Friday’s boys’ rewind: Myers Park beats rival South Meck to win SoMECK championship
When Myers Park High’s boys basketball team started 0-5 and 1-7, new Mustangs head coach Andrew Glover felt like “some people gave up on us.”
Based on how Myers Park finished its season, it’s pretty clear those folks were too quick to pass judgment.
Particularly after the Mustangs continued their strong closing kick with Friday’s 64-51 win at South Mecklenburg in what amounted to the So Meck 4A Conference regular-season championship game.
Myers Park trailed for exactly one minute of the contest — at 2-0 — before junior Josh Hines and later Bram Early, A.J. Jamison and Ayo Awosanya powered the Mustangs to avenge an earlier loss and give them their fourth straight conference title.
“They beat us at home and played a great game,” Glover said of South Mecklenburg’s 71-63 win at Myers Park on Jan. 17. “But the resilience and relentlessness of our team is amazing.”
The victory meant Myers Park went 5-1 in the second round of its league slate, losing only 76-70 at Berry Academy three days earlier when the Mustangs (13-11, 9-3) already knew Friday’s game could be a winner-take-all regular-season championship matchup.
Hines, a junior guard, scored 16 of his game-high 21 points in the first quarter, with 12 coming on four 3-pointers as Myers Park roared ahead 20-10 after one quarter.
The lead grew to 35-19 at halftime and was up to 37-19 when Jamison opened the second half with a driving layup — the first two of his 10 third-quarter points.
South Mecklenburg (14-10, 8-4) nudged within 52-43 after three quarters with junior guard Ben Houpt scoring 14 of his team-high 19 points in the quarter.
The rally was such that Sabres coach Chris McDonald told his team, “We’re right where we want to be” during his pre-fourth-quarter huddle.
But the South Mecklenburg offense that scored 24 points in the third quarter could get no closer as Myers Park’s defense limited the Sabres to 3-of-12 shooting while forcing four turnovers in the fourth quarter.
“At 0-5, a lot of people gave up on us,” Glover said. “So, to win a conference title in a year when everyone was counting us out is special.”
NOTES
▪ South Mecklenburg was 1 of 11 in the first quarter and 3 of 12 in the fourth quarter from the field to effectively douse any comeback hopes the Sabres may have had.
▪ New Ambassador Christian Academy head coach Scott Taylor, who was Myers Park head coach from 2016-24 with two conference titles, four Western N.C. semifinal berths and one state title, was among the capacity crowd at South Mecklenburg’s Dave Price Gymnasium.
▪ South Mecklenburg, which started four juniors and one senior, has 12 all-time regular season titles but hasn’t won one since 2012.
Quick links
CMS held a middle school city championship. It’s past time to do high school, too
Get the latest Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 poll
Get the latest statewide prep basketball rankings
NCHSAA releases final conference draft for next realignment
Friday’s #BIG5 boys’ top performers
Nick Arnold, Lake Norman: Arnold had 26 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals in a 74-50 win over rival Mooresville on Friday. Lake Norman won its third Greater Metro 4A conference title in a row and Arnold became the all-time steals leader at his school.
Kaleb Jasper, Independence: Jasper had a game-high 25 in a 48-44 win over arch rival Butler that gave the Patriots a share of the Southwestern 4A conference title, tying Charlotte Catholic.
Chandler Kennedy, Carmel Christian: Kennedy had a team-high 19 points in a 56-53 win over Raleigh Ravenscroft that sent Carmel to Tuesday’s state semifinal game.
Jonah Lawrence, Providence Day: Lawrence had 16 points, nine rebounds in a 70-49 win over High Point Wesleyan that sent the Chargers to next week’s NCISAA semifinals at Carmel Christian.
Zion Williams, North Mecklenburg: Williams had a game- and career-high 33 points in a 75-54 win over West Charlotte. North Meck won its ninth outright conference title in 10 years. The one year it didn’t win outright, the Vikings tied for the title. Earlier, the school’s junior varsity won its 12th straight conference championship. The Vikings’ junior varsity is 194-10 in the past 12 years.
Friday’s capsules
No. 1 Lake Norman 74, Mooresville 50: The Wildcats turned their first-place showdown at Mooresville into a lopsided victory, outscoring the Blue Devils 33-12 in the middle two quarters. Lake Norman finished 12-0 in the Greater Metro 4A, while Mooresville was 10-2. Nick Arnold had 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Wildcats, and Tre McKinnon added 16 points. Kyri Wilson scored 12 for Mooresville.
No. 2 Providence Day 70, High Point Wesleyan 49 (NCISAA quarterfinal): Jonah Lawrence had 16 points and nine rebounds, and Providence Day (27-4) put five players in double figures in this NCISAA playoff romp. The Chargers will travel to Carmel Christian on Tuesday in a 4A semifinal.
No. 3 North Mecklenburg 75, West Charlotte 54: The visiting Vikings (22-2, 14-0 Queen City 3A-4A) got a career-high 33 points from Zion Williams, while Carson Evans added 16. It marked the ninth time in 10 years that North Mecklenburg has won the regular-season championship outright. A.C. Pressley topped West Charlotte with 14.
No. 8 Independence 48, Butler 44: Playing before a sold-out crowd, Independence built a big early lead and fended off a Bulldog comeback. The victory gave the Patriots a share of the Southwestern 4A championship with Charlotte Catholic, each at 10-2. Kaleb Jasper led Independence with 25 points. Caleb Milligan had 13 for Butler, which had beaten the Patriots earlier this season.
No. 9 Hopewell 60, Hough 46: The visiting Titans wrapped up third place in the Queen City 3A-4A, as Khalil Clark Jr. scored a team-high 12 points. Judah Freeman had 15 points for Hough.
No. 10 Queen’s Grant Charter 94, Piedmont Community Charter 62: Chase Smith (26 points) and Bobby Montgomery (20) led the Stallions, who won the Metro 1A title with a 10-0 record.
No. 12 Weddington 70, Marvin Ridge 65: The host Warriors held off a Marvin Ridge comeback and captured the Southern Carolina 4A championship with an 8-0 record. Weddington led 51-36 after three quarters, but the Mavericks (6-2) battled back.
Palisades 76, No. 13 Ardrey Kell 67: Kingston Henry scored a game-high 21 points, as the Pumas knocked off the slumping Knights, who have lost three of their last four games. Brett Freeman led Ardrey Kell with 34 points, as the Knights finished fourth in the SoMeck 4A.
No. 15 Jay M. Robinson 69, East Rowan 62: Jamell Reed and David Frazier each scored 11 points and Da’Montre Harlee added 10, as the Bulldogs finished their South Piedmont 3A championship season with a 15-1 record.
No. 16 Chambers 71, Mallard Creek 52: The host Cougars pulled away in the second half and finished second in the Queen City 3A-4A with an 11-3 mark. Markus Kerr (22 points) and Tarris Bouie III (18) led Chambers, while Lajain Overton had 11 points and eight rebounds for Mallard Creek.
Ashbrook 95, Hunter Huss 89 (OT): The Green Wave subdued their Gastonia city rival, but they needed overtime. With the victory, Ashbrook finished 14-0 as Big South 3A champion. A Zii Phillips basket in the final minute of regulation tied the game at 74-all and forced overtime. In the extra session, Jamari Smith scored eight points for Ashbrook.
Carmel Christian 56, Ravenscroft 53 (NCISAA 4A quarterfinal): Chandler Kennedy scored 19 points and Bryce Slay added 16, as the second-seeded Cougars (17-8) advanced to the 4A semifinals and a Tuesday contest with visiting Providence Day.
Carolina International 91, Valor Prep 47: Landon Griffin’s 22 points led the Comets to a Metro 1A victory. K.J. Shouse added 21 for Carolina International.
Christ School 75, Cannon School 38 (NCISAA 4A quarterfinal): The Cougars ran into a buzzsaw in Arden, losing to the defending state champon. Cannon School finished 15-12 in its first season under head coach James Baker.
Community School of Davidson 70, Pine Lake Prep 59: Austin Morgan’s 25 points led the Spartans to a Catawba Shores 1A-2A victory. Jack Sullivan added 15 for the Spartans.
Concord 67, Central Cabarrus 59: Kyzen Coleman and Jaden Reid each scored 15 points, as Concord topped the Vikings in a battle for third place in the South Piedmont 3A. Concord finished 11-5, while Central Cabarrus was 10-6. Cayden Smith scored a game-high 16 for Central Cabarrus.
East Mecklenburg 54, Providence 45: The visiting Eagles finished 7-5 in the Southwestern 4A, tying Butler for third place. Caleb Gaither led Providence with 13 points.
Forestview 79, Stuart Cramer 70: Alex Helton scored 25 points and Josiah Thompson had 10 rebounds in the Jaguars’ Big South 3A victory.
Forsyth Country Day 68, Covenant Day 63 (NCISAA 4A quarterfinal): Covenant Day lost on its home floor and finished 16-14.
Hickory 65, Statesville 47: Hickory finished 11-3 in the Western Foothills 3A, tying East Lincoln for second place. Statesville, which finished fourth at 10-4, got 14 points from Caleb Tillman.
Lake Norman Charter 81, South Rowan 40: The Knights raced to a 23-7 first-quarter lead and won this South Piedmont 3A contest easily. Braden Wilkie (14 points) and Jay Morgan (12) led the victors.
Monroe 62, Forest Hills 47: Bryson Simpkins scored 19 points, and The host Redhawks won the Rocky River 2A-3A title with a 10-2 record. Forest Hills finished 10-4.
North Lincoln 68, East Lincoln 66: Kellen Karr’s 19 points helped the host Knights knock off their neighborhood rivals and win the Western Foothills 3A championship. North Lincoln, 13-1 in conference play, also got 18 points from Ty Sanders, as five players scored in double figures. East Lincoln finished 12-2, tied with Hickory for second place.
Rocky River 92, Garinger 67: Jayden Ross totaled 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, as the Ravens won their Southwestern 4A game. Jordan Walton added 17 for Rocky River.
South Point 92, North Gaston 68: O.B. Lowery poured in 30 points, and Jaishawn Woods added 27, as the Raiders rolled to a Big South 3A victory.
Sun Valley 71, Porter Ridge 67: T.J. Pinckney (19 points) and Noah McKinnon (13) led the Spartans to a Southern Carolina 4A victory.
West Iredell 74, North Iredell 62: Jordan Patterson scored 24 points and had five steals, as West Iredell pulled away for a Western Foothills 3A triumph.
Friday’s boys’ box scores
NO. 1 LAKE NORMAN 74, MOORESVILLE 50
Mooresville 15 2 10 23 — 50
Lake Norman 12 12 21 29 — 74
MOORESVILLE 50 — Kyri Wilson 12, Dylan Clark 9, Nolan Ericson 8, Bryson Demby 7, Eian Bailey 6, Jaquavion Bailey 4, Kaleb Oloyede 4
LAKE NORMAN 74 — Josh Yates 11, Tre McKinnon 16, Taurean McKinnon 4, Nick Arnold 26, Noah Wilson 3, CJ Guerrero 1, Trent Steinour 13
Notable: For Mooresville, Kyri Wilson had eight rebounds and seven assists. Clark had 12 rebounds and two blocks. Demby had seven rebounds and two steals. Eian Bailey had five rebounds and two steals.
Record: Mooresville 20-4
NO. 2 PROVIDENCE DAY 70, WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN 49
Providence Day 15 15 27 14 — 70
Wesleyan Christian 11 4 15 19 — 49
PROVIDENCE DAY 70 — Jonah Lawrence 16, Deuce Haynes 13, Julian Johnson 13, Nick Hailey 11, Trajan Thompson 10, Battier 6, Winston 1
WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN 49 — Wiggins 20, Keith 7, Williams 7, Morning 6, Augunas 5, Dobyns 4
Records: Providence Day 27-4, Wesleyan Christian 20-11
Notable: The Chargers had five players in double figures, led by Jonah Lawrence with 16 points and nine rebounds. Providence Day moves on to the NCISAA 4A semifinals at No. 2 Carmel Christian on Tuesday.
NO. 3 NORTH MECKLENBURG 75, WEST CHARLOTTE 54
North Mecklenburg 19 17 12 27 — 75
West Charlotte 15 11 16 12 — 54
NORTH MECKLENBURG 75 — Zion Williams 33 Carson Evans 16 Lewandowski 8 White 6 Traylor 5 Young 4 Murray 3
WEST CHARLOTTE 54 — AC Pressley 14 Chase Bryson 13 DJ Williams 10 Womack 5 Staley 4 Coleman 3 Faison 4 Miller 2
NO. 8 INDEPENDENCE 48, BUTLER 44
Butler 8 12 10 14 — 44
Independence 21 12 4 11 — 48
BUTLER 44 — Caleb Milligan 13, Terrance Badio 11, Eli Grier 10, Starnes 4, Keys 3, Currence 3
INDEPENDENCE 48 — Kaleb Jasper 25, Waritay 7, Burgess 6, Lee 3, Macharia 3, Neely 3, Barnes 1
Records: Butler 13-11, 7-5; Independence 19-5, 10-2
NO. 9 HOPEWELL 60, HOUGH 46
Hough 11 12 12 9 — 46
Hopewell 16 12 24 8 — 60
HOUGH 46 — Judah Freeman 15, Jadah Freeman 7, Spear 3, Bellafatto 6, Otto 6, Slusher 5, Love 2, Nesta 2
HOPEWELL 60 — Brown 11, Clark 12, Boughton 9, Cooke 9, Jones 9, Gaston 4, Cage 2, Curry 2, Lyons 2
NO. 16 CHAMBERS 71, MALLARD CREEK 52
Mallard Creek 9 14 15 14 — 52
Chambers 16 17 20 18 — 71
CHAMBERS 71 — Lavonte Jackson 2, Markus Kerr 23, Malik McCotter 5, Tarris Bouie 18, Zyon White 8, Chance Gill 2, Desmond Martin 6, Corey Carey 5, Cameron Thompson 2
Notable: Chambers got 23 points, six rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks from Marcus Kerr and 18 points, four steals, three blocks and three assists from Tarris Bouie.
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 56, RALEIGH RAVENSCROFT 53
Carmel 9 21 15 56 — 56
Ravenscroft 15 13 16 9 — 53
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 56 — Bryce Slay 16, Chandler Kennedy 19
Notable: Carmel advances to NCISAA semifinals Tuesday
CONCORD 67, CENTRAL CABARRUS 59
Concord 12 15 18 22 — 67
Central 18 10 11 20 — 59
CONCORD 67 — Kyzen Coleman 15, Jaden Reid 15, Jayden Beyan 13, Jabari Byrd 10, Ty Rushmeyer 9, Gabe Stafford 5
CENTRAL 59 — Cayden Smith 16, Kameron Cook 14, Dexter Montague 12, Kevonta Martin 9, Camden Lowry 3, Chinua Ezeigbo 2, Infinite Morrow 2, Ishmael Morrow 1
Records: Concord 16-8 (11-5 SPC); Central Cabarrus 12-12 (10-6 SPC)
Notable: Concord’s 6-3 Forward, Jaden Reid, recorded another double-double with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. The Senior captain also took two charges in the game as well. Next up for Concord is the first round of the South Piedmont 3A tournament. No. 3 seed Concord hosts No. 6 Lake Norman Charter Monday at 6 p.m.
MYERS PARK 64, SOUTH MECKLENBURG 51
South Meck 10 9 24 8 — 51
Myers Park 20 15 17 12 — 63
SOUTH MECKLENBURG 51 — B. Houpt 19, J. Gatehouse 10, M. Howard 8, M. Williams 7
MYERS PARK 63 — J. Hines 21, A. Awosanya 14, B. Early 12, A. Jamison 10
Records: S. Meck-14-10, 8-4; Myers Park 13-11, 9-3
PALISADES 76, NO. 13 ARDREY KELL 67
Ardrey Kell 19 12 18 18 — 67
Palisades 15 20 17 21 — 76
ARDREY KELL 67 — Brett Freeman 34, Bryce Thomas 10, Braden Suggs 7, Owen Wacker 7, Matthew Craft 5, Dylan Morrison 4
PALISADES 76 — Henry 21, Reeves 19, Dillard 4, Lester 8, Simpkins 9, Van Fossen 7, Fenn 8
Record: Ardrey Kell 18-6, 7-5
QUEEN’S GRANT 94, PIEDMONT COMMUNITY CHARTER 62
QGHS 94 — Chase Smith 26, Bobby Montgomery 20, Ian Howard 19, Scott 3, Cannon DeBerry 13, Allen 3, White 8, Moncrieffe 2
PCC 62 — Carmichael 7, Neves McElhaney 14, Henry Peprah 15, Grant 6, Austin 8, Grove 7, Clanton 5
Records: Queens Grant 21-7, 10-0
Thursday’s boys’ box scores
CORVIAN COMMUNITY 67, BRADFORD PREP 56
Corvian Community 11 16 17 23 — 67
Bradford Prep 6 16 10 24 — 56
CORVIAN 67 — Scott 8, Ricky Moore Jr. 30, McCutcheon 1, Milton 6, Johnson 2, Kirkwood 2, Cook 4, Andre Jackson Jr 12, Garvin 2
BRADFORD PREP 56 — Bradley 9, Esias Caves 16, Micah Jones 13, Poston 3, Luke Hanson 11, Wallace 2, Blair 2
Notable: Corvian sophomore guard Ricky Moore Jr. has exactly 1,000 points. He scored 30 points to go along with 14 rebounds in a road conference win.
FAYETTEVILLE ACADEMY 70, GASTON DAY 64
Gaston Day 17 15 22 10 — 64
Fayetteville Academy 25 2 21 16 — 70
GASTON DAY 64 — Deshawn Coulter 22, Gavin Fields 10, Ben Chotkowski 9, Dylan Bradley 7
Notable: Gaston Day finished the season 20-11.
LINCOLNTON 88, WEST LINCOLN 59
Lincolnton 18 14 26 31 — 88
East Burke 9 11 19 20 — 59
LINCOLNTON 88 — LJ Smith 31,Tyler McClain 15, Tucker Robinette 12, Cameron Smith 9, Charlie Foster 6, Nehemiah Thompson 4, , Dominic Sanchez 4, Bradyn Bass 3, Evan Jefferies 2, Antonio Wilson 2
Records: Lincolnton (19-5); West Lincoln (8-16)
WAYNE COUNTRY DAY 69, WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 67
Westminster 16 13 21 17 — 67
Wayne Country Day 20 12 18 19 — 69
WESTMINSTER 67 — Nikayle Hodge 20, Kaleb Santos 14, Gannon Parker 8, Brycen Redmon 8, MJ Littlejohn 7, Dorian Reeves 6, Quinn 3, Hayes 1
Notable: Westminster (15-16) finishes the season with a loss in the second round of the NCISAA 2A playoffs
Thursday’s capsules
High Point Christian 70, SouthLake Christian 42: The sixth-seeded Cougars advanced to the quarterfinals of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A playoffs, building a 36-23 halftime lead and pulling away. They will visit third-seeded Davidson Day in a Saturday quarterfinal. SouthLake Christian finished 13-16.
Fayetteville Academy 70, Gaston Day 64: Seventh-seeded Gaston Day’s season ended with a second-round loss in the NCISAA 2A playoffs. The Spartans fell behind early and battled back to a 54-all tie after three quarters. Deshawn Coulter scored 22 points and added seven rebounds for Gaston Day (20-11), while Gavin Fields added 10 points.
Gaston Christian 64, Asheville School 49: The fifth-seeded Eagles advanced to the NCISAA 3A quarterfinals with a huge third quarter. Gaston Christian (24-7) trailed 24-18 at halftime but outscored the Blues 30-7 in the third quarter. The Eagles will visit fourth seed Asheville Christian on Saturday.
Lincolnton 88, West Lincoln 59: The Wolves finished 12-2 in the Catawba Valley 2A and will do no worse than a tie for first place. L.J. Smith IV led the attack with 31 points, including 13 free throws.
Scores, weekend schedule
(Unless otherwise listed, all matchups are girls-boys doubleheaders, with girls’ games starting about 6 p.m. and boys’ games following)
THURSDAY
Catawba Valley 2A
Boys: Lincolnton 88, West Lincoln 59
Girls: Lincolnton 64, West Lincoln 21
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Boys: Thomas Jefferson Academy 70, Cherryville 53
Girls: Thomas Jefferson Academy 55, Cherryville 7
Nonconference
Girls: Lake Norman 78, Bishop McGuinness 61
Girls: Christ the King 74, Cabarrus Stallions 17
FRIDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
Chambers 71, Mallard Creek 52
Harding at West Mecklenburg
Hough 60, Hopewell 46
North Mecklenburg 75, West Charlotte 54
SoMeck 4A
Myers Park 64, South Mecklenburg 51
Olympic 64, Berry Academy 51
Palisades 76, Ardrey Kell 67
Southwestern 4A
East Mecklenburg 54, Providence 45
Independence 48, Butler 44
Rocky River 92, Garinger 67
Greater Metro 4A
Cox Mill 68, South Iredell 50
Hickory Ridge 67, West Cabarrus 64
Lake Norman 74, Mooresville 50
Southern Carolina 4A
Sun Valley 71, Porter Ridge 67
Weddington 70, Marvin Ridge 65
Big South 3A
Ashbrook 95, Hunter Huss 89 (OT)
Crest 72, Kings Mountain 63
Forestview 79, Stuart Cramer 70
South Point 92, North Gaston 68
South Piedmont 3A
Concord 67, Central Cabarrus 59
Jay M. Robinson 69, East Rowan 62
Northwest Cabarrus 77, Jesse Carson 74
Lake Norman Charter 81, South Rowan 40
Western Foothills 3A
Hickory 66, Statesville 47
North Lincoln 68, East Lincoln 63
St. Stephens 69, Fred T. Foard 59
West Iredell 74, North Iredell 63
Rocky River 2A-3A
Central Academy at Parkwood
Monroe 62, Forest Hills 57
Piedmont 63, West Stanly 57
Catawba Valley 2A
Bandys 75, Bunker Hill 53
East Burke 69, West Caldwell 55
Maiden 73, Newton-Conover 63
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Christ the King 67, Langtree Charter 53
Community School of Davidson 70, Pine Lake Prep 59
Lincoln Charter 90, Mountain Island Charter 86
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Highland Tech at East Gaston
Shelby 69, Burns 51
Metro 1A
Carolina International 91, Valor Prep 47
Queen’s Grant Charter 94, Piedmont Community Charter 62
SATURDAY
Nonconference
Charlotte Elite at Oak Hill (VA) Regional (boys), 2 p.m.
Elevation Prep at Central Carolina Prep (boys), 3 p.m.
NCISAA playoff schedule
CLASS 4A
Friday’s quarterfinals
Christ School 73, Cannon School 38
Carmel Christian 56, Raleigh Ravenscroft 53
Forsyth Country Day 68, Covenant Day 63
Providence Day 70, High Point Wesleyan 49
Tuesday’s semifinals
Forsyth Country Day (23-5) at Christ School (24-2)
Providence Day (27-4) at Carmel Christian (17-8)
CLASS 3A
Saturday’s quarterfinals
Raleigh Grace Christian (19-7) at Concord Academy (29-3)
Gaston Christian (24-7) at Asheville Christian (17-7)
High Point Christian (16-12) at Davidson Day (21-12)
Trinity Academy (18-17) at Greensboro Day (28-5)
CLASS 2A
Saturday’s quarterfinals
Burlington Christian (20-9) at Caldwell Academy (23-9)
Wayne Country Day (23-7) at Greenfield School (27-7)
Trinity Christian (23-8) at Harrells Christian (29-2)
Fayetteville Academy (23-9) at The Burlington School (17-11)
CLASS 1A
Saturday’s quarterfinals
Statesville Christian (15-10) at Victory Christian (18-13)
Lee Christian (17-8) at Cape Fear Christian (15-10)
Southeastern Christian (13-11) at New Garden Friends (13-12)
Lawrence Academy (13-10) at Crossroads Christian (17-10)
This story was originally published February 14, 2025 at 11:12 PM.
