Thursday’s boys’ basketball rewind: No. 4 North Meck withstands huge Chambers rally
Boys high school matchups between Chambers and North Mecklenburg in recent years have been barn burners between two of the best N.C. Class 4A programs.
Their first meeting of the 2024-25 season Thursday night continued that trend as visiting North Mecklenburg held off a furious Chambers comeback for a 76-73 victory.
North Mecklenburg, the defending N.C. 4A champion, trailed by five points in the first quarter before dominating the middle of the game and building a 68-49 lead with 6:06 left.
But the host Cougars rallied down the stretch, cut the lead to one point (74-73) with 29.8 seconds left and missed two late shots with chances to tie in yet another hard-fought matchup between the longtime rivals.
North Meck’s Ashton Pierce, a junior guard who is receiving attention from ACC and SEC schools, had a game-high 25 points highlighted by five 3-pointers. Senior Chad Traylor, a College of Charleston recruit, had 22 points, including 12 in the third quarter. And Exzavier Young, a junior, had 21 points with eight of them coming in the fourth quarter.
Chambers was led by its two top 100 national recruits, Markus Kerr and Tarris Bouie III. Kerr had 22 points and Bouie 21 to lead the Cougars.
“You always expect a good game over here,” said Vikings coach Duane Lewis, whose team improved to 11-2 overall and 4-0 in the Queen City 3A/4A Conference. “They have really good players and we have really good players and it was a great game.”
Chambers coach Brian Frasier, whose team fell to 8-6, 4-1, felt his team’s best chance was thwarted by a non-call with 10 seconds to play.
With the Cougars trailing 75-73, Kerr drove to the basket and was met with resistance from a pair of North Mecklenburg defenders in the lane. Kerr’s shot missed with North Mecklenburg’s Greg Mauney rebounding and being fouled.
“I thought he got fouled and we didn’t get a call,” Frasier said of Kerr’s drive to the basket.
After Mauney made one of two free throws for the final margin, Kerr fired up a long 3-pointer from behind the top of the key that was too strong just before the final buzzer.
QUICKLY
▪ Chambers junior guard Malik McCotter scored all 16 of his points in the second half and it was his three-point play with 29.8 seconds left that pulled the Cougars within 74-73.
▪ The Vikings have won five straight games in the series between the teams that have combined for eight Western N.C. 4A regional appearances in the last five seasons. Chambers has been to the regionals the past three seasons with North Mecklenburg winning the 2020 and 2024 state titles and finishing as Western N.C. 4A runner-up in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
▪ Both teams return to Queen City 3A/4A action next week with North Mecklenburg facing Harding on Monday, Hopewell on Tuesday and West Charlotte on Friday and Chambers facing West Charlotte on Tuesday and Mallard Creek on Friday.
“We always talk about how it’s a game of runs. They had a run early, we had a big run in the middle and they had another run down the stretch. They gambled on defense and it paid off for them. We seemed to settle (on offense) and stopped attacking as much as we had when we built the lead.” — North Mecklenburg coach Duane Lewis.
Thursday’s boys’ #BIG5 top performers
Chris Johnson, Mallard Creek: A 6-foot-3 senior guard, Johnson had a game-high 17 points in a 47-45 win over Hough.
Lusemo Macharia, Independence: Macharia’s team-high 15 points helped lead the Patriots to a 70-44 win over East Mecklenburg and remain unbeaten in the Southwestern 4A conference.
Bryce Slay, Carmel Christian: Slay had 19 points and Miles Leaks 13 in a 54-49 upset of Sweet 16 No. 2 Concord Academy. Concord Academy had won its last four games.
Trent Steinour, Lake Norman: In an 85-70 win over Hickory Ridge, Steinour, a 6-10 Clemson recruit, tied his career-high with 31 points.
Kyri Wilson, Mooresville: The Blue Devils (13-2) wore the uniforms of the old Black high school, Dunbar, during a 73-31 win over South Iredell. Wilson finished with a team-high 16 points, six rebounds and four steals.
Thursday’s boys’ roundup
No. 1 Lake Norman 85, Hickory Ridge 70: The Wildcats (13-1, 2-0) got 21 points from Trent Steinour and 21 from Tre McKinnon in this Greater Metro 4 4A game. Travien Williams scored 26 for Hickory Ridge.
No. 13 Carmel Christian 54, No. 2 Concord Academy 49: Carmel Christian (12-5) scored this upset victory, but not without a comeback by the Eagles (19-3). Carmel Christian led 36-18 early in the third quarter, but Concord Academy rallied and got within 43-40. Bryce Slay scored 19 points and Miles Leaks added 13 for the victors. Lincoln Raper topped Concord Academy with 13.
No. 8 Mooresville 73, South Iredell 31: The host Blue Devils (14-2, 4-0) remained atop the Greater Metro 4 4A, as Kyri Wilson had 16 points, six rebounds and four steals. Mooresville had 13 players get in the scoring column.
No. 9 Independence 70, East Mecklenburg 44: The host Patriots (13-2, 4-0) remained atop the Southwestern 4A with this big victory. Lusemo Macharda scored 15 points, and Omarion Burgess added 13. Ahmari Hicks scored a game-high 28 for the Eagles.
No. 12 Charlotte Catholic 75, Butler 54: Chris Eagan scored 18 points, leading five Charlotte Catholic players in double figures, and the Cougars (13-3, 4-1) remained a half-game behind Independence in the Southwestern 4A race. Caleb Milligan led Butler (9-7, 3-2) with 17 points.
Ashbrook 67, Crest 55: The Green Wave (12-2, 4-0) won this first-place showdown in the Big South 3A, pulling away in the fourth quarter. Ashbrook led 44-39 after three quarters, but Issac Byers hit a three-pointer, Jayden Armstrong added a basket, and Jamarion Patton chipped in with a basket and free throw. That put Ashbrook ahead 52-39 and enabled the Green Wave to hand Crest (9-1, 3-1) its first loss of the season.
Gaston Christian 56, Westminster Catawba 44: Giannis Katsoulas scored 14 points and led Gaston Christian to a Metrolina Athletic Conference victory. Brycen Redmon scored a game-high 22 for Westminster Catawba.
Jay M. Robinson 79, Central Cabarrus 70: Robinson (13-2, 7-0) had to battle to remain unbeaten in the South Piedmont 3A. Central Cabarrus (7-7, 5-2) led 61-56 after three quarters, but a 5-0 run early in the final period put Robinson ahead to stay 67-66.
Mallard Creek 47, Hough 45: Judah Freeman’s 10-foot jump shot missed, and Matthew Nesta’s stick-back rolled off the rim, as Hough came up short in its game against Queen City 3A-4A foe Mallard Creek. Chris Johnson led the victors with 17 points.
South Point 62, Stuart Cramer 51: Gavin Jordan’s 12 points led South Point in this Big South 3A game.
Union Academy 63, Albemarle 58: Union Academy led 54-43, but Albemarle went on a 14-5 run and got within 59-57 with 1:30 left. Union Academy salted away the Yadkin Valley 1A-2A victory by hitting four free throws in the last minute.
Thursday’s boys’ box scores
NO. 1 LAKE NORMAN 85, HICKORY RIDGE 70
Hickory Ridge 12 20 21 17 — 70
Lake Norman 19 21 21 24 — 85
HICKORY RIDGE 70 — Hill 15, Daniel 3, Dyer 3, Williams 9, Kelly 8, Durant 6, T. Williams 26
LAKE NORMAN 85 — Josh Yates 13, Tre McKinnon 21, Noah Wilson 7, Nick Arnold 11, Trent Steinour 31, Owen Pfefferkorn 2
Notable: Trent Steinour tied his career high with 31 points.
Records: Lake Norman 13-1
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 54, NO. 2 CONCORD ACADEMY 49
Carmel Christian 22 10 11 11 — 54
Concord Academy 10 8 20 11 — 49
CONCORD ACADEMY 49 — Lincoln Raper 13, Icare Bakadisula 10, Alek Kornacki 9, Gray Madeira 8, Jake Benham 4, James Minlend 4, Brylee Austin 1
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 49 — Bryce Slay 19, Miles Leaks 13, Chandler Kennedy 9, Daniel Guandolo 5, Braylen Bowman 4, O’Brien Barrett 2, Jayden Griffin 2
Notable: Concord Academy (19-3) plays its next game Monday vs. Metrolina Christian; Carmel Christian (12-5) next plays Saturday vs. Caldwell Academy
NO. 4 NORTH MECKLENBURG 76, NO.10 CHAMBERS 73
North Mecklenburg 17 21 26 12 — 76
Chambers 19 12 18 24 — 73
NORTH MECKLENBURG 76 — Chadlyn Traylor 22, Evans 6, Ashton Pierce 25, Mauney 2, Exzavier Young 21
CHAMBERS 73 — Jackson 2, Markus Kerr 22, Malik McCotter 16, Tarris Bouie III 21, Martin 6, Thompson 6
Records: North Meck 11-2, 3-0; Chambers 8-6, 4-1
NO. 6 GASTON CHRISTIAN 56, WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 44
Westminster Catawba 8 11 15 10 — 44
Gaston Christian 13 20 8 15 — 56
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 44 — Brycen Redmon 22, Littlejohn 8, Santos 4, Hodge 3, Quinn 3, Hayes 2, Reeves 2
GASTON CHRISTIAN 56 — Makoi 8, Williams 7, Cam Newman 10, Katsoulas 14, Joy 4, Southern 8, Luke 5
Notable: Gaston Christian’s Cam Newman and Westminster’s Brycen Redmon showed why they are two of the best players in the MAC conference as they went head-to-head scoring down the stretch. Westminster plays next at home Monday against Hickory Christian. Gaston Christian plays Monday against Gaston Day.
Records: Westminster Catawba 7-12, Gaston Christian 16-5
NO. 8 MOORESVILLE 73, SOUTH IREDELL 31
Mooresville 19 23 17 14 — 73
South Iredell 8 5 6 12 — 31
MOORESVILLE 73 — Kyri Wilson 16, Bryson Demby 11, Kaleb Oloyede 9, Christian Wilson 8, Nolan Ericson 6, Eian Bailey 5, Jaquavion Bailey 5, Carson Schaen 3, Dylan Clark 2, Tyler Morrison 2, Braelon Ross 2, Chazz Thomas 2, Justus White 2
Notable: For Mooresville, Kyri Wilson had six rebounds and four steals. Demby had five rebounds. Eian Bailey had seven rebounds.
Record: Mooresville 13-2
NO. 9 INDEPENDENCE 70, EAST MECKLENBURG 44
East Meck 11 7 7 19 — 44
Independence 13 15 19 23 — 70
EAST MECKLENBURG 44 — Ahmari Hicks 28, Ramirez 5, Caldwell 3, Mciver 3, Wright 3, Walker 2
INDEPENDENCE 70 — Lusemo Macharia 15, Omarion Burgess 13, Nicholas Barnes 11, Neely 8, McFarland 7, Waritay 4, Davis 3, Jasper 3, Lee 2, Whipper-Daniel 2, Fisher 2
Records: East Meck 8-6, 2-2; Independence 13-2, 4-0
NO. 12 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 75, BUTLER 54
Catholic 17 7 23 28 — 75
Butler 18 5 14 17 — 54
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 75 — Chris Eagan 18, King Rhodes 14, Jack Siegel 13, Ben Bergren 12, Noah Noch 10, Jordan 8, Kennelly 2
BUTLER 54 — Caleb Milligan 17, Starnes 9, Keys 8, Currence 7, Grier 6, White 4, Branch 2, Douglas 1
EAST LINCOLN 81, FRED T. FOARD 41
East Lincoln 22 20 18 21 — 81
Fred T. Foard 4 10 19 8 — 41
EAST LINCOLN 81 — Davis Hill 6, Landon Aungst 2, Jaxon Dollar 20, Christian Atkins 13, Grant Lawless 10, Gaige Ikard 3, Jackson Fannon 17, Jamison Frye 6, Brayden Miller 2, Brooks Reel 2
FRED T. FOARD 41 — Caldwell 8, McKnight 9, Hedrick 8, Herman 5, Mutz 2, Lael 7, Lackey 2
Records: East Lincoln 11-3, 4-0, Fred T. Foard 1-12, 0-4
Notable: The Mustangs have won eight in a row against Foard and has won nine of its last 10 games this season. Thursday, East Lincoln led 42-14 at half and had four double-figure scorers.
GASTON DAY 70, SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN 64
Gaston Day 19 16 11 24 — 70
SouthLake 17 14 19 14 — 64
GASTON DAY 70 — Bradley 16, Deshawn Coulter 14, Hunter Gerould 10, Gavin Fields 9, Braylen Todd 8.
Notable: Gaston Day improves to 14-5 on the season 3-0 in conference play. Next at Gaston Christian on Monday at 7pm
LINCOLNTON 90, WEST LINCOLN 75
Lincolnton 23 23 18 26 — 90
West Caldwell 12 13 17 33 — 75
LINCOLNTON 90 — LJ Smith 38, Cameron Smith 16,Tyler McClain 13, Nehemiah Thompson 13, Evan Jefferies 4, Tucker Robinette 2, Charlie Foster 2, A’Zarrian Coleman 2
Records: Lincolnton (10-3); West Caldwell (9-5)
Notable: Lincolnton plays Tuesday at home against East Burke
MALLARD CREEK 47, HOUGH 45
Hough 13 17 5 10 — 45
Mallard Creek 9 12 20 6 — 47
MALLARD CREEK 47 — Johnson 17, Washington 8, Griffin 7, Hayes 6, Savage 5, Higgins 2, Overton 2
HOUGH 45 — Judah Freeman 14, Jadah Freeman 11, Otto 9, Nest 3, Slusher 4, Burnett 2, Ratliff 2
Wednesday’s boys’ box scores
PROVIDENCE DAY 73, CAMBERWELL (AUSTRALIA) 44
Providence Day School 24 22 19 8 — 73
Camberwell (Australia) 8 12 12 12 — 44
PROVIDENCE DAY 73 — Nick Hailey 13, Julian Johnson 10, Battier 9, Lawrence 9, Haynes 8, Scruitsky 7, Thompson 6, Winston 5, Dunn 4, Myers 2
CAMBERWELL 44 — Campbell-Burns 7, McSheffrey 7, Barkley 6, Truscott 6, DeMarco 4, He 4, Perry 4, Assi 3, Sweet 3
Records: Providence Day 15-4
Boys’ results/schedule
THURSDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
Mallard Creek 47, Hough 45
North Mecklenburg 76, Chambers 73
SoMeck 4A
Myers Park 82, Olympic 66
Palisades 65, Ballantyne Ridge 38
Southwestern 4A
Charlotte Catholic 75, Butler 54
Independence 70, East Mecklenburg 44
Rocky River at Providence
Greater Metro 4 4A
Lake Norman 85, Hickory Ridge 70
Mooresville 73, South Iredell 31
West Cabarrus at A.L. Brown
Big South 3A
Ashbrook 65, Crest 57
Hunter Huss 75, Kings Mountain 70
South Point 62, Stuart Cramer 51
South Piedmont 3A
Jay M. Robinson 79, Central Cabarrus 70
Jesse Carson 81, South Rowan 21
Northwest Cabarrus 59, Concord 52
Western Foothills 3A
East Lincoln 81, Fred T. Foard 41
Hickory 74, North Iredell 59
North Lincoln 74, St. Stephens 65
Statesville 78, West Iredell 76
Catawba Valley 2A
Lincolnton 90, West Caldwell 75
Newton-Conover 61, West Lincoln 59
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Community School of Davidson 60, Bradford Prep 38
Pine Lake Prep at Lincoln Charter
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Highland Tech at Shelby
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
South Stanly 65, Mount Pleasant 58
Union Academy 63, Albemarle 58
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Gaston Christian 56, Westminster Catawba 44
Gaston Day 70, SouthLake Christian 64
Nonconference
Cabarrus Stallions 37, Metrolina Christian 35
Caldwell Academy 71, Davidson Day 61
Carmel Christian 54, Concord Academy 49
Grace Academy 101, Charlotte Lab Prep 49
Lake Norman Christian at Queen City Prep
South Charlotte Thunder 61, South Guilford Homeschool 56
Statesville Christian at North Hills Christian
1 of 1 Academy at Elevation Prep
FRIDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
West Mecklenburg at Hopewell, ppd, Jan. 15
SoMeck 4A
Ardrey Kell at South Mecklenburg, ppd, Jan. 22
CISAA
Cannon School at Charlotte Latin, ppd, Jan. 15
Covenant Day at Charlotte Christian
Providence Day at Charlotte Country Day, ppd, Sat, 4:30 p.m.
Southern Carolina 4A
Cuthbertson at Marvin Ridge, ppd, Jan. 31
Porter Ridge at Weddington, ppd, Jan. 31
Big South 3A
North Gaston at Forestview, ppd, Monday
Rocky River 2A-3A
Anson County at Monroe, ppd, date TBD
Piedmont at Central Academy, ppd, Jan. 16
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Metrolina Christian at Concord Academy, ppd, Monday
Foothills Athletic Conference
Hickory Christian at Statesville Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Catawba Valley 2A
Bandys at Maiden, ppd, Monday
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Corvian Community at Christ the King, ppd, date TBD
Mountain Island Charter at Langtree Charter, ppd, date TBD
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Bessemer City at Cherryville, ppd, Jan. 31
East Gaston at Thomas Jefferson Academy
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
North Stanly at Gray Stone Day, ppd, date TBD
Metro 1A
Jackson Day at Queen’s Grant Charter, ppd, Jan. 29
Piedmont Community Charter at Jackson Day, ppd, Monday
Nonconference
Arborbrook Christian at North Point Christian, ppd, date TBD
Davidson Day at Ambassador Christian, ppd, Jan. 17
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
SATURDAY
CISAA
Providence Day at Charlotte Country Day, 4:30 p.m.
Nonconference
Bonnie Cone Leadership at Greater Vision Academy, 2:30 p.m.
Carmel Christian vs. Caldwell Academy, at High Point Andrews, 6 p.m.
Garinger vs. Corvian Community at West Charlotte, canceled
Lincoln Charter at Combine Academy, 4 p.m.
St. Frances (MD) at 1 of 1 Academy, 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 9, 2025 at 11:31 PM.
