Thursday, October 1, 2026
®
The World's Local News Source®
Cherryville, NC (WNN) - On Saturday, October 25th, 2025, the 12th Induction Banquet to the Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame was held at the First Baptist Church of Cherryville. As with many First Baptist events in Cherryville, attendees were greeted at the door with smiling faces and the smell of BBQ cooked up by Heath Jackson and other Church members. Scott Harill, the current Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame President, opened the ceremony to a room packed with eager nominees, friends, family, and local sports figures. One of these locals, Danny Eaker, was recognized first for his forty-plus years of announcing baseball in the local area.
To start, Harill opened with a moment of recognition for two individuals of importance to the organization who passed away in 2024. "Floyd Wright, and Dr. Bud Black, and several others got together to form the Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame," noted Harill.
Wright was a keystone in Cherryville sports, starting in 1966 when he became the city's first recreation director. During this time, Wright became known for his efforts in laying the groundwork for amateur softball in Cherryville; he was eventually honored in 2020, with one of the fields at Aaron Moss Park being renamed the Dr. Floyd Wright Softball Field. He served as the Cherryville Sports Hall of President before handing over the title in 2021.
The person he handed that title to was Jerry Hudson, who was the next person honored at the ceremony. "Jerry Hudson will leave a lasting impact on so many around our area and all sports in the Hall of Fame, but particularly in American Legion Baseball."
Hudson was truly known for his love of American Legion Baseball, being inducted into the NC American Legion Hall of Fame in 2021. He is considered one of the primary reasons that Fraley Field continues to undergo renovation and hosts the American Legion NC State Tournament today. Before passing, Hudson served six years as the Area IV baseball director with the American Legion, with many more years in other positions before that. These two men will both be remembered for years to come for their contributions to Cherryville sports.
Attending as a guest speaker, Ralph Roberts, has his roots in Cherryville and grew to playing professionally for ten years with the Atlanta Braves. In his youth, you could find Roberts at the Little League fields or playing basketball with teams like the Runnin Rebels. As Roberts opens, he looks upon his days in Cherryville fondly. Remembering the late nights at the field watching Legion Baseball with the sense of community that only places like this town offer.
Roberts mentioned that throughout his long sports career, "Nothing will ever compete with our '98 American Legion team full of overachievers." He recounts how he grew up with many of these men as his teammates, starting in Little League under the guidance of Coach Bobby Reynolds. Coach Reynolds got to follow them throughout their journey into American Legion Baseball. Roberts admitted to Reynolds that with their families and community behind them, they knew they were going to win the championship.
While Roberts opened the ceremony, Coach Reynolds closed it by speaking on behalf of his 1998 team. The team with 107 home runs consisted of 75% Cherryville players, half of whom were in attendance for the induction. "The deal with this team was 17 players, and every one of them started on their high school team," stated Reynolds when bringing up the tight-knit performance of the '98 team.
Many challenges faced the team of 17 players during the World Series Tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Reynold remembers Roberts complaining about the heat during the tournament, where, during the five-day stint, the temperature never dropped below 100 degrees. Reynolds had to unite the players, as not all teammates got along due to their different backgrounds. Despite these challenges, the team came out not just with the win, but with many of the top hitters of the tournament. Reynolds remembers the '98 team as "One of the best teams we've ever had here."
Sponsored by WCSL, the Cherryville Hall of Fame also honors some of the most devoted hometown sports fans by naming them Fan of the Year. For 2025's banquet, Wes and Vickie Beam were nominated as a couple for this year's spot. With 40 years of coaching and plenty of devotion to athletics, one of the couple's favorite pastimes is attending the American Legion Baseball games at Frayley Field. Wes attributes this to the fact that, growing up on the county line and attending West Lincoln, he didn't have the option to play ball at school. He was able to participate in Cherryville programs before playing football for App State. Since then, Wes has spent over 40 years coaching and enjoying hometown sports.
In his time at Cherryville High School, Roger Beck was voted the best male athlete. He excelled in basketball, football, and track, but also participated in other sports, including tennis and baseball. Beck took the MVP title in track during his sophomore, junior, and senior years of high school, along with a longstanding track record. Then, in 1974 went on to win the Junior Men's Decathlon.
He recalls falling in with organized sports in junior high and seeing that same love for the litany of sports offered to his children and grandchildren throughout his family. Despite participating in three main sports himself, Beck is amazed to see how these programs have expanded to include a wide range of choices. However, he doesn't believe he would've been as good with his teammates and mentions the next award recipient, Larry Giles, as his "right-hand man".
President Scott Harill overheard a conversation as Giles entered the banquet. "He never knew that he was the athlete he was and a star college player. He said that's how humble a man he is." Harill noted this was from a man who likely hadn't seen Giles in 25 years, and this speaks to his character. Giles was part of the CHS class of '68, which makes him part of the first integrated class in Cherryville High School's History. "It was an honor just being there, and the things that I'd done while at Cherryville High, just, it was memorable," Giles stated, recalling his time in high school.
He remembers standing on the door being asked by Coach Bill Hansen if he'd like to participate, which started his involvement in Ironmen Basketball. Standing 6'6" in 1967, Giles was a top scorer and went on to receive All-Southwest Conference Honors that year. He went on to be part of Eastern New Mexico's 1969 NAIA national championship team, becoming the first Gaston County resident to win a national championship.
One of the greatest honors of my life was when the City of Cherryville dedicated the tennis courts in my name. That was surreal." Donna Lavery recalled while receiving her induction. Being a 1975 CHS graduate, Lavery decided she hadn't had enough and spent another 33 years teaching and coaching at Cherryville High. She was known to be a near-permanent fixture in the courts that now bears her name.
Lavery coached both the boys and girls in tennis but also headed the women's basketball and track teams at CHS during her time at Cherryville. She noted that coaching the different genders each came with its own set of challenges; the boys argued over jokes, yet still managed to pull off wins, while the girls caused drama but snapped into a mindset of focus and determination when it counted. Lavery notes how her time with these students helped her grow as well and is thankful for her experience in learning and teaching life lessons as a coach and teacher.
As another of Coach Reynolds' players, Brian McGinnis is no stranger to the baseball diamond. McGinnis recalls coming home from practice and telling his mother he wasn't going back. Despite this, he thanks Reynolds and all his coaches for helping him become a better person in life. In his senior year at Cherryville High School in 1992, McGinnis was recognized as the best hitter with a batting average of .469.
From here, McGinnis went on to play at Brevard College, where in 1994 he earned team MVP with all-conference and all-region honors. While McGinnis's sports career came to an early end due to a season-ending injury, he doesn't lament it. "I think it opened the door to something greater. It led me to my career at Choice Beverage to meet my beautiful wife, Wendy," McGinnis mentions, showing his appreciation for life and all he has received.
Graduating from Cherryville High in 1982, John Warlick is one of many record breakers who found his way back to Cherryville as a coach. In his playing days, Warlick could be found at Post 100 under coach Don Saine or playing football and basketball at CHS. During his high school career, he was voted best pitcher and awarded Mr. Ironman in 1981.
His 1981 American Legion team was the first in 28 years to bring a state championship home to Cherryville. "And he went to USC, Charlotte, where he had nine school pitching records at UNC. He had the lives of professional scouts from many teams looking at him." Harrill noted while introducing Warlick. Before returning to coach in Cherryville, Warlick played in the semi-professional leagues in King's Mountain. "We don't have five buses of ball players coming into a ball game stuff, but we make it work. We've made it work for a long time, and I think we're going to make it work for a long time to come." Warlick stated when looking forward to the future of Cherryville sports.
For further WNN articles and news stories, visit https://wisenewsnetwork.com
For more WNN video news stories, visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisenewsnetwork
Contact WNN at newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com
North Carolina Press Association Member
©️Copyright 2025 Wise News Network. All rights reserved.
