Author: David

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — News reports surfaced on Jan. 7 that former App State running back Nate Noel has committed to Missouri after entering the transfer portal on Dec. 7. Although former App State head coach Eli Drinkwitz was hired by Missouri at the end of the 2019 season and Noel’s first year as a Mountaineer was the following season, it would be a good bet that Drinkwitz became familiar with Noel during the recruiting process.

Noel was a 3-star recruit coming to the Mountaineers, later proving to be a highly productive running back for App State even though he battled through injuries. Entering the 2023 season, Noel had rushed for 2,240 yards and 13 seasons, including nine 100-yard-plus games. In 2021, he played in all 14 games and started 10 of them, leading the Sun Belt Conference with 1,126 rushing yards. Although his 2023 campaign was hindered by injuries, he managed 851 yards in 173 rush attempts, including five TDs.

Other prominent names to enter the transfer portal from App State include wide receivers Dashaun Davis, Milan Tucker and Coen Sutton, as well as quarterback Ryan Burger, who won the starting job in the preseason but lost it to Joey Aguilar after getting injured in the first game of the 2023 season.

Other than Noel, the only other former Mountaineers to commit elsewhere as of Jan. 7 are Tucker to Florida Atlantic, offensive lineman Seth Williams to East Tennessee State, defensive lineman Donovan Spellman to Charlotte, and cornerback James Edwards to Tennessee Tech.

New commitments to App State include wide receiver William Fowles from Louisville, outside linebacker Thomas Schrader from Florida State, cornerback Jason Chambers from North Carolina Central, wide receiver Zavier Short from South Carolina, offensive lineman Michael Marotta from Valdosta State, and defensive back Avarion Cole from North Carolina A & T.

By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C. — If Thursday’s performance wasn’t “App State’s brand of basketball,” then Saturday’s (Jan. 6) showing certainly was. The Mountaineers’ women’s basketball team dominated South Alabama, 96-49.

Faith Alston led the way again for App State as she scored 30 points for the second time this season. J’Mani Ingram (12) and Alexis Black (11) also reached double-digit points, while Samantha LaFon and Ingram grabbed seven rebounds each. Zada Porter was the key distributor for the Mountaineers, dishing out a game-high five assists.

South Alabama sophomore guards Michiyah Simmons (11) and Kelsey Thompson (10) led the Jaguar scoring effort, while redshirt senior center Zena Elias grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.

The first quarter proved to be the closest the game would ever get as App State went into the first media break with a five-point lead. Later in the period, both teams went on scoring droughts, with the Mountaineers’ misfortune coming to an end with a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Alston. App State took a 27-18 lead into the next frame.

App State made a statement in the second period. Following Alston’s three-pointer at the first quarter buzzer, the senior guard scored eight more points in a 2:47 time frame to set the tone for the Mountaineers. South Alabama was only able to score four second-quarter points compared to App State’s 23, and the Mountaineers extended their advantage to a 50-22 lead at intermission.

This is the standard, regardless of what type of team it is…

With the game falling apart for the Jaguars early, they looked to make up some ground in the third quarter. That effort proved unsuccessful, though, as South Alabama’s lone streak of seven consecutive points was immediately matched by an App State 7-0 streak, scored entirely by Alston. The Mountaineer lead was pushed to 35 entering the fourth and final quarter.

With the game out of reach for South Alabama, App State used the final period to give their reserves playing time. Even with a less experienced group on the floor for the Mountaineers, they still outscored the Jaguars. App State freshman MaKenzie Drout scored six points in the final ten minutes. The Mountaineers ended the game with a 47-point margin, their largest of the day.

App State head coach Angel Elderkin gave her thoughts on the win over South Alabama following a difficult loss last time out, at home vs. Texas State two days earlier.

“Just really proud of the way that our team responded,” Elderkin said. After Thursday’s game we knew that, in the Sun Belt, it’s a very quick turnaround.”

Alston shared how important it was for the players to get back into the win column.

“The importance coming into today was really to come back like a bounce-back type of game,” Alston said. “Like, come back, be us, wash that loss behind us.”

At the end of the day… there’s a bus driver and it is faith alston.

Alston also explained what the expectation is for the team going forward.

“This is the standard, regardless of what type of team it is, who we’re playing, the name of the team, the name of the conference,” Alston said. “Whoever it is, we step on the floor, we treat it like a playoff game, like we’re only playing one game and that’s it.”

Alston finished Saturday’s game with 30 points, the second most she’s scored in a game behind her 31-point performance against Mercer earlier this season. Elderkin had high praise for the senior guard.

“At the end of the day, when you watch App State basketball, there’s a bus driver and it’s Faith Alston,” Elderkin said. “We go as she goes. She plays with so much passion and so much energy and our team just thrives. Everybody talks about her points and, yes, she had a 30-point game and it’s exceptional. But her leadership in the huddles, her leadership on the floor, that’s what was truly exceptional and that’s what got us this big victory today.”

Because of App State’s dominating lead, many younger or less experienced players received playing time. Thirteen Mountaineers saw action, the most in any game this season.

Graduate guard Mariah Frazier spoke on what it meant to see her teammates in action.

“It was really joyful to see them actually go out there,” Frazier said. “They work really hard in practice, they make sure that we’re prepared for the game, so, them getting that reward today, being able to play was just really great. Shout out to everybody that got in, it was a great team win, for sure.”

As a team, App State shot 51% from the field while holding South Alabama to a 28% clip. The Mountaineers forced 18 Jaguar turnovers, and out-rebounded South Alabama, 51-39. App State’s 96 points is the most they’ve scored in a game in the 2023-24 season, while South Alabama’s 49 points is the fewest the Mountaineers have allowed on the campaign.

With the loss, South Alabama extends its losing skid to five consecutive games. The Jaguars fall to 7-8 overall, and remain winless in Sun Belt play, at 0-3. South Alabama will look to put an end to their winning drought Thursday (Jan. 11), as they travel to take on ULM. Tip-off is slated for 6:00p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.

App State’s victory gives the Mountaineers their third in the last four games. The Mountaineers improve to 8-6 overall, with a 2-1 Sun Belt record. App State will travel to Statesboro for a rivalry match with Georgia Southern next. Thursday’s (Jan. 11) matchup will tip-off at 6:00p.m. and can also be streamed on ESPN+.

By Matt Present. BOONE, N.C. — Following nine prior seasons as a collegiate pitching coach and four months serving the Mountaineers’ baseball program as the Director of Operations – Pitching Performance, Jim Leggett has been promoted to serve as App State’s pitching coach, head coach Kermit Smith announced on Jan. 5.

“My wife and I already feel like the High Country is home, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be the next pitching coach at App State,” Leggett said. “The vision of Coach Smith, the athletic department and the University make this unbelievably exciting to be a part of.

“Thank you to Coach Smith and everyone involved for believing in me for this opportunity. I cannot wait to continue carving this path of helping our student-athletes become the best they can be. If we keep that as our focus, I firmly believe we will compete at the highest level of college baseball right here in Boone.”

“Jim is a winner,” Smith said. “He has done everything from winning a state championship as a high school player to competing in the NCAA II and JUCO World Series four times as a coach and player. He has coached eight pitching staffs and four of them have finished in the top-two in their respective conferences. Most importantly he is a great person. He and his wife, Kate, will affect our program and community in a positive way.”

Leggett takes over for Ricky Meinhold, who was hired by the Toronto Blue Jays organization after formerly working for the New York Mets.

Since joining the Mountaineers in December, Leggett has been instrumental in working with App State pitchers in the new state-of-the-art pitching lab, which opened this fall, and is used to improve pitching performance and aid in injury prevention.

Prior to joining the App State staff in September, Leggett served as the pitching coach at Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville, Tenn., where he helped lead the Trojans to three consecutive 30-win seasons, including a 2021 Division II College World Series berth, followed by a 37-win campaign the following season. In 2023, the Trojans claimed another division title, with two of Leggett’s weekend starters earning all-conference recognition with sub-3.00 ERAs.

During his four full seasons at Trevecca Nazarene, Leggett developed 10 all-conference pitchers, including a pair of all-region honorees and one All-American. His 2021 staff boasted a team ERA of 4.30, which led the conference and ranked as high as eighth nationally during the season.

A native of Rocky Mount, N.C., Leggett was an all-state pitcher and state champion at Rocky Mount High School before beginning his college career in 2009 under Smith at Belmont Abbey, which made it to the Division II College World Series.

Leggett then transferred to Pitt Community College, where he again made a College World Series appearance as a pitcher the following year. Leggett received his associate’s degree from Pitt Community College in 2011 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from East Carolina in 2014.

In 2015, Leggett began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant and pitching coach in Greenwood, S.C., on a Lander staff with Smith as the head coach and Britt Johnson as an assistant. Leggett helped Lander’s pitchers post a 3.98 ERA that led the Peach Belt in 2016 on the way to a College World Series appearance and a program-record third-place finish in the national rankings.

Leggett went on to become a full-time pitching coach at Francis Marion in Florence, S.C., from 2017-18, helping the Patriots to an 18-2 start during the 2017 season, their best start in program history.

What they’re saying about Leggett…

“Coach Leggett was an important part of my career; through college and professional baseball. There were tools that Coach implemented into my pitching development that helped me. Whether that was helping me doing a daily routine, to pitch design, or the mental side of pitching, Coach Leggett brought his own twist to a game that is changing constantly and made it consistent throughout my career. I’m grateful for the time I had with him and I know that Appalachian State’s pitching staff will be grateful to have him.”

– Brandon White (12th Round Draft Pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2016 out of Lander University)

“I’m excited for the players and the future of the program with the promotion of Jim Leggett to pitching coach. We have worked alongside each other for the last four months and I know he will continue to maximize the development of each individual he is tasked to lead. He’s had success at every step of his journey, and I know that will continue in this new role here at App State. This is a special place with special people, and I’m excited to watch Jim lead this pitching staff to perform at a high level, now and into the future. I am here to support him every step of the way! Congratulations Jim, and Go Mountaineers!”

– Ricky Meinhold (Former App State pitching coach, Toronto Blue Jays – Coordinator, Pitching Development)

“Congratulations to Jim Leggett on being hired as the new Pitching Coach at Appalachian State! Jim brings an incredible amount of passion and purpose to the App State Program. His devotion to getting the most out of his players by building meaningful relationships through trust, communication, and preparation is impressive. His growth-oriented mindset and drive to get better are surely going to set the tone for the players, and make a huge impact on the entire program. Though the entire App State Pitching Staff is in great hands, so is the entire App State Program because Jim’s presence and passion is going to rub off on everyone”.

– Alan Jaeger (Jaeger Sports)

By Bret Strelow. BOONE, N.C. — App State alum and staff member Lance Ware has been named an assistant coach overseeing the tight ends, head coach Shawn Clark announced Saturday, Jan. 6.

A title-winning coach who won multiple state championships before returning to his alma mater, Ware has served as App State’s Senior Assistant to the Head Coach since being hired to that position by Eliah Drinkwitz in February 2019. In that role, he has assisted Drinkwitz and Clark with all aspects of organization and running the football program.

“Lance has been an extremely valuable member of our staff for the last five years after a successful run of winning five state championships as head coach at Shelby High School. I’m excited for him to serve in this new role,” Clark said. “He and his family are true Mountaineers. He is a great teacher and mentor of young men who will continue to help us compete for championships and provide a world-class experience.”

In his time on staff since 2019, App State has won a Sun Belt championship, made two additional conference title game appearances, earned four bowl berths and won three bowl trophies.

“I am extremely grateful to Coach Clark and Doug Gillin for giving me the opportunity to lead the tight ends in my new role at App State,” Ware said. “I look forward to continuing our outstanding tradition of excellence on and off the field, while competing for championships.”

As head coach of Shelby High School just outside of Charlotte from 2011-18, Ware compiled a 99-25 overall record over eight seasons and won five state championships in his last six years.

Ware led the Golden Lions to 2A state championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and 2AA state titles in 2016 and 2018. During his eight-year tenure, Shelby went 33-3 in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association playoffs. In 2022, he was inducted into the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame.

During his 22 total seasons coaching at Shelby, the Golden Lions played for 11 state titles, winning eight.

A four-year letterman at App State under head coach Jerry Moore from 1992-96, Ware was the Mountaineers’ long snapper for four seasons. In 1995, Ware helped the Mountaineers go undefeated in the regular season and win a Southern Conference title while playing alongside Clark and two other current FBS head coaches (Georgia State’s Shawn Elliott, Cincinnati’s Scott Satterfield), as well as College Football Hall of Famer Dexter Coakley.

Ware and his wife, Catherine, have three children – Reece, Stockton and Presley.

WARE AT A GLANCE

Coaching Experience
1997-2000: Shelby H.S. (Assistant coach)
2001-10: Shelby H.S. (Defensive coordinator)
2011-18: Shelby H.S. (Head coach and athletic director)
2019-23: App State (Senior assistant to the head coach)

Playing Experience
1992-96: App State (Long snapper)

Alma Mater: App State, 1997
Hometown: Shelby, N.C.
Birthdate: Dec. 13, 1973
Wife: Catherine
Children: Reece, Stockton, Presley
Twitter: @lgware

MOBILE, Ala. – In a tight matchup between two of the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference on Jan. 4, the App State Mountaineers outlasted the South Alabama Jaguars, 91-84 — in a barn burner that needed overtime to be decided.

The Mountaineers showed poise in the extra five minutes, holding the Jaguars to just two points while forcing two turnovers.

With Thursday’s overtime win, the Mountaineers (11-3, 2-0 SBC) are 2-0 to start Sun Belt Conference play for the first time since Coach Kerns’ first year as head coach and just the second time since 2012. The victory over the Jaguars (8-6, 1-1 SBC) is the third time under Kerns that App State has started its Sun Belt road schedule 1-0.

Five players notched double-figure nights for the Mountaineers on Thursday. The team scored 91 points, which is the most points scored against a Sun Belt opponent under Kerns and the first time in just over three years that App State has scored at least 90 points against a conference foe.

Top Performers
Balanced scoring paced the Mountaineer charge on Thursday as five players reached double figures for the game. Spillers’ 23 points on 11-13 shooting led the way for Coach Kerns’ squad as the junior tallied a season-high against the Jaguars. Terence Harcum played one of his best games of the season, notching 15 points on 6-7 shooting, while hitting timely shots when App State needed a bucket. Myles Tate played the role of floor general nicely for the Mountaineers as he tallied 13 points while dishing out a team-best four assists.

Next Up
App State will take 167 miles up the road to take on the Troy Trojans at Trojan Arena in their next contest on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.

SCORING LEADERS

• SAL – Isaiah Gaiter (29 points)
• APP – Tre’Von Spillers (23)
• SAL – Tyrell Jones (19)
• APP – Terence Harcum (15)
• APP – C J Huntley (14)
• APP – Donovan Gregory (13)
• APP – Myles Tate (13)
• SAL – Elijah Ormiston (10)
• SAL – Thomas Howell (10)

LEADING REBOUNDERS

• SAL – Thomas Howell (10)
• APP – Tre’Von Spillers (9)
• APP – Justin Abson (6)

By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C. — An early, 11-point lead wasn’t enough for App State’s women’s basketball team Thursday night (Jan. 4), as the visiting Texas State Bobcats defeated the Mountaineers, 67-58.

App State had just six point-scorers in their first matchup of 2024. Of those scorers, reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week Chaé Harris led the way with 16 points. Sophomore forward Rylan Moffitt earned a double-double, scoring 11 points to go along with her 11 rebounds. Sophomore guard Alexis Black posted a career-best six steals.

For the Bobcats, graduate guard Ja’Niah Henson recorded a game-high 19 points, while guard Crystal Smith (15) and forward Morgan Hill (12) rounded out the team’s top scorers.

The first quarter was all App State. The Mountaineers opened with stifling defense, allowing just four points by the first media break while forcing seven Bobcat turnovers. App State held Texas State to another four points in the period, taking a 19-8 lead into the second quarter.

The next frame was where Texas State found their stride. The Bobcats weren’t able to come within seven points through the first six minutes of the period, but went on an 8-0 run to bring the game within a point. App State guard Faith Alston drained a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, but The Mountaineers’ 11-point, first quarter lead had all but vanished.

Back-and-forth scoring was the theme of the third period. Neither team was able to score more than four consecutive points. Despite trading blows, App State held their lead through the first eight minutes of the frame. With just under two minutes to the buzzer, though, Henson drained a jumper to give Texas State their first lead of the game. Striking back, App State responded with two quick makes of their own to take a three-point lead into the final quarter.

Things fell apart quickly for the Mountaineers in the fourth quarter. App State got into foul trouble early, putting the Bobcats into the bonus just over four minutes into the period. Texas State used the bonus to immediately go on a 7-0 run, giving the Bobcats a lead that they never gave up. 

Senior guard Faith Alston shared her thoughts as to what went wrong for the Mountaineers, as well as what it will take to get back into the win column.

“We stopped playing us,” Alston said. “These are the times where we need to learn and we need to grow. We need to figure out how to put four quarters together.”

App State head coach Angel Elderkin echoed that thought post-game.

“I just don’t feel like we played our brand of basketball,” Elderkin said. “I’ll tip the cap to Texas State. They are a very good defensive team, but some of our mistakes today were self-made. They were ones that, you know, we did to ourselves.”

Elderkin explained the Mountaineers’ rough second quarter, and gave an insight on the locker room at halftime.

“We played a really good first quarter,” Elderkin said. “And then you look at the second quarter and it was 16-9. At that point, even though we go into halftime ahead, I don’t feel good about the game. I mean, at halftime, my speech was not nice. My speech was trying to motivate a group of players.”

Texas State was without Timia Jefferson, the second-leading Bobcat scorer, but had help filling that role through their bench. Elderkin credited Texas State for playing well despite missing a key player.

“I feel like, in so many ways, they flipped the script,” Elderkin said. “They were a woman down and they had a woman up. They had [Jefferson] not dressed, and then they had a couple role players that go for 12 and 15, and, you know, that’s what it takes to be good.”

As a team, Texas State shot 47%, compared to App State’s 29% mark. The Bobcats out-rebounded the Mountaineers, 45-37, but App State had the advantage on offensive rebounds, grabbing 16 to Texas State’s seven. They just didn’t get the second chance points you might expect from offensive rebounds. App State outscored Texas State in the paint, 30-26, but the Bobcats rode their 33 points off the bench to victory over the Mountaineers.

Texas State’s win marks their 10th on the season, including five of their last six. The Bobcats look to maintain their form Saturday (Jan. 6), as they travel to Atlanta for a matchup with Georgia State. Tipoff is set for 2:00p.m., and the game can be streamed on ESPN+.

The Mountaineers’ play again on Saturday, Jan. 6, taking on South Alabama at the Holmes Convocation Center. The game can also be streamed on ESPN+, and is slated to tip-off at 2:00p.m.