Tuesday’s boys’ rewind: Mallard Creek escapes ‘House of Horrors’ at West Charlotte
Mallard Creek boys’ basketball coach Michael McNeil says if his team is to be successful this season, it’ll have to rely on defense.
In Tuesday’s Queen City 3A/4A Conference opener at a traditional “House of Horrors” for the Mavericks, Mallard Creek’s defense frustrated West Charlotte in a 51-44 victory at the Charles Adams McCullough Athletic Center.
Mallard Creek’s win was only its third in history at West Charlotte — and its second in a row. The Lions still lead the all-time series 33-5 and are 14-3 at home against the Mavericks.
“Defense is going to be our calling card all year,” said McNeil, whose team improved to 4-3 overall. “We have an athletic team and we have some good defenders.”
West Charlotte (2-3) trailed 19-13 in the middle of the second quarter before rallying to within 21-20 at the break.
The Mavericks responded with a second-half burst that effectively put the game away early in the fourth quarter.
Mallard Creek’s defense held West Charlotte without a field goal in the second half until 1:28 remained in the third quarter. And with 6:30 to play, the Mavericks’ game-high 46-30 lead sent many of the Lions’ supporters to the exits.
McNeil said junior guard Ahmad Savage’s defense of West Charlotte sophomore point guard A.C. Pressley was key to an effort that also got strong outings from senior Troy Griffin and junior Lajalin Overton.
“Our goal was to make it difficult on their point guard and try to disrupt their offense,” McNeil said.
Senior Jordyn Washington (game-high 12 points), Overton (10), Savage (9), junior Aiden Robinson (8) and senior Cam Higgins (7) led a balanced Mallard Creek offense.
D.J. Williams’ 11 points led West Charlotte, which battled to get within 48-44 with 35 seconds left before suffering a turnover and missed its final shot to end its comeback bid.
▪ The Mavericks outrebounded West Charlotte 34-26 and limited the Lions to 33% shooting from the field.
▪ Both teams continue Queen City 3A/4A action on Friday with Mallard Creek visiting Hopewell and West Charlotte visiting West Mecklenburg.
Tuesday’s boys’ #BIG5 top performers
Barrington Cook, Corvian Community: In an 84-45 win over Langtree Charter, Cook had 10 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and six steals for the reigning NCHSAA 1A Western Regional champions.
Kenan Dixon, Cannon: Dixon made a school-record 12 3-point shots and finished with 40 points in a 114-70 win over Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy.
Ahmari Hicks, East Mecklenburg: East Mecklenburg won its third straight game Tuesday, beating Rocky River 72-47 in its Southwestern 4A conference opener. Hicks led all scorers with 22 points.
Markus Kerr, Chambers: In a 102-29 win over West Mecklenburg, Kerr — a top 100 national recruit — had 20 points on 8 of 9 shooting. He had all six of his two-point attempts and was 2 for 3 from the 3-point line.
Jack Siegel, Charlotte Catholic: Siegel had a game-high 19 points in a 71-51 win over Providence. Catholic improved to 9-0.
Tuesday’s boys’ box scores
NO. 6 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 71, PROVIDENCE 51
Charlotte Catholic 10 15 26 20 — 71
Providence 7 11 15 18 — 51
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 71 — Jack Siegel 19, Chris Eagan 17, King Rhodes 10, Bergren 7, Jordan 4, Pringle 3, Brady 3, Noch 2, Short 2, Kennelly 2
PROVIDENCE 51 — Evan Wisotsky 15, Caleb Gaither 12, Johnson 9, Drayton 6, Taylor 5, Vaughn 2, Degabrielle 2
NO. 7 CHAMBERS 102, WEST MECKLENBURG 29
Chambers 34 31 27 10 — 102
West Meck 4 13 5 7 — 29
CHAMBERS 102 — Lavonte Jackson 13, Markus Kerr 20, Quentel Young 10, Malik McCotter 14, Tarris Bouie 11, Zyon White 17, Desmond Martin 7, Cameron Thompson 10
NO. 10 HOPEWELL 82, HARDING 72
Hopewell 24 12 26 20 — 82
Harding 12 3 21 37 — 72
HOPEWELL 82 — Kamari Cooke 18, Michael Brown 16, Tre Gatlin 5, Shaquan Rice 2, Arael Jones 19, Messiah Cage 4, Kyle Broughton 7, Tayshaun Jones 2, Trequan Hines 2, Khaden Clark 4, Khalil Clark 5, Randy Lyons 2
HARDING 72 — Coleman 14, D. Ross 8, Walker 8, George 2, Brown 4, Boakye 2, Decker 14, Young 6, Brewer 4
Records: Hopewell 7-0; Harding 1-6
NO. 16 BUTLER 66, GARINGER 17
Butler: 25 22 11 8 — 66
Garinger: 6 4 0 7 — 17
BUTLER 66 — Caleb Milligan 17, Terrance Badio 13, Keys 7, Branch 7, Starnes 5, White 5, Grier 4, Currence 2, Vinson 2, Moncion 2, Douglas 2
GARINGER 17 — Lawler 7, Mackey 6, Camara 3, Carthan 1
Notes: Butler improves to 5-3, 1-0 in the Southwestern 4A. Garinger is 1-5, 0-1. Butler hosts Providence on Friday.
CHARLOTTE LATIN 55 CUTHBERTSON 44
Cuthbertson 5 12 16 11 — 44
Charlotte Latin 7 13 13 22 — 55
CUTHBERTSON 44 — Gavin Malone 14, Grady Webb 13, Luke Nelson 10, Nelson 3,Heyward 3,Cheek 1
CHARLOTTE LATIN 55 — Alex Dauska 17, Emory Chaney 11, Titus Ivory 10, Casey 4, Jones 4, Miles 3, Warren 2, Wilson 2, Diaz 2, McGirt 1
Records: Cuthbertson 5-3, Latin 7-3
CORVIAN COMMUNITY 84, LANGTREE CHARTER 45
Langtree Charter 13 10 17 5 — 45
Corvian Community 21 25 13 25 — 84
LANGTREE CHARTER 45 — Jerel Brawley 11, Ashton Munters 12, Glussich 9, Gelpke 1, Hoyle 7, Ruff 2, Phifer 3
CORVIAN COMMUNITY 84 —Ricky Moore Jr 28, Malachi McCutcheon 17, Milton 5, Barrington Cook 10, Patel 8, Garvin 5, Frey 3, Olsen 8
Notable: For Corvian, Malachi McCutcheon had 17 points, 10 rebounds. Teammate Barrington Cook had 10 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and six steals.
EAST MECKLENBURG 72, ROCKY RIVER 47
East Meck 16 17 18 21 — 72
Rocky River 17 6 10 14 — 47
EAST MECKLENBURG 72 — Ahmari Hicks 22, Jordan Buzzard 14, Nixon Wright 10, Ramirez Toro 8, Johnson 6, Mciver 4, Caldwell 4, Walker 4
ROCKY RIVER 47 — Jordan Walton 15, Jayden Ross 10, Carr 6, Jordan 5, Felter 3, Reels 2, Warren 2, Noble 2, Little 2
Records: East Meck 5-2; Rocky River 3-5
FORT MILL 58, MARVIN RIDGE 39
Fort Mill 24 12 11 11 — 58
Marvin Ridge 15 3 11 10 — 39
FORT MILL 58 — Wallace Campbell 22, Logan Parker 14, Nas Berry 13, Nelson 4, Eckhardt 3, Johnson 2.
MARVIN RIDGE 39 — Hutchens 13, H. Smith 7,Gargus 5, Dunn 5, O. Smith 4, Payne 3, Haines 2.
Notable: Fort Mill is ranked No. 4 in the S.C. 5A Division II poll and plays at home Friday against Catawba Ridge.
MALLARD CREEK 51, WEST CHARLOTTE 44
Mallard Creek 13 8 21 9 — 51
West Charlotte 9 11 10 14 — 44
MALLARD CREEK 44 — Jordyn Washington 12, Savage 9, Higgins 7, Myers 2, Griffin 3, Robinson 8, Lajalin Overton 10.
WEST CHARLOTTE 51 — Bryson 4, A.C. Pressley 9, D.J. Williams 11, R.A. Pressley 7, Faison 2, Womack 5, Kone 6.
Records: Mallard Creek 4-3, 1-0; West Charlotte 2-3, 0-1
MYERS PARK 71, BALLANTYNE RIDGE 32
Ballantyne Ridge 8 11 6 7 — 32
Myers park 15 13 30 13 — 71
BALLANTYNE RIDGE 32 — Brandon Quick 11, Ellerbe 6
MYERS PARK 71 — Wyatt Sweet 16, Early 13, Nelson 12
Records: Ballantyne Ridge 2-7; Myers Park 2-7
OLYMPIC 63, SOUTH MECK 48
Olympic 20 12 17 14 — 63
South Meck 16 10 14 8 — 48
OLYMPIC 63 — De’Angelo Hall 14, Jaden Hardnett 13, Eddie Cota 13, Randy Johnson 10, Elliot Jenkins 8, JD Terrell 5
SOUTH MECK 48 — Jim Gatehouse 18, Myles Howard 12, Muja Williams 7, Connor Yett 5, Ben Houpt 3, AJ Sanner 3
Notable: Olympic senior guard De’Angelo Hall finished with a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds). Sophomore forward Elliot Jenkins had eight points and 16 rebounds, stepping into replace injured senior Maurice Sabb. Olympic improved to 8-0. South Meck fell to 4-6.
PINE LAKE PREP 62, BRADFORD PREP 33
Pine Lake 9 25 15 13 72
Bradford Prep 13 5 11 4 — 33
PINE LAKE PREP 72 — Gary Grear 17, Chris Luceri 13, Jamie Lawson 10, Dre Norris 10, Joseph Bruce 5, Rush Dellinger 4, William Mullen 2, Noah Wonleh 1
BRADFORD PREP 33 — Bradley 8, Caves 5, Hanson 5, M. Jones 4, Baines 3, Jackson 3, Burton 2, Bart 2, Wallace 1
Record: Pine Lake 7-1 overall 2-0 conference
SOUTH CHARLOTTE THUNDER 37, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 26
Charlotte Christian 11 4 2 9 — 26
South Charlotte Thunder 14 11 12 0 — 37
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 26 — Clark 8, Eboboko 8, Pisarski 5, Myers 2, Taylor 2, Maxwell-Wright 1
SOUTH CHARLOTE THUNDER 37 — B. Aitchinson 11, M .Aitchinson 10 Lancaster 7, Ramos 4, Gidney 3, Kuziol 2,
Records: Charlotte Christian 2-7; South Charlotte Thunder 2-9
Monday’s box scores
NO. 4 NORTH MECKLENBURG 57, HOUGH 44
Hough 17 5 15 7 — 44
North Meck 21 14 11 11 — 57
HOUGH 44 — Judah Freeman 24, Jadah Freeman 7, John Slusher 7, Bellofatto 3, Otto 3
NORTH MECK 57 — Pierce 17, Young 11, Traylor 10, Evans 9, Lewandowski 6, Williams 4
Notable: North Meck shot 17 of 21 from the free throw line, while the Huskies were 8 for 10. Hough was lead by Judah Freeman with 24 points and six rebounds.
Records: Hough 4-3, North Meck 6-1
This week’s results, schedule
TUESDAY
Southwestern 4A
Butler 66, Garinger 17
Charlotte Catholic 71, Providence 51
East Mecklenburg 72, Rocky River 47
Queen City 3A-4A
Chambers 102, West Mecklenburg 29
Hopewell 82, Harding 72
Mallard Creek 51, West Charlotte 44
SoMeck 4A
Myers Park 71, Ballantyne Ridge 32
Olympic 63, South Meck 48
Palisades 54, Berry Academy 45 OT
Rocky River 2A-3A
Forest Hills 80, Central Academy 22
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Christ the King 75, Mountain Island Charter 69
Community School of Davidson 75, Lincoln Charter 70
Corvian Community 84, Langtree Charter 45
Pine Lake Prep 62, Bradford Prep 33
Nonconference’
Cannon 114, Bonnie Cone Leadership 70
Charlotte Latin 55, Cuthbertson 44
Cramerton Christian 59, Statesville Christian 52
Fort Mill 58, Marvin Ridge 39
Hickory Grove 69, Liberty Prep 27
Lake Norman Christian 2, Lab Univ. Prep 0 (forfeit)
North Iredell 72, South Iredell 50
South Charlotte Thunder 37, Charlotte Christian 26
WEDNESDAY
Big South 3A
Hunter Huss at North Gaston
Cherokee Invitational (girls)
(at Harrah’s Resort, Cherokee)
(multiple courts in use)
Concord Academy vs. S3 Academy (VA), 12:45
Lake Norman vs. Carrollton (GA), 4:45
Weddington vs. Milton (GA), 6
Nonconference
Covenant Day at Asheville Christian (girls), 6
Hough at Independence (girls), 6
Lincoln Charter at Legion Collegiate (SC)
Porter Ridge at Olympic
South Point at East Gaston
Sugar Creek Charter at Garinger
THURSDAY
Big South 3A
Kings Mountain at Stuart Cramer
South Piedmont 1A-2A
Burns at Highland Tech
Shelby at Cherryville
Thomas Jefferson Academy at Bessemer City
Nonconference
Alexander Central at South Iredell
Ambassador Christian at Fletcher School (girls), 4:30
Bonnie Cone Leadership at Winston-Salem Christian (girls), 5
Cabarrus Stallions at Arborbrook Christian (girls), 6
Cannon School at Community School of Davidson (boys), 7
Charlotte Latin at Pine Lake Prep
Cuthbertson at Rocky River
Jackson Day at Corvian Community
Piedmont Community Charter at Bradford Prep
Rabun Gap School (GA) at Charlotte Country Day
South Charlotte Thunder at Chatham Homeschool
Union Academy at Montgomery Central
Winborn Classic (girls)
(at Rock Hill, two gyms)
Westminster Catawba vs. River Bluff, 5
Marvin Ridge vs. A.C. Flora, 6:30
Hunter Huss vs. Mountain View Prep (SC), 7:30
Independence vs. Rock Hill, 8
Cherokee Invitational (girls)
(at Harrah’s Resort, Cherokee)
(multiple courts in use)
Concord Academy vs. TBA
Lake Norman vs. TBA
Weddington vs. TBA
Kreul Classic (girls)
(at Coral Springs, FL)
(first round)
Queens (NY) St. Frances Prep vs. West Columbia (SC) Gray Collegiate, 11 a.m.
North Mecklenburg vs. Dallas Waxahachie, 12:30
Pembroke Pines (FL) Pines Charter vs. Atlanta Pace Academy, 7
Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Fairfield (CT) Notre Dame Prep, 8:30
FRIDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
Hough at Chambers
Mallard Creek at Hopewell
West Charlotte at West Mecklenburg
SoMeck 4A
Ballantyne Ridge at Ardrey Kell
Berry Academy at South Mecklenburg
Palisades at Myers Park
Southwestern 4A
East Mecklenburg at Garinger
Independence at Charlotte Catholic
Providence at Butler
Greater Metro 4 4A
Cox Mill at West Cabarrus
Mooresville at Hickory Ridge
Big South 3A
Ashbrook at South Point
Forestview at Crest
South Piedmont 3A
Jesse Carson at Jay M. Robinson
Lake Norman Charter at Northwest Cabarrus
South Rowan at Central Cabarrus
West Rowan at Concord
Western Foothills 3A
Hickory at East Lincoln
North Iredell at Fred T. Foard
Statesville at North Lincoln
St. Stephens at West Iredell
Rocky River 2A-3A
Anson County at Piedmont
Forest Hills at Parkwood
West Stanly at Central Academy
Catawba Valley 2A
Lincolnton at Newton-Conover
Maiden at West Lincoln
Mike Gminski Showcase (boys)
The Burlington School vs. Alexandria (VA) St. Stephens/St. Agnes, 3
Weddington vs. Covenant Day, 4:30
Davidson Day vs. Ridge View (SC), 6
Bull City Prep vs. Concord Academy, 7:30
Caldwell Academy vs. 1 of 1 Prep, 9
Y.C. Winborn Classic (girls)
(at Rock Hill)
Westminster Catawba vs. Mountain View Prep, 1:30
Queens Grant Charter vs. Airport, 3
Indian Land vs. White Knoll, 4:30
Riverside vs. A.C. Flora, 6
Rock Hill vs. Greenville, 7:30
Beach Ball Classic (girls)
(at Myrtle Beach Convention Center)
(John Rhodes Division)
(first round)
Northridge (OH) vs. University (WV), 3:15
Heathwood Hall (SC) vs. TBA, 5
Andrew Jackson vs. Trinity Collegiate (SC), 6:45
(United Bank Division)
(first round)
Miami Senior (FL) vs. Cannon School, 1:30
North Mecklenburg vs. Winter Haven (FL), 3:15
Thomas Dale (VA) vs. George Washington (WV), 5
Franklin County (KY) vs. Bishop Ireton (VA), 6:45
Cherokee Invitational (girls)
(at Harrah’s Resort, Cherokee)
(multiple courts in use)
Concord Academy vs. TBA
Lake Norman vs. TBA
Weddington vs. TBA
Lexington (SC) Christmas Classic (girls)
(at Lexington High)
(Green Bracket semifinals)
Lancaster vs. Spring Valley, 10 a.m. (new gym)
Mauldin vs. Silver Bluff, 11:30 a.m. (old gym)
(Pink Bracket semifinals)
Lexington vs. Lakewood, 11:30 a.m. (new gym)
Fort Mill vs. Westwood, 1 (new gym)
(Gold Bracket semifinals)
North Augusta vs. Byrnes, 2:30 (new gym)
Dutch Fork vs. Blythewood, 4 (new gym)
(Blue Bracket semifinals)
Manning vs. Eau Claire, 2:30 (old gym)
Ben Lippen vs. Denmark-Olar, 4 (old gym)
Kreul Classic (girls)
(at Coral Springs, FL)
(semifinals)
North Mecklenburg vs. TBA, either 11:30 a.m. or 7 p.m.
Nonconference
Asheville Christian at Gaston Day, 5:30
Carolina International at Marvin Ridge (boys), 7
East Rowan at South Iredell
Gray (TN) Daniel Boone at Charlotte Country Day, 5:30
Elevation Prep at Berean Baptist, in Hoopstate Classic (boys), 8:30
Harding vs. Crossroads Christian, in Hoopstate Classic at Berean Baptist (boys), 7
Harding vs. Brookland-Cayce, in Bearcat Invitational at Brookland-Cayce (SC) (girls)
Lab Univ. Prep at Cabarrus Stallions
Lee Park Christian at Metrolina Christian, 5:30
Liberty Prep at SouthLake Christian (boys), 7
Nansemond River (VA) at Jackson Day (girls), 6
Pageland Central at Union Academy
Porter Ridge at Mount Pleasant
Rabun Gap School (GA) at Carmel Christian (boys), 7
Rabun Gap School (GA) at Providence Day (girls), 5:30
Sun Valley at Monroe
Union Academy at Pageland Central (SC) (boys)
Victory Christian at Lake Norman Christian (boys)
SATURDAY
Mike Gminski Showcase (boys)
(at Cox Mill High)
Gaston Christian vs. Hunter Huss, 11:30 a.m.
Hickory Ridge vs. Carmel Christian, 1
The Burlington School vs. Ridge View (SC), 2:30
Concord Academy vs. Caldwell Academy, 4
1 of 1 Prep vs. Alexandria (VA) St. Stephens/St. Agnes, 5:30
Weddington vs. Davidson Day, 7
Cox Mill vs. Covenant Day, 8:30
Border Classic (boys)
(at Independence)
Myers Park vs. Rock Hill, 12:30
Dreher vs. Palisades, 2
Butler vs. Nation Ford, 3:30
Mallard Creek vs. Catawba Ridge, 5
Independence vs. Augusta (GA) Butler, 6:30
BAM Classic (boys)
(at Olympic)
Sugar Creek Charter vs. Langtree Charter, 1
Jackson Day vs. North Hills Christian, 2:30
Cannon School vs. C.A. Johnson (SC), 4
Amandla Academy vs. Freedom Christian, 5:30
Olympic vs. West Charlotte, 7
BAM Classic (girls)
(at Jackson Day)
Hopewell vs. Sugar Creek Charter, 10 a.m.
Legion Collegiate (SC) vs. Jackson Day, 11:30 a.m.
West Charlotte vs. Hoke County, 1
Monroe vs. Nansemond River (VA), 2:30
Palisades vs. Ambassador Christian, 4
Langtree Charter vs. Olympic, 5:30
Y.C. Winborn Classic (girls)
(at Rock Hill, two gyms)
Lugoff-Elgin vs. Great Falls, 11 a.m.
Independence vs. Irmo, noon
Hunter Huss vs. White Knoll, 1:30
Queens Grant Charter vs. Philip Simmons, 3
Butler vs. A.C. Flora, 3:30
Marvin Ridge vs. Riverside, 4:30
Indian Land vs. Spartanburg, 5
Chambers vs. Rock Hill, 6
Lindberg Moody Showcase
(at Northwestern High)
(girls) Northwestern vs. Chester, 11 a.m.
(boys) Northwestern vs. Fountain Inn, 12:30
(girls) South Pointe vs. Dorman, 2
(boys) South Pointe vs. Cardinal Newman, 3:30
(boys) Chambers vs. Lancaster, 5
Beach Ball Classic (girls)
(at Myrtle Beach Convention Center)
(John Rhodes Division)
Andrew Jackson plays in semifinals, at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
(United Bank Division)
Cannon School plays in semifinals, at 11:45 a.m. or 6:45 p.m.
North Mecklenburg plays in semifinals at 3:15 p.m. or 5 p.m.
Lexington (SC) Christmas Classic (girls)
(at Lexington High)
(Green Bracket)
Third-place game, 10:30 a.m. (old gym)
Championship, 10:30 a.m. (new gym)
(Pink Bracket)
Third-place game, 1:30 (old gym)
Championship, 1:30 (new gym)
(Gold Bracket)
Third-place game, 3 (old gym)
Championship, 3 (new gym)
(Blue Bracket semifinals)
Third-place game, 9 a.m. (old gym)
Championship, 9 a.m. (new gym)
Kreul Classic (girls)
(at Coral Springs, FL)
Seventh-place game, 11:30 a.m.
Fifth-place game, 1
Third-place game, 7:30
Championship, 8:45
Nonconference
Ambassador Christian vs.. Berean Baptist, in Hoops State Showcase (boys)
Daniel Boone (TN) at Providence Day, 1
Lincoln Charter at North Rowan, 1
This story was originally published December 17, 2024 at 11:29 PM.
