Sports

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist the Hornets’ ‘free agent’ who never left, now ‘healthy, ready to go’

Two shoulder surgeries last season limited small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to seven games in February, but he came up big in those games. Now fully recovered, he expects to be one of the leaders on this year’s team.

Carolina Panthers

Panthers share blame for Vikings’ hit parade on QB Cam Newton, including Newton himself

The Vikings sacked Panthers quarterback Cam Newton eight times in their 22-10 win last weekend. An Observer film analysis showed all five offensive linemen gave up sacks or hits on Newton, who exacerbated matters by holding the ball too long on at least four of those plays.

College Sports

UNC LB Andre Smith aims to show Florida State he’s tall enough

Smith, a Florida native and the Tar Heels’ starting middle linebacker, thought might be in line to receive a scholarship offer from Florida State -- until he was told he was too short.

Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers re-sign defensive tackle Kyle Love, add safety Michael Griffin

Defensive tackle Kyle Love, among the the Carolina Panthers’ final roster cuts earlier this month, re-signed with the team, a league source said. Rookie tackle Vernon Butler is out indefinitely after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Vikings Sunday.

Charlotte Hornets

Nagging injuries limiting practice time for Hornets’ Kemba Walker, Cody Zeller

Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker and center Cody Zeller, both nursing injuries, have not been cleared for contact. The team held its first practice at training camp on Tuesday.

Scott Fowler

Once an imposing All-Star, center Roy Hibbert seeks to rebuild career with Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets hope to help 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert turn around his career with the help of assistant coach Patrick Ewing, a longtime Hibbert mentor. After he was phased out in Indiana and had the worst season of his career last year with the Lakers, the Hornets signed the former Georgetown standout to a one-year, $5 million deal.

College Sports

UNC seeks end to uncommon run of safeties

The Tar Heels have committed three safeties in three games against FBS opponents, prompting Larry Fedora to joke that they’re seeking the single-season record.

High School Sports

Four Mecklenburg County teams ranked in N.C. Associated Press prep football poll

Mallard Creek, Butler, Vance and Charlotte Catholic each ranked among the state’s top 10 4A teams by a N.C. panel of media voters

Charlotte Hornets

New Charlotte Hornets forward Christian Wood excited to join team with playoff aspirations

Power forward Christian Wood played 17 games last season with the struggling Philadelphia 76ers before signing with the Charlotte Hornets over the summer.

College Sports

Charlotte 49ers feeling ‘sense of urgency’ with Saturday’s C-USA opener against ODU

Last season at Old Dominion, the Charlotte 49ers held a five-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Monarchs before losing 37-34 in their Conference USA opener. It didn’t get any better from there, as Charlotte finished the season 0-8 in the league.

High School Sports

After transfer to rival Lincolnton, receiver Sage Surratt set to face ex-East Lincoln teammates

Senior Sage Surratt ranks among the top four high school receivers in N.C. history in receiving yards. Before transferring to Lincolnton in June, he helped lead East Lincoln to recent dominance in the series between the county rivals. East Lincoln has won the past five games between the schools. The teams will renew the rivalry Friday night.

High School Sports

Charlotte Latin’s Bates Jones commits to Davidson

Charlotte Latin two-sport star Bates Jones committed to play basketball at Davidson.

High School Sports

Charlotte Observer-area high school football statistical leaders

Here are Observer-area high school football leaders for the week of Sept. 26

Carolina Panthers

Panthers coach Ron Rivera asks NFL for clarity on Kelvin Benjamin penalty against Vikings

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera called the league to get clarification on receiver Kelvin Benjamin’s illegal block Sunday against the Vikings. It brought back a touchdown that would have given the Panthers a 15-point, second-quarter lead.

Charlotte Hornets

While his age, size of contract might be a gamble, Hornets, Marco Belinelli seem to be a fit

New guard/foward Marco Belinelli is a different player from former Hornets Jeremy Lin or Courtney Lee. But, like both of them, he can help stretch the floor with his shooting, opening better driving lanes for point guard Kemba Walker.

Carolina Panthers

Panthers’ first-round pick Vernon Butler to miss several weeks with high ankle sprain

Vernon Butler, the Carolina Panthers’ rookie defensive tackle from Louisiana Tech, was injured while making a tackle on Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon early in the second half of Minnesota's 22-10 victory Sunday. He had a cast on his foot Monday.

Carolina Panthers

Where’s Kelvin? Panthers can’t find Benjamin vs. Vikings, spend Monday explaining why

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin played 61 of the team’s 77 offensive snaps against the Minnesota Vikings but was targeted only once by quarterback Cam Newton on Sunday. Monday was spent figuring out why.

Baseball

Marlins’ Dee Gordon honors Jose Fernandez, hits leadoff homer and rounds the bases in tears

One day after the death of 24-year-old All-Star pitcher Jose Fernandez, the Miami Marlins returned to the field Monday night against the New York Mets. After a pregame tribute to their late teammate, what followed is a moment you’ll see for years.

High School Sports