who noted, “Raylei Gidney got the pitching win, striking out three (3) batters. She was helped with strong defensive plays from the entire defense.
“The offense was led by Landry Beam, Maddie Avery and Jenna Anthony, who had two (2) hits each and multiple RBI’s.”
Kate Mulvey, Kennedy Weathers, Gidney, Addison Davis and Abi Canipe also contributed with a hit a piece, he said. The Lady Wolverines offense got multiple runs from Beam, Gidney and Anthony.
On Monday, Sept. 20, the Chavis softball team defeated Mt. Holly 18-6 in five innings.
Coach Beam said Kennedy Weathers got the pitching win, striking out eight (8) batters.
“The offense was led by Jenna Anthony, Raylei Gidney, Landry Beam, Addison Davis and Desirae Smith, who all had multiple hits. Weathers, Kate Bookout, Abi Canipe and Emily Allen also contributed with a hit each.”
Chavis then turned around and defeated Grier 17-1, in three innings on Thursday, Sept. 23, as Raylei Gidney and Kennedy Weathers pitched, striking out seven (7) batters.
Said Coach Beam, “Weathers, Landry Beam, Raylei Gidney, Kate Bookout, Abi Canipe, Desirae Smith and Laney Spangler all had hits to lead our offense.”
The team is currently 6-0, and faced Cramerton at Cramerton on Monday, Sept. 27. Their last game is against Bessemer City Middle on Thursday, Sept. 30, and playoffs start on Monday, Oct. 4, with the County Championship scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 6.