Big Red Sports Network

Clara McCartha from McDowell and Khiara Culliver from Maiden have been designated to play in the 2026 East-West All Star Women's Basketball game. The game will be played on July 20th in Greensboro at the Novant Health Fieldhouse. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30pm.

Burke Heating and Air Scoreboard
Thursday, 6/18

WAY-TOO-EARLY 2026 — WESTERN FOOTHILLS 4A/5A PROJECTIONS
The 2025 banners are barely hung and we're already looking ahead. Here's our first crack at how the Western Foothills race shakes out next fall.
Hickory stays on top until somebody knocks them off. The Tornadoes ran the table in league play (8-0) on the way to a 12-win season. Behind them, we've got Newton-Conover making a climb to No. 2 and East Lincoln sliding a spot to No. 3 in what should be a tight chase at the top.
The real fight is in the middle: Maiden, West Iredell, and Bandys are separated by a hair, and the back end of the league could shuffle in a hurry. We've got Bunker Hill nudging ahead of North Lincoln to round it out.
The arrows show how we see each team moving from last year's finish. Plenty changes between now and Week 1, so tell us where we got it wrong.
Drop your Top 9 in the comments.

Sports Camps Coming Up Next Week
6/22 - 6/28

There may still be openings available, please check with the schools for information.

Baseball
* Coach Sko (LRU) Baseball Camp 6/22-6/25

Basketball
* Bandys Basketball Youth Camp 6/22-6/25
* Hickory Basketball Youth Camp 6/22-6/25
* NCLA Middle School Basketball Camp 6/22-6/25

Football
* Mtn. Heritage Football Youth Camp 6/22-6/25
* St. Stephens Football Youth Camp 6/23

Softball
* Mtn. Heritage Softball Youth Camp 6/22-6/23

Track & Field
* NCLA Middle School Track & Field Camp 6/22-6/25

Volleyball
* Alexander Central Volleyball Camp #3 6/23
* Freedom Volleyball Camp (3-5 Grade) 6/22-6/23
* Freedom Volleyball Camp (6-9 Grade) 6/24-6/25
* Kryptonite Volleyball Camp 6/22
* LRU Volleyball Camp 6/22-6/25
* TJCA Volleyball Camp 6/26

Wrestling
* App State Wrestling Team Camp 6/22-6/25

Post 29 Baseball.
Love.
Safety.

Burke Heating and Air Scoreboard

Crawdads get the win in an early game today against the Columbia Fireflies. The Tourists are scheduled for a 6:35pm start today when they host the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

Big Red is excited to welcome aboard our newest student contributor! Meet Dominiq. He is a rising Junior at South Caldwell High School. We are excited to welcome Dominiq to our talented group of student phtographers! Go check out his work on Instagram (.ingameframes).

Welcome aboard Dominiq!

Burke Heating and Air Scoreboard

Coach Bill Hillier Jr. leaves Asheville High for McDowell to assume Head Baseball Coach and Head of Baseball Operations duties. Please read the official press release below.

***McDowell County Schools Names Bill Hillier Jr. Head Baseball Coach and Head of Baseball Operations***

McDowell County Schools is proud to announce the appointment of William "Bill" Hillier Jr. as the new Head Baseball Coach at McDowell High School and Head of Baseball Operations.

Coach Hillier brings more than 25 years of baseball coaching and educational experience to McDowell County, including an accomplished tenure as Head Baseball Coach and Physical Education teacher at Asheville High School. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to excellence, player development, and building programs that emphasize character, discipline, and success both on and off the field.

Prior to leading Asheville High School's baseball program, Hillier served on coaching staffs at several NCAA Division I institutions, including Duke University, Wake Forest University, and UNC Asheville. He has been recognized as Mountain Athletic Conference Coach of the Year four times and Western North Carolina Coach of the Year, while helping dozens of student-athletes advance to collegiate baseball opportunities.

"I am honored and excited to be named the next Head Baseball Coach at McDowell High School," said Hillier. "McDowell has long been a program that I have admired and respected because of its tradition, history, and commitment to excellence. The opportunity to lead such a respected program is one that I do not take lightly. I am also humbled to follow Coach Alex Smith, whose leadership and dedication have helped build a strong foundation for McDowell Baseball. I have great respect for what he has accomplished and look forward to building upon that success.”

“While leaving Asheville is difficult, I am incredibly proud of what our players, coaches, and especially Coach Jesse Swain and I were able to build together. The relationships I formed and the experiences I shared during my time there will always be special to me.”

"I am enthusiastic about this next challenge and excited for my family to become part of the McDowell community. My goal is to represent McDowell County with a baseball program that reflects the values of accountability, integrity, humility, and hard work. We will strive to develop not only successful players, but outstanding young men who make their families, school, and community proud.

"Thank you to Dr. Grit, Mr. Marsh, Mrs. Dowdle, Mrs. Widmann, and the Board of Education for believing in me. I look forward to getting started and working alongside our student-athletes, families, faculty, alumni, and supporters as we continue the proud tradition of McDowell Baseball."

McDowell County Schools Superintendent Dr. Tracy Grit expressed enthusiasm about the addition of Coach Hillier to the district's leadership team.

"Coach Hillier's track record of developing successful student-athletes, building strong programs, and fostering meaningful relationships makes him an outstanding fit for McDowell County Schools," said Grit. "His experience, leadership, and commitment to educational athletics will be tremendous assets as we continue to grow opportunities for our students and strengthen our baseball programs across the district."

In his role as Head of Baseball Operations, Hillier will provide leadership and support for baseball programs throughout McDowell County Schools while overseeing the continued success and growth of the McDowell High School baseball program.

McDowell County Schools looks forward to welcoming Coach Hillier and his family to the Titan community and beginning an exciting new chapter in the proud tradition of McDowell Baseball.