Friday’s boys’ rewind: No. 12 Charlotte Catholic holds off Butler’s upset bid on the road
Almost exactly a month ago, on Jan. 9, Charlotte Catholic beat Butler by 21 points, taking a dominant Southwestern 4A conference win.
Friday night at home, the Bulldogs made sure that Catholic would not have it as easy.
But Catholic, No. 12 in The Observer’s Sweet 16, was able to lean on its defense and avoid a fourth- quarter collapse, escaping with a 52-50 win.
After leading by a comfortable margin the entire game, Catholic began to slide in the final eight minutes.
A personal foul from Chris Eagan and a technical gave DeQuadre Currence four free throws, which he made. Butler was down 49-42.
With 45 seconds left, Butler’s Terrance Badio hit a drive layup to pull his team within three.
In the final seconds, Butler’s Eli Grier made a layup to cut the lead to two. Grier intercepted the inbounds pass, but the Bulldogs turned the ball over with a bad pass.
Catholic’s Noah Noch was fouled and missed both shots but Butler couldn’t get off another shot before time expired.
“It was all about staying with what we do,” Catholic guard Mack Jordan said. “Going back to practices and staying composed in those types of moments.”
Mack finished with 13 points, including a crucial layup in the fourth quarter to break Charlotte Catholic’s scoring drought.
Eagan also scored 13 points despite missing most of the fourth quarter with foul trouble.
Robinson wins in OT
Jarnell Reid made two free throws with 6.9 seconds left in overtime, and Jay M. Robinson held off a last-second threat Friday night in a 68-66 overtime victory at Northwest Cabarrus.
The triumph clinched the South Piedmont 3A regular-season championship for the Bulldogs (19-3, 13-1), but Northwest Cabarrus (13-8, 10-4) didn’t make it easy.
Northwest Cabarrus had taken a 53-49 lead with 1:50 remaining in overtime, but Robinson regained the lead at 54-53 on a Roger Walton layup with 1:19 left. The Bulldogs made a pair of free throws with 7.5 seconds left for a 56-53 lead, but the Trojans’ Landon Rowe sank a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded for a 56-56 tie.
In overtime, Robinson built a 62-56 lead, but the Bulldogs hit just 5-of-12 free throws, and Northwest Cabarrus tied the game at 66-all with nine seconds left. Reid was fouled on a layup attempt and made both free throws for a 68-66 lead.
Northwest Cabarrus then drove the length of the floor, and Ezekiel Brown sank a short jump shot, but officials ruled the potentially game-tying basket came after the buzzer sounded.
Friday’s #BIG5 top performers
Josiah Bridges, Carolina International: Bridges had 21 points, four assists in an 85-59 win over Valor Prep.
Mack Jordan, Charlotte Catholic: Jordan had a team-high 13 points in a tight two-point win at Butler. He had a big fourth-quarter layup to break a scoring drought.
LJ Smith, Lincolnton: The sophomore erupted for 41 points in a 93-62 win over East Burke.
Latimer Taylor, Providence: Taylor had a game-high 24 points in a 76-63 win over Rocky River that snapped a three-game losing streak.
Trajan Thompson, Providence Day: In a 70-46 win over Charlotte Latin, Thompson had 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the nationally ranked Chargers, who finished 10-0 in CISAA conference play.
Friday’s capsules
No. 1 Lake Norman 84, Cox Mill 59: Trent Steinour scored 19 points, and Tre McKinnon added 15, as the Wildcats (21-1, 10-0) moved closer to a Greater Metro 4A regular-season championship.
No. 2 Providence Day 70, Charlotte Latin 46: Nick Hailey scored 19 points, and Trajan Thompson added 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists, as the Chargers completed a 10-0 run through the CISAA this season. Latin finished fifth, with a 4-6 league record.
(Thursday) No. 4 Concord Academy 81, Gaston Day 38: The Eagles wrapped up their seventh straight Metrolina Athletic Conference championship, as Lincoln Raper scored 16 points and Gray Madeira and Jake Benham each added 15.
No. 6 Mooresville 52, West Cabarrus 45: West Cabarrus led 30-29 early in the third quarter. But Nolan Ericson tied the game on a free thrown, Eian Bailey scored a basket moments later, and the Blue Devils pulled away for a Greater Metro 4A triumph. Ericson led Mooresville with 16 points. Mooresville is 9-1, second in the conference.
East Mecklenburg 58, No. 7 Independence 55: The host Eagles stunned the Patriots, knocking Independence into second place in the Southwestern 4A at 8-2, a half-game behind Charlotte Catholic. Nixon Wright and Vance Johnson each scored 12 for East Meck. Jaxson Neely had 12 for Independence.
South Mecklenburg 62, No. 9 Ardrey Kell 59: The Knights lost their second game this week and tumbled into fourth place in the SoMeck 4A at 6-4. South Meck (7-3) is alone in second place, one game behind Myers Park. The Sabres and Myers Park meet next Friday in a regular-season finale. Muja Williams and Jim Gatehouse each scored 16 points for South Meck. Ardrey Kell’s Brett Freeman had a game-high 21.
No. 11 Queen’s Grant Charter 99, Piedmont Community Charter 54: Ian Howard and Geronimo Clark each scored 18 points in the Stallions’ Metro 1A romp.
No. 13 Weddington 73, Cuthbertson 50: The Warriors broke open a relatively close game by outscoring Cuthbertson 22-12 in the third quarter. Weddington is now 6-0 in the Southern Carolina 4A.
Ashbrook 65, Forestview 48: Forestview led in this Big South 3A game 14-13 midway in the second quarter, but the Green Wave (19-3, 11-1) went on a 12-2 run for a 25-16 lead. Issac Byers Jr. scored six points during that surge.
Burns 73, Bessemer City 69: Jadon Beam made two clinching free throws for Burns in the bulldogs’ Southern Piedmont 1A-2A victory.
Cannon School 94, Charlotte Christian 73: The Cougars were able to use their pressing defense and fast-break offense, capturing their CISAA finale and finishing second in the league at 6-4.
Carolina International 85, Valor Prep 59: Jonah Bridges’ 21 points led the Comets to a Metro 1A victory.
Concord 73, Jesse Carson 72 (OT): Concord trailed by 17 in the second half but rallied for a South Piedmont 3A victory. Jayden Perry led the Spiders with 29 points.
Corvian Community 75, Mountain Island Charter 60: Ricky Moore Jr.’s 25 points led the Cardinals to this Catawba Shores 1A-2A triumph. Mountain Island Charter’s Christian Jones scored 27 points and passed the 1,000-point career scoring mark. The victory kept Corvian tied for first place with Lincoln Charter at 10-2.
Covenant Day 69, Charlotte Country Day 65: The two teams finished in a third-place tie in the CISAA at 5-5.
Crest 84, Stuart Cramer 61: Zack Alexander scored 16 points for Stuart Cramer in this Big South 3A contest.
East Lincoln 83, St. Stephens 53: The Mustangs improved to 10-2 in the Western Foothills 3A and remained one game behind first-place North Lincoln. Christian Atkins scored 21 points, and Grant Lawless and Davis Hill each added 16.
Gaston Day 64, Metrolina Christian 42: Braylen Todd scored 15 points, and DeShawn Coulter and Griffen Simpson each added 12 for Gaston Day in its Metrolina Athletic victory.
Hickory 78, West Iredell 61: West Iredell dropped this Western Foothills 3A game despite 21 points from Jordan Patterson.
Lincolnton 93, East Burke 62: The Wolves (18-4, 11-1) remained tied with Maiden atop the Catawba Valley 2A, thanks to 44 points from L.J. Smith.
Marvin Ridge 73, Sun Valley 55: The Mavericks erased a 32-26 halftime deficit and improved to 5-1 in the Southern Carolina 4A, remaining a game behind Weddington. Marvin Ridge shot 60 percent from the floor, led by Marshall Payne, who made 9-of-11 field goal attempts and scored 23 points. Sun Valley got 13 points from Jaylin Powell.
Monroe 60, Parkwood 49: Monroe remained tied with Forest Hills atop the Rocky River 2A-3A, each at 8-2, as five players scored in double figures. Kaegan Chambers led the effort with 14 points, and Zavion Ivey had 11 points and nine rebounds.
Mount Pleasant 74, North Stanly 51: The Tigers accomplished something Friday night that none of their students reportedly had ever seen — clinhing a conference championship in boys’ basketball. Mount Pleasant officials said the Yadkin Valley 1A-2A clinching victory marked the school’s first conference title in the sport in 59 years.
Myers Park 68, Olympic 65: A week ago, the SoMeck 4A race was a four-way battle. But Myers Park has taken over sole possession of first place, thanks to Friday night’s narrow victory. The Mustangs are 8-2 in league play, while Olympic drops to 6-4.
Providence 76, Rocky River 63: Latimer Taylor’s 24 points lifted the Patriots over the Ravens in a Southwestern 4A game. Jayden Ross scored 19 for Rocky River.
Statesville 95, North Iredell 69: Caleb Tillman’s 31 points and eight rebounds led the Greyhounds to a Western Foothills 3A victory. M.J. Gladden added 30 points, and Kevin Bryant contributed 10 rebounds and four assists.
Friday’s boys’ box scores
NO. 1 LAKE NORMAN 84, COX MILL 59
Cox Mill 10 16 18 15 — 59
Lake Norman 23 17 22 22— 84
LAKE NORMAN 84 — Josh Yates 11, Tre McKinnon 15, Noah Wilson 9, Taurean McKinnon 8, Nick Arnold 14, Will Hall 2, Braden Miller 6, Trent Steinour 19
Records: Lake Norman 21-1
NO. 2 PROVIDENCE DAY 70, CHARLOTTE LATIN 46
Providence Day 15 13 23 19 — 70
Charlotte Latin 11 9 11 15 — 46
PROVIDENCE DAY 70 — Nick Hailey 19, Jonah Lawrence 16, Trajan Thompson 15, Dunn 6, Haynes 5, Winston 5, Scruitsky 2, Johnson 2
CHARLOTTE LATIN 46 — Jones 17, Ivory 11, Chaney 6, Dauskas 5, Diaz 3, McGirt 2, Wilson 2
Records: Providence Day 26-4, Charlotte Latin 12-13
Notable: The Chargers were led by Nick Hailey (19 points, four rebounds, four assists), Jonah Lawrence (16 points, four assists, four rebounds), Trajan Thompson (15 points, eight rebounds, five assists). Providence Day finishes conference play undefeated at 10–0. The Chargers are currently ranked 38th nationally by MaxPreps.
NO. 3 NORTH MECKLENBURG 83, CHAMBERS 62
Chambers 10 14 18 20 — 62
North Mecklenburg 13 31 21 18 — 83
CHAMBERS 62 — Markus Kerr 20, Malik McCotter 18, Tauris Bouie 12, Cam Thompson 10, Jackson 2
NORTH MECKLENBURG 83 — Carson Evans 21, Chadlyn Traylor 18, Exzavier Young 18, Ashton Pierce 17, Zion Williams 7, Wilson Estwick 2
NO. 6 MOORESVILLE 52, WEST CABARRUS 45
Mooresville 10 10 22 10 — 52
West Cabarrus 12 12 6 15 — 45
MOORESVILLE 52 -- Nolan Ericson 16, Dylan Clark 12, Chanse Bost 7, Eian Bailey 7, Bryson Demby 4, Carson Schaen 3, Jaquavion Bailey 2, Chazz Thomas 1.
Notables: For Mooresville, Clark had seven rebounds, four blocks, and two steals. Jaquavion Bailey had five assists.
Record: Mooresville 19-3
NO. 12 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 52, BUTLER 50
Butler 14 7 13 16 — 50
Charlotte Catholic 6 23 12 11 — 52
BUTLER 50 — Terrance Badio 13, Caleb Milligan 12, Reece Starnes 11, DQ Currence 6, Eli Grier 4, Isaiah White 4
CATHOLIC 52 — Eagan 13, Jordan 10, Brady 8, Pringle 6, Rhodes 4, Noch 4, Siegel 4, Bergren 3
Notes: Butler moves to 13-10 (7-4). Charlotte Catholic 18-5 (9-2). Butler plays at independence on Friday.
CONCORD 73, CARSON 72 OT
Concord 4 11 20 28 10 — 73
Carson 13 12 28 10 9 — 72
CONCORD 73 — Jayden Beyan 28, Ty Rushmeyer 18, Jaden Reid 14, Jabari Byrd 9, Kyzen Coleman 2, Carter Starnes 2
CARSON 72 — Jonah Drye 29, Jacob Mills 22, Drew Neve 8, CP Perry 6, Maverick Walters 6, Jaxson Martin 1
Records: Concord 14-8 (9-5 SPC); Carson 15-7 (9-5 SPC)
CORVIAN COMMUNITY 75, MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHARTER 60
Corvian Community 16 15 24 20 — 75
Mountain Island 17 21 9 13 — 60
CORVIAN 75 — Scott 1, Ricky Moore Jr 24, Malachi McCutcheon 12, Doug Quarles III 10, Milton 6, Kirkwood 2, Patel 2, Rucks 5, Andre Jackson Jr 10, Olsen 2, Frey 1
MOUNTAIN ISLAND 60 — Thomas 1, Kyle Bridgewater 10, Moses 4, Julius 5, Murry 6, Johnson 4, Furlough 3, Christian Jones 27
Notable: MIC sophomore Christian Jones was recognized for his 1,000th point....Corvian PG Andre Jackson had seven assists. Teammates Ricky Moore Jr (24 points, 10 rebounds) and Doug Quarles III (10 points, 10 rebounds) had strong games.
EAST LINCOLN 83, ST. STEPHENS 53
East Lincoln 18 17 22 26 — 83
St. Stephens 13 13 16 11 — 53
EAST LINCOLN 83 — Davis Hill 16, Landon Aungst 0, Jaxon Dollar 8, Christian Atkins 21, Grant Lawless 16, Gaige Ikard 8, Jackson Fannon 4, Brayden Miller 5, Jamison Frye 1, Gavin Heaberlin 2, Brooks Reel 0, Trent Yelton 0
ST STEPHENS 53 — Zoldan 5, Donley 6, Van Beurden 21, Sherrill 12, Caldwell 3, Hessong 1, Wilson 5
Records: East Lincoln 16-6, 9-3, St. Stephens 7-15, 3-9
Notable: The Mustangs will be on the road against the North Iredell Red Raiders on Tuesday, while the Indians will host the Statesville Greyhounds.
EAST MECKLENBURG 58, NO. 7 INDEPENDENCE 55
East Meck 10 12 16 20 — 58
Independence 10 20 15 10 — 55
EAST MECK 58 — Ahmari Hicks 10, Nixon Wright 12, Vance Johnson 12, James Mciver 10, Caldwell 8, Ramirez Toro 6
INDEPENDENCE 55 — Caleb Jasper 11, Jaxson Neely 12, Lusemo Macharia 12, Barnes 7, Waritay 7, Davis 3, McFarland 2
GASTON DAY 64, METROLINA CHRISTIAN 42
Gaston Day 23 13 9 19 — 64
Metrolina Christian 8 9 8 17 — 42
GASTON DAY 64 — Braylen Todd 15, Deshawn Coulter 12, Griffen Simpson 12, Dylan Bradley 6, Aiden James 5, Lucas Kimrey 5, Ben Chotkowski 4
HOUGH 47, MALLARD CREEK 41
Hough 13 10 6 9 10 - 47
Mallard Creek 6 15 5 12 3 - 41
HOUGH 47 — Judah Freeman 21, Jadah Freeman 11, Slusher 9, Otto 5, Ratliff 2
Notable: Hough’s Jadah Freeman had an offensive rebound put back to send the game to overtime and finished with 11 points 12 rebounds, two assists and a block. Judah Freeman contributed 21 points, six rebounds, and two assists. John Slusher added nine points and 10 rebounds.
Records: Hough 11-10; Mallard Creek 11-11
LINCOLNTON 93, EAST BURKE 62
Lincolnton 17 20 36 20 — 93
East Burke 15 11 14 22 — 62
LINCOLNTON 93 — LJ Smith 41,Tyler McClain 18, A’Zarrian Coleman 8, Tucker Robinette 5,Cameron Smith 5, Nehemiah Thompson 4, Charlie Foster 4, Dominic Sanchez 4, Evan Jefferies 2, Antonio Wilson 2
Records: Lincolnton 18-4; East Burke 9-13
PROVIDENCE 76, ROCKY RIVER 63
Rocky River 21 14 11 17 — 63
Providence 22 13 18 23 — 76
ROCKY RIVER 63 — Walton 11, Linton 3, Reels 2, Noble 5, Little 8, Carr 13
PROVIDENCE 76 — Johnson 6, Taylor 24, Gaither 19, Posey 5, Degobrella 3, Williams 3, Drayton 15, Conde 1
QUEEN’S GRANT 99, PIEDMONT CHARTER 54
QGHS 99 — Chase Smith 15, Montgomery 9, Ian Howard 18, Preston Scott 10, Geronimo Clark 18, DeBerry 4. Mekhi Allen 12, Wesley White 11, Smith 2
PCC 54 — John Carmichael 12, Neves McElhaney 13, Peprah 9, Biggers 3, Grant 8, Austin 5, Greeman 2, Grove 2
Records: Queens Grant 19-7, 8-0
SOUTH MECKLENBURG 62, NO. 9 ARDREY KELL 59
Ardrey Kell 12 16 17 14 — 59
South Meck 20 10 15 17 — 62
ARDREY KELL 59 — Brett Freeman 21, Bryce Thomas 12, Owen Wacker 10, Matthew Craft 9, Dylan Morrison 6, Braden Suggs 1
SOUTH MECKLENBURG 62 — Williams 16, Houpt 11, Yett 6, Howard 3, Gathings 4, Gatehouse 16, Hunter 6
Records: Ardrey Kell 17-5, 6-4
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 71, HICKORY GROVE 47
Westminster 17 17 20 17 — 71
Hickory Groe 8 11 18 10 — 47
WESTMINSTER 71 — Brycen Redmon 14, Nikayle Hodge 11, Kaleb Santos 10, Miles Hayes 10, R. Henderson 7, E. Daniels 6, Littlejohn 4, Parker 3, Quinn 2
HICKORY GROVE 47 — Dickery 2, Powell 6, Allen 5, Tristan Nelson 13, Kiser 7, Noah Bradley 10
Notable: Westminster Catawba finished the regular season 6-6 in the MAC Conference. WCCS awaits the seeding for the NCISAA 2A state playoffs. Hickory Grove finished 2-10 in the MAC Conference.
Records: Westminster Catawba 14-15, Hickory Grove Christian 12-14
Thursday’s boys’ box scores
CONCORD ACADEMY 80, GASTON DAY 38
Concord Academy 23 13 31 13 — 80
Gaston Day 10 5 17 6 — 38
CONCORD ACADEMY 80 — Lincoln Raper 16, Gray Madeira 15, Jake Benham 15, Romain Boyer 12, Icare Bakadisula 10, Alek Kornacki 6, MJ Lewis 4, James Minlend 2
GASTON DAY 38 — Deshawn Coulter 14, Griffin Simpson 11, Dylan Bradley 7, Braylen Todd 5, Ben Chotkowski 1
Records: Concord Academy (29-3) next plays Gaston Day (18-10)
Note: This is Concord Academy’s seventh consecutive MAC conference championship
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 66, LAKE NORMAN CHRISTIAN 59
Westminster Catawba 16 14 15 21 — 66
Lake Norman Christian 15 8 11 25 — 59
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 66 — Nikayle Hodge 21, Brycen Redmon 16, MJ Littlejohn 9, Quinn 7, Hayes 6, Reeves 5, Santos 2
LAKE NORMAN CHRISTIAN 59 — Taylor 6, Kobe Broome 25, Frierson 2, BJ Johnson 19, McAllister 3, Todd 4
Records: Westminster Catawba 13-15, Lake Norman Christian 19-12
Weekend schedule
FRIDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
Harding at West Charlotte
Hopewell at West Mecklenburg
Hough 47, Mallard Creek 41
North Mecklenburg 83, Chambers 62
SoMeck 4A
Palisades 83, Ballantyne Ridge 50
Myers Park 68, Olympic 65
South Mecklenburg 62, Ardrey Kell 59
Southwestern 4A
Charlotte Catholic 52, Butler 50
East Meck 58, Independence 55
Providence 76, Rocky River 63
CISAA
Cannon School 94, Charlotte Christian 73
Charlotte Country Day 65, Covenant Day 59
Providence Day 70, Charlotte Latin 46
Greater Metro 4 4A
A.L. Brown at South Iredell
Lake Norman 84, Cox Mill 59
Mooresville 52, West Cabarrus 45
Southern Carolina 4A
Marvin Ridge 73, Sun Valley 55
Weddington 73, Cuthbertson 50
Big South 3A
Ashbrook 65, Forestview 48
Crest 84, Stuart Cramer 61
Kings Mountain 62, North Gaston 46
South Point at Hunter Huss
South Piedmont 3A
Central Cabarrus 72, West Rowan 55
Concord 73, Jesse Carson 72
Jay M. Robinson 68, Northwest Cabarrus 66
Lake Norman Charter 70, East Rowan 42
Western Foothills 3A
East Lincoln 83, St. Stephens 53
Hickory 78, West Iredell 61
North Lincoln 74, Fred T. Foard 52
Statesville 95, North Iredell 69
Rocky River 2A-3A
Forest Hills 74, Central Academy 37
Monroe 60, Parkwood 49
West Stanly 76, Anson County 72
Catawba Valley 2A
Bandys 52, Newton-Conover 45
Lincolnton 93, East Burke 62
Maiden 87, Bunker Hill 44
West Caldwell 92, West Lincoln 78
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Bradford Prep at Lincoln Charter
Community School of Davidson 55, Christ the King 52
Corvian Community 75, Mountain Island Charter 60
Pine Lake Prep 74, Langtree Charter 45
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Burns 73, Bessemer City 69
East Gaston at Shelby
Highland Tech 56, Cherryville 30
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
Gray Stone Day at Albemarle
Mount Pleasant 74, North Stanly 51
South Stanly 55, Union Academy 48
Metro 1A
Carolina International 85, Valor Prep 59
Jackson Day 63, Sugar Creek Charter 60
Queen’s Grant 99, Piedmont Charter 54
Metrolina Athletic
Gaston Christian 67, SouthLake Christian 49
Gaston Day 64, Metrolina Christian 42
Westminster Catawba 71, Hickory Grove 47
Foothills Athletic
Statesville Christian at University Christian
Nonconference
Lee Park Prep 64, Liberty Prep 57
Oak Ridge (VA Military 73, Cabarrus Stallions 62
Oak Hill (VA) Regional 69, Elevation Prep 50
Parris Prep at Davidson Day
SATURDAY
Nonconference
Charlotte Elite at Central Carolina Prep (boys), 2 p.m.
Elevation Prep at Oak Hill (VA) Regional (boys), 2 p.m.
Hickory Ridge at Albemarle (girls), 6 p.m.
Lincoln Charter at Christ School (boys), 2:30 p.m.
South Charlotte Thunder at Providence Athletic Club (SC)
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 11:12 PM.