Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame Inducts 2024 ClassMount Holly Sports Hall of Fame Inducts 2024 Class The Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame will honor its 2024 class at a banquet on July 20 at City Hall. The event will recognize the 1979 East Gaston baseball team, track and field standouts Cierra Brooks, Ed Handsel, James Mack, Chais Schenk, and Jamie Summerlin, as well as Vance Furr, who will receive the Community Spirit Award. 1979 East Gaston Baseball Team: Led by coach Jerry Adams, the team achieved several program firsts, including a league title, playoff appearances, and postseason victories. The roster featured four NCAA Division I players, one of whom went on to play professionally. Cierra Brooks: A standout East Gaston girls basketball player from 2003-07, Brooks scored 1,332 career points. She continued her success at Wingate, where she finished with 946 points from 2007-11. Ed Handsel: Handsel won the national archery title in 1962 and dominated state and regional competitions until 1965. James Mack: Mack excelled in football and baseball at the former Reid High School in Belmont from 1958 to 1961. He also played competitive softball and semi-professional football until the 1970s. Chais Schenck: Schenck won MEGA 7 4A Conference and 4A regional titles, along with the NCHSAA 4A state championship in the 112-pound class during his senior year at East Gaston High in 2000. Jamie Summerlin: Summerlin was a catcher for the East Gaston baseball team from 1996-98 before playing at Belmont Abbey from 1999-2003. He has since coached baseball at various levels. Vance Furr: Furr has dedicated himself to youth sports in Mount Holly for decades, serving as an umpire, referee, and coach, among other roles. Tickets for the banquet are $25 and can be purchased online or by contacting the Mount Holly Hall of Fame.
The Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame will induct the 2024 class during a banquet on July 20 at City Hall, 400 E. Central Avenue.
This year’s guests include the 1979 East Gaston baseball team, along with former track and field standouts Cierra Brooks, Ed Handsel, James Mack, Chais Schenk and Jamie Summerlin. The event will also honor Vance Furr with the Community Spirit Award for his many contributions to Mount Holly youth sports over the decades as an umpire, referee and coach, among other duties.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and the banquet begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at fametothename.org/volunteer or by contacting the Mount Holly Hall of Fame at [email protected].
Here you can find more information about this year’s newcomers.
ON THE WAY TO THE BIG LEAGUE?: Cherryville baseball team alumnus selected on final day of 2024 MLB Draft
ZOOM IN HISTORY: These are the trendsetters who make up the 2024 class of the Bessemer City Sports Hall of Fame
1979 East Gaston Baseball Team
Under coach Jerry Adams, the team was responsible for a number of program firsts, including its first league title, playoff appearances and postseason victories. The Warriors’ roster included four NCAA Division I players, with one eventually playing professionally.
Cierra Brooks
A standout East Gaston girls basketball player from 2003-07, she scored 1,332 career points. She followed that up with a four-year career at Wingate, where she finished with 946 points from 2007-11.
Ed Handsel
Handsel won the national archery title in 1962. Until 1965 he was the absolute winner of state and regional competitions.
James Mack
Mack starred in football and baseball at the old Reid High School in Belmont from 1958 to 1961. He also played competitive softball and semi-professional football into the 1970s.
Chais Schenck
Schenck graduated from East Gaston High in 2000 and won MEGA 7 4A Conference and 4A regional titles, along with the NCHSAA 4A state championship his senior year in the 112-pound class.
Jamie Zomerlin
Followed a distinguished career as a catcher for the East Gaston baseball team (1996-98) with a four-year career at Belmont Abbey (1999-2003). He hasn’t strayed too far from baseball since then, serving as a baseball coach for various age groups from youth to high school and American Legion.
