By Sonny Jones
As the headline reads, here’s some news and notes from the under the cushions of the couch:
• Congratulations to the Houston Astros for winning the 2022 World Series, beating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. Won an American League-best 106 games and were the better team with more than half a dozen players who spent time playing in Buies Creek or Fayetteville a few years ago.
• I haven’t attended a minor league game in years. In fact, last one was the 2019 home opener of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. First game in Segra Stadium. Part of my job at the time. Need to go see some minor league games next season. Maybe not Fayetteville, but lots of choices around the Carolinas.
• Looks like it will be a North Carolina-Clemson matchup for the ACC football championship in early December.
• Has N.C. State found its new star in freshman quarterback M.J. Morris? He’s improved each week and guided the Wolfpack over Wake Forest 30-21 on Saturday night by throwing for three touchdowns. Thought, for sure, Wake would win the game, but the Deacons are struggling.
• The Bladen County Parks and Recreation will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Room located on the lower level of the Bladen County Courthouse in Elizabethtown. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the department’s Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) application.
• A two-man classic golf tournament will be held Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20 at Vineyard Golf at White Lake. The cost to play will be $150 per person or $300 per team. A 12:30 p.m. shotgun start using a best ball format on Saturday and a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start using the Texas scramble format on Sunday. Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, Nov. 15.
• The Bladen County Recreation Department is conducting registration for its youth basketball programs through Dec. 9. There will be leagues for boys and girls ages 6-12. Age will be determined by the player’s age as of Jan. 1, 2023. Registration fee is $35. Players can register online by clicking here or at the Parks and Recreation Department located inside the King Street gym near Leinwand Park in Elizabethtown. For information call the office at 910-862-6770.
SUNDAY’S PICK TO CLICK
After last week’s “wall ride” to get into the title race, Ross Chastain will win the NASCAR Cup championship at Phoenix Raceway. He’s not the favorite, but after the video game move at Martinsville he’s the choice.
SATURDAY’S PICK: Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos homer as Philadelphia beats Houston to force a decisive Game 7 on Sunday in the World Series. RESULTS: Not only didn’t Harper nor Castellanos hit a home run, but the pair combined to go 0-for-8 with 4 strikeouts as the Phillies lost 4-1.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
MONDAY
• Volleyball: At Nakina, 4 p.m., Bladenboro vs. Williams Township, Bladenboro vs. Nakina; At East Columbus, 4 p.m., Elizabethtown vs. East Columbus, Elizabethtown vs. Whiteville; At West Columbus, 4 p.m., Tar Heel vs. Tabor City, Tar Heel vs. Clarkton School of Discovery, Clarkton School of Discovery vs. West Columbus
• 5-7 Soccer at Bladen County Park: Mutiny vs. Sharks, 6 p.m.; Quakes vs. Hornets, 6 p.m.; Cosmos vs. Titans, 7 p.m.; Lightning vs. Silverbacks, 7 p.m.
TUESDAY
• 5-7 Soccer at Bladen County Park: Dynamos vs. Raptors, 6 p.m.; Thundercats vs. Grizzlies, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
• No games scheduled
THURSDAY
• Volleyball: At Williams Township, 4 p.m., Clarkton School of Discovery vs. Williams, Clarkton School of Discovery vs. Tabor City; At West Columbus, 4 p.m., Tar Heel vs. East Columbus, Tar Heel vs. West Columbus; At Whiteville Central, 4 p.m., Elizabethtown vs. Nakina, Elizabethtown vs. Bladenboro, Bladenboro vs. Whiteville
• Boys’ soccer: Clarkton School of Discovery at Nakina, 3:45 p.m.; Tar Heel at Whiteville, 3:45 p.m.
• Flag Football at Bladen County Park: Tarheels vs. Tigers, 6 p.m.; Ducks vs. Gamecocks, 7 p.m.
• Tackle Football at Bladen County Park: Tigers vs. Spartans, 6 p.m.; Ducks vs. Crimson Tide, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
• No games scheduled
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
• 1869 — First US college football game played, Rutgers 6, Princeton 4.
POTATO PICKS TO WATCH TODAY
• DP WORLD TOUR: Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final, 5:30 a.m., GOLF
• TENNIS: ATP doubles final, 6:30 a.m., TENNIS
• MEN’S SOCCER: Arsenal at Chelsea, 7 p.m., USA
• RUNNING: New York City Marathon, 8:30 a.m., ESPN2
• MEN’S SOCCER: Crystal Palace at West Ham United, 9 a.m., USA
• TENNIS: ATP singles final, 9 a.m., TENNIS
• WOMEN’S SOCCER: Florida St. vs. North Carolina, noon, ESPNU
• NFL: Carolina at Cincinnati, 1 p.m., FOX
• NFL: Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m., CBS
• CFL PLAYOFFS: Hamilton at Montreal, 1 p.m., ESPN2
• MEN’S SOCCER: Virginia Tech at Wake Forest, 2 p.m., ACCN
• PGA: World Wide Technology Championship, 2 p.m., GOLF
• TENNIS: WTA Finals semifinals, 2:30 p.m., TENNIS
• NASCAR CUP: Cup Series Championship, 3 p.m., NBC
• MEN’S SOCCER: Pittsburgh at Virginia, 4 p.m., ACCN
• RODEO: PBR Team Series Championship, 4 p.m., CBSSN
• NFL: LA Rams at Tampa Bay, 4:25 p.m., CBS
• CFL PLAYOFFS: Calgary at British Columbus, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2
• NHL: Toronto at Carolina, 5 p.m., ESPN
• MEN’S SOCCER: North Carolina at Syracuse, 6 p.m., ACCN
• WORLD SERIES: Philadelphia at Houston, if necessary, 8 p.m., FOX
• MEN’S SOCCER: Clemson at Duke, 8 p.m., ACCN
• TENNIS: WTA Finals semifinals, 8 p.m., TENNIS
• G-LEAGUE: Salt Lake City at Team Ignite, 8 p.m., ESPNU
• NFL: Tennessee at Kansas City, 8:15 p.m., NBC
• NHL: Florida at Anaheim, 9 p.m., NHLN
Sonny Jones can be reached at wibbyj@gmail.com.
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