Myers Park finally shakes injury bug, makes major rally to upset Independence
In the preseason, Myers Park High was a trendy pick as a state championship contender from the western side of the N.C. 4A playoff bracket.
The Mustangs were returning a lot of players, including star Drake Maye, from a team that made a surprise run to the N.C. 4A quarterfinals last March.
But after a 7-1 start, Myers Park got hit by the injury bug. T
he Mustangs lost four of their next five games, including two of three at the Hoodies House national holiday tournament at Rocky River High School.
“It’s been a little tough,” coach Scott Taylor said Friday night.
Myers Park finally got its full team back Friday and rallied from 16 points down, on the road, to beat Sweet 16 No. 15 Independence.
Myers Park (10-5, 4-2 Southwestern 4A) gave Independence (11-6, 6-1) its first league loss and, more importantly, avoided falling three games behind the Patriots in the loss column.
Now the Mustangs are basically just one game out of first.
“Honestly,” Taylor said, “we are still growing and learning. This is probably the first time since we (beat reigning N.C. 4A champion South Central Dec. 14 in) the Outer Banks that we’ve had everybody together and healthy.”
Myers Park ended Independence’s three-game win streak behind Maye (22 points), Kaden Elaasar (16) and Xavier McKelvy (15). Omarion Bodrick had 21 for Independence and Anthony Allen added 18 but Elaasar’s fourth quarter defense on Allen helped turn the tide.
Myers Park otuscored Independence 24-7 in the final eight minutes.
“We’ve been up and down,” Taylor said, “because we’ve had to play a bunch of different lineups and different groupings. Sometimes, it’s worked and sometimes it hasn’t. Tonight we were able to ride the most experienced guys we’ve had and guys we depend on together to be able to pull through. They’re gassed now. Basketball is tough.”
Myers Park won’t get much rest. The Mustangs face private Covenant Day Saturday at an MLK Showcase at Carmel Christian. Tipoff is at 3 p.m. Covenant Day freshman Aden Holloway had 32 points in a 84-72 loss to Cannon Friday (Cannon sophomore star Jaden Bradley had 29 points).
“That’s going to be fun,” Taylor said. “We get to play at the MLK showcase, it’s a public versus private matchup and that’s part of the fun. I’m sure they would rather play tomorrow than watch film and listen to me talk.”
Elevator
↑North Mecklenburg girls defense: Vikings held Lake Norman to 16 points total in first and third quarters of Friday’s 58-44 win. Jessica Timmons (12 points) and Zoe Henderson (10) led North Meck (12-4, 5-2 I-MECK). Lake Norman fell to 11-4, 4-3.
↑Myers Park girls upset: Taylor Henderson had 34 points, 11 rebounds and three assists to lead Myers Park to a 71-58 win over Sweet 16 No. 12 Independence. Henderson made 11-of-12 free throws. Teammate Nia Nelson had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Mustangs (10-6, 6-0 Southwestern 4A). Braylyn Milton had 21 for Independence (13-4, 5-2).
↑Charlotte Latin balance: Hawks had five players in double figures in a 78-42 win over Sugar Creek Charter - Graham Calton (20), Daniel Haughton (12), Bennett Smith (12), David Felkner (11) and Harry Grams (10).
↑Mary Schleusner, Charlotte Latin: first career double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) in a 61-40 win over Sugar Creek Charter.
↑Jaden Seymour, Northside Christian: in just his second game back from major knee surgery, Seymour had a team-high 19 points, 11 rebounds and two steals in a 68-52 win over Hickory Grove. AJ Smith, a midseason Observer #BIG5 all-star, had 24 for Hickory Grove.
↑Sun Valley: beat Marvin Ridge 71-44 Friday. It was the school’s sixth win in seven games. The average margin of victory in the wins is 24 points.
↑Abigail Wilson, West Rowan: had 30 points in a 71-50 win over South Iredell. Wilson now has 1,891 career points.
Quick Links
How Olympic High’s Josh Banks became one of the state’s best players
Observer boys basketball player of the week named
Observer girls basketball player of the week named
Observer athlete of the week named
Friday’s Girls #BIG5 Top Performers
Dane Bertolina, Charlotte Catholic: 18 points in a 56-11 win over Monroe. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
Nevaeh Caldwell, Hopewell: had 27 points in a 81-41 win over West Charlotte, her second straight game with 20 points. Caldwell had 23 points in the second half Friday.
Andi Levitz, Providence Day/Kamiah Moore, West Charlotte: Levitz had nine points in Friday’s 51-37 win over Charlotte Christian. Levitz became the second Chargers player this week to score 1,000 career points. Levitz is the 17th player in school history to score 1,000.... For West Charlotte, Moore had 17 points in a 81-41 loss to Hopewell, scoring her 1,000th point.
Nyla McGill, Providence: 23 points, seven assists, six rebounds, five steals in a 56-40 win over rival Ardrey Kell. Amari Davis had 20 points, six rebounds for the Panthers, No. 10 in the sweet 16. McDonald’s All-American nominee Evan Miller had 15 to lead Ardrey Kell.
Kyanna Morgan, Tanajah Hayes, Vance: In a 64-38 win over Hough, Morgan had 20 points, nine steals, seven assists and six rebounds. Hayes finished with 20 points, eight assists, seven steals and six rebounds.
Friday’s Boys #BIG5 Top Performers
Myles Adams, East Lincoln: 16 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, five steals in a 76-36 win over West Lincoln.
Trae Benham, Cheick Traore, First Assembly: combined for 27 points, 20 rebounds in a 81-38 win over Carmel Christian.
Peyton Gerald, Ardrey Kell: 15 points, six rebounds, five steals, three blocks in a 65-52 win over Providence.
Lane Harrill, Cherryville: 43 points, 14 rebounds, five assists in a 89-81 overtime win over Highland Tech.
Daniel Sanford, Vance: 27 points, five rebounds in a 64-58 win over Hough. Sanford made 12-of-16 field goal attempts and 3-of-4 3-point attempts. Teammates Trey Green (17 points, three assists) and Jaylen Curry (nine assists) had strong games.
3 Quick Thoughts
1. Vance really needed a bounce-back win after Tuesday’s humbling 95-55 loss, at home, to North Meck. A game with Hough that was originally scheduled to be a home was moved to Hough due to a scheduling conflict and Vance, No. 4 in the Sweet 16, headed into the fourth quarter up just a point. But the Cougars, a very young team, responded with a splendid fourth quarter in one of the toughest gyms to play in the county. Sophomore Daniel Sanford and freshmen Trey Green and Jaylen Curry led the Cougars on a must-win night.
2. Lake Norman Charter avoided disaster Friday night thanks to a big comeback against Bandys. Lake Norman Charter (11-4, 6-0 South Fork Athletic) was down 12 points to Bandys (6-10, 1-5). Lake Norman Charter leads the league. Bandys is next-to-last. But Lake Norman Charter had a huge fourth quarter comeback before Cal Reed hit the go-ahead floater with eight seconds left , then had a steal and a free throw with five seconds left in a 52-50 win. Reed finished with 14 points.
3. OK, it appears that three area teams have really separated themselves from the rest: No. 1 North Mecklenburg has been handling all N.C. teams that it’s played (North Meck beat Lake Norman 81-55 Friday). Ditto No. 2 Davidson Day. And Friday, No. 3 First Assembly beat No. 5 Carmel Christian 81-38. Carmel is battling injuries but that’s a stunning result. First Assembly led 22-2 after the first quarter in a battle of two private school state title contenders.
Charlotte Christian responds on Jones’ big night
On a night when Charlotte Christian honored former athletics director and boys basketball coach Bobby Jones, the Knights boys dispatched arch rival Providence Day 51-38.
Providence Day didn’t manage double-digit points in a quarter until the fourth.
Peter Lash led Christian with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists. Freshman Cade Nicholson had 10 points, six rebounds. Logan Jones added nine points, five assists and strong on-ball defense.
Jones, recently inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, was an NBA All-Star with the Philadelphia 76ers, a former UNC star and U.S. Olympian. He won three state titles as coach at Christian.
Big Phenom Hoops MLK Event Saturday
The Carmel Christian MLK showcase powered by Phenom Hoops features two top 10 Sweet 16 matchups Saturday: No. 6 Cannon School vs. No. 2 Davidson Day at 6 p.m., and No. 5 Carmel Christian vs. No. 4 Vance at 7:30.
Carmel Christian MLK Showcase (boys)
(at Carmel Christian)
Asheville Christian vs. Cardinal Newman (SC), 1:30
Myers Park vs. Covenant Day, 3
A.L. Brown vs. Concord First Assembly, 4:30
Cannon School vs. Davidson Day, 6
Carmel Christian vs. Vance, 7:30
Friday’s Sweet 16 Boys Scores
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Friday’s Result |
1. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | d. Lake Norman 81-55 |
2. | Davidson Day (IND) | d. South Charlotte 74-30 |
3. | First Assembly (IND) | d. Carmel Christian 81-38 |
4. | Vance (4A) | d. Hough 64-58 |
5. | Carmel Christian (IND) | lost 81-38 to First Assembly |
6. | Cannon School (IND) | d. Covenant Day 84-72 |
7. | Forest Hills (2A) | d. Central Academy 54-13 |
8. | Ardrey Kell (4A) | d. Providence 65-52 |
9. | Freedom (3A) | d. Watauga 71-67 |
10. | Cox Mill (3A) | d. Concord 68-55 |
11. | West Caldwell (2A) | vs. East Burke, late |
12. | Hunter Huss (2A) | vs. Stuart Cramer, late |
13. | Olympic (4A) | idle |
14. | Westminster Catawba (IND) | d. Lake Pointe Academy 82-38 |
15. | Independence (4A) | lost 77-72 to Myers Park |
16. | Charlotte Catholic (3A) | d. Monroe 64-47 |
Friday’s Boys Scores
AL Brown 59, Central Cabarrus 57
Butler 64, East Meck 55
Cannon 84, Covenant Day 72
Charlotte Catholic 64, Monroe 47
Charlotte Christian 51, Providence Day 38
Charlotte Latin 78, Sugar Creek Charter 42
Cherryville 89, Highland Tech 81 OT
Clover 58, Nation Ford 54
Cox Mill 68, Concord 55
Davidson Day 74, South Charlotte 30
East Lincoln 76, West Lincoln 36
First Assembly 81, Carmel Christian 38
Forest Hills 54, Central Academy 13
Freedom 71, Watauga 67
Hickory 47, Alexander Central 45
Hickory Ridge 94, Porter Ridge 75
Lake Norman Charter 52, Bandys 50
Lincoln Charter 77, Christ The King 57
Metrolina Christian 53, Gaston Day 45
Mountain Island Charter 77, Queens Grant 53
Myers Park 77, Independence 72
Northside Christian 68, Hickory Grove 52
North Lincoln 71, Lincolnton 55
Northwest Cabarrus 61, Robinson 60
Pine Lake Prep 85, Carolina International 49
Rock Hill 58, Fort Mill 42
Rocky River 77, Garinger 19
South Point 88, Chase 40
Vance 64, Hough 58
Weddington 68, Piedmont 51
Westminster Catawba 82, Lake Pointe 38
West Caldwell 84, East Burke 69
West Charlotte 43, Hopewell 41
West Rowan 77, South Iredell 35
GIRLS’ SWEET 16
Rk. | School (Cl) | Friday’s result |
1. | Mallard Creek (4A) | d. Mooresville 71-27 |
2. | Freedom (3A) | d. Watauga 62-49 |
3. | Cuthbertson (3A) | d. Parkwood 55-43 |
4. | Vance (4A) | d. Hough 64-38 |
5. | West Rowan (3A) | d. South Iredell 71-50 |
6. | South Pointe (4A) | d. York 52-9 |
7. | East Burke (2A) | d. West Caldwell 65-27 |
8. | Salisbury (2A) | d. Thomasville 53-39 |
9. | Carson (3A) | d. East Rowan 44-39 |
10. | Providence (4A) | d. Ardrey Kell 56-40 |
11. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | d. Lake Norman 58-44 |
12. | Independence (4A) | lost 71-58 to Myers Park |
13. | Shelby (2A) | d. East Rutherford 71-32 |
14. | East Rowan (3A) | lost 44-39 to Carson |
15. | South Mecklenburg (4A) | d. West Meck 66-24 |
16. | Victory Christian (IND) | idle |
Friday’s Girls Scores
Ashbrook 69, North Gaston 29
Bandys 62, Lake Norman Charter 43
Carson 44, East Rowan 39
Central Cabarrus 55, AL Brown 36
Charlotte Catholic 56, Monroe 11
Charlotte Latin 61, Sugar Creek Charter 40
Clover 79, Nation Ford 59
Cuthbertson 55, Parkwood 43
East Burke 65, West Caldwell 27
East Lincoln 73, West Lincoln 25
First Assembly 68, Carmel Christian 62
Forestview 41, Kings Mountain 38
Freedom 62, Watauga 49
Gaston Day 50, Metrolina Christian 49
Hickory 61, Alexander Central 58
Hickory Ridge 72, Porter Ridge 41
Hopewell 81, West Charlotte 41
Lincoln Charter 52, Christ The King 23
Mallard Creek 71, Mooresville 27
Marvin Ridge 59, Sun Valley 40
Mount Pleasant 47, Montgomery Central 34
Myers Park 71, Independence 58
North Central 42, Lewisville 31
North Meckenburg 58, Lake Norman 44
Providence Day 51, Charlotte Christian 37
Providence 56, Ardrey Kell 40
Rock Hill 39, Fort Mill 27
Salisbury 53, Thomasville 39
Shelby 71, East Rutherford 32
South Point 47, Chase 30
South Pointe 52, York 9
Vance 64, Hough 38
Weddington 43, Piedmont 23
Saturday’s Schedule
MLK Showcase
(at Johnson C. Smith Univ.)
West Charlotte vs. Rock Hill (girls), noon
West Mecklenburg vs. Indian Land (boys), 2
Olympic vs. Legion Collegiate (boys), 4
Northside Christian vs. TBD (boys), 6
West Charlotte vs. Combine Academy (boys), 8
Carmel Christian MLK Showcase (boys)
(at Carmel Christian)
Asheville Christian vs. Cardinal Newman (SC), 1:30
Myers Park vs. Covenant Day, 3
A.L. Brown vs. Concord First Assembly, 4:30
Cannon School vs. Davidson Day, 6
Carmel Christian vs. Vance, 7:30
MLK Classic
(at Victory Christian School)
Southlake Christian, Victory Christian competing
Big Shots MLK Showcase
(at Greensboro Smith High)
Moravian Prep Regional vs. Salem Baptist, 11 a.m.
Piedmont Classical vs. Winston-Salem Prep, 12:30
Moravian Prep National vs. Faith Assembly, 2
Fayetteville Westover vs. Eastern Guilford, 3:30
Salisbury vs. Reidsville, 5
Greensboro Smith vs. West Columbia (SC) Collegiate, 6:30
High Point Christian vs. High Point Wesleyan, 8
Nonconference
Carmel Christian at Burlington School (girls)
Charlotte Christian at York Prep
Comenius at Cannon School
Cox Mill at Kinston (boys)
Forest Hills vs. Monroe, at Wingate University
Kings Mountain at East Lincoln
Metrolina Christian at Cary Academy
United Faith Christian at Northwood Temple
This story was originally published January 17, 2020 at 9:26 PM with the headline "Myers Park finally shakes injury bug, makes major rally to upset Independence."
