In a corner of Pisgah National Forest, Kevin Guinn readied his chainsaw to cut wood from a field tangled with logs and heavy branches.

The debris left behind by loggers was too small to be profitable but good enough for Guinn to fuel his wood-burning furnace, even if he didn’t care for the sight of the land.

“I strongly disagree with this,” he said. “It’s so close to widely used recreation. You’ve got a camper down the road. There’s a stream down the hill. You’ve got the ecology of that.”

Another woman walking her dogs nearby compared the field in North Mills River Recreation Area to a scene out of World War I, and said she’s readied a letter to send to the U.S. Forest Service. Rape of the land, she called it.

It’s an assessment the U.S. Forest Service has been dealing with as it explains a draft plan to guide resource management in the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests for at least the next decade.

That draft identifies nearly 700,000 acres as being suitable for logging. But that number is certain to shrink — significantly — and clearing timber can improve the health of a forest, the agency said.

In a series of recent meetings, foresters presented the draft to the public, opening it up for comment that so far has generated concerns from both sides of the issue.

The Southern Environmental Law Center argues the amount of land in the Forest Service plan amounts to an area bigger than Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

But the state Wildlife Resources Commission congratulated the Forest Service on its 700,000-acre choice, one it said promotes wildlife habitat rejuvenation, not industrial logging.

Acreage in management areas, including those where logging is an option in the draft, will be whittled down as factors like soil conditions and rocky areas are taken into consideration.

Of the one million acres in Pisgah and Nantahala forests, the lands potentially available to logging likely will drop to around 300,000 acres, a number more in line with the existing management plan.

But that number also fails to capture a complex calculus of restoration goals, budget constraints and public opinion that shapes which mountain slopes may see trees cut.

In the past decade, logging in the two WNC federal forests has averaged about 950 acres, a drop from averages through the 1980s that topped 4,000 acres, according to data provided by the Forest Service.

Logging decreases were largely a product of the 1994 forest plan amendment, a revision that directed the Forest Service away from clear cutting in Pisgah and Nantahala and toward sustainable timber activities.

The amendment also required foresters to offer the public a seat at the table in its decision-making processes.

About that time, many Madison County residents were gathering themselves into a coalition to battle a plan by the Appalachian District ranger for the Forest Service, one that would have logged from what many call their jewel, Bluff Mountain.

The group whipped up bumper stickers with a catchy logo, “Don’t Cut Bluff,” and after sometimes contentious negotiations, walked away with a compromise, allowing the timber industry to cut 86 acres from the mountain.

About a year ago, a new district ranger came to town, and if ever a plan would be put forth to log Bluff, it would come from his desk.

Word has since spread that in the draft forest plan, Bluff Mountain is one of the areas designated as suitable for logging.

That new ranger? He’s become mighty popular in Madison County these days.

Calling the Bluff

In Hot Springs, bread’s been buttered with tourism dollars about as long as North Carolina’s been a state.

Early entrepreneurs built an economy around those mineral waters, hailing naturally heated baths as healing. The Madison County town still boasts of its hot springs, but it also has a welcome mat that tumbles with Pisgah National Forest whitewater and is crossed by the most famous footpath on the eastern seaboard, the Appalachian Trail.

Thru-hikers headed north first traverse Bluff Mountain before dropping into Hot Springs.

Members of the old Bluff coalition, who well know the forest logging process, are dropping into the Mars Hill office of Ranger Matt McCombs.

In the next draft of the forest plan, they tell him in friendly conversations less divisive than the negotiations of two decades earlier, that they want to see their mountain designated as an area where heavy logging equipment can’t trod.

He offers no promises about what the next draft might hold for Bluff, but said the values and passions he’s heard, including at a recent question-and-answer session in Hot Springs regarding Bluff, have not gone unheard.

“We will be taking a hard look at this area and the community input to determine if the current management area prescriptions are the right ones,” he said. “I don’t think it’s an option anymore to punch in new (logging) roads if it doesn’t make economic sense and certainly if it doesn’t make social-political sense.”

But he’s already made one decision about the mountain outside of public view.

The Forest Service takes a round-robin approach in assessing areas, revisiting maintenance needs throughout the region on a rotating schedule. An information gathering period is followed by several steps that might result in the district ranger proposing a timber sale.

When McCombs arrived, the Bluff Mountain area was on tap for evaluation.

After learning Bluff’s history and with forest plan changes coming, he opted to look to other areas.

He said he’ll probably propose restoration through timber work in an area called Twelve Mile, to make it more habitable for elk.

“Because of the potential levels of conflict, we need to focus on the plan revision and opportunities that make sense right now, in areas where was can gather broad support before moving forward,” he said.

Protect the unique areas

The Forest Service, in its mandate, is charged with conserving and protecting the million acres in the Pisgah and Nantahala forests while balancing a host of interests, ranging from recreation and scientific study to water management and logging.

Talk to enough foresters and eventually you’ll hear some variation on a peculiar type of pessimism: “If everyone’s unhappy, we must be doing a good job.”

It’s a mantra that speaks to the difficulty of juggling so many interests. But it also sabotages any hope for an endgame where everyone wins, said Josh Kelly, public lands biologist for the Western North Carolina Alliance.

Kelly often treks into the national forests, and is particularly interested in seeing that areas home to threatened flora and fauna aren’t open for timbering.

Given his druthers, he would shuffle about 200,000 acres identified as suitable for logging in the draft plan into other categories, including Bluff Mountain, Big Ivy, Daniel Ridge and Tellico Bald.

“Why not take all the unique habitats off the table?” he asked. “If they did that, if they protect the Natural Heritage Areas, the existing old growth forests and add backcountry areas, they will still have 500,000 acres (available to logging).”

Kelly is not opposed to all timbering, though new logging roads can create paths for invasive plants and can destroy habitats. But used smartly, he said, it can be a tool to restore and strengthen forests.

Much of Trace Ridge, which he calls a former white pine plantation, is one example, he said.

Located in the North Mills River Recreation Area, the area near the Trace Ridge trailhead is one of several parcels totaling 153 acres that the Forest Service sold in 2013 as part of the Brushy Ridge sale. Trace Ridge reopened a few months ago, but work in other sections may continue through next year.

The sale is one of 43 ongoing timber contracts now on the desk of Dale Remington, timber sales manager for the Forest Service. His oversight also includes two eastern forests.

Much of the Trace Ridge area had once been an open field where fast-growing white pine flourished, he said, outcompeting oak trees in a race to the sun. The logging gives oaks, desirable for their acorns, a chance to grow, he said, and many animals favor the young plants that will sprout in young forest conditions.

Remington, when he began 35 years ago as a timber man, worked for a Forest Service that tended to log in big, blocky clear cuts, pleasing neither aesthetically nor ecologically.

But the Forest Service began to shift about 15 years ago, he said. Clear cuts fell from favor, and logging was used as a means to restore habitats.

One goal of logging in the Blue Ridge, Remington added, is to create a variety of tree ages in the mountains. He works with a staff biologist and hydrologist to meet goals of desired conditions.

“Almost all this area was logged in the 1800s, except in the higher elevations, sections that were harder to get to. Because of that, the age of these forests are all about 80 to 100 years old,” he said, adding that a typical tree life expectancy is around 150 years. “The white oak can live to be 300 years old, but an event is coming in about 40 or 50 years where large parts of this forest will die off.”

Remington’s sales are constrained by the budget set by Congress, which allows him to do marking and other prep work. This year, he was funded $39,000.

He sells about $2 million in lumber annually, with much of that money going back to site restoration, though 25 percent is returned to a fund for counties with national forests, to be used for schools or roads.

Logging companies pay for road maintenance and reconstruction as part of their contracts.

At Brushy Ridge, for example, the value to the Forest Service was $153,600, Remington said. The agency received $41,000 from the sale, while the rest was used for road maintenance or reconstruction.

Near the trailhead there are barren slopes, hills of stumps and the detritus of a leveled forest. With only a handful of trees hanging in the skyline, it looks at once oddly open above and dense on the ground, inhospitable where branches jumble and tangle together on a floor of mud.

Willie Surratt of Swannanoa has been returning to the area for more than three decades worth of deer seasons, grounds that a few years back rewarded his patience with an 11-point buck.

On this damp afternoon though, on the eve of gun season, he is not thinking of where he will hunt with the rising of the sun.

“I used to camp right there, and it’s all a mess. The fire ring’s even gone. Why they tore it up like they did, I just don’t know,” Surratt said. “It’s just a crappy way to do it. It does help the animals, it just takes a few years for everything to start growing back. They just didn’t have to cut as much as they cut.”

WANT TO COMMENT?

The final plan is expected to be completed in 2016. Public comments on the forest plan should be submitted by Jan. 5:

Through an interactive mapping tool at https://my.usgs.gov/ppgis/studio/launch/24175

By email to NCplanrevision@fs.fed.us

By standard mail to National Forests in North Carolina, 160 Zillicoa St., Suite A, Asheville, NC 28801

Democratic Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu defeated by GOP’s Bill Cassidy in last midterm race

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy has defeated Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, denying her a fourth term and extending the GOP’s domination of the 2014 midterm elections that put Republicans in charge of Capitol Hill for the final two years of President Barack Obama’s tenure.

With Cassidy’s victory, the GOP will hold 54 seats when the Senate convenes in January, nine more than they have now. Republican victories in two Louisiana House districts Saturday — including the seat Cassidy now holds — ensure at least 246 seats, compared to 188 for Democrats, the largest GOP advantage since the Truman administration after World War II. An Arizona recount leaves one race still outstanding.

In Louisiana, early returns showed Cassidy with a wide lead.

Landrieu had narrowly led a Nov. 4 primary ballot that included eight candidates from all parties. But at 42 percent, she fell well below her marks in previous races, leaving the incumbent scrambling in a one-month runoff campaign that Republicans dominated via the air waves while national Democrats financially abandoned her effort.

Landrieu’s defeat is a blow for one of Louisiana’s most famous political families, leaving her brother, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, to carry the banner. The GOP sweep also denied former Gov. Edwin Edwards a political comeback; the colorful 87-year-old politician, who had served four terms as governor, sought to regain public office after serving eight years in federal prison on corruption charges.

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American, South African held by al-Qaida in Yemen killed during US-led rescue operation

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — An American photojournalist and a South African teacher were killed Saturday during a high-risk, U.S.-led raid to free them from al-Qaida-affiliated militants in Yemen, a turbulent Arab country that is a centerpiece of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region.

The predawn raid was the second rescue attempt in as many weeks to free Luke Somers, a 33-year-old freelance photographer and editor kidnapped just over a year ago in Yemen’s capital.

South African Pierre Korkie, abducted 18 months ago with his wife in the city of Tazi, also was killed by militants as U.S. forces descended upon the militants’ compound in southern Yemen. A South African aid group trying to negotiate Korkie’s release said he was a day from freedom after a deal late last month that included a “facilitation fee” to the kidnappers. The relief organization had told Korkie’s wife that “the wait is almost over.”

President Barack Obama said he ordered the raid because Somers was believed to be in “imminent danger.” The president, in a statement, condemned Somers’ killing as a “barbaric murder,” but did not mention the 56-year-old Korkie by name, offering condolences to the family of “a non-U.S. citizen hostage.” The South African government said it was informed that Korkie died during the mission by American special forces.

“It is my highest responsibility to do everything possible to protect American citizens,” Obama said. “As this and previous hostage rescue operations demonstrate, the United States will spare no effort to use all of its military, intelligence and diplomatic capabilities to bring Americans home safely, wherever they are located.”

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American killed in Yemen had ‘wanderlust,’ curiosity about world

Luke Somers, an American who was killed during a rescue attempt against his al-Qaida captors in Yemen, had been working as a freelance photographer and editor in that country, and those who knew him say he had “wanderlust” and was drawn to new experiences.

Lucy Somers told The Associated Press on Saturday that that she learned of her 33-year-old brother’s death from FBI agents. He had been kidnapped in September 2013 in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

President Barack Obama said Saturday that he authorized the rescue attempt because the U.S. had information that Somers’ life was in “imminent danger.”

U.S. special forces had tried to rescue Somers last month.

“My life is in danger,” Somers said in video footage, which appeared to mimic hostage videos released by the Islamic State group.

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Powerful typhoon slams into eastern Philippines, where 650,000 have fled to safety

LEGAZPI, Philippines (AP) — Typhoon Hagupit slammed into the central Philippines’ east coast late Saturday, knocking out power and toppling trees in a region where 650,000 people have fled to safety, still haunted by the massive death and destruction wrought by a monster storm last year.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers (109 miles) per hour and gusts of 210 kph (130 mph), Hagupit made landfall in Dolores, a coastal town facing the Pacific in Eastern Samar province, according to the Philippines’ weather agency. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Although it was unlikely to reach the unprecedented strength of Typhoon Haiyan, Hagupit’s strong winds and heavy rain were enough to possibly cause major damage to an impoverished region still reeling from the devastating November 2013 storm, which left more than 7,300 people dead or missing.

“There are many trees that have toppled, some of them on the highway,” police Senior Inspector Alex Robin said by phone late Saturday from Dolores, hours before Hagupit made landfall. “We are totally in the dark here. The only light comes from flashlights.”

From Eastern Samar, Hagupit — Filipino for “smash” or “lash” — was expected to hammer parts of a string of island provinces that were devastated by Haiyan’s tsunami-like storm surges and ferocious winds. Hagupit weakened slightly on Saturday, but remained dangerously powerful and erratic.

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Indictments rare, but police do get charged over use of deadly force

NEW YORK (AP) — At least 400 people are killed by police officers in the United States every year, and while the circumstances of each case are different, one thing remains constant: In only a handful of instances do grand juries issue an indictment, concluding that the officer should face criminal charges.

Successful prosecutions generally involve officers who have lied about what they’ve done, tried to cover up their actions, or used excessive force to inflict punishment.

Even as protesters took to the streets Wednesday to decry the failure of a grand jury to indict an officer who used a fatal chokehold on an unarmed man in New York City, a grand jury in South Carolina voted to bring murder charges against Richard Combs, a small town police chief who fatally shot an unarmed man who had come to Town Hall to contest a traffic ticket.

Earlier this year, a grand jury in North Carolina indicted a Charlotte-Mecklenburg officer for fatally shooting a former college football player who was knocking on doors looking for help after he drove his car off the road.

And a police officer in North Augusta, South Carolina, was indicted in August on a charge of misconduct in office after he shot a 68-year-old man who had failed to pull over for a traffic stop, and instead drove home.

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Amid layoffs and outmigration, the people of central Appalachia ponder a future without coal

HARLAN, Ky. (AP) — The rest of the house is just waking as Scottie Sizemore plops down in a rocking chair on his front porch with a cup of coffee. The sun has yet to crest the ridge above, where mist clings like clouds that couldn’t quite make it over.

Sizemore is the fourth generation of his family to mine coal in Harlan County. He knows he’ll probably be the last.

For over a century, life in Central Appalachia has been largely defined by the ups and downs of the coal industry. Through all the bust years, there was always the promise of another boom.

Until now.

There is a growing sense in these mountains that this downturn is different, deeper. That for a variety of reasons — economic, environmental, political — coal mining will not rebound this time.

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Pentagon chief Hagel: More US troops than originally planned will stay in Afghanistan in 2015

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The United States will keep about 1,000 more troops in Afghanistan than planned early next year to fill a temporary NATO troop gap in the new mission to train and advise Afghan security forces, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday on his final visit to this war-weary country as Pentagon chief.

At a news conference with President Ashraf Ghani, Hagel said the original plan to cut U.S. troop levels to 9,800 by the end of 2014 had been abandoned, but not because of a recent surge in Taliban attacks.

Hagel said the U.S. will keep up to 10,800 troops for the first few months of 2015 and then restart the drawdown, which is scheduled to reach 5,500 troops by the end of next year.

The U.S. decided to keep additional forces in the country temporarily because planned troop commitments by U.S. allies for a NATO train-and-assist mission starting in January have been slow to materialize.

Gen. John Campbell, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, told reporters in an interview later Saturday that he is confident NATO members will furnish the necessary number of troops for the new training mission, which begins Jan. 1. It’s just going to take a few extra weeks or months to get them in Afghanistan, he said.

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Witness: Police may have saved lives in Amtrak stabbings that wounded 4; suspect charged

NILES, Mich. (AP) — Police officers struggling to get through a chaotic scene aboard an Amtrak train in Michigan are being credited with preventing even more bloodshed after a man stabbed a conductor and three fellow passengers.

“It was pretty incredible that they may have saved some lives,” passenger Tyler Vandermolen said.

Michael Williams, 44, of Saginaw was charged Saturday with attempted murder. He’s accused of stabbing four people while the train was stopped Friday night at a depot in Niles in southwestern Michigan, about 10 miles north of South Bend, Indiana. The victims were reported to be in stable condition.

Officers rushed to the scene after Amtrak called police about a passenger acting suspiciously on the Chicago-to-Port Huron train, Niles Police Chief Jim Millin said.

“They saw commotion in the train car,” Millin said of his officers. “They had to forcefully work their way through the crowd. As soon as the first officer turned into the car, Mr. Williams was less than 10 feet away and he had the knife in his hand. The officer used his Taser and was able to subdue” him.

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Police: SUV that struck Somali teen displayed anti-Muslim message at time of crash

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — An SUV involved in the death of a Missouri teenager outside a Somali community center had an anti-Muslim message displayed in the rear window at the time of the crash, Kansas City police confirmed Saturday.

Authorities say 34-year-old Ahmed H. Aden deliberately ran the boy over and have charged him with murder in a case that the FBI is investigating as a potential hate crime. Abdisamad Sheikh-Hussein, 15, died at a hospital Thursday evening after his legs were nearly severed in the crash.

Kansas City police spokesman Darin Snapp told The Associated Press in an email that the SUV had been seen in the area by patrol officers in late October with a message that compared the Quran to the Ebola virus.

Hundreds of people came to Sheikh-Hussein’s funeral Saturday afternoon at the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City, a day after dozens of friends and family members gathered for a prayer service where the teen was remembered as kind and faithful.

KMBC-TV reported many of the youth’s friends from Staley High School were among those attending the funeral.

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Alabama leaves no doubt while TCU hopes it has done enough to reach College Football Playoff

WACO, Texas (AP) — Alabama is in. So is Oregon. That we know for sure about the College Football Playoff after the top two teams in the selection committee rankings romped in their conference championship games.

TCU? Maybe. The Horned Frogs were third last week and certainly did nothing to hurt that on Championship Saturday. But it’s not just about the Frogs.

Florida State, Baylor and Ohio State still have to make final arguments. How that goes will determine how difficult it will be for the committee to come up with a final four and how much bickering there will be Sunday after the field for the first playoff is revealed.

The Crimson Tide followed the Ducks’ lead on Saturday in Atlanta, walloping Missouri 42-13 to win the Southeastern Conference championship. Oregon beat Arizona 51-13 to win the Pac-12 championship Friday night.

No need to worry SEC fans. The conference that dominated the BCS era will be represented in the playoff. Maybe underrepresented in the minds of many in the Deep South, but that’s another debate.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez recognized 150 youths who were named this year’s “Pop Warner Scholastic Achievers” during a special half-time presentation at the annual “Sean Taylor Football Classic” at North Miami Athletic Stadium.

Mayor Gimenez also recognized Pop Warner for 42 years of service to boys and girls participating in football and cheerleading at parks throughout Miami-Dade County.

The annual “Sean Taylor Football Classic” serves as the “Super Bowl” Championship for the Greater Miami South Florida Pop Warner League. Teams participating in the Sean Taylor Classic had the best regular season records and won each of their playoff games.

“Pop Warner Scholastic Achievers” are awarded to Pop Warner league cheerleaders and football players with a GPA of 96 and above.

“The Mayor’s Youth Sports Championship series encourages youth participation in sports, as a valuable tool in developing essential life-skills, such as sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, and discipline, which are the core ingredients for successful living,” said Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Youth sporting events, such as the Sean Taylor Football Classic are helping Miami-Dade youth to enhance their athletic abilities and lives through sports.”

About the Greater Miami South Florida Pop Warner League:

The Greater Miami South Florida Pop Warner League was chartered by Pop Warner Little Scholars, Incorporated in 1972, as the governing body of its eight associated member parks in Miami-Dade County. The GMSFPWL currently has grown to 24 member programs run by optimist clubs, youth activity associations, and city park and recreation departments. These member associations each run their own programs under both the national and local Pop Warner rules.

Pop Warner is the only national youth sports program which requires its participants to maintain a level of academic achievement in order to participate. The mission of GMSFPWL is to enable local children to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a structured and safe environment. Through our associations, pop warner programs instill the fundamental values of teamwork, dedication and a positive work ethic both on and off the field of play.

Led by President Craig McQueen, GMSFPWL is an all-volunteer, 501c(3) nonprofit organization that provides an organized tackle football and cheerleading program for more than 5,000 children, age 5-15, in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

About the Youth Sports Championship Series:

The Youth Sports Championship Series, featuring the newly coveted Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Cup, is the vision of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez who as a father, grandfather and volunteer youth sports coach believes in the values and benefits children derive from participating in organized sports.

Awarded the 2014 National Association of Counties Achievement Award, The Mayor’s Youth Sports Championship Series aims to build and support a strong foundation of organized sports throughout Miami-Dade County through a series of sport championships coordinated by Miami-Dade PROS and the local governing body of the individual youth sport. Champions will be crowned in 10 sports at 15 events, predominantly at Miami-Dade County owned parks and facilities.

Winners of championships in tennis, track and field, basketball, baseball, flag football, golf, swimming, cross country, cheer and dance, and soccer, will be crowned with the Mayor’s Cup.

To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities or sign language interpreter services (seven days in advance), call 305-755-7848.

Central football

Da’Vante Phillips, a senior football player from Miami Central High School, was presented his honorary game jersey at the American Family Insurance Selection Tour for the 2015 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game. The event was part of the three-month American Family Insurance Selection Tour for the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game.

Phillips is one of 90 players selected to compete in the eighth-annual Under Armour All-America Game presented by American Family Insurance, a nationally televised competition spotlighting the country’s top high school seniors. The 2015 Under Armour All-America Game is Friday, Jan. 2 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg and will be televised live on ESPN2.

“The aspect I’m looking forward to the most in the Under Armour game is just the competition and fun. Just having a great time and having your last time out playing high school ball before college,” Phillips said.

The national American Family Insurance Selection Tour recognizes these top players as they follow their dreams on the gridiron and provides opportunities for competition, learning and personal development that will benefit them both on and off the field.

“As protectors of dreams, American Family is pleased to salute these student athletes as they pursue their dreams with the encouragement of the coaches, family and friends who support them,” said Myles Romero, American Family Insurance brand and consumer marketing associate vice president. “These high school athletes are an inspiration to all of us with their hard work, dedication and persistence, qualities that are important not just in athletics, but life.”

Da’Vante Phillips – American Family Insurance Armour All-America Jersey Presentation

For information on the Under Armour All-America Game, updates on current and past players and news from the Selection Tour,

like them at www.facebook.com/AllAmericaGame

or follow them on Twitter at @AllAmericaGame.

Kendall Hammocks football

The Kendall Hammocks Warriors 100s finished their season capturing the Miami Xtreme Youth Football League Turkey Bowl with a 19-7 victory over the Naples Pirates from the SWFYFL.

The Warriors (10-2) were led by Keylon Leno who rushed for 89 yards and one touchdown. Sebastian Borges scored on a 40-yard run, and quarterback Bryan Jacobson threw a touchdown pass to Dylan Puentes. Trend Damon anchored a strong defense.

Nautilus Middle swimming

The Nautilus Middle School girls’ swim team bested six teams to win the Miami-Dade County Middle School Championships at Tamiami Pool. The Nautilus boys’ team was second of nine teams.

The champion Sharks are Oriana Reta, Chloe Gonzalez, Camila Gomez, Stephanie Deybach, Juliet Pizano, Kassandra Vega, Luciana Di Donna, Nathalie Mesones. The runner-up Sharks are Alexander Deybach, Guillermo Deza, Sebastian Henao, Jaime Fernandez. Their coach is Eric Marshall.

Juliet Pizano won the 50-yard breaststroke and 50-yard freestyle. Oriana Reta won the 50 butterfly and 100 individual medley. Stephanie Deybach won the 200 freestyle and 50 backstroke. Chloe Gonzalez won the 100 freestyle. Reta, Pizano, Deybach and Gonzalez teamed to win the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays.

Alexander Deybach won the 100 freestyle and 50 butterfly. Jaime Fernandez won the 50 backstroke. They teamed with Guillermo Deza and Sebastian Henao to win the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays.

St. Brendan swimming

Two St. Brendan High School students competed in the Class 2A swim meet in Stuart.

During the preliminary heat in the morning, freshman Chantel Peiter swam the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races, finishing ninth and 22nd, respectively. She qualified for the finals in the 50 freestyle.

Senior Zuhayr Pigot swam the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly, finishing second and first, respectively. He qualified for the finals in both.

In the evening during the finals, Chantel placed 10th overall in the 50 freestyle. Zuhayr won the state championship in the 50 freestyle and was runner-up in the 100 butterfly.

Zuhayr was the overall fastest male swimmer in the 50 freestyle in the four classes (4A, 3A, 2A, 1A). In the fall, he will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a swimming scholarship.

Miami Pace basketball

A basketball team scoring more than 90 points is a common occurrence in an NBA game but rare in a high school basketball game.

The Monsignor Edward Pace High School boys’ varsity basketball team has been doing just that, including a 96-71 win over Edison and a 91-86 win over Booker T Washington.

The high-scoring Spartans basketball team is currently 3-0 in regular season play. In the pre-season Tip-Off Classic, Pace beat the Christopher

Columbus Explorers 85-83 and defeated the Keys Gate Knights 79-29.

The Spartans opened their regular season with an 82-36 rout of the MAST Academy Makos.

“Our style of play is so unique to what most people do,” said Pace coach Anthony Serro. “We want every possession both offensively and defensively to be less than 12 seconds.”

He says that the team aims to shoot around 80 shots per game, with half of those being 3-point attempts. The relentless, fast style has been paying off as the team is coming off of a 20-win season where they averaged 84 points a game, the highest in Florida and 11th highest in the nation. They also won the District 15 championship and were Region 4A finalists, which helped lead to Serro being named the Miami Herald Class 4A-2A Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year.

One of the team’s key players is senior CJ Fisher, who recently signed a letter of intent to play for the NCAA Division I University of North Florida. Fisher averaged 34 points a game last year and scored an astounding 44 points in the team’s win against Columbus.

Fisher is far from being the only high scorer on the team, as junior Sebastien Jean is another player who consistently scores in double digits. Juniors Armand del Castillo and Phil Brunson scored 16 and 11 points, respectively, in the win over Edison.

Pace’s depth come from another unique coaching decision, as Serro prefers to dress and use all 15 of his players every game, while most teams only use seven to eight players per game.

The school has worked at attracting middle school basketball players to the Pace gym by hosting its second annual Catholic Middle School Basketball Tournament with six schools participating. Cushman School beat St. Mary Cathedral School in the finals.

Our Lady of Lakes basketball

The Our Lady of the Lakes varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are at the top of the All Catholic Conference North Division.

The girls’ team (5-2) defeated Immaculate Conception 24-8, dominating in the first half defensively by allowing two points. The Cheetahs were led by Maylizze Santos (seventh grade) with eight points and four blocked shots, and Kyamara Montero (seventh grade) with six points and four steals.

The boys’ team (5-0) also beat Immaculate Conception 42-22. The Cheetahs started strong building a 33-7 lead by halftime. They were led by Ulises Hernandez III (eighth grade) who had 17 points, five steals and three assists.

Westwood Christian basketball

The Westwood Christian School boys’ varsity basketball team beat Lake Mary High School 48-42 during the annual Big House Classic in Tavares, Fla.

The Warriors are Joey Jou, Angel Padron, Eugene Joseph, Brandon Molina, Joel Lopez, Mathew Mejias, Shelby Osceola, and Ty Pierre. The coaches are Jose Amat and Jimmy Jou.

Miami Country Day sports

Miami Country Day School Athletes of the Week

Middle School Boys: Michael McPherson helped the boys’ soccer team win the Nicholas Potts Memorial Tournament by making two saves on penalty kicks and scoring the winner.

Middle School Girls: Maria Alvarez combined for 24 points, eight steals and seven assists in the girls’ varsity basketball team’s wins over Doctors Charter and IMG Academy.

Upper School Girls: Ava Hansen had 11 goals combined in the girls’ varsity soccer team’s wins against Florida Christian, Archbishop Curley, LaSalle and Greater Miami Academy.

Upper School Boys: Agustin Popiloff of the boys’ varsity soccer team scored twice, once in a 1-1 tie with LaSalle and once in a 2-1 win against Int’l. Studies.

Scheck Hillel sports

Scheck Hillel Community School named Tali Zighelboim as the Student-Athlete of the Week.

Zighelboim is a leader for the Lions’ girls’ varsity soccer team. The senior captain, is a defensive standout. Her ball control is outstanding, and she isn’t afraid to put her head on the ball.

Tennis

Hundreds of football fans tried their hands at tennis on mini-courts prior to the Miami Dolphins win over the San Diego Chargers at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Football jerseys and cooler weather were part of the event, hosted by USTA Florida’s Hispanic outreach initiative, Tenis para Todos, which featured mini-tennis courts inside the Joe Robbie Tailgating section of Sun Life Stadium.

USTA Florida’s Tenis para Todos initiative was launched in 2013, and since then has brought events and facility programming to Hispanic communities throughout Central and South Florida, with nine facilities in Miami-Dade, Broward, Indian River, Osceola, Orange and Hillsborough counties.

From 9 a.m.-noon, more than 800 children and adults stopped by the USTA Florida table to receive free gifts, information about local play opportunities and USTA programs for all ages. Many of the attendees played tennis for the first time, hitting with friends and kids using the kid-friendly Youth Tennis format, featuring smaller racquets and slower, lower-bouncing balls.

“This was the second year of USTA Florida’s presence at a Miami Dolphins game and a great event to showcase tennis to hundreds of people, many for the first time,” said USTA Florida Diversity Marketing Coordinator Maria Romo-Jackson. “Tenis para Todos will continue to bring play opportunities and events in Central and South Florida, inviting Hispanic communities throughout the state to enjoy the wonderful sport of tennis.”

The event at the Joe Robbie Tailgating entrance offered six courts with the USTA’s Youth Tennis format, using racquets, balls and courts that are sized right for kids so that they enjoy the game from the start. Winners of game tickets at previous Tenis para Todos events joined the activities, with USTA Florida volunteers, staff and social media contest winners sitting in the same section of the stadium to enjoy the game afterward.

For event or program information, visit the Tenis para Todos website at

www.tenisparatodos.com/eventos

or the USTA Florida website at

www.ustaflorida.com/events.

More events, leagues, programs

Orange Bowl shoe drive

The Orange Bowl announced the launch of its annual Kicks For Kids Program, in partnership with In Jacob’s Shoes, a local charity that provides new and gently used shoes, school supplies and athletic shoes and equipment to economically disadvantaged youth.

The organization will once again challenge schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to collect shoes. In addition, the Orange Bowl is partnering with Baptist Health South Florida to use its facilities as community collection sites. Anyone can drop off a pair of new or gently used athletic shoes in the Kicks For Kids boxes at participating Miami-Dade or Broward County Baptist Health Urgent Care Centers or Baptist Health Medical Plazas. TD Bank is also an associate sponsor of this year’s Kicks for Kids Program.

The Orange Bowl and Baptist Health are hosting a photo challenge, where people can post pictures of themselves donating shoes at the Baptist Health collection sites for a chance to win a VIP experience for two at the 2014 MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic featuring game tickets and behind-the-scenes access. To participate, donors are encouraged to use the hastag #Kicks4KidsChallenge tagging @BaptistHealthSF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and, nominate their family and friends to take the challenge.

For the school challenge, six schools – three schools from Miami-Dade and three from Broward County – will have the opportunity to win up to $1,500. Participating schools from across both counties are asked to collect new or gently used athletic shoes and cleats throughout the month of November. The top collectors from Miami-Dade and Broward counties will each receive a $1,500 grant from the Orange Bowl, with the second and third finishers receiving $1,000 and $500, respectively.

Last year, the Orange Bowl collected more than 4,000 shoes, the majority from the School Challenge. This year, the Orange Bowl’s goal is to collect 5,000 pairs for South Florida youth.

“The South Florida community’s response to the Orange Bowl’s Kicks for Kids program has been very gratifying,” said Orange Bowl CEO Eric Poms. “Because of their contributions, we have exceeded our own goals in each of the first three years. We can’t wait to see the results of this year’s challenge.”

For a list of participating collection sites,

visit: http://community.orangebowl.org/community-involvement/kicks-4-kids/

Other businesses and individuals are also encouraged to participate.

If you or your business would like to collect or provide shoes or make a monetary donation to the program, contact Melissa Klein at mklein@orangebowl.org.

The Orange Bowl is a 360-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community.

The Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 31, 2014. Other Orange Bowl core events include the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance presented by Sports Authority, Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta, Orange Bowl Swim Classic and Orange Bowl Paddle Championships.

For information on the 2014-15 Orange Bowl events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented by Panera Bread,

log on to www.orangebowl.org

In Jacob’s Shoes is a 501(c)3 Charity and was formed in 2009 in loving memory of Jacob S. Zweig. In Jacob’s Shoes provides new and gently used shoes, school supplies and athletic gear to children in need as well as grants for camp, athletic and enrichment programs.

Since inception, In Jacob’s Shoes has served more than 80 agencies, schools and shelters and provided 23,000+ pairs of shoes and 2,500 backpacks with school supplies for children living in shelters, foster care and poverty in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.

For information, including volunteer opportunities,

visit www.injacobsshoes.org or facebook.com/InJacobsShoes.

NFL Football Matters

The National Football Foundation announced the launch of FootballMatters.org, a powerful new addition to the organization’s campaign to highlight the good in the game and the lifelong benefits to those who play it.

“Football makes a positive impact on so many levels, and we realized that we needed a centralized resource for capturing and subsequently promoting all the great football stories out there,” said NFF President CEO Steve Hatchell. “FootballMatters.org provides us a potent platform for addressing that void and delivering compelling content directly to audiences who can help us amplify our messages about the value of football in producing leaders and creating educational opportunities.”

NFF Chairman Archie Manning added: “It’s just gratifying to be part of something that does so much good for our young people. The stories are out there, including the thousands of young kids who could not have gone to college but got some aid because of football, and their lives have been changed for the better. FootballMatters.org will enable us to directly capture those stories and inspire the next generation to further their educations.”

The NFF has linked with Arkleus Broadcasting, a Dallas-based full-service media company, to create the platform, which also encompasses a strong social media component to gain traction for the campaign.

“Arkleus is honored and thrilled to be chosen by such a prestigious American institution as the NFF to build and market an exciting new sports media property,” said Arkleus Broadcasting President Joe Shults. “We are passionately committed to helping the NFF in every way to protect, enhance, and ensure the future of football for generations to come.”

The site focuses on stories, videos, and franchises highlighting the very best in high school and college football, such as: Football Moms, Special Teams, Hook Corporate Ladder, Man-to-Man, the Quote of the Day and many more. The site will also be the home to exclusive profiles of Campbell Trophy finalists, Leadership Award Winners, Courage Award Winners and all the honors associated with the NFF.

“We are really excited about the Football Matters initiative,” said Hatchell. “I want to thank everybody at Arkleus for their passion for the project. They have done a marvelous job of getting it up and running in a short amount of time, and we have already received great feedback.”

The site focuses on the stories that evoke the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal, character building and the drive for academic excellence that exemplifies many of the young men who play football and the families who support them.

You can learn more about the site and watch a video featuring NFF Chairman Archie Manning and NFF Board Members Jack Ford, Archie Griffin, Kevin Plank and Rod West by clicking here.

Visit www.footballfoundation.org.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NFFNetwork

Twitter https://twitter.com/NFFNetwork

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/NFFOnDemand

Football

The FBU National Championship kicked off Dec. 6 at 16 venues across America, with the winners advancing to round 2.

The structure of the Football University National Championship is a combination of the Little League World Series and the NCAA March Madness. The single-elimination tournament, features 192-region-based teams (64-teams in each age bracket – 6th, 7th and 8th grade) comprised of the top 30 all-star athletes from their area who had to try out to earn a roster spot.

The first four rounds will occur at regional sites, with the semifinals and championship weekend Dec. 20-21 in Naples for the final four teams in each age bracket.

Miami-Dade County youth athletes have been given the extraordinary honor of participating in the tournament beginning Dec. 6. Sixth graders, seventh graders, and eighth graders were selected to play for the FBU Miami-Dade County Team in each of their grade levels. Each team, comprised of top football players from through the county, will be competing in full contact football games with the ultimate goal of advancing to the championship in Naples.

The Miami-Dade County team, led by State Director Damian Sosa, will begin the tournament on Dec. 6 in West Palm Beach.

This year’s tournament marks the fourth year of the biggest youth football event to date, with 192 teams nationwide, including more than 250 games, 6,000 athletes and 1,200 coaches. The tournament will showcase 250 games through a three-week period, resulting in more than 1,000 hours of play.

Visit www.fbunc.com

Heads Up

Former tight end Troy Drayton played nine seasons in the NFL, including 1996-99 with the Miami Dolphins, and he is the Dolphins’ youth program coordinator.

Drayton added a new title to his résumé — NAmbassador for Heads Up Football.

The Nand USA Football jointly announced the national launch of Heads Up Football, a youth football program aimed at making football better and safer for all who play it. The program is being supported with a $1.5 million grant from the NFoundation.

Three million kids already play tackle football, and the game can be even safer. Heads Up Football includes a tackling model that removes the head from the game.

Heads Up Football has five core elements: The use of the Heads Up Tackling model; coaching certification; Player Safety Coaches; concussion education; and proper equipment-fitting.

The program was launched in three test markets last year. This year, it expanded to more than 600 youth leagues in 50 states. Of these leagues, 100 were assigned a former Nplayer mentor. Drayton served as a mentor to a local Heads Up League — the Tamiami Colts of the Miami Xtreme Youth Football League.

Florida Christian lacrosse

Florida Christian School Athletic Director Ed Riggan, announced that FCS Athletics will offer lacrosse at the JV level for the spring of the 2014-15 school year. For information call 305-226-8152 or visit www.floridachristian.org.

ThunderPlex

Thunder Athletix and Brain Gymnasium LLC teamed to offer a complete fitness program of body and mind at the new ThunderPlex, 1440 NW 82 Ave. in Doral.

Students can improve their basketball skills and physical fitness, as well as strengthen their academic skills through specialized tutoring programs. They can have fun and finish their homework.

The mission is to teach the principles, fundamentals and basic skills of the game to children age 5-17.

Brain Gymnasium offers specialized tutoring, homework help, FCAT Prep, SAT/ACT Prep, and Entrance Exam Prep. Their degreed, professional and experienced teachers provide a simple and exciting approach to learning.

For information on special packages, after school programs and summer programs,

visit www.jointhunder.com ; contact@jointhunder.com or call 786-505-5585.

For information on Brain Gymnasium, visit www.braingymnasium.org or call 305-788-7339.

Thunder basketball

Thunder Basketball opened its new year-round facility at ThunderPlex, 1440 NW 82th Ave., Doral.

The mission is to teach the principles, fundamentals and basic skills of the game. It stresses the importance of team and sportsmanship.

Thunder also encourages players to succeed in the classroom and all aspects of life.

For information visit www.jointhunder.com

Registration is open.

Email contact@jointhunder.com or call 786-505-5585.

Miami Lady Express basketball

The Miami Lady Express girls’ basketball team needs funding to continue competing in tournaments throughout the United States. The coaches volunteered to train the girls, giving them something positive to do, and the parents have been raising funds.

Travel costs, food, tournament fees and lodging are very expensive for these girls. They practice at the Keys Gate Gym in Florida City and South Dade High School, where their coaches teach. Contact Coach Larry Hicks at 786-301-2577.

Tamiami basketball

Tamiami youth basketball registration is open for girls and boys ages 5 to 16.

Email Tamiamibasketball@gmail.com or call 305 -273-1145.

Tennis

USTA Florida and the USTA Florida Section Foundation announced a landmark three-way agreement with Special Olympics Florida to provide more tennis playing opportunities to athletes in Florida.

The formal agreement builds on the existing support that USTA Florida and its charitable arm have provided to local Special Olympics programs by offering free 10 and Under Tennis workshops, grants and other resources to providers that offer tennis programs to Special Olympics athletes.

Likewise, Special Olympics Florida will encourage their athletes to participate in USTA Florida programs and events.

To get a program started, Special Olympics coaches may apply for a USTA Florida Section Foundation equipment grant for adaptive tennis equipment and other program needs by contacting Jessica Flynn at Special Olympics Florida.

For additional training opportunities and training resources, contact Linda Curtis at the USTA Florida Section Foundation at www.USTAFloridaFoundation.com.

Tennis classes, programs

Tennis classes and programs for all ages are at the Penny Sugarman Tennis Center at Sans Souci, 1795 Sans Souci Blvd., North Miami. Call for information on group lessons, annual passes, court rates and private lessons. Tennis pro is Ross Dubins. Call 305-893-7130.

Marlins Tours

The Miami Marlins offer behind-the-scenes tours of Marlins Park. The tours are open to the public on non-event days for $10 per person.

The tour includes visits to the field (behind home plate), home clubhouse, home batting cage area and Diamond Club, Promenade Level featuring the art in the facility, the bobblehead museum and the premium areas, including the suites.

Tours operate from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except when the Marlins play at home or when other major events are scheduled at Marlins Park. Group tours of 10 to 25 people are available by appointment.

For more information, fans can call 1-877-MARLINS or e-mail tours@marlins.com. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket windows on Felo Ramirez Drive (Northwest Sixth Street between 14th and 15th avenues) and are for the time and date specified.

Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.

HOF baseball

Hall Of Fame Baseball is sponsoring travel baseball teams for 11-12, 13-14, 15-18 (high school) players.

Hall Of Fame Coach Rich Hofman and his staff will coach the teams, which will practice and play in tournaments and leagues. Register for a tryout at www.hofball.net or call David Hofman at 954-804-5600 or Ed Tisdale at 803-463-2591.

Youth Rugby South Miami

The Miami Rugby Youth Division, for boys ages 6-18, practices from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays at Murray Park and Wednesdays at Palmer Park, 6120 SW 67th Ave., South Miami. Call 305-400-0134, ext. 101.

Visit www.miamirugbykids.com.

Soccer 5 Academy

Soccer 5 Academy Mini Soccer Program, also referred to as small-sided soccer, is at three Miami-Dade County-owned parks — Tropical Park (7900 Bird Rd.), Kendall Soccer Park (8011 SW 127th Ave.) and Amelia Earhart Park (401 E. 65th St., Hialeah).

Headed by Soccer 5’s Director of Coaching Development Alan Georgeson, who has more than 15 years of experience in Europe in mini/small-sided soccer, kids 3 to 12 years old will learn the history of mini soccer, the basics of how to play, reasons why mini soccer is the preferred form of soccer for kids, youth and even adults, and will have the opportunity to play in “3v3” to “7v7” matches.

The three locations make mini/small-sided soccer available across the county, providing a greater opportunity for children and families to access the proper 4G turf game fields specifically designed for “5v5,” “6v6” and “7v7” games.

With smaller fields, mini soccer is much easier for young children or children who have never played. In addition, mini soccer is designed for competition among teams with fewer players, providing more opportunity for pick-up games, as well as more opportunity to play the ball making mini soccer popular with older players, too.

For more information or to register, visit www.miamisoccer5.com.

Rebelle volleyball

Rebelle Athletics Club offers girls’ volleyball tryouts at Archbishop Curley Notre Dame High School, 4949 NE Second Ave.

The volleyball club, a member of the United States Volleyball Association, is under the direction of Mandi Tate, Dee Rey and former Barry University player Kelly Dantas. They are former coaches with South Florida Volleyball Club and currently coach at the Alonzo Tracy Mourning Senior High School Biscayne Bay Campus.

Rebelle Athletics is dedicated to providing developmental and participatory athletic sports programs beginning at the youth development level. It offers a progression of sports activities for persons of all ages, races and creeds. It strives to enhance the physical, mental and moral development of amateur athletes at all levels, promoting sportsmanship and active citizenship.

Visit www.rebelleathletics.com.

Jai-Alai

Jai-alai is open to anyone, age 10 to 80.

With a rubber ball and cestas, the amateur jai-alai facility is at 1935 NE 150th St. in North Miami, near FIU’s North Campus.

It is indoors, air-conditioned and open to all. Call Luis at 305-389-2313 or Bob at 786-556-3574.

Jai-Alai for women

Who said you have to be a male to play jai-alai? Just as females play the sport in Spain, France and Mexico, women can play it in South Florida at the amateur indoor, air-conditioned fronton at 1935 NE 150 St., North Miami, near FIU’s North Campus.

There are also leagues for males and children. Rubber or plastic balls are used with free lessons by former pros. Cestas and balls are also provided free with a nominal court fee. Open every day. Email admanUSA@aol.com or call Brucio 786-629-5428. The American Amateur Jai-Alai Academy is a not-for-profit organization.

Physically Challenged

Miami-Dade Parks welcomes children with disabilities in its youth leagues. If you need accommodations to participate, call 305-735-7847 (V/TDD).

Be honored at Miami Heat game

The Miami Herald and the three-time world champion Miami Heat in partnership with Gatorade are sponsoring the Academic/Sportsmanship Team Player spotlight in Sunday’s youth sports pages in the Neighbors Sunday print section of the Miami Herald and online at http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/youth-sports/.

Youth league coaches, team reps, school coaches, administrators, teachers or family members can nominate any South Florida recreational, travel league, elementary school, middle school or junior varsity basketball player from fall, winter, spring or summer seasons who displays sportsmanship and good grades or shows improvement in the classroom.

Include school, grade level and grades or interim report. Each selected academic team player will receive a certificate of achievement, a Heat gift pack, two Heat tickets and will be recognized on the court. Plan accordingly as there are three designated ceremony dates during the regular season, and no make-up dates.

To nominate a Team Player, e-mail (Jim) jvarsallone@miamiherald.com or call 954-538-7153. Winners will be selected by random drawing from nominees who meet the above requirements.

Be sure to include a contact telephone number and complete mailing address in your correspondence and mail or e-mail a photograph to us. For Heat ticket information, call 786-777-HEAT and log on to HEAT.com.

Submit athlete or team news to Sports Scene

Sports Scene spotlights news and notes from youth sports and adult league activities with the aim to feature game notes and the accomplishments of athletes from Miami-Dade County.

We rely on league directors and coaches, as well as community members, parents and schools to submit information. We accept photos but ask that everyone pictured be identified with a first and last name and the name of the team or park they represent.

All sports are welcome as long as the team, individual or league is Miami-based.

Email sportsscene@miamiherald.com.

Visit http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/youth-sports

MARTINSVILLE, Va. –

The NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Division 1 men’s soccer championship is coming to Martinsville next year.

The 2015 championships will be played at the Smith River Sports Complex from Nov. 16-21. This year the tournament was held in Arizona.

Patrick Henry Community College is serving as the tournament host.

“The SRSC is thrilled to play host to this national event,” Billy Russo, director of operations at the Smith River Sprts Complex said. “It was built for events like this, and with the partnership of PHCC and the Martinsville-Henry County EDC’s Tourism Division, we look forward to putting on an unforgettable event. After all, the goal is to put on a fantastic event so we can continue to successfully bid on and host future NJCAA championships, partnering with PHCC and MHC Tourism in the future.”

Click here for more information.

Here is the entire news release:

The NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) National D1 Men’s Soccer Championship is coming to Martinsville Nov. 16-21, 2015 and is expected to have a significant positive impact throughout the community and surrounding region.

Organizers unveiled the official tournament logo and event website (njcaasoccer.com) Friday, Dec. 5 during a press conference at the Smith River Sports Complex (SRSC), located at 1000 Irisburg Road in Axton, Va.

Patrick Henry Community College is partnering with the Martinsville –Henry County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and SRSC, which is engineered just for tournaments like these, according to Billy Russo, director of operations.

“The SRSC is thrilled to play host to this national event,” Russo said. “It was built for events like this, and with the partnership of PHCC and the Martinsville-Henry County EDC’s Tourism Division, we look forward to putting on an unforgettable event.

After all, the goal is to put on a fantastic event so we can continue to successfully bid on and host future NJCAA championships, partnering with PHCC and MHC Tourism in the future.”

Russo said he attended the 2014 event in Arizona last month and can’t wait to show off the sports complex and the community’s hospitality.

“In addition to the qualifying schools, there were dozens of four-year college coaches from all over the country in attendance to recruit, and with our close proximity to several institutions, we expect college coaches to flood our community for the event next year,” he said.

Bassett Furniture Industries will serve as lead sponsor for the tournament. Eddie White, vice president of human resources, said, “We’re a proud sponsor and excited about the opportunity to partner with Patrick Henry Community College on this national tournament that’s very important for our community.

We at Bassett Furniture have had a presence in the community since 1902, and we’re a longtime supporter of local events.”

According to Christopher Parker, PHCC’s senior athletic administrator and Women’s Region X director, this is the first time a NJCAA national tournament has ever been held in Virginia, and only the second time a national tournament has been held within Region X (Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina).

“This is such a unique and wonderful opportunity for PHCC and the community to host a national tournament,” Parker said. “We hope this is the start of great partnership with the NJCAA to host future national events and tournaments. We’re very excited to host a tournament of this caliber with the EDC and Smith River Sports Complex. Our area partnerships have been vital to bring this tournament to Virginia.”

To prepare for this event, Jennifer Doss, director of tourism for the EDC, said 120 hotel rooms have been reserved to accommodate the athletes.

“These athletes are spread out among four local hotel properties, and lodging for them alone is anticipated to generate approximately $50,000 in revenue,” Doss said. “We anticipate many additional room nights to be booked by athletes that choose to arrive early, spectators to the event and college scouts.”

Doss added, “Over the course of the week, teams will enjoy dining in our area restaurants and consume nearly 6,000 meals. Spectators will enjoy shopping and visiting attractions between games, and all the visitors will see what our area has to offer. This is a fabulous opportunity for Martinsville-Henry County to roll out the welcome mats as our community is put on the national stage.”

For additional information on the tournament, visit njcaasoccer.com.