By Sonny Jones
Think the East Bladen-West Bladen rivalry isn’t real? Just check the stands.
Last Friday, when the basketball teams met at East Bladen, the bleachers were packed and folding chairs were brought out before the start of the girls game. It was standing room only.
This week, while attendance was good for West Bladen’s games Tuesday at home against Fairmont and there was plenty of room in the stands Wednesday for East Bladen’s non-conference games against Trask, it was a completely different atmosphere than when the rivals met … as it should be.
The teams meet Monday, Jan. 30 at West Bladen. A lot of folks learned last week that it’s best to arrive early and watch some of the JV boys game.
• Hidden Gem: The UNC Wilmington basketball team is one to follow. The Seahawks had their 13-game win streak snapped Wednesday, losing to No. 22 College of Charleston 71-69 inside an electric and packed Trask Coliseum. Charleston now has won 16 straight. Keep an eye on the Seahawks.
• Both teams have lost to North Carolina. UNCW lost to the Tar Heels 69-56 on Nov. 7. College of Charleston lost 102-86 on Nov. 11 for its only loss of the season.
• Can the Tar Heels break their road losing streak Saturday? It’s their best chance against a Louisville team that only has two wins in 17 games this season. North Carolina is 0-4 when playing in the arena of the opponent. There have been losses at Indiana, at Virginia Tech, at Pittsburgh and at Virginia. Add a couple of losses in the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland, Oregon, and UNC hasn’t won a game outside the Dean E. Smith Center where they are 11-0.
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
• 1958 — The NCAA rules committee makes the first change in football scoring rules since 1912 by adding the two-point conversion.
POTATO PICKS TO WATCH TODAY
• SOCCER: Real Betis vs. FC Barcelona, 1:55 p.m., ESPN2
• WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: N.C. State at Florida State, 6 p.m., ACCN
• NHL: Carolina at Columbus, 7 p.m., BALLY SOUTH
• BASKETBALL: Longwood at UNC Asheville, 7 p.m., ESPNU
• PGA: Sony Open, 7 p.m., GOLF
• NHL: Toronto at Detroit, 7 p.m., ESPN
• NBA: Boston at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m., TNT
• NBA: Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m., TNT
Sonny Jones can be reached at wibbyj@gmail.com.
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