Search Results

< Back Troy Harris 2024 Troy Harris was a true Renaissance Man for the R-S Central Hilltoppers. During his four-year prep career in Rutherfordton (1977-81), Harris played football, basketball and baseball. Upon graduation from R-S, Harris attended Spartanburg Methodist on a baseball scholarship before transferring to Elon to finish his career. Harris is also a member of the Elon Hall Of Fame. Harris made an immediate impact when he arrived in Rutherfordton. He was the starting quarterback on the Hilltoppers’ JV football team as a Freshman and went on to be the signal caller for the varsity squad during the next three seasons. As a result of his exploits on the gridiron, Harris was an All-Conference selection after his Junior and Senior seasons. The skills Harris honed on the football field translated well to the basketball court. After being called up to the varsity team late in his Freshman season, Harris became the Hilltoppers’ starting point guard for the rest of his high school career. Harris was the floor general during the 1979-80 season that saw the Hilltoppers post a perfect 32-0 record and win the 3A State Championship. As a Senior, Harris was named to the All-Tournament Team at the prestigious Freedom Christmas Tournament. When asked what made Harris such a good basketball player, his coach Stacy Lail says, “Troy was one of the most respected players I have ever coached. He was respected by teammates, opponents, fans and even officials. His leadership qualities led us to two State Championship games.” Harris was also a leader on the baseball diamond at R-S. He lettered all four seasons, winning team MVP honors as a Freshman. In addition, Harris was a two-time All-Conference selection, finishing his Hilltopper career with an overall batting average of .497. Harris posted an impressive average of .426 during two summers of playing American Legion baseball with Post 74. Due to his achievements in all three sports, Harris was named The Daily Courier Athlete Of The Year in 1981. Upon graduation from R-S, Harris earned a baseball scholarship to play at Spartanburg Methodist Junior College. Though he was a solid defensive player in the outfield, his real contribution was at the plate. As a Freshman, Harris batted at a .435 clip, with 14 home runs and 28 stolen bases. He helped Spartanburg Methodist qualify for the 1982 Junior College World Series, batting .410 for the Series and being named to the All-Tournament team. Harris then transferred to Elon where he continued to put up impressive numbers. In two seasons with the Phoenix, he hit for a .377 average, garnering 113 hits, including 15 home runs and 18 stolen bases. Harris was inducted into the Elon Hall Of Fame in 2003. Harris and his wife Tonnie have served the local community in Rutherford County in several different capacities for many years. He is currently a Social Worker at Willow Ridge Rehab Center in Rutherfordton.

< Back Bobby Reynolds 2022 Bobby Reynolds is such a baseball coaching legend, he belongs to five different Hall of Fames (Rutherford County, Gaston County, East Rutherford High School, American Legion and North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association), and all of them for good reason. He has found success at every level of America's Past Time from a player to coaching high school and American Legion. Reynolds is a Cherryville, NC native and won two State Championships as a player at Cherryville High School in 1980 and 1982. Upon graduating in 1982, Reynolds went on to play collegiately at UNC-Wilmington, where he was a four-year starter for the Seahawks. During his college career, Reynolds set the single season record for the most doubles and the program mark for the most doubles in a career. After his playing days were over, Reynolds returned toCherryville as an assistant coach and helped guide the Ironmen to the 1992 State Title. After that '92 title, Reynolds became the head coach of the East Rutherford Cavaliers and remained at the helm until retiring in 2020. During that time, Reynolds and the Cavs have claimed 15 conference championships, nine West Regional Titles, three State Runner-Ups and an impressive six State Titles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2016). During his 27 years at East, Reynolds compiled a record of 533-185 for a .748 winning percentage to go with a .720 winning percentage in the postseason. Reynolds also enjoyed success coaching American Legion baseball and he is still going strong after 33 seasons. He began coaching Cherryville Post 100 in 1988 until 1991 before becoming the head coach at Gastonia from 1992-96. While with Gastonia Post 23, Reynolds garnered a 90-53 record. Reynolds returned to coach Cherryville in 1997 and has become synonymous with Post 100’s success over the years. He has led them to 14 Area IV Titles, five State Championships, (1997, 1998, 2003, 2007 and 2011) and a pair of Southeast Regional Titles in 1998 and 2003. By winning those Regional Titles in ‘98 and ‘03, Cherryville advanced to the American Legion World Series, where Reynolds guided them to a second-place finish on both occasions. In all, Reynolds combined coaching record between both high school and Legion baseball is 1308-522, a .715 winning percentage. He is currently the assistant coach at East Rutherford with his son, Cavalier head coach Drew Reynolds. “All the credit for this honor goes to my players,” Reynolds said. “I did not throw, catch or hit a single pitch. It was all them. The thing I’m most proud of is the .720 winning percentage in the playoffs (with East Rutherford). Not many teams can say that.”

< Back Carolyn Dewberry Bratton 2019 Carolyn Dewberry Bratton excelled on local basketball courts during her prep and collegiate careers. She suited up for the Chase Trojans from 1974-78 and finished her time in Henrietta as the program's all-time leading scorer and rebounder with 1,212 career points. She was also named as team MVP and an All-Conference selection. Bratton's production led to her induction into the Chase Athletics Hall of Fame. Bratton crossed county lines to play her college ball at nearby Gardner-Webb University. She played in Boiling Springs from 1978-1982 and put her name in the Runnin' Bulldog record book. During her four year career, Bratton scored 1,928 points which ranks third all-time in Gardner-Webb program history, topping the 30 point plateau twelve times. Her career mark of 923 rebounds is also good enough for third all-time in the GWU record books. In addition, Bratton averaged a double-double during her Runnin' Bulldog career. Her 22.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game average is a GWU program record that has stood for 41 seasons. Bratton garnered several record-breaking individual seasons at GWU on her way to a stellar career. As a junior in 1981, she average a school record 25.3 points per game. The next year, during her senior season, Bratton averaged 12.2 rebounds per contest, which is also a program record. GWU honored Bratton for her accomplishments on October 28, 1995 when she was inducted in the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame.

< Back Vincent Hamilton 2018 A graduate from R-S Central Class of 1980. Hamilton played basketball for Central from 1977-1980. During his high school career, he was All Conference each year, All District in 1978-79 and helped R-S Central win the State 3A Basketball Championship with an undefeated season in 1979. His basketball team uniform was retired in 1983. Hamilton was also a member of the Track and Cross-Country teams 1979-1980. In 1980, he won the FIBA World Cup Silver Medal, and in 1981, he earned the Olympic National Sports Festival Silver Medal. Hamilton attended Clemson University on an athletic scholarship from 1981-1985 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education. While there he was a member of the ACC All Legends Team, All ACC Rookie Team and was named ACC Player of the Week. In 1985, he was Clemson Athlete of the Year. He was selected for the Clemson Basketball All-Time Greats team, the Clemson Hall of Fame 2003, and the 2004 AIl ACC team. Hamilton was a 1985 NBA Draft Pick for the Indiana Pacers. He was named to the Continental Basketball Association All Star team/All Time Most Games Played. He was Team Captain of the CB World Champion Catbirds in 1990 and 1992, and his team uniform was retired in 1994. Hamilton was Director of Basketball Operations and Assistant Coach for the LaCrosse Bobcats 1994-99. Hamilton continues to coach as Founder and CEO of HAMFAMOUS, a health, wellness and fitness company in LaCrosse, WI. "I believe all great life endeavors should have a redeeming social value. Being involved with sports has given me the honor of being in service to many people in all walks of life, from faith to health, education to sports, volunteering to business. Oneness is always the goal I've strived for - serving to bring people together to Oneness," said Hamilton.

< Back Randolph Burton Lattimore 2024 Randolph Burton (Bert) Lattimore was equally at home on the football gridiron and the baseball diamond. The Bostic native excelled at both sports while attending Cool Springs High School from 1950-1954. Upon graduation from Cool Springs, Lattimore attended Duke University in Durham on a football scholarship, where he was a Wide Receiver for the Blue Devils. Lattimore’s strong play led him to be drafted 96th overall in the 1958 NFL Draft, but he turned down the opportunity for a chance to play baseball in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. It was a different era for receivers in the 1950’s, as most college teams employed run-based offenses. That did not stop Lattimore from contributing to the Blue Devil's offense. During his Sophomore season at Duke (1956), Lattimore caught two passes, including a 12-yard touchdown vs The University of Virginia. He also scored a defensive touchdown in that game. In 1957, his number of catches doubled to four, totaling 40 yards. Lattimore’s numbers continued to improve as a Senior in 1958. That year, Lattimore caught a career-best seven passes for 82 yards. Lattimore finished his Duke football career with a flourish, as three of those catches came in the prestigious Orange Bowl vs. Oklahoma, where he caught three passes for 33 yards. Because of the strong finish to his college football career, Lattimore was named 2nd -Team All-ACC by United Press International. He also caught the attention of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and he was drafted 96th overall in the 1958 NFL Draft. Lattimore turned down the opportunity to play in the NFL, opting to play baseball with his remaining college eligibility instead. He played one season on the diamond at Duke and was a solid pitcher for the Blue Devils. In six games during the 1958 season, Lattimore made three starts. He garnered 29 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched, picking up a win and a complete game along the way. Lattimore also made nine plate appearances that season, registering two hits and a run scored. Lattimore’s best college game came against N.C. State where he struck out 8 of 9 batters faced in a 4-3 Duke win. After graduating from Duke, Lattimore signed a professional baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. When asked by a local news outlet if he received a signing bonus, Lattimore replied, “Yes, but it is too small to talk about”. Lattimore played one season of professional baseball in 1959. During that season, he split time between three teams in Johnson City, Tennessee, Elmira, New York and Tampa, Florida. In all, Lattimore pitched in a combined 26 games that season. Following the conclusion of his baseball career, Lattimore entered the military where he attended the U.S. Navy School of Pre-Flight for three and a half years. During his free time, a friend and colleague, Joe Lowder taught Lattimore how to do handstands on the parallel bars and double backflips on a trampoline, further demonstrating his athletic ability. Lattimore currently resides in Meraux, Louisiana.

< Back Charles "Dean" Huffstickler 2023 Charles “Dean” Huffstickler not only had an outstanding athletic career in the ring as a boxer, he also found success as a coach and professionally as a police officer, as well. He has received numerous awards and honors as a coach and community leader, including being inducted into the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022. Huffstickler developed a passion for the “Sweet Science” at an early age. When he was 15 and a student at R-S Central High School, Huffstickler met Officer Red Bowers, who was the coach of the Rutherfordton Police Boxing team. In 1958, during his senior year at R-S, Huffstickler won the Middle-Weight Title at the High Point Golden Gloves AAU Tournament in High Point. In all, Huffstickler posted a record of 18-3 in the ring. During that same year of 1958, Huffstickler showed his athletic versatility by winning the NCHSAA State Title in the Mile (run) as a member of the Hilltoppers’ track team. He also played football and basketball during his time at R-S. After graduating from R-S in 1958, Huffstickler joined the United States Air Force and served until he was honorably discharged in 1962. Huffstickler joined the Gastonia Police Department in 1964 and enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an officer. Early in his career, while on his beat, Huffstickler saw several boys fighting in the streets and that motivated him to form the Gastonia Police Youth Club in November of 1971. The Club quickly grew and became part of the National Police Athletic League (PAL). Huffstickler also oversaw the club’s expansion to include baseball, football, and cheerleading teams involving hundreds of youths. In 1972, Huffstickler was chosen to coach the Regional Jr. Olympic Boxing team, a post he held from 1972-1977. During that time, Huffstickler traveled with the team to numerous events throughout the United States, even to Squaw Valley, California, the Official USA Junior Olympic Training Facility. Huffstickler’s notoriety in the boxing world allowed him to meet and coach true legends of the sport. In 1979, he was the head coach for the Cuban National Boxing Team when they faced off with the USA and Irish National teams at a tournament held at the Charlotte Coliseum. At that event, he got to coach future three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Teafilo Stevenson. In 1983, Huffstickler was the corner coach for rising star Evander Holyfield who eventually became World Heavyweight Champion. He also met Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Frazier, Cassius Clay (Mohammed Ali), and many others during his coaching career. Huffstickler retired from the Gastonia Police Department in 1990, but started his own business, Offshoot Academy. He taught handgun concealment classes, along with basic and advanced training classes until he retired again in 2018. Huffstickler currently resides in Gastonia with Peggy, his wife of nearly 60 years. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.

< Back Jimmy Means 2018 NASCAR Driver/Team Owner, was born in Alabama, but moved to Rutherford County in the early 1980s. Means made his debut in 1976 in Daytona, driving in 455 races and making 17 top-ten finishes. He finished 11' in the Winston Cup in 1982 and 1983, 7" at Talladega in 1983, and 10th at Darlington in 1989. In 1994 he announced his retirement from driving. Although winless, he posted 113,945 career laps and $2 million in earnings. In 1995, Means was team manager for the No.15 Ford Quality Care Thunderbird owned by Bud Moore Engineering out of Spartanburg. Means has continued as an owner to this day, with Jimmy Means Racing competing in the Busch Series - now the NASCAR Xfinity Series. During his long career, Means has had many fans, but one of his biggest fans has always been Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Earnhardt grew up watching Means on the track and hanging out with Means' son, Brad. "He was my favorite driver besides my father," Earnhardt said in an interview with Racin'Today.com in 2009. "It was amazing to me how he did everything with nothing.

< Back Wendy Henson Stafford 2022 Wendy Henson Stafford was something of a prodigy in the pool even before a stellar career for CHASE High School and later Clemson University. She began swimming at the age of three after a near-fatal accident at a hotel pool led her parents to enroll Stafford in swimming lessons. Stafford showed such an affinity for the water, she joined the Forest City Swim Team and by the time she was eight, Stafford was setting pool and team records. At age nine, Stafford competed in the North Carolina Junior Olympics before transferring her club affiliation to the Rutherford County Swim Team and later to the YSSC Spartanburg SpartAquatics in South Carolina. During that time, she once again competed in the North Carolina Jr. Olympics in several events, ranking as the seventh best swimmer in the 10U age division. When she was 12, Stafford was chosen to attend the Olympic Training Select Camp in Colorado Springs. Stafford attended CHASE High School from 1991-1995 and swam under coach Rhett Oglesby and she never lost a race while swimming for the Lady Trojans. During her CHASE career, Stafford held NCHSAA records for the 100, 200 and 500 Meter Freestyle events, while also setting the state record in the 200 IM (Individual Medley). These accomplishments led Stafford to be named the 1-3A NCHSAA Swimmer of the Year all four seasons during her prep career. During that time, Stafford continued to excel for her club team in Spartanburg. She was an eight-time YMCA National Champion, setting National Records in the 100, 200, and 400 Meter Freestyle, and for also setting South Carolina State records in six different events. While in high school, Stafford earned a spot on the 18U U.S.A. National Team and was a three-time high school All-American. All those accolades led to Stafford earning a full scholarship to Clemson in 1995 and she found immediate success for the Tigers. Stafford earned 30 first place finishes for Clemson during the 1995-96 season, while also placing in the top four in six different events at the ACC Championships. She earned All-American status at the National Championships in the 200 Freestyle, along with many other honors. As a result, she was named as Clemson's Rookie of the Year and Swimmer of the Year. Stafford's success continued as a sophomore, nearly qualifying for the U.S.A. Olympic team in the 200 I EMS Freestyle, missing the cut by .02 seconds. She finished the season with the third fastest time in Clemson history in both the 100 and 200 Freestyle. As a junior, Stafford earned a spot on the ACC Academic Honor Roll and was named as the "Most Dedicated" swimmer on the team. Stafford concluded her junior season by once again competing at the National Championships. She finished her Clemson career by securing a Top 15 national ranking in the 500 Freestyle, in addition to a second-place finish at the ACC Championships in the 200 Freestyle and sixth place in the 100 Freestyle. After graduating from Clemson, Stafford entered the banking industry, but still found time to coach various clubs. Stafford and her family currently live in Powdersville, South Carolina where she founded the Powdersville High School swim team in 2018. "I feel lucky to have called Rutherford County my home," Stafford says. "It is an honor and privilege to be nominated. I hope by accepting this honor, others will be motivated to achieve their goals through hard work, perseverance and a positive attitude."

Induction Year Sort by Name Sort by Class Year Induction Year: Belus Smawley Basketball Induction Year: 2017 Bobby Reynolds Coach Induction Year: 2022 Chad Flack Baseball Induction Year: 2024 Angela Hamilton-Jones Basketball Induction Year: 2018 Billy Ray Haynes Jr Football Induction Year: 2023 Carl Bartles Football Induction Year: 2024 Charles "Dean" Huffstickler Boxing Induction Year: 2023 Anthony "Chuck" McSwain Football Induction Year: 2017 Billy Ray Vickers Football Induction Year: 2022 Carolyn Dewberry Bratton Basketball Induction Year: 2019 Chris Michael Basketball Induction Year: 2023 1 2 3 4 1 ... 1 2 3 4 ... 4 **No Class of 2020 or 2021 Members due to COVID-19 Pandemic.**

< Back Anthony "Chuck" McSwain 2017 an All-American fullback and linebacker from Chase High School in Rutherford County, NC. McSwain attended Chase High School in North Carolina, where he was an All-American fullback and also played linebacker on defense. He lettered in basketball and track. His number 35 was retired by the school a couple years following his graduation. He accepted a scholarship from Clemson University and became a starter as a freshman, in place of an injured Lester Brown. He finished with 443 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns including 120 yards on 18 carries versus Duke University. He was named the conference's rookie of the year. In 1980, he was the team's second leading rusher with 544 yards, including 272 yards on 37 attempts (6.8-yard average) in the final three games. He gained a total of 2,320 yards as a running back with the Clemson Tigers, and was a member of the university's 1981 National Championship Team. McSwain was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (135th overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft. In his first career pre-season appearance, he had a game to remember against the Miami Dolphins, scoring 2 touchdowns in less than 2 minutes (including a 37-yard touchdown run). It was the last preseason game, the last chance to make the team. The first and second quarter went by and McSwain was still on the bench, The third quarter rolled into the fourth with only two minutes remaining when Coach Landry finally put McSwain in for his final chance, With two touchdowns down, a screen play to McSwain would lead him to run 67 yards for a touchdown. Coach Landry walked up the McSwain and said, "Son, you were two minutes away from being cut. Congratulations, you are a Dallas Cowboy."

< Back Lewis Young 2022 Lewis Young enjoyed success on the basketball court both at home and abroad, earning impressive accolades as both a player and coach. Young starred on the local hardwood at R-S Central from 1971-75 for Coach Andy Callahan. Young finished his Hilltopper career on a high note, averaging a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds during his senior season. He led the Hilltoppers to a 17-7 record that season, scoring 43 points and grabbing 15 rebounds during his final game. Young's accomplishments led to him being named The Charlotte Observer Player of the Week, while also earning Conference Player of the Year in 1975. Young garnered MVP honors at the East-West All-Star Game later that year. After concluding his prep career, Young chose to attend nearby Gardner-Webb University where he was a vital part of the Runnin' Bulldogs' success under legendary coach Eddie Holbrook. While at GWU, Young averaged 17 points per game, finishing his career in Boiling Springs with 1,703 points and was named a NAIA All-American in 1978. In 1976, Young also garnered MVP honors as Gardner-Webb won the WBTV Carolina Classic Tournament. Following his college career, Young earned tryouts with the Detroit Pistons and the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters but decided to play overseas. During a pro career that spanned 17 years (1979-1996), Young played in both Scotland and Australia. During his 11 seasons in Scotland, Young won four championship titles. He also has the distinction of holding the Guinness Book of World Records for most points ever scored in a professional basketball game, tallying 108 points, including 21 three-pointers, in 1988. While in Scotland, Young also spent some time on the sidelines coaching the Scottish Women's National team. Young finished his career by going "Down Under", playing and coaching in Australia from 1991-96. He served as a player/coach for the Singleton Supersonics and his club made the league's Final Four. In 2007, Young won a Silver Medal in the Sydney Olympic Master Class Division before coaching the Newcastle Hunters women's team to the Final Four in 2008. When asked what being inducted into the RCSHOF means to him, Young responded: "I'm so proud to be nominated and to be able to represent Spindale, North Carolina. I'd like to say thank you to my family, friends and coaches who encouraged and supported me throughout my journey. Basketball has meant everything to me, my place of comfort and peace. I'd like to say to all of the young kids like me from small town America, "Fight for your dreams".

< Back Carl Bartles 2024 Carl Bartles is one of the best Running Backs to ever come out of Rutherford County. The 1967 graduate of R-S Central led the Hilltoppers to an 8-3 record during his Senior Season in Rutherfordton. He was also a standout on the track team for the Hilltoppers, setting school records along the way. After graduation from R-S, Bartles attended Lenior-Rhyne where he also set records on the gridiron for the Bears. Bartles went on to sign a professional contract with the NFL’s Washington Redskins before playing in the Canadian and World Football Leagues. While not many statistics are known about Bartles’ high school career, it is clear he was an outstanding athlete. “As the quarterback, he made my job easy,” former North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton said. “Just get the ball to Carl and watch him run. He was also a phenomenal Defensive End.” Bartles was named to the All-Southwestern Conference Team, and as a result, got to play in an All-Star game held at East Rutherford at the end of the football season in 1966. Bartles showed off his speed on the track, as well. He set the Western North Carolina Athletic Activities record in the 100-yard dash, completing the race in 9.9 seconds. “I still hold that record because they changed to meters right after that,” Bartles joked. Bartles also had an impressive career at Lenior Rhyne, leading the team in rushing in three of his four seasons. In four years with the Bears, he rushed for 3,677 yards which was a school record at the time . As a Senior in 1970, he rushed for 1,261 yards which was a Lenior Rhyne school record that stood for over two decades. Bartles still holds the record for the number of carries in a game (47) and in a single season (297). As a result of his efforts, Bartles was named a NAIA All-American in 1970. In 1974, Bartles was third in career rushing yards among players from the Tarheel State, surpassing players from Duke, UNC and NC State on that list. Bartles continued to play football after his graduation from Lenior Rhyne in 1971. Beginning in 1972, he signed contracts with the NFL’s Wahington Redskins and the Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Red Backs. In 1974, Bartles played in 10 games with the World Football League’s Birmingham Americans, rushing for a pair of touchdowns. Bartles moved closer to home in 1975, playing for the WFL’s Charlotte Hornets. After his football career was finished, Bartles stayed involved with the game. He was a head coach and educator at Piedmont High School in Monroe for many years. When asked what his inclusion into the Rutherford County Sports Hall Of Fame means to him, Bartles was at a loss for words. “It’s really hard to describe,” he said. “It means a lot and it is a special moment for me.” Bartles currently resides in Indian Trail, North Carolina.