FRIDAY SPORTS: Winter games begin in Sochi

Although some events were already held Thursday, the Sochi Winter Olympics officially open Friday with the opening ceremony, including the lighting of the Olympic flame and the parade of all the nations’ athletes. Although the ceremony is taking place at 11:00 a.m. ET, NBC won’t be airing it until Friday evening, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. As always, the details of the ceremony have been kept under wraps, but it’s almost certain to include a tribute to Russia’s storied past in classical music and ballet. Thursday’s competition included the opening of the team figure skating competition, a new event in Sochi. The U.S. didn’t have a great day, ending tied for fifth place.

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Baseball Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, who was one of the game’s most beloved broadcasters, died Thursday at his California home. He was 91. Kiner’s 10-year playing career began in 1946 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and for his first seven seasons, he won or tied for the National League lead in home runs each year, ending with a career total of 369. His playing career including stints with the Pirates, Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians, and after it was over, Kiner became a New York Mets announcer in their first season in 1962. He stayed with the team to call games for a total of 52 years, even doing a handful of them last season, and famously had his “Kiner’s Korner,” where he’d talk to players after the game. Kiner was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975, in his final year or eligibility, with just one vote to spare.

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The area high school basketball schedule for Friday night has Seneca hosting Belton-Honea Path; Tamassee Salem will host Dixie; West-Oak is at home against Palmetto; and Walhalla travels to Wren. Girls games begins at 6:00 PM.

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Furman has been picked sixth in a poll of Southern Conference baseball coaches. Western Carolina, the defending regular season champion, was picked first, followed by The Citadel, Appalachian State, Elon, Georgia Southern.