Heading through the summer months we saw the UNCW baseball season come to an end against LSU, while an internationally known brand name took over E.A. Laney High School.
Area ballplayers saw their dreams realized during the Major League Baseball draft and one Wilmington fourth-grader was getting statewide attention in tennis.
On the golf course, Wilmington Christian Academy rising senior Blake Taylor won the 2015 Carolinas Junior PGA Championship presented by Under Armour and Genesis Networks, which was held Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28, at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina.
By winning the boys division, Taylor qualified for the 40th Junior PGA Championship, Aug. 3-6, at Miramont Country Club in Bryan/College Station, Texas.
The Fourth Annual Fred Lynch Invitational created lasting results from a memorable three-day event after Michael Jordan Gymnasium underwent a face-lift thanks to the brand and athlete for which the gym is named.
Jordan Brand and Jumpman, which is owned by Nike to promote its Michael Jordan-related merchandise, including the well-known Air Jordan brand of basketball shoes, was in town to help make this year’s high school invite one to remember.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Jordan Brand paid to refurbish the gymnasium at Laney, adding new lighting, a fresh paint job and updated pictures of “His Airness,” which now hang on the walls inside the facility.
Charlotte Hornets players Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo joined Greg Monroe of the Detroit Pistons at the event as the NBA professionals helped run a skills session for the high school players, while rapper Bow Wow performed.
Wilmington-based “Reel Pleasure” secured a guaranteed prize of more than $5,000 after reeling in a 451-pounder on day three of the six-day Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.
West Columbus baseball standout Eric Jenkins was selected in the second round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft by the Texas Rangers with the 45th overall pick last week. A handful of UNCW ballplayers were also chosen in the draft, while former Ashley High School standout Trevor Kelley was taken in the 36th round by the Boston Red Sox.
UNCW saw their baseball season come to an end at the beginning of June following a wild week of events at the NCAA Regional in Baton Rouge. Playing in front of a capacity crowd against second-ranked LSU, the Seahawks fell 2-0 to the Tigers, closing the year with a 41-18 mark as CAA Tournament champions.
