Wood, Poplin top baseball all-state teams

Ardrey Kell pitcher Alex Wood and South Stanly infielder Ryne Poplin, who helped their teams win state championships, were named state players of the year in their respective classifications by the N.C. Baseball Coaches Association.

Wood, who signed with Georgia, is the N.C. 4A player of the year. He was 10-2 with a 0.87 ERA, and in 72 2/3 innings, he struck out 112 and allowed 42 hits. Wood also batted .408 with three home runs and 23 RBIs.

Poplin, the state’s 1A player of the year, hit 12 home runs and batted .468 as the team’s leadoff hitter.

The all-state teams (Observer-area players in bold):

4A: Ari Seelinger (Durham Riverside); Bryan Bass (Northern Durham); Zach Bernard (Jordan); Richie Shaffer and Tyler Zupcic (Providence); Jake Harris (Raleigh Millbrook); Patrick Roy and Tanner Merritt (Greenville Rose); Jeff Ferrell (Wilmington Laney); Scott Coleman (Wilmington Hoggard); Max Gagnon and Charles Wolfe (Raleigh Sanderson); Eric Brady (Green Hope); Hunter Conley (Hopewell); Jimmy Boyd (Middle Creek); Ryan Stetson and Wood (Ardrey Kell); Tyler Tewell (Butler); Daniel Brown (Raleigh Broughton); Dalton Shuford (Central Cabarrus); Trey Deason (East Gaston); Thomas Willoughby (Pine Forest); Ronald Womack (Hoke County); Matt Batts (Mt. Tabor); Zack Joyce (North Davidson); Adam Church (Watauga); Tate Parrish (Smithfield-Selma).

3A: John Wooten and Walker Gourley (Eastern Wayne); Parks Johnson (Winston-Salem Glenn); Nick McBride and Kyle Brandenburg (Ragsdale); Tyler Joyner (Northern Nash); Rob Staas (Southern Alamance); Nick Lomascolo, Ross Whitley and Scottie Williams (Lake Norman); Hobbs Johnson, Ben Fish and Brian Goodwin (Rocky Mount); Bryan Mitchell (Rockingham); Ethan Strickland (Triton); Jeffrey Howe (Kings Mountain); Danny Vliet (Charlotte Catholic); Hunter Ridge (SW Randolph); Ethan Ogburn (SW Guilford); Mikey Herman (Unionville Piedmont); Josh Darroch (South Granville); Connor Narron and Will Edgerton (Aycock); Branson Christopher (Hickory); Josh Powell (West Brunswick).

Wooten is the 3A player of the year.

2A: Matt Roberts (Graham); Chaz Frank and Trevor Leonard (Central Davidson); Alex Brann (Greene Central); Drew Spears (East Lincoln); Tyler DeLoach (Roanoke Rapids); Michael Bass (Fairmont); Tyler Eudy (West Stanly); Mike Weatherington (North Lenoir); Daniel Hyatt (West Henderson); Joseph Hughes (McMichael); Grant Furr and Matt Barrier (Mt.Pleasant); Nathan Hyatt (Brevard); Aaron Stull (Croatan); Lee Taylor (South Lenoir); Dylan Crump (Lenoir Hibriten); Trey Drewery (West Lincoln); Tyler White (Forest City Chase); Drew Reynolds (East Rutherford); Chris Fine (Morganton Patton); J.T. Pope (Orange); Craig Erskine (McMichael); Tyler Jackson (Starmount); Ben Walgenback (Hendersonville); Brandon Warren (Hertford County).
Hughes is the 2A player of the year.

1A: Chris Huie (Dixon), Nathan Long (West Columbus); Eli Spruitt (Plymouth); Coleman Perry (Jamesville); Gibby Allen (Midway); Josh Harris (Jordan-Matthews); Josh Coker (Murphy); Christian Easter (Mt.Airy); Ben Waldenback (Hendersonville); Chase Ragland (Louisburg); Wes Hatley, Colton Burris and Poplin (South Stanly); Dan Redinger (Topsail); Rookie Davis (Dixon); Josh Zumbrook (West Wilkes); Ricky Kraniak (Camden); Bryan DaCanal and Cory Parks (Cherryville); John Hunter and Robert Jacot (Perquimans); Danny Fraga (Polk County); Cory Dick (Albemarle); Crawford Bolton (Louisburg); Demetrius McKelvie (East Columbus).

- Cliff Mehrtens

All-Southwestern 4A baseball team named

Ardrey Kell pitcher Alex Wood was named the Southwestern 4A baseball player of the year.

Providence’s Danny Hignight, whose team won the regular-season title, is coach of the year.

The all-conference team: Brett Austin, C.A. Clayton, Kurt Semeniuk, Richie Shaffer and Tyler Zupcic (Providence); Robert Balsley and Brian Holberton (Myers Park); Anthony Boone and Brad Collins (Weddington); Leighton Daniels and Olen Little (East Mecklenburg); Jake Fincher, Patrick McMahon and Tyler Tewell (Butler); Zico Pasut, Logan Ratledge, Ryan Stetson and Wood (Ardrey Kell) and Spencer Shuey (South Mecklenburg).

- Cliff Mehrtens

Charlotte Latin wins N.C private-school Wachovia Cup

Charlotte Latin won its fifth consecutive Wachovia Cup as the top athletic program in the N.C. Independent School Athletic Association’s 3A classification.

Wachovia Cup points are awarded to the top eight playoff teams in every sport. State championships are worth 50 points, runner-ups 45, third place 40, etc.

Latin won state championships in girls’ cross country, boys’ soccer, volleyball, girls’ soccer and track, and was state runner-up in football.

The Hawks had 680 points, followed by Charlotte Country Day (615), Providence Day (577.5), Forsyth Country Day (465), Raleigh Ravenscroft (450), Durham Academy (445), Cary Academy (420), Wesleyan Christian (262.5), Greensboro Day (255) and Concord Cannon (237.5).

Country Day was champion in boys’ lacrosse, and second in volleyball, girls’ swimming, wrestling, girls’ lacrosse and boys’ tennis. Providence Day won the boys’ track title, and was second in girls’ cross country, boys’ soccer, girls’ tennis, girls’ basketball and boys’ lacrosse.

Fayetteville Academy won the NCISAA 2A Wachovia Cup, and Kerr-Vance Academy was the 1A champion.

- Cliff Mehrtens

Forestview's Smith commits to North Carolina

Gastonia Forestview's Shannon Smith, an all-state basketball point guard last season as a junior, committed to North Carolina.

Smith's N.C. Flight/Carolina All-Stars travel teams have won N.C. AAU championships the past four years, and won the 2008 AAU Sophomore Super Showcase Championship last summer in Disney World.

Smith, 5-foot-7, averaged 26 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals to help Forestview reach the N.C. 3A title game. She had season-highs of 42 points and 12 assists (three times).

She was named the 2009 State Player of the Year by the North Carolina High School Coaches Association.

- Cliff Mehrtens

Myers Park, Charlotte Catholic: N.C.'s top athletic programs

For the second straight school year, Myers Park and Charlotte Catholic won Wachovia Cup awards as the must successful athletic programs in North Carolina in their classifications.

Myers Park won the N.C. High School Athletic Association's Class 4A award, and Charlotte Catholic was the state's top 3A program.

Myers Park won state championships in girls’ tennis and boys’ soccer, had second-place finishes in girls’ cross country and girls’ track, a third place in boys’ golf and top-eight finishes in girls’ swimming, boys’ basketball and boys’ tennis.

Wachovia Cup points are awarded to the top eight playoff teams in every sport. State championships are worth 50 points, runner-ups 45, third-place 40, etc.

Myers Park had 480 points, followed by Morrisville Green Hope (457.5), Butler (372.5), Mount Tabor (362.5) and Southeast Raleigh (337.5).

“Congratulations to our student-athletes, their coaches, the Mustang Club and the loyal Mustang fans who supported their efforts,” said Greg Clewis, Myers Park’s athletics director. “A real reason to celebrate a great year for the Mustangs.”

Charlotte Catholic held off a strong spring performance by Lake Norman to win the 3A championship. Catholic’s top finish in the spring was third in boys’ tennis, while Lake Norman won boys’ tennis and baseball.

In the winter, Charlotte Catholic won state titles in girls’ swimming, finished second in boys’ swimming and were top-eight in boys’ basketball. The Cougars won a fall state championship in boys’ soccer, and had five other fall sports earn playoff points.

Charlotte Catholic had 487.5 points, followed by Lake Norman (432.5), Skyland Roberson (427.5) and Marvin Ridge (387.5).

Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons won the 2A championship, and Kernersville Bishop McGuinness was the 1A champion.

- Cliff Mehrtens

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NCHSAA Wachovia Cup Standings (final)
Class 4A
1. Myers Park 480 points
2. Morrisville Green Hope 457.5
3. Butler 372.5
4. Mount Tabor 362.5
5. Southeast Raleigh 337.55
6. Ardrey Kell 302.5
7. Providence 290
8. West Charlotte 285
9. East Chapel Hill 275
10. New Bern 270
11. Raleigh Leesville Road 265
12. Northwest Guilford 257.5
13. Raleigh Millbrook 247.5
14. Wilmington Hoggard 237.5
(tie) North Mecklenburg 237.5

Class 3A
1. Charlotte Catholic 487.5
2. Lake Norman 432.5
3. Skyland Roberson 427.5
4. Marvin Ridge 387.5
5. Greensboro Dudley 385
6. Asheville 300
7. Winston-Salem Parkland 275
8. Jacksonville White Oak 255
(tie) Gastonia Forestview 255
10. Eastern Wayne 235
11. Jamestown Ragsdale 217.5
12. Waynesville Tuscola 207.5
(tie) Hickory 207.5
14. Nash Central 205
(tie) Pfafftown Reagan 205

Class 2A
1. Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons 657.5
2. Salisbury 500
3. Orange 322.5
4. Shelby 272.5
(tie) Carrboro 272.5
6. East Lincoln 255
7. Burlington Cummings 247.5
8. Swansboro 237.5
9. Lenoir Hibriten 235
(tie) Pittsboro Northwood 235
11. Newton-Conover 230
(tie) West Henderson 230
13. Black Mountain Owen 225
(tie) Kill Devil Hills First Flight 225
15. Mayodan McMichael 200

Class 1A
1. Kernersville Bishop McGuinness 562.5
2. Hampstead Topsail 482.5
3. Hendersonville 450
4. Polk County 365
5. Raleigh Charter 322.5
6. N.C. School Of Science and Math 320
7. Mount Airy 312.5
8. East Surry 280
9. Winton-Salem Preparatory 250
10. Robbinsville 247.5
11. Albemarle 227.5
12. Elkin 212.5
13. Misenheimer Gray Stone Day 210
14. Manteo 207.5
15. Pender 200
(tie) West Wilkes 200

Concord High to honor E.Z. Smith on July 25

Concord High will honor recently-retired football coach E.Z. Smith’s 29 years with a benefit at 6 p.m. July 25 at the Charles Rimer gym on campus.

Tickets are $25, which will be applied to the building of Concord High’s Wellness Center. School officials have spent three months travelling across the state video-taping rival coaches, former Spiders players and alumni for a video tribute of Smith’s career. The event will include food and guest speakers, and WBTV news anchor Paul Cameron will be master of ceremonies.

Smith, 55, resigned as coach in January after going 254-100-1, including state championships in 2004 and 2006. He will teach next school year, and plans to retire after 30 years.

The Wellness Center will feature a community center and Hall of Fame room with memorabilia from Concord High and Logan High (pre-integration).

To order tickets: Call 704-786-4161, email CHS@cabarrus.k12.nc.us, at the school from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.Mondays through Thursdays. Info: Athletics director George Walker, 704-720-7455.

- Cliff Mehrtens

Charlotte Christian has national player and coach of the year

Charlotte Christian pitcher Luke Bard was named the national baseball player of the year by the National Christian School Athletic Assocation, and Christian’s Greg Simmons is national coach of the year

Teammate Ty Linton, a junior outfielder, joined Bard on the first team.

Covenant Day infielder Hunter Grey and Charlotte Christian catcher Scott Glover were named to the NCSAA Southeast Super Region team.

Bard was 10-0 with a 0.31 earned run average, and limited opponents to a .111 batting average. He allowed only two extra-base hits, signed with Georgia Tech and was drafted in the 16th round by the Boston Red Sox. Bard hit three home runs and drove in 21 runs.

Linton, who has committed to North Carolina, batted .456 with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs. He had a .922 slugging percentage and .541 on-base percentage. Simmons led the Knights (30-3) to their seventh N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A championship in eight years.

- Cliff Mehrtens

Butler's Halvorson wins top N.C. track award

Butler High’s Aslynn Halvorson was named the Gatorade N.C. Girls’ Track & Field Athlete of the Year on Wednesday.

The award is based on athletic achievement, academics and character.

Halvorson, who recently finished her senior year and has signed with Tennessee, won the shot put and discus events at the N.C. 4A meet for the second straight year.

She also won the discus at the prestigious Penn Relays, and her winning throw of 161 feet, eight inches was the fifth-best in the country among high-schoolers.

Halvorson, who has a 3.67 grade point average, also is an accomplished singer and musician. She has volunteered with Habitat For Humanity, various church-related service projects and with youth track and basketball programs.

“Aslynn is the all-around student-athlete that anyone would be honored to have as part of their program,” Butler coach Debbie Bethay. “There’s no one more deserving than she is.”

- Cliff Mehrtens

Red Sox draft Char.Christian's Bard (again)

Well, at least the Boston Red Sox knew the phone number.

Boston picked Charlotte Christian pitcher Luke Bard in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday, the second time it picked a Bard brother in four years.

Daniel Bard, who pitched at Charlotte Christian and North Carolina, was Boston’s first-round choice in 2006. Last month, he was promoted to the majors, and has a 0.82 ERA in nine relief appearances.

On Tuesday, he pitched the final inning of Boston’s 7-0 victory against the New York Yankees, and twice hit 100 mph on the radar gun.

Luke Bard, a right-hander, was 10-0 with a 0.31 ERA this season, and helped Christian win the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A championship. He had 90 strikeouts and opponents hit .111 against him.

“I was real excited,” Bard said. “Actually, I was out playing golf (Tuesday) when a friend texted me. Then the Red Sox called. I’m a huge Red Sox fan, obviously, because of my brother.”

Bard, who signed with Georgia Tech, is 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds. His fastball is consistently in the low-90s (mph), and his breaking pitches were effective all season.

Bard must now weigh the signing bonus Boston offers against playing in college. If he enrolls, he won’t be eligible to be drafted again until after his junior year.

“I can’t wait to pitch for Georgia Tech, but I’m looking forward to talking to the Red Sox soon,” Bard said. “They’re coming to see me pitch, and it’s definitely exciting. Then I’ll have to make a decision.”

- Cliff Mehrtens

Providence High's Shaffer drafted by L.A. Dodgers

Providence High third baseman/pitcher Richie Shaffer was picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 25th round of Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday.

Shaffer, 6-foor-4 and 190 pounds, was 7-1 with a save and a 0.64 ERA this season, despite midseason hand surgery. He batted .385, with three home runs, a .667 slugging percentage and a .613 on-base percentage.

Shaffer, who signed with Clemson, was projected to be picked much higher. But the injury and subsequent repair of the hammate bone in his left (non-throwing) hand may have pushed him down many draft lists.

He was All-Observer as a sophomore and junior. This year's team will be announced Sunday.

- Cliff Mehrtens