Basketball stars from North Meck, Hickory Ridge win Charlotte Observer AOTW honors

Here are this week’s winners of the Charlotte Observer high school athletes of the week:

Miles Beard, Hickory Ridge boys basketball: The 6-foot-2 sophomore had a school-record 39 points to go with five assists as Hickory Ridge beat host Mount Pleasant in the third-place game of the Mount Pleasant Holiday Classic on Dec. 30.

Beard also had 21 points in the 70-66 win over East Mecklenburg in the opening round of the tournament Dec. 28.

He had five points and two rebounds in a 74-39 loss to Sun Valley at Mount Pleasant Dec. 29.

Beard is averaging 21.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game for Hickory Ridge (4-8) this season.

Dearia Page, North Mecklenburg girls basketball: The 5-5 junior posted her first career double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists to help North Mecklenburg to a 68-40 win over the Durham School of Arts in the second game of the Champion Durham Classic Dec. 28.

Page also had 21 points, six rebounds and four assists in a 72-31 victory over Jordan on Dec. 29.

North Mecklenburg (11-1) suffered its first loss of the season in a 65-45 defeat to Hillside in the tournament opener Dec. 27.

Want to nominate an athlete?: Athletes of the week highlights high school players with outstanding performances. The goal is to recognize all athletes in all sports, both the most accomplished and the underrated or underappreciated players. If you want to suggest someone to be included in the Athletes of the Week poll, send an email to Jay Edwards at edwardswork23@gmail.com. Please include the athlete’s name, school, class and applicable game performance statistics. Coaches must be willing to verify the information.

This story was originally published January 2, 2022 at 1:52 PM.