Good Luck Mikayla and Brandon

Two Unicoi County High School seniors: Mikayla Treadway and Brandon Adams have signed to attend college this fall. Treadway, an all star shortstop on the Class AA State Champion Lady Devils, will be attending East Tennessee State University where she will continue her softball career. Adams, a lineman on the Blue Devil football team, center on the basketball team and a member of the Watauga Conference champion boy’s tennis squad, signed to attend Maryville College where he will pursue his football career. Good luck and god speed to both of them.

ALL-TIME TOP TWO PITCHERS

The two greatest pitchers I have ever seen are: 1) Sandy Koufax and, 2) Bob Gibson. Growing up in the 1960’s. pitching was way betterthen it is now. The mound was higher and batters earned every hit they got. Koufax was the most dominant pitcher. During the regular season, he was great. In the post season- he was even better. His ERA in world series play is 0.95. He pitched for a light hitting Dodgers team that had good defesne and timely hitting. Gibson was a great, great competitor. His greatest season, 1968, was one for the record books. 22-9, 1.12 ERA winner of both Cy Young and NL MVP awards. Played in three World Series(1964, 67, 68) Won three games in ‘64 and ‘67 fall classics. 17 strikeouts in game 1 of 1968 World Series broke Koufax’ record of 15 set in 1963 and has yet to be challenged since. It appears that I am fawning over Gibson and to some extent I am. But Koufax was unhittable. From 1962-66, Sandy won five consecutive ERA titles, three Cy Young Awards when one was given for both leagues(separate Cy Young Awards for both leagues began in 1967), four no-hitters(including a perfect game). Held the major league(now NL record) for strikeouts in a season with 382. His last season, 1966, Koufax had the greatest swan sog in history: 27-9 317k’s. Mind you, he pitched the final three years of his career with arthritis. Well, there it is, you can debate all you want but Koufax aand Gibson are the top two pitchers I have ever seen. 

WE’RE NUMBER ONE!

With a dramatic 3-1 win May 23 over Good Pasture, Unicoi County dethroned the six time defending champion Lady Cougars to earn the Class AA State Softball title. Down 1-0 in the top of the third inning, Mikayla Treadway and Emilee Lovette singled. Ali Gardner stepped up and jumped on the first pitch for a three run home run that put Unicoi County in front to stay. Kara Woods, who didn’t have her best stuff, settled down and yielded just two singles the rest of the way-at one point retiring 13 consecutive batters. The best move was by head coach Grady Lingerfelt, who shook up his line up by moving certain batters up or down in the order and it worked to perfection. The triumphant Lady Devils were treated to a heroes welcome in Erwin that night and it was well deserved. Gardner, Whitley Hensley, Elizabeth Raby and Treadway, all seniors, go out in a blaze of glory. A season to remember that gave birth to a lifetime of memories. Congratulations, Unicoi County- WE’RE NUMBER ONE!

CONGRATULATIONS, CAMERON!

 Finishing second in the state decathlon is quite an accomplishment for any young man. Good luck in the triple jump on Friday. You have done yourself, your family and your coaches proud.

MY ALLTIME YANKEES’ TEAM

Here is my all-time NY Yankees’ team by position:

First base: Lou Gehrig

Second base: Willie Randolph

Shortstop: Derek Jeter

Third base: Graig Nettles

Catcher: Yogi Berra

LF: Dave Winfield

CF: Joe DiMaggio

RF: Babe Ruth

DH: Mickey Mantle

RHP: Waite Hoyt

LHP: Whitey Ford

RELIEF PITCHER: Mariano Rivera

MANAGER: Joe McCarthy

HONORABLE MENTION: Roy White, Paul O’Neill, Don Mattingly, Bill Dickey, Elston Howard, Hank Bauer, Bobby Richardson, Bucky Dent, Thurman Munson and Chris Chambliss.

OH WELL!

Well, the Boston Celtics tried their best but to no avail as they were demolished 101-82 in game 7 of the eastern conference semi-finals by Orlando, who now face Cleveland for the Conference title. Should be a good series as should the Western Conference finals between the Lakers-Nuggets. Like to see Cleveland-Denver final-neither team has ever won an NBA title. For my Celtics, its oh well, wait till next year.

I almost forgot!

I almost forgot that Cameron Miller was heading to Stae in the decathlon- hope he does well!

QUITE A SPRING!

Between the Lady Devils softball team heading to state, the Blue Devils coming up a game short of State. Reed Jackson competing for a state singles tennis title and Thad Higgins competing at state in the pole vault it has been quite a spring for Unicoi County.

Congratulations, Ali!

Ali Gardner, senior post player on a 21-10 Lady Devils’ basketball team has signed to attend Milligan College  and play basketball for head coach Rich Aubrey. Aubrey is getting an athletic post player that should fit in well with his talented women’s team. First though, Gardner, a speedy centerfielder for the Lady Devils with a lethal bat, has one more goal she would like to achieve before graduation: a state title for herself and her teammates. Congratulations and best wishes.

ANYTHING BUT A BLUE SPRING!

It has been anything but a blue spring for Unicoi County High School sports. The Lady Devils are regional champions by virtue of its 3-0 shut out over Grainger- a no-hitter by Kara Woods. The Blue Devils lost to Pigeon forge 9-5 for the regional title but are still in the loser’s bracket. The boy’s tennis team went undefeated and captured a surprising conference title. They had the team regional title in it’s grasp but faltered at the end. Reed Jacskon, a freshman tennis sensation, won district and regional titles on his way to State. The Boy’s track team won a conference title. So, spring is here and it has been anything but blue. Rather, blue and white!