12/28/21 Sports Wrap-Up
NFL: Week 16 in the NFL wrapped up last night as the Miami Dolphins continued to roll. Miami won their eighth in a row, 20-3, over the suddenly inept New Orleans Saints.
The Carolina Panthers continued their losing way, losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-6. That was number five in a row for Carolina. Week 17 will have the Panthers facing the New Orleans Saints, both teams have been struggling as of late. This game was originally scheduled for prime time but has been moved back to a 4:25pm start on FOX.
There are no Thursday or Saturday games week 17 in the NFL.
Sunday night’s game of the week is the Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay at 8:20pm on NBC. The Packers have the league’s best record at 12-3. This game is expected to be played under the harshest temperatures of the season. The game time temperature is expected to be three degrees, with a real feal of minus eight degrees. No precipitation is expected.
Cleveland heads to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on Monday night. This games coverage is on ESPN/ABC, kick-off is 8:15pm.
NHL: The NHL hopes to get games back underway, after being slowed down by the holidays and Covid-19.
Carolina hopes to drop the puck Thursday night as they host the Montreal Canadians at 7pm
BOXING: Sad news out of the boxing world. Pro boxer Danny Kelly Jr. was shot to death on Christmas Eve, in what is being reported as a road rage incident. Danny was on his way to a family dinner with his girlfriend and three children when a car rolled up alongside them, opened fire and then sped away. The crime was called in to the police at 4:40pm, when the police arrived Kelly was slumped over in the driver’s seat. They tried some emergency procedures on the scene and transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. There is a $25,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
NBA: Last night the Hornets were back to action tonight as they defeated the Houston Rockets at the Spectrum Center 123-99. Terry Rozier led all the Hornets and all scorers with 27 points, he also had 4 rebounds and 5 assists. LaMelo Ball had a good game leading the team in assists with 7, he also added 16 points and 5 rebounds. Mason Plumley took down the most rebounds with 9, he also added 15 points and 3 assists. The Hornets are on the road in Indiana tomorrow night to face the Pacers.
NCAA: Men’s Football
Quick Lane Bowl the Western Michigan Broncos defeat the Nevada Wolfpack 52-24 in yesterday’s lone game. There are five bowl games scheduled for today.
The Birmingham Bowl is already underway as the Auburn Tigers are hosting the Houston Cougars.
The First Responder Bowl is at 3:15pm. The Air Force Falcons will face the Louisville Cardinals.
The Liberty Bowl is 6:45pm. The Texas Tech Red Raiders host the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
The Holiday Bowl is tonight at 8:00pm. The North Carolina State Wolfpack versus the UCLA Bruins.
The Guaranteed Rate Bowl wraps up the night at 10:15pm. The West Virginia Mountaineers will face the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
LOCAL SPORTS: The Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball programs get back into action today.
Boys Basketball
The winless Stallions go into the swamp to face the struggling Gators. South Columbus is 0-11 on the season and East Columbus is 2-6. The game is scheduled for a 7pm tip-off
The 6-2 Whiteville wolfpack will host the 5-3 Patriots of Pinecrest with an early start scheduled at 6pm.
Girls Basketball
The Whiteville Lady Wolfpack has a neutral tournament game vs. A tough 6-1 Topsail Pirate team from Hampstead, NC at 6pm today.
No other games are scheduled locally today or tonight.
State Mandates require facial masks for entrance to all high school games
– Vinny Pagano is the Sports Editor for Columbus County News and Sports Director for WTXY Kool 103.9FM & AM1540. Local Sports stories can be sent to [email protected]
