Mask Night. High School basketball players begin play under new NC rules Tuesday
Tuesday night, many high school teams in the Mecklenburg County and Wake County areas began to play basketball while wearing masks.
Late last month, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order requiring all indoor youth and amateur athletes to wear masks while playing sports. Tuesday, the N.C. High School Athletic Association -- which had already had its public school volleyball players playing in masks -- began to require all athletes, indoors or out, to wear masks.
For public schools, only volleyball and cross-country are in season now. Cross-country athletes can remove the masks while running. But sports in less vigorous skill development phases -- like football and basketball -- will have to wear the masks while participating.
But for private schools, basketball is in season now, and with a full schedule Tuesday, that meant the mask-while-playing experiment was going to begin.
Despite dozens of games scheduled, no incidents were reported to the Observer.
At Charlotte Country Day, new Bucs coach David Carrier’s team finally played its first game. The Bucs had a few games postponed due to COVID-19. And Carrier - whose team lost to High Point Wesleyan 77-63 Tuesday -- said his kids just wanted to play, however they had to do it.
“Once the game started,” Carrier said, “the masks didn’t seem to be an issue. It seemed as if the flow of the game took over.”
The Buccaneers’ first game under Carrier didn’t end the way he wanted, but Wesleyan Christian of High Point had to work for it.
“We’ll run a lot, and we’ll get a lot of players involved,” said Carrier, who was hired in the off-season by the Buccaneers after stints at Providence Day and Westchester Country Day over the past 25 seasons.
A dozen Bucs saw action. All but one scored. The Bucs fell behind by 18 points early in the third quarter but battled back within single digits just five minutes later.
And they did all that with only three days’ practice.
Carrier, who coached Providence Day to a pair of state championships and four consecutive state finals appearances, has needed patience in recent weeks. While most other private schools across North Carolina ran practices and played several games, Charlotte Country Day was sidelined by various issues, including that COVID contact tracing and a late football season.
“We only had one practice together as a team,” he said.
And Tuesday night was the Buccaneers’ opener.
They trailed the entire game but narrowed the gap to 11-10 early in the second quarter. Wesleyan Christian opened a 25-15 lead and extended it to 36-21 at the half.
The Trojans, taking advantage of a size advantage, widened their lead to 44-26 with 5:56 left in the third quarter.
“We kept battling, and that was something I liked,” Carrier said. “We came back.”
The Buccaneers narrowed the gap to 53-44 on a Jordan Erwin jump shot with 52 seconds left in the third quarter. Momentum appeared to have switched in Charlotte Country Day’s favor.
“But then … it all went away in a hurry,” Carrier said.
The Trojans scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter for a 64-44 lead and coasted from there.
THREE WHO MATTERED
Kade Darr, Wesleyan Christian: A 6-3 senior guard, Darr finished with a game-high 16 points. He was one of four Trojans in double figures.
James “J3” Swindell, Wesleyan Christian: A 6-2 freshman, Swindell dominated on the boards, grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds and scoring 15 points.
Carter Alessi, Charlotte Country Day: While 11 Buccaneers scored, Alessi was the only player in double figures. He finished with 11 points.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ Wesleyan Christian had a big edge from the foul line, making 24-of-30 free throws. The Bucs didn’t get to the line often and didn’t shoot well when they got there, making just 5-of-14.
▪ The visitors also had a big edge in rebounding, 37-28. The Trojans outrebounded the Bucs 20-10 in the second half.
WHAT’S NEXT
Charlotte Country Day gets a few more days of practice before traveling to Greensboro Day, the state’s top-ranked team, for a Saturday afternoon game. Wesleyan Christian’s next game is next Tuesday, at home against Cannon School.
NCHSAA NEW MASK MANDATE
On Tuesday, the N.C. High School Athletic Association sent a note out to member schools informing that them that masks must be worn for skill development sessions, indoors or outdoors.
N.C. Governor Roy Cooper recently issued an executive order requiring public and private school athletes to wear masks while playing basketball indoors.
Previously, only indoor participants in NCHSAA volleyball games or skill workouts for out-of-season sports were required to wear masks. This move will likely mean that when public school basketball begins practice Monday, the athletes will do so in masks. It also means that NCHSAA football teams must wear masks while going through skill development workouts outside.
The Observer obtained a copy of the NCHSAA memo, which said the changes were made based on Cooper’s Executive Order, issued Nov. 23.
The memo says:
▪ Masks must be worn for skill development by all persons, indoors and outdoors.
▪ Six feet of social distancing is required.
▪ Workouts should occur in small groups/pods
▪ Masks must continue to be worn at all times by volleyball participants during practice and competition.
▪ Contest workers and spectators must wear a mask and maintain six feet of social distancing.
▪ Cross country runners must wear a mask at all times until the race begins and put the mask back on once the race ends.
▪ Swimmers and divers must wear a mask until a race or competition starts and put the mask back on once the student-athlete is out of the water.
The memo continued, “As stated during regional meetings, we have a point person with the DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) who helps us as questions arise and/or we need clarifications relative to the executive order or sports guidelines. The membership should also note that the NCHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, particularly a COVID-19 subcommittee, continues to be our “go-to” for information, advice, and recommendations as we navigate through this pandemic.
“The NCHSAA will share information relative to the basketball season’s official start once the Winter Meeting of the Board of Directors concludes.”
The NCHSAA Board has its regularly scheduled Winter Meeting Wednesday and Thursday, and a media briefing will be held Thursday afternoon.
The public school basketball season doesn’t begin until Jan. 4.
TUESDAY’S #BIG5 TOP PERFORMERS
Donovan Atwell, Davidson Day: 22 points, three steals in a 90-64 win over Calvary Day
Lili Booker, Sophie Levine, Providence Day girls: Freshmen had big games for the Chargers, No. 2 in the Observer/News & Observer statewide poll, in a 72-35 win over No. 3 Gaston Day. Booker had 11 points, six steals. Levin had four made 3-pointers.
Cade Nicholson, Charlotte Christian: sophomore made 6-of-9 3-point attempts in a 57-55 win over United Faith. Nicholson had 20 points and five rebounds.
Jamarii Thomas, Burlington School: point guard had 25 points to help his team, No. 5 in the statewide poll, rally to beat Ravenscroft 65-63.
Khamani Wertz, Providence Day: Sophomore had 17 of his 20 points in the second half of the Chargers win over previously unbeaten Gaston Day (4-1). Wertz’s right corner 3 with 52.1 seconds left was the put-away bucket for Providence Day (1-4).
MECKLENBURG COUNTY-AREA BOXSCORES
TUESDAY’S BOYS BOXSCORES
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 57, UNITED FAITH 55
Charlotte Christian 9 14 14 20 -- 57
United Faith 15 8 16 16 -- 55
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 57 -- Bryce Cash 12, King 2, Patterson 3, David Lash 15, Hardy 5, Cade Nicholson 20,
UNITED FAITH 55 -- McKelvy 21, Johnson 15, Willis 5, Hester 2, Scheurmann 12
Records: Charlotte Christian 3-0; United Faith 5-2
Notable: Senior David Lash (15 points, six rebounds, 3 assists) scored the go-ahead bucket with 9 seconds left off of pass by sophomore PG TJ Hardy. The Knights came up with a stop on the final possession and Cade Nicholson sealed the game with a big rebound for the Knights. Sophomore Cade Nicholson led the Knights with 20 points on 6-9 from 3. He also finished with 5 rebounds. Xavier McKelvy led United Faith with 21 points.
DAVIDSON DAY 90, CALVARY DAY 64
DDS - 25 20 19 26 -- 90
FCD- 13 17 10 24 -- 64
DDS: Prunty 3, Atwell 22, Horton 14, Perry 6, Howard 10, St. Clair 19, Ladd 5, Eley 10
CDS: WIlkins 8, Gibson 19, Burton 6, Gulledge 7, Robinson 9, Johnson 7, Kunkel 6
RECORDS: Davidson Day Patriots: 2-2, Calvary Day 0-2
Game Stats: Junior guard Donovan Atwell led the Patriots with 22 points and 3 steals. Junior Nyles Howard chipped in with 10 points, 10 assists. Sophomore Trey Horton scored 14 points and pulled down 8 rebounds .
Notes: Davidson Day will host Tabernacle Christian on Thursday, 123.
PROVIDENCE DAY 59, GASTON DAY 55 OT
Gaston Day 11 9 18 12 5 55
Providence Day 13 3 22 12 9 59
GASTON DAY 55 -- Clark 1, Dean Hunter 21, Fayed 7, Chris Britt 16, Callum Richard 10
PROVIDENCE DAY 59 -- Quave Propst-Allison 22, Khamani Wertz 20, Joe McDonough 9, Gedeon 2, Scott 3, Villegas 2
Records: GDS (4-1); PDS (1-4)
Notable: Khamani Wertz was 6/9 from 3. Quave Propst-Allison had 22 points and 10 rebounds. Joe McDonough made a free throw with .3 seconds on the clock that forced overtime and Bryce Scott had nine rebounds and six assists.
SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN 65, HICKORY GROVE 62
SouthLake 22 13 16 14 65
Hickory Grove 15 18 17 12 62
SOUTHLAKE 65 -- Moore 11, Handlogten 7, Proctor 17, Stubbs 9, Watson 12, Monroe 9
HICKORY GROVE 62 -- Nelson 1, Cuttino 34, Ca Stinson 2, Ch Stinson 19, Wilson 6
SouthLake 4-1 overall and 1-0 in conference
WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN 77, CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 63
Wesleyan Christian 11 25 19 21 -- 77
Charlotte Country Day 7 14 23 19 -- 63
WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN: Luke Grace 13; Ray 4; Grant Aycock 14; James Swindell 15; Kade Darr 17; McGee 4; McLamb 7; Parker 2.
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY: Carter Alessi 11; Ray 4; Shaw 3; Erwin 7; Tabor 7; McKay 4; Mitchell 7; Turner 4; Hicks 6; Krisko 2; Mermans 6.
CATAWBA RIDGE 52, NATION FORD 41
Nation Ford: 4, 16, 11, 10 -- 41
Catawba Ridge: 11, 9, 14, 18 -- 52
Nation Ford 41 -- Ryan Smith 1, Vinny Orlandi 9, Landon Coleman 12, Khalid Washington 1, Malakai Branton 4, Quadeir Hand 12, Jackson Penny 2
Catawba Ridge 52 -- Jacob Stevens 11, Jack Turnbow 2, Carter Hendrick 9, Jacobie Henderson 7, Landon Foley 2, Grant Lovette 9, Tyler France 4, Owen Ellioit 2, Marques Johnson 6
Records: Nation Ford 0-4
LANCASTER 72, FORT MILL 71, OT
Fort Mill 21 14 21 11 7 71
Lancaster 20 10 20 14 8 72
Fort Mill - Kyle Nbeich 31, Brandon Wingo 15, Jackson Fewster 12, Penosky 9, Fanta 4
Lancaster – Jaryle Pittman 19, Omazeon Tinsley 16, Kirk 9, Truesdale 8, Moffat 8, Cloud 8, Twitty 4
TUESDAY’S GIRLS BOXSCORES
PROVIDENCE DAY 72, GASTON DAY 35
PDS 29-11-18-14—72
Gaston Day 4-11-10-10—35
PROVIDENCE DAY 72 -- Jordyn Latter 18 Lili Booker 11 Sophie Levine 12 Sanchez 9 Jensen 8 Ferguson 8 Greer 6
GASTON DAY 35 -- Zharia Clark 15 McKenzie Mauney 12 Shuler 6 Heilig 2
PDS Record 4-0
Notable: Freshman, Lili Booker team-high 6 steals and Freshman, Sophie Levine 12 points, knocking down four from behind the arc.
ROCK HILL 53, SOUTH POINTE 47
South Pointe 08; 11; 12; 14; 2 = 47
Rock Hill 06; 12; 20; 08; 9 = 53
SOUTH POINTE 47 -- M. Jamerson 19, T. Adams 8, M. Adams 5, S. Morris 5, S. Nichols 4, N. Lane 3, Z. Bell 2
ROCK HILL 53 -- Jada Jones 21, Laila Hankerson 15, Gracie Wilson 8, Alyssa Hankerson 2, Ashlee Creque’, MaKayla Street 2, Shamyah Patterson 2, Madison Burgess 1
Records: Rock Hill: 6-1; South Pointe: 0-1
Game Notes: Rock Hill ranked #6 in SC 5-AAAAA Girls Basketball Top 10; South Pointe ranked #2 in SC 4-AAAA Girls Basketball Top 10; Jada Jones: 21 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assist; Laila Hankerson: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 steals, 3 assist; Gracie Wilson: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 steal
WAKE COUNTY-AREA BOXSCORES
TUESDAY’S BOYS BOXSCORES
BURLINGTON SCHOOL 65, RAVENSCROFT 63
Ravenscroft 15 17 12 19 -- 63
Burlington 15 12 14 24 -- 65
Ravenscroft 63 -- Comeh Emuobor 13, Tre Corrigan 13, Jeremiah Williams 11, Alex Olander 9, Harrison Poole 8, Thomas Brown 7, Cole Gilbert 2
Burlington 65 -- Jamarii Thomas 25, Zion Walter 15, Kuluei Mading 12, Jakel Powell 7, Isaiah Escobar 3, Jadon Lewis 3
LATE SATURDAY GIRLS
QUALITY EDUCATION 75, MOUNT ZION 36
Mount Zion 12 12 9 3 -- 36
Quality 22 21 30 2 -- 75
MOUNT ZION 36 -- Shameen Brown 15, Rayan Hazel 13
QUALITY 75 -- Drew Alexander 22, Raven Preston 20
Mecklenburg-area schedule
(all are girls-boys doubleheaders unless noted otherwise)
THURSDAY
Battle at the Rock (boys)
(at Rock Hill Sports and Event Center)
York Prep vs. Northside Christian, 6
Legion Collegiate vs. Chattanooga Hamilton Heights Christian, 7:30
Nonconference
Arborbrook Christian at Northwestern (boys)
Tabernacle Christian at Davidson Day
Victory Christian at Charlotte Christian
FRIDAY
Battle at the Rock (boys)
(at Rock Hill Sports and Event Center)
Legacy Early College vs. Duncan (SC) Byrnes, 5:30
Combine Academy vs. Dorman, 7
Lake Norman Christian vs. Sunrise Christian, 8:30
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Gaston Day at Gaston Christian
Southlake Christian at Northside Christian
Westminster Catawba at Concord Academy
Nonconference
Arborbrook Christian at Woodlawn School (boys)
Carmel Christian at Christ School (boys)
Clover at Charlotte Latin
Covenant Day at Davidson Day (girls)
Davidson Day at Freedom Christian (boys)
Greensboro Day at Cannon School
Hickory Christian at Caldwell Academy
Hickory Grove Christian at Calvary Day
Providence Day at Ravenscroft
Statesville Christian at Liberty Prep (boys)
Statesville Christian at The Burlington School (girls)
SATURDAY
Battle at the Rock (boys)
(at Rock Hill Sports and Event Center)
United Faith Christian vs. Aiken, 11 a.m.
Westminster Catawba vs. Cannon School, 12:30
Winston-Salem Christian vs. Hamilton Heights Christian, 2
Covenant Day vs. Keenan, 3:30
Combine Academy vs. Blythewood, 5:30
Legacy Early College vs. Sunrise Christian, 7
Lake Norman Christian vs. Northwestern, 8:30
Diamond Classic (girls)
(at Spartanburg Christian)
United Faith Christian vs. Oakbrook Prep, 1:30
Cannon School vs. Covenant Day, 3
Victory Christian vs. Spartanburg Christian, 7:30
Nonconference
Carmel Christian at Rabun Gap (GA)
Charlotte Christian at Wesleyan Christian
Greensboro Day at Charlotte Christian
Providence Day School at Durham Academy
Wake County-area schedule
(all are girls-boys doubleheaders unless noted otherwise)
WEDNESDAY
Nonconference
Cary Academy at St. Thomas More
THURSDAY
Nonconference
Friendship Christian at Neuse Christian
Raleigh Christian at Liberty Heights (boys)
Southside Christian at Wilson Christian
Trinity Academy at Greenfield School (boys)
FRIDAY
Triangle-Triad Athletic Conference
Trinity Academy at Trinity School of Durham/Chapel Hill
Nonconference
Durham Academy at St. David’s School
High Point Christian at GRACE Christian
Metrolina Christian at Wake Christian
Mount Zion Christian at Greenfield School (boys)
Raleigh Hawks at Cary Academy (boys)
Ravenscroft at Providence Day
Southside Christian at Crossroads Christian
Thales Academy-Rolesville at Burlington Christian
SATURDAY
Nonconference
Providence Day at Durham Academy
Word of God at Mount Zion Christian (boys)
This story was originally published November 30, 2020 at 5:22 PM.
