Friday’s rewind: Who won Charlotte-area conference tournaments? Stars, box scores, notes
Get a recap of Friday’s high school basketball action in the Charlotte-area, plus a preview of Saturday’s NCISAA championship games in Raleigh.
Friday’s Charlotte Observer coverage
After Friday, CMS should stop conference tournaments and replace them with this
SOMECK final: No. 1 Myers Park holds off Ardrey Kell (story photos)
Queen City final: No. 2 North Meck gets act together, beats Chambers
Southwestern 4A final: Showalter, Butler stop Independence
Ladies’ Night: Ardrey Kell, Independence, Mallard Creek win league titles
The Wrap: Charlotte-area scores, schedules
Cresset Christian upsets Northside Christian girls in NCISAA 1A state final
The Kings are kings again. Victory Christian wins NCISAA 1A boys state title
Friday’s #BIG5 top performers
Shiree Gidney, Hickory Ridge: In a 52-48 upset of Lake Norman in the Greater Metro 4A championship game, Gidney had 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Lake Norman had won the past eight meetings between the teams.
Emma Montanari, East Lincoln: MVP of the Western Foothills tournament, Montanari had 20 points, six rebounds, six steals, six blocks and four assists in a 51-33 win over North Iredell in the league championship game.
Tyler Showalter, Butler: Southwestern 4A tournament MVP had 23 points in a 54-52 win over Independence. He scored all 10 of his team’s fourth quarter points, including two free throws with 0.1 seconds left to win it.
Elle Stone, Mallard Creek: In a 61-60 win over North Mecklenburg, Stone had 24 points, four blocks, three steals and two rebounds.
K.J. Younger, Weddington: Southern Carolinas player of the year hit the game-winning shot in the conference championship game, lifting Weddington to a 52-51 win over Marvin Ridge in overtime. Younger finished with a game-high 26 points.
Rock Hill girls heading to state final
Rock Hill rallied in the final two minutes and held off J.L. Mann 52-50 Friday afternoon in the 5A girls’ Upper State regional finals.
The victory gives the Bearcats (27-3) a chance to win their second state championship in three years. Rock Hill will play for the 5A state crown next Friday against the Lower State champion, either Sumter or Summerville.
Rock Hill led 43-41 midway through the fourth quarter when J.L. Mann (21-5) went on a 7-0 run. The Patriots led 48-43 with 2:15 remaining.
The Bearcats’ standout sophomore, Chloe Hudson, turned the game around in a span of 15 seconds. She hit a 3-pointer, stole the ball seconds later, and then scored on a layup for a 48-48 tie.
Imari Richardson gave Mann the lead again, 50-48, on a 10-foot jump shot with 1:02 to play.
Senior De’Ashaj Crawford, Rock Hill’s season-long scoring leader, hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 27 seconds remaining. J.L. Mann missed its next shot, and Hudson got the rebound. She was fouled and made one of two shots for a 52-50 lead with four seconds to go. The Patriots missed an off-balance 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
Saturday’s NCISAA finals previews
(Boys) Providence Day (25-8) vs. Christ School (25-5), in NCISAA 4A championship, at Ravenscroft School, 4 p.m. — Providence Day plays for the state title for the first time since 2016. The Chargers got 19 points Tuesday from Osvaldo Haynes II in their upset victory over top seed Cannon School. Christ School is the defending state champ and has won eight straight. Mikey Wilkins, a 6-8 junior, leads the Greenies with 13.2 points and 7.1 rebounds a game.
(Girls) Providence Day (19-9) vs. Cannon School (22-7), in NCISAA 4A championship, at North Raleigh Christian, 7 p.m. — Cannon School lost in the final a year ago. The Cougars beat Providence Day in both regular-season meetings, with freshman Madison Drayton scoring 25 points in the first game and Maya McCorkle tallying 25 in the second. Chargers’ freshman Jaida McClure scored 19 against Cannon in the first game and 26 in the second.
(Boys) Gaston Christian (19-15) vs. Forsyth Country Day (26-6), in NCISAA 3A championship, at Ravenscroft School, 1 p.m. — Forsyth Country Day has won 12 of its last 14 and has Division 1 commits in senior forwards Bobby Cannon (New Orleans) and Iverson King (Presbyterian). Gaston Christian, which has won seven of nine, is led by 6-11 senior Makoi Mabor Marier, averaging 17.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game.
(Boys) Davidson Day (22-7) vs. Greenfield School (31-5), in NCISAA 2A championship, at Ravenscroft School, 7 p.m. — Davidson Day is in the championship game for the first time since 2020, when the Patriots won it all. Davidson Day enters the title contest on a roll, having won 12 of its last 13. Greenfield School has won 12 straight and is led by Matt Kirby, averaging more than 20 points a game.
Friday’s boys’ box scores
BUTLER 54, INDEPENDENCE 52
(Southwestern 4A championship game)
Butler 13 18 13 10 — 54
independence 8 17 18 9 — 52
BUTLER 54 — Tyler Showalter 23, Eli Grier 10, Reece Starnes 8, Terrance Badio 5, DQ Currence 5, Caleb Milligan 3
INDEPENDENCE 52 — Kam Jasper 15, Yancey Thomason 14, Jaxson Neely 13, Alberga 4, Johnson 2, Kal. Jasper 2, Lee 1, Basley 1
CENTRAL CABARRUS 85 – CONCORD 44
Concord 6 16 17 5 — 44
Central Cabarrus 24 33 21 7 — 85
CONCORD 44- Jadah Freeman 5, Judah Freeman 6, Phillips 7, Reid 2, Crowder 10, Byrd 2, Howard 12
CENTRAL CABARRUS 85 – Chase Daniel 17, Carson Daniel 12, DJ Kent 16, Joshua Dalton 13, Noah Edmisten, Emari Russell 12, Jake Baker 2, Cayden Smith 9, LarQuise Burse-Jones 2, Chinua Ezeigbo, Kevonta’ Martin 2
Notable: Central forced turnovers 24 and had 25 assists, 19 steals, and 7 blocks. Central Cabarrus has won 59 straight games and 47 straight games at Central Cabarrus. The Vikings have won 48 straight SPC games.
Records: Central Cabarrus 27-0; Concord 17 -10
LAKE NORMAN 67, HICKORY RIDGE 53
(Greater Metro 4A championship)
Lake Norman 28 16 9 14 — 67
Hickory Ridge 15 17 12 9 — 53
LAKE NORMAN 67 — Will Googins 6,Josh Yates 18, Santana Lynch 16, Tre McKinnon ,10 Nick Arnold 5 , Grant Dryden 2, Myles Crumes , Trent Steinour 10
MYERS PARK 52, ARDREY KELL 50
(SoMECK 4A championship)
Ardrey Kell 15 10 18 7 — 50
Myers Park 15 11 15 11 — 52
ARDREY KELL 50 — Delani Hammonds 15, Brett Freeman 13, Caden Caskey 10, Matthew Craft 6, Owen Wacker 4, Jake Weckerle 2
MYERS PARK 52 — White 15, Paraison 7, Boswell 2, King 5, Hines 1, Mohammed 22
Record: Ardrey Kell 19-8
NORTH MECKLENBURG 67, CHAMBERS 55
(Queen City 3A/4A championship)
Chambers 11 23 14 7 — 55
North Mecklenburg 10 17 25 15 — 67
CHAMBERS 55 — Markus Kerr 15, Malik McCotter 4, Tarris Bouie 10, Jordan Patton 4, Maurio Hanson 22
NORTH MECKLENBURG 55 — North Meck: Isaiah Evans 25, Chadlyn Traylor 15, Ashton Pierce 13, Young 6, C. Evans 5, Maxwell 3
WEDDINGTON 52, MARVIN RIDGE 51 (OT)
(Southern Carolinas championship)
Marvin Ridge 14 13 9 9 6 — 51
Weddington 14 12 11 8 7 — 52
MARVIN RIDGE 51 — Marshall Payne 18, Henry Smith 14, Cinjun Bridges 10, Clark 7, Hanes 2
WEDDINGTON 52 — KJ Younger 26, Grant Hamilton 11, Ellyson 8, Cook 3, Powers 3, Nnaji 1
Notable: Grant Hamilton, a Roanoke commit, made a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left and Southern Carolinas player of the year KJ. Younger had the game-winner as time expired in overtime.
Record: Weddington 25-1; Marvin Ridge 16-10
VICTORY CHRISTIAN 48, UNITED FAITH 44
(NCISAA 1A state championship)
Victory Christian 14 10 10 14 — 48
United Faith 13 4 22 5 — 44
UNITED FAITH 44 — JD Bowden 17, Evering 2, Boyce 7, Sutherland 7, DeLuca 9, Johnson 2
VICTORY CHRISTIAN 48 — Xavier Perry 12, Bowser 4, Justyn Whitfield 10, Smith 8, Marshall 6, Cham 8
Friday’s girls’ box scores
ARDREY KELL 53, MYERS PARK 51 OT
(SoMECK 7 championship game)
Ardrey Kell 10 12 9 15 7 — 53
Myers Park- 9 13 16 8 5 — 51
ARDREY KELL 53 — Autumn Washington 20, Molly Burns 13 Karly Glahn 12 Fleck 7 McCoy 3
MYERS PARK 51 — Barner 11 Lassiter 3 Lexander 11 McDaniel 4 Wilson 2 Thomason 2 Truesdale 18
Note: SoMeck Tournament MVP Autumn Washington
CRESSET CHRSITIAN 48, NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 45
(NCISAA 1A state final)
Cresset Christian 14 11 12 10 — 48
Northside 6 10 11 18 — 45
NORTHSIDE 45 — Womack 5, Gaskin 7, Carlelock 3, Ashford 2, Toscano 8
CRESSET CHRISTIAN 48 — Trinity Jefferson 17, Bryant 8, Vuelta 3, Jarrett 17, English 5
EAST LINCOLN 51, NORTH IREDELL 33
(Western Foothills conference championship)
North Iredell 9 6 8 10 — 33
East Lincoln 16 7 15 13 — 51
NORTH IREDELL 33 — Tatum Bradford 10, A. Varella 7, M. Parlier 3, A. Patterson 2, M. Lippard 2, A. Curlee 4, R. Wenzel 2, L. Wittenmeyer 2
EAST LINCOLN 51 — Emma Montanari 20, Kiara Anderson 19, L. Pethel 8, A. Hege 4
Noteable: Lady Mustangs win their third consecutive WFAC conference tournament. The team has won 52 consecutive games against conference competition. Tournament MVP Emma Montanari had 20 points, six rebounds, six steals, six blocks and four assists. Kiara Anderson (19 points, three rebounds, two steals) and Abbie Hege (four points, 16 rebounds, two steals, two assists) made the all-tournament team.
Records: North Iredell 19-8; East Lincoln 26-1
HICKORY RIDGE 52, LAKE NORMAN 48
(Greater Metro 4A championship)
Hickory Ridge 13 5 15 19 — 52
Lake Norman 14 9 11 14 — 48
HICKORY RIDGE 52 — S Gidney 16, Leathers 13, M. Gidney 13, Duley 5, Watkins 4
LAKE NORMAN 48 — A. Sheehan 17, A. Sheehan 15, Rhyne 7, Sirianni 5, Buoncomti 4
Notable: Shiree Gidney led Lake Norman.with 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Ma-kaela Gidney added 13 points and five rebounds.
Records: Hickory Ridge 22-5; Lake Norman 23-2
LINCOLN CHARTER 39, COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF DAVIDSON 28
(Catawba Shores championship)
Lincoln Charter 8 9 13 9 — 39
Community School 7 9 10 2 — 38
LINCOLN CHARTER 39 — Martha Guinle 11, Kallie Lusk 10, Symphanie Stevens 9, Brenna Barbier 4, Samantha Ayers 2, Claire David 2, Tyler Beller 1
COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF DAVIDSON 38 — T. Baughon 10, R. Downey 9, O. Steward 7, A. Delay 2
Notable: Lincoln Charter avenged its only conference losses. Tournament MVP Martha Guinle had a game-high 11 points.
Record: Lincoln Charter 21-5
MALLARD CREEK 61, NORTH MECKLENBURG 60
(Queen City 3A/4A championship game)
Mallard Creek 22 6 19 14 — 61
North Meck 12 16 19 12 — 60
MALLARD CREEK 61 — Alana Biosse 10, J. Stone 4, Elle Stone 24, Lili Booker 12, My’Asia Young 10, Robertson 2
NORTH MECK 60 — Knox 7, Rowe 2, Rivera 1, Dimentel 7, Hoover 9, Fullenwider 2, Bates 7, Lenise Joseph 23
Notable: Mallard Creek junior Elle Stone finished with 24 points, four blocks, three steals and two rebounds. Sophomore guard My’Asia Young, finished with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Senior guard, Alana Biosse finished with 10 points, two assists and the game-winning layup at the buzzer.
Records: Mallard Creek 24-3
PIEDMONT CHARTER 54, SUGAR CREEK 13
(Metro 8 championship)
Piedmont: 19 11 13 11 — 54
Sugar Creek: 5 2 0 6 — 13
PIEDMONT 54 ---- Bree Phillips 12, Addison Berry 10, Lyric Brown 9, Evie East 8, Aubree Cammer 7, Allasha Houser 4, Julianna East 2, Celeste Cobb 2
SUGAR CREEK 13 ---- Eriyana Anthony 6, Taylor Thompson 3, Armani Nabinett 2, Allure Bishop 1, Infiniti Green 1
Western Foothills’ All-Tournament teams
Girls’ champion: East LIncoln
Girls’ runner-up: North Iredell
2024 Western Foothills Athletic Conference Men’s & Women’s Basketball
All Tournament team: Alli Smith, North Lincoln; Addison Sisk, Hickory; Tatum Bradford, North Iredell; Aliyah Curlee, North Iredell; Emma Montanari, East Lincoln (MVP); Abbie Hege, East Lincoln; Kiara Anderson, East Lincoln;
Boys’ champion: Hickory
Boys’ runner-up: North Lincoln
All-Tournament team: Jackson Fannon, East Lincoln; Mekiuan Davis, Statesville; Kellen Karr, North Lincoln; Ty Sanders, North Lincoln; John Holbrook, Hickory (MVP); Izaiah Littlejohn, Hickory; Jamien Little, Hickory
This story was originally published February 19, 2024 at 10:04 PM.
