Elevator

Late game times: Yes, it was Friday, but North Meck and Vance boys didn't start until nearly 10 p.m. and there were several other late starts. It's really time to move girls and boys to opposite nights. North Meck-Vance ended at 11:05 p.m. DOWNER

Ardrey Kell girls star Christelle Shembo: Wake Forest signee scored her 1,000th career point in Friday's 58-28 win over East Meck. She's the third girl in school history to hit 1,000. UP

Country Day defense: Bucs held Calvary Baptist to eight points in the first quarter and only 22 points in the first half of a 75-51 win Friday. Country Day star Ben Simons had 17 points in the win. UP

Jela Duncan, Mallard Creek football: Charlotte Observer offensive player of the year got a scholarship offer from North Carolina Friday. UP

Forestview: Rallied from 26 points down to beat Ashbrook 80-77 in overtime. UP

Friday's Highlights

Charlotte Catholic stops Berry, stays tied for first in MEGA 7

Charlotte Catholic backed up Tuesday's big win over Harding with another one Friday night at Berry.

The Cougars missed two-of-six free throws in the final minutes but held on for a 72-70 win that kept Catholic (11-2, 4-0) tied with Olympic (15-0, 4-0) atop the MEGA 7 standings. Those two teams have a showdown at Charlotte Catholic Friday.

Berry (12-2, 3-1) dropped a game behind those two. Berry and Catholic are both 3A teams in a conference that has two 3A automatic playoff berths. After losing to Olympic by a point Friday, 3A Harding (11-3, 1-3) is in trouble.

Lake Norman upsets West Charlotte with a buzzer-beater

Lake Norman's Ryan Scott hit a shot at the buzzer in double overtime to upset Sweet 16 No. 6 West Charlotte 69-67 Friday. Scott made a shot at the end of the first overtime to tie the game and finished with 19 points.

West Charlotte's Mike Brown made a 3-point shot with less than one second left in regulation to send the game into overtime, but the Lions lost a late lead in the first overtime and blew another one in the second extra period.

West Charlotte (11-5, 3-2 I-Meck 4A) have lost two of its past three games. The Lions - who got 20 points and 21 rebounds from Kennedy Meeks - are is the reigning N.C. 4A champions.

South Meck stops rival Myers Park, sets up showdown with Butler

South Mecklenburg, No. 12 in the Sweet 16, stopped Myers Park with a sterling defensive performance Friday, winning 47-32. Myers Park scored three points in the first quarter in front of a huge crowd.

The teams entered the game tied for second in the Southwestern 4A conference behind Butler (9-5, 5-0).

South Meck, which has won five straight games, improved to 12-3, 4-1 and will play Butler at home Monday in a first place showdown.

Malcolm Mathews and Carrington Kirkpatrick led the Sabres with 31 combined points against Myers Park.

Friday's Top Performers

Zach Ferguson, Butler: 23 points in Friday's 65-56 win over Providence. Butler (9-5, 5-0 Southwestern 4A) won its third straight game. Ferguson got a basketball college scholarship offer from Virginia Military Institute after the game.

Jessica Gaston, West Charlotte girls: 17 rebounds in 42-37 win over Lake Norman. Teammates Gabrielle McClain (14 points, seven rebounds, four steals) and Rachel Porter (15 points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals) also had strong games.

Keousha Griffin, Harding girls: 12 points, 15 rebounds in 65-22 win over Olympic.

Nicole Graham, Mallard Creek girls: 24 points in 61-52 win over Hopewell.

Jarvis Haywood, Harding: 26 points in 63-62 loss to Olympic.

Miles Leathers, East Mecklenburg: 12 points in a 54-36 win over Ardrey Kell. Leathers and East Meck's defense limited Ardrey Kell to 13 points in the second half and just four in the fourth quarter.

Shelton Mitchell, Cuthbertson: 35 points in 84-53 win over Monroe Central.

Braxton Ogbueze, United Faith: Florida recruit had 27 points, two rebounds and two assists in 70-50 win over North Hills Christian. Indiana recruit Peter Jurkin had 11 points and eight rebounds.

Symphonie Richardson, Butler girls: 25 points in 60-49 win over Providence. Providence's Morgan Uptegraff had 17 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Ciera Rucker, Queens Grant Charter girls: 15 points, five steals, three rebounds, three assists in 46-24 win over Covenant Classical.

Goddess Steele, First Assembly girls: 20 points, six steals, four assists in 66-29 win over Gaston Christian.

Andrew Wheet, First Assembly: 36 points in 80-65 win over Gaston Christian.