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I guess I should have said "supposedly happened". lol I was at the game and the cleats didn't look too long to me!! Wait, on second thought, I couldn't see the cleats from the mud!!!! lol

Salem folks still haven't let the past rest. I work in Salem and wear my Richlands stuff from time to time to work and I got cussed out by a guy walking out of the ballpark one day. Asked me to check my flip flops to see if they were regulation. If I wasn't still around my bosses and such, I'd have told him where he can stick those cleats.

Wow, that's just crazy to cuss someone out from something that happened almost 25 years ago!! Yea, I figured there would be issue with Salem. Just figured it would be some good games!!

With George Wythe coming into the MED, I expect GW-Galax to become one of the regions best rivalries in every sport very quickly.

You encountered the GC bandwagon fans back then. Anytime GC is supposed to be good they come out. Likely be awhile before you see them again.

Not treading on Mac's thread but... Zac Ervin earned another offer yesterday.

Won't get an argument from me. Galax could have done much more with the field, seating, restrooms and concessions with the staggeringly rediculous amount of money they are spending on the turf and storm water collection system.

The longer we're at Ridgeview the more I hate everything about it. Loved the grass at Ralph's house. The worst fields I've ever played on were St. Paul and Hurley. I hate watching games at Ridgeview 163 feet from the field, I could see about as good from my porch at home. Gate City fans back in the day were the worst I ever saw. They seem better now for whatever reason.

UVA Wise/Emory & Henry - should happen every year. How these schools let this series get cancelled is a mind blower from a financial stand point. JIB/Wise Central - Great historical rivalry. Norton and Wise will always be a heated contest.

Big Creek's original field was neat. It was built on the front lawn on the school with bleachers on one sideline and the front steps to the school on the other sideline. There was also a huge green fence with an owl painted on it behind one of the goalposts to separate the field from the railroad tracks

When I was in 9th grade, I was a bench-warmer on the JV basketball team for Gate City. It was the 1983/1984 season. I remember going to Bluefield (for the first time) and playing Graham. I think we won (not sure though), and it must have not been a very close game, because I got to play. I do remember getting to shoot 4 free throws, and I made all 4 of them, which I think was the only points I scored on JV all year. The one thing I remember about that Graham gym was that it had a rubber floor. I had never seen that. That same year, I got to go on the away trip to Grundy (also a first). I will never forget the size of the mountains and the hollows that probably didn't see a whole lot of sun (no slight intended, I was in awe of the topography). Also that same year, I have some unique experiences (but fond memories) of basketball against Lebanon. Earlier in the season, I got to play in a 9th grade game at the old Cleveland gym. I was really into the game, and got about 2 or 3 steals in a row, along with a layup or two, when all of a sudden I felt the urge to talk to Ralph....right in front of our own cheerleaders on the court. The same season, for the Lebanon away game, all but two of our varsity starters got in trouble the game before on the bus ride back, so varsity coach Dave Mason (who came from Rich Valley) suspended several varsity players, including 3 starters and the main reserves. He picked 3 or 4 off the 9th grade team (I was one of them), and used the other 2 starters and reserves who were not suspended. That was the weirdest game...everyone on our team wanted to score. We weren't really in the game, but we weren't being blown out either. Our 2 varsity starters, Craft and Salyer, had scored every one of our points. I had attempted one shot earlier in the game, but it went in and out. Near the end of the game, I got a pass on the baseline from about 10' and rattled the shot home. Lebanon won 82-62. Box score for Gate City: Salyer 31, Craft 29, Flanary 2. I finished the season and did not play basketball again, so I finished my HS varsity career with 2 points. My buddy Tommy Musick (who was an incredible basketball player and finished Milligan as their 2nd leading scorer) kids me that I scored varsity points before he did. I do remember that Lebanon had a really good player named Orlando Early, who I think was a sophomore in 1983/84.