Hot Performers

Chelsea Wilkinson, Alexander Central softball: Wilkinson threw back-to-back perfect games Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday, she helped her team to a 4-0 win against Hickory St. Stephens. Thursday, she struck out 15 in a win against R-S Central. Alexander Central (14-0), No.2 in the Sweet 16, is ranked No.2 in (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) and No. 3 (MaxPreps) in two national polls.

For the season, Wilkinson is 14-0 with 11 shutouts, five no-hitters and four perfect games.

Mallory Broome, Metrolina Christian softball: Junior has pitched 47 innings with 103 strikeouts. She's 7-1 with four shutouts and an 0.59 ERA. She also has four home runs, 12 doubles, 24 RBIs and 14 runs scored. Metrolina (11-3, 6-1 MAC) has won three straight and will host conference rival Southlake Christian today.

Cierra Burdick, Butler basketball: Named N.C. Preps 4A girls' player of the year and Miss Basketball.

N.C. Preps also released its class-by-class all-state teams. The complete list is at obsprepspot.blogspot.com..

Area players include: Paige McConlogue, Albemarle (1A); Jessica Heilig, Ashia Holmes, Olivia Rankin, Salisbury (2A); Madi Story, Catawba Bandys (2A); Ayanna Avery, West Rowan (3A); Jada Payne, Hillary Sigmon, Hickory (3A); Mandeesa Singletary, North Iredell (3A); Hannah Early, Hopewell (4A).

John David Curlis, Hopewell tennis: Won his 100th career match Wednesday. The four-year starter and four-time regional qualifier is 100-44.

Abigail Harris, Myers Park lacrosse: Four goals in 15-3 win against rival Ardrey Kell. Mindy Hawks had three goals and an assist, and Haley Ellis had two goals and two assists.

Morgan Lashley, North Mecklenburg softball: Had 16 strikeouts and a three-hitter in Wednesday's 1-0 upset win against Fort Mill Nations Ford, ranked No. 12 in the Sweet 16. North Meck (13-3) is unranked.

Morgan McLeod, Hickory St. Stephens basketball: Signed with NAIA Milligan College. He started his career as a manager in ninth grade and made junior varsity as a sophomore. He averaged 10 points last season and is an honors student.

Langdon Rawls, West Mecklenburg baseball: Hit 2-for-4 with two doubles in a 6-0 win against Garinger Thursday. Also had nine strikeouts as a pitcher and picked up the win.

Taylor Rowe, Myers Park baseball: A 6-foot-3, 180-pound pitcher and shortstop, he signed with Washington & Lee.

Kevin Williams, Hickory Grove baseball: Threw a perfect game in a 13-0 win against Rock Hill Westminster Catawba Thursday. He had seven strikeouts and improved to 2-0. It was the first perfect game in school history.

Mackenzie Wilson, Charlotte Christian softball: Went 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and a pitching win in Thursday's 7-4 win against Queens Grant.

Thursday's Headlines

Ardrey Kell holds off rival Butler in softball

Ardrey Kell's Jordan Hostetler was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Ardrey Kell's 4-1 win against Butler in a key Southwestern 4A Conference game.

Ardrey Kell (13-5, 10-1) remained in a first-place tie with Independence. Butler (10-6, 8-3) dropped two games off the pace. Butler's Jessica Rappe was 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.

Byrnes' dominant performance leads Olympic past East Gaston

Olympic pitcher Tyler Byrnes threw a complete game one-hitter in a 5-1 win against East Gaston.

Byrnes had four strikeouts.

Concord Cannon receives $74K grant for gym improvements

Concord Cannon School has received a $74,049 grant from the Cannon Foundation to fund the installation of new flooring in one of the school's gyms. The grant is a critical investment in Cannon's commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for students using the gym.

The new flooring, to be installed during the summer, will replace the blue rubberized flooring that was installed several years ago.

TWC to televise Jordan Brand regional game Saturday

Time Warner Cable will televise Saturday's Jordan Brand regional game featuring a large contingent of N.C. and Mecklenburg County players. The game begins at 5:30 p.m. and will air on channel 520. It will be shown on demand next week. ESPN2 will televise the national game at 8.