State's best head to sports complex

Some of the top 11 and-12-year-old baseball players in the state will be traveling to Gaffney this week.

Beginning Tuesday, the Cherokee County Youth Sports Complex will be the site of the Cal Ripken League all star state tournament for 11 and 12 year olds.

The 8-team tournament will include two teams from Gaffney and a squad from Blacksburg.

Gaffney's Major League "A" team includes Jaylem Miller, Kellon Stanley, Quinshad Davis, Adam Hartzog, Conner Chitty, Clay Phillips, Thomas Mabry, Chris Warden, Shaq Davidson, August Franks, Bradley Perry and Rod Ogelsby. Greg Phillips will serve as manager.

Gaffney's Major League "B" team includes Nick Mabry, Quinton Smiley, Kamon Carroll, Noland Cobb, Issac Barber, Grayson McCraw, Kerry Williams, B.J. Parker, Greg Jones, Daniel Ruppe, Tyler Phillips and Dale Wallace. Mike Fowlkes is the manager.

The eight teams will be divided into two pools. Gaffney "B" team will join District III, Woodruff and Boiling Springs in Pool 1. Pool 2 includes Gaffney "A," Blacksburg, Westside and Hickory Tavern.

Pool play will begin Tuesday. In Pool I, District III and Woodruff will face off at 6 p.m., and Gaffney "B" will meet Boiling Springs at 8 p.m.

Blacksburg will play Westside at 6 p.m. and Gaffney "A" will meet Hickory Tavern at 8 p.m. in Pool 2.

On Wednesday, District III and Boiling Springs will play at 6 p.m., with Gaffney "B" and Woodruff meeting at 8 p.m. in Pool 1. Blacksburg and Hickory Tavern will meet at 6 p.m. and Gaffney "A" will play Westside at 8 p.m. in Pool 2.

Pool play concludes on Thursday with Woodruff and Boiling Springs playing at 6 p.m. and District III and Gaffney "B" squaring off at 8 p.m. In Pool 2, Gaffney "A" and Blacksburg will meet at 8 p.m. and Westside and Hickory Tavern will play at 6 p.m.

The teams with the two best records from each pool advance to the championship round on Friday. Friday's winners meet Saturday at 7 p.m. for the state championship.

There is a $3 admission charge for adults and $2 for children. Seniors will pay $1, and children

CAL RIPKEN

STATE TOURNAMENT

The tournament, which features two teams from Gaffney and a squad from Blacksburg, will begin on Tuesday with pool play. Two teams from each pool will advance to the championship round.