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Pioneers host NWC opener Watauga’s softball team could not close out Wilkes Central and fell 8-6 in the Pioneers’ final game of the regular season Wednesday night. Photo by Jamie Williams

Top Gun winners The Watauga Storm under-10 boys basketball team won the Top Gun Showdown Basketball Tournament at the Smoky Mountain Sports Complex in Elizabethton, Tenn. Pictured are, left to right, front row: Jeb Phillips, Caleb Bryson, Holden Russell, Brody O’Neal; second row: Tyler Cornett, Dillion Carmichael, Lance Coffey; back row: coach Greg Russell, Tyler Bryson and Pat O’Neal. Photo submitted

A rocky start: Elon takes early lead in game one victory
ELON — The first sign that Appalachian State was not destined to beat Elon Wednesday night was when the Mountaineers loaded the bases in the first inning, with no outs, and did not score a run.

Commentary: Making a tough road easier to navigate
Sometimes, I’ve been accused of being old-school. Other times, I’ve just been accused of being old.

Rookies report to camp
By the end of this weekend, rookies either drafted or signed as free agents will finish their first experience in the NFL.

Around the area: Valle Crucis 25 to be run Saturday
The High Country Soccer Association will host the inaugural running of the Valle Crucis 25 K Road Race Saturday.

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April 30, 2008

Pioneers eye Titans in NWC tournament Watauga baseball coach Pete Hardee doesn’t mind the break his Pioneers will get Tuesday, while the rest of the Northwestern 4-A Conference is playing. Photo by Steve Behr

Pruitt holds high expectations
New Watauga football coach Tim Pruitt knows when he took the job last week, high expectations of a rejuvinated fan base would go with it.

ASU, Watauga change schedules
Appalachain State’s game at home against Wofford has attracted the attention of ESPN2 to the point that the network wants to televise the game — on a Friday.

Familiarity helps Watauga duo find success in NWC
The Watauga softball team has brought a very well matched pitcher-catcher combination this season with Nicole Reilly and Chandler Butler.

ASU takes on Phoenix
It doesn’t happen often, but Appalachian State’s baseball team will be playing Southern Conference games during the week.

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April 28, 2008

Bucs take Jackson, Lynch picked by Cincy ASU's Brown, Rauch ink free agent contracts For most of the decade, Appalachian State players had to sign free-agent contracts if they wanted to get into NFL camps. During this weekend, two Mountaineers were selected during the 2008 NFL Draft. File photo

Friday night’s all right for hitting
TAYLORSVILLE — Friday night is good to Watauga’s baseball team.

Pruitt handed WHS keys
The Watauga County Board of Education hired Tim Pruitt as the new football coach at Watauga High School Thursday night.

Vincent intends to instill winning attitude
New head women’s basketball coach Darcie Vincent has one item on her resume that few coaches at Appalachian State possess — a national championship.

ASU sweeps Wildcats
Appalachian State won its fourth straight game after completing a three-game sweep of visiting Davidson over their weekend series at Smith Stadium.

Providence rocks Watauga
CHARLOTTE — Watauga allowed 14 runs in 10 innings on the road during its doubleheader against Providence Saturday. Nobody ever thought Providence would score 12 of them in one inning.

Pioneers blank East Burke; Watauga clinches third place
TAYLORSVILLE — Watauga’s girls’ soccer team clinched third place with a 3-0 victory over Alexander Central last Friday.

Mountaineers win track title
CULLOWHEE — Appalachian State’s men's track and field team led by 99 points after day one, and held on for a 315-288 win over second-place Western Carolina for the Mountaineers’ 16th Southern Conference Outdoor Championship.

Panthers take steps to improve offense
CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers decided that two No. 1 draft picks in 2008 were more important that one first rounder in ’08 and ’09.

Godfrey, Conner picked on second day
CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers continued their NFL Draft by taking Charles Godfrey, a safety from Iowa, in the third round Sunday and Dan Conner an outside linebacker from Penn State.

Bumgarner mows down Crawdads in homecoming
HICKORY — It seemed that Madison Bumgarner would not make the bus to get back to the hotel following his game Thursday at L.P. Frans Stadium.

WHS softball falls
The Watauga softball team attempted to get a win for their final regular season home game Thursday night against West Forsyth, but went home disappointed with a 13-5 loss.