Harris Y breaks ground on new children’s space
page 4
Thompson shines on court
page 21 Serving The Arboretum, Ballantyne, Blakeney and SouthPark communities
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Volume 13, Number 39 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014
Ballantyne women throw party in pink to raise cancer awareness About 180 pink-clad women came to Ballantyne Country Club on Tuesday, Sept. 23, to play golf and enjoy a luncheon, all while raising funds for Susan G. Komen, a foundation for breast cancer awareness and prevention. The luncheon was part of BCC Rally Week, a week of fundraisers in the Ballantyne area hosted by BCC Rally, a Charlotte-area nonprofit that raises awareness for breast cancer and offers financial support for Rally for the Cure to benefit Susan G. Komen. A small group of women started the group at Ballantyne Country Club 11 years ago and it has since become the first Rally for the Cure group in the country to raise more than $1 million dollars. BCC Rally Week, which started on Sunday, Sept. 21, with a Walk-and-Wag Pink-a-thon, a non-competitive 5K where people were encouraged to bring pets. BCC Rally Weeks ends on Saturday, Sept. 27, with a Denim & Diamonds gala. Tuesday, women participated in a silent auction throughout the event that offered a large variation of goods and services, ranging from jewelry to golf
2014-15 performing arts Preview inside: our annual guide to the performing arts events you don’t want to miss. Starts after page 12
by Ryan Pitkin ryan@thecharlotteweekly.com (see BCC Rally on page 3)
(Left) Attendees of the BCC Ladies’ Luncheon arrived decked out in a variety of creative get-ups. Ryan Pitkin/SCW photo
New STEM-center charter school to arrive in Charlotte by Courtney Schultz courtney@thecharlotteweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – On Sept 4 the North Carolina Board of Education voted to move 11 charter schools into the planning-year phase, with a target opening of August 2015.
One of the 11 schools, Queen City STEM School, will open in Charlotte with a mission “to prepare students to become competent, responsible and successful individuals in our globalized and technology-based society through a strong academic
program, school- family-community partnerships, and strong teacherstudent relationships.” The charter school will replicate Triad Math and Science Academy, a successful public charter school in Greensboro.
North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Steven Walker, who serves on the North Carolina Charter Schools Advisory Board, said Triad seems to be performing well and has long waiting lists, up to three times its capacity.
(see STEM on page 12)
INDEX: News Briefs, 6; Crime Blotter, 7; Scores, 8; Education, 10; Faith, 15; Calendar, 16; Sports, 17; Classifieds, 27
Page 2 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
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News
BCC Rally (continued from page 1)
accessories to a weeklong stay in an Ocean Isle Beach condo. The total amount of funds raised will not be released until the BCC Rally Week has concluded, but BCC Rally President Sue Dockstader emphasizes that awareness is more vital than money, as early detection is the best way to prevent death by breast cancer. After finishing a round of golf Tuesday morning well before the rain started falling, ladies were able to let loose with pink drinks from the bar and free pampering services from Neiman Marcus. The keynote speaker, Dr. Judith Salerno, CEO and president of Susan G. Komen, addressed attendees while they ate a lunch of pulled-pork barbecue and French fries. It was Salerno’s first appearance at any Rally for the Cure event nationally since assuming the leadership in 2013. She addressed the crowd by discussing topics ranging from new technology used in treating breast cancer to the disproportionate amount of black women dying of the disease as opposed to white women. Salerno flew in from her home in Dallas for the event, and spent the morning prior to the luncheon meeting volunteers and staff with Komen Charlotte, the Charlotte-area Susan G. Komen affiliate. She said her first trip to Charlotte as CEO of Komen was “energizing,” especially in seeing the work of BCC Rally.
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“This event really leads the Rally events around the country in terms of commitment,” Salerno said before the luncheon started. “To see how they recognize the needs in their community and want to do something about it. The community is really coming together.” Tami Simmons, executive director of Komen Charlotte, gave a short speech before introducing Salerno to the crowd. She said that one of Salerno’s best features is her impactful speaking and was excited to see how “jazzed” the president could get the members in the crowd about their cause. Simmons was quick to praise BCC Rally, as well, on her arrival to the event, where she said all the pink was “amazingly beautiful” and showed just how united everyone was. “The relationship (Komen Charlotte) has with BCC Rally 365 days a year is what means the most to us,” Simmons said. “They work tirelessly all year long in support of Komen and what we are trying to do. Today is just a wonderful celebration of the relationship we have across Komen Charlotte and BCC Rally and everything we are trying to accomplish together.” Some women at the rally wore costumes, and one group of members dressed as characters from Alice in Wonderland. Others donned cowgirl get-ups or added pink tweaks to their outfits such as tutus or headbands. Even With all the fun being had, the common goal of the rally is to take action against the disease that’s expected to take 40,000 lives in 2014 alone. Many of those in attendance have lost someone close to them or had
Nancy Adams and Angel Canafax, co-chairs of BCC Rally; Dr. Judith Salerno, CEO and president of Susan G. Komen; Sue Dockstader, president of BCC Rally. Ryan Pitkin/SCW photo
a loved one affected by breast cancer. Debbie Violette, a 14-year Ballantyne resident, said she has been involved with BCC Rally from the beginning and attends events like Tuesday’s lunch as a way to pay tribute to a friend who passed away from breast cancer 10 years ago. “It’s a way for the community to come together to show support for anyone who has dealt with the disease, for anyone who has lost loved ones, and it’s a way to have fun while doing that,” Violette said. Jigisha Thaker, a Ballantyne resident for over 10 years and member of BCC Rally, played golf, but said that the important part is what the members are raising awareness for with events like Tuesday’s.
Thaker’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was in college and within two days of diagnosis was being given a double mastectomy. Her mother is now a 28-year cancer survivor, and although Thaker’s happy for her mom, she also is happy that groups like BCC Rally are raising funds to research technology that prevents and treats breast cancer more effectively than the “radical” ways of the past. “It happens very quickly,” Thaker said. “I never know when it can strike my family, my friends, my neighbors. That’s why supporting Susan G. Komen and eradicating breast cancer is a really phenomenal thing.”
South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 3
News
The Harris YMCA’s Cato Education Center will provide space for its Preschool Academy, before- and after-school program and day camp. Courtney Schultz/SCW photo
Harris Y breaks ground on new children’s space by Courtney Schultz courtney@thecharlotteweekly.com
An area YMCA will provide a new space to allow children “to learn, make friends and thrive.” The Harris YMCA, located at 5900 Quail Hollow Road, hosted groundbreaking for its Cato Education Center and Sara Harris Bissell Pavilion on Sept. 18. The Cato Education Center will have 10 classrooms – one with a teaching kitchen, an open-air gymnasium and stage and other flexible space. “It will provide a high quality, ageappropriate learning environment with both indoor/outdoor areas,” read the YMCA’s website. The building will not be funded by membership dues, and is 100 percent donor funded. Harris has raised $2.7 million of the $3.5 million needed for the new building. The community, according to a news release, will raise the rest of the money. Preschool students helped the donors take the first scoop of dirt for the groundbreaking at the event. The Harris YMCA built the education center because of its growing membership, with more than 25,000 members, including almost 7,000 children. The current facility lacks the dedicated, age-appropriate learning space for the youth programs, YMCA representatives have said. Many youth enrichment programs must share or borrow space from other program areas, such as the child care and after school programs and part of the Teen Center, which has been converted to preschool classrooms. Harris YMCA Executive Director Kelly Rogers said the building is specially crafted for programs and hopes it will enhance these programs. YMCA leaders believe that the new facility will provide an inspiring, ageappropriate learning environment that reflects the quality and vibrancy of its current youth programs, according to Page 4 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
the release. The Harris YMCA hopes the facility will serve the children of its Preschool Academy, the before- and after-school program and day camp. “The Y is the cornerstone of a healthy community,” Rogers said the release. “The Harris YMCA brings more than 25,000 people of all ages and backgrounds together in meaningful and transformative ways. Our impact is especially evident when it comes to children. The Cato Education Center provides an extraordinary opportunity to increase our capacity to improve outcomes for children in school and life.” Rogers said she considers this center to be a “must do” to help support the area’s children. The programs at the YMCA seek to eliminate childhood obesity, encourage children to graduate on time and keep them from participating in sedentary activities, such as playing video games or watching television. One in five children participating in programs at the Harris YMCA receive scholarship support. President and CEO of YMCA of Greater Charlotte Andy Calhoun believe the event and center help bring the community together. “We’re all in the ‘YMCA hub’ this morning,” Calhoun said. Rogers echoed Calhoun’s testaments about bringing the community together. “The YMCA positioned in a community is really at the center of bringing families together and creating opportunities for children to grow and thrive. (We want them to) become healthy, well human beings,” Rogers said. “We want to be a part of that – we want to hold space for those kids.” The center’s projected completion date is spring 2015. Find more information at www. ymcacharlotte.org/branches/harris/ ha.aspx.
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News
Ballantyne residents try to get answers by Courtney Schultz courtney@thecharlotteweekly.com
Ballantyne and south Charlotte residents came together to ask questions about how the city will handle the district’s growth. Ed Driggs, city councilman for the area, hosted a town hall meeting, “Managing Growth in District 7,” on Saturday, Sept. 20, allowing city officials to explain Ballantyne-area projects. The meeting was to “help the city to be more transparent,” Driggs said at the meeting. Many residents shared concerns about the increase of multi-family residences, such as apartment buildings, and their effects on traffic, schools and city spending. The proposed apartments from Terwilliger Pappas’s at the corner of North Community House and Bryant Farms roads was a topic of discussion at the meeting. Opponents say the parcel could causes issues for an already overpopulated area. Debra Campbell, Charlotte’s former planning director, who was appointed as assistant city manager on Sept. 19, discussed rezoning and District 7’s growth during her presentation at the meeting. Campbell emphasized that the city’s planning department does not create
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laws or regulations or decide rezoning, but shares with the city council how proposed rezoning could affect the area’s growth. “Rezoning requests may not be a part of (the planning department’s overall) plan,” she said. Rezoning usually is a four-month process, but residents have an option to oppose proposed rezoning by signing a protest petition. One resident from the area surrounding the proposed complex, which will be near the Morrison YMCA, has already officially filed a protest petition. Campbell said the planning department can provide guidance about proposed rezoning, but it’s the city council’s decision. The assistant city manager also said some of the city plans are outdated, which some residents believe is the culprit for the city not accommodating Ballantyne’s growth the way they hoped. “Some of our plans are fairly dated; and we need to look at the changes that have taken place,” Campbell said. “(But) we don’t have enough resources to revamp old planning policies.” Residents also voiced concerns about overcrowding in Ballantyne-area schools (see Ballantyne on page 8)
South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 5
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News Briefs Showmars 5K to benefit Levine Children’s Hospital
Showmars’ third-annual Pediatric Hearts 5K has added individual fundraising to its already successful event, which benefits Carolinas HealthCare System’s Levine Children’s Hospital. The 5K is Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Park Cedar location in Pineville and will loop through Park Crossing’s tree-lined streets. For the first time, the event has added individual or group fundraising in honor or memory of a special pediatric heart patient. The goal is to encourage individuals to share their stories, so that family, friends or colleagues can support their fundraising efforts while raising awareness for pediatric cardiovascular diseases, according to a news release. There is a $200 suggested fundraising minimum. Participants of all skill levels and ages are welcome to run in the Showmars Pediatric Hearts 5K. The event includes a 5K run, walk, complimentary kids fun run, pancake breakfast and entertainment for the whole family. All registration and information can be found at www.showmars5k.com.
Eastwood Homes hosts golf outing to benefit Levine’s Children’s Hospital Charlotte-based homebuilder Eastwood Homes will host its second-annual golf outing on Monday, Sept. 29, at Raintree Country Club. All proceeds will be donated to the Levine Children’s Hospital. Eastwood Homes hosted its inaugural event in 2013, which raised roughly $56,000 for the hospital. Teams of four will tee off in a shotgun
Page 6 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
start at noon. Pre-registration for teams is required, and limited opportunities are available. All players will enjoy 18 holes of golf, a catered lunch, a giveaway bag, and recognition at the concluding dinner ceremony. “We look forward to this year’s charity golf outing, and to building on the success of last year’s event,” Bryan DeGabrielle, Eastwood Homes Charlotte vice president of sales said in a news release. “Everyone had a great time and we were honored to donate such a substantial amount to the Levine Children’s Hospital.” Eastwood Homes formed a philanthropic partnership with Carolinas HealthCare System and Levine Children’s Hospital in January 2008. The builder donates a portion of the proceeds on each sale to the efforts of the hospital. Additionally, the company contributes gifts and necessities to patients and their families in the hospital through the use of the Eastwood Homes’ Hospitality Cart, which circles the patient floors on a daily basis.
Charlotte Animal Rescue wins $2,000 in Tractor Supply Company’s contest Charlotte nonprofit Carolina Waterfowl Rescue won the $2,000 fourth-place prize in Tractor Supply Company’s national Rescue Your Rescue contest, an online competition to recognize groups working to find forever homes for adoptable animals. More than 51,000 votes were cast for the top 10 finalists. The contest garnered 1,800 nominations for animal rescues and shelters across the country, according to a news release. Tractor Supply hosted the contest as part of Pet Appreciation Week festivities. Pet Appreciation Week, or P.A.W., is the store’s annual event to celebrate pets and introduce families to the joy of owning animals. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue is a non-
profit wildlife rescue organization run by federally-licensed migratory bird rehabilitation experts specializing in waterfowl. The rescue takes in more than 1,000 birds a year covering close to 40 different wild bird species. The organization is an all-volunteer group that donates time, money and expertise to helping North Carolina’s birds in need. Tractor Supply presented $25,000 worth of checks to prizewinners on Sept. 20 during Pet Appreciation Week events at local Tractor Supply stores. The event also featured pet adoptions through a partnership with Petfinder.com, demonstrations on pet nutrition, discounts on pet food and supplies, free giveaways and valuable in-store prize drawings.
South Charlotte author E.K. Smith hosts book signing for new kids book South Charlotte author E.K. Smith is hosting a book signing on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Park Road Books from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The signing is to celebrate the release of his new book, “Alien Dude! Mr. Evil Potato Man and the Food Fight!” The new title is the first in a series designed to promote literacy and reading skills in boys and girls ages 6-8 years old. This action-packed, 64-page book uses full-page black and white cartoon illustrations with brief, expressive narrative lines to advance a fantastic plot that every 7-yearold boy (and maybe girl) will adore, according to a news release. It involves the heroic actions and adventures of Alien Dude, who likes to morph into a velociraptor before eating dinner, catch snowballs and air on his snowboard and use his secret weapon: his armpits. The signing, which is presented by Zip Line Publishing, will include a book reading, cookies, lemonade and potato craft.
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News South Charlotte Weekly
Crime Blotter
The following crimes were committed in south Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.:
Home/Business Break-ins • 11800 block of Golspie Court: $100 in damage done to bathroom window during attempted home break-in. Sept. 22 • 12000 block of Summerberry Court: $250 in damage done to glass door in attempted break-in. Sept. 22 • 12400 block of Stirling Trace: $13,650 in jewelry stolen during home break-in. Sept. 23 • 7900 block of Quail Hill Road: $4,560 in jewelry stolen and $350 in damage done to back door during home break-in. Sept. 23 • 6700 block of Castlegate Drive: $25 in damage done to door during attempted home break-in. Sept. 24 • 8600 block of Barclay Woods Court: $15,075 in jewelry stolen and $200 in damage done to back door during home break-in. Sept. 24
Vehicle Break-ins • 4400 block of Sharon Road: $400 boots stolen and $500 in damage done during vehicle break-in. Sept. 21 • 6400 block of Fairway Row Lane: Golf clubs
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and accessories, worth $3,764 total, stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 22 • 11200 block of Wheat Ridge Road: Glasses worth $500 stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 23 • 2800 block of Thornbush Court: GPS device, cash, phone charger and vehicle registration, worth $420 total, stolen when two cars were broken into. Sept. 23 • 2500 block of Red Barn Lane: Shoes, wallet and prescription medication, worth $113 total, stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 23 • 6100 block of Colchester Place: Bag and prescription medicine, worth $540 total, stolen when four cars were broken into. Sept. 23 • 10100 block of Cedar Circle Drive: Car radio and speakers, worth $500 total, stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 23 • 3500 block of Brushy Lane: $10 cigar cutter stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 23 • 6600 block of Old Reid Road: $20 in cash stolen when two cars were broken into. Sept. 23 • 6000 block of Patrick Place: $1 piece of paper stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 23 • 3800 block of Davis Drive: Radar detector and loose change, worth $154 total, stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 23 • 11300 block of Colonial Country Lane: GPS device and laptop, worth $301 total, stolen during vehicle break-in. Sept. 24
Vehicle Theft • 2100 block of Sagamore Road: $15,000 Toyota 4Runner stolen. Sept. 22 • 2500 block of Cranbrook Lane: Toyota Prius
worth $12,000 stolen. Sept. 22 • 8300 block of Eagle Glen: $25,000 BMW 328i stolen from driveway. Sept. 23 • 5600 block of Legacy Circle: Kia Optima worth $8,350 stolen from driveway. Briefcase, jacket, paperwork and jewelry, worth $453 total, stolen with car. Sept. 23
Property Theft
damage done to Acura TL in vandalism incident. Sept. 22 • 11600 block of James Richard Drive: $2,000 in damage done to construction equipment in vandalism incident. Sept. 22 • 5100 block of Ballantyne Commons Parkway: $1,000 in damage done to Chevrolet Camaro in hit-and-run. Sept. 23
Financial Crimes/Fraud
• 8300 block of Bar Harbor Lane: Television and television streaming system, worth $500 total, stolen from veranda. Sept. 21 • 9100 block of Carswell Lane: $200 iPhone 4S stolen from purse. Sept. 23 • 9400 block of Bryant Farms Road: Wallet, backpack, identification, paperwork and textbook, worth $98 total, stolen from locker room. Sept. 23
Shoplifting • Circle K, 4636 Sharon Road: $36 in alcohol worth stolen. Sept. 22
Vandalism/Hit-and-Run • 7700 block of Cedar Point Lane: $900 in damage done to Honda Accord in hit-and-run. Sept. 21 • 11900 block of Johnston Road: $2,000 in damage done to police cruiser in hit-and-run. Suspect later caught and also charged with DWI, failure to heed lights; failure to move over; and open container. Sept. 21 • 6600 block of Reafield Drive: $2,000 in
• 1200 block of Piccadilly Drive: Suspect used victim’s name and Social Security number to obtain unemployment. Sept. 19 • 4400 block of Sharon Road: Stolen debit card used to make $625 worth of purchases. Sept. 20 • 11600 block of Stonebriar Drive: Suspect used victim’s name and address to activate multiple credit cards. Sept. 22 • 10000 block of Southampton Commons Drive: Suspect used victim’s Social Security number to file tax return. Sept. 24 • Suntrust Bank, 1935 Galleria Boulevard: Suspect swindled $9,559.50 from the bank by depositing personal money orders with irregular signatures and withdrawing the funds. Sept. 24
Drugs • 3200 block of Pineville-Matthews Road: Possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. Sept. 19 • 10000 block of Highlands Crossing Drive: Possession of marijuana. Sept. 24
South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 7
News South Charlotte Weekly
Restaurant Scores The Mecklenburg County Health Department inspected the following dining locations from Sept. 18 to 24: Lowest Scores: • Waffle House, 8300 Pineville-Matthews Road – 90.5 Violations include: Cook arranged toast and cheese on plates with bare hands; cook with one hand gloved and the other not gloved handling raw bacon with both hands, then handling clean plates and ready-to-eat cheese placed on plate; front hand sink with no adjacent paper towels; raw sausage patties stored over top of intact beef steaks in reach-in cooler; three door reach-in coolers at improper temperature; sanitizer solution at improper concentration. All Scores: 28210 • Burger King, 10102 Johnston Road – 98.5 • Café at 6100, 6100 Fairview Road – 96.5 • Jersey Mike’s, 10110 Johnston Road, suite 14 – 95 • Terrace Café, 4625 Piedmont Row Drive, suite 105 – 94.5 28226 • Brooklyn South Pizza Parlor, 7725 Colony Road – 95 • Dunkin Donuts, 7845 Colony Road – 96.5 • Flip’n Chicken, 7629-A Pineville-Matthews Road – 98 • Waffle House, 8300 Pineville-Matthews Road – 90.5 28270 • Juliana Pizza, 9858 Monroe Road – 98.5
Ballantyne (continued from page 5)
and questioned Christine Hamlett, planning specialist of the planning services department of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Concerns included how CMS estimates student enrollment from proposed and under-construction developments. One resident said estimated enrollment numbers are drastically different than actual enrollment, with the latter significantly greater than the former. Hamlett said the department makes estimates before the developments are constructed, but CMS typically re-evaluates enrollment numbers after the 20th day of school. One resident felt the planning division should learn from the past discrepancies between estimated and actual enrollment from new developments and apply knowledge to future enrollment estimates to avoid overcrowded schools. Multiple schools in District 7 are Page 8 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
• Russell’s Pub and Grill, 1609-A Sardis Road N. – 98.5 • Taco Bell, 1910 Sardis Road N. – 100 28277 • Amazing Wok, 16049-L Johnston Road – 94 • Another Broken Egg Café Ballantyne, 11324 N. Community House Road – 97.5 • Anzi Pizzeria, 8133 Ardrey Kell Road – 93.5 • Bi-Lo Deli, 8620 Camfield St. – 96 • La Catrina Mexican Grill, 8129 Ardrey Kell Road – 97 • McAlister’s Deli, 15201 John J, Delaney Drive – 99 • Mickey & Mooch-The Other Joint, 8128 Providence Road – 95.5 • On the Green Deli, 13840 Ballantyne Corporate Place – 98 • The Q Shack, 10822 Providence Road – 98.5 • Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina, 9941 Rea Road – 96 28209 • Flamin’ Crawfish, 1600 E. Woodlawn Road, suite 170 – 93.5 • Jayla’s Gluten Free Goodness, 1515 Mockingbird Lane – 97.5 28211 • Block & Grinder, 2935 Providence Road – 96 • Dairy Queen, 108-B S. Sharon Amity Road – 97.5 • Maggiano’s Little Italy, 4400 Sharon Road – 96.5
About the grades…Restaurants are given grades of A for scoring at least 90, B for 80 to 89 and C for 70 to 79. The state revokes permits for restaurants that score below 70.
overcapacity, with overcrowding of about 100 students in some cases, including Community House Middle School. Driggs said the planning division might assume a one-bedroom apartment may not have children, even though a child may reside there. Overcrowding is caused by both multifamily and single-family developments, Hamlett emphasized. Parents at the meeting said they didn’t want to see increased overcrowding in schools caused by new developments, such as the proposed apartments. “It can take years to have relief (from overcrowding) depending on funding,” Hamlett said. Resident leaders and the apartment developers were scheduled to meet on the evening of Sept. 25 to discuss potential alterations to the proposed apartments, and results will be discussed with area residents. Contact Ed Driggs at edriggs@ charlottenc.gov or 704-432-7077 with any concerns about District 7. www.thecharlotteweekly.com
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South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 9
Education
South Charlotte Weekly
Education
News & Notes
Providence High to sell mattresses for football program Providence High School is hosting a mattress sale on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to benefit the Providence Panther football program. Name-brand mattress sets will be sold at 30 to 60 percent below retail prices, featuring multiple styles and sizes which will be available to test at the school. Providence High School is located at 1800 Pineville-Matthews Road.
Park Road Montessori celebrate Peace Day Park Road Montessori held its annual Peace Day on Friday, Sept. 19, in conjunction with the United Nation’s International Day of Peace, which is held on Sept. 21. The celebration took place in front of the school at its Peace Pole. On the pole is an inscription that reads “Let Peace Prevail on Earth.”
Students are taught to be positive forces in the world promoting peace, according to a news release from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Park Road Montessori is located at 3701 Haven Drive in Charlotte.
Charlotte Latin student recognized by center for talented youth Charlotte Latin eight-grader Gauruv Singh has qualified for “Grant Recognition” in the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Talent Search. Gaur is one of a group of students who obtained outstanding scores on the ACT or SAT as part of the program, according to a news release. The recognition ceremony will be held on Oct.19 at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. The center is a nonprofit at Johns Hopkins University that is accredited for fifth- through 12-grade students by the Commission on Secondary Schools of
Page 10 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The search is for second- through eighth-graders who place at or above the 95th percentile on national Gauruv Singh tests, achieve top levels on state tests, or otherwise demonstrate superior academic achievement. Charlotte Latin is located at 9502 Providence Road.
Freedom School Partners looking for volunteers Freedom School Partners will host FreedomFest, a carnival-style reunion for children, families, staff, partners and volunteers who were a part of the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools summer program this past summer. Freedom School Partners collaborates with community partners to provide the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools summer program to children in Charlotte who most need and can least afford summer programming. CDF Freedom School programs prepare children
for success in school and in life by providing three fundamental resources needed to develop their potential. Volunteers are needed to supervise activities, games, registration and food stations, as assigned. The event will take place on Oct. 4, a Saturday, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, at 1000 E. Morehead St. in Charlotte. Volunteers are needed for the following shifts: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. People who would like to help can contact Irene Jordan at irene@ freedomschoolpartners.org or 704-3714922.
ABMG donates to Charlotte causes The Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group has donated $5,500 to area families and organizations in the greater Charlotte area through its community initiative, ABCares. Each month, the company accepts public nominations on its website for causes in need. ABMG reviews the nominations and selects five organizations to be a part of a voting phase through the company’s website and Facebook page. Donation amounts are $2,500, $1,000, and three $500 donations. Over 18,000 votes have been cast to date in support of 35 causes, according to a news release. The September voting contest includes (see Education Notes on page 13)
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Education
Ballantyne Elementary places top 20 in reading competition by Courtney Schultz courtney@thecharlotteweekly.com
While some kids watched television this summer, Ballantyne Elementary School students were paving their way into the world record books. Ballantyne Elementary placed 11th in the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge, clocking in 3,534,504 minutes of summer reading. This is the third year the school has participated in the challenge, and Ballantyne Elementary received an honorable mention from Scholastic their first year of involvement for placing in the top 25. Over 7,000 schools from across all 50 states and 29 countries participated in setting a new world record in summer reading by completing 304,749,681 reading minutes in the eighth-annual competition, nearly doubling the 2013 world record of 176,438,473 minutes. The challenge encourages children to read in order to prevent “summer slide,” in which children can lose up to three months of learning during the summer months. Reading can alleviate the loss some students may experience. Ballantyne, along with the other 19 top finishers, will be in “2015 Scholastic Book of World Records” for the most minutes read. The book will be available through the Scholastic Reading Club, Scholastic Book Fairs, and bookstores nationwide. “Congratulations to all the students who made summer reading a top priority and rallied together to help set a new reading world record for summer 2014,” Francie Alexander, chief academic officer at Scholastic, said in a news release. “Summer is a great time for children to discover the power and joy of independent reading and help prepare them for the new school year ahead. We continue to encourage children to continue reading all year long and open a world of possibilities through books.” Each of the top 20 schools will receive
a personalized plaque to commemorate their success. Scholastic also recognized the top five states with the most reading minutes, and North Carolina ranked third. Anne Cooper, media specialist at Ballantyne Elementary, said the school was thrilled they placed in the top 20. “I had my last class of the day with me and basically the (Scholastic) website started to show stars and light up, then we saw the top 20. We were so excited,” said Cooper. Ballantyne Elementary employs various resources to increase literacy and a love for reading for its students. The school participates in reading challenges throughout the year, uses apps on iPads, has flexible check outs for books, open library hours and are looking into e-Books. “I try to get a good collection (of books),” Cooper said. “We listen to the students about what they would like.” Ballantyne Elementary uses a balanced literacy framework, which includes writing, phonics, self-reflected (independence) reading and guided reading. Cooper feels the framework helps increase literacy skills. The media specialist is also working to ensure all of her students have public library cards per the partnership between Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. “The more opportunities for them to read, the more they will read,” Cooper said. “The more subjects they find interesting to them, the more they will read.” Scholastic also has challenged schools to take on a new feat: Read 100,000. The initiative encourages schools to clock at least 100,000 reading minutes by June 26, 2015. Go to www.scholastic.com/ups/ campaigns/minutes-2014 for more information about the challenge.
Congratulations to south charlotte National achievement Scholarship Semifinalists: Ardrey Kell High School
Myers Park High School
Jared E. Hunt
Kyrie A. Mason
Charlotte Latin School
Providence High School
Tobenna B. Okwara John A. Powell
Kristen E. Gardner Mia C. Mathews Aaron L. Morris
East Mecklenburg High School
Erica A. Jordan www.thecharlotteweekly.com
South Mecklenburg High School
Nicholas R. Robinson South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 11
Education
STEM (continued from page 1)
Walker said the advisory board was looking for innovation and found it in Queen City STEM’s plan. Principal of Triad Math and Science Academy and member of the board of directors for Queen City STEM Fatih Kandil said the school will have the strength of a magnet school in terms of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) content area, but will be open to all students. The board plans to enroll 292 students in its first year, according to the application submitted to the North Carolina Office of Charter Schools. The school will integrate the successful qualities of Triad with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community, Kandil added. The board is looking to connect with professionals in the area to provide educational opportunities for students, giving them the ability to explore different careers. “We don’t want the program to be just stuck inside the building,” Kandil said. “We want it to grow and integrate with community.” Carlton Cammon, senior analyst at Time Warner Cable and a member of the Queen City board of directors, said students’ abilities will be measured as they enter the school and be continuously monitored throughout the school year. He said this provides no surprises at the end of the school year. “The goal is meeting the needs of each individual student,” Cammon said, adding the teachers at Triad often go “the extra mile” for their
students by providing home visits and increasing parent involvement – a standard the board hopes to include at Queen City STEM School. “It’s really just not giving up and going the extra mile and there can be a lot of different ways of doing that.” Until the school’s opening, the Queen City STEM board of directors will participate in a planning phase. “The planning year requires schools to participate in trainings hosted by the (NCDPI) Office of Charter Schools and provides assistance on what they will need to do in order to be ready to open by the stipulated charter term,” Deanna Townsend-Smith, education consultant for the Office of Charter Schools, wrote in an email. The session allows board members to develop policies and procedures as well as manage the school’s budget and finances. The board has already completed one session this year, according to Cammon. Kandil said many organizations that do not have a strong budget in place will not operate or survive accordingly. “At the charter school, you get less funding per child, so you need to make sure there are necessary outreach efforts,” he added. Cammon said financial solvency is vital to a successful charter school. He cited the closings of two Charlotte charter schools this year – Concrete Roses STEM Academy and StudentFirst Academy – as examples of how important constant oversight is to sustaining the school. Developing a charter school is not an easy task, said Eddie Goodall, executive director of
Page 12 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
the North Carolina Public Charter Schools Association. Goodall said the timeline of building the charter school can be difficult. He cited charter schools can be approved after other charter schools have already had their student lotteries, so the new schools can miss out on opportunities to recruit and enroll students, since a new school cannot start the lottery process until the state board approves them. Costs can also cause problems for charter schools, Goodall said. New charter schools often don’t receive state funds until a few weeks before they open, so buying real estate, hiring a qualified staff and funding operational costs can be difficult. Kandil, who has helped open two STEM charter schools, said there are key issues, but parent and community involvement is vital to overcoming obstacles. The school will host open house sessions and reach out to businesses to hopefully increase the number of stakeholders in the school and get individuals involved in the planning process. Even early in the planning process, Kandil has high hopes for the new charter school. “The main hope for the school to become the best STEM school in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. We know that it is going to take some time, but we know that it’s not impossible,” Kandil said. Find more information about North Carolina charter schools at www.ncpublicschools.org/ charterschools.
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Education
Education notes (continued from page 10)
the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Bright Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Program among the top five. The public can vote for this or any of the other four candidates at www. atlanticbay.com/abcares/#abcares-vote. Voting ends on Friday, Sept. 26. Nominations for October will be taken until midnight on Oct. 13 and can be submitted at www.atlanticbay.com/ abcares.
Volunteers needed for Eastover’s Fall Fun Day Eastover Elementary School will host its Fall Fun Day on Oct. 19, a Sunday, and the school is in need of volunteers. The event runs from 2 to 6 p.m., but volunteers are needed from 1 to 7 p.m. The school needs help to run street game stations, monitor lines at inflatables, face painting, tattoos, cake walk and more. Food trucks from Hubee Dee’s, Librettos Pizza, Polka Dot Ice Cream and Sunset Slushies will be available for purchase, along with drinks and cotton candy. Water and candy will be complimentary to volunteers. Interested volunteers can sign up at www.signupgenius.com/ go/10c084baca723ab9-eastover. Eastover Elementary School is located
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at 500 Cherokee Road.
State academic standards commission finally appointed The North Department of Administration announced the 11 members of the Academic Standards Review Commission on Sept. 16. The appointments were made in accordance with the North Carolina Senate Bill 812, which has a Sept. 1 deadline. The appointments were four members appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; four members appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; two members of the State Board of Education to include the chair or the chair's designee and a member appointed by the chair; and one member appointed by the governor. Ann Clark, CMS deputy superintendent, and Denise Watts, CMS Project L.I.F.T. learning community superintendent, are both among the 11 selected. The inaugural meeting was held Monday, Sept. 22, in the State Construction Office conference room at 301 N. Wilmington St. in Raleigh. The commission was created to review the Common Core State Standards and make suggestions to the North Carolina Board of Education regarding any changes to the standards. Contact Loretta Peace-Bunch at 919807-3403 for more information.
South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 13
Education
State finds thorns in Concrete Roses’ finances by Courtney Schultz courtney@thecharlotteweekly.com
The closing of Charlotte charter school Concrete Roses STEM Academy on Sept. 18 that left over 100 students displaced and scrambling to enroll in new schools may have been caused by financial insolvency. Concrete Roses, located at 8310 McAlpine Park Drive, opened on Aug. 25, with the intention of providing a “customer friendly” atmosphere, something parent sand students allegedly could not find in other schools. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Division of School Business sent a letter to Concrete Roses on Sept. 17 stating that the school had not provided the required expenditure reporting for July and August, a violation of state law, and the school was funded for 300 students, but only had an enrollment of 126 students. “Concrete Roses had not submitted the proper financial information, and (the department) was freezing access to their funds,” Joel Medley, director of the NCDPI Office of Charter Schools, said. The letter stated the school received $479,084 in state funding based on the projected 300 students, and the school had already spent $285,170.
The discrepancies resulted in the school being placed on financial disciplinary status. After an emergency board meeting on Sept. 17 at 8 p.m., the school sent an email to parents stating the school would shut its doors at the end of the school day on Sept. 19. Dr. Marvin Bradley, principal of Concrete Roses, wrote, “The faculty of Concrete Roses STEM Academy has been working diligently to ensure our students receive the best education possible. Unfortunately, we have to close the doors at this early state for educating the best life has to offer…our children. We will assist our students in the transition to their prospective schools. Our prayers go out to the students, parents, guardians and families affected by this decision. Friday (Sept. 19) will be our last day of operation.” Since charter schools are public schools, they are funded through the state. “The state allocated dollars based on the number of students enrolled at the school,” Medley said in an email. The division of school business allocates funds from the projected number and then reviews enrollment after the first 20 days of school. Since the projected enrollment was 42 percent greater than actual enrollment, the school would be allocated
Page 14 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
considerably fewer funds. Concrete Roses STEM Academy stated in its application the school planned to enroll about 2,400 students by its 10th year and over 400 in its first year. The small brick building off of Monroe Road did not contain a cafeteria or gymnasium. Students in sixth and seventh grades shared a classroom, and eighth- and ninthgraders learned in the same room. Bradley said the school planned to purchase modular units, but cost was an issue. The school employed 11 teachers, and one teacher assistant, with salaries ranging from $36,000 to $42,000, according to information submitted by Dr. Cedric Stone, CEO of Concrete Roses. Stone was to receive a $95,000 salary, according to a budget he submitted to the NCDPI. The Division of School Business is looking into how much of the state funds faculty, including Stone, received. The non-profit board of directors has fiduciary responsibility for use of those public dollars, Medley said in an email, so the state funding could have gone to finance faculty salaries. South Charlotte Weekly contacted all four board members and received no response. Medley considers a school shutting down in the first few weeks of school an
“anomaly.” “It’s not something that is normal,” Medley said, adding the closing shows several things. He said beginning a brand new charter school is a difficult and proves there needs to be a rigorous charter review to ensure individuals are capable of opening a new school. The North Carolina Board of Education implemented a planning year for charter schools in 2006, which Medley said gives charter schools’ administrations the chance to complete training from the Office of Charter Schools and have time to gather necessary resources to open schools efficiently. Previously, charter schools would have roughly five months before opening. Since the implementation of the planning year, only two schools have had to close their doors – Concrete Roses and StudentFirst Academy, a Charlotte charter school that closed in April. The Division of School Business received some financial information from leadership at Concrete Roses, and Medley said they are looking into all expenditures. The division is in the process of evaluating all expenditures to ensure state funds were properly spent. South Charlotte Weekly will continue to monitor this developing story.
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Around Town South Charlotte Weekly
Faith & Religion
News & Notes
‘Magnetic’ conference geared toward teenage girls CHARLOTTE – Central Church of God will host “Magnetic: Becoming the Girl He Wants,” a conference for teenage girls, next month. The event takes place Oct. 10 and 11, a Friday and Saturday, and is geared toward girls in eighth through 12th grades. Friday’s events will start at 6 p.m., and Saturday’s will take place from 9 a.m. to noon. The conference will feature Lynn Cowell, of Proverbs 31 Ministries, and is “designed by girls for girls” to give tools to help girls reach their “fullest potential, inside and out,” according to a news release. “Discover a beauty deeper than designer clothes, skinny jeans and flawless skin … Magnetic helps you gain confidence to bravely live out the best you, (that) you can be,” the release read. Find more information and register at www.lynncowell.com. Central Church of God is located at 5301 Sardis Road.
‘From Headline to Heart’ to feature speakers representing three generations CHARLOTTE – Park Road Baptist Church will host “From Headline to Heart: Conversations on Matters of Faith” next week in the church’s community center. The event takes place Wednesday, Oct. 1, with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. and the program to begin at 6:30 p.m. The program carries the theme “Anger and Apathy: What is the correct response to Ferguson?” and will feature three guest speakers: Rev. George Cook, pastor of Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist Church; Dr. Patrick Graham, president and CEO of the Urban League of Central Carolinas; and Darnell Brame, a recent North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University graduate. “Three generations of African-American males will reflect on their own reactions to the killing of Michael Brown, and to the American response to this tragedy,” read a news release. There will be a time for open dialogue with the audience, and the program is free and open to the public. Call 704523-5717 by Tuesday, Sept. 30, to make a reservation for the event. Park Road Baptist is located at 3900 Park Road.
801South Food Truck Rally this weekend at Matthews UMC MATTHEWS – Organizers are inviting people to an 801South Food Truck Rally & Community Outreach Event on Sunday, Sept. 28, from noon to 3 p.m. in the www.thecharlotteweekly.com
parking lot of Matthews United Methodist Church. The event will feature music and opportunities to socialize with new friends, while eight food truck vendors offer a variety of “summertime” foods and 16 flavors of hand-scooped ice cream, according to a news release. All trucks will accept cash and credit card payments. Find more information at www.801south.org. Matthews UMC is located at 801 S. Trade St.
Meet Weddington Church session this Sunday WEDDINGTON – People interested in becoming part of the Weddington United Methodist Church “family” are invited to a Meet Weddington Church session on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 4 p.m. in the church’s family life center multipurpose room. The session offers an informal setting for people to meet the pastoral and ministry staff, hear an overview of the ministry and mission of the church and ask questions. Child care is provided in the nursery wing of the main building. Email Rev. Erin Yow at erin.yow@weddingtonchurch.org for more information. Weddington UMC is located at 13901 Providence Road. The church also has a Waxhaw campus at 8215 Bonds Grove Church Road, as well as a Marvin campus at 9914 New Town Road.
Est . 2002
Gospel concert to benefit basketball ministry WAXHAW – Hermon Baptist Church will host a gospel singing by Matt Morgan and Friends on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. in the family life center. The concert is free to attend, but an offering will be collected to benefit the church’s Upward basketball ministry. Find more information at www.hermonbaptist. org. Hermon Baptist is located at 9713 Lancaster Hwy.
Indian Trail UMC to host new sermon series INDIAN TRAIL – Indian Trail United Methodist Church will host a new sermon series, “If Only,” beginning Sunday, Sept. 28. The series will be “about the regrets we have in life and how … we move beyond them, live with them (and) grow closer to God in spite of them,” the church said in an announcement. “If Only” will run through October, and services take place every Sunday at 9 a.m. Find more information at www.itumc.org. Indian Trail UMC is located at 113 Indian Trail Road.
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Send faith notes items to josh@ thecharlotteweekly.com. Announcements should be sent two weeks in advance.
South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 15
Around Town
South Charlotte Weekly
Calendar 9.27.14 Saturday
Lebanese Festival, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The annual Lebanese Festival is returning to Ballantyne offering entertainment, Lebanese foods and sweets. Hosted by the Maronite Mission of Charlotte, the Lebanese Festival is a celebration of culture and is fun for the entire family. Email ourladyofcharlotte@hotmail.com for more information. St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte
9.27.14 Saturday
South End Shuffle 5K, 8 to 10:30 p.m. The first-annual South End Shuffle 5K will highlight the neighborhood while supporting South End by raising money for both the neighborhood's Rail Trail and The Purple Promise Foundation to end melanoma. In true South End style, top finishers will receive original works of art from the neighborhood's growing community of artists. Food and beer from a number of local restaurants will be on hand after the run. 1590 Camden Road, Food Truck Friday Lot, Charlotte
9.27.14 Saturday
Queen’s Grant Community School Yard Sale, 8 a.m. to noon Queen’s Grant Community School is hosting a yard sale in the school’s parking lot. Families will set up booths with a large variety of items including children’s clothing, uniform items and household products. The sale will help raise money for the school’s Invest in a Child fundraiser. Queen’s Grant Community School, 6400 MatthewsMint Hill Road, Mint Hill
9.27.14 Saturday
Taste of Union, 5 to 8 p.m. Restaurants and caterers from across Union County will serve up sample-sized portions of their specialty dishes, providing a unique Taste of Union. The event will provide attendees an evening of great food, music, silent auction and a 50/50 raffle and will benefit Operation Reach Out, an organization which provides food, clothing, emergency medical supplies and daily Bible study and lunches to those struggling in the county. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Children ages 10 and under are $10. More information can be found at www.opreachout.org, by emailing tasteofunion@ gmail.com or by calling 704-289-4237. Union County Agricultural Center, 3230 Presson Road, Monroe
Send us your stuff!
Have an event going on in south Charlotte people should know about? Well, let us know! Send us an email listing information about your event, including when and where it is, any cost involved and how people can learn more or get involved. Items should be submitted at least a week in advance, and not all submissions will be used. Email us at news@thecharlotteweekly.com.
Page 16 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
sept. 27
10.2.14 Thursday
Family Safety During the Holidays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Van Gurp Dentistry is presenting a free seminar hosted by Dan Starks to help keep your family safe during the holidays. With the holiday season approaching, Starks will discuss the dangers the holiday season can bring and measures families can take to keep the holiday season. Reservations are encouraged, as seating is limited. R.S.V.P. at info@vangurpdentistry.com. Raintree Country Club, 8600 Raintree Lane, Charlotte
10.4.14 Saturday
South Meck Class of 1974 reunion, 6:30 to 11 p.m. South Mecklenburg High School is holding its 40th reunion for the Class of 1974 at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlotte. The Class of 1974 is trying to reach out to as many classmates as possible to attend the event. If you are a member of the Class of 1974 or know of a graduate from that year, email Carol Fitch Crigler at fitchcrig@gmail.com. Doubletree Hotel SouthPark, 6300 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte
10.20.14 Monday
Charlotte Garden Club, 7 p.m. Andrea Wulf, award-winning historian and author of “Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation” will discuss the lives of the Founding Fathers and how their attitude toward plants, gardens, nature and agriculture shaped the American nation. In a unique retelling of the creation of America, Wulf will show how plants, politics and personalities intertwined as never before at this free event. For more information, visit www.charlottegardenclub.com. Mint Museum, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte
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Sports
heart & hustle: shannon
baker by Andrew Stark andrew@thecharlotteweekly.com
Coach Lisa Thompson is running her team through a series of offensive fast break drills to close out a recent practice. As the offensive players line up to attack the goal on two-on-one and three-onone fast break sets, more often that not Thompson ends the play with two words: “Shannon wins.” Shannon Baker
Shannon is Shannon Baker, the Bucs star senior goalkeeper, and from last year’s surprising playoff run to this season’s dominating continuance of it, Baker usually wins. During her four seasons in goal, the Bucs have won 44 of 59 games, and last year’s state championship. But this year, behind Baker, Country Day is off to its best start in recent memory. “She’s an excellent athlete, she plays with a lot of heart and hustle, she’s so dedicated to the team and she’s fun to coach, so we’re lucky to have her,” Thompson said. “She’s an absolute leader on the field. When you give as much as she does, it lifts the people around you and she does that. She’s earned a lot of respect from her teammates and she has a great love for them.” People close to the sport know of Baker’s immense talent long before she made a name for herself in last year’s N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs. Her stellar play in goal helped spark the Bucs – a No. 3 seed who entered the tournament www.thecharlotteweekly.com
Shannon Baker (00) has allowed just three goals this season for the 7-1 defending state champinon Bucs’ field hockey team. Andrew Stark/SCW photo
11-3-1 – to a magical run which ended with County Day knocking off the top two seeds in the field. In the first upset, County Day went to strokes with Durham Academy, the same team that knocked the Bucs out of contention in 2012 in exactly the same fashion. “It was insane,” Baker said. “All season we fought and we tried our hardest, but something just clicked in the playoffs – we wanted it so bad. “We had lost to Durham Academy the year before in the semifinals by strokes and then we were in the exact same position two years in a row. I think we just really wanted it.” The Bucs delivered, taking a 4-3 win and
to tell them because they may not be able to see it, so I try to be their eyes on the field.” But Baker is quick to point out it’s not all about her. Despite her play as the last line of defense spurring the defending state champions to a 7-1 record where she’s allowed just three goals all season, Baker refuses to take all of the spotlight. Baker singled out Anna Comer and Blair Boyles for their strong defensive play, but in a sentiment Thompson backs up, this team is a unified and tight-knit group. “We have a connection as a whole team and we have a lot of chemistry on our team,” Baker said. “When one person picks it up, we feel like the energy is contagious and it flows
“ ” She’s an excellent athlete.
she plays with a lot of heart and hustle.
She’s so dedicated to the team and she’s fun to coach, so we’re lucky to have her. – Coach Lisa Thompson on Shannon Baker
setting up a showdown with Charlotte Latin, the No. 1 seed who the Bucs had split with during the season. But in the final, Baker was simply too good, allowing just one goal on a flurry of Charlotte Latin shots, especially in the waning minutes of the 2-1 win. Watching that game, it was easy to see that Baker was the best player on the field, from her stellar play in goal to her leadership in the net. “I’ve been on the team for four years and I think a lot of myself is in this team,” she said. “I can see the whole field from my position, so I try to be the driving force and give as much feedback as I can. I try to give pointers and if I can see somebody isn’t on their man, I’m going
so well. Once the energy starts, you can’t really stop us.” Thompson agreed, adding, “Defense is a part of every good team. You shout that from the rooftops, but we believe our team moves together so everyone is offense and everyone is defense. That’s what we’re living by. “There are a lot of great teams in the state, there are a lot of great teams that we play every day, but we prepare to step on the field each day and get better.” The Bucs only hiccup this season came in a 3-2 loss to Durham Academy on Sept. 12. That defeat, albeit to a perennial power who is 10-1 on the year, has done nothing but reenergize the Bucs and their title hopes.
Since the loss, they’ve gone on to shut out Providence Day and Forsyth Country Day, winning both games, 3-0. “We played Providence Day right after (the loss) and I think it just fed the fire,” Baker said. “We weren’t happy with the loss, but it pulled something out of us that you can’t experience if you go undefeated all season. You need that little itch to keep going hard. The Providence Day game showed us we can step it back up and even though we lost, it doesn’t define us.” Likewise Baker isn’t defined solely as being one of the state’s best goalkeepers. Although Thompson said she’s no doubt a college-level player based on skill on leadership, Baker is also a top-level student at one of Charlotte’s most demanding private schools. Baker said she’s weighing her options of playing at the next level, but is first set on leading the Bucs the rest of the season. Hopefully it will end in a repeat championship, but if it doesn’t Baker is already proud of herself and her teammates. “I think I’ve put my heart into this team. I think whether we win or lose this year, the one state championship and all of the memories that I’ve made with my friends on this team have been awesome,” she said. “I wouldn’t have had near the same Country Day experience without playing on this team for as long as I did and I’m very happy and proud of that.” Thompson is happy to have Baker in the net as the Bucs last line of defense, but said her fiery play and leadership are awe-inspiring and something she’s proud of win or lose. “She’s our leader,” Thompson said. “She can see the whole field, she communicates and she puts us in a position to win each time we step on the field with her excellent performances. She’s fun to coach, she’s fun to be around and she lifts the performances of those around her. It’s hard to ask for more.”
South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 17
Sports
Game previews
Charlotte Catholic at Berry Game time: Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. 2014 records: Charlotte Catholic is 3-1; Berry is 2-2 Last meeting: Charlotte Catholic won, 35-17, on Sept, 27, 2013 Players to watch: Charlotte Catholic: quarterback/ receiver Ryan Miller, running backs Cole Perry, Jaret Anderson and Nick Rizzieri , tackle Owen Hall, lineman Matt Kowaleski; Berry: quarterback Kiante Cotton, running back Malik Brown, defensive end Richon Green, defensive back Gabe Delgado, receivers Michael Roberts and Will Perkins The Skinny: The Cougars came back to reality with a hard-fought loss to reigning Class 4-AA state champions Mallard Creek two weeks ago before their bye last week. They’re still showing that they can move the ball on the ground and have an improved passing game and will look to use both to get back on track against Berry to kick of their defense of the conference title. They shouldn’t have a problem doing so with Anderson (560 rushing yards) handling the run game and Miller spending more and more time at receiver. Berry on the other hand suffered a hard blow after losing 11 seniors to graduation last year and 10 more transferring out. Cotton is a dangerous runner and passer but his offensive line is young and inexperienced. He’s got a couple of good receiving targets but expect Catholic to run away with another win.– Hannah Dockery Liberty Christian at Charlotte Christian Game time: Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. 2014 records: Liberty Christian is 3-1; Charlotte Christian is 2-1 Last meeting: Charlotte Christian won, 32-31, on Sept. 27 Players to watch: Liberty Christian: running back Lamar Webster, receivers Jordan Foster and Jared Jauch, quarterback Kaleb Bohrnstedt, lineman Jeffrey Chadwick; Charlotte Christian: quarterback John Turley, running back Elijah Deveaux, linemen Brian Chaffin and Philip Walton, linebacker Ryan Gilmartin, defensive back Jaylon McClinton The Skinny: Charlotte Christian barely escaped the Virginia private-school power Bulldogs last year, but both teams ended up winning their respective state titles. This game is always hotly contested and we wouldn’t expect anything less this year as the Knights are still trying to prove they’re just as good as last year. But we’re not so sure – they almost let Monroe sneak up on them last week, so this will be a huge test as Liberty Christian features a deep roster with a lot of physical guys returning from last year. Webster and Foster are two dangerous runners, so the Knights line will have to limit their production on the ground. If they can do that, they shouldn’t have a problem beating the Bulldogs but this game will be a good one that’s won in the trenches. Whoever walks away with the win will have a quality one under their belt.– Hannah Dockery Charlotte Country Day at Ravenscroft Game time: Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. 2014 records: Country Day is 3-1; Ravenscroft is 2-2 Last meeting: Charlotte Country Day won, 21-7, on Sept. 27, 2013 Players to watch: Country Day: quarterback Cole Bloomer, running back/safety Sheppard Wilson, receiver Byron Smith and Matt Williams, lineman
Richard Coker; Ravenscroft: running backs Garrett Hicks, Tiger Harris and Donald Fuller, offensive lineman Aidan Nesvisky, receiver Tyler Williams, linebacker Drew Davis The Skinny: To say that the Bucs have dominated this matchup in prior meetings would be an understatement; they’ve won every game during the last decade, only letting the Ravens come within a touchdown on one occasion in 2008. They skirted by a good Hillside team last week in a 20-18 win, but had problems moving the ball on the ground where they rushed for a total of just 65 yards. They’ll need more from Wilson and Co. this week if they want to continue their trend of dominating the Ravens because those guys are bigger and stronger than ever before. They lean on Harris to move the ball and he’s certainly capable – last week he had 222 rushing yards for four touchdowns on 19 carries and their defense has stepped up of late. Expect this contest to be closer than prior years. – Hannah Dockery Olympic at Providence Game time: Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. 2014 records: Olympic is 2-2; Providence is 3-1 Last meeting: Olympic won, 21-7, on Sept. 27, 2013 Players to watch: Olympic: quarterback Jeremiah Dorsey, running back Juwan Frazier, receiver Torry Boker, linebacker Emmanuel Olenga, defensive end Kelvin Techie; Providence: quarterback Caleb York, linebacker Jordan Fehr, running back Brian Mattar, lineman Dimitri Gonzalez The Skinny: Providence may be the dark horse as the So. Meck 8 conference race kicks off this week, so a big win over Olympic would help them make a name for themselves early. These guys are bigger, stronger and more conditioned than the mediocre Panther teams of prior years, and they’ve got weapons on the ground and in the air. Mattar is quick on his feet and receiver John Biasucci is a dynamic playmaker, so expect those guys to put points on the board quickly against a weaker Trojan squad. But they’ll have to work for it as Olympic has won their last two and has some momentum going into conference play behind a defense that hasn’t allowed more than two touchdowns the last two weeks. An upset isn’t out of the question, but Providence should get their first conference win with relative ease. – Hannah Dockery South Meck at Harding Game time: Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. 2014 records: South Meck is 3-1; Harding is 1-2 Last meeting: South Meck won, 48-6, on Sept. 27, 2013 Players to watch: South Meck: safety Stephen Griffin, running back Devin Andrews, defensive back/ receiver Chance Kennedy, defensive end Zach Gilbert, linebackers Austin Champan and Austin Smith; Harding: quarterback Xzavier Caple, linebackers Matthew Teachey and Travis Brown, running back Naheim Rumley The Skinny: The Sabres have won this contest for the last seven years and we expect this year to be no different. Expect them to get up early and pull some of their starters before the game ends as Harding has struggled to move the ball all season and was absolutely throttled by a weak East Meck team two weeks ago. The Sabres continue to improve on both sides of the ball and another win this week as conference play starts will give them
Page 18 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
a confidence boost as much bigger games await in the upcoming weeks. The Sabres lost quarterback Tyshawn Carter to injury, but Antonio Wallace is getting more comfortable running the offense and he’ll have the chance to be the facilitator of a lot of points this week. A Harding upset would be huge, but we’re not holding our breath. – Hannah Dockery West Meck at Ardrey Kell Game time: Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. 2014 records: West Meck is 1-3; Ardrey Kell is 3-1 Last meeting: West Meck won, 33-0, on Sept. 27, 2013 Players to watch: Ardrey Kell: lineman Mason Veal, running back/linebacker Bonte Freeman, safety/ receiver Ryan Jones, running back Josh German, defensive linemen Twazanga Mugala and Raymond Wright; West Meck: receiver Marquise Audrey and Devon Johnson, offensive lineman Dillon Helms, defensive back Dante Nesmith The Skinny: The Hawks shut out the Knights in this game last year, but don’t expect a repeat performance. The Knights entered the season with a lot of hype surrounding them and they’re living up to it – they’re huge on both sides of the ball with a number of guys over 6-foot-2, 250 pounds and haven’t dropped a game since their season-opening loss to Weddington and are playing with something to prove. The Hawks on the other hand lost a ton of talent from last year’s 9-3 team, so it’s a rebuilding season for those guys and it’s showing on the field. They could desperately use a win this week and one against Ardrey Kell would be a good one but the Knights keep showing up to play and haven’t disappointed. – Hannah Dockery Myers Park at Rocky River Game time: Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. 2014 records: Myers Park is 2-3; Rocky River is 3-2 Last meeting: Rocky River won, 37-14, on Sept. 27, 2013 Players to watch: Myers Park: quarterback Clay Norris, running backs Dominique Washington and Jaquavion Alexander, receivers Tadarin McNeil and Jontavius Hall, defensive back Bo Owens, linebacker Emrys Calin; Rocky River: receiver/ defensive back Jaire Alexander, running back Elijah Jett linebacker John Henderson, quarterback Naiil Ramadan, lineman Brandon Luallen The Skinny: After a sluggish start, the Ravens have caught fire, taking three straight games. Ramadan is back under center after missing a couple of games with an illness and relies on Alexander through the air and Jett, who is an emerging star, on the ground. The balanced Ravens are rolling right now, but better not take the Mustangs lightly. Norris is in total control of the offense and backs Washington and Jaquavion Alexander and receivers McNeil and Hall are dynamic playmakers who Myers Park gets the ball in their hands all over the field. This game comes down to defense – a staple of any good Raven team – but if they don’t come to play an upset isn’t out of the question. – Andrew Stark Fork Union at Charlotte Latin Game time: Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. 2013 records: Fork Union is 1-3; Charlotte Latin is 4-0 Last meeting: This is the first meeting Players to watch: Fork Union: quarterback Julius Puruyear, offensive lineman Malik Shabazz; Charlotte Latin: quarterback Daniel Jones, receiver/defensive back Carson Song, running back
Denzel Pearson, defensive back/receiver Melvin Rouse, receiver John Jenkins, defensive end Tay McMaster The Skinny: This Charlotte Latin team entered the season with lots of hype and certainly has done nothing but build upon that through four weeks. The offense gets a lot of the attention and can put up points in a hurry with unrivaled efficiency. It’s the defense that’s starting to get some recognition, too, as many of these guys go both ways and are proving to be adept at making plays on either side of the line of scrimmage. SouthLake Christian was considered a test by many, but the Hawks rolled to a 45-21 win. They’ll have a chance to put a bunch of points on the board this week against Fork Union, a team which allows 25 a game and has lost two straight. Expect a Hawk win, but they better not be looking ahead to next week’s showdown with Charlotte Christian. – Andrew Stark
Providence Day at Cuthbertson Game time: Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. 2014 records: Providence Day is 1-4; Cuthbertson is 2-3 Last meeting: This is the first meeting Players to watch: Providence Day: quarterback John Schweitzer, running back Gabe Montgomery, lineman Soloman Key, defensive backs Deonte Henderson and Julius Felder; Cuthbertson: quarterback Austin Kendall, receivers J.T. Cauthen and B.J. Muckelvene, linebackers Connor Gerlits and Jack Generoso, defensive end Nick Karas The Skinny: Both teams are sort of reeling, even though Cuthberston got back in the win column last week against Forest Hills. Tennessee commit Kendall is a gun-slinger and has a number of keys – notably Muckelvene and Cauthen – to throw it to. The Cavs entered the season with super high expectations, but had fallen a little flat until last week. They’re defense had been a concern, but was better last week. The Chargers boast a talented secondary with Deonte Henderson and Felder, but they’ll be tested. If they can hold up and Gabe Henderson can continue to balance the Charger offense, this could be interesting. Coach Bruce Hardin always has his team up – especially when they’re the unerdogs – which they’ll be here. – Andrew Stark
Carolina Pride at GiveNGo Fellowship Game time: Friday, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m. 2014 records: Carolina Pride is 4-0; GiveNGo is 0-4 Last meeting: This is the first meeting Players to watch: Carolina Pride: quarterback Bruce Dixon, receiver Jaylen Erwin, receiver/linebacker John Thierfelder, safety Ahmek Henry, linebacker John Digiovanna; GiveNGo: quarterback Mikyel Nance-Davis, linemen Taren Baker and Jaquenton Long, receiver Jadarius Berry The Skinny: The Pride have become quite a story this season, as they’re ranked in the Union County Super 7 for the first time in their history, and keep making beleivers out of all of us. Dixon is a playmaker who is putting this team on his back, and they’re crushing everyone in their path. This week they get the Charlotte-based GiveNGo Fellowship, who have 17 players in either the seventh-, eighthor ninth-grade this year – their innagural season. There isn’t a lot of information about this team, but it should be another easy win for the Pride anyway, especially with Dixon under center. – Andrew Stark
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Sports
W e e kly gam e stats Passi n g Name Daniel Jones Kelvin Hopkins Bruce Dixon Clay Norris Anthony Ratliff-Williams Caleb York John Schweitzer Naiil Ramadan
Team Charlotte Latin Independence Carolina Pride Myers Park Butler Providence Providence Day Rocky River
Name Benny LeMay Gabe Montgomery Elijah Jett Jaret Anderson Brian Mattar Anthony Ratliff-Williams Bryon Collins Quantavious McGill
1) Independence (5-0) Previous ranking: No. 2
Games Comp. Att. Yards 4 49 89 1044 5 58 109 845 4 42 108 826 5 81 124 817 5 55 105 784 4 38 67 712 5 37 98 530 4 48 83 520
r u s hin g
Team Games Rushes Butler 5 83 Providence Day 5 91 Rocky River 5 110 Charlotte Catholic 5 62 Providence 4 58 Butler 5 57 East Meck 5 60 Independence 5 44
Yards 772 593 563 560 528 524 461 430
We believe the Patriots haven’t held the top spot in our Super 7 since 2008, but this year’s version is more than deserving. Independence has simply dominated its opponents this year and, while the defense is getting much of the credit, this team is well balanced and as dangerous as ever on offene. 2) Butler (4-1) Previous ranking: No. 1 The Bulldogs suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss in overtime to Richmond where they had a big lead late but couldn’t hold it. The Bulldogs can score – we know that – but the defense let them down last week. It’s tough to penalize a team for a tough loss, but in the end it mars their perfect season and drops them one spot this week.
TD 12 5 3 7 3 5 4 4
3) Charlotte Christian (2-1) Previous ranking: No. 3 Charlotte Christian was listless in the opening quarter last week and let Monroe recover a late onsides kick that could have tied the game had they scored. But, a win’s a win and good teams find a way to pull it out in the end. A huge test awaits this week with Liberty Christian and an even bigger one looms next week with Charlotte Latin.
receiving Name Will Walton Jaire Alexander Clifton Duck Kanyon Tuttle Tadarin McNeil Jonathan Jennings Jaylen Erwin John Biasucci Melvin Rouse
ta c k l e s
Name Christian Dixon Ricky Smith Solomon Key Jay Gibbs Will Sapyta Jalen Cousar Addison DeBord Matt Messler John DiGiovanna Chris Mangum Tyvon Vannoy Christian Colon
Team Butler Providence Day Providence Day Butler Ardrey Kell Butler Charlotte Latin Ardrey Kell Carolina Pride Independence Rocky River Independence
s a ck s Name Alec Hanff Connor Miller Hunter Sheridan Lawrence Harris Matthew Gray Caleb Walker
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4) Charlotte Latin (4-0) Previous ranking: No. 4
Team Games Receptions Yards TD Independence 5 19 397 4 Rocky River 5 26 392 6 Butler 5 11 296 4 Charlotte Latin 4 12 294 6 Myers Park 5 21 267 4 Charlotte Latin 4 11 239 4 Carolina Pride 4 8 232 4 Providence 4 13 228 2 Charlotte Latin 3 10 204 2
Games 5 5 5 5 3 5 4 3 4 5 5 5
Tackles 51 44 42 39 39 38 38 38 36 36 33 33
Team Charlotte Latin Charlotte Catholic Charlotte Latin Carolina Pride Carolina Pride Independence
We’ve been high on the Hawks all year and they haven’t let us down in the least. This team is scary good offensively and has the makings of a very good defensive bunch, too. They beat up a very good SouthLake Christian team and shouldn’t get tested much this week. All eyes will be cast upon them when they face Charlotte Christian next week, though. 5) Providence (3-1) Previous ranking: No. 5 The Panthers took their bye last week to get ready for the opening of conference play with Olympic. Providence is a viable contender for a conference title and have looked good early on, but the season is long and the road to a So. Meck 8 crown can be a bumpy one. They should be right in the mix, though.
I nt e r c e p t io ns Name Elliott Beiser Cameron Goldean Clifton Duck Alex Cantrell Jaire Alexander Tim Marshall Peter Pitroff Tommy Wayne Melvin Rouse Aubrey Alexander Chance Kennedy John Brannon
Games 4 4 4 3 4 5
Team Games INT Providence Day 5 4 Providence Day 5 3 Butler 5 3 Providence Day 5 2 Rocky River 4 2 Independence 5 2 Charlotte Country Day 4 2 Myers Park 4 2 Charlotte Latin 3 2 Rocky River 4 2 South Meck 3 2 South Meck 3 2
Sacks 7 6 6 4.5 4 4
s up e r 7
6) Charlotte Catholic (3-1) Previous ranking: No. 6 At the very least, the Cougars have shown that they are every bit as tough running the ball as they’ve been in year’s past and that they can be even better with an ample passing game. They were off last week, but get their conference title defense underway with a trip to Berry.
SEND US YOUR STATS! Attention coaches and team statisticians: As we do each football season, this fall we will publish weekly statistical leaders. To have players from your team included, please send the information by Monday morning following each game to andrew@ carolinaweekly newspapers.com.
7) Rocky River (3-2) Previous ranking: No. 7 Rocky River got off to a rocky beginning, but have righted the ship. The defending Southwestern 4A champs get back to defending their crown this week, but get a tough test with Myers Park, a team that could give them some problems. Elijah Jett has topped 100 yards rushing each game and they have the dynamic Jaire Alexander playing all over the field. They should win, but better be focused. Also receiving votes: Ardrey Kell (3-1)
South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 19
Sports
W eek ly g a m e P i c ks by Andrew Stark andrew@thecharlotteweekly.com
This football season is flying by, and this week marks the kick off of conference rivalry season with a full slate of public school teams taking the first step to a conference crown. There are some big-time races as Butler, Independence and Rocky River will all be in the hunt for the Southwestern 4A race. The So. Meck 8 is even more wide open with Charlotte Catholic, Ardrey Kell and Providence all having great shots at a title, and don’t rule out upstart South Meck, either, as the Sabres are playing really good football of late. It’s another challenging week with out of conference private schools, but there
are some intriguing matchups before they open conference games next week. To help us, we brought in Myers Park girls basketball coach Barbara Nelson, who helped guide the Mustangs to their first title last winter. She’s no stranger to winning and has worked with USA Basketball, Wingate University and guided Providence Day to seven state titles. To Nelson, there is a common denominator to all great teams. “I believe that a team must buy in completely to be successful – that means buying into the system, teamwork, goals, work ethic, etc.,” she said. “If there are any holdouts, especially with your leadership or best players, then there’s no chance for the team to reach their highest potential. Everyone must be accountable from top to bottom.”
Weekly Game Schedule: Butler at Garinger Fork Union at Charlotte Latin Carolina Pride at GiveNGo Fellowship Providence Day at Cuthbertson Charlotte Catholic at Berry Liberty Christian at Charlotte Christian
Independence at East Meck Myers Park at Rocky River Charlotte Country Day at Ravenscroft Olympic at Providence South Meck at Harding West Meck at Ardrey Kell
guest picker
andrew stark
hannah dockery
barbara nelson
Butler Charlotte Latin Carolina Pride Cuthbertson Charlotte Catholic Liberty Christian Independence Rocky River Ravenscroft Providence South Meck Ardrey Kell
Butler Charlotte Latin Carolina Pride Cuthbertson Charlotte Catholic charlotte christian Independence Rocky River charlotte country day Providence South Meck Ardrey Kell
Butler Fork Union Carolina Pride Providence Day Charlotte Catholic Charlotte Christian Independence Myers Park Charlotte Country Day Providence Harding Ardrey Kell
Last week Overall
Last week Overall
Last week Overall
(7-3) (39-14)
(7-3) (39-14)
(7-3) (40-13)
sports shorts by Andrew Stark andrew@thecharlotteweekly.com
Serve for the Cure volleyball tournament this weekend
The 13th annual Serve for the Cure volleyball tournament returns to Charlotte Latin on Saturday, Sept. 27. The event was started in 2002 by retired Charlotte Latin volleyball coach Suzie Pignetti, who is a cancer survivor. Since then, Serve for the Cure has grown into the largest student-run event benefiting the local Charlotte affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Over the last 12 years, the tournament has raised $336,000. The event is also an educational opportunity to increase awareness of breast cancer and women's health. Nineteen teams from the schools in North and South Carolina will participate in some friendly, but highlycompetitive volleyball this Saturday, while joining together to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast
cancer. Sports Connection and Carolina Juniors Volleyball sponsor the tournament. Admission is $5 and the tournament runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Beck Student Activities Center on Charlotte Latin’s campus. The teams in this year’s field include Ardrey Kell, Butler, Charlotte Christian, Charlotte Country Day, Charlotte Latin, Covenant Day, Providence, Providence Day, South Meck and Weddington, among others.
Country Day takes on South Carolina’s best, wins rematch of state volleyball finals
Charlotte Country Day’s defending state champion volleyball team returned from a nine-match tournament against some of the top teams in South Carolina this weekend to knock off rival Covenant Day for the third time this season. The Bucs, who have climbed to No. 18 in Maxpreps.com’s Xcellent 25 national rankings, defeated Covenant Day, 3-1, on Tuesday, Sept. 24 in front of a packed house on the Lions’ home floor to win, 27-25, 25-21, 21-25 and 25-14. The win over Covenant Day was the Bucs third triumph over the Lions this season in a matchup of the state
Page 20 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
Katharine Franz (12) had a huge game leading the nationally-ranked Bucs to a 3-1 win over Covenant Day this week. Photo courtesy of Brian Rosen
champion finalists. Katharine Franz led the Country Day attack with 14 kills and 13 digs and Hannah Kintzinger (15 kills) and Taylor Portland (11 kills) were strong on the attacking end. Asya Patterson recorded 16 digs and Rachel Janson added 43 assists, pushing the Bucs record to 33-1 on the year. This past weekend, the Bucs traveled to Simpsonville, S.C. where they played nine matches over the course of two days. In the opening round, they defeated Southside, Clover, Lexington, Westside, Northwestern and Blythewood – Maxpreps.com’s No. 5-ranked team in South Carolina – all by 2-0 scores. In the quarterfinals, the Bucs beat 21-3 Baylor High (Tenn.), 2-0, and 21-3 Wando (S.C.), a team that also entered 21-3, by a 2-0 margin in the semifinals. Country Day suffered its first loss of the season to Hillcrest, the 40th ranked
team in the country and the winner of the past three S.C. Class 4A titles. The Bucs took the first game, but lost the next two. Franz and Patterson were named to the all-tournament team. Following the win over Covenant Day, coach Brian Rosen was excited where his team was in the season. “You never want to lose a match, and technically the loss doesn’t count, but I’m keeping it on our record as a reminder,” he said. “I thought (against Covenant Day) we played well. We had to fight back in Game 1 from four game points, and I was proud of how they responded. “I told them that they could’ve had a letdown at any point. Covenant Day is a good team, but we hung in there and they kept fighting.” Country Day plays (19-2) Providence Day on Friday, Sept. 26 www.thecharlotteweekly.com
Sports
Thompson shines o n c o u rt by Hannah Dockery hannah@thecharlotteweekly.com
Seventh grade tennis star Jenna Thompson is the No. 1-ranked tennis player in the state for her age group. Photo courtesy of Shirley Thompson
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Current Quail Hollow Middle School seventh-grader Jenna Thompson recently represented North Carolina as the state’s No. 1 tennis player in her age group at the 12-under Southern Cup in Chattanooga, Tenn. earlier this month. Thompson won her four singles matches and was named the tournament’s MVP. In August, Thompson won the 14-under North Carolina Girls Junior Clay Court Championship, downing Makayla Mills, North Carolina’s former No. 1-ranked player in the 14-year-old division. Thompson has been ranked the state’s No. 1 player all year in the 12-under division and is
already a five-star recruit according to www.tennisrecruiting.net. She’s ranked the No. 2 player in the Southern region and 42nd out of 1,029 girls ranked in the country. “Tennis is constant for us,” said Thompson’s mother, Shirley. “We’re always gone to tournaments all the time but she loves it. She always wants to play.” Thompson, who trains five days a week at the Johan Kriek Tennis Academy at the Charlotte Indoor Club, competed in her first national tournament this summer at the USTA National Clay Court Championships in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. where she advanced to the third round of the tournament before falling to the No. 1- ranked player in the country. “In all honesty, she was a little nervous and overwhelmed at first, playing at the national level,” Shirley said. “There are so many good players from Florida and California so it was an adjustment for her because tennis isn’t as strong in the Southeast but she did great… she was apprehensive but excited and really played well.” Quail Hollow Middle helped adjust
Thompson’s class schedule to fit her demanding tennis routine; though the final bell rings at 4:15 p.m., Thompson leaves school every day at 3 to get to tennis practice by 3:30 where she plays for three hours. “Quail Hollow has been so helpful,” Shirley said. “She’s having to take eighth-grade math to make the adjustments work but she’s done really well balancing it all.” Thompson comes from an athletic family. Her younger sister is involved in competitive gymnastics while her brother plays tennis and flag football. Shirley and her husband Mark, both natives of South Africa, played competitive tennis as well, and continue to play at Olde Providence Racquet Club. “In South Africa, sports are such a part of life,” Shirley said. “So it’s been a big influence on our family and even though we’re going nonstop, it’s important to keep our kids involved.” Outside of tennis, which is a yearround sport for Thompson, she attends Forest Hills Church and loves going to Panthers games with her dad.
South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 21
Page 22 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
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34 58 AWOL State trees 46 ___ Earth-shaking 37 Old *It’sjazz not icon worth 56 chasers 48 Paulo Anita of North arguing … or a hint to 47 Animal whose Dakota and to the answers 36 “P”voided of G.O.P. 50 Stop 39 The Legally nameproducing sounds like Massachusetts the six starred water, as a well a pronoun 38 40 Perry Treatsofforfashion clues swelling, a 59 Spanish water 39 Part of a as joule 49 Crossword It goes 51 needs 57 Perrier, par joint “Ah-h-h-choo!” 40 Business setback exemple 60 Many a service 42 recorded Tuna type,onon 52 58 Little Rock-to50 Baker’s Zoot ___supply station adjunct menus C Schedule Chicago dir. 45 Wither Slings mud 41 awayat 54 Pet Mythical 54 care strong 64 Hi-___ “___ Misérables” 59 monitor man 46 Add One by making a specialists, for 42 degrees confession short 60 Kesey or Follett 45 Mollify 56 Beg 65 ___ Paulo Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. crosswords last to 50386 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users:from Textthe NYTX to download puzzles, or visit AT&T users: Text NYTX tofor 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword more information. nytimes.com/mobilexword for more Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzleinformation. and more than 2,000 Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more athan 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 year). past nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Sharepuzzles, tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
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South Charlotte Weekly • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • Page 23
Page 24 • Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2014 • South Charlotte Weekly
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