Ira Cronin | Lincoln County Rivalry!

Ira Cronin NewsChannel 36 Sports

There is one thing about any good rivalry, whether it's close to my heart or not, a good rivalry is something to get excited about! On Wednesday I paid a visit to both Lincolnton and Maiden as they get ready for our game of the week and I left both sites so excited, I was ready to suit up and hit someone from the other team, even though I don't have a dog in this fight.

I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, attending Sandia High School, where our fierce rival was Del Norte. I think once you get a good rivalry in your blood, no matter what it is: Yankees/Red Sox, Duke/North Carolina -- you can relate to any good rivalry and get excited!

At Lincolnton, I was so happy to see my friend and Head Coach Scott Cloninger who had open heart surgery after last year's State Championship game. I would have never known he had been through such a taxing procedure. He was the same 'ol Coach Cloninger, barking at his kids, greeting me with that big friendly smile and handshake. The Wolves have lost a lot of kids from last year's Championship team, but there is no question he'll have his kids ready to play!

At Maiden, I had the pleasure of meeting the new Head Coach Brian Brown. Brian learned a thing or two from the legendary coach he's taking over for, Tom Brown, who happens to be his father. Tom Brown is one of a kind, and I cherish the few times I was able to meet him and interview him. His son is a little more low key, at least on my first meeting with him, but it's easy to see he is cut from the same cloth as his dad. He has been an assistant at Maiden under his father for the last 10 years, so he knows all about this rivalry with Lincolnton and he will have his team ready to play as well.

I think it's going to be another great chapter in this historic rivalry and we'll break it down for you completely as our Game of the Week on HS Gametime!

See you then,

Ira

Posted by WCNC  at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)