1979 East Gaston baseball team headlines 2024 Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame class

The Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class as part of a banquet July 20 at the city’s municipal complex at 400 E. Central Avenue.

Among this year’s honorees are the 1979 East Gaston baseball team, in addition to former athletic standouts Cierra Brooks, Ed Handsel, James Mack, Chais Schenk and Jamie Summerlin. The event will also recognize Vance Furr with the “Community Spirit Award” for his many contributions to Mount Holly youth sports through the decades as an umpire, referee and coach, along with other duties.

Doors open at 5 p.m., with the banquet getting underway at 6. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at fametothename.org/volunteer or by contacting the Mount Holly Hall of Fame at mounthollyhalloffame@gmail.com .

Here’s more on this year’s inductees.

BIG LEAGUE BOUND?: Cherryville baseball alumnus selected on final day of 2024 MLB Draft

BUZZIN' INTO HISTORY: Here are the trendsetters who make up Bessemer City Sports Hall of Fame's 2024 class

1979 East Gaston baseball team

Led by coach Jerry Adams, the team was responsible for a number of program firsts, including its first league title, playoff appearance and postseason wins. The Warriors’ roster featured four NCAA Division I players, in addition with one eventually playing professionally.

Cierra Brooks

An East Gaston girls basketball standout from 2003-07, she scored 1,332 career points. She followed that with a four-year career at Wingate, where she finished with 946 points from 2007-11.

Ed Handsel

Handsel claimed the national archery title in 1962. He reigned supreme in state and regional competitions through 1965.

James Mack

Mack starred in football and baseball at old Reid High School in Belmont from 1958-61. He also played competitive softball and semi-pro football into the 1970s.

Chais Schenck

A 2000 graduate of East Gaston High, Schenck won MEGA 7 4A Conference and 4A regional titles, along with the NCHSAA state 4A championship his senior year at 112 pounds.

Jamie Summerlin

Followed a standout career as 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 in the years since, serving as a baseball coach for several different age groups ranging from youth to high school and American Legion.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: 1979 East Gaston baseball team headlines 2024 Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame class