Is The Chief ready for an afternoon of fine dining?
I’ve put the word out that I’m taking him out to lunch to display my expertise in being a food critic, thus setting the stage for future Wild Bill restaurant reviews.
No decision yet on our opening venue, but I’ve suggested we try out the Wild Bill Burger, now a hot item on the menu at Macados. I can’t go wrong with an opening act like that.
Plus, add me wearing my latest Loudmouth style, Vintage Pink Flamingos, and my new meat thermometer just purchased at Dollar Tree, and we’re ready to review.
Granted, The Chief may decide to wear a Lone Ranger mask to protect his identity, but nonetheless we’re ready to review.
Off to local sports where congratulations go out to the new Hidden Valley High School head basketball coach Kevin Burcham. Burcham takes over the Titan program from Hall of Fame coach Troy Wells, who retired at the end of last season.
Burcham paid his dues in earning the position, having been an assistant at Hidden Valley over the past eleven years to both Chris Morris and Wells. Burcham had been part of four VHSL state Final-4 appearances in Richmond for Hidden Valley, including the 2011 final that Hidden Valley lost 58-55 on a late 3-point bomb by Potomac Fall’s sub Pete Simoneau, crushing a dramatic late-game comeback by the Titans.
Wells, who won three Group AA state championships while head coach at Martinsville and five more as an assistant to Martinsville’s Husky Hall, had strongly endorsed Burcham as his successor.
Staying with basketball, congrats go out to North Cross senior center Bennett Holley, who has announced his intention to sign to play at the next level with D1 Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Holley, a top scorer for North Cross head coach Ed Green, joins a Mountaineer program that looks to rebound from a losing record last year despite a 65-63 win over Virginia Tech in December.
The Salem Red Sox return home Friday, May 1st to begin a 4-game home stand against the Potomac Nationals. After a three-game road swing to Myrtle Beach, the Salem Sox again return to Salem Memorial Ball Park on Friday, May 8th for a weeklong stand featuring four games against Carolina, followed by a 3-game set versus Winston-Salem..
With racing on everyone’s mind after successive NASCAR runs at Bristol and Richmond, there’s no better place to watch paint being traded than the upcoming race this Saturday, May 2nd at the Franklin County Speedway in Callaway. A full race card is set with the green flag dropping at 5:00 p.m.
The best local high school athletes in track and field will convene this Thursday through Saturday, April 30th through May 2nd, at the William Fleming High School track for the 50th COSMO Track Meet. The COSMO provides exciting competition for all spectators.
You can’t say this column isn’t on the cutting edge of future events, so it’s never too early for high school volleyball. The annual Tournament of Champions, pitting many of the top high school programs from a multi-state area, will take place October 2-3. More details to follow in this column.
Now, to the mailbag, where one reader has noticed our online coverage of Cave Spring softball.
Dear Wild Bill: Great coverage of local high school softball for numerous teams in the area. But, I’ve noticed a lot of Cave Spring games. Is there a reason for that ? (Dorothy/ Roanoke)
Well, Dorothy, the Knights were the 2013 Group 3-A state champions, went deep in the playoffs last year and have four college signees in this year’s starting lineup, Pami White (Colgate), Cassi Parulis (NYU), Abby Beatty and Kylie Kent (both Concord). There’s your reason. (Publisher’s note: And the school is not that far from Macados . . .)
Until next time, fill out your All-Star ballots and send them to [email protected]
