Tropical Storm Arthur

First tropical cyclone of the 2014 Atlantic season has formed east of Florida: Tropical Depression 1. The depression has formed off of Grand Bahama Island, or 90 miles east of Vero Beach. This will be a running thread.

Per the NHC:

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE EAST COAST OF
FLORIDA FROM FORT PIERCE NORTHWARD TO JUST SOUTH OF FLAGLER BEACH.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* EAST COAST OF FLORIDA FROM FORT PIERCE TO FLAGLER BEACH

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...IN THIS CASE WITHIN 24 TO 36 HOURS.

INTERESTS ELSEWHERE ALONG THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES
SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM.

2014 Lowcountry football schedules: 3A

Hard to believe, but football practice for all high school football teams in the state of South Carolina is beginning in just over one month. Football practice officially begins on August 1. Many teams have had 7 on 7 drills throughout the summer. This year will be a good one in the Lowcountry for high school football.

In 3A, there will be several changes. Beaufort, for the first time in many years, will not be playing in the state's largest division. Instead, they will drop down to 3A. James Island will move up to 4A, but other than that, there will be no changes. Georgetown, who has played James Island the last two seasons, will be in an all Pee Dee and Grand Strand division.

Here are the regions our local teams are playing in:

Region 7: Georgetown; Lake City; Myrtle Beach; North Myrtle Beach; St. James; Wilson
Region 8: Beaufort; Berkeley; Hanahan; Hilton Head Island; Orangeburg-Wilkinson; Stall

As for the 4A post, I will make a post for each division in order to make it easy to find your favorite school's schedule, and give some analysis. Region games will be bolded. All games will start at 7:30pm on Fridays unless noted. The schedule is subject to change as games could move to Saturday or Thursday.

Georgetown

8/22: @ Conway
9/5: Andrews
9/12: Waccamaw
9/19: @ Carvers Bay
9/26: Loris
10/3: St. James
10/10: @ North Myrtle Beach
10/17: @ Lake City 
10/24: Myrtle Beach
10/30 (Thursday, 7:30): @ Wilson

Georgetown only gets to host two region games this year, St. James and Myrtle Beach, while having to make two long trips, to Lake City and to Florence on a short week. They do get lower division Andrews, Waccamaw and Loris at home.

Region 8-3A: Beaufort

8/29: @ Colleton County
9/5: @ Bluffton
9/12: Whale Branch
9/19: @ Battery Creek
9/26: @ Manning
10/3:  Berkeley
10/10: @ Stall
10/17: Hilton Head
10/24: Hanahan
10/31: @ Orangeburg-Wilkinson

Beaufort only has four home games the entire season, but luckily for them, three of those are in region play, with the Eagles hosting Berkeley, Hanahan and Hilton Head. They do have to make the long trip to O-W the final game of the season.

Berkeley

8/22: Johnsonville
8/29: Stratford
9/5: @ Summerville
9/12: Cane Bay
9/26: @ Timberland
10/3: @ Beaufort
10/10: @ Hilton Head
10/17: Orangeburg-Wilkinson
10/24: @ Stall
10/31: Hanahan

A tough schedule for the Stags. Three of their five home games are September 12 or before, and they close with four of their last six on the road, including back to back trips to Beaufort and Hilton Head. They do get Hanahan at home to close the season in what could be a crucial game for Jeff Cruce.

Hanahan

8/22: James Island
8/29: @ Timberland
9/5: Bishop England
9/19: Cane Bay
9/26: @ Stratford
10/3: Hilton Head
10/10: @ Orangeburg-Wilkinson
10/17: Stall
10/24: @ Beaufort
10/31: @ Berkeley

Hanahan gets just two region home games this year, after replacing several of their star players. They have to travel to both O-W and Beaufort, and also have difficult trips to Stratford and Berkeley. From what I've heard, the JI game could be televised.

Hilton Head

8/22: Ridgeland-Hardeeville
8/29: Whale Branch
9/5: @ West Ashley
9/12: @ Battery Creek
9/26: @ Bluffton
10/3: @ Hanahan
10/10: Berkeley
10/17: @ Beaufort
10/24: Orangeburg-Wilkinson
10/31: Stall

Hilton Head has the unenviable position of four straight road games. After their August 29 game versus Whale Branch, they don't come back to the Island to play until October 10. They do get a favorable region schedule, only having to make one trip to the Charleston area, Hanahan, with their final two at home.

Orangeburg-Wilkinson (schedule incomplete)

8/22: @ Edisto
8/29: Lake Marion
9/5: Lower Richland
9/12: @ Colleton County
10/3: Stall
10/10: Hanahan
10/17: @ Berkeley
10/24: @ Hilton Head
10/31: Beaufort

O-W still has one more game left to fill out their schedule, probably a team out of the Midlands, but they have a favorable slate, getting both Hanahan and Beaufort at home.

Stall

8/29: @ St. John's
9/5: North Charleston
9/12: @ James Island
9/19: Garrett
9/26: Colleton County
10/3: Orangeburg-Wilkinson
10/10: Beaufort
10/17: @ Hanahan
10/24: Berkeley
10/31: @ Hilton Head

Stall gets a very favorable home schedule for their fans this year, with North Charleston and Garrett coming in, plus Beaufort and Berkeley. It's a tough schedule though for those hoping to see a better year than last year.

I will continue this series next with 2A.

 

Ian Davis and Phillip Lutzenkirchen killed in car wreck

An extremely sad story going on in the SEC right now. One of the best tight ends in Auburn history, Phillip Lutzenkirchen, and former Georgia baseball player Ian Davis have been killed in a car wreck.

The wreck was in Troup County, Georgia, near LaGrange.

According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, the fatal accident occurred in Troup County, just southeast of LaGrange, at approximately 3:06 a.m. Sunday morning, according to Master Trooper B.N. Talley of the Georgia State Patrol, who responded to the scene.

"It happened at the intersection of Upper Big Springs Road and Lower Big Springs Road," Talley said. "The vehicle was a 2006 Chevy Tahoe and the driver missed a stop sign at the intersection of those two roads, which is more or less a 'T-intersection.' They traveled through the intersection off into a churchyard. They were out out of control for about 450 feet."

At that point, Talley said, the vehicle overturned, ejecting all four passengers.
"Philip was one of them," Talley said," and he was killed at the scene."

The driver of the vehicle, Joseph Davis, was also killed.

Read more here: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014/06/29/3177530/breaking-former-auburn-tight-end.html?sp=/99/210/#storylink=cpy

Ian Davis did not play at UGA in 2014, but he does have a South Carolina tie, having played baseball at USC-Sumter. He was a graduate of Dunwoody High School in the metro Atlanta suburbs. Davis was a student in the Terry School of Business at UGA, and was working over the summer at Northwestern Mutual in Atlanta.

Lutzenkirchen was a member of the 2010 national championship team, having caught 59 passes for 14 touchdowns. Lutzenkirchen had just become a coach at a private school in Montgomery. He was a graduate of Lassiter High School in Marietta, and caught 72 passes for 1,000 yards as a HS senior.

This is a very sad moment for both Georgia and Auburn's athletic programs. Prayers for everyone involved.

Lynchburg Hillcats throw back to back no hitters

The Lynchburg Hillcats, a high class A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, have thrown back-to-back combined no-hitters. They defeated the Wilmington Blue Rocks in both games.

Last night, it was Lucas Sims and Alex Wilson. Tonight, it was Cody Scarpetta and Benito Pruneda.

Here is a link to tonight's box score.

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2014_06_27_lynafa_wilafa_1&t=g_box&sid=milb

2014 Lowcountry football schedules: 4A

Hard to believe, but football practice for all high school football teams in the state of South Carolina is beginning very soon. Football practice officially begins August 1. Many teams have had 7 on 7 drills throughout the summer. This year will be a very interesting year in the Lowcountry for high school football. Several schools will have new coaches; including Stratford with Joe Marion, one of the highest profile openings in the state; and James Island with Ike Allred.

There was also a high profile QB transfer in the area. West Ashley QB Pedro Manigault, one of the best in the area last year, has transferred to Goose Creek, who is replacing QB Dantez Bennamon (a Clayton State basketball commit).

The regions have changed this year. Beaufort is out of 4A: James Island rejoins after a 2-year absence. The 3 Dorchester County schools will be in the same region; while Charleston County's 3 4A schools will be joined by the 3 Berkeley County 4A schools. Region 8 will only have four region games, making every game ultra-important.

Region 7: Cane Bay; Goose Creek; James Island; Stratford; Wando; West Ashley
Region 8: Ashley Ridge; Bluffton; Colleton County; Fort Dorchester; Summerville

Now, onto the schedules. I will make a post for each division in order to make it easy to find your favorite school's schedule, and give some analysis. Region games will be bolded. All games will start at 7:30pm on Fridays unless noted. The schedule is subject to change as games could move to Saturday or Thursday.


Cane Bay

8/22: Colleton County
8/29: Summerville
9/5: @ Fort Dorchester
9/12: @ Berkeley
9/19: @ Hanahan
9/26: Ashley Ridge
10/10: @ Stratford
10/17: @ Goose Creek
10/24: James Island
10/31: Wando
11/7: @ West Ashley

A very tough schedule for Cane Bay. Between August 29 and October 24, the Cobras are only home once out of six games. They also get Stratford and Goose Creek back to back games on the road. They start the season earlier than most, playing home the Friday night of Sertoma.

Goose Creek 

8/30 (Saturday, 4pm): Pickerington Central (OH)  (at Centerville, OH)
9/5: @ Ridge View
9/12: Summerville
9/19: @ Fort Dorchester
9/26: Eastern Christian Academy (MD)
10/3: Ashley Ridge
10/10: James Island
10/17: Cane Bay
10/24: @ Wando
10/31: @ West Ashley
11/7: Stratford

The Gators start off with a game against one of Ohio's best, Pickerington Central, then head to Ridge View. Their home opener is not till September 12, one of the latest in the area. They have a stretch of four straight home games from September 26 thru the first two games of region play. Watch for Halloween night. The game at West Ashley will be a crazy atmosphere.

James Island

8/22: @ Hanahan
8/29: Ashley Ridge
9/5: Colleton County
9/12: Stall
9/19: @ St. John's
9/26: Bishop England
10/10: @ Goose Creek
10/17: West Ashley
10/24: @ Cane Bay
10/31: @ Stratford
11/7: Wando

A lot of changes for the Trojans as they move back to 4A from 3A. They start off with a game at Hanahan (a region mate for the last two years), then have four of their next five at home, with the only road trip a short one, to St. John's. They will also play Bishop England, for the first time since '95. Wando, a game that has begun the season the last two years, will end this season.

Stratford

8/29: at Berkeley
9/5: Sumter
9/12: Ft. Dorchester
9/19: at Ashley Ridge
9/26: Hanahan
10/3: at Summerville
10/10: Cane Bay
10/17: at Wando
10/24: West Ashley
10/31: James Island
11/7: at Goose Creek

New Stratford Head Coach Joe Marion will start off with a trip to Moncks Corner to play Berkeley, then the home opener at Stackley Field will be against yearly opponent Sumter. The Knights get three region games at home; Cane Bay, West Ashley and James Island. They do have to travel to Wando and Goose Creek.


Wando

8/29: White Knoll
9/5: @ Ashley Ridge
9/12: @ Lexington
9/19: @ Summerville
9/26: Fort Dorchester
10/3: Bluffton
10/10: @ West Ashley
10/17: Stratford
10/24: Goose Creek
10/31: @ Cane Bay
11/7: @ James Island

Wando has one of the tougher 4A schedules in the state. They start off hosting White Knoll, a school who beat them in the playoffs 2 years ago; then have a difficult 3 game roadie, with Ashley Ridge, Lexington and Summerville. They get Stratford and Goose Creek at home, but have to travel to West Ashley and to James Island.

West Ashley

8/29: @ Bishop England
9/5: Hilton Head
9/12: Ashley Ridge
9/19: @ Colleton County
9/26: Summerville
10/3: @ Fort Dorchester
10/10: Wando
10/17: @ James Island
10/24: @ Stratford
10/31: Goose Creek
11/7: Cane Bay

The Wildcats start off with three of five at home, including Summerville and Hilton Head, and close the season with Goose Creek and Cane Bay. This team showed steps last year, but have to replace Manigault. If the Wildcats play to their potential, they will have a chance in most of their games.

Region 8

Ashley Ridge

8/22: Woodland
8/29: @ James Island
9/5: Wando
9/12: @ West Ashley
9/19: Stratford
9/26: @ Cane Bay
10/3: @ Goose Creek
10/10: @ Colleton County
10/17: Bluffton
10/31: Summerville
11/7: @ Fort Dorchester

Ashley Ridge, after their opener hosting Woodland, has four of their next six on the road, with the only home battles Wando and Stratford. They do get Summerville at home after a bye along with Bluffton off of a long trip.

Bluffton

8/22: Battery Creek
8/29: @ Effingham County (GA)
9/5: Beaufort
9/12: Sol C. Johnson (GA)
9/18 (Thursday, 7:30): @ Whale Branch
9/26: Hilton Head
10/3: @ Wando
10/17: @ Ashley Ridge
10/24: Fort Dorchester
10/31: Colleton County
11/7: @ Summerville

Bluffton is kind of hamstrung as far as scheduling goes, being required to play all the other Beaufort County schools, along with the Savannah area schools they play every year. They have to travel to both Ashley Ridge and Summerville, but could get off to a strong start due to their weaker non-region slate.

Colleton County

8/22: @ Cane Bay
8/29: Beaufort
9/5: @ James Island
9/12: Orangeburg-Wilkinson
9/19: West Ashley
9/26: @ Stall
10/3: South Aiken
10/10: Ashley Ridge
10/17: @ Fort Dorchester
10/24: @ Summerville
10/31: @ Bluffton
 
Colleton County drew the short end of the scheduling stick this year. They will play 11 games with no byes, and only have one of their four region games at home, ending their home season on October 10, probably the earliest in the area. They have to travel the final three games, including trips to Fort D and Summerville.

Fort Dorchester

8/22: @ South Florence
8/29: Carolina Forest
9/5: Cane Bay  
9/12: @ Stratford
9/19: Goose Creek
9/26: @ Wando
10/3: West Ashley
10/10: @ Summerville
10/17: Colleton County
10/24: @ Bluffton
11/7: Ashley Ridge

Will this be the Patriots year? They have to travel to Summerville and Bluffton, but get a bye after the Bluffton game before Ashley Ridge, which usually means a lot. The Fort gave Goose Creek a scare in 2012; will they do it again?

Summerville

8/22: @ Providence (NC)
8/29: @ Cane Bay
9/5: Berkeley
9/12: @ Goose Creek
9/19: Wando
9/26: @ West Ashley
10/3: Stratford
10/10: Fort Dorchester
10/24: Colleton County
10/31: @ Ashley Ridge
11/7: Bluffton

Coach John McKissick and the Green Wave made a valiant run last year, coming within an eyelash of the state championship game. Now, with a team a year more experienced, could this be one of McKissick's final runs at a state title? The Green Wave get a very good travel schedule, only having to leave Dorchester County four times all season, none after September 26.

I will continue this series with 3A soon.

Carolina Hurricanes schedule released

The Carolina Hurricanes schedule has been released for 2014-15.   2014-15 Preseason Schedule
Date	Visitor	Home	Time (ET)	Location
SUN SEP 21, 2014	BLUE JACKETS	HURRICANES	1:30 PM	PNC ARENA
TUE Sep 23, 2014	HURRICANES	SABRES	7:00 PM	FIRST NIAGRA CENTER
WED Sep 24, 2014	HURRICANES	ISLANDERS	7:00 PM	NASSAU COLISEUM
TUE Sep 30, 2014	HURRICANES	BLUES	8:00 PM	SCOTTRADE CENTER
WED OCT 1, 2014	HURRICANES	BLUE JACKETS	7:00 PM	NATIONWIDE ARENA
FRI Oct 3, 2014	SABRES	HURRICANES	7:00 PM	PNC ARENA
SUN Oct 5, 2014	HURRICANES	CAPITALS	3:00 PM	VERIZON CENTER

October 2014
Date	Visitor	Home	Time (ET)	TV Network/Results	Tickets
Fri Oct 10, 2014	Islanders	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Oct 11, 2014	Hurricanes	Islanders	7:00 PM
Tue Oct 14, 2014	Sabres	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Fri Oct 17, 2014	Hurricanes	Rangers	7:00 PM
Tue Oct 21, 2014	Hurricanes	Jets	8:00 PM
Thu Oct 23, 2014	Hurricanes	Flames	9:00 PM
Fri Oct 24, 2014	Hurricanes	Oilers	9:30 PM
Tue Oct 28, 2014	Hurricanes	Canucks	10:00 PM
November 2014
Date	Visitor	Home	Time (ET)	TV Network/Results	Tickets
Sat Nov 1, 2014	Coyotes	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sun Nov 2, 2014	Kings	Hurricanes	5:00 PM		Tickets
Tue Nov 4, 2014	Hurricanes	Blue Jackets	7:00 PM
Fri Nov 7, 2014	Blue Jackets	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Nov 8, 2014	Hurricanes	Capitals	8:00 PM
Mon Nov 10, 2014	Flames	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Thu Nov 13, 2014	Jets	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Nov 15, 2014	Hurricanes	Bruins	1:00 PM
Sun Nov 16, 2014	Sharks	Hurricanes	5:00 PM		Tickets
Tue Nov 18, 2014	Hurricanes	Stars	8:30 PM
Thu Nov 20, 2014	Hurricanes	Kings	10:30 PM
Sat Nov 22, 2014	Hurricanes	Avalanche	9:00 PM
Wed Nov 26, 2014	Hurricanes	Panthers	7:30 PM
Fri Nov 28, 2014	Hurricanes	Penguins	7:00 PM
Sat Nov 29, 2014	Penguins	Hurricanes	7:00 PM	HNIC	Tickets
December 2014
Date	Visitor	Home	Time (ET)	TV Network/Results	Tickets
Tue Dec 2, 2014	Predators	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Thu Dec 4, 2014	Capitals	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sun Dec 7, 2014	Red Wings	Hurricanes	5:00 PM		Tickets
Mon Dec 8, 2014	Devils	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Thu Dec 11, 2014	Hurricanes	Lightning	7:30 PM
Sat Dec 13, 2014	Hurricanes	Flyers	1:00 PM
Tue Dec 16, 2014	Hurricanes	Canadiens	7:30 PM
Thu Dec 18, 2014	Maple Leafs	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Dec 20, 2014	Rangers	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sun Dec 21, 2014	Hurricanes	Rangers	7:00 PM
Tue Dec 23, 2014	Hurricanes	Devils	7:00 PM
Sat Dec 27, 2014	Hurricanes	Lightning	7:00 PM
Mon Dec 29, 2014	Canadiens	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Wed Dec 31, 2014	Hurricanes	Penguins	7:00 PM
January 2015
Date	Visitor	Home	Time (ET)	TV Network/Results	Tickets
Fri Jan 2, 2015	Flyers	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sun Jan 4, 2015	Bruins	Hurricanes	1:00 PM		Tickets
Tue Jan 6, 2015	Hurricanes	Predators	8:00 PM
Thu Jan 8, 2015	Sabres	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Jan 10, 2015	Hurricanes	Blues	8:00 PM
Tue Jan 13, 2015	Avalanche	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Fri Jan 16, 2015	Canucks	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Jan 17, 2015	Hurricanes	Senators	7:00 PM	HNIC
Mon Jan 19, 2015	Hurricanes	Maple Leafs	7:30 PM
Tue Jan 27, 2015	Lightning	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Fri Jan 30, 2015	Blues	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Jan 31, 2015	Hurricanes	Rangers	7:00 PM	HNIC
February 2015
Date	Visitor	Home	Time (ET)	TV Network/Results	Tickets
Tue Feb 3, 2015	Hurricanes	Ducks	10:00 PM
Thu Feb 5, 2015	Hurricanes	Coyotes	9:00 PM
Sat Feb 7, 2015	Hurricanes	Sharks	10:30 PM
Thu Feb 12, 2015	Ducks	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Feb 14, 2015	Hurricanes	Wild	8:00 PM
Mon Feb 16, 2015	Hurricanes	Senators	7:30 PM
Tue Feb 17, 2015	Islanders	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Fri Feb 20, 2015	Maple Leafs	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Feb 21, 2015	Hurricanes	Devils	7:00 PM
Tue Feb 24, 2015	Flyers	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Fri Feb 27, 2015	Capitals	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Feb 28, 2015	Hurricanes	Islanders	5:00 PM
March 2015
Date	Visitor	Home	Time (ET)	TV Network/Results	Tickets
Mon Mar 2, 2015	Hurricanes	Blackhawks	8:30 PM
Fri Mar 6, 2015	Wild	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sun Mar 8, 2015	Oilers	Hurricanes	3:00 PM		Tickets
Tue Mar 10, 2015	Blue Jackets	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Thu Mar 12, 2015	Stars	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Mar 14, 2015	Panthers	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sun Mar 15, 2015	Hurricanes	Blue Jackets	5:00 PM
Tue Mar 17, 2015	Senators	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Thu Mar 19, 2015	Hurricanes	Canadiens	7:30 PM
Sat Mar 21, 2015	Rangers	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Mon Mar 23, 2015	Blackhawks	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Thu Mar 26, 2015	Penguins	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sat Mar 28, 2015	Devils	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets
Sun Mar 29, 2015	Bruins	Hurricanes	5:00 PM		Tickets
Tue Mar 31, 2015	Hurricanes	Capitals	7:00 PM
April 2015
Date	Visitor	Home	Time (ET)	TV Network/Results	Tickets
Thu Apr 2, 2015	Hurricanes	Panthers	7:30 PM
Sat Apr 4, 2015	Flyers	Hurricanes	1:00 PM		Tickets
Mon Apr 6, 2015	Hurricanes	Sabres	7:00 PM
Tue Apr 7, 2015	Hurricanes	Red Wings	7:30 PM
Thu Apr 9, 2015	Hurricanes	Flyers	7:00 PM
Sat Apr 11, 2015	Red Wings	Hurricanes	7:00 PM		Tickets