In 2002, I hope that. . . The Carolina Panthers Strengthen the Weakest Links. Going for them are quarterback Chris Weinke, the late-season play of the offensive line and special teams. Leadership? Running game? Defense? Bring them up to respectability and black-and-blue will return to being merely a description of the team’s colors — not a commentary on its struggling fortunes. The Charlotte Knights Hit A Homerun. The AAA baseball team can do that by moving uptown or to nearby Dilworth — both central locations in the city bearing the team’s name. Where the money will come from for a minor league stadium is the big question mark.
The Homing Instinct Returns to the Charlotte Hornets and Charlotte Sting. The Hornets can zero in on their future not only by turning around their record at the Charlotte Coliseum this season (only four wins in first 12 home games) but by finding a way to stay in Charlotte.
Dream Catching Continues. Terry Mauney, best known as a WBTV broadcaster, has been realizing his pro golf aspirations.
We’ll See A Sting Farewell Season If the Hornets Leave. The Sting could play a farewell season this summer in Charlotte. After all, at this point, how can the Sting muster the marketing campaign it needs in a new city when the WNBA draft is only three months away (April 19) and league play begins late May? By the way, if the Hornets relocate, the Sting may not go with them. San Antonio would like to be the Sting’s next home and looks like a strong possibility if Charlotte bids adieu to the Hornets.
NASCAR Really Does “Get It” On Improving Safety. At least the organization is showing signs of interest, which is an improvement.
Jennifer Capriati Builds On Her Dramatic Career Turnaround. Once the poster child for teenage tennis players gone bad, Capriati was the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year after taking the Australian and French Open titles in 2001.
Charlotte’s Minor League Hockey Team Stays In Check. That is, the Charlotte Checkers keep delivering affordable, fun entertainment in Charlotte. We don’t need more teams on the brink of leaving or playing under the city’s name in another town and state. With two ownership groups vying to keep a hockey franchise here, odds look good that the puck will keep flying at Cricket Arena.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig Is Required to Take Truth Serum. When he cried the blues before Congress this fall over the financial state of the game, it was embarrassing. Pardon me, but even though money’s been lost in the short term by many teams, the worth of franchises has risen so handsomely, the owners who weren’t multimillionaires before likely are now.
The LPGA Gets Local Drive Time. Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb and the women’s pro golf tour would likely find their way back to Charlotte if a title sponsor could be sewed up for an event.
The Tar Heels Get Their Groove Back. Somebody has to give Duke and Maryland a run for their money in the men’s basketball race in the Atlantic Coast Conference. If the Tar Heels can play as they did in romping over Texas A&M 96-62 on December 30, the sky over Chapel Hill could shift from gray to baby blue.
Hill Is Granted A Stay from Injury. Former Duke star Grant Hill deserves good health for a change. He has missed most of last season and this one with a foot injury, and has yet to join Tracy McGrady in leading the Orlando Magic out of mediocrity. Hill had surgery December 21 to remove bone spurs in his ankle and will wear a cast about a month.
The 49ers Get Inside Information. If Charlotte’s men’s basketball team can solidify its post play, it could make a run for the Conference USA title.
The Wind Has Shifted For Charlotte’s Women’s Basketball Team. It’s now on track to finish with its first winning record since 1994, posted not long after Bill Clinton’s first year in office.
Chris Leak Finishes With A Flourish. One of the best high school quarterbacks in the US, the Independence High star will accumulate even more accolades next fall in his senior season provided he stays healthy. But topping his sophomore and junior seasons could be tough. Both were state title years, and Independence is losing its top receiver (Mario Raley) and top running back (Mario Crowe) to graduation.
Andy Roddick Becomes Tempered Steel. The rising American tennis star needs to become that way after blow-ups in 2001 proved he was aluminum foil at critical competitive moments. Remember his late-night crumple against eventual tournament winner Lleyton Hewitt at the US Open? The match was a tossup until Roddick lost control over a controversial call.
There’s An End To ACL Hell. “Torn anterior cruciate ligament” has been a depressing theme in injury reports in pro and women’s basketball over the last decade. More in-depth research and training regimens to offset the problem are desperately needed. These injuries have been around long enough that we ought to know how to prevent them.
We Could See More of Venus and Serena. In past years, the Williams sisters have played mostly Grand Slam tournaments and only a few others. While fans yearn for more opportunities to see the talented young players, perhaps the limited schedule will stave off burnout and injuries.
Nikki Teasley Can Keep the Demons At Bay. The talented guard on North Carolina women’s basketball team is doing well on the court so far this season. She appears to be managing the chronic depression and anxiety that led to her missing all of last season and part of the previous one.
The 2002 Winter Olympics Come Off Without A Hitch. Given the charged political atmosphere internationally, the last thing we need is threats, violence or destruction in Salt Lake City. So far, the big problem has been Utah’s looting of federal tax money ($1.5 billion) to help pay for the games. That difficulty rests with our lawmakers in Washington, DC. *
This article appears in Jan 12-18, 2002.
