Friday’s Prep Rewind: Independence boys, Myers Park girls gain shares of SW4A titles
Note: Scroll down for high school conference tournament pairings and Saturday’s NCISAA playoff coverage
You think Independence’s narrow victory Friday night at Myers Park was something?
Wait until next week, says Preston Davis, head coach of the Southwestern 4A co-champion Patriots.
Davis’ team captured a share of the regular-season title with a 56-53 victory Friday over the host Mustangs before a full-house crowd.
But they had to survive two late attempts by Myers Park to tie the game. And now they get to do it all over again next week, in the conference tournament.
And as Davis notes, there’ll be additional company. Joining the Patriots and Mustangs will be Hickory Ridge, which tied Independence for the regular-season championship, and Butler, which gave all the contenders fits this season.
There were dramatics in the girls’ opener Friday, too.
Myers Park trailed for nearly three quarters of its game against Independence before rallying in the fourth quarter for a 54-44 victory. That gave the Mustangs a share of the girls’ championship with Butler.
“This is a conference with a lot of good teams,” Davis said. “Next week will be very interesting. There’ll be some very good basketball.”
The Independence boys (17-7, 12-2) never trailed against Myers Park (17-7, 10-4), but the Mustangs stayed within five points in the final quarter.
Nygell Verdier made two free throws with 11 seconds left, giving Independence its 56-53 lead. Myers Park then set up a final play, with Xavier McKelvy, who made a trio of 3-pointers in the game, attempting a 3 from the right corner. But his shot was blocked by Verdier.
The Patriots grabbed the loose ball and Myers Park fouled Divine Allah with 1.5 seconds remaining. Allah missed both free throws, and the Mustangs’ Drake Maye grabbed the rebound. Maye threw the inbound pass, but his throw to McKelvy went out of bounds, ending the final threat.
“This is a team that had some growing pains,” Davis says. “We let two games slip away early in the conference season. But we’ve grown.”
Patriots’ guard Anthony Allen, who scored 13 points, said his team has surprised some people.
“We lost a lot of seniors from last year, and I don’t think people expected much from us,” Allen said. “But here we are.”
In the girls’ game, Bralyn Milton scored 11 first-quarter points as Independence raced to a 14-6 lead.
But the Mustangs battled back, and then guard Mia Xerras shot them into the lead in the second half. She scored 18 of her 22 points in the final two periods, hitting three three-pointers.
FIVE WHO MATTERED
Nygell Verdier, Independence boys: Verdier, a 6-foot-5 senior, scored a game-high 20 points and made four key free throws down the stretch.
Anthony Allen, Independence boys: Allen, a 5-10 senior guard, scored 13 points and played excellent defense on Myers Park’s quick guards.
Drake Maye, Myers Park boys: Maye had a rough start, going scoreless in the first half on 0-of-6 shooting. But he erupted for 11 third-quarter points and finished with 13, adding seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
Mia Xerras, Myers Park girls: Xerras scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers.
Bralyn Milton, Independence girls: Milton scored 18 points, hitting 5-of-6 shots from the foul line in the second half after a nine-point first quarter.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ In the boys’ race, Independence and Hickory Ridge tied at 12-2, with Myers Park at 10-4 and Butler fourth at 8-6.
▪ In the girls’ race, Myers Park and Butler tied at 13-1, with Independence (10-4) and Hickory Ridge (8-6) rounding out the top four.
▪ Foul-shooting troubles prevented Independence from pulling away from Myers Park in the boys’ game. The Patriots hit 6-of-13 from the foul line. Myers Park had only four free throws in the game, making three.
▪ Independence finished shooting 23 of 52 from the floor in the boys’ contest. Myers Park made just 22 of 58 shots. The Mustangs outrebounded Independence 33-28.
▪ In the girls’ game, it was Myers Park getting to the foul line much more often. The Mustangs didn’t fare well, though, hitting 12 of 23. Independence made 7 of 14 free throws.
▪ Something for Southwestern 4A girls’ coaches and players to worry about: Myers Park shared the conference regular-season title with a team that has no seniors.
THEY SAID IT
“These guys played a lot of basketball before this season. But they didn’t play a lot of basketball with each other. It took us a while to work together.” — Independence boys’ coach Preston Davis
Saturday’s Top Performers
Trae Benham, First Assembly: 31 points in an 82-43 win over Calvary Day. First Assembly (31-3) had 18 steals. Benham made 5-of-6 3-point attempts. Teammate Cheick Traore had 14 points, seven rebounds and a block.
Jaden Bradley, Cannon School: 32 points in an 88-70 win over High Point Wesleyan. Teammate Jarvis Moss added 29 for Cannon (25-6).
Graham Calton, Charlotte Latin: 20 points, six rebounds in a 71-58 win over Christ School. Latin advances to the NCISAA Final Four Friday.
Mallorie Haines, Davidson Day: 24 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, five steals in a 62-15 win over University Christian.
Jael Hall, First Assembly: 26 points in a 51-38 win over Forsyth Country Day.
Portia Shouse, Zaria Clark, Gaston Day: 30 points, nine rebounds for Clark in a 71-62 win over Salem Baptist in the NCISAA 2A quarterfinals. Clark had 25 poitns, six rebounds, six assists, five steals. Janiah Shular (14 points, seven rebounds, four steals) and Cameron Harris (two points, 10 rebounds, five assists).
Jackson Threadgill, Davidson Day: 31 points, four steals in a 93-35 win over Burlington Christian in the NCISAA playoffs.
Saturday’s NCISAA third round, quarterfinal results
BOYS
CLASS 4A
Durham Academy 70, Providence Day 41
Charlotte Latin 71, Christ School 58
Cannon 88, High Point Wesleyan 70
Greensboro Day 83, Rabun Gap 40
Friday’s semifinals at Providence Day
Durham Academy (28-4) vs. Latin (21-7), 4:30
Cannon (25-6) vs. Greensboro Day (31-4), 7:30
CLASS 3A
First Assembly 82, Calvary Day 43
Asheville Christian 71, Hickory Grove 69
Village Christian 91, Gaston Christian 39
Cape Fear Academy 60, Carmel Christian 47
Friday’s semifinals at Carmel Christian
Asheville Christian (18-7) vs. First Assembly (31-3), 4:30
Cape Fear (22-7) vs. Village Christian (20-6), 7:30
CLASS 2A
Davidson Day 93, Burlington Christian 35
Trinity Academy 77, Salem Baptist Christian 65
Westminster Catawba 69, Hickory Christian 30
Freedom Christian 72, Harrells Christian 28
Gaston Day 57, Westchester Country Day 46
Wayne Country Day d. Thales Academy, score NA
Fayetteville Academy 76, Faith Christian 47
University Christian (10-11) at Northside Christian (22-8)
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Fayetteville Academy (8-15) vs. University/Northside
Trinity Christian (23-4) at Davidson Day (27-1), 6:30
Westminster Catawa (20-4) at Freedom Christian (21-10)
Gaston Day (10-15) at Wayne Country Day (27-5)
CLASS 1A
Saturday’s Quarterfinals
Grace Christian (20-16) at Trinity Christian (25-2)
Victory Christian (20-9) at Northwood Temple (20-14)
Burlington School 76, United Faith 31
Greenfield School 82, Cape Fear Christian 75
Friday’s semifinals at Covenant Day School
Trinity/Grace vs. Victory/Northwood, 5:30 p.m.
Burlington School (24-10) vs. Greenfield School (29-6), 8:30
GIRLS
CLASS 4A
Greensboro Day 60, Charlotte Christian 43
Rabun Gap Nacoochee (16-10) at North Raleigh Christian (21-7)
Cannon School 38, Ravenscroft 35
Providence Day 53, Charlotte Country Day 41
Friday’s semifinals at Providence Day
Greensboro Day (27-2) vs. North Raleigh/Rabun Gap, 3
Cannon School (17-8) vs. Providence Day (22-6), 6
CLASS 3A
Asheville Christian 66, Carmel Christian 40
Cape Fear Christian 51, High Point Christian 37
Fayetteville Christian 48, Cary Christian 44
First Assembly 51, Forsyth Country Day 37
Friday’s semifinals at Carmel Christian
Cape Fear (18-8) vs. Asheville Christian (19-5), 2:30
Fayetteville Christian (19-4) vs. First Assembly (26-6), 6
CLASS 2A
Saturday’s quarterfinals
Salem Baptist (13-8) at Gaston Day (18-7), 1
Friendship Christian (14-8) at O’Neal (24-2)
Wayne Country Day 47, Trinity Academy 44
Gaston Day 71, Salem Baptist 62
Davidson Day 62, University Christian 15
Friday’s semifinals at Gaston Day
Wayne Country Day (24-4) vs. O’Neal/Friendship, 3 p.m.
Gaston Day (19-8) vs. Davidson Day (16-13), 6 p.m.
CLASS 1A
Saturday’s quarterfinals
Victory Christian 67, Northwood Temple 26
Grace Christian 62, Lee Christian 42
Neuse Christian (11-12) at Trinity Christian (21-2)
Burlington School 64, Greenfield School 24
Friday’s semifinals at Covenant Day School
Grace Christian (21-8) at Victory Christian (22-6), 4 p.m.
Burlington School (18-8) vs. Trinity/Neuse, 7 p.m.
Area conference tournament pairings
BOYS
I-Meck 4A
(at Vance High)
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Mooresville (4-20) vs. North Mecklenburg (23-1), 3
Hopewell (6-18) vs. Vance (19-5), 4:30
Mallard Creek (9-15) vs. West Charlotte (14-9), 6
Lake Norman (14-10) vs. Hough (16-8), 7:30
Thursday’s semifinals
Hopewell-Vance winner vs. Mallard Creek-West Charlotte winner, 6
Mooresville-North Mecklenburg winner vs. Lake Norman-Hough winner, 7:30
Friday’s finals
Thursday’s winners meet at 7:30 p.m.
SoMeck 7 4A
(at Berry Academy)
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Providence (2-19) vs. Ardrey Kell (18-6), 4:30
West Mecklenburg (10-14) vs. South Mecklenburg (12-10), 6
Berry Academy (9-11) vs. Harding (17-7), 7:30
Thursday’s semifinals
Providence-Ardrey Kell winner vs. West Mecklenburg-South Mecklenburg winner, 6
Olympic (18-5) vs. Berry Academy-Harding winner, 7:30
Friday’s finals
Thursday’s winners meet at 8 p.m.
Northwestern 3A-4A
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
South Caldwell (7-15) at McDowell (10-12), 7:30
Watauga (7-15) at Alexander Central (14-10), 7
St. Stephens (5-19) at Hickory (19-4), 7:30
Thursday’s semifinals
(at McDowell)
St. Stephens-Hickory winner vs. Watauga-Alexander Central winner, 7
Freedom (22-1) vs. South Caldwell-McDowell winner, 8:30
Friday’s finals
(at McDowell)
Thursday’s winners meet at 8 p.m.
North Piedmont 3A
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Jesse Carson (11-12) at North Iredell (10-14), 6
East Rowan (2-22) at South Iredell (8-14), 7:30
Wednesday’s semifinal
(at Jesse Carson)
Statesville (17-5) vs. Jesse Carson-North Iredell winner, 7:30
Thursday’s semifinal
(at Jesse Carson)
West Rowan (13-9) vs. East Rowan-South Iredell winner, 7:30
Friday’s finals
(at Jesse Carson)
Wednesday’s winner vs. Thursday’s winner, 8
South Piedmont 3A
Monday’s quarterfinals
(at Central Cabarrus)
Jay M. Robinson (11-12) vs. Concord (11-12), 5:30
Northwest Cabarrus (5-17) vs. Central Cabarrus (15-9), 7
Wednesday’s semifinal
(at Concord)
Cox Mill (21-3) vs. Jay M. Robinson-Concord winner, 7;30
Thursday’s semifinal
(at Concord)
A.L. Brown (16-7) vs. Northwest Cabarrus-Central Cabarrus winner, 7:30
Friday’s finals
(at Concord)
Wednesday’s winner vs. Thursday’s winner, 7:30
Southern Carolina 3A
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
(at Weddington)
Parkwood (3-18) vs. Weddington (18-6), 6
Cuthbertson (9-15) vs. Monroe (11-11), 7:30
(at Charlotte Catholic)
Piedmont (5-18) vs. Charlotte Catholic (19-3), 6
Marvin Ridge (8-16) vs. Sun Valley (15-9), 7:30
Wednesday’s semifinals
(at Charlotte Catholic)
Parkwood-Weddington winner vs. Cuthbertson-Monroe winner, 7
Piedmont-Charlotte Catholic winner vs. Marvin Ridge-Sun Valley winner, 8:30
Friday’s finals
(at Charlotte Catholic)
Wednesday’s winners meet at 8 p.m.
Rocky River 2A-3A
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Mount Pleasant (9-14) at Montgomery Central (8-15), 7
Central Academy (2-22) at West Stanly (14-10), 7
Thursday’s semifinals
(at Pfeiffer University)
Mount Pleasant-Montgomery Central winner vs. Forest Hills (23-0), 5:30
Central Academy-West Stanly winner vs. Anson County (10-12), 8:30
Friday’s finals
(at Pfeiffer University)
Thursday’s winners meet at 7:30 p.m.
Foothills 2A
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Bunker Hill (3-21) at Hibriten (21-2), 6:30
Fred T. Foard (6-18) at West Caldwell (21-3), 6:30
Draughn (13-11) at East Burke (13-11), 7:30
West Iredell (7-17) at Patton (16-7), 7:30
Thursday’s semifinals
(at East Burke)
Fred T. Foard-West Caldwell winner vs. Patton-West Iredell winner, 5:30
Bunker Hill-Hibriten winner vs. Draughn-East Burke winner, 8:30
Friday’s finals
(at East Burke)
Thursday’s winners meet at 8:15 p.m.
Southern Piedmont 1A
(at higher seeds)
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Christ the King (14-10) at Highland Tech (7-14), 7
Cherryville (15-9) at Thomas Jefferson Academy (17-6), 7
Piedmont Community Charter (7-17) at Bessemer City (16-5), 7:30
Thursday’s semifinals
Christ the King-Highland Tech winner at Lincoln Charter (22-2), 7
Cherryville-Thomas Jefferson Academy winner vs. Piedmont Charter-Bessemer City winner, 7
Friday’s finals
(at Lincoln Charter)
Thursday’s winners meet at 7:30 p.m.
GIRLS
I-Meck 4A
(at Vance High)
Monday’s quarterfinals
West Charlotte (6-17) vs. Mallard Creek (21-2), 3
Mooresville (8-16) vs. Vance (20-4), 4:30
Hough (9-15) vs. North Mecklenburg (17-6), 6
Lake Norman (15-8) vs. Hopewell (15-9), 7:30
Wednesday’s semifinals
Mooresville-Vance winner vs. Hough-North Mecklenburg winner, 6
West Charlotte-Mallard Creek winner vs. Lake Norman-Hopewell winner, 7:30
Friday’s finals
Wednesday’s winners meet at 6 p.m.
SoMeck 7 4A
(at Berry Academy)
Monday’s quarterfinals
Harding (0-20) vs. South Mecklenburg (17-4), 4:30
West Mecklenburg (8-16) vs. Ardrey Kell (14-10), 6
Berry Academy (11-11) vs. Olympic (14-8), 7:30
Wednesday’s semifinals
West Mecklenburg-Ardrey Kell winner vs. Harding-South Mecklenburg winner, 6
Berry Academy-Olympic winner vs. Providence (21-2), 7:30
Friday’s finals
Wednesday’s winners meet at 6:30 p.m.
Northwestern 3A-4A
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Alexander Central (12-12) at McDowell (11-11), 6
South Caldwell (11-11) at Watauga (15-7), 7
St. Stephens (2-22) at Hickory (18-5), 6
Thursday’s semifinals
(at McDowell)
Alexander Central-McDowell winner vs. Freedom (23-0), 4
South Caldwell-Watauga winner vs. St. Stephens-Hickory winner, 5:30
Friday’s finals
(at McDowell)
Thursday’s winners meet at 6:30 p.m.
North Piedmont 3A
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
North Iredell (3-21) at East Rowan (19-5), 6
Statesville (5-17) at South Iredell (10-12), 6
Wednesday’s semifinal
(at Jesse Carson)
Jesse Carson (21-3) vs. South Iredell-Statesville winner, 6
Thursday’s semifinal
(at Jesse Carson)
West Rowan (19-4) vs. North Iredell-East Rowan winner, 6
Friday’s finals
(at Jesse Carson)
Wednesday’s winner vs. Thursday’s winner, 6
South Piedmont 3A
Monday’s quarterfinals
(at Northwest Cabarrus)Concord (6-18) vs. A.L. Brown (8-15), 5:30
Jay M. Robinson (2-20) vs. Northwest Cabarrus (12-10), 7
Wednesday’s semifinal
(at Concord)
Central Cabarrus (19-5) vs. Concord-A.L. Brown winner, 6
Thursday’s semifinal
(at Concord)
Cox Mill (15-9) vs. Jay M. Robinson-Northwest Cabarrus winner, 6
Friday’s finals
(at Concord)
Wednesday’s winner vs. Thursday’s winner, 6
Southern Carolina 3A
Monday’s quarterfinals
Schedule to be announced
Wednesday’s semifinals
(at Charlotte Catholic)
Games at 4 and 5:30 p.m.
Friday’s finals
(at Charlotte Catholic)
Wednesday’s winners meet at 6 p.m.
Rocky River 2A-3A
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Mount Pleasant (5-18) at Anson County (8-15), 7
Montgomery Central (4-18) at Central Academy (10-12), 7
Thursday’s semifinals
(at Pfeiffer University)
Mount Pleasant-Anson County winner vs. Forest Hills (15-7), 4
Montgomery Central-Central Academy winner vs. West Stanly (15-9), 7
Friday’s finals
(at Pfeiffer University)
Thursday’s winners meet at 6 p.m.
Foothills 2A
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Fred T. Foard (10-14) at Draughn (11-13), 6:30
Hibriten (3-19) at Bunker Hill (18-6), 6:30
West Caldwell (3-14) at East Burke (21-3), 6
West Iredell (11-13) at Patton (14-9), 6
Thursday’s semifinals
(at East Burke)
Hibriten-Bunker Hill winner vs. Patton-West Iredell winner, 4
East Burke-West Caldwell winner vs. Draughn-Fred T. Foard winner, 7
Friday’s finals
(at East Burke)
Thursday’s winners meet at 7 p.m.
Southern Piedmont 1A
(at higher seeds)
Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Thomas Jefferson Academy (12-11) at Bessemer City (11-10), 6
Highland Tech (2-20) at Piedmont Community Charter (11-11), 6
Cherryville (1-18) at Christ the King (14-9), 6
Thursday’s semifinals
Thomas Jefferson Academy-Bessemer City winner at Lincoln charter (18-5), 6
Highland Tech-Piedmont Charter winner vs. Cherryville-Christ the King winner, 6
Friday’s finals
(at Lincoln Charter)
Thursday’s winners meet at 6 p.m.
Friday’s Elevator
↑Dane Bertolina, Imelda McMenamin, Charlotte Catholic girls: So nice Friday, they’ll make our lists twice (see below). Both Cougars made seven (!) 3-point shots in a 73-41 win over Marvin Ridge.
↑Providence girls: Held off a big challenge from Ardrey Kell to win 51-50 and finish the regular season at 21-2, the best record in school history. Providence was also unbeaten in conference for the first time ever. Evan Miller had 23 for Ardrey Kell.
↑Ja’el Miller, Central Cabarrus girls: Scored her 1,000th point in a 58-39 win over Northwest Cabarrus. Miller (16 points, seven assists), Aniyah Tate (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Mariah Barrie (18 points, 10 rebounds) led the win on a night when Central won the outright South Piedmont 3A title for the second straight season.
↑Cal Reed, Lake Norman Charter: After setting the school’s all-time assists record this week, Reed broke the steals’ record in Friday’s 66-30 win over West Lincoln. Reed and Lake Norman Charter clinched the South Fork 2A championship. Reed had 12 points, Donovan Atwell had 15.
↑Jessica Timmons, North Meck girls: The top-50 national recruit had 27 points, 14 rebounds in a 54-48 win over Lake Norman.
↑Forest Hills: Beat Anson County 78-40 and became first Union County team to finish the regular season undefeated. Forest Hills (23-0) has a senior class that leaves with a four-year conference record of 39-1.
Guilford County star delays game with backboard shattering windmill
Friday night, Northwest Guilford senior guard Christian Hampton literally shut the gym down at Greensboro Grimsley with a left-handed windmill.
Hampton took a pass from a teammate, planted and showed why he’s considered one of the best athletes in his area.
Because most high schools don’t have a backup goal, the game was postponed until 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Best Things I Heard About Friday
▪ The South Meck girls polished off their sixth straight winning season under coach Cristie Mitchell on Friday. Mitchell took over a team that had gone 0-23, 0-23 and 6-19 in the three years before she got there. Her first three teams were sub-.500 but she has averaged more than 18 wins per season since. South Meck (19-4) beat West Meck 58-18 Friday. Senali Moss (14 points, eight steals, five assists), Katie Houpt (11 points) and Markella Allen (career-high 12) led the Sabres.
▪ Lake Norman Charter’s Marissa Sorviollo hit the game-winning 3 with 5.2 seconds left in a 54-51 win over West Lincoln. Jillian Villanti made the pass. ... Weddington sophomore Chase Lowe had 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists in a 73-61 win over Cuthbertson.
▪ Quite the duel between two of the top area players outside Mecklenburg County on Friday. Newton-Conover’s girls beat East Lincoln. Newton-Conover’s Rutgers recruit Chyna Cornwell had 35 points. East Lincoln’s Brianna Tadlock had 32 points, five assists, two steals, two blocks and two rebounds.
▪ Mallard Creek’s girls, No. 3 in the Sweet 16, had to work to tie Vance for the I-MECK conference title. Mooresville was tied with the Mavericks heading into the fourth quarter of what became a 57-53 Mallard Creek win. Mavs senior Neveah Brown scored seven of her 14 points in the fourth quarter, when Mallard Creek got a clutch 3-pionter from Kennedy Simpson, who finished with 15 points.
▪ The Southwestern 4A coaches will likely pick their all-conference team Saturday during meetings for conference tournament seeding. Just a guess that Independence’s Preston Davis will win boys coach of the year. Independence graduated eight seniors last season, among them four college basketball players: Matthew Smith (Murray State), AJ McKee (Queens), Tyler Harris (Western Carolina) and Raja Milton (Louisburg).
▪ Ashbrook girls finished 12-0 in Big South 3A play with a 72-16 win over arch rival Hunter Huss on Friday. ... On Senior Night, Jeremiah Murphy had 30 points, 10 rebounds, four steals for Queens Grant in a 76-44 win over Bradford prep. Murphy and Loren Boyette are now the Nos. 3 and 4 scorers in school history.
Friday’s #BIG5 Girls Top Performers
Dane Bertolina, Imelda McMenamin, Charlotte Catholic: Had 30 points, four steals, three assists for Bertolina in a 73-41 win over Marvin Ridge. McMenamin had 31 points, four steals.
Blaikley Crooks, Freedom: 27 points in a 72-53 win over McDowell. Josie Hise added 21 for Freedom (23-0), which won its fifth straight conference title.
Amari Davis, Providence: 23 points, six rebounds, three steals in a 51-50 win over Ardrey Kell. Teammate Nyla McGill had 12 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
Kyanna Morgan, Vance: 12 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, eight steals in a 65-46 win over Hough that clinched a share of the I-MECK 4A conference title.
Saniya Wilson, Kings Mountain: 25 points, four rebounds, four steals in a 64-36 win over Crest. Teammate Essence Houser added 16 points, 10 rebounds. Kings Mountain (9-15, 8-4) finishes third in the Big South 3A.
Friday’s #BIG5 Boys Top Performers
Justice Davis, Bessemer City: 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists in a 58-51 win over Sugar Creek Charter. Bessemer City is 16-5.
Que Garner, Freedom: 30 points in a 96-53 win over McDowell.
Trey Green, Vance: 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals for the 5-9 freshman guard in a 62-61 win over Hough.
Calik “Duke” Thomas, Rocky River: 26 points in a 71-28 win over Garinger.
Patrick Wessler, Butler: 7-foot sophomore had 29 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks in a 69-50 win over East Mecklenburg.
HOW THE BOYS SWEET 16 FARED
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Rec | Friday |
| 1. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | 23-1 | d. Lake Norman 78-42 |
| 2. | Davidson Day (IND) | 26-1 | idle |
| 3. | First Assembly (IND) | 31-3 | idle |
| 4. | Cannon School (IND) | 24-6 | idle |
| 5. | Carmel Christian (IND) | 21-5 | idle |
| 6. | Freedom (3A) | 22-1 | d. McDowell 96-53 |
| 7. | Forest Hills (2A) | 23-0 | d. Anson County 78-40 |
| 8. | Olympic (4A) | 18-5 | idle |
| 9. | Charlotte Catholic (3A) | 19-3 | d. Marvin Ridge 86-65 |
| 10. | Cox Mill (3A) | 21-3 | d. AL Brown 97-72 |
| 11. | Shelby (2A) | 19-3 | d. South Point 72-63 |
| 12. | Vance (4A) | 19-5 | d. Hough 62-61 |
| 13. | Hickory Ridge (4A) | 20-4 | d. Porter Ridge 73-61 |
| 14. | Ardrey Kell (4A) | 18-6 | d. Providence 67-51 |
| 15. | Lincoln Charter (1A) | 21-2 | vs. Piedmont Community, late |
| 16. | Myers Park (4A) | 17-7 | lost 56-53 to Independence |
Note: Click here for updated Sweet 16 polls
FRIDAY’S BOYS SCORES
Alexander Central 57, South Caldwell 41
Ardrey Kell 67, Providence 51
Bessemer City 58, Sugar Creek Charter 51
Butler 69, East Mecklenburg 50
Charlotte Catholic 86, Marvin Ridge 65
Cox Mill 97, AL Brown 72
Crest 63, Kings Mountain 61
East Lincoln 71, Newton-Conover 49
Forest Hills 78, Anson County 40
Freedom 96, McDowell 53
Hickory Ridge 73, Porter Ridge 61
Hunter Huss 80, Ashbrook 69
Independence 56, Myers Park 53
Lake Norman Charter 66, West Lincoln 30
North Iredell 68, East Rowan 64
North Lincoln 74, Bandys 52
North Mecklenburg 78, Lake Norman 42
Queens Grant 76, Bradford Prep 44
R-S Central 77, Chase 53
Richmond Senior 67, Scotland 62
Rocky River 71, Garinger 28
Shelby 72, South Point 63
Sun Valley 71, Piedmont 56
Thomas Jefferson 73, Cherryville 67
Vance 62, Hough 61
Weddington 73, Cuthbertson 61
Westminster Catawba 69, Hickory Christian 30
HOW THE GIRLS SWEET 16 FARED
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Rec | Friday |
| 1. | Freedom (3A) | 23-0 | d. McDowell 72-53 |
| 2. | Vance (4A) | 20-4 | d. Hough 65-46 |
| 3. | Mallard Creek (4A) | 21-2 | d. Mooresville 57-52 |
| 4. | East Burke (2A) | 20-3 | idle |
| 5. | Salisbury (2A) | 23-1 | d. South Rowan 67-31 |
| 6. | Providence (4A) | 21-2 | d. Ardrey Kell 51-50 |
| 7. | Cuthbertson (3A) | 22-2 | d. Weddington 59-50 |
| 8. | Shelby (2A) | 19-1 | d. South Point via forfeit |
| 9. | Carson (3A) | 21-3 | d. South Iredell 52-45 |
| 10. | North Mecklenburg (4A) | 18-6 | d. Lake Norman 54-48 |
| 11. | South Mecklenburg (4A) | 17-4 | d. West Meck 58-18 |
| 12. | Charlotte Catholic (3A) | 18-4 | d. Marvin Ridge 73-41 |
| 13. | Newton-Conover (2A) | 22-2 | d. East Lincoln 69-53 |
| 14. | Providence Day (IND) | 21-6 | idle |
| 15. | West Rowan (3A) | 19-4 | d. Statesville 48-45 |
| 16. | Butler (4A) | 17-7 | idle |
FRIDAY’S GIRLS SCORES
Ashbrook 72, Hunter Huss 16
Bandys 53, North Lincoln 38
Bessemer City 33, Sugar Creek Charter 31
Carson 52, South Iredell 45
Central Academy 36, Central Montgomery 23
Central Cabarrus 58, Northwest Cabarrus 39
Charlotte Catholic 73, Marvin Ridge 41
Christ The King 53, Highland Tech 22
Community School of Davidson 57, Carolina International 6
Cuthbertson 59, Weddington 50
East Rowan 64, North Iredell 24
Forest Hills 68, Anson County 24
Freedom 72, McDowell 53
Hickory Ridge 68, Porter RIdge 53
Hopewell 77, West Charlotte 34
Kings Mountain 64, Crest 36
Lake Norman Charter 54, West Lincoln 51
Mallard Creek 57, Mooresville 53
Myers Park 54, Independence 44
Newton-Conover 69, East Lincoln 53
North Mecklenburg 54, Lake Norman 48
Parkwood 52, Monroe 38
Piedmont 54, Sun Valley 33
Providence 51, Ardrey Kell 50
R-S Central 67 Chase 17
Salisbury 67, South Rowan 31
South Caldwell 68, Alexander Central 32
South Mecklenburg 58, West Mecklenburg 18
Vance 65, Hough 46
West Rowan 48, Statesville 45
Rosters for the N.C. Private School All-Star game
The rosters for the 2020 N.C. private school all-star game have been announced. The boys and girls all-star games will be played Saturday, Feb. 29 at Providence Day.
The girls game will start at 1 p.m., followed by the boys approximately at 2:30. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students and kids under 8 are free.
Head coaches and athletic directors from across the state nominated 100 players for consideration for the game, then a selected committee narrowed the teams.
EAST BOYS: Christian Bailey, Greensboro Day; Dji Bailey, Greenfield School (Wake Forest); Kaleb Brooks, Wesleyan Christian; Todd Burt Jr., Trinity Christian; Jaylon Gibson, Grace Christian (Wake Forest); Cam Hayes, Greensboro Day (N.C. State); Creighton Lebo, Greenfield; Zavian McLean, Village Christian (Columbia); Cason Pierce, Greensboro Day; Myljael Poteat, The Burlington School (Rice); Aymoric Tossaint, Freedom Christian; Trey Pittman, Greenfiled; Carson McCorkle, Greensboro Day, injured (Virginia). Coach: Tim McKenna, Durham Academy
WEST BOYS: Will Coble, Davidson Day; Garrett Hien, First Assembly (Furman); Myles Hunter, Carmel Christian (Youngstown State); CJ Huntley, Davidson Day (App State); Randy Johnson, Charlotte Latin (Holy Cross); Peter Lash, Charlotte Christian; Ambaka Le Gregam, First Assembly (Presbyterian); Tyler McKinney, Asheville Christian (Lincoln Memorial); Jaden Seymour, Northside Christian; Seth Smith, Victory Christian; Jackson Threadgill, Davidson Day (Charlotte); Cheick Traore, First Assembly (Youngstown State). Coach: Chris Berger, Charlotte Latin
EAST GIRLS: Marissa Lee, Lee Christian; Christa Dutton, North Raleigh Christian; Hadiya Balser, O’Neal; Deri Akdeniz, Rabun Gap; Chloe Kernan, Cape Fear (Washington University); Kelly Baker, Ravenscroft; Emily Hayman, Ravenscroft; Macy Fredericksen, Ravenscroft; Shelby Woods, Cary Christian (Meredith); Noni Russell, Fayetteville Christian; Aileen Marquez, Rabun Gap. Coach: Lulu Brase, O’Neal School
WEST GIRLS: Viktoria McCue, Covenant Day; Nina-Simone Clark, Providence Day; Emma Coles, Charlotte Christian; Kailey Smith, Providence Day; Kennedy Grier, Charlotte Country Day; Morgan Kelson, Providence Day (Claflin); Aniyah Vanhook, Burlington School; Grace Godwin, Providence Day; Triniti Lockhart, First Assembly; Andi Levitz, Providence Day; MiLeia Owens, Providence Day; Caroline Sikkink, Asheville Christian; Molina Williams, Burlington School (Charlotte). Coach: Tavores Vanhook, Burlington School
This story was originally published February 14, 2020 at 1:26 PM.
