High school basketball update: Wednesday’s previews, schedule; McDonald’s AA nominees
The McDonald’s All-American Games Selection Committee announced the 724 girls and boys players nominated for the chance to play in this year’s all-star games.
They included 10 NC girls and 12 NC boys.
This year’s nominees came from 43 states plus the District of Columbia. Ultimately 24 boys’ players and 24 girls will be selected.
The McDonald’s All-American game will be held April 2 at the Toyota Center in Houston.
▪ The 10 NC girls named to the list are:
Zamareya Jones, North Pitt
Taylor Barner, Panther Creek
Olivia Tucker, Panther Creek
Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic
Gracynn Gough, Charlotte Catholic
Delanie Hill, Providence
Ella Hobbs, Jay M Robinson
Kierra Morrow, Cannon School
Jayda Angel, Cape Fear
Sarah Strong, Grace Christian
▪ The 12 NC boys named to the list are:
Bishop Boswell, Myers Park
Sir Mohammed, Myers Park
Austin Swartz, Cannon School
Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg
Cal Barrett, Bishop McGuinness
John Campbell, Bishop McGuinness
Rakease Passmore, Combine Academy
Drake Powell, Northwood
Jayden Quaintance, Raleigh Word of God
Paul McNeil, Richmond Senior
Jayden Harris, Salisbury
Dominic Payne, Trinity
Winter storm forces changes to schedule
This week’s high school basketball schedule has a very different look, after Tuesday’s heavy rain and severe storms forced most of the games to be rescheduled.
A majority of Tuesday’s games were rescheduled for Wednesday night, but others will be played Thursday or later in January.
Here are previews of Wednesday’s top games, plus an updated schedule.
Previewing key games
(Girls) Albemarle (10-1, 1-0 Yadkin Valley 1A-2A) at Union Academy (9-1, 1-0), about 6 p.m. Wednesday — Amari Baldwin, a 5-4 junior, is among the state’s leading scorers at 30.7 points a game for the visiting Bulldogs. Union Academy is outscoring opponents by an average of 66-28, with Ranon Suttle (19.3 ppg) leading the way.
(Boys) Chambers (9-4, 4-0 Queen City 3A-4A) at North Mecklenburg (11-2, 4-0), about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday — Chambers is on a four-game winning streak, led by senior Maurio Hanson II, who is averaging 15.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest. Duke commit Isaiah Evans has been especially sharp lately, averaging more than 23 points in the last five games and shooting better than 60 percent from the floor.
(Girls) Charlotte Catholic (11-2, 4-0 Southwestern 4A) at Butler (9-3, 4-0), about 6 p.m. Wednesday — The visiting Cougars are led by 6-6 senior Blanca Thomas (20.4 ppg, 11.3 ppg). The Bulldogs’ leader is 5-3 junior Brooklyn Saunders (21.0 ppg, 6.1 steals per game). But each team has plenty of other standouts. Fans might want to hang around for the boys’ game, too, as Charlotte Catholic (11-3, 3-1) and Butler (7-6, 4-0) will be battling for first place.
(Boys) Crest (7-1, 2-0 Big South 3A) at Ashbrook (10-1, 2-0), about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday — Crest has won seven straight after an opening loss, with 6-3 sophomore King Rhodes averaging 14.1 points and 9.8 rebounds. Ashbrook has four players averaging in double figures, led by junior Isaac Byers Jr. (21.2 points, 4 steals).
(Boys) Lincolnton (10-2, 1-1 Catawba Valley 2A) at Bandys (10-2, 2-0), about 8 p.m. Wednesday — Lincolnton is aiming to bounce back from Friday’s 71-67 loss to Newton-Conover. The Wolves are led by the No. 3 scorer in North Carolina, 6-4 freshman L.J. Smith, who is averaging 31.9 points a game. Bandys’ Landon Vaughan, a 6-9 junior, is averaging 19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds and had a 26/13 game Dec. 28 against powerhouse Ashbrook.
(Girls) North Iredell (10-2, 2-0 Western Foothills 3A) at North Lincoln (9-3, 1-1), about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday — North Iredell brings a nine-game winning streak to North Lincoln, and the Raiders are outscoring foes by an average of 19 points during those victories. Freshman Ally Smith is averaging 18.9 points for North Lincoln, which has lost its last two games.
(Girls) Weddington (9-4, 0-0 Southern Carolina 4A) at Porter Ridge (10-5, 0-1), about 6 p.m. Wednesday — This game highlights several outstanding young players. Weddington is led by junior Bailey Page (12.6 ppg) and freshman Caroline Clark (12.3). Porter Ridge freshman Ashanti Taylor is averaging 17.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.
This week’s schedule
(all matchups are girls-boys doubleheaders, unless otherwise noted)
Wednesday
Queen City 3A/4A
Chambers at North Mecklenburg
SoMeck 4A
Berry Academy at West Mecklenburg
Southwestern 4A
Charlotte Catholic at Butler
Independence at East Mecklenburg
CISAA
Charlotte Christian at Country Day
Covenant Day at Cannon School
Charlotte Latin at Providence Day
Greater Metro 4 4A
Cox Mill at Mooresville
Southern Carolina 4A
Marvin Ridge at Cuthbertson
Weddington at Porter Ridge
Big South 3A
Crest at Ashbrook
Forestview at North Gaston
Kings Mountain at Hunter Huss
South Piedmont 3A
Concord at Central Cabarrus
Jesse Carson at Northwest Cabarrus
Western Foothills 3A
East Lincoln at Hickory
North Iredell at North Lincoln
Rocky River 2A-3A
Forest Hills at Piedmont
Parkwood at Anson County
Catawba Valley 2A
Maiden at West Caldwell
Newton-Conover at East Burke
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Burns at Thomas Jefferson Academy
East Gaston at Cherryville
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Mountain Island Charter at Langtree Charter
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
Albemarle at Union Academy
Gray Stone Day at North Stanly
S.C. Region 3 5A
Blythewood at Fort Mill
Clover at Nation Ford
Spring Valley at Rock Hill
S.C. Region 4 3A
Union County at Chester
Woodruff at Emerald
S.C. Region 4 1A
C..A. Johnson at Lewisville
Nonconference
A.L. Brown at East Rowan
Berry Academy at West Mecklenburg
Carmel Christian at Pine Lake Prep (boys)
Mount Pleasant at Piedmont
Queen’s Grant Charter at Fletcher School (girls)
Winston-Salem Christian at 1 of 1 Prep (girls)
Thursday
Queen City 3A-4A
Hough at Mallard Creek
North Mecklenburg at Hopewell
Southwestern 4A
Providence at Rocky River
Greater Metro 4A
Lake Norman at West Cabarrus
Big South 3A
South Point at Stuart Cramer
South Piedmont 3A
Lake Norman Charter at South Rowan
Nonconference
Charlotte Elite Academy at Elevation Prep (boys)
Comenius School at Greater Cabarrus Stallions (boys)
Davidson Day at Providence Day (boys)
Greater Cabarrus Stallions at Grace Academy (girls)
Jackson Day at Carolina Christian
Statesville Christian at Liberty Prep (boys)
S.C. Region 3 4A
South Pointe at Catawba Ridge
S.C. nonconference
Comenius School at Greater Cabarrus Stallions (boys)
Gray Collegiate at Legion Collegiate
Friday
Queen City 3A-4A
Chambers at West Charlotte
Harding at Hough
Mallard Creek at West Mecklenburg
SoMeck 4A
Myers Park at Berry Academy
Olympic at Ardrey Kell
Southwestern 4A
Charlotte Catholic at East Mecklenburg
Garinger at Providence
Independence at Rocky river
CISAA
Charlotte Country Day at Cannon School
Charlotte Latin at Covenant Day
Charlotte Christian at Providence Day
Greater Metro 4 4A
A.L. Brown at West Cabarrus
Lake Norman at Hickory Ridge
Mooresville at South Iredell
Southern Carolina 4A
Cuthbertson at Porter Ridge
Sun Valley at Weddington
Big South 3A
Ashbrook at Forestview
Kings Mountain at North Gaston
South Point at Hunter Huss
Stuart Cramer at Crest
South Piedmont 3A
Central Cabarrus at Lake Norman Charter
Concord at Jay M. Robinson
Jesse Carson at East Rowan
West Rowan at South Rowan
Western Foothills 3A
Fred T. Foard at East Lincoln
North Iredell at Hickory
St. Stephens at North Lincoln
West Iredell at Statesville
Rocky River 2A-3A
Central Academy at Piedmont
Forest Hills at West Stanly
Monroe at Anson County
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Gaston Christian at Northside Christian
Hickory Grove Christian at Concord Academy
Metrolina Christian at SouthLake Christian
Westminster Catawba at Gaston Day
Foothills Athletic Association
Davidson Day at Hickory Christian (boys)
University Christian at Salem Baptist
Piedmont Athletic Association
Victory Christian at United Faith Christian
Catawba Valley 2A
East Burke at Bunker Hill
Maiden at Bandys
Newton-Conover at West Lincoln
West Caldwell at Lincolnton
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Christ the King at Community School of Davidson
Langtree Charter at Pine Lake Prep
Lincoln Charter at Bradford Prep
Mountain Island Charter at Corvian Community
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Cherryville at Bessemer City
Shelby at Highland Tech
Thomas Jefferson Academy at East Gaston
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
Albemarle at Mount Pleasant
North Stanly at South Stanly
Union Academy at Gray Stone Day
Metro 1A
Apprentice Academy at Queen’s Grant Charter (boys)
Carolina International at Sugar Creek Charter
Nonconference
Arborbrook Christian at Westminster Catawba (girls)
Central Carolina Prep at Combine Academy Regional (boys)
Covenant Classical at Valor Prep (girls)
Forsyth Home Educators at South Charlotte Thunder
Jackson Day at Piedmont Community Charter
Lake Norman Christian at Valor Prep (boys)
Palisades at Marvin Ridge
S.C. Region 3 5A
Clover at Spring Valley
Nation Ford at Blythewood
Rock Hill at Fort Mill
S.C. Region 3 4A
Catawba Ridge at York
Lancaster at South Pointe
Northwestern at Indian Land
S.C. Region 4 3A
Clinton at Woodruff
Emerald at Chester
S.C. Region 5 2A
Buford at York Prep
Central Pageland at Andrew Jackson
Chesterfield at North Central
S.C. Region 4 1A
Great Falls at McBee
S.C. nonconference
Legion Collegiate at Legacy Early College
Saturday
Phenom Hoops MLK Classic (boys)
(at Carmel Christian)
Butler vs. Hunter Huss, 1:30
Rocky River vs. High Point Wesleyan, 3
Northside Christian vs. The Burlington School, 4:30
Cannon School vs. Chambers, 6
Cox Mill vs. Carmel Christian, 7:30
PEM Sports MLK Queens Challenge (girls)
(at United Faith Christian)
Central Cabarrus vs. Indian Land, 11 a.m.
Cox Mill vs. Northwest Cabarrus, 12:30
Providence Day vs. Rabun Gap School, 2
Cannon School vs. Legacy Early College, 3:30
United Faith Christian vs. Concord Academy, 5
MLK Peace Showcase (boys/girls)
(at West Charlotte High)
(girls) Butler vs. Olympic, 11:30 a.m.
(boys) Moravian Prep Regional vs. CBA Prep, 1
(girls) East Rutherford vs. Mount Zion Prep, 2:30
(boys) East Rutherford vs. Indian Land, 4
(boys) 1 of 1 Prep vs. Mount Zion Prep, 5:30
(girls) West Charlotte vs. Morrow (GA), 7
(boys) West Charlotte vs. Morrow (GA), 8:30
Nonconference
Charlotte Catholic vs. Petersburg (VA) Shining Star Prep, in MLK Showcase at Northeast Guilford, 4:30 (girls)
Combine Academy National in Flyin’ to the Hoop Classic in Dayton, OH (boys)
Myers Park at Northwood, 6 (boys)
Myers Park at Eastside (SC), 5 (girls)
North Mecklenburg vs. Camden (NJ), in Hoophall Classic in Springfield, MA, 10:30 a.m. (boys)
South Charlotte Thunder at Surry Home School
South Mecklenburg vs. Coastal Christian, in Brandon Ingram Classic in Kinston, 4:30 (boys)
South Mecklenburg in MLK Showcase at Westside (SC) High (girls)
United Faith Christian vs. Clayton, in MLK Showcase at Southeast Raleigh High, 3:30 (boys)
Victory Christian in Georgia Interstate Classic at Athens, GA (boys)
S.C. nonconference
Andrew Jackson vs. Marlboro County, in MLK Showcase at Marion (SC) High (boys)
Comenius School at Durham HA Prep, 2
Nation Ford vs. Timberland (SC), in MLK Showcase at Bethune-Bowman High, 5:30 (boys)
Sunday
No games scheduled
Other rescheduled dates
(these games were scheduled for Tuesday but postponed until later in the season)
Cox Mill at A.L. Brown, next Wednesday’
Gaston Christian at Gaston Day, Jan. 22
Harding at West Charlotte, Jan. 24
Hopewell at West Mecklenburg, TBA
Jay M. Robinson at West Rowan, Jan. 18
Lake Norman at West Cabarrus, Jan. 18
Metrolina Christian at Hickory Grove Christian, Jan. 27
North Central at Andrew Jackson, Jan. 24
Olympic at Myers Park, next Tuesday
South Mecklenburg at Ardrey Kell, Jan. 24
South Stanly at Mount Pleasant, next Tuesday
West Iredell at East Lincoln, next Wednesday
West Stanly at Monroe, Jan. 18
Westminster Catawba at Concord Academy, Monday
York at Indian Land, Jan. 29
Saturday’s #BIG5 top performers
Daniel Guandolo, Charlotte Christian: In a 71-56 win over North Raleigh Christian, Guandolo scored a game-high 29 points and had five rebounds. He made 12 of 15 free throw attempts.
Nikayle Hodge, Westminster Catawba: In a 63-43 win over Berean Baptist, Hodge helped lead his team to its ninth win in a row. He finished with 17 points, five assists.
AJ Jackson, Corvian Community: Jackson, a junior point guard, had 13 points, 11 assists in a 77-65 win over Sun Valley.
James Jones, Charlotte Latin: Jones had a game-high 16 points in a 52-33 win over Heathwood Hall.
Laylah Toscano, Northside Christian girls: In a 49-45 loss to Arizona Compass National, Toscano had 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Saturday’s boys’ box scores
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 71, NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN 56
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 23 8 17 23 — 71
NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 13 11 20 8 — 56
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 71 — Daniel Guandolo 29, Marshall Nicholson 16 Terence Guess 9, Michael Kabwe 5, Matty Carroll 5, Cooper Solomon 3 Darryiun Sturdivant 2, Nick Rosen 2
NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 56 — C. Jenkins 16, B. Jefferson 16, C. Dickerson 11, B. Williams 4, C. Herakovich 3, B. Buie 2
Notable: For Charlotte Christian, Daniel Guandolo scored 29 points and had five rebounds. He made 12 of 15 free throw attempts. Teammate Marshall Nicholson had 16 points, four rebounds and made three 3-point attempts.
Records: Charlotte Christian 5-12; North Raleigh Christian Academy 8-6
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 69, RALEIGH RAVENSCROFT 55
Country Day 19 19 13 18 – 69
Ravenscroft 9 18 8 19 – 55
COUNTRY DAY 69 — Amare Bethel 20, Preston Scott 14, Jerome Lowery 11, Chucky Smith 10, Schulze 5, Diaz 5, Vanfield 2, Jones 2
RAVENSCROFT 55 — Gladden 22, Rein 22, Mills 2, Deifer 2, Gilbert 3, Jemmalt 4
Notable: The Bucs picked up a big win with four players in double figures. Amare Bethel led the way with 20 points as Country Day moved to 14-4. Country Day opens conference play Tuesday against Charlotte Christian.
CHARLOTTE LATIN 52, HEATHWOOD HALL (SC) 33
Heathwood 4 5 8 16 — 33
Latin. 8 12 23 9 — 52
HEATHWOOD HALL 33 — Kamauri Hunter 15, Nic Nichols 10, Ravenell 3, Claxton 3, Morris 2
CHARLOTTE LATIN 52 — James Jones 16, Titus Ivory 11, Alex Dauska 11, Levy 8, Latta 4, Miles 2
Records: Latin 9-6, Heathwood Hall 5-8
CORVIAN COMMUNITY 77, SUN VALLEY 65
Corvian 23 24 9 21 — 77
Sun Valley 13 17 20 15 Z— 65
CORVIAN 77 — RJ Moore 15, Malachi McCutcheon 14, Doug Quarles III 15, Milton 3, Hudson 9, Johnson 4, Scott 4, AJ Jackson Jr, 13
SUN VALLEY 65 — Calhoun 5, Tavares 14, Benjamin 14, Powell 3, Sumpter 15, Tomlinson 10, Turriff 4
Notable: Corvian freshman shooting guard Ricky Moore Jr. made 5 of 8 3-point shots. Junior point guard AJ Jackson had 13 points, 11 assists.
RICHMOND SENIOR 94, SOUTH MECKLENBURG 91, 2 OT
South Meck 29 22 9 13 9 9 — 91
Richmond 18 20 23 12 9 12 — 94
SOUTH MECKLENBUG 91 — P.Moye 20, A.Skelton 16, B.Houpt 15, M.Howard 13, I.Sanchez 13, W.Rothacker 8
RICHMOND SENIOR 94 — P.McNeil 31, J.Drake 18, J.Wall 14, K.Davis 11, B.Barfield 10, McDonald 8
Records: South Meck 13-1; Richmond Senior 9-4
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA (SC) 63, BEREAN BAPTIST 43
Westminster Catawba 20 14 18 11 — 63
Berean Baptist Academy 13 7 13 10 — 43
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 63 — Stephen Quinn 17, Nikayle Hodge 17, Brycen Redmon 18, Littlejohn 6, Addie 3, Rushin 2
BEREAN BAPTIST 43 — Amari Goggins 12, Carter 2, Gilmore 2, Muula 2, Martin 9, Josiah Sanders 10, Lee 2, Mikaeteta 9
Notable: Westminster Catawba won its ninth game in a row led by Brycen Redmon (18 points, five rebounds, four steals), Stephen Quinn (17 points, six rebounds four steals) and Nikayle Hodge (17 points, five assists).... Westminster’s next game is Monday January 8 at York Prep Academy.
Record: Westminster Catawba 15-4
LATE FRIDAY
NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN 58, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 52
Charlotte Christian 15 23 6 8 — 52
Ravenscroft 14 7 15 22 — 58
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 52 — Terence Guess 22, Daniel Guandolo 12, Marshall Nicholson 5, Michael Kabwe 4, Austin Bradway 3, Matty Carroll 2, Nick Rosen 2, Cooper Solomon 2
RAVENSCROFT 58 — C. Gladden 43, J Rein 9, E. Delfer 4, L. Huebner 1, J.Jemmott 1
Notable: For Charlotte Christian, Terence Guess made 5 of 7 3-point attempts and had 22 points to go with four assists and three steals. For Ravenscroft, junior guard Chance Gladden made four 3-point attempts and finished with a game-high 43 points.
Records: Charlotte Christian 4-12; Ravenscroft 8-7
Saturday’s girls’ box scores
ARIZONA COMPASS NATIONAL 49, NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 45
Northside 12 12 8 13 — 45
Arizona Compass 9 13 14 15 — 49
NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 45 — Laylah Toscano 22, Carelock 9, Gaskin 8, Womack 4, Chambers 2
Notable: For Northside Christian, Laylah Toscano had 22 points, 11 rebounds. Teammates Brianna Carelock (nine points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals) and Jakaila Gaskin (eight points, six rebounds, block) also had strong games.
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 42, RALEIGH RAVENSCROFT 28
CCDS 4 10 9 17 — 42
Raleigh Ravenscroft 4 8 7 9 — 28
COUNTRY DAY 42 — Casey Smith 13, Olive Bigham 12, Blythe 8, Turner 6, Brown 3
RAVENSCROFT 28 — Zoe Adams 16, Cronin 6, Norgassons 5, Campbell 1
Records: Country Day 13-5; Ravenscroft 9-6
LINCOLN CHARTER 60, FORSYTH COUNTRY DAY 53
Lincoln Charter 15 13 15 17 — 60
Forsyth CD. 17 05 13 18 — 53
LINCOLN CHARTER 60 — Martha Guinle 15, Clare David 14, Symphanie Stevens 14, Kallie Lusk 8, Tyler Beller 3, Samantha Ayres 3, Brenna Barbier 3
FORSYTH COUNTRY DAY 53 — E. Kusnic 19, G. Lyons 18, L. Kelly 7, E. Fowler 6, S. Wall 3
Record, Lincoln Charter 9-4, 3-1
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 31, BEREAN BAPTIST 6
Westminster Catawba 10 14 7 0 — 31
Berean Baptist 2 0 1 3 — 6
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 31 — Colclough Graham 2, Bella Sherer 7, Leah Ross 14, Caidyn Campbell 2, Myana Fore 6
BEREAN BAPTIST 6 -- K Lewis 2, A Johnson 1, A Harris 3
Records: Westminster Catawba 12-6
This story was originally published January 8, 2024 at 10:27 AM.
