Boys’ prep rewind: No. 8 Charlotte Catholic, Chris Eagan, stop rival South Meck
Charlotte Catholic and South Mecklenburg’s boys’ high school basketball teams, preseason conference favorites in two different leagues despite being less than two miles apart, staged a back-and-forth early season non-conference contest that had a postseason feel to it on Tuesday night.
In the end, host Catholic overcame a halftime deficit with a strong second half for a 68-61 victory.
South Mecklenburg “coach (Chris) McDonald does a great job with their team and it’s ‘South Meck,’ so you know it’s a big game,” said Catholic coach Mike King, whose team is No. 8 in The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll. “We knew we had to defend their 3-point shooters and take care of the basketball. We didn’t do a good job of that in the first half but we cleaned things up in the second half.”
Led by its tall and talented frontcourt players, Jack Siegel and Chris Eagan, and getting a fourth quarter burst from reserve forward King Rhodes, the unbeaten Cougars (4-0) would build as much as a 12-point lead before taking the victory.
The 6-foot-4 Siegel had a game-high 22 points that included 11 in the fourth quarter while the 6-8 Eagan had 14 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots and Rhodes had 12 points highlighted by three fourth quarter slam dunks in the final 2 1/2 minutes of the game.
South Mecklenburg (3-3), the So Meck 4A preseason favorite, led 29-26 at the half behind five 3-pointers in the first half.
But Catholic, the Southwestern 4A preseason favorite, cut down on its turnovers — it had eight in the first quarter and eight more for the rest of the game — and dominated rebounding with a 42-26 overall advantage.
Three who made a difference
Jack Siegel, Catholic: A Providence High transfer, Siegel converted four 2-pointers, one 3-pointer and made all 11 free throws he took in his 22-point performance.
Chris Eagan, Catholic: The American University commit scored in each quarter and appeared to alter many more shots than the six he blocked.
Ben Houpt, South Mecklenburg: The junior guard had a team-high 15 points and made three 3-pointers.
Notable
▪ Catholic head coach Mike King felt a huge difference in the game were the four charges that his team drew in the foul lane. Three were drawn by senior Cade Pringle and the other by Chris Eagan.
▪ The teams were meeting for the first time since South Mecklenburg handed visiting Catholic an 81-41 first round playoff defeat last season. The teams have played five times since the 2022 season with South Mecklenburg winning three of those contests.
▪ Despite Catholic’s defensive pressure, the visiting Sabres hit 10 of 29 3-point attempts, including three in the final two minutes as they vainly tried to comeback after falling behind 59-47 with 2:17 to play.
They said it
“Anytime you get a drawn charge in the paint, it slows down the other team’s drives to the basket.” — Catholic head coach Mike King
Weddington coach gets milestone win
Weddington coach Gary Ellington picked up his 300th career win after Tuesday’s 69-22 win over Parkwood.
Ellington took over as coach at Weddington in 2007 and led the Warriors to back-to-back undefeated state championships in the 2020-2021 (3A) and 2021-2022 (4A) seasons.
Ellington spent one year as an assistant at Queens University before returning to the Warriors sideline in 2023-2024, leading Weddington to the Sweet 16. Ellington’s career record is 300-139.
Tuesday’s #BIG5 boys’ top performers
Nick Diaz, Charlotte Country Day: Diaz had a team-high 21 points in a 70-64 win over Pine Lake Prep.
Nolan Ericson, Mooresville: Ericson went for a game-high 28 points in a 72-69 win over Sweet 16 No. 14 Hough. Hough lost for the first time this season.
Jalen Howard, North Gaston: In a 66-37 win over Cherryville, Howard made five 3-point shots, was 6-of-6 at the free throw line and scored a career-high 35 points.
Caleb Milligan, Butler: In a 54-47 win over Harding, Milligan had a career-high 21 points, aided by five made 3-point shots. Butler, No. 12 in The Observer’s Sweet 16, improved to 4-0.
Jack Siegel, Charlotte Catholic: In a 68-61 win over rival South Mecklenburg, Siegel had a game-high 20 points. Catholic, No. 8 in The Sweet 16, improved to 4-0.
Tuesday’s box scores
NO. 2 CONCORD ACADEMY 83, WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 47
Concord Academy 24 25 19 15 — 83
Westminster Catawba 9 6 24 8 — 47
CONCORD ACADEMY 83 — Jake Benham 18, James Minlend 17, Gray Madeira 14, Lincoln Raper 10, Icare Bakadisula 8, Brylee Austin 7, Malik Keita 4, MJ Lewis 3, Alek Kornacki 2
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 47 — Brycen Redmon 23, MJ Littlejohn 11, Dorian Reeves 6, Nikayle Hodge 5, Kaleb Santos 2
Notable: Concord Academy (10-0) hosts Asheville Christian Friday; Westminster Catawba (3-5) is at Hickory Grove Friday.
NO. 8 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 68, SOUTH MECKLENBURG 61
South Meck 13 16 12 20 — 61
Catholic 12 14 17 25— 68
SOUTH MECK 61 — Ben Houpt 15, Jim Gatehouse 13, Williams 9, Yett 9, Paige 7, Howard 3, Sanner 3, Parker 2
CATHOLIC 68 —Jack Siegel 20, Chris Eagan 14, King Rhodes 12, Pringle 7, Noch 5, Brady 4, Jordan 3, Heucker 3
Records: South Meck 3-3; Catholic 4-0
NO. 12 BUTLER 54, HARDING 47
Butler: 19 8 15 12 — 54
Harding: 9 9 13 16 — 47
BUTLER 54 — Caleb Milligan 21, Reece Starnes 15, Terrance 10, DQ Currence 5, Isaiah White 2, Aree Branch 1
HARDING 47 — Kaharri Coleman 16, Lonnie Walker 9, Cornelius 6, Decker 6, George 5, Ross 5
Notes: Butler moves to 4-0. Harding drops 1-3. Caleb Milligan had a career-high 21 points with 5 threes. Butler plays at Indian Land on Friday.
MOORESVILLE 72, NO. 14 HOUGH 69
Mooresville 20 14 23 15 — 72
Hough 12 16 14 27 — 69
MOORESVILLE 72 — Nolan Ericson 28, Christian Wilson 14, Bryson Demby 13, Kyri Wilson 7, Dylan Clark 6, Eian Bailey 3, Jaquavion Bailey 1.
HOUGH 69 — Judah Freeman 25, Beck Spear 21, Slusher 6, Otto 5, Sloan 4, Ja. Freeman 3, Burnett 2, Bellofatto 2, Funderburk 1
Notable: For Mooresville, Christian Wilson had eight rebounds and five assists. Demby had eight rebounds. Clark had nine rebounds and five blocks. For Hough, Judah Freeman had 25 points and 8 rebounds. Beck Spear came off the bench and was 7-9 from three
Records: Mooresville 5-2; Hough 3-1
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 70, PINE LAKE PREP 64
Country Day 20 19 17 14 — 70
Pine Lake Prep 20 14 17 13 — 64
COUNTRY DAY 58 — Nick Diaz 21, DJ Lindsey 13, Jerome Lowery 13, Youakim 8, Roberts 7, Vanfield 4, Schulze 2, Davis 2
PINE LAKE PREP 64 — Jamie Lawson 13, Noah Wonkeh 11, Gary Grear 11, Joseph Bruce 10, Ethan Morgan 10, Kaliszewski 5, Lucero 4
Records: Charlotte Country Day 6-4, Pine Lake Prep 3-1
COVENANT DAY 61, CHRIST THE KING 40
COVENANT DAY 75 — White 4, Huffman 10, Krouse 12 Haggarty 10, McSweeney 8, Wilder 8, Montgomery 4, Thurman 3, Stanley 2
CTK 40 – Ryan 6, Gorman 4, Tampaya 16, Reimels 3, Thompson 3, Gere 2, Walsh 2, Mastruole 4
EAST LINCOLN 87, HIBRITEN 32
East Lincoln 26 22 18 21 — 87
Hibriten 7 13 11 1 — 32
EAST LINCOLN 87 — Davis Hill 13, Brayden Miller 9, Jaxon Dollar 20, Christian Atkins 2, Jamison Frye 6, Grant Lawless 12, Gaige Ikard 6, Gavin Heaberlin 1, Brooks Reel 2, Jackson Fannon 16
HIBRITEN 32 — Walton 3, Woodward 4, Martin 10, Beasley 3, Cook 6, Carlton 2, Reynolds 2, Smith 2
Records: East Lincoln 2-0; Hibriten 2-2
EAST MECK 59, SUN VALLEY 45
EAST MECK 18 10 12 19 — 59
SUN VALLEY 13 10 11 11 — 45
EAST MECK 59 — Jordan Buzzard 17, Ahmari Hicks 11, James Mciver 12, Wright 8, Johnson 7, Toro 4
SUN VALLEY 45 — Kahlil Benjamin 10, Pickney 8, Whitted 8, Papazis 7, Chafin 4, Powell 5, McKinney 3
Records: East Meck 3-2, Sun Valley 2-3
GASTON DAY 74, HICKORY GROVE 59
Gaston Day 13 16 19 26 — 74
Hickory Grove 13 13 9 24 — 59
Gaston Day. 13 16 19 26. - 74
Hickory Grove. 13 13 9 24. - 59
GASTON DAY 74 — Deshawn Coulter 16, Dylan Bradley 13, Griffen Simpson 8, Gavin Fields 8, Braylen Todd 8.
Notable: Gaston Day is 6-2 and 1-0 in conference play. It will host Metrolina Christian on Friday at 7pm
NORTH GASTON 66, CHERRYVILLE 37
North Gaston 15 19 19 13 — 66
Cherryville 9 6 9 13 — 37
NORTH GASTON 66 — Jalen Howard 35, Edgar Liriano 10, Mason 6, Guerrero 6, Hill 4, Cunningham 2, Thompson 2, Tanner 1
CHERRYVILLE 37 — Sewell 5, Bell 6, Dalton 6, Kelly 4, Pullen 5, Burhan 3, Pruett 2, Lawrance 6
QUEENS GRANT 81, CENTRAL ACADEMY 16
QGHS 81 — Mekhi Allen 13, Preston Scott 12, Geronimo Clark 12, Bobby Montgomery 11, Smith 8, White 6, Howard 6, Smith 6, DeBerry 4, O’Neil 3
CATA 16 — Hoff 5, Rogers 3, Ross 2, Cabeza 4, Segers 2
UNION PREP 56, UNION DAY 45
Union Prep 12 9 13 22 — 56
Union Day 5 15 14 11 — 45
Union Prep 56 — Daniel 10, Sean 10, Omri 10, Josh 16
UNION DAY 45 — Malcolm Cross 8, Jazon Reynolds 26
Records: Union Prep 2-1; Union Day 0-2
Notes: For Union Day, Freshman Jazon Reynolds is currently averaging 37.5 points per game
WEDDINGTON 69, PARKWOOD 22
Parkwood 9 3 9 1 — 22
Weddington 21 18 14 16 — 69
PARKWOOD 22 — Neo Davis 11, Christensen 4, M. Davis 3, Johnson 2, Staton 1, Blakney 1
WEDDINGTON 69 — KJ Younger 29, Muteb 9, B. Barbier 6, Pandoria 4, Jefferson 4, Zepp 3, J. Barbier 3, Nnaji 3, Ford 2, Vaughn 2, Vick 2, Cain 2
Records: Parkwood 1-5; Weddington 4-2
Monday’s box scores
LAKE NORMAN 90, WEST ROWAN 43
West Rowan 10 19 3 11 — 43
Lake Norman 37 14 24 11 — 90
WEST ROWAN 43 — Kennedy 2, Graham 8, Tucker 2, Ford 5, Youns 10, Donaldson 6, Moten 10
LAKE NORMAN 90 — Crumes 8, Josh Yates 10, Tre McKinnon 23, Gruber 2, Taurean McKinnon 10, Edwards 2, Nick Arnold 8, Hall 2, Pfefferkorn 2, Miller 4, Kopecky 1, Trent Steinour 18
Notable: Tre McKinnon became the all-time leading scorer in Lake Norman history with his 23 points.
Records: Lake Norman: 5-0
This week’s schedule
(Unless otherwise listed, all matchups are girls-boys doubleheaders, with girls’ games at 6 p.m. and boys’ games following)
Wednesday
Mecklenburg nonconference
Bonnie Cone Leadership at Anson County (boys), 7:30
Buford (SC) at Ballantyne Ridge
Corvian Community at Carter Woodsen (girls), 6
Elevation Prep at Rock Hill (boys), 7
Jackson Day at Cherryville
Olympic at West Cabarrus
Palisades at Lancaster (SC)
Porter Ridge at East Mecklenburg
1 of 1 Academy at Lab Prep (girls), 6
Other nonconference
A.L. Brown at Northwest Cabarrus
Burns at West Lincoln
Central Academy at Gray Stone Day
Forestview at Cuthbertson
Highland Tech at Pinnacle Classical
Lincolnton at Monroe (girls), 6
Pageland Central (SC) at Forest Hills
South Iredell at Alexander Central, 6:30
West Iredell at Bunker Hill
S.C. nonconference
Buford at Ballantyne Ridge
Chester at Ware Shoals
Comenius at Woodlawn School (boys), 7
Elevation Prep at Rock Hill (boys), 7
Palisades at Lancaster
Thursday
Mecklenburg nonconference
Cabarrus Stallions at Sugar Creek Charter, 5:30
Charlotte Christian vs. Trinity Collegiate, in Heathwood Hall Classic (SC), 5
Franklin Prep at Lab Univ. Prep (boys), 7
Hickory Grove Christian at Lee Park Christian
Hopewell at Salisbury (girls), 6
North Mecklenburg at Berry Academy
Pine Lake Prep at Ambassador Christian (girls), 5:30
Reagan at Community School of Davidson
Rocky River at Piedmont
South Guilford Homeschool at South Charlotte Thunder, 7
Sugar Creek Charter at Cabarrus Stallions (girls)
Victory Christian at Comenius (boys), 6
1 of 1 Academy at Charlotte Elite (boys), 6:15
Other nonconference
Concord at Mount Pleasant
Cox Mill at Weddington
Hunter Huss at Fort Mill (girls), 6:30
Lake Norman Christian at Quality Education (boys), 7
Montgomery Central at Union Academy
Piedmont Community Charter at Lincoln Charter
York (SC) at South Point, 6:15
S.C. nonconference
Hunter Huss at Fort Mill (girls), 6:30
Lake Pointe Academy at Carolina Christian, 5
Lancaster at Northwestern, 6:15
Legion Collegiate at Heathwood Hall (girls)
South Pointe at Rock Hill (boys), 8
Victory Christian at Comenius
Weddington at Fort Mill (girls)
York at South Point, 6:15
State Farm Classic
(at Ardrey Kell)
(girls) Ardrey Kell vs. Sun Valley, 4:30
(boys) Charlotte Catholic vs. Nation Ford, 6
(boys) Ardrey Kell vs. Sun Valley, 7:30
Good Guys vs. Cancer Classic (boys)
(at First Flight Hill, Kill Devil Hills)
Hargrave Military (VA) vs. Word of God Christian, 4
Camden vs. Croatan, 5:30
Currituck County vs. West Bladen, 7
Ambassador Christian vs. Blue Ridge (SC), 8:30
Friday
South Piedmont 3A
Central Cabarrus at Jesse Carson
Lake Norman Charter at West Rowan
Northwest Cabarrus at East Rowan
South Rowan at Jay M. Robinson
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Metrolina Christian at Gaston Day, 5:30
SouthLake Christian at Gaston Christian, 5:30
Westminster Catawba at Hickory Grove Christian, 5:30
Mecklenburg nonconference
A.C. Reynolds at Myers Park
Ballantyne Ridge at Providence
Bonnie Cone Leadership at Carter Woodsen (boys), 6:30
Butler at Indian Land (SC)
Charlotte Christian in Heathwood Hall (SC) Classic (boys)
Charlotte Country Day at Victory Christian
Christ the King at Pine Lake Prep
Corvian Community at Charlotte Christian (girls), 6
Covenant Day at Cary Academy, 5:30
Durham Academy at Charlotte Latin, 5
Garinger at West Mecklenburg
Harding at Sun Valley (girls), 6
Independence at South Mecklenburg
Lake Norman Christian at Jackson Day (boys), 7:30
Olympic vs. Wakefield (VA), in Wakefield Showcase (boys), 7:30
Ravenscroft School at Providence Day, 5:30
South Charlotte Thunder at Surry Homeschool
Sugar Creek Charter at Fletcher School (girls), 4:30
West Cabarrus at Hopewell
Other nonconference
Alexander Central at North Iredell
Arborbrook Christian at North Pointe Academy (girls), 6:15
Ashbrook at East Lincoln
Asheville Christian at Concord Academy, 5
Cabarrus Stallions at Forsyth Home Educators
Cherryville at West Lincoln, 6:30
Cuthbertson at Forest Hills
East Gaston at North Gaston
Forestview at North Lincoln
Highland Tech at Central Academy
Lincolnton at Kings Mountain
Mooresville at Statesville
Pageland Central (SC) at Piedmont
Parkwood at Porter Ridge
Purnell Swett at A.L. Brown (boys), 6:30
Southy Iredell at West Iredell
South Point at Catawba Ridge (SC)
Statesville Christian at Neuse Christian, 6:15
Stuart Cramer at East Rutherford, 6:30
Valor Prep at Mountain Island Charter
S.C. Region 2 1A
Governor’s School at Great Falls, 6:30
Lewisville at McBee, 6:30
S.C. nonconference
Butler at Indian Land
Chester at Buford, 6:30
Gaffney at Fort Mill, 6:30
Lakewood at Andrew Jackson (girls), 6
Legion Collegiate at York Prep
South Point at Catawba Ridge
South Pointe at Rock Hill (girls), 6
Westminster Catawba at Hickory Grove Christian
State Farm Classic
(at Ardrey Kell)
Charlotte Catholic vs. Sun Valley (boys), 6
Ardrey Kell vs. Nation Ford (boys), 7:30
Good Guys Vs. Cancer Classic (boys)
(at First Flight High, Kill Devil Hills)
Ambassador Christian vs. Peninsula Catholic (VA), 2
Greenfield School vs. The Burlington School, 3:30
Miller School (VA) vs. New Hanover, 5
Chambers vs. St. Anne’s Belfield (VA), 6:30
Davidson Day vs. John Marshall (VA), 8
First Flight vs. Millbrook, 9:30
Tyler Lewis Hoopsfest (boys)
(at Forsyth Country Day)
Carmel Christian vs. N.C. Good Better Best, 5:30
Queens Grant Charter vs. Salisbury, 7
Forsyth Country Day vs. Portsmouth (VA) Catholic, 8:30
Saturday
Mecklenburg nonconference
A.C. Reynolds at Mallard Creek (girls), 2
A.C. Reynolds at Independence (boys), 4
Carmel Christian at Cary Academy (boys), 12:30
Covenant Day at North Raleigh Christian, noon
Durham Academy at Providence Day, noon
Harding vs. Trinity Christian, in Southeast Invitational at Fayetteville (boys), 5
Hickory Ridge at Ardrey Kell (girls), 3:30
Mount Zion Christian at Victory Christian, 12:30
North Mecklenburg vs. Our Lady of Lourdes (MD) in Washington (DC) showcase (boys), 6:30
Olympic vs. Washington-Liberty (VA), in Wakefield Showcase (boys), 2:15
Olympic vs. Woodbridge (VA), in Virginia showcase (girls), 11 a.m.
Ravenscroft at Charlotte Latin, noon
Other nonconference
Cannon School at Rolesville (girls), 2:30
Concord Academy at Greensboro Day (girls), 1:30
East Lincoln at Lincolnton, 1:30
Statesville Christian at Lee Christian, 2:30
S.C. nonconference
Fort Mill vs. Byrnes, in Dorman Showcase (boys), 3
Nation Ford VS. Stall, in Charles A. Davis Showcase in Charleston (girls), 11:30 a.m.
Showdown at the Border
(at Clover, SC, High)
(girls) Kings Mountain vs. Great Falls, 11 a.m.
(girls) Ashbrook vs. Rock Hill, 12:30
(boys) Gaston Day vs. Andrew Jackson, 2
(girls) Hunter Huss vs. South Pointe, 3:30
(boys) Marvin Ridge vs. York 5
(girls) Queens Grant Charter vs. Clover, 6:30
(boys) Hunter Huss vs. Clover, 8
Good Guys Vs. Cancer Classic/Outer Banks (boys)
(at First Flight High, Kill Devil Hills)
Croatan vs. West Bladen, 8 a.m.
Greenfield School vs. Peninsula Catholic (VA), 9:30 a.m.
The Burlington School vs. Blue Ridge, 11 a.m.
Washington vs. Northern Nash, 12:30
Green Level vs. Miller School (VA), 2
Millbrook vs. Farmville Central, 3:30
Lake Norman vs. New Hanover, 5
Chambers vs. Berean Baptist, 6:30
Davidson Day vs. St. Anne’s Belfield (VA), 8
First Flight vs. Kinston, 9:30
Tyler Lewis Hoopsfest
(at Forsyth Country Day)
Chatham Charter vs. Northwest Guilford, 11 a.m.
Salisbury vs. Bishop McGuinness, 12:30
Calvary Day vs. Walkerstown, 2
N.C. Good Better Best vs. Portsmouth (VA) Catholic, 3:30
Caldwell Academy vs. Quality Education, 5
Burlington Christian vs. High Point Christian, 6:30
Concord Academy vs. Forsyth Country Day, 8
Queen City Classic (girls)
(at West Charlotte)
Lab Univ. Prep vs. Garinger, 3
TBA, 3:30
Chambers vs. Legion Collegiate, 5
East Mecklenburg vs. West Charlotte, 6:30
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 6:15 AM.
