Boys’ basketball rewind: No. 1 Lake Norman rolls, No. 5 Ardrey Kell off to historic start
Lake Norman’s boys’ basketball team, No. 1 in The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll, didn’t have any problems in Tuesday’s 79-49 win over West Cabarrus.
The nationally-ranked Wildcats led 21-5 at halftime and didn’t let up, improving to 12-1 on the season.
Clemson-bound center Trent Steinour had a game-high 20 points, which included the 1,000th point of his career. Tre’ McKinnon had 19 points and Nick Arnold added 18.
Lake Norman won its third straight game in its Greater Metro 4A opener.
West Cabarrus (5-8, 1-2) got 13 points from Camari McCrae.
Tuesday’s #BIG5 top performers
Jaxon Dollar, East Lincoln: In a 93-50 win over West Iredell, Dollar had 27 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals. East Lincoln beat West Iredell for the eighth straight time and has won eight of its past nine games this season, including six in a row.
Brett Freeman, Ardrey Kell: In a 62-42 win over Myers Park, Freeman had 24 points, six assists and four rebounds. Ardrey Kell is 12-1 for the third time in school history and first time in nine years.
Alek Kornacki, Concord Academy: Kornacki had a game-high 22 points in an 80-77 win over Gaston Christian in a game matching two of the top 10 teams in The Observer’s Sweet 16. Concord Academy is No. 2 and Gaston Christian is No. 6.
Dillon Mason, SouthLake Christian: Mason had a game-high 31 points in an 70-67 win over Westminster Catawba. He hit a 35-foot 3-point game-winner with no time left.
KJ Younger, Weddington: The UNC-Greensboro recruit had 22 points and 10 rebounds in a 56-46 non-conference win over East Mecklenburg.
Tuesday’s game summaries
No. 2 Concord Academy 80, No. 6 Gaston Christian 77 (OT): Concord Academy scored a big Metrolina Athletic Conference victory, as Alex Karnacki scored 22 points. The victors had four players in double figures. Lupo Luparta topped Gaston Christian with 21 points.
No. 3 Providence Day 56, Covenant Day 46: The Chargers opened CISAA play with a home win, as Jonah Lawrence scored 18 points and Nick Hailey added 14.
No. 10 Chambers 80, No. 11 Hopewell 73: The visiting Cougars scored a big Queen City 3A-4A victory, as Malik McCotter and Markus Kerr each scored 21 points. Kerr added six rebounds and five assists.
No. 15 Queen’s Grant Charter 90, Sugar Creek Charter 54: The Stallions logged a lopsided Metro 1A triumph and remained tied with Carolina International School for first place.
No. 16 Weddington 56, East Mecklenburg 46: K.J. Younger’s 22 points and 10 rebounds lifted the host Warriors to a nonconference victory. Nixon Wright scored 22 for East Mecklenburg.
Berry Academy 49, Ballantyne Ridge 34: Michael Davis’ 16 points led the Cardinals past their SoMeck 4A foe.
Charlotte Latin 59, Charlotte Christian 54: Alex Dauska (19 points), Coleman Casey (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Brendan Miles (11 rebounds) led the Hawks to a CISAA triumph.
Cuthbertson 55, Sun Valley 36: Luke Nelson’s 15 points and eight rebounds led Cuthbertson in this Southern Carolina 4A opener for each team.
East Lincoln 93, West Iredell 50: Jaxon Dollar (27 points) and Grant Lawless (21) led the Mustangs to a one-sided Western Foothills 3A victory. Dollar also had 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
Lincolnton 55, Bandys 46: Lincolnton’s sophomore standout, L.J. Smith, scored 24 in the Wolves’ Catawba Valley 2A triumph.
North Lincoln 88, North Iredell 47: Beckett Rinkus’ 16 points led four players in double figures, as the Knights rolled to a Western Foothills 3A win. Elevan North Lincoln players scored.
Rocky River 58, Butler 56: Down 43-38 after three quarters, the host Ravens rallied for a Southwestern 4A victory. Jayden Ross scored 21 for Rocky River.
South Point 82, Forestview 67: Jaishawn Woods poured in 26 points, and O.B. Lowery Jr. added 22 for the Raiders in this Big South 3A game.
SouthLake Christian 70, Westminster Catawba 67: The host Eagles won this Metrolina Athletic game on Dillon Mason’s 35-foot three-point field goal as the buzzer sounded.
Wednesday’s key game
West Charlotte (5-5) at Harding (4-8), 7:30 p.m.: One of Mecklenburg County’s longest-running, and hottest, rivalries renews. West Charlotte, which was scheduled to play Hough Tuesday, starts a run of three straight road games. Harding had won two of three games heading into Tuesday’s scheduled game at Mallard Creek. This game will play a big role in determining who gets the No. 1 3A playoff seed out of the Queen City 3A/4A split conference.
Tuesday’s boys’ box scores
NO. 1 LAKE NORMAN 79, WEST CABARRUS 49
West Cabarrus 5 12 18 14 — 49
Lake Norman 21 13 30 15 — 79
WEST CABARRUS 49 — Rice 10, Hurley 4, McCrae 13, Tolman 5, Warren 6, Caldwell 3, Barnett 4, Wade 4
LAKE NORMAN 79 — Josh Yates 6, Tre McKinnon 19, Cohen Edwards 2, Nick Arnold 18, Trent Steinour 20, Owen Pfefferkorn 4, Will Hall 5, CJ Guerrero 3, Braden Miller 2
Notable: Trent Steinour scored his 1,000th point and had his 11th double-double of the season
Records: Lake Norman 12-1
NO. 2 CONCORD ACADEMY 80, NO. 6 GASTON CHRISTIAN 77
Concord Academy 15 15 28 14 8 — 80
Gaston Christian 13 14 28 17 5 — 77
CONCORD ACADEMY 80 — Alek Kornacki 22, Lincoln Raper 17, James Minlend 16, Jake Benham 11, Gray Madeira 8, Brylee Austin 5, Icare Bakadisula 1
GASTON CHRISTIAN 77 — Lupo Luparia 21, Dario Williams 21, Cam Newman 16, Rilpuou Makoi 10, Dillon Joy 3, Jeremy Duhon 2, Kendall Southernm 2, Josh Luke 2
Notable: Concord Academy (19-2) next game 1/9 @ Carmel Christian; Gaston Christian (15-5) next game 1/9 @ Westminster Catawba
NO. 3 PROVIDENCE DAY 56, COVENANT DAY 46
Providence Day School 15 7 15 19 — 56
Covenant Day 11 12 12 11 — 46
PROVIDENCE DAY 56 — Jonah Lawrence 18, Nick Hailey 14, Johnson 8, Thompson 7, Haynes 4, Dunn 3, Battier 2
COVENANT DAY 46 — Tyree White 13, Chris Rivens 12, Krouse 8, Haggarly 7, Huffman 6
Records: Providence Day 14-4; Covenant Day 10-9
Notable: Providence Day will face the Camberwell Dragons, an Australian Travel Team, at 8 p.m. Wednesday at home.
NO. 5 ARDREY KELL 62, MYERS PARK 42
Ardrey Kell 18 23 9 12 — 62
Myers Park 14 8 14 6 — 42
Ardrey Kell - Brett Freeman 24, Bryce Thomas 15, Matthew Craft 11, Dylan Morrison 7, Braden Suggs 5
MP - Walters 2, Hines 10, Early 13, Brezault 6, Nelson 2, Awosonya 8, Foster 1
Ardrey Kell 12-1 (3-0 conference)
NO. 10 CHAMBERS 80, NO. 11 HOPEWELL 73
Chambers 20 17 23 20 — 80
Hopewell 18 13 17 25 — 73
CHAMBERS 80 — Markus Kerr 21, Malik McCotter 21, Tarris Bouie 12, Zyon White 7, Chancellor Gill 2, Cameron Thompson 17
Notables: For Chambers, Markus Kerr had 21 points, on 9 of 11 shooting, plus six rebounds, five assists and a block. He made 3 of 4 3-point attempts. Malik McCotter (21 points, five rebounds, two assists), Cameron Thompson (17 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, block) and Tarris Bouie (12 points, five rebounds, three blocks, two assists) also had strong games for the Cougars.
NO. 16 WEDDINGTON 56, EAST MECKLENBURG 46
East Meck 10 8 16 12— 46
Weddington 14 17 7 18 — 56
EAST MECKLENBURG 46 — Nixon Wright 22, Ahmari Hicks 13, Toro Ramirez 5, Johnson 3, Mciver 2, Buzzard 2
WEDDINGTON 56 — KJ Younger 22, Mason Zepp 13, Brandon Barbier 10, Vick 4, Jefferson 3, Nnaji 3,Cain 1
Records: East Meck 8-5; Weddington 10-3
Notable: Weddington’s KJ Younger posted a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds as Weddington took a 31-18 halftime lead into the locker room and never trailed in the win over East Meck. Weddington will host Porter Ridge to open up Southern Carolinas conference play at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 at Warrior Gymnasium.
BERRY 49, BALLANTYNE RIDGE 34
Ballantyne Ridge 6 6 7 15 — 34
Berry 17 8 13 11 — 49
BALLANTYNE RIDGE 34 — Brandon Quick 10, Neubauer 8, Ellerbe 6
BERRY 49 — Davis 16, Taylor 13, Meriweather 8
Records: Ballantyne Ridge 2-13; Berry 5-11
CHARLOTTE LATIN 59, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 54
Charlotte Christian 8 13 12 21 — 54
Charlotte Latin 12 13 14 20 — 59
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 54 — Matty Carroll 17, Cooper Solomon 12, Schonberg 9, Lyon 7, Nicholson 6, Sturdivant 2, Lieberman 1
CHARLOTTE LATIN 59 — Alex Dauska 19, Coleman Casey 11, Emory Chaney 10, Jones 8, Diaz 6, Miles 4, Ivory 1
Records: Charlotte Christian 6-11, 0-1 Charlotte Latin 9-7, 1-0
CONCORD 73, CARSON 61
Concord 20 21 15 17 — 73
Carson 11 16 22 12 — 61
CONCORD 73 — Jaden Reid 21, Jayden Beyan 20, Kyzen Coleman 14, Ty Rushmeyer 8, Jabari Byrd 4, Carter Starnes 3, Tyrel Weatherspoon 2, Josiah Treadwell 1
CARSON 61 — Drew Neve 20, Jonah Drye 13, Jacob Mills 13, CP Perry 10, Maverick Walters 3, Xavier Phillips 2
Records: Concord 10-4 (5-1 SPC), Carson 9-5 (3-3 SPC)
Notable: Concord made a season-high 10 3-pointers and junior guard Jayden Beyan recorded his first career double-double with 20 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
CORVIAN COMMUNITY 83, COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF DAVIDSON 76
Community of Davidson 27 8 15 26 — 76
Corvian Community 11 26 33 13 — 83
COMMUNITY SCHOOL 76 — Sullivan 8, Mack 4, Tomko 4, Palmer 6, Austin Moran 26, Dermot Lowry 29
CORVIAN 83 — Adrian Scott 11, RJ Moore 21, Malachi McCutcheon 16, Quarles 6, Milton 4, Kirkwood 6, Josiah Rucks 10, AJ Jackson 10
Notable: Corvian’s Austin Moran scored his 1000 high school point and 26 overall for the night.
CUTHBERTSON 55, SUN VALLEY 36
Cuthbertson 18 7 16 14 — 55
Sun Valley 10 16 5 5 — 36
CUTHBERTSON 55—Luke Nelson 15, Chase Nali 11, Heyward 8, Webb 7, Gunby 6, Cheek 4, E. Nelson 2, Williams 2,
SUN VALLEY 36—Papazis 11, Pinckney 6, Hough 5, Powell 4. Benjamin 4, Whitted 3, Jeffrey 2, McKinney 1
Records: Cuthbertson 9-4; Sun Valley 6-8
EAST LINCOLN 93, WEST IREDELL 50
East Lincoln 24 28 27 14 — 93
West Iredell 16 14 15 5 — 50
EAST LINCOLN 93 — Davis Hill 6, Landon Aungst 2, Jaxon Dollar 27, Christian Atkins 14, Grant Lawless 21, Jackson Fannon 17, Brayden Miller 4, Trent Yelton 2
WEST IREDELL 50 — Bunton 2, Cornelius 4, Curtin 11, Patterson 21, Hicks 2, Colbert 6, Bridges 4
Records: East Lincoln 10-3, 3-0, West Iredell 9-4, 2-1
Notable: East Lincoln, which led 52-30 at halftime, took over sole possession of first place in the Western Foothills Conference. The Mustangs had four players in double figures led by Jaxon Dollar (27 points), followed by Grant Lawless (21), Jackson Fannon (17) and Christian Atkins (14).
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 69, EAST ROWAN 50
LNC 14 16 17 22 — 69
East Rowan 12 17 9 12 — 50
LNC 69 — Braden Wilkie 19, Langston Holder 17, Major Leak 12, Jay Morgan 10, Isaiah Smith 4, Jordan Charlery 3, Kaison Propst 2, Drew Nelson 2
EAST ROWAN 50 — B. Thomas 16, C. Crider 10, L. Bradley 9, J. Reid 7, B. Shive 4, J. Esdy 2, J. Raiti 2
Notable: LNC will host South Rowan next Tuesday.
LINCOLNTON 55, BANDYS 46
Lincolnton 9 14 14 18 — 55
Bandys 11 12 12 11 — 46
LINCOLNTON 55 — LJ Smith 24, Cameron Smith 9,Tyler McClain 8, Tucker Robinette 8, Charlie Foster 2, Nehemiah Thompson 2, Evan Jefferies 2
Records: Lincolnton (9-3); Bandys (9-3)
ROCKY RIVER 58, BUTLER 56
Rocky River 9 19 9 20 — 58
Butler 14 16 13 13 —56
ROCKY RIVER 58 — J Walton 8, K Reels 2, J Ross 21, Shawn 5, J Noble 6, R Little 8, B Carr 7
BUTLER 56 — Reece Starnes 13, Caleb Milligan 13, DQ Currence 11, Isaiah Keys 8, Eli Grier 7, Aree Branch 4
Records: Butler 9-6 (3-1). Rocky River 6-7 (1-2).
Notable: Butler plays at Charlotte Catholic on Thursday.
SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN 70, WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 67
Westminster Catawba 13 16 16 22 — 67
Southlake Christian 14 22 12 22 — 70
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 67 — Brycen Redmon 27, Santos 4, Nikayle Hodge 11, Parker 4, Reeves 6, Hayes 7, Littlejohn 8
SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN 70 --- Dillon Mason 31, Stubbs 5, Pierre Gardner 11, Maxi Morrilas 10, Stone Myers 13
Notes: SouthLake’s Dillon Mason hit a 35 foot 3-Pointer with no time left on the clock to win the game. Westminster plays at home on Thursday against Gaston Christian
WEST CHARLOTTE 65, HOUGH 53
West Charlotte 17 18 13 17 — 65
Hough 14 16 8 15 — 53
WEST CHARLOTTE 65 — AC Pressley 19 Chacho Womack 16 Chase Bryson 11 Coleman 7 Williams 6 Kone 3 Faison 2 RA Pressley 1
HOUGH 53 — Judah Freeman 26 Otto 9 Rattle 4 Bellorato 3 Freeman 2 Burnett 2 Slusher 2 Sloan 2
Boys’ results/schedule
TUESDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
Chambers 80, Hopewell 72
Harding at Mallard Creek
North Mecklenburg 79, West Mecklenburg 35
West Charlotte 65, Hough 53
SoMeck 4A
Ardrey Kell 62, Myers Park 42
Berry Academy 49, Ballantyne Ridge 34
Olympic 57, Palisades 55
Southwestern 4A
Charlotte Catholic 78, Garinger 25
Independence 55, Providence 43
Rocky River 58, Butler 56
CISAA
Charlotte Latin 59, Charlotte Christian 54
Providence Day 56, Covenant Day 46
Greater Metro 4 4A
A.L. Brown at Cox Mill
Hickory Ridge 68, South Iredell 46
Lake Norman 79, West Cabarrus 49
Southern Carolina 4A
Cuthbertson 55, Sun Valley 36
Marvin Ridge 61, Porter Ridge 50
Big South 3A
Ashbrook 77, Kings Mountain 60
Crest 66, Hunter Huss 59
South Point at Forestview
Stuart Cramer 71, North Gaston 58
South Piedmont 3A
Central Cabarrus at West Rowan
Concord 73, Jesse Carson 61
Lake Norman Charter 69, East Rowan 50
Northwest Cabarrus at Jay M. Robinson
Western Foothills 3A
East Lincoln 93, West Iredell 50
Hickory 78, St. Stephens 73
North Lincoln 88, North Iredell 47
Statesville at Fred T. Foard
Rocky River 2A-3A
Anson County at Parkwood
Monroe 64, West Stanly 36
Piedmont at Forest Hills
Metrolina Athletic
Concord Academy 80, Gaston Christian 77 (OT)
SouthLake Christian 70, Westminster Catawba 67
Foothills Athletic
Salem Baptist at Hickory Christian
Catawba Valley 2A
Bunker Hill 60, West Lincoln 51
Lincolnton 55, Bandys 46
Maiden 93, West Caldwell 66
Newton-Conover 60, East Burke 56
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Christ the King 73, Bradford Prep 68
Corvian Community at Community School of Davidson
Lincoln Charter at Langtree Charter
Pine Lake Prep at Mountain Island Charter
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Cherryville at East Gaston
Shelby 72, Bessemer City 58
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
Mount Pleasant 100, Gray Stone Day 20
North Stanly 66, Union Academy 55
South Stanly 59, Albemarle 36
Metro 1A
Carolina International School 62, Jackson Day 50
Piedmont Community Charter at Valor Prep
Sugar Creek Charter at Queen’s Grant Charter
Nonconference
Lab Univ. Prep 77, Oak Ridge (VA) Prep 73
Liberty Prep at Cabarrus Stallions
Metrolina Christian 77, South Charlotte Thunder 73
Weddington 56, East Mecklenburg 46
Victory Christian at Word of God
WEDNESDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
West Charlotte at Harding
Rocky River 2A-3A
West Stanly at Forest Hills
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Thomas Jefferson Academy at Burns, 5 p.m.
Nonconference
Alexander Central at Statesville, ppd, date TBD
Australian Nationals at Providence Day (girls), 5:30 p.m.
Catawba Ridge at South Point (boys), 7 p.m.
Charlotte Elite Academy at Winston-Salem Christian (boys), 7 p.m.
Gray Stone Day at Sun Valley (boys), 6 p.m.
Porter Ridge at Monroe
Queen’s Grant Charter at York Prep (SC) (girls), 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
Mallard Creek at Hough
North Mecklenburg at Chambers
Southwestern 4A
Butler at Charlotte Catholic
East Mecklenburg at Independence
Rocky River at Providence
Greater Metro 4 4A
Hickory Ridge at Lake Norman
Big South 3A
Stuart Cramer at South Point
South Piedmont 3A
Northwest Cabarrus at Concord
Western Foothills 3A
East Lincoln at Fred T. Foard
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Pine Lake Prep at Lincoln Charter
Catawba Valley 2A
Lincolnton at West Caldwell
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
Mount Pleasant at South Stanly
Nonconference
Arborbrook Christian at Lab Univ. Prep (girls), 5:30 p.m.
Catawba Ridge at South Point (girls), 6 p.m.
Concord Academy at Carmel Christian (boys), 7 p.m.
Covenant Classical at Valor Prep (girls), 5:30 p.m.
Davidson Day at Caldwell Academy (boys), 7 p.m.
Lake Norman Christian at Queen City Prep (boys), 7 p.m.
Metrolina Christian at Cabarrus Stallions, 5:30 p.m.
North Mecklenburg at Marvin Ridge (girls), 6 p.m.
South Charlotte Thunder at South Guilford Homeschool
Statesville Christian at North Hills Christian, 5:30 p.m.
1 of 1 Academy at Elevation Prep (boys), 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
West Mecklenburg at Hopewell, ppd, Jan. 15
SoMeck 4A
Ardrey Kell at South Mecklenburg
Ballantyne Ridge at Palisades
Myers Park at Olympic
CISAA
Cannon School at Charlotte Latin, 5:30 p.m.
Covenant Day at Charlotte Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Providence Day at Charlotte Country Day, 5:30 p.m.
Greater Metro 4 4A
South Iredell at Mooresville
West Cabarrus at A.L. Brown
Southern Carolina 4A
Cuthbertson at Marvin Ridge
Porter Ridge at Weddington
Big South 3A
Crest at Ashbrook
Hunter Huss at Kings Mountain
North Gaston at Forestview
South Piedmont 3A
Central Cabarrus at Jay M. Robinson
Jesse Carson at South Rowan
West Rowan at East Rowan
Western Foothills 3A
Hickory at North Iredell
North Lincoln at St. Stephens
Statesville at West Iredell
Rocky River 2A-3A
Anson County at Monroe
Piedmont at Central Academy
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Gaston Christian at Westminster Catawba, 5:30 p.m.
Gaston Day at SouthLake Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Metrolina Christian at Concord Academy, 5:30 p.m.
Foothills Athletic Conference
Hickory Christian at Statesville Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Catawba Valley 2A
Bandys at Maiden
East Burke at Bunker Hills
Newton-Conover at West Lincoln
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Community School of Davidson at Bradford Prep
Corvian Community at Christ the King
Mountain Island Charter at Langtree Charter
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Bessemer City at Cherryville
East Gaston at Thomas Jefferson Academy
Highland Tech at Shelby
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
North Stanly at Gray Stone Day
Union Academy at Albemarle
Metro 1A
Jackson Day at Queen’s Grant Charter
Piedmont Community Charter at Jackson Day
Nonconference
Arborbrook Christian at North Point Christian (boys), 6 p.m.
Davidson Day at Ambassador Christian (boys), 7 p.m.
Forsyth Home Educators at Cabarrus Stallions
North Hills Christian at Victory Christian
South Charlotte Thunder at Legion Collegiate
Sugar Creek Charter at Bonnie Cone Leadership
1 of 1 Academy at Winston-Salem Christian (girls), 6 p.m.
SATURDAY
Nonconference
Bonnie Cone Leadership at Greater Vision Academy, 2:30 p.m.
Butler at Legion Collegiate (SC) (girls), 2 p.m.
Carmel Christian vs. Caldwell Academy, at High Point Andrews, 6 p.m.
Garinger vs. Corvian Community (boys), at West Charlotte, 2 p.m.
Greensboro Day at Charlotte Country Day (girls), 1 p.m.
Lincoln Charter at Combine Academy (boys), 4 p.m.
St. Frances (MD) at 1 of 1 Academy (boys), 2 p.m.
Sun Valley at Monroe, 3 p.m.
Queen City Hoops Classic (boys)
(at West Charlotte High)
Corvian Community, Garinger among competing teams; schedule TBA
Big Shots Invitational (boys)
(at North Charleston, S.C.)
(area teams)
Charlotte Elite Academy vs. Greater Destiny Prep, 6:40 p.m.
Lake Norman Christian vs. Bethel Academy (VA), 8:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
Nonconference
Springdale Prep (MD) at 1 of 1 Academy (boys)
Big Shots Invitational (boys)
(at North Charleston, S.C.)
(area teams)
Carolina International School vs. Bethel Academy (VA), 1 p.m.
Lake Norman Christian vs. S3 Academy (VA), 3:40 p.m.
Charlotte Elite vs. TPLS Christian (VA), 5 p.m.
This story was originally published January 7, 2025 at 11:04 PM.
