SPORTS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2017
Marlins’ slugger Stanton heading to New York. 7C Section C
Commentary
PREP BLITZ
Aaron Schnautz
aschnautz@hickoryrecord.com
STATE CHAMPS
Hibriten holds off East Duplin to win first state title Lenoir-Rhyne needs to score touchdown with new coach
A
holiday present arrived early for Lenoir-Rhyne with Thursday’s announcement that Drew Cronic will be the 22nd football coach in program history. This hire generates optimism for Bears fans, but they will have to wait long past Christmas morning to determine if Cronic is more like the shiny new Radio Flyer wagon they’ve been asking Santa for – or just another lump of coal wrapped in fancy paper. Coaching changes like this usually require time and patience, but Cronic may not be afforded either luxury. The former Furman offensive coordinator certainly has his work cut out for him before the Bears even step on the field to start the 2018 season. His long to-do list started with meeting the players, which took place Thursday afternoon. During his introductory press conference, Cronic said he wanted to spend 15 minutes with each player individually to learn how they felt about the program. That’ll give him a more honest view – without the cardinal-tinted glasses – of where his team stands. He’ll also get his first up-close view of the athletes that he has – and the athletes he still needs. The next two items on Cronic’s list go hand in hand – filling out the rest of his staff and hitting the recruiting trails. Currently, the only holdovers from the previous coaching staff are wide receivers coach/in-state recruiting coordinator Arketa Banks (who was a holdover from the staff before that), defensive backs coach David Cole and a few graduate assistants. But no matter how quickly he can hire his assistants, Cronic will still find himself behind the eight ball when it comes to recruitment. The initial signing date for prospects arrives in early February, though many have already made verbal commitments. Some of those commitments have been to Lenoir-Rhyne, so Cronic
David Scearce/Record
H
ibriten’s Noah Gambill (79) ,Tanner Tucker (18) and Skylin Thomas (27) tackle East Duplin’s Chris Benson (2) in the end zone for a safety in Saturday’s NCHSAA 2AA state championship game in Chapel Hill. The Panthers held off a late rally to win 16-14. Visit hickoryrecord.com/ sports for the full story
See SCHNAUTZ, Page 2B
College Basketball
Boston College upsets No. 1 Duke in ACC opener The Associated Press
BOSTON — Outside the Boston College basketball office, on the way to the practice gym, the walls are decorated with giant pictures from the Eagles’ biggest wins. The Sweet 16 appearance in 2006. Upsets over No. 1 North Carolina and No. 6 Duke in 2009. A victory over top-ranked Syracuse four years ago. Make room for an addition: Boston College 89, Duke 84, an upset that sent the No. 1 Blue Devils to their first loss. “We’re putting one up for this one,” coach Jim Christian said. “That’s where I would put it. If you get a poster up on that wall,
boston college 89 No. 1 duke 84 that’s a big thing because of the proud history of this place.” Ky Bowman scored 30 points, adding 10 rebounds and nine assists to help Boston College (7-3, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) win its third straight game against the No. 1 team in The Associated Press Top 25. Jordan Chatman scored 22, hitting four straight free throws in the final 16 seconds to ice it. “I think this is probably going
to be one of the top ones,” Bowman said. Gary Trent Jr. scored 25 and Marvin Bagley III had 15 points and 12 rebounds for Duke (11-1, 0-1 ACC). The Blue Devils erased a 10-point deficit in the second half and led 79-75 with 3:30 to play. Boston College scored 12 of the next 14 points, getting a pair of 3-pointers from Robinson. Duke’s Trevon Duvall drove to the basket to make it 83-81 with 31 seconds left, but then he was called for an intentional foul on Chatman as BC tried to dribble out the clock. Chatman made both foul
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Duke’s Gary Trent Jr (2) keeps the ball away form Boston College’s Ky See DUKE, Page 2B Bowman (0) during their game on Saturday.