Neighbors take the Headline today as we take a moment to celebrate Bryce Smoot through the eyes 👀 of Chris Martin

Bryce Smoot and Tee Jackson

Jerry, It was pretty incredible! This came from the neighbor who lives directly across from us! I bought Bryce and Brayden a shooting machine the summer they were going into the 8th grade and they spent countless hours on it! What an awesome writing from Chris Martin (neighbor)! Wow!!

That was the message that came from Russell Smoot and the message below is the description from Mr Martin !

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For years, I’d glance out my window and see Bryce Smoot in his driveway, putting up shot after shot, long after the neighborhood lights had flickered on. It didn’t matter if it was the dead of winter or the sweltering heat of summer—Bryce was out there, dribbling, shooting, running imaginary plays against invisible defenders. He didn’t need a crowd. No coaches barking orders, no teammates cheering him on—just the rhythmic bounce of the ball and the occasional swish of the net. To most folks on our street, it was just background noise, but I saw something different. I saw a kid who willed his way to success, who believed in something even when he thought no one was watching.

And then, one Monday night under the bright lights of our high school gym, with the whole town watching. Bryce Smoot, the same kid who had spent countless nights perfecting his craft in an empty driveway, broke the school’s all-time scoring record. The crowd roared, his teammates cheered, and his name echoed through the announcer’s microphone. But I couldn’t help but think back to all those nights when it was just him and the hoop, no fanfare, no glory—just pure dedication. Bryce didn’t become a star under the spotlight; he became one in the quiet moments in the drive way when he thought no one was watching. But, I saw you Bryce. Congratulations!”

Well stated, Mr Martin, Well stated 👏

Welcome 🙏 to Saturday, where we have Carroll County High School Soccer, West Virginia Tech University Baseball ⚾️ and ACC Women’s Basketball 🏀 tournament to follow ! *1pm update added

Made it to Beckley, West Virginia where its 32° and snowing 🌨. Ideal Baseball ⚾️ weather, for sure. Indiana University – Columbus is in town for the weekend set of three games and we couldn’t get a game in yesterday.

Marion Harris is across Lovers Leap with our four HS Soccer ⚽️ teams, including his Daughters Coaching debut.

Down in Greensboro, where I’m sure its warmer, we have UNC- NC State ➕ Duke- Notre Dame in the Women’s semi-finals. The action starts at Noon.

Coach Nester checked in with Monday being Softball team Photo Day !

➕ anything else that makes it to the inbox 📥.

Have yourself a Blessed Day 🙌

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Time for the 1pm update :

Soccer ⚽️ Pitch

•••note TIME changes•••
      WVU TECH-IUPUCC
Saturday.   3/7/25

2pm.      -Bat Testing

2:25.    -Tech       In/Out
2:35.    -IUPUC   In/Out
2:45. -Coach/Umpire Meet
2:55- Intro/Anthem
3pm-    First Pitch (1×9)

WVU Tech:
••3rd Base dugout
Uniforms:
••White/White

We have been pushed back to 3pm for 1st Pitch.

UNC looked like they were headed to being run 🏃‍♂️ out of the Coliseum by the Wolf 🐺 Pack but have rallied back.

Marion’s pics from Soccer ⚽️ as our Girls JV squad is back after a brief dormant period !

Plenty more to follow, in the next update.

1:30 – NC State by 17, heading to the 4th

4pm – Duke 47-42 after 3rd quarter, Lions 2-1 after 3rd inning

Golden Bears 🐻 Baseball ⚾️ pulled within 6-5 but fell 14-5 in a game that took 3 hours & 12 minutes to play ▶️