The year 2016 will go down in history with lots of different headlines and stories. People will remember the death of Carrie Fisher, Prince and Arnold Palmer (to name a few). Others will remember Brexit, the Olympics in Brazil, the Zika virus and the United States Presidential election. For sports fans in the Carolinas, 2016 will be remembered as disappointing year that was filled with heartbreak.
On January 11, 2016 Clemson played in the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Alabama. The game was high scoring with a final score of 45-41, but in the end O.J. Howard helped the Tide roll all over the Tigers. Less than a month later on February 7, the Carolina Panthers played in the Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos. The Panthers had only lost one game in the regular season and were favorites to win the title, then the game happened. Not only did the Broncos win, but they won in dominating fashion. The Broncos unleashed Super Bowl MVP Von Miller on Cam Newton and the Panthers' offensive line. The Broncos won the game 24-10. On April 4, UNC played Villanova for the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. The game ended up coming down to the last shot. Villanova forward Kris Jenkins made a three-point shot with less than a second left in the game to cap off a thrilling championship win. Not even North Carolina native Stephen Curry could help the Golden State Warriors win another NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It seemed like all hope was lost for Carolina sport fans. Some fans thought that their teams did not win because of a "carolina curse." So far three Carolina sports teams had made it their respective championship games and lost. Until Coastal Carolina made a spectacular postseason run. Not only did they make to the College World Series, but they won the championship game in dramatic fashion (bottom of the ninth inning, two outs and runners on second and third base). Finally a team from the Carolinas had won a championship game.
In 2017, Carolina sports fans have experienced a turnaround. Clemson beat Alabama in the College Football Championship, South Carolina won the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament (and their men's basketball team made an improbable run to the Final Four) and UNC won the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Fans seem to agree that the "carolina curse" has been lifted. Yes James Taylor, they can finally see the sunshine and feel the moonshine. It's a great time to be a sports fan in the Carolinas once again!
On January 11, 2016 Clemson played in the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Alabama. The game was high scoring with a final score of 45-41, but in the end O.J. Howard helped the Tide roll all over the Tigers. Less than a month later on February 7, the Carolina Panthers played in the Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos. The Panthers had only lost one game in the regular season and were favorites to win the title, then the game happened. Not only did the Broncos win, but they won in dominating fashion. The Broncos unleashed Super Bowl MVP Von Miller on Cam Newton and the Panthers' offensive line. The Broncos won the game 24-10. On April 4, UNC played Villanova for the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. The game ended up coming down to the last shot. Villanova forward Kris Jenkins made a three-point shot with less than a second left in the game to cap off a thrilling championship win. Not even North Carolina native Stephen Curry could help the Golden State Warriors win another NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It seemed like all hope was lost for Carolina sport fans. Some fans thought that their teams did not win because of a "carolina curse." So far three Carolina sports teams had made it their respective championship games and lost. Until Coastal Carolina made a spectacular postseason run. Not only did they make to the College World Series, but they won the championship game in dramatic fashion (bottom of the ninth inning, two outs and runners on second and third base). Finally a team from the Carolinas had won a championship game.
In 2017, Carolina sports fans have experienced a turnaround. Clemson beat Alabama in the College Football Championship, South Carolina won the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament (and their men's basketball team made an improbable run to the Final Four) and UNC won the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Fans seem to agree that the "carolina curse" has been lifted. Yes James Taylor, they can finally see the sunshine and feel the moonshine. It's a great time to be a sports fan in the Carolinas once again!
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