North Mecklenburg High’s Clyburn chooses a college

Clyburn returned five kicks for touchdowns as a senior – three kickoffs and two punts. He was one of the area’s top threats, on special teams and offense. Clyburn led North Mecklenburg with 56 receptions for 642 yards and five touchdowns. He ran 48 times for 307 yards and five scores, and had three interceptions as a defensive back.

Clyburn also considered offers from Charlotte and Campbell. He is expected to sign when the NCAA’s national letter of intent signing period begins Feb. 1.

Hough wins boys and girls conference swim titles

Hough High swept the boys and girls I-MECK 4A conference swimming championships at Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in Uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Jan. 21.

The Hough boys team repeated as champions. The Huskies won nine of 12 events, and scored 185 more points than second-place Lake Norman.

Hough senior Peter Brumm, a University of Michigan signee, won the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke, and a leg in the Huskies winning 200 individual medley and 200 freestyle relay teams.

Hough’s other winners were Jack Manchester (200 and 500 freestyles), Andrew Bothello (200 IM), Patrick Cowley (100 freestyle) and Charles Mitchell (diving) .

The Hough girls were dominant, winning all 12 events and finishing 223 points ahead of second-place Lake Norman.

Hough’s Emily Allen, Ally DuPay and Heather Merritt each won two individual events. Each also swam a leg on Hough’s two winning relay teams.

North Mecklenburg’s Molly Sanborn was named the I-MECK 4A Girls’ Swimmer of the Year, and Vance’s Josh Moore was the conference boys’ swimmer of the year.

Hough’s Tim Queen was named the conference coach of the year.

Grier named to All-America team

Davidson Day quarterback Will Grier was named to the MaxPreps 2011 U.S. Air Force Sophomore All-American Football Team.

Grier led Davidson Day to the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III championship, and was the Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group’s Lake Norman-area Football Offensive Player of the Year.

Grier completed 250 of 398 passes (63 percent) for 3,785 yards and 49 touchdowns. He led North Carolina in passing touchdowns and was second in passing yardage.

Grier also ran 97 times for 925 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 9.5 yards per carry. He ran for seven two-point conversions, and passed for four others.

Davidson Youth Baseball reaches milestone

The Davidson Youth Baseball Association will celebrate its 60^th anniversary this year. The organization, founded by Gene McEver in 1952, has been a member of PONY Baseball for 55 years.

“It takes having high standards, focusing on developing player skills first and teaching players about sportsmanship and teamwork,” said association president Tim Daily.  “DYBA focuses its attention on making the baseball experience a quality one for every player regardless of skill level.”

In 2005, the North Mecklenburg PONY League (NMPL) introduced Challenge baseball to its members for advanced-skill players.  DYBA formed the successful DC Force program which looks to pool players from Davidson and Cornelius to form more competitive, advanced teams at all age groups.  These teams play other communities with similar programs and a limited tournament schedule.

DC Force is available for ages 8-16. DYBA also has developed Junior American Legion Baseball for older players, and is affiliated with Cornelius American Legion Post 86.

The Town of Davidson, DYBA members and families help maintain McEver Fields and host annual tournaments. The North Mecklenburg PONY League is made up of several bordering communities that provide PONY Baseball and local interleague play, which doesn’t include long travel. The Huntersville Youth Athletic Association, Mallard Creek Optimist, East Lincoln Optimist, Mooresville Parks and Recreation and Odell Baseball are PONY Baseball organizations.

Registration for the anniversary season is open through the Davidson Parks and Recreation Department.  Skills days and practice will begin March 1, with the PONY season beginning March 24th.  DC Force tryouts will be announced prior to the end of registration.

DYBA registration is available at www.d-recs.org, or by calling 704-892-3349. Register HYAA baseball at www.hyaasports.com

Spring lacrosse leagues and free clinics

Registration is open for the Cornelius Parks and Recreation Department’s spring lacrosse season, which will be in partnership with Xtreme Lacrosse.

Players can register at www.xlacrosse.com, and find additional information. The spring season will begin mid-February.

Xtreme Lacrosse will hold free clinics for beginning lacrosse players – both boys and girls – on Saturday, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. to noon at Smithville Park.

Sign up for alumni football

Gridiron Alumni, a company that organizes full-contact football games for high school alumni, is planning to expand into North Carolina. The first 40 players on each team to register will get to play, and the first school that gets 30 players will receive home-field advantage.

Teams from Hopewell, Lake Norman Charter, North Mecklenburg, SouthLake Christian and other area teams are forming.  Games are scheduled for March and April. Go to www.gridironalumni.com to register, or call Chris Hall at 530-410-6396.

Fear schedules football tryouts

The Lake Norman Fear of the Gridiron Developmental Football League will return for its third season.  The Fear will begin games in June, and will play their five home games at Mooresville High.

The team is looking for players, ages 18 to 40, with some high school or college playing experience.

Tryouts will be held Feb. 25 at Benchwarmers Sports Complex in Mooresville, with registration at 11 a.m.

General Manager Chris Moshinskie has also announced game passes good for any home game will be on sale through his office until March 31 for only $1.  On April 1, single game tickets will go back to the regular price of $7 for adults and $5 for children and seniors.

To register for tryouts or receive more information, call Moshinskie at 704-248-6788 or email LakenFearGM@aol.com.

Register for youth volleyball

Registration for the Huntersville Parks and Recreation Department’s spring volleyball league, for girls ages 9-16, will begin Wednesday, Feb. 1. There will be an eight-game regular season with Saturday morning games, and an end-of-season tournament.  The Davidson College women’s volleyball team will direct clinics for coaches and players at the season’s start. There will be a parent information meeting at 6:30 p.m. March 1 at Lake Norman Charter Middle School. A “Skills Day” will be held March 3 at Lake Norman Charter High.

The coaches’ certification meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. March 7 at the park and rec department’s third-floor office. A coach’s clinic will be at 9 a.m. March 10 at Lake Norman Charter High. The clinics with Davidson College players will be during the first week of practices, beginning March 12.

Cost is $65 for residents and $80 for non-residents. For information call 704-766-2220 or email jbrock@huntersville.org.

Time to register for softball

The Huntersville Parks and Recreation Department is organizing a spring adult softball league. Games will be at Bradford Park and play is open to both men’s and co-ed teams. Individual players can register and be assigned to a team.

A coaches meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Parks and Recreation office, 105 Gilead Road. Registration is Feb. 6-10 for returning teams and Feb. 13-March 2 for new and returning teams.  Cost is $470 for a co-ed team and $575 for men’s teams. For information call 704-766-2220 or email jbrock@huntersville.org.

Girls softball tryouts

The Lake Norman Fury girls fastpitch softball program will hold tryouts for its 10-and-under team Feb. 3, 10 and 17. Call Tony Mele at 980-721-7550 for details, or see the website lakenormanfury.com.

Tryouts for Copperheads baseball

Copperheads Baseball, a nonprofit organization, will hold tryouts for its summer showcase teams, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Denver Batting Center, 2643 Hwy. 16 N. If you plan to attend or need information, email showcase@copperheadsports.org.