Independence, Cox Mill win season openers in boys’ basketball

Independence has plenty of returning talent from its boys’ 4A state championship team last season, and the Patriots launched the 2018-19 campaign in a big way Tuesday night.

Independence got big performances from several players and trounced visiting Hopewell 70-39.

Raja Milton led the Patriots with 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds. A.J. McKee added 12 points and two steals. Independence took a big early lead and was never in trouble against the Titans.

Meanwhile, the reigning 3A boys’ state champion also had a victorious opener.

Concord Cox Mill rallied from an early deficit and dumped host Hough 74-58. The Huskies led 11-5 in the first quarter, but Cox Mill took the lead to stay at 23-22 on an Ahmad Baruti field goal.

They built the lead to 20 points, 68-48, midway in the second half when Wendell Moore scored.

Boys’ basketball

MECKLENBURG COUNTY

Ardrey Kell 74, Weddington 62: Caleb Wetherbee scored 16 for Weddington, but Ardrey Kell built a 10-point halftime lead and held on.

Carmel Christian 90, Winston-Salem Calvary Day 65: This game was tied 38-all at the half, but Carmel Christian outscored the hosts 52-27 over the final two periods.

Charlotte Latin 78, Charlotte Catholic 71

Christ the King 85, Greensboro Cornerstone Charter 63: Christ the King piled up a 33-10 margin in the third quarter, taking a big lead. Jaylen Steele scored 29 for the victors.

Covenant Day 72, Combine Academy (Matthews) 69

East Mecklenburg 71, Indian Trail Sun Valley 67: The Eagles outscored the Spartans 21-14 in the third quarter, taking a 49-44 lead that they never surrendered.

Indian Trail Metrolina Christian 77, Charlotte Country Day 67: Tate Johnson scored 35 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the victors.

Mallard Creek 107, Concord 99: The Mavericks improved to 2-0.

Providence Day 64, Southlake Christian 47

Queens Grant 82, Monroe Central Academy 34: The Stallions built a 29-12 lead after the first quarter and coasted.

Rocky River 68, Berry Academy 65

ELSEWHERE

Ashe County 67, Avery County 57

Concord Cannon School 83, Forsyth Country Day 74

East Rowan 47, Central Davidson 23

East Rutherford 52, Asheville Reynolds 47

Gaston Day 78, Hickory University Christian 31: The Spartans jumped to a 41-20 halftime lead.

Gastonia Highland Tech 73, Polk County 63

Lake Norman 80, West Rowan 34

Mooresville Bradford Prep 46, Cabarrus Charter 25

Mooresville Pine Lake Prep 83, Cabarrus Stallions 43: DeMarcus Johnson scored 25 points, hitting 10 of 13 from the floor, and grabbed seven rebounds for the Pride. Clay Pinion led the Stallions with 15.

R-S Central 66, Skyland Roberson 58

South Iredell 76, Claremont Bunker Hill 74: Greg Liechty scored 29 points for the victorious Vikings.

West Wilkes 65, West Iredell 60

BRAD THOMPSON TIP-OFF TOURNAMENT

Indian Trail Porter Ridge 58, Unionville Piedmont 47: The Pirates improved to 2-0, dropping the Panthers to 0-2.

Northwest Cabarrus 63, Monroe Union Academy 59: Josh Albee and Keyshawn Phillips each scored 15 for the Trojans.

BORDER BATTLE

Fort Mill Nation Ford 70, Waxhaw Cuthbertson 67

Marvin Ridge 64, Fort Mill 61: Marvin Ridge led 53-38 after three quarters and survived a furious Yellowjacket rally.

Girls’ basketball

MECKLENBURG

Ardrey Kell 67, Weddington 57: Evan Miller and Michelle Ojo each scored 15 points in leading the Knights.

Charlotte Catholic 52, Charlotte Latin 36: The visiting Cougars outscored the Hawks 30-15 in the first half.

Charlotte Country Day 43, Indian Trail Metrolina Christian 39: The Buccaneers improved to 3-0.

Christ the King 46, Greensboro Cornerstone Charter 31: Christ the King held its foe to 28 percent shooting from the floor.

Fort Mill Comenius 66, Charlotte Christian 32: Somer Wilson’s 25 points led Comenius.

Hopewell 50, Independence 38: Nawaza Chambers scored 16 for the victorious Titans.

Hough 55, Concord Cox Mill 29

Providence 77, Garinger 25

Providence Day 63, Southlake Christian 10: Morgan Kelson scored 21 points and Emnet Naod added 12 for the Chargers.

Queens Grant 47, Monroe Central Academy 37: Summer Hamilton’s 26 points and Jewell Williams’ 16 rebounds led the Stallions.

Rocky River 44, Berry Academy 37: Jordan McLaughlin scored 24 for Berry Academy.

Sugar Creek Charter 42, Bessemer City 15: The visiting Wildcats improved to 4-1.

ELSEWHERE

Albemarle 53, Anson County 43

Ashe County 61, Avery County 48

Asheville Reynolds 66, East Rutherford 57

Cherryville 55, Shelby Pinnacle Academy 45

East Rowan 47, Central Davidson 23

Gaston Day 67, Hickory University Christian 37

Mooresville Bradford Prep 46, Cabarrus Charter 25

Mooresville Pine Lake Prep 53, Cabarrus Stallions 26

Polk County 53, Gastonia Highland Tech 34

R-S Central 65, Skyland Roberson 46: Jada Logan had 23 points and six rebounds for the Hilltoppers.

West Wilkes 75, West Iredell 37

BRAD THOMPSON TIP-OFF TOURNAMENT

Monroe Union Academy 55, Northwest Cabarrus 37: The Cardinals outscored Northwest Cabarrus 36-15 in the middle two quarters.

Unionville Piedmont 55, Indian Trail Porter Ridge 28

BORDER BATTLE

Fort Mill Nation Ford 54, Waxhaw Cuthbertson 39: The Falcons outscored Cuthbertson 27-14 in the middle two quarters. Kayla Young led Cuthbertson with 13 points.

Marvin Ridge 28, Indian Land 12: Freshman Kyndall Shivers scored 12 for the victorious Mavericks.