Matthews-Mint Hill Sports

Rocky River hires football, basketball coaches

Although Mint Hill’s newest school will not open until August, Rocky River High School hired its first two head coaches this week.

On Feb. 1, the new school tapped Jason Fowler to lead the football program. Fowler has been an assistant coach at East Mecklenburg High School.

The next day, Rocky River named Brandon Blalock head boys basketball coach. Blalock currently is head junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach at nearby Butler High.

Learn to SOAR with free basketball program

There’s a new spot in Matthews where women can get heart healthy – for free.

SOAR Sports, a sports outreach and recreation ministry of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, is offering free basketball open gyms to area women 18 and older. Women meet on Monday evenings from 8 to 9:30 p.m. in the gym at Christ Covenant Church, located at 800 Fullwood Lane, Matthews.

Newsome nabs national coaching honor

On Jan. 18, Mike Newsome added another prestigious honor to the Butler football program’s ever-growing trophy case.

Newsome was named the National High School Football Coach of the Year by www.MaxPreps.com.

In December, Newsome led the Bulldogs to their first state championship. Butler defeated Fayetteville’s Jack Britt High School, 48-17, in the Class 4AA title game, culminating a 15-0 season.

Newsome recently completed his seventh season leading the Butler program, averaging nearly 11 wins per season (76-19 record).

Local players to compete in France tourney

On April 3, four Matthews-Mint Hill-area high school basketball players will travel to France to compete in the Limoges Partner Cities Basketball Tournament.

Butler’s Anthony Stitt and Zach ­Ferguson will play for the boys team, while Butler’s Cierra Burdick and Independence’s Kourtney Hailey will compete for the girls. Also, Independence coach Natalie Vuoriaho-Davis will serve on the girls coaching staff.

A Clemmer of Hope

Rocky River High athletics director has visions of productive, caring department

Technically, Brandy Clemmer doesn’t begin her job as the new Rocky River High School’s athletics director until Friday, Jan. 22.

It could be argued, however, that she’s been in training for that day for several years now.