Sports

Heritage senior Hannah Tipton puts pen to paper on her commitment to Western Carolina. Her grandfather was instrumental in Mitchell County recreation league sports. (Submitted)

Heritage senior Hannah Tipton puts pen to paper on her commitment to Western Carolina. Her grandfather was instrumental in Mitchell County recreation league sports. (Submitted)

Heritage’s Tipton to play on scholarship at WCU

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
BURNSVILLE — Mountain Heritage High senior Hannah Tipton has finalized her plans to play college basketball on a full-ride scholarship at Western Carolina University after graduation.
Paige Johnson puts up a shot against Murphy during the 2019-20 season. (MNJ file photo)

Paige Johnson puts up a shot against Murphy during the 2019-20 season. (MNJ file photo)

Mitchell High 2021 hoops preview

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
If you’re anything like me, you truly missed heading down to the gym in Ledger on a chilly night and hearing the sound of squeaking sneakers, the basketball hitting the hardwood and coaches barking strategy across the court.  Finally, it’s that time again— high school basketball is back.
The Mitchell High School varsity volleyball team poses with its lone senior, Erika Gouge, before the start of its game against Mountain Heritage. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

The Mitchell High School varsity volleyball team poses with its lone senior, Erika Gouge, before the start of its game against Mountain Heritage. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Mitchell volleyball edged by Mountain Heritage

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
LEDGER — The Mitchell High School varsity volleyball team is still searching for its first win of the season after being edged 3-2 by visiting Mountain Heritage on Thursday, Dec. 17.
The Mitchell High varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams met on Friday, Dec. 4 for team photos. Junior varsity volleyball: In the back row, from the left, is Emma Van Remortel, Delaney Jenkins, Finley Revels and Rylie Beam. In the middle row, from left, is Serenity Sobolefski, Jordan Murphy, Charley Ambrose, Kendra Riddle and Kayleigh McKinney. On the first row, from left, is Morgan McMahan, Maria Velazquez, Abby Ledford and Macie Greene. (MNJ photos/Cory Spiers)

The Mitchell High varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams met on Friday, Dec. 4 for team photos. Junior varsity volleyball: In the back row, from the left, is Emma Van Remortel, Delaney Jenkins, Finley Revels and Rylie Beam. In the middle row, from left, is Serenity Sobolefski, Jordan Murphy, Charley Ambrose, Kendra Riddle and Kayleigh McKinney. On the first row, from left, is Morgan McMahan, Maria Velazquez, Abby Ledford and Macie Greene. (MNJ photos/Cory Spiers)

Mitchell volleyball drops first four, searches for win

Cory Spiers
Thursday, December 10, 2020
LEDGER — The Mitchell High School varsity volleyball team is still searching for its first win of the shortened season after dropping its first four games.
Mitchell High School junior Chandra Jenkins (left) and senior Marley Cloer (right) pose in the school gym to show off the new uniforms for the girls’ basketball team. The new purple jersey features block lettering on the front and the new white jersey features cursive lettering. The team, which is coming off of a 22-6 campaign, will start official organized practices this month and will begin a shortened season in January. (Submitted photo)

Mitchell High School junior Chandra Jenkins (left) and senior Marley Cloer (right) pose in the school gym to show off the new uniforms for the girls’ basketball team. The new purple jersey features block lettering on the front and the new white jersey features cursive lettering. The team, which is coming off of a 22-6 campaign, will start official organized practices this month and will begin a shortened season in January. (Submitted photo)

Mitchell High girls’ basketball uniforms get fresh new look

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
LEDGER — The Mitchell High girls’ basketball team will be sporting an updated look during the upcoming shortened 2021 season.  The team announced via social media this past month that new uniforms were on the way for the upcoming campaign.
Mitchell’s Jill Pittman dribbles down the floor and looks to make a play during a game in the 2019 season. Pittman will play at Brenau College after graduation, she announced. (MNJ file photo)

Mitchell’s Jill Pittman dribbles down the floor and looks to make a play during a game in the 2019 season. Pittman will play at Brenau College after graduation, she announced. (MNJ file photo)

TO THE NEXT LEVEL: Mitchell’s Jill Pittman will play at Brenau College

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
LEDGER — Mitchell High School’s Jill Pittman will continue her basketball career at the next level.  The senior announced earlier this month that she has accepted an offer to play collegiately after graduation at Brenau University in Gainesville, GA.
Mitchell High School head varsity football coach Travise Pitman talks things over with an official during a 2019 state playoff game. Pitman and his team will return to play in February. (MNJ file photo)

Mitchell High School head varsity football coach Travise Pitman talks things over with an official during a 2019 state playoff game. Pitman and his team will return to play in February. (MNJ file photo)

Mitchell High School football schedule finalized

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
LEDGER — The Mitchell High School varsity football team’s 2020-21 schedule is set.  The Mountaineers will play seven games— two nonconference contests and five Western Highlands Conference games.
Bakersville cyclist Marc Poland pedals on during his recent world record attempt at Bristol Motor Speedway. Poland set the record for the fastest 100-kilometer ride by a male cyclist in the 60 to 69-year-old age group with a time of two hours and 31 minutes. Poland rode at an average of 24.64 miles per hour and was supported by a crew of local friends and cycling enthusiasts. (Submitted photo)

Bakersville cyclist Marc Poland pedals on during his recent world record attempt at Bristol Motor Speedway. Poland set the record for the fastest 100-kilometer ride by a male cyclist in the 60 to 69-year-old age group with a time of two hours and 31 minutes. Poland rode at an average of 24.64 miles per hour and was supported by a crew of local friends and cycling enthusiasts. (Submitted photo)

Bakersville cyclist sets world record at Bristol Motor Speedway

Mitchell News-Journal
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Bakersville cyclist Marc Poland set a world record on Tuesday, Aug. 25.  Poland, who has been competing in ultra-endurance bicycling events for years, set the record for the fastest 100-kilometer ride by a male cyclist in the 60 to 69-year-old age group.
All athletes are required to fill out and sign a release form specifically written regarding COVID-19. Each student that signed up was provided a Mitchell Mountaineers face mask. 

All athletes are required to fill out and sign a release form specifically written regarding COVID-19. Each student that signed up was provided a Mitchell Mountaineers face mask. 

Rec league sports return with large roster of safety, health precautions

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — Mitchell County Recreation League sports are back amid the ongoing pandemic but Recreation Director Brock Duncan and Assistant Director Ryan Cook are doing all they can to keep the athletes and spectators safe.  Baseball and soccer returned to play earlier this month.