North Carolina

Brown sisters ready to boost Gophers soccer

Published

1 year ago

July 16, 2023

Brown sisters ready to boost Gophers soccer

They could have spent the rest of summer at home in North Carolina. They could have stayed through last weekend and played for the North Carolina Courage in the USL W League playoffs.

Instead, the Brown sisters, their parents and their two dogs packed into their Mazda SUV last week and made the 20-ish hour drive to Minnesota so Izzy and Amelia, two key players for the Gophers soccer team, could start working out and practicing with their teammates.

Izzy, a forward, is a graduate student working on her master’s in sports management and a senior in terms of eligibility. Amelia, three years younger, is a sophomore midfielder who wants to build a career in soccer.

How did two talented kids from North Carolina, at least one of whom doesn’t like cold weather, wind up in Minnesota? Izzy, who transferred from North Carolina after her sophomore season, said they have extended family in the area, and “Minnesota has been like a second home — I visited a lot when I was growing up. So this is the place that felt the most comfortable to me.”

Amelia and Izzy played little soccer together as children because of their age difference, and Amelia wanted to change that. It’s a decision she regrets only when her face is freezing.

“I actually committed first, and then Izzy went through the transfer portal,” Amelia said.

Amelia was just asked the question that all Minnesota sportswriters are obligated to ask athletes who are not “from here”: How do you deal with the cold?

“You just made me mad,” Amelia said. “It’s so bad. So, so bad. It’s so cold. I mean, in North Carolina, I put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt and go outside. Here there’s so much snow, it’s so icy. I just can’t take it. But the people are amazing, which makes it bearable.

“I remember when they first called me, I said, ‘I’m not going to Minnesota — it’s too cold.’ Then I loved the people and decided this is what I really wanted to do. I regret nothing, but my Mom would always say, ‘You’ll get used to it.’ I haven’t yet.”

Amelia said she didn’t particularly like school, either. She is thrilled, though, with the soccer program.

The Gophers were a .500 team overall and in the Big Ten last year. The Brown sisters hope to improve that winning percentage.

Izzy won the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award, was Academic All-Big Ten and is on the conference’s Preseason Players to Watch List.

Amelia started 10 games last season as a freshman and wants to play professionally.

Their father knows something about winning. Chucky Brown played in the NBA for 13 seasons and won a title with the Houston Rockets. Now he’s the head coach at Division II St. Augustine’s University in North Carolina.

“I would say our parents didn’t really have much of an influence on us in terms of choosing a sport,” Amelia said. “We played because it’s really fun. And I honestly hated basketball, so I’m glad my dad didn’t force me to play.

“I hated the fouling and that you couldn’t touch the other person. In soccer, you get to tackle and hit people. I like the physicality.”

The Brown sisters chose to play for the Courage because of the convenience to their parents’ home, and the Courage will play in the league championship game on Saturday against Indy Eleven.

Despite the Courage’s success, they are not the marketing success story that the Minnesota Aurora have been. “It’s not really the same,” Amelia said. “Because last year, I swear, everywhere you looked there were Aurora jerseys and stuff.”

The Browns would like to bring that kind of notoriety to their Gophers team, and give local women’s soccer fans reason to buy a different jersey.

“Right now, I’m just thinking about us getting a Big Ten championship,” Amelia said.

“I think we are going to be so great,” Izzy said. “We are super excited for this season.”

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North Carolina

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

Published

1 hour ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a tropical depression over Cuba. It’s expected to become a tropical storm later Saturday, bringing impacts to the Carolinas around the middle of next week.

Heavy rainfall and flooding are the primary impacts expected, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

“Gusty winds are also possible, but it is too early to predict specific impacts in great detail at this time,” the weather service said.

At the same time, there is the potential for heavy rainfall and some flooding associated with front expected to stall inland this weekend.

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the center of the tropical depression, which would be name Debby if it becomes a tropical storm, was over Cuba and moving west-northwest near 15 mph. The hurricane center said a turn toward the northwest is forecast for Saturday, followed by a northward motion on Sunday and then a slower northeastwardmotion Sunday night and Monday.

Maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph. Slow strengthening is expected throughout the day Saturday. Faster strengthening is possible Sunday, with the storm nearing hurricane strength when it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.

STORM TRACKER: Monitor the latest tropical developments here.

Here’s a look at what we can expect in the Wilmington area, according to the latest briefing from the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

Wind

The probability of tropical storm force winds has increased, especially for the South Carolina coast. The most likely time of arrival of for northeast South Carolina is Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and for Southeastern North Carolina is during Wednesday morning.

Rain

The potential for significant rainfall exists with 8 to 12 inches possible from near Cape Fear to portions of thenortheast South Carolina coast. Flash flooding and urban flooding are possible. Some rivers, including the North Cape Fear River and the Waccamaw River, could exceed flood stage next week.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Enter your address to see hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed nearby

Marine impacts

Rough surf, including dangerous rip currents, and hazardous marine conditions are expected this weekend and will persist into the upcoming week.

Are you prepared for a hurricane?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Even if this system won’t pose a threat to the NC coast, it’s never too early to be prepared.

GET READY: Are you prepared for a hurricane? Here’s what to know if you live in the Wilmington area.

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North Carolina

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

Published

8 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

As of the 5 AM update Friday, Tropical Depression Four has formed. Areas along the East Coast including North Carolina need to continue monitoring this system. Winds are at 30 MPH and gusts are up to 40 MPH. The pressure dropped to 1009 mb and is moving to the west at 16 mph. TD 4 is expected to become Tropical Storm Debby over the weekend. Tuesday night and Wednesday are First Alert Weather Days due to the threat to ENC from this system but we may need to adjust the timing as we get closer.

The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center continues to show ENC in the cone of uncertainty.(WITN)

It’ll move slowly before escaping to the north next week. As it moves up the East Coast, there’s a lot more uncertainty about the track and threats. We expect the track of this system to change through the weekend and even into next week. If ENC sees impacts from this system, they’d likely come mid-week. The longer this system stays over land, the weaker it’ll be. It’ll have the chance to strengthen if it moves back over open water, especially if it moves over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

Storms are possible Saturday through Monday as a developing tropical system gets closer.(WITN)

The speed of this system is just as important as the strength. The quicker it moves through, the less rain piles up. If it slows down or stalls, higher rainfall amounts would be expected. Our river levels have dropped a bit since July’s wet weather, but levels are still higher than what you’d find in a typical August.

What We Know, What We Don't — What We Know, What We Don’t(WITN)

This is a reminder that we are heading into the heart of the hurricane season and to make sure your emergency supplies are ready.

Stay with WITN and WITN.com as we continue to track this system over the coming days and monitor the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

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North Carolina

Alabama man on work trip stops to buy $3 quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot

Published

15 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Alabama man on work trip stops to buy quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot

Christopher Baker of Leesburg, Alabama was on a work trip in Hickory, North Carolina, when he thought he’d try his luck on a lotto game. It turned out to be a lucrative Powerball win.

An Alabama man on a work trip in North Carolina bought a $3 Quick Pick Powerball ticket on a whim and walked away with a six-figure windfall.

Christopher Baker of Leesburg in northeastern Alabama bought his lucky ticket in July in Hickory, North Carolina, where had been traveling for work, according to Powerball.

When the numbers were drawn, Baker says he had to do a double-take when he realized he had a $100,000 winning ticket. He had matched four white balls and the red Powerball, which would have been $50,000, but a 2X multiplier doubled the win and the disbelief.

“I just kept looking at it to make sure I was reading it right,” he laughed, according to Powerball. “I told my family but they didn’t believe me. either.”

Baker, who called his win “a shocker.” said he plans to save his winnings to buy a house.

Baker will take home $71,501 after federal and state taxes are withheld.

How to play the Powerball

In order to purchase a $2 Powerball ticket, you’ll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.

To play, you will need to pick six numbers in total to mark on your ticket. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from numbers 1 to 69. The Powerball is red and one number which is between 1 and 26.

If you want to increase your chances of winning, you can add a “Power Play” for $1 which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. This addition can multiply winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.

Players can also ask a cashier for a “Quick Pick” where a cashier will give you a computer generated numbers on a printed Powerball ticket.

Drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If there’s no jackpot winner, the cash prize will increase by millions.

Where to purchase tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

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