Crystal Clear Delivery Presents : Around the Valley in 60 Days

Click on the picture below to get to New Site !!!

2009-05-16T04:31:00.000-04:00

Moving Day for Around The Valley in 60 Days : Rebecca promises me this will work!

2009-03-28T21:54:00.002-04:00

Rebecca is making the final adjustments to our new site which will be located at http://aroundthevalleyin60days.wordpress.com/ . She will come behind me here and create a fancier site note about the move soon.

Strasburg @ Page County - Baseball in the Cold Mountain Air

2009-03-26T02:07:00.004-04:00

Rebecca trying to capture the Field of Dreams look from 2 miles away on top of the mountain.
Page County hurler and a pair of the brave fans.

Some of the Strasburg purple that made the trip down.

If we were both at the game then the pupp couldn't be far behind.

A little plate action shot.

Welcome to Shenandoah, Virginia !

More behind the plate shots.

Really nice crowd considering the sudden drop in temp.

Power swing.

View along side the Rams bench.

From atop the hill @ Page.

Trying to catch the wind-up on this one...

Coach Smoot working from the 3RD base coaching box.

Assistant Ram Coach Joel Morgan

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Final Score : Strasburg 14, Page County 4

Weather permitting the same schools will play Softball down at Page.

A Few Pics combining Luray-Riverheads Softball and the beauty of the Red Pride campus

2009-03-25T02:35:00.001-04:00

Spending some time with Luray High School and the Red Pride of Riverheads!

2009-03-24T03:39:00.004-04:00

Left to right- Riverheads AD Matt Stevens, Head Coach Rodney Painter and Generals rep Rebecca Carter.

Our good buddy Bill Meade was in Greenville to cover the games for the Page News & Courier

This is the baseball and there will be a story that goes with this ball later in the week!

Coaches (Griffith & Painter) visiting with Red Pride AD Matt Stevens following Luray's 2-1 victory.

Rebecca Carter and Matt Stevens holding the check from the Waynesboro Generals

to the Red Pride baseball team. The presentation was part of an effort by the Generals to reach out to the four corners of Augusta County in their support for area baseball.

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This was my first time getting to meet both Painter and Stevens. The afternoon proved to be quite a treat for both Rebecca and myself!

James Madison, Richmond and Old Dominion live to play another day! Bradley University advances on 75-foot Buzzer Beater!

2009-03-24T03:22:00.003-04:00

JMU broke open a close game in the second half and coasted to a 23 point road victory.
The loss did not diminish the season for Coach McKay and the Flames. LU graduates just one senior and will look to build on this years success in 2009-2010.

The House that the late Rev. Jerry built!

The jumbo sized jersey that hangs from the rafters salutes Rev. Falwell

James Madison University ended the season for the Flames of Liberty Monday night with an 88-65 victory at the Vine Center. The Dukes will now face another team from the Old Dominion in the College insider.com Semi-Finals on Wednesday night. Old Dominion advanced as well with a70-62 victory over Belmont down in Norfolk.

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One semi will be an all Virginia affair while Bradley University will host Pacific in the other semi-final. We have family ties to the Braves program and we receive post game e-mail updates and the one tonight described a 75 foot 3-point shot with no time remaining. BU escapes with a 76-75 win and I am sure the shot will be the Play of the Day on Sportscenter!

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The Richmond Spiders captured an impressive home court victory Monday night in the second annual College Basketball Invitational tournament. UR tripped up the College of Charleston Cougars 74-72 to advance to the final four along with Stanford, UTEP & Oregon State.

UR will face Oregon State on Wednesday night while Stanford squares off with UTEP.

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Still Looking for more NCAA Hoops - 4 Virginia schools take the court on Monday night

2009-03-22T22:57:00.003-04:00

The Old Dominion State has taken full advantage of the two most recent NCAA tourneys as 4 of the States D-I teams will be in action on Monday. If you need some Hoops before the Sweet 16 begins on Thursday you should head to either Lynchburg, Norfolk or Richmond.
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James Madison (20-14) travels down to Liberty University (23-11) for a 7:00 P.M tip off in the semi-final round of the inaugural College Insider.com event. The Dukes and the Flames look to advance to the Final Four where they could meet Old Dominion University next.
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The Monarchs of O.D.U(22-10) also won their opener and will host Belmont (20-12) in another game slated to tip at 7:00 P.M. The new event is patterned after the old N.I.T where the next round is designed after the current round is played. The rule of thumb is that you can sell more tickets if the games are "local" or are between natural rivals.
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Richmond is slated to host a game in the C.B.I (2nd year) on Monday against the Cougars of the College of Charleston.The Spiders (19-15) will square off aginst a 27 win team in C of C in the 7:00 P.M. tip.
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Three chances to get out and support your local school and see some quality D-I hoops!
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It's Moving Day at Around The Valley in 60 Days!

2009-03-22T22:26:00.002-04:00

Rebecca has been working behind the scenes on creating a new site for our work and she tells me that is almost ready. When her work is done there will be a connection link below this message.

Boy- It has been quite a ride ! Thanks to all who have taken the time to read through the pages over the past 18 months!

2009-03-20T19:23:00.004-04:00

Post #953...
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I wanted to start out by letting the 10 ATV-60 fans that won a 2009 Season Pass to the VBL that they should be receiving them over the next six weeks. The list of winners has been submitted to the VBL and the lucky fans should be hearing from their home teams before too long.
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With that said I wanted to take the time to Thank each and everyone of you that have clicked over to the site and read through the work. A special Thanks to those of you that took the time to write a note or post a thought! The goal over the past 18 months has been to try and find a way to make someone smile everyday and I hope we have accomplished that more days than not.
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I encourage each of you to continue to follow the efforts of the various sites that promote Good Will in our World today.
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THANK YOU & GOD BLESS !!!
Jerry B. Carter

More NCAA Baseball @ Rebel Park on Tuesday Night - This time its ODAC in the House

2009-03-18T08:12:00.004-04:00

Less than 48 hours from thawing out from Saturday/Sunday with James Madison University playing 3 games against Bryant University, Rebel Park was back with college baseball under the lights.

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I forgot the camera this time but it was fun just the same. First pitch was at 8:00 sharp with Bridgewater College hosting Hampden-Sydney in game 2 of a double header. The teams played game 1 back at Jopson Field on campus before loading the buses for the drive North.

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Bridgewater earned the split with an 8-2 victory over the Tigers and other than the temperature at the end of the game, fun was had by all. Andy and Steve Cox covered the broadcast next to us in the booth and that proved to be quite entertaining as well.
You can click over to http://www.bridgewater.edu/athletics for info on the game.

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HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY : Pics from Lindsey Wilson @ West Virginia Tech

2009-03-17T09:07:00.002-04:00

Ness & Andy in between games.
Mr. & Mrs. WVT Athletic Director...

Former General - Pistol Pete Vandenbout leaving the game

Safe at second base on a double.

Andy coaching first base.

Pete getting the start.

Ness explaining the ground rules of his home park.

Danny was in his uniform this time around. Danny is the student assistant on the staff.

A skipper's job is never done!

Team prayer before starting the twin bill.

The fourth NCAA Post-Season Tourney will have a distinct Virginia flavor...

2009-03-17T08:46:00.002-04:00

One year after adding a third Men's Hoops tournament to go along with the NCAA & NIT, there has been a fourth event added. A field of 16 will compete in the College Insider.com tournament this week.
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This is of interest because of the fact that almost 1/4 of the field plays their basketball here in the Great State of Virginia. Old Dominion, James Madison and Liberty will all compete for the title.
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Liberty University (22-11) kicks off the event with a game in Lynchburg tonight versus Rider (19-12). Wednesday night will have JMU (19-14) hosting Mt. Saint Marys (19-13) and ODU (21-10) hosting the Citadel (20-12).One more chance for the students of these schools to head down to the gym and cheer on their hoops teams.
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Bruce's Week-End Adventure with The Dukes...

2009-03-15T21:25:00.008-04:00

The opposing managers during the Sunday rain delay.

Getting to be the "Voice" of the Dukes for 48 hours makes the list of Cool things I have been fortunate enough to do in my lifetime. Thanks to Kevin Warner for letting me sit in for him.

There were a few Home Run celebrations over the 3 game set.

Kevin enjoying a room with a view. Gotta love his portable office.

A bit of the action.

The man that gets the credit for keeping the field playable (with help from his players).

Bruce wanted the Dukes to feel at home so up went the sign in CF.

More game action...

Mrs. Alger hard at work.

The players and coaches of Stonewall Jackson in between games trying to get the field back in shape.

The umpiring staff for the games on Sunday.

Mike, Bruce and Katie.

Mike was the man when he ran out and bought a portable heater.

Kevin and Coach.

The heater!

This would be Austin hard at work during the game on Saturday. You can check out his pics and such on his sight by checking the side of our blog.

The balloons were a nice touch - JMU Purple & Gold.

The Dodge's not only showed up but they brought a gift!!!

More pics of the SJHS Grounds Crew...

Kevin studying the radar on Saturday.

The radar looked scary the entire series but they managed to get 3 games in.

Sitting around Rebel Park enjoying a pitchers duel and all of the sudden : Offenses gone wild!

2009-03-15T20:42:00.003-04:00

Just when you think it is safe - 13 runs are scored in 15 minutes!

Plenty of fun pics from the Week-End coming as soon as I get caught up on the Wash Post work for tonight. The highlights include the always rare back-to-back-to-back Home Runs!

Still going at Rebel Park - Bryant 2, JMU 0 (Top 4TH)

2009-03-15T17:12:00.001-04:00

JMU Dukes 9, Bryant Bulldogs 4 (Final) Game 2 still to come

2009-03-15T15:41:00.003-04:00

Some photos will come up later but for those interested in reading about the opener you should click on the link to check out the efforts of Mr. Kevin Warner. Kevin tells me the game 1 gamer will be up in about 10 minutes or so at www.jmusports.com
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Bryant University...210...001...0- 4/8/1
James Madison U. ..006...300...X- 9/13/1

Rain Delay - 2hours, 18 minutes @ start
Time of game - 2 hours, 19 minutes
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This just in...
Game #2 set to start at 4:00 P.M. and will also be a 7 inning affair.
So if you are in the neighborhood.....

During the Rain Delay : A look inside the Book End State Titles for Region B- Buffalo Gap & George Mason get it done !

2009-03-15T12:23:00.002-04:00

There was talk about Loudon County being the home of Class AA Girls Basketball with both Freedom and Loudon County claiming the State Championships this week in Richmond. But there was another set of book end titles captured down at the Siegel Center as Region B claimed both of the Class A Girls Crowns.
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The two schools are separated by a number of issues besides the ones that you need a Garmin to figure out. 160 miles of Old Dominion countryside separate the Shenandoah District (Gap) and Bull Run District (Mason) campuses but that is just the beginning. Buffalo Gap is small town America where everyone knows everyone and a traffic jam might be ten cars on the same stretch of scenic VA-42. In fact the busiest the community gets is when those pesky Red Pride folks make their way to Swoope.
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George Mason is located in the hustle and bustle of the Greater Metropolitan Washington D.C area. Bruce Alger just found the line I was looking for - if George Mason is Espresso then Gap is decaf. Big City/Small Town at its finest but today these two schools share a very special bond in that they both earned the right to be called Class A State Champions!!!
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Region B take pride in the efforts of your Titles...

Rain, Rain - Please go away... Trying to Play 2 @ Rebel Park

2009-03-15T10:54:00.006-04:00

11:02 A.M. - Sitting in the Press Box at Rebel Park waiting to see if the tarp will be removed today. Taking advantage of the rain delay by visiting with a special group of folks here at Rebel Park. Your typical rain delay group and there is a radar screen in the mix...
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Bryant University (Smithfield, R.I.) skipper Jamie Pinzino (4TH season) and long time James Madison University Head Coach Spanky McFarland are sharing baseball stories with Kevin Warner, Katie Getz, Mike Ritchie and myself. This is a treat for me to get to talk baseball with McFarland, having been a long time fan/supporter of his program.
The radar does not look promising but that doesn't keep New Market GM Bruce Alger from thinking positive thoughts... Always smilin' Bruce Alger!
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11:30 A. M. - The temp is setting at a balmy 43 and the radar is full of green. The Bulldogs have a nine hour bus ride back up I-95 after the game so time is of the essence. The original format called for one nine inning game and one seven inning contest but only time will tell. McFarland is in his 12TH season at the helm of the Dukes program and something tells me this isn't his first rain delay. Pretty neat to get a behind the scenes look at the two Skippers trying to devise a plan of attack in making the day work for both schools.
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The kids for Bryant are on their final day of their Spring Break trip and are due back in class tomorrow morning. They have had a productive week in the state of Virginia by taking 2 of 3 from Richmond as well as single game wins over both Radford and Virginia Tech. Next group of folks taking a look at the radar with 5:00 P.M. exit time for the Bulldogs.
Plenty of discussion going now with the Umpires and reps from both schools...
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12:12 P.M. - The tarp is off and there is hope...
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Greetings from a Soggy Rebel Park- Game One is full of Offense

2009-03-14T15:09:00.008-04:00

3:08 P.M. - Game 1 has reached the Ninth Inning with Bryant University leading the Dukes of James Madison University by a score of 22-8. The weather is holding steady at 46 degrees, making the Rhode Island based Bulldogs feel right at home.

3:22 P.M - Game 1 is Final

Bryant University...306...070...240 - 22/23/1
James Madison U....030...210...110 - 8/13/3

Break before Game 2 - Time to check on the action in Richmond !

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11:00 A.M - Results - Freedom 58, R.E. Lee 33 (Class AA Girls)

1:00 P.M. - Results - Cave Springs 39, Brunswick 33 (Class AA Boys )
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3:36 P.M. - Game 2 has been moved to Sunday. There will now be a Sunday Twin Bill...
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3:00 P.M. Results - Region B's George Mason 56, Floyd County 43 (Class A Girls)

5:00 P.M. Results - Radford defeats Region B's Dan River 77-69 (Class A Boys)

7:00 P.M. Results - Loudon County over Turner Ashby (Class AA Girls)

9:00 P.M. Results - Courtland 93, Salem 69 (Class AA Boys )
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Congrats to ALL teams that earned the right to play at the Siegel Center !

This is the spot that would contain State Champ Photos but tonight it was a different type of ceremony !

2009-03-14T01:09:00.004-04:00

Our Sabrena and her new Husband Josh Deal !
Rebecca, Sabrena & Mrs. ATV-60 !

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Friday's 6 Games from the Siegel Center

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10:30 A.M -*Region B's George Mason 54, Lancaster 49 (G-Semi)

12:15 P.M. - Floyd County 62, Lee High 47 (G-Semi)

2:00 P.M. - *Region B's Buffalo Gap 50, Bland Co. 40 (G-Title)

3:45 P.M. - Colonial Beach 77, Eastern Montgomery 75 (B-Title)

7:00 P.M - Princess Anne 71, Oakton 61 (G-Title)

9:00 P.M. - King's Fork 49, William Fleming 47 (B-Title)

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Saturday @ The Siegel (All games are Title Games)

11:00 A.M. - *Augusta County's R.E Lee vs. Freedom (AA-D3 G)

1:00 P.M. - Brunswick vs. Cave Springs (AA - D3 B)

3:00 P.M. - *Region B's George Mason vs. Floyd County (A D2 G)

5:00 P.M. - *Region B's Dan River vs. Radford (A D2 B)

7:00 P.M. -*Turner Ashby (Bridgewater) vs. Loudon County (AA D4 G)

9:00 P.M. - Courtland vs. Salem (AA D4 B)

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Celebration in Swoope ! Coach Coffey & The Lady Bison make it Back to Back !

2009-03-13T15:10:00.006-04:00

3:00 P.M. ---16 minutes is all that separates Coach Coffey and the Lady Bison from claiming their second straight Class A DI State Championship!

Congrats to Bland County on a fine season !
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3:19 P.M. - Buffalo Gap 35, Bland County 21

3:21 P.M. - Final Quarter - Gap up 37-25 (8 more minutes!)

3:24 P.M. - Under 7 minutes to play -Gap by 18, 43-25 !

3:30 P.M. - Gap opens up the contest late, lead 47-25

3:34 P.M. - Gap leads 47-29 with 3+ minutes remaining...Now 47-30 under 3:00 left

3:40 P.M. - Final seconds tick of the clock @ The Siegel Center but Bland County makes one final run, trims lead to 47-37. 12 Un-answered points.

3:45 P.M. - Color the World Black & Gold for the day! Gap 50 Bland Co 40 (F)

Please check out all the ink at both http://www.newsvirginian.com/ & http://www.newsleader.com/ !!!

3 Titles in 1+ years - Is Gap the new title town ?
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Earlier today in Girls D2 Semi-Finals

Region B Champion George Mason 54, Lancaster 52
&
Floyd County 62, Lee County 47
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Saturday @ 3:00 P.M.
George Mason vs. Floyd County - State Championship
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A Special Thanks to Mr. Rob Sisk...

2009-03-13T00:19:00.003-04:00

On the eve of my oldest daughter's (Sabrena) wedding, a fellow Liberty University grad (Sabrena being the first grad) by the name of Rob Sisk made the day just a little more fun for me. Buffalo Gap tipped off their semi-final contest against Franklin High School at 11:00 A.M. down at the Siegel Center and Rob was looking for a different angle to cover the contest.

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All I had to do was be willing to put my life in the hands of an oh so tired Jim Sacco for the drive down to V.C.U and jot down a few thoughts on the game. Any of you that listen to Jim and I talk about the game for 19+ minutes the day before can only imagine that the hardest part of the assignment would be to limit the piece to under 1,000 words.

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Lucky for Rob I was needing to get down to Liberty for the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner by 5:30. This and this alone saved Rob from having to break the bad news to me that the deadline for the paper was ... well, you get the idea.

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Please click on the link if you have an interest in reading the column and one final Thanks to Mr. Sisk for the invite!

www.newsvirginian.com/wnv/sports/columnists/article/state_extra_carter_a_team_that_plays_together_wins/37202

Loose ends from Thursday's Hoops...

2009-03-13T00:03:00.003-04:00

This time Jim you can't blame it on my camera- you just look that out of focus. Sacco nearing the end of a very long week but no complaints. Both the Lee Ladies and Gap still to play in State Title games.
Something special coming later at www.newsvirginian.com

The Altavista Pep Band getting warmed up.

Mr. Terry R. Sisisky - Voice of V.C.U Rams' Athletics

The inside look at the CCD Around The Valley Blog from courtside.

Greetings from New Market's Johnny Appleseeds Quality Inn - Another Day of H.S Hoops & 1 wedding rehersal in the books !

2009-03-12T23:48:00.004-04:00

The Around The Valley Express finally made its way back to New Market, Va. after a long and eventful day in the Old Dominion. We will get things started by posting the six final scores from the State Tournament today. All games were State Semi-Finals:

Boys Action -
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* Dan River 57, * Madison County 54
Eastern Montgomery 67, Twin Valley 63
Radford 54, James River 52
Colonial Beach 55, * Altavista 36
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Girls Action -
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* Buffalo Gap 56, Franklin 47
Bland County 56, Narrows 42

* Denotes Region B team

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2 more days of Wall-to-Wall action, including 10 title games more semi action !

Live from the Alltel Pavillion @ Siegel Center : Buffalo Gap vs. Franklin- moments away from tip !

2009-03-12T12:20:00.000-04:00

Courtney Sanderson scored 6 points in the second quarter!

Steve Cox enjoying the action court side.

Renee Burford playing "D".

Lets Go Bison, Lets Go !

12:14 P.M. - IN THE BOOKS - Lady Bison 56, Lady Broncos 47 !

Congrats to Franklin High School on a Great Season- Gap returns for 2:00 P.M. game on Friday

Scroll to the next post for more pictures.

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12:13 P.M. - 0:19.7 left - Gap 56-47

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12:07 - Angie Harris takes pass from Sanderson and scores plus foul- As the kids say Hoop & Harm with 2:02 left- Time Out 49-43 and free throw coming - Yes - 50 -43

12:04 - Holly Morgan follows a Sanderson miss with a put back and Coach Coffey calls a Time Out with 2:54 left- Gap 45-41

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High Noon : Gap 39, Franklin 39 (Sara has 4 fouls) 5:47 remaining in 4TH

11:54 A.M. - End 3RD Quarter - Buffalo Gap 39, Franklin 34- Holly Morgan banks in a 3-pointer to push the lead to 5 points.

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11:47 A.M. - Samantha swishes a jumper to give Gap a 33-28 lead and force Franklin to take a time out (4:13-3)

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11:41 A.M. - Second Half started.

11:30 - Half Time Score - Buffalo Gap 28, Franklin 26
Courtney Sanderson steps up in Lamneck's absence with six points, 3 offensive rebounds and one block.
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11:20 - Time Out Gap - Tied 20-20 but Sara picked up 3RD foul at 6:46 (2).
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11:15 A.M. - End of 1ST - Tied at 15-15. Lamneck leads scoring with 8 points
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11:08 - Sara Lamneck has 6 early points - Franklin 10-8

11:03 - Time to play some basketball !
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10:57 A.M. - The National Anthem has been played and we are ready for the starting line ups to be introduced...
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10:51 A.M. - The opening tip is just minutes away in the Class A State Semi-Final between Buffalo Gap Lady Bison and the Franklin Lady Broncos. Both teams are finishing their final warm ups and they will be introducing the starting line ups shortly.