Well, here we go with our new monthly print edition that came down the pipes from corporate headquarters and announced a couple of months ago.
It’s also a new concept here in the sports department, where each month we’ll give you two or three specialty articles for your reading pleasure that will encompass everything from personality profiles to stories on major events in the Roanoke sports scene, along with the regular Wild Bill Weekly Sports column that will also continue to appear weekly on-line with the usual game stories that are updated daily.
The Chief continues to send suggestions down the pipe which quite frankly I think is an old laundry chute. Last week alone, I found six story ideas along with two shirts and a pair of The Chief’s boxers laying beside my desk.
Enough preliminaries, let’s get on with this month’s main card.
Congratulations go out to the winners of the three major holiday high school basketball tournaments held in the Roanoke Valley
In the Northside Invitational Tournament held on the courts at Northside High School, the host Vikings took home the championship trophy for the third time in the 16-year history of the event. A strong field made the requisite three wins to claim the title even harder for Billy Pope’s talented squad.
At the Salem Civic Center, William Fleming claimed its second straight K-Guard Holiday Classic championship with their New Year’s Eve win over Cave Spring in the final.
The Knights’ Winter Classic girls basketball tourney at Cave Spring High School saw Brookville stay undefeated on the season by downing the Broadway Gobblers in the tournament final.
Last, but certainly not least, the Chance Harman Classic at Floyd County High School was again a huge success with the 2-day, 14-game format that drew a mixture of top national teams along with those from around Southwest Virginia. Although figures were not complete, Brian Harman, the father of Chance for whom the tournament is named, estimated over $40,000 was raised for cancer research during this year’s event.
Getting cabin fever with all the cold weather? No better time to head to the January 19th meeting of the Roanoke Valley Sports Club at the Salem Civic Center. One of the most interesting meetings of the year, Media Night takes center stage with a panel of journalists from both TV and print media that will share their insights, opinions and stories. Guests and prospective new members are always welcome to attend. The 5:45 pm social is followed by the 6:15 dinner meeting. Contact Maggie Drewry at 540-353-1103 for more information or to make reservations and purchase tickets.
Now, to the season’s first “Big-11” Top-3 in girls and boys basketball
GIRLS:
#1 – Hidden Valley – the undefeated Lady Titans rule the roost after 6 straight convincing wins to open the campaign.
#2- William Fleming- The Lady Colonels paved the way to a strong run with a number of tough pre-holiday opponents.
#3 – Lord Botetourt- Head coach Chuck Pound won his 300th game over the holidays. That’s enough to put LB at third.
BOYS:
#1 – William Fleming – Mickey Hardy’s squad impressed in winning the K-Guard Classic. The Colonels continue to gel.
#2- Northside- Winners of the Northside Invitational, the Vikings look to be a front-runner in the tough Blue Ridge District.
#3 – North Cross – A surprise from the private school sector? This one-loss Ed Green team can compete with the big boys.
Finally, as promised last week, I donned my Columbo trench coat on Monday to get to the bottom of the Wild Bill Burger that graces the menu at Macado’s. In our last episode, a reader asked if it was named for me. So, I trudged into the Tanglewood Macado’s to ask some questions. Affable manager Jen laughed and said she wasn’t sure, but referred me to corporate headquarters.
“Just one more thing,” I asked Jen while scratching my head to look Columbo-like. “Can you give me the number for the HPIC?” That’s the “Head Person in Charge.”
A conversation with Gail in the corporate crib got some answers. Gail couldn’t identify the the source of the burger’s name, but said since I was Wild Bill, it might as well be me to clear up any confusion. Now, it’s official. A specialty burger with cheese, smokehouse bacon, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, topped with beer battered onion rings. It was obvious it was named for me once the beer battered rings were added. So, try the Wild Bill Burger and tell ’em Wild Bill sent you.
I think the Columbo thing sealed the deal. And, for the record in case you’ve wondered, Columbo’s first name was Frank, not Phillip. Yes, you always learn something when you read this column.
I’m outta here in my ’59 Peugeot to get the Chief’s shirts and boxers to the laundry.
Until next time, chew on your cigar and send your best investigative inquiries to: [email protected].
– Bill Turner