Steve Lyttle

Longtime journalist who's partially come out of retirement ... follows weather, prep sports across North Carolina, Checkers, Knights, and college sports.

[Steve Lyttle @slyttle]

New wrinkles in the bowl sked this year — 2 games on Christmas Eve (one in afternoon, one at night) … and the inaugural Puerto Rico Bowl on Dec 22. NFL will have a Christmas Eve game too.

[Steve Lyttle @slyttle]

The college football bowl schedule is out. The Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte will be at 3:30 pm on Saturday, Dec. 26. It’ll be on ABC. That’s a week earlier than the game was played last bowl season.

[Steve Lyttle @slyttle]

The NC State-UVa football game originally set for Brazil has been moved to Charlottesville. Reason isn't really clear, but I suspect we'll hear more about this before long.

[NC State Football @PackFootball]

NC State's season opener vs. Virginia will be relocated to Charlottesville.

https://t.co/wY1w5VcsLk

[Steve Lyttle @slyttle]

It’s the first softball title for Providence, which won the 8A series 2 games to 1. Providence and Corinth Holders also play for the 8A baseball title, beginning Friday

[Steve Lyttle @slyttle]

Providence surges with 5 runs in the 6th inning and beats Corinth Holders for the NCHSAA Class 8A softball title.

[Steve Lyttle @slyttle]

Cherryville jumps to a 5-0 lead in 2nd inning, but Rosewood battles back for a 6-5 victory in Game 2 of the 2A baseball finals. The deciding Game 3 will be at 5 p.m. today.

[Steve Lyttle @slyttle]

Weddington caps a perfect (27-0) softball season by blanking D.H. Conley 5-0 and winning the Class 7A state championship in two games.

[Langston Wertz Jr. @langstonwertzjr]

Lilly White's big extra inning hit lifts Weddington to a win in Game 1 of the state softball series. More at link below.

[Brad Keselowski @keselowski]

I made him earn every victory and stole a few from him along the way. We took our shots at each other, in the media and on the track. But I’d like to think that somewhere deep down there was an appreciation that we pushed each other to perform at the highest level, even if neither of us would’ve admitted it.

Tonight, I feel a little like the coyote with no more roadrunner to chase. His loss is all of our loss, but none more so than his family’s. Thinking of Samantha, and Brexton and Lennix who lost their father today.

[Jimmie Johnson @JimmieJohnson]

Kyle Busch wasn’t just one of the fiercest competitors our sport has ever seen, he was one of the most talented race car drivers I’ve ever shared a track with. We spent years as teammates at Hendrick Motorsports, and even as competitors, there was always a deep respect for what he could do behind the wheel. 
Kyle pushed all of us to be better. His passion, intensity, and love for racing were unmatched, and his impact on this sport will be felt forever.

I'll always remember the many laughs and conversations away from the spotlight, and most importantly the way he cared so deeply about his family.

My heart goes out to Samantha, Brexton, Lennix, Kurt, his parents, many teammates across the industry, fans and everyone who loved Kyle.

NASCAR lost one of its greatest talents today, and we've all lost a friend.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr. @DaleJr]

Kyle and I had a really challenging existence for many years. But we luckily took the time to figure out our differences and that was something he instigated with a conversation in his bus around how we each managed our racing teams. I was super eager for us to get on better terms. But it was he who made the effort for that to be possible. We did some media together also to laugh through some of the things we put each other through many years ago. Most recently we had even been discussing him running my Late Model at Wilkesboro this summer. He seemed extremely happy and we had planned to meet up next Thursday to get his seat to the shop. He laughed over the idea of his fans and JRM fans having to cheer in unison during that race.

Kyle was one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. No one can deny that. But he was also a father, a husband, brother, son, and a friend to many. My heart is broken for the Busch family. I will never be able to make sense of this loss but I am thankful that we had found a way to become friends.

[NC State Baseball @NCStateBaseball]

30 unforgettable years, one storied career and a lasting impact on our program.

Legendary NC State Head Coach Elliott Avent announces his retirement following the conclusion of the 2026 season.

Release 📰: https://t.co/UwSiJyYAnF

[Langston Wertz Jr. @langstonwertzjr]

The Observer reviewed several photos of other athletes who participated in the state championships Saturday and found many had similar celebrations to the one that got Mallard Creek disqualified.

View at link below:

https://t.co/Y0OL4Og6AT

[Steve Lyttle @slyttle]

@jimszoke Prayers for you and the family. It sounds like you've got some great memories that will help comfort you.

[Gary Ellington @mgelling4977]

I am retiring this year after more than 20 years in public education. I’ve learned one truth above all others: kids need high standards, accountability, and adults willing to challenge them to become better.

We are losing that in our public schools at an alarming rate in both the classroom and the athletic arena. Too often, when our teachers and coaches demand discipline, accountability, and character, they become targets simply because some people don’t get their way or others are not willing to put forth the same effort. I have seen this time and time again, especially over the last 5-6 years.

If you want to see what real leadership in education looks like, take a look at Scott Clemons the Head Baseball coach at North Stanly High School in Stanly County, NC. Coaches like him don’t just build teams, they build young men of character, responsibility, and resilience. Those are the people in education we should be supporting, not running off. We should be celebrating the success of high school programs that families want to be a part of instead of tearing them down. No matter if it is a baseball team, a Debate Club or a theater program.

What school systems do not understand or seem to care about is when you attack a coach who has built a bond and relationship with his players the way Scott has, you are truly affecting the children. If we are in education for the right reason and want whats best for our kids then we need to back and support our most valuble assets. When you are willing to run off the best of the best in caring for young people, public schools are in danger.

@_NSBaseball, @NSHS_Comets, @StanlySchools, @Clemdawg9, @MoGreenNCDPI, @NC_Governor, @NS_BoosterClub, @langstonwertzjr

[NWS Fairbanks @NWSFairbanks]

☀️ Today in Utqiagvik (the northernmost city in the United States), the sun rose above the horizon at 2:57 AM and won’t set again for 84 straight days or until August 2nd! Here's a look at a timelapse showing the sunset and sunrise this morning. #akwx

[Steve Lyttle @slyttle]

No Triple Crown sweep this year.

[Cherie DeVaux @reredevaux]

Preakness announcement

[Langston Wertz Jr. @langstonwertzjr]

My 2C: If you're kid is not on a travel team that's covering expenses, like a shoe-sponsored basketball team (and not the 'silver' team), I wouldn't tote my kid around America playing youth sports. Stay home and play up.

With the new NCAA 5-year eligibility rule (apparently) coming and the transfer portal, the opportunities for D1 rides for high school kids are limited and most D2 and D3 teams are not at those events you're paying hundreds to go to.

There's plenty of local competition that doesn't require a hotel stay, $50 per person entry fee and a $30 for parking.

And in a little bit, we're going to have a state-of-the-art youth sports facility at the old Eastland Mall.

[NWS Columbia @NWSColumbia]

We have had 6.03" of precipitation since January 1 at Columbia, SC. It has not been this dry to start a year since 1911.

[Brad Panovich @wxbrad]

Not shocking, but still here are the numbers. This is the driest start to the year, Jan 1-Apr 23, on record in #Charlotte. (1878-2026) #drought #cltwx #ncwx #wcnc