Friday’s Boys Rewind: Palisades makes history! Pumas take down South Meck for historic win
Myers Park, Olympic and Ardrey Kell have run away from teams like Palisades and South Mecklenburg, leaving them in the dust of the SoMeck 4A Conference boys’ basketball race.
But back there in the dust, something is stirring.
Both Palisades and South Mecklenburg are developing their rosters – which are loaded with freshmen, sophomores and juniors – in hopes of becoming challengers themselves over the next season or two.
“We’re not that far away,” said South Mecklenburg head coach Christopher McDonald.
Both coaches saw something they liked Friday night, although LaTroy Brace, head coach of Palisades, went home happier.
The visiting Pumas, a first-year school without a senior class, rallied in the second half and edged the Sabres 57-56.
The outcome won’t have much impact on the SoMeck 4A title race.
It was Palisades’ first conference victory in boys’ basketball, leaving the Pumas at 4-13, 1-6. The host Sabres fell to 5-13, 2-5.
South Mecklenburg, bolstered by five 3-pointers by Yariel Chudgar, bolted to a 32-23 halftime lead. But Palisades outscored the Sabres 24-12 in the third quarter and then rallied again in the final two minutes.
The winning point came on a free throw by sophomore Nikayle Hodge with 5.9 seconds left. Sabres’ standout Peter Moye missed a potential game-winning jump shot as the buzzer sounded.
That’s the important play-by-play.
But there are things happening in the background for each team.
“We’re still trying to learn how to win,” Brace said. “We’re learning exactly what it takes to win.”
The Pumas have, predictably, taken their lumps this season. It’s what you’d expect for a first-year team.
“We’ve been very competitive at times,” Brace said. “We lost three buzzer-beaters. A game like this is the moment we’ve been waiting for. I think our guys saw what it takes to win a game.”
There is no senior class this year at Palisades, which means, in theory, all of the Pumas’ players will return next season.
“Our JV team is really good,” Brace said. “They’re good enough to give our varsity a battle. So with the JV players and the rest of our team coming back, we have a lot to look forward to.”
South Mecklenburg’s situation has been a bit different. The Sabres also are young, with only three seniors on the roster and juniors filling most key roles.
But McDonald’s team has dealt with a brutal schedule.
Before Friday night’s games, the 12 teams that beat South Mecklenburg this season had a combined record of 145-58. The Sabres lost to Charlotte Catholic (14-4), East Forsyth (12-4), East Mecklenburg (13-4), West Cabarrus (10-4), Indian Land (16-3), Varina (a defending Virginia state champion, with an 11-2 record), Olympic (17-1) and Myers Park (13-4), among others.
“We wanted a tough schedule, to make us better,” McDonald said. “And we were very competitive in those games.”
The Sabres led late in several of those games.
“Tonight, the third quarter got us,” McDonald said. “A game like this is part of the learning curve.”
He said his lost focus at times.
And he sounded much like Brace when he said the Sabres “have to go through something like this to get better. They have to learn what it takes to win.”
McDonald likened it to public speaking.
“Most people aren’t going to be very good at it, the first time,” he said. “You need to get up and do it. Once you experience it, you’ll know what it takes.”
McDonald said it won’t take much for his team and Palisades to develop into contenders and give the SoMeck 4A’s giants a tough time.
“We’ve already played well against them at times,” he said. “It won’t take much for us to turn the corner. And Palisades is in the same situation.”
Top scorers: Junior Brian Ngo led Palisades with 14 points, including three 3-pointers. Justin Rushin added 10.
Peter Moye, averaging 22 points a game, was held to 13 for South Mecklenburg. Guard Yariel Chudgar led the Sabres with 23, including seven 3-pointers.
Steve Lyttle on Twitter: @slyttle
Friday’s #BIG5 Top Performers
Elijah Green, Covenant Day: team-high 22 points in a 70-68 double-overtime upset win over No. 16 Charlotte Country Day.
Tim Hall, Westminster Catawba: 36 points, 15 rebounds in a 74-68 win over Hickory Grove.
Philly Harris, Freedom: 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in a 60-51 win over Alexander Central.
Austin Swartz, Cannon School: 38 points in a 60-59 overtime win at Providence Day.
Beckham Tharpe, North Iredell: 50 points in a 88-50 win over Fred T. Foard. Tharpe, a 6-8 senior, is averaging close to 30 points per game this season. In the history of the NCHSAA, Tharpe is the 73rd player to score 50 or more points. The state record for public schools is 67 by Bob Poole of Clayton, set in 1950.
Friday’s Boys Boxscores
NO. 1 CARMEL CHRISTIAN 64, CARY ACADEMY 54
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 64 -- Jaeden Mustaf 22, Michael Marcus Jr 12, Wertz 9, Cash 8, Burnham 6, Smith 4, Siler 2, Freeman 1
CARY ACADEMY 54 -- Chance Gladden 18, Wyatt Degraff 15, McCoy Williams 13, Lando 8
NO. 2 MYERS PARK 78, BERRY 42
Myers Park - 20 23 14 21 -- 78
Berry - 15 5 10 12 -- 42
MYERS PARK 78 -- Sir Mohammed 20, Elijah Strong 16, Santana Lynch 12, Sam Walters 9, Sadiq White Jr. 8, Bishop Boswell 8
BERRY 42 -- E. Craig 16, S. Kindard 7
NO. 3 CENTRAL CABARRUS 83, LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 60
LN Charter- 16 16 13 15 60
Central Cabarrus- 19 19 27 18 83
LNC- Jay Morgan 11, Garson Long 10, Isaiah Martino 10, Charlie Fox 9, James Carswell 8, Brady Kester 8, Braylon Irelan 4.
Central- J. Thompson 28, C. Daniel 17, D. Daniel 15, G. Bullock 12, E. Ford 9, M. Murray 2
NO. 4 NORTH MECKLENBURG 64, HOUGH 49
Hough 11 20 6 12 – 49
North Mecklenburg 21 18 12 13 – 64
HOUGH 49 -- Mason Smith 18, Trey Horton 16, McCormick 4, Neace 4, Barnes 3, Temple 2, Galombeck 2
NORTH MECKLENBURG 64 -- Isaiah Evans 23, Christian Foy 17, Ashton Pierce 15, Maxwell 5, Jenkins 4
NO. 5 CANNON SCHOOL 60, PROVIDENCE DAY 59 OT
CANNON 60 -- Austin Swartz 38, Isaiah Henry 14
NO. 7 OLYMPIC 70, HARDING 68
Olympic 19 13 18 20 -- 70
Harding 14 12 26 16 -- 68
OLYMPIC 70 - Kameron Taylor 22, Devin Ragin 16 Jaydon Terrell 13, Kyre Bishop 8, Deangelo Hall 6, Demarco Reynolds 3, Cameron Burns 2,
HARDING UNIVERSITY 68 - Darius Abraham 33, Kendarion Thomas 13, Bradshaw 10, Elton Davis, Jr 9, Zekiah Wright 2, Wendall McGill 1.
Note: Junior Kameron Taylor led The Olympic Trojans with a Double-Double scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Senior Center Devin Ragin added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 blocked shots in The Trojans win over Harding University 70 to 68. Darius Abraham led The Rams with 33 points.
NO. 8 CHAMBERS 88, WEST MECK 33
West Meck 5 13 11 4 -- 33
Chambers 31 24 18 15 -- 88
CHAMBERS 88 -- Marcus Brown 4, Amari Richardson 2, Chandler McKoy 7, Nick Dorn 12, Jahmir Brown 5, Jordan Patton 8, Jacoby Jackson 14, Brayden Smith 4, Tarris Bouie 6, Maurio Hanson 13, Jaylen Morrow 5, Cameron Thompson 8
NO. 10 CONCORD ACADEMY 69, NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 64
NCA: 14 6 18 24 -- 64
CA: 14 14 19 22 -- 69
NCA: Goudelock 9, Jones 15, Shaw 17, Shouse Jr. 8, Bullock 6, Perkins 9
CA: JJ Moore 9, Avion Pinner 22, Isaiah Tate 12, Magnus Swinger 8, Jake Benham 14, Petar Asceric 4
Notable: Avion Pinner 22p 10r 5a 3s, Jake Benham 14p (4 3’s) 5r
CA Record 24-5
NO. 12 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 75, PROVIDENCE 65
CCHS 17 22 17 19- 75
PHS 10 13 16 26- 65
CATHOLIC 75 -- Vaughn Thomas 23, Patrick Tivnan 18, Ryan Lewis 15, Angelo Alexander 11, Eagan 4, Kernodle 2, Gates 2
PROVIDENCE 65 -- Clayton Gaither 20, David Howell 19, Chase Detenber 10, Foreman 4, Peck 3, Singletary 6, Taylor 2, Van Renslar 1
NO. 13 EAST MECKLENBURG 80, ROCKY RIVER 75
EM 17 22 16 25 -- 80
RR `14 15 22 24 -- 75
EAST MECKLENBURG 80 -- Jordon Nevill 22, Jonah Lawrence 24, Thomas White 11, Ahmari Hicks 10, Braylen Bowman 12, Williams 1
ROCKY RIVER 75 -- Torres 13, Ross 22, Price 2, Johnson 16, Lyles 16, Alston 6
NO. 14 BUTLER 78, GARINGER 47
Butler: 21 17 19 21 -- 78
Garinger: 13 4 7 23 -- 47
BUTLER 78 -- Zion McDuffie 14, Tyler Showalter 12, Caleb Milligan 11, Reece Starnes 10, Soutzos 8, Currence 6, Johnson 6, Holloway 5, Youngblood 4, Strong 2
GARINGER 47 -- Gilliard 13, Godfreey 15, Belel 9, Sutton 5, Camara 3, Shaw 2
Notes: Butler moves to 13-4 (6-1) and plays at Providence on Tuesday.
BANDYS 80, WEST LINCOLN 76 OT
West Lincoln 19 18 9 24 6 -- 76
WLHS 76 -- Jordan Truesdale 36, Lucas Howell 4, Gideon Allen 7, Bryce Beddingfield 6, Evan Hartsoe 8, Zander Harrelson 15
Bandy’s 80-- DelGuerico 36, Slaughter 15, D. Robinson 12, Vaughen 11, Rhodes 2, Ledford 4
CHARLOTTE LATIN 83, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 63
CC 13 17 20 13--63
CL 23 18 25 17--83
CC--John Lash 26, Micah Gilbert 19, Guandolo 7, Jamison 5, Rosen 2, King 2
CL--Ned Hull 32, Sean Rose 27, Tyler Hendley 11, Levy 7, Jones 3, Sayman 3
Game Notes: Latin was led by Ned Hull 32 points and Sean Rose 27 points. The Knights were led by John Lash 26 points and Micah Gilbert 19 points.
Records: CCS 8-12, 1-3 Latin 11-7, 3-1
CONCORD 87, EAST ROWAN 47
Concord 12 19 28 28 -- 87
E. Rowan 11 12 15 9 -- 47
CONCORD 87 -- Jeremiah Howard 17, Brayden Blue 13, Bralen Crowder 13, James Smith 11, Kobe Watts-Williams 6, Keyon Phillips 5, Jayden Beyan 4, Cam Burris 4, Jadah Freeman 4, Ty Rushmeyer 4, Andru O’Neal 3, Jerell Reddick 3
EAST ROWAN 47 -- T. Harris 17, D. Valley 15, J. Wemboula 7, G. Lee 6, J. Brooks 2
Records: Concord 11-6 (6-2 SPC); East Rowan 5-11 (2-6 SPC)
Notable: Jeremiah Howard recorded his 4th double-double of the season with his game high 17 points & 10 rebounds. Next up the Spiders host Central Cabarrus and East Rowan hosts Northwest Cabarrus next Tuesday evening.
CORVIAN COMMUNITY 91, CABARRUS CHARTER 50
CORVIAN 91 -- Sam Harris 13, Hudson 8, Preston Brawley 12, Quarles 7, Jackson 3, Branden Burnell 19, Rivera-Lind 6, Townsend 9, McCutcheon 7, Covington 4, Richardson 3
CABARRUS CHARTER 50 -- Kol Byrd 24
COVENANT DAY 70, NO. 16 CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 68, 2 OT
Country Day 10 10 9 18 11 10 -- 68
Covenant Day 12 9 17 9 11 12 -- 70
COUNTRY DAY 68 -- Dallas Gardner 39, Amare Bethel 10, Turner 4, O’Neil 4, Alessi 3, Hewett 7
COVENANT DAY 70 -- Green 22, Rivens 11, Shipp 5, Huitt 13, Penoski 16, Anderson 2, Steele 2
The Lions outlasted the Bucs in double OT in front of a packed house at Covenant Day. Dallas Gardner lead Country Day with 39 points while Elijah Green paced the Lions with 22.
Country Day drops to 16-9 on the season.
COX MILL 88, MOORESVILLE 83
Mooresville 24 21 20 8 10 -- 83
Cox Mill 21 16 13 23 15 -- 88
MOORESVILLE 83 -- Travelle Bryson 24, Evaan Ezhilan 24, AJ Parsley 11, Xavion White 10, Dylan Clarke 5, Jay Wilson 5, Nylikk Troutman 4.
Notable: Bryson had 8 rebounds and 2 steals. Ezhilan had 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Parsley had 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Clark had 7 rebounds. Troutman had 5 rebounds.
Record: 11-7
FREEDOM 60, ALEXANDER CENTRAL 51
Freedom 10 18 20 12 -- 60
Alexander 7 13 21 10 -- 51
FREEDOM 60 -- Philly Harris 16, Gavin McNaughton 12, Lytle 3, Dyson Dellinger 14, Amore Connelly 10, Pollard 5
ALEXANDER CENTRAL 60 -- Fortner 9, Lasher 2, Avery Cook 10, Hammer 4, Grayson Presnell 19, Jack 2, Fox 2, Barnes 3
GASTON DAY 70, METROLINA CHRISTIAN 60
Gaston Day 13 19 18 20 -- 70
Metrolina Christian 12 12 10 26 -- 60
GASTON DAY 70 -- Evan Montanari 25, Deshawn Coulter 16, Callum Richard 12, Chase Owens 10, Kurt Hunter 5, Jack Horgan 2
METROLINA CHRISTIAN 60 -- Clark 27, Price 13, Wilson 11, Walker 3, Rutherford 2, Tillotson 2, Leatherwood 2
Gaston Day Record: 12-6
Next Game: Saturday, 1/21 vs Hickory Grove Christian 2:00pm
Metrolina notable: Sr. Eli Clark 27p, 6a, 5r, 2s
Notes: Metrolina Christian 12-17 (4-6) plays Southlake Christian on Tuesday, January 24th at 700pm.
KINGS MOUNTAIN 61, ASHBROOK 55
Kings Mountain 17 21 11 12 61
Ashbrook 7 11 24 13 55
KINGS MOUNTAIN 61: Bradley Floyd 17, Tucker Robinette 17, Zay Smith 13, Simpson 7, Osborne 3, Brown 2, Sanders 2
ASHBROOK 55: Greene 19, Leslie 11, Patton 9, Clark 7, Miller 3, Bess 2, June 2
Note: KM moves to 10-6 overall and 7-1 in conference. Huge matchup next Tuesday (1/24) @ Hunter Huss.
MAIDEN 57, EAST BURKE 33
Maiden 18. 10. 14. 15 -- 57
East Burke. 6. 4. 5. 18 -- 33
Maiden 57 -- Teague 11, Robinson 10, Culliver 9, Gibbs 7, Misher 7, Walker 6, Maze 2, Sigmon 2, Pait 2, Stover 1
East Burke 33 -- Crawford 7, Dellinger 5, Cox 4, Shook 4, Hudson 4, Cline 4, Mast 3, Dixon 2
Records: Maiden 16-2 (7-1 CVAC), East Burke 3-13 (1-7 CVAC)
MARVIN RIDGE 68, PORTER RIDGE 62
Marvin Ridge 15 14 14 25 -- 68
Porter Ridge 13 9 14 26 -- 62
MARVIN RIDGE 68 -- Brady Dunn 29, Marshall Payne 12, Cole Johnson 12
PORTER RIDGE 62 – Kyler Harris 19, Ethan Adams 19
PALISADES 57, SOUTH MECK 56
S. Meck 16 16 12 12---56
Palisades 11 12 24 10---57
S.Meck- Y.Chudgar 23 P.Moye 11 C. Ormand 8
Palisades- Ngo 14, Brown 11, Hodge 9
PIEDMONT 51, CUTHBERTSON 31
Piedmont 6 12 10 23 -- 51
Cuthbertson 5 5 10 11 -- 31
PIEDMONT 51 -- Hunter Hinson 12p, Kyle Collins 11p, Miles Leaks 8p, Chase Fesmire 8p, Brady Drake 5p, Braden Collins 4p, Roman Niemczewski 2p, Nick Drake 1p
Records: Piedmont 14-5; Cuthbertson 4-15
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 74, HICKORY GROVE 68
Westminster 23 17 16 8 -- 74
Hickory Grove 13 18 17 20 -- 68
WESTMINSTER 74 -- Tim Hall 36 Points, 15 Rebounds, Derek Bradley 11, Jalen Booker 10, N. Hamrick 6, Kenyon Addie 11
HICKORY GROVE 68 -- A. Henderson 28, B.J. Erwin 18, B. Banks 14, Malloy 4, Browning 2, Hawkins 2
NOTABLE: Tim Hall has probably his best game of the year with 36 points and 15 rebounds, moving Westminster to 13-12 on the year and pacing 4 players in double figures.
Saturday’s Schedule
Metrolina Athletic
Hickory Grove Christian at Gaston Day (girls, 12:30; boys, 2)
Nonconference
Carmel Christian at Cardinal Gibbons (boys, 5)
Christ School at Charlotte Christian (boys, 2:30)
North Charlotte at Asheville Trailblazers (boys, noon)
Providence Day at Asheville School (boys, 4)
United Faith Christian at Carolina Day (girls, 12:30; boys, 2)
Winston-Salem Christian at Charlotte Christian (girls, 12:30)
Sunday
No games scheduled
PHOTOS: South Mecklenburg at Palisades
This story was originally published January 20, 2023 at 11:26 PM.
