Some of the top NCHSAA state finals performances by Mecklenburg Co. athletes.

Sarah Moon, Hough girls’ soccer, 2011: Scored two goals in the final 15 minutes of a 2-1 N.C. 4A win against a Morrisville Green Hope team ranked No. 1 in the nation by ESPN.

Ashton Ward, Butler softball, 2007: Pitched three complete games in two days during the N.C. 4A semifinals and best-of-3 finals, striking out 44 batters. She struck out 13 in Butler’s deciding 3-2 win against Chapel Hill, which finished off a 29-0 season and Butler’s second straight title. Ward did lose a game in more than three years as a pitcher. In Game 1 of the finals, she struck out 12, had a third-inning RBI and had a stolen base.

Hakeem Nicks, Independence football, 2005: Led the Patriots’ 38-19 win against New Bern by catching eight passes for 205 yards, then the second-highest total in a title game. Nicks scored two touchdowns, returned three kicks for 102 yards and broke up a goal-line pass on defense.

Miranda and Shaina Ervin, Hopewell softball, 2003: Named co-MVPs after winning the school’s second straight state title. In three Final Four games, Hopewell outscored opponents 25-0, setting a record for runs as the Titans became the first 4A team to finish the Final Four without giving up a run. In the deciding game against Wilmington Ashley, Shaina had a no-hitter. Miranda had a double, an out-of-the-park home run and four RBIs. In six playoff games, Miranda was 12-for-21 with nine RBIs. Shaina threw 48 innings, gave up six hits and struck out 82. Hopewell outscored playoff teams 31-1.

Chris Leak, Independence football, 2001: Led his team to 42 consecutive points in a 49-25 win against Wilmington Laney. Independence became the first Mecklenburg County team to repeat as a 4A champion. Laney had allowed 54 points all season. Leak completed 13 of 27 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns.

Leak, Independence football, 2000: Leak, a sophomore, threw for a then-state finals record 359 yards and three touchdowns to lead a sophomore-laden Patriots team to the first of seven straight state titles. He finished the season with 4,529 yards passing, breaking a 10-year-old state record. His 51 touchdowns was another N.C. mark.

Jason Parker, West Charlotte basketball, 1999: Playing with the flu, Parker, a 6-foot-9, 265-pound senior forward, led the Lions to a 84-67 win against Wilmington Laney in the 4A finals. He scored 38 points to go with 12 rebounds, four blocks shots and five dunks. The points still rank second in championship history. West Charlotte (30-2) ended the season ranked No. 8 by USA Today. After winning the state title, the Parade All-American played on an 11-man U.S. Junior National Team, along with Joe Johnson, Nick Collison and Mike Dunleavy. The U.S. team played an 11-man international team from 11 countries.

Daymond Forney, South Mecklenburg basketball, 1993: Future Duke star Jason Capel scored the game-winning basket as time expired in Hope Mills South View 54-53 win in the N.C. 4A finals, but everyone left talking about Forney. The 6-8 center finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks. He was named game MVP. Said South View coach Ron Miller: “I hope I never see him again.”

Dave Adair, Garinger track, 1991: Adair was favored to repeat in the 200- and 400-meters, but he also won the 100-meter dash as well, in what were eye-popping times for the day, and helped Garinger to a second-place finish behind Richmond Senior.

Andrea Stinson, North Mecklenburg girls’ basketball, 1985: Parade and future N.C. State All-American and Charlotte Sting star was a junior in ’85. She had 35 points in the Vikings’ 61-54 win against Pine Forest in the N.C. 4A final.

Walter Davis, South Mecklenburg basketball, 1972: The future North Carolina star scored 22 points, on 9-of-14 shooting to lead the Sabres to a 59-57 win against Burlington Williams and future North Carolina star Jeff Crompton, a 7-footer who finished with 22 points and 18 rebounds. It was South Meck’s third straight N.C. 4A championship.