MCSC U14 Storm narrowly defeated

The U14 Storm fell to the RCSA Rutherford Rumble, 2-1, in a close, physical match on March 16. The Rumble had the Storm on the defensive early, and scored two in quick succession in the first half - one on a fast break throw-in and one on a touch foul in the box. The Storm raised their game in the second half, leading to an Angel Chavez score on an assist by Kyle Knop. Despite the improved play and several promising attacks, the Storm did not find the net again.

The season’s first scheduled recreational releases at the typically de-watered West Fork Bypassed Reach of the Tuckasegee River near Glenville, N.C., are scheduled for April 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The releases will be set at 250 cubic feet per second, the optimal flow for whitewater paddling. The increase in water level will vary, but is not expected to exceed one foot in most places.

Limited parking will be available at Lake Glenville, along Pine Creek Road near the trailhead, for the approximately one-mile hike to the kayak put-in. Some designated parking will be provided near the takeout. Paddlers should plan to make arrangements for pickup and dropoff.

When it comes to fans' perception of a particular athlete, what a difference a few months can make. Just ask Joey Logano.

The 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season was a pivotal one for Logano. His Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team hired 2003 Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth away from Roush Fenway Racing to replace Joey in the No. 20 Toyota midway through the year, making the young driver a lame NASCAR duck looking for a new flock.

Meanwhile, a failed drug test resulted in the suspension of A.J. Allmendinger, driver of the No. 22 car for Penske Racing. Pretty much any unemployed or semi-employed driver you can think of - guys like Brian Vickers and David Ragan come to mind - were considered for the seat, but in the end Logano was chosen as the man for the job.

Vickers to drive thereafter

Not so fast, says Michael Waltrip Racing. A day after Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Mark Martin would replace Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry "while Hamlin recovers from an L1 compression fracture," MWR issued a release saying that Martin would return to Waltrip's No. 55 Toyota after subbing for Hamlin in the Apr. 7 race at Martinsville.

Instead, Brian Vickers, who has a nine-race deal with MWR in the No. 55, will fill in for Hamlin starting Apr. 13 at Texas.