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NBA and NHL Playoffs

Howard Platt — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:02:35 +0000

In the NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics routed the Philadelphia 76ers in Philly 107-91 Wednesday night to take a 2-1 series lead in their Eastern Semifinal series. Kevin Garnett had 27 points and thirteen rebounds to lead Boston. Fajon Rondo had 23 points and 14 assists, and Paul Pierce had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Game Four is Friday in Philadlephia. Oklahoma City rallied from seven down with two minutes left to have a 9-0 run at the end of the game and edge the Lakers 77-75. Kevin Durant got what proved the be the game winning basket on a baseline runner with 18 seconds left. The win gave the Oklahoma squad a 2-0 lead in the Western Semifinals, as they head to Los Angeles for Game Three Friday night. Tonight (Thursday) Miami and Indiana shift sites to Indianapolis for game three of their series which is now tied at one game apiece. The LA Clippers are in San Antonio for Game two of their Western Conference Semifinals Thursday. The Spurs lead one game to none after winning their fifteenth game in a row in the series opener Tuesday night. The Pacers and Heat tipoff at 7:00PM, while the Spurs and Clippers start at 9:30PM.

In the NHL Eastern Finals, New Jersey edged the New York Rangers 3-2 in New York to square that series at one game apiece. They resume Saturday at Jersey. Thursday night the Western Finals series resumes between the Los Angeles Kings and Phoenix Coyotes in LA. The Kings lead the series two games to none.

Local Baseball

Howard Platt — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:50:21 +0000

Playoff Baseball continues for some of our teams from Rowan County and the area. North Rowan’s Baseball season came to an end Wednesday night, as they lost to Yadkin Valley Conference rival, West Montgomery 6-1 on Wednesday night. West Montgomery took advantage of walks and errors and scored all six of their runs in the last of the fourth. The Cavaliers socre their only run in the seventh inning. Clint Veal took the loss and had his record drop to 5-5. North finished the season at 11-13. It was the fourth time in four games that North Rowan had lost to West Montgomery. Two other Second Round Baseball Playoff games that had been scheduled were postpone again because of wet grounds. Carson at Northwest Cabarrus and Northeast Guilford at Davie County have rescheduled again for Thursday and must be played then. If the scheduled sites are unplayable they will have to find alternate sites..Both games are scheduled for 7:00PM starts. Carson at NW Cabarrus is a 3A second round game, while Northeast Guilford at Davie County is a 4A game.

Catawba begins play in the Division II Southeast Regionals Thursday against Tusculum, with the game due to start at 3:00PM at Mt. Olive, the host of the Regional. Nick Lomasaculo has been designated as the starter for Game for Catawba. The Tournament is a double elimination event and will have one Champion survivor by Sunday. Tusculum is seeded second, while Catawba is the fifth seed. Tusculum took two out of three from the Indians during the regular season series played in Tennessee.

The Greensboro Grasshoppers edged the Kannapolis Intimidators 10-8 in eleven innnings Wednesday afternoon, sweeping the three game series in Greensboro. The I’s start a new homestand Thursday night against the Lexington Legends at CMC Northeast Stadium 7:05PM.

Braves lose to Marlins, Drop back to Second Place

Howard Platt — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:35:46 +0000

The Atlanta Braves dropped back into second place in the NL East, losing 8-4 to the Miami Marlins in Atlanta in the first game of a two game series. Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton hit a two run homer and made a diving catch that save two runs as well. Mark Buehrle gave up four runs on six hits in six inning, but it was well enought to get the win. Mike Minor took the loss for the Braves as he continued his recent struggles. Miami continues hot with a 12-3 May record. The Braves dropped a half game back of Washington in the NL East at 23-15. They finish their series with the Marlins Thursday night and the homestand as well before moving on to a road trip that starts with interleague play at Tampa Friday. Airtime is 5:55PM, first pitch is 7:10PM Thursday on Newsradio 1490 with the Braves network.

Construction careers and college? Students from several counties get an education

Tim Coates — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:50:17 +0000

Submitted by David Whisenant

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 5:09pm

Students get a hands on demonstration of woodworking equipment during Construction Career Days

SALISBURY - In some ways it was a typical day for high school students from Cabarrus, Rowan, Kannapolis, Lincoln, and Gaston. They were playing some video games; actually high tech simulators, doing a little yard work; that is by testing John Deere commercial landscaping equipment, and driving around in a new Hyundai; well, a piece of heavy equipment made by the Korean automaker, so you can tell, it was far from typical.

The students were taking part in Construction Career Day, sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Transportation at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center in Concord.

“I thought it was pretty interesting,” said Bryce Burns, a senior at West Rowan High School. “You drive three nails and see how fast you can get them in, there was a welding simulation to see how far you can weld, I tested and drove some equipment, hopefully I can use that in the near future.”

Why not use it now? Couldn’t these students just go from high school straight to work and save the time and expense of a college education?

That’s the path many are able to take, but most we found don’t want to do that.

“I want to be a zoo, animal biologist,” said Brittany Ayotte.

And, according to a construction job recruiter, even those who will take jobs like the ones being demonstrated, can benefit from a college education.

“It’s all joy stick, it’s all computer, it’s not a matter of sticking a key in the ignition and starting it up like in the old days” Mike Watkins told WBTV. “They have plenty of work on the highways right now.”

Robin Perry is the director of career services at Catawba College. She pointed out how a college education is becoming more crucial with the advent of technology in so many more occupations.

“There’s more high tech stuff in any industry now,” Perry said. “And the IT folks, folks who know the computers and IT specialties are going to really be at an advantage.”

Can you have it both ways? In some cases you can, colleges like CPCC offer college credit for those who complete an apprenticeship program in things like bricklaying, electrical work, and carpentry.

A recent US News study found that people with a college degree made an average of $20,000 more per year than those without, and the government says the degree is worth $1.3 in additional earnings over a lifetime.

On the other hand, the web site careerbliss.com points out that the job of construction worker is one of five that pays well without requiring a degree. The web site lists an average salary in construction at $58,300 annually for workers without a college degree.

Respect For Law Breakfast held Wednesday

Tim Coates — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:46:23 +0000

Submitted by David Whisenant

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 9:17am

- Salisbury Police Officer Wiley Lamm was named Veteran Officer of the Year by Chief Rory Collins

SALISBURY – Law enforcement officers and agencies from the local, state, and federal levels were honored Wednesday morning at the Salisbury Optimist Club Respect For Law Breakfast at the Holiday Inn.

The program included posting of colors by the Salisbury Police Department Honor Guard, and remarks by Salisbury Mayor Paul Woodson.

The winners for 2012 included:

China Grove Police Department Officer David Lambert

East Spencer Police Department Officer Renard Cuthbertson

Granite Quarry-Faith Police Department Officer David Earnhardt

Kannapolis Police Department Officer Tod P. Decker

Landis Police Department Lt. Steven Benfield

N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Barringer

Rockwell Police Department Officer Ronald Canup

Rowan County Sheriff’s Department Detective Greg Bacote

Salisbury Police Department Officer Wiley Lamm

Spencer Police Department Officer Kenny Williams

V.A. Medical Center Police Officer Jamu Sanders

Paul G. Wilson Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award Hugh Bost, Jr., Rockwell Police Department

Robbery Suspect Out of Jail By Mistake

Kent Bernhardt — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:49:12 +0000

Police charged a 19-year-old Salisbury man Tuesday with robbing a Domino’s Pizza in April. He was then let out of jail by mistake and authorities say he is considered armed and dangerous.

Willie James Johnson Jr., of South Merritt Avenue, was placed in jail Wednesday under a $25,500 bond. But he was later released after posting only $500 bond. The $25,000 secured bond is still in effect, and a news release from The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday night said he should not have been released.

There is an outstanding warrant on Johnson for a probation violation. The Sheriff’s Office is offering a $1,000 cash reward for information that leads to his arrest and capture

Local Aaron’s Worker Wins National Competition

Kent Bernhardt — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:46:00 +0000

Aaron’s, Inc. proudly announced today that Salisbury resident Shane Towell is the winner of the annual PT Rodeo competition.

The PT Rodeo, which stands for “Product Technician,” is a showcase of skill in which more than 3,000 Aaron’s technicians from across the country compete for the grand prize which is a trip to the 2012 and 2013 Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega and an opportunity to wave the green flag at the start of the 2012 Sprint Cup NASCAR race; travel to the 2013 Managers Meeting in Nashville; travel to the 2012 Chairman’s Circle trip to Jamaica; a complete entertainment package that includes a flat screen television, surround sound and a television stand; and a trophy.

Shane was named the champion after two rounds of competition and a final “Top 20” round held at Talladega. The contest features a wide variety of activities including driving, loading and unloading, moving furniture, identifying SKU numbers and connecting electronics.

RCCC Students Grab Top Honors

Kent Bernhardt — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:41:40 +0000

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College students returned from the 58th Annual North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda Leadership Conference with numerous awards – including first prize in accounting, financial services, small business management, and word processing.

Nine students from Rowan-Cabarrus attended the Phi Beta Lambda Leadership conference in Charlotte late last month. Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) is the largest and oldest student business organization.

This was the fourth year in a row that Rowan-Cabarrus students received awards at the North Carolina PBL State Leadership Conference. First, second and some third place winners qualify to compete in the PBL National Conference in San Antonio, Texas in June. The students will conduct fund-raising efforts over the next few months to offset trip expenses.

Duke gets top Basketball Recruit

Howard Platt — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:28:12 +0000

Star High School forward, Amile Jefferson signed with Duke Tuesday. Jefferson at 6’7″, averaged 19.9 points and 10.2 rebounds for Friends Central High School out of Philadelphia his senior season. He’s rated on of the nation’s top prep big men, and was named a McDonalds All-America. NC State and Kentucky had also been considered by Jefferson in the recruiting process.

National Sports Headlines

Howard Platt — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:23:50 +0000

In the NBA Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers edged the Heat in Miami 78-75 to even their series at one game apiece. David West led the Pacers with 16 points and ten rebounds. Labron James had 28 points and Duane Wade 24 for Miami, but the Heat was unable to make up for the loss of Chris Bosch to injury. In the Western Semifinals, San Antonio won its fifteenth straight game, handling the LA Clippers easily 108-92 in the opening game of the series. Tim Duncan led the scoring with 26 points and added ten rebounds. Wednesday night, Boston at Philadelphia with the series at one game apiece and Oklahoma City hosts the LA Lakers in game two of their series. The Thunder took the opening game 119-90 on Monday.