Charlie Justice is the right athlete for number 22, but how could you leave off York Larese, UNC basketball, three-time all-ACC, three-time All Dixie Classic (in which his team defeated Oscar Robertson's), two-time all-ACC Tournament [first-team once], all-Blue Grass Tournament, several All-America teams, who still holds the ACC record of 21 free throws without a miss in one game (against Duke in 1959)?

Also, I would name Lennie Rosenbluth at number 10.

Frank Aycock,

Charlotte

ECU's Blake was big man at No. 2

Jeff Blake at No. 2, quarterback for the 1991 ECU team that won 11 games. He was a main factor in winning many of those games. Blake also went on to be a starting QB in the NFL, a very difficult feat for a guy under 6 feet in height.

Mark Wilson,

Matthews

Editor's note: Various sources list Blake at 6 feet 1.

Former WCU star was standout No. 70

I know of one who should have been listed under number 70. Denny Williams played at Western Carolina back in the late 1950s and graduated in 1961. Honorable mention All-American as a freshman, sophomore and junior ... a tackle who played both ways. Hall of Famer at Western Carolina and Belmont High School. And, by the way, his idol also wore No. 70 at Duke, Ed "Country" Meadows. Denny also earned a master's degree and devoted his life to athletics while coaching and performing in the job as an AD and principal.

Kelly Kee,

Belmont

Celtics' Parish gets this fan's nod at 00

In general, a very nice job making tough choices. I will quarrel with only a few. 00 has to be Robert Parish, part of the big three of the Celtics. While I love Muggsy [Bogues], Tracy McGrady gets my vote at uniform No. 1. At No. 2, I would have to go with Larry Johnson at this point over Raymond [Felton]. Perhaps down the road Raymond would be the choice, but not now. You've got to love Ron Francis, but the kind of two-sport greatness exhibited by Dick Groat makes this a no-brainer for me at No. 10. Finally, I would have to go with Carl Eller over Torry Holt at No. 81. It is hard to pass on an NFL Hall of Famer and part of the Purple People Eaters of Vikings fame.

Bruce Russell,

Mebane

Vertical athletes needed numbers

There's a group of people who I believe are the best athletes anywhere -- rock climbers and mountaineers -- and North Carolina has had some of the best over the past 30 years. In fact, there are a few climbers (Jeep Gaskin of Chapel Hill and Bobby Rotert of Charlotte, for example) who should be in the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame. ... There's a whole new breed of intense "vertical" athletes who have accomplished climbs that were considered impossible not long ago. Not many people know about them or about the incredible rock cliffs in North Carolina that attract climbers from all over the country.

Rock climbing requires superb agility, strength, stamina, bravery and mental focus at levels beyond basketball, baseball, football and other popular sports. The consequences can be far worse than in other sports. At worst, a fumbled football might result in the other team scoring, but a climbing mistake or mental error in rock climbing can be fatal.

Furthermore, there's equality: Women climbers are as good as the men. N.C. climbers have ventured across the world, climbing some of the most formidable and difficult peaks in other countries. Few people know about them, but I think they're the best athletes in North Carolina and should be recognized.

Grover Cable,

Chapel Hill