Friday’s girls’ rewind: Myers Park upsets South Meck on road, gets share of league title
With a slow start and home conference losses to top So Meck 4A Conference rivals Ardrey Kell and South Mecklenburg, even the most loyal Myers Park High’s girls basketball supporter wouldn’t have expected a league title this season.
But sometimes emotion and tradition can defy conventional wisdom.
Friday might’ve been one of those circumstances as the Mustangs led for the most of the last 2 1/2 quarters of a grind-it-out 34-29 win at South Mecklenburg to gain a share of the league championship.
Myers Park (12-12, 10-2) claimed its fourth league title in five years and 16th all-time as Amani Barner scored 16 points, Summer Thomason 12 and a collective defensive effort on a taller team frustrated the host Sabres (20-4, 10-2).
Ardrey Kell (16-8, 10-2) also claimed a share of the league title with its victory at Palisades on Friday. That created a three-way tie between Ardrey Kell, South Meck and Myers Park.
“It’s very surprising,” Myers Park coach Barbara Nelson said. “The biggest surprise is that we’ve won our big games on the road. We lost at home to both of them and winning on the road is tough.”
Thomason’s 3-pointer with 3:27 left in the opening half gave Myers Park its first lead since 2-0 at 14-11.
It came after the host Sabres roared ahead 9-2 in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the game.
South Mecklenburg would tie Myers Park at 21 with 5:44 left in the third quarter but Thomason’s 3-pointer nine seconds later sparked a 10-2 run that gave Myers Park a 31-23 lead with 7:21 to play.
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Friday’s #BIG5 girls’ top performers
Amani Barner, Myers Park: Barner had a game-high 16 points as Myers Park upset No. 13 South Meck 34-29, on the road, to win a share of the SoMECK 4A league title.
Ma-Kaela Gidney, Hickory Ridge: Gidney scored her 1,000th career point in Friday’s 68-39 win over West Cabarrus. She finished with a game-high 27 points.
Amya Graham, South Point: In an 83-25 win over North Gaston, Graham had 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. She also passed the 1,500-point mark for her career.
Myajah Nix, Central Cabarrus: Nix had a game-high 23 points in a 62-51 rivalry win over Concord.
Symphani Stevens, Lincoln Charter: Stevens had 23 points, eight rebounds in a 69-30 win over Mountain Island Charter that polished off an unbeaten conference regular season for her team.
Friday’s capsules
No. 1 Lake Norman 83, Mooresville 28: The Wildcats closed out a perfect (12-0) Greater Metro 4A regular-season, as Samantha Shehan hit five 3-pointers and scored 22 points. Alexis Shehan had 16 points and seven rebounds, and Rayana Milard added 14 points and five rebounds.
No. 2 North Mecklenburg 80, West Charlotte 36: The Vikings (21-2, 13-1) finished in a first-place tie with Mallard Creek in the Queen City 3A-4A, as Lenise Joseph made 16-of-19 shots from the floor and scored 32 points. She also had 13 rebounds, and teammate Stephanie Mobleyk totaled 12 assists. North Meck made 70 percent of its field goal attempts.
No. 3 Providence Day 34, Charlotte Latin 22 (NCISAA 4A quarterfinal): Katelyn Ramsden scored 10 points, and Ginny Anne Dumont added nine, as the Chargers (26-7) advanced to the semifinals of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association’s 4A playoffs. The third-seeded Chargers will visit second seed High Point Wesleyan in Tuesday’s semifinals. This marks the 25th straight year that Providence Day’s girls have reached the final four of the NCISAA.
No. 4 Cannon School 80, Forsyth Country Day 52 (NCISAA 4A quarterfinal): The top-seeded and defending state champion Cougars rolled into the semifinals. They’ll host Rabun Gap School in a semifinal game Tuesday.
No. 7 North Lincoln 61, No. 15 East Lincoln 46: The Knights won their 22nd consecutive game, wrapping up the Western Foothills 3A regular-season title and leaving East Lincoln at 12-2. Ashley Black (23 points) and Ally Smith (22) led North Lincoln. Emma Montanari had 21 points, eight rebounds and six steals for East Lincoln.
No. 8 Mallard Creek 68, Chambers 14: The Mavericks (21-3, 13-1) earned a share of the Queen City 3A-4A regular-season championship, tying with North Mecklenburg. Kiara Anderson had a big game, with 19 points, 10 steals and seven assists. Elle Stone added 15 points.
No. 10 Marvin Ridge 54, Weddington 21: The host Mavericks turned this first-place showdown and neighborhood rivalry into a rout. Marvin Ridge finished 7-0 in conference play, winning its fourth straight Southern Carolina 4A championship. Weddington finished 5-2 in the conference.
No. 11 Hickory Ridge 69, West Cabarrus 39: Ma-Kaela Gidney scored 27 points and was honored for passing the 1,000-point mark for her career. She is a junior. Amyua Leathers added 13 points and nine rebounds, as the Ragin’ Bulls finished second in the Greater Metro 4A.
No. 12 Jay M. Robinson 64, East Rowan 47: The Bulldogs wrapped up a 16-0 season in the South Piedmont 3A, as Camri Hobbs scored 29 points, with seven rebounds and five assists. She shot 11-of-12 from the foul line. Destiny Chambers had nine points and seven rebounds.
No. 14 Ardrey Kell 47, Palisades 27: The Knights broke to a big early lead and finished with a 10-2 record in the SoMeck 4A. That earned them a share of first place with Myers Park and South Mecklenburg.
Ashbrook 47, Hunter Huss 39: The Green Wave built a 29-11 halftime lead and stunned the host Huskies, depriving Hunter Huss of a share of the Big South 3A title. Huss finished 12-2 in the league.
Berry Academy 38, Olympic 32: Cardinals’ sophomore Annabella Hall scored 14 points, and Parker Breelove added 12 in Berry’s SoMeck 4A triumph.
Central Cabarrus 62, Concord 51: Leading 46-44 late in the third quarter, Central Cabarrus went on a 10-2 run and earned a South Piedmont 3A victory. Myajah Nix led the Vikings with 23 points.
Forest Hills 77, Monroe 53: This battle for first place in the Rocky River 2A-3A was tied 37-all at halftime, but the Yellow Jackets outscored the Redhawks 25-8 in the third quarter, for a 62-45 lead. The Yellow Jackets finished 12-0 in the Rocky River 2A-3A, while Monroe closed at 9-3.
Lake Norman Charter 81, South Rowan 52: Reece Long had a double-double, with 26 points and 14 rebounds, as Lake Norman Charter finished its South Piedmont 3A regular-season schedule with a victory. Abby Courtney added 15 points.
Liberty Prep 51, Lee Park Prep 44: Freshman Anna Williams scored 19 points for the victors.
Lincoln Charter 69, Mountain Island Charter 30: The Eagles wrapped up a 14-0 season in the Catawba Shores 1A-2A, as Symphani Stevens had 23 points and eight rebounds, and Kaylyn Cherry added 13 points.
Providence 50, East Mecklenburg 46: Avery Detenber and Anna Fillnow each scored 12 points for the Panthers in this Southwestern 4A game. Jurnee Darling scored a game-high 16 for East Meck.
Queen’s Grant Charter 84, Piedmont Community Charter 66: Za’Miya Bynum poured in 43 points, and Misa Garris added 33, as the Stallions earned a Metro 1A victory. Allasha Houser totaled 18 points and 18 rebounds for Piedmont Community.
Rabun Gap School 73, Charlotte Country Day 43 (NCISAA 4A playoff quarterfinal): The Buccaneers (20-11) made the long trip to the northeast Georgia hills and came away with a season-ending loss. Rabun Gap, reaching the Final Four for the fifth straight year, will travel to Cannon School in a semifinal Tuesday.
South Point 83, North Gaston 26: North Gaston’s Hailey Holmes hit a 3-pointer early in the second quarter, bringing her team within 20-17. But the Raiders then went on an 18-0 run and cruised to a Big South 3A victory. South Point finished 10-4, good for third place in the Big South 3A. Amya Graham led the victors with 20 points and 10 rebounds, passing the 1,500-point mark for her career.
Stuart Cramer 79, Forestview 45: This victory, combined with Ashbrook’s victory over Hunter Huss, left the Storm as Big South 3A regular-season champs. The Storm finished 13-1 in the conference. Stuart Cramer broke open a relatively close game by outscoring the Jaguars 18-11 in the second quarter. Oshauna Holland led the Storm with 36 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and seven steals.
Friday’s girls’ box scores
NO. 2 NORTH MECKLENBURG 80, WEST CHARLOTTE 36
North Meck 21 14 31 14 — 80
West Charlotte 12 9 11 4 — 36
NORTH MECKLENBURG 80 — Lenise Joseph 32, Shanon Hoover 13, Kameron Smith 12, Morgan Knox 12, Mobley 7, Blake 2, Reid
WEST CHARLOTTE 36 — C. Generette 4 , J. Bennett 4 , K.Grier 4 , Bri’Asia Rowe 15 , P.Reaves 6 , M.Ginn 3.
Records: West Charlotte 15-7
Notable: North Meck’s Lenise Joseph recorded another double-double with 32 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and three assists. Stephanie Mobley had 12 assists and Zion Pimentel had nine....North Meck shares the regular season conference championship with Mallard Creek.
NO. 3 PROVIDENCE DAY 34, CHARLOTTE LATIN 22
Providence Day 13 11 4 6 — 34
Charlotte Latin 5 6 6 5 — 22
PROVIDENCE DAY 34 — Katelyn Ramsden 10 Dumont 9 Clark 2 Stuart 3 Dennison 3 Fyans 7
CHARLOTTE LATIN 22 — Charlotte Tune 14 Archibald 2 Edwards 3 Webb 2 McLaughlin 1
Record: Providence Day 25-7
Notable: The Chargers advance to the NCISAA Final 4 for the 25th straight season.
NO. 11 HICKORY RIDGE 68, WEST CABARRUS 39
West Cabarrus 6 9 13 11 — 39
Hickory Ridge 16 21 13 18 — 68
WEST CABARRUS 39 — C. Wilder 15, Johnson 11, Bradford 7. Lowman 2, D. Wilder 2, Humm 2
HICKORY RIDGE 68 — Gidney 27, Leathers 13, Powell 12, Watkins 4, Johnson 4, Pompei 3, Ritter 3, Duley 2
Notable: Ma-Kaela Gidney led the Ragin Bulls with 27 points and scored her 1,000th career point. Amya Leathers had 13 points and nine rebounds. Jada Powell added 12.
Records: West Cabarrus 11-12, Hickory Ridge 17-7
CENTRAL CABARRUS 62, CONCORD 51
Central Cabarrus 14 18 17 13 — 62
Concord 14 14 16 7 — 51
CENTRAL CABARRUS 62 — Myajah Nix 23, Jahnae Duncan 13, Daniyah Burton 10, Blanchard 7, Estrada-Hill 4, Arévalo 4, Pickett 1
CONCORD 51 — Alani Smith-Rogers 10, Blue 12, Taylor 11, Nebrick 10
FOREST HILLS 77, MONROE 53
Monroe 18 19 8 8 - 53
Forrest Hills 23 14 25 15 - 77
Notable: Monroe’s Janiyah Boyd (25 points, five rebounds, two steals), Summer Jones (11 points, six rebounds) and Desire “Pink” Hailey (four points, 14 rebounds, block) had big games for the Redhawks.
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 61, SOUTH ROWAN 52
LNC 6 17 18 20 — 61
South Rowan 10 10 17 25 — 52
LNC 61 – Reece Long 26, Abby Courtney 15, Sam Colantonio 10, Caroline Mercuri 4, Grace Hart 3, Maggie Kurz 2, Lucy Courtney 1
SR 52 – Dextraze 20, Fisher 13, White 5, Eagle 5, Pharr 4, Krieg 3, Menius 2
LINCOLN CHARTER 69, MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHARTER 30
MICS 5 6 10 9 — 30
Lincoln Charter 12 20 16 21 — 69
MICS 30 — Fudge 13, Haizt 6, Bridgewriter 6, Curbeam 2, Washington 2, Brown 1
LCHS 69 — Symphani Stevens 23, Kaylyn Cherry 13, Taylor Riggenbach 10, Martha Guinle 9, Lillie Merrill 8, Brenna Barbier 3, Claire David 3
Records LCHS 17-6 (14-0 conf) MICS 9-12 (5-9 conf)
Notes: LCHS finished an undefeated conference season with senior Symphani Stevens leading the way with 23 points and eight rebounds. Lincoln Charter’s next game is during the conference tournament game Wednesday.
MYERS PARK 34, NO. 13 SOUTH MECKLENBURG 29
Myers Park 6 15 8 5 — 34
South Mecklenburg 9 8 6 6 — 29
MYERS PARK 34 — Hopkins 1, Amani Barner 16, McDaniel 1, Summer Thomason 12, Porter 4.
SOUTH MECKLENBURG 29 — Hensley 8, Arrington 5, Grant 6, Kendrick 3, Kluttz 3, Miller 4.
Records: Myers Park 12-12, 10-2; South Meck 20-4, 10-2
NORTH LINCOLN 61, EAST LINCOLN 46
East Lincoln 9 9 13 15 — 46
North Lincoln 14 9 20 18 — 61
EAST LINCOLN 46 — Emma Montanari 21, Tanaiyah Thomas 12, L. Pethel 8, M. Matz 3. M. Arndt 2
NORTH LINCOLN 61 — Ashlyn Black 23, Ally Smith 22, A. Grice 7, H. Hagler 5, L. Cipriano 4
Noteables: East Lincoln’s Emma Montanari had 21 pts, eight rebounds, six steals, two assists and four blocks. Taniyah Thomas added 12 points, eight steals, four assists and a rebound.....East Lincoln 919-5, 12-2) plays Statesville next week in a first round tournament game. North Lincoln (22-1, 14-0) plays West Iredell in the first round.
PROVIDENCE 50, EAST MECK 46
Providence 12 10 15 13 — 50
EMeck 10 11 12 13 — 46
PROVIDENCE 50 — Avery Detenber 12, Anna Fillnow 12, Elliott Stafford 5, Zamiyah Brooks 2, Emma Fuller 12, Marleee Whitten 2, Julia Skinner 5
EMECK 46— S.Freeman 7, M. Weisner 8, J. Darling 16, K. Brown 9, M. Faxhmus 3, A. Ausman 3
Notable: Providence’s Emma Fuller had 12 points, 15 rebounds. Teammates Elliott Stafford (eight rebounds, five points) and Anna Fillnow (12 points, six rebounds, two assists) had strong games.
QUEENS GRANT 89, PIEDMONT CHARTER 46
QG: 26 19 29 15 — 89
Piedmont: 9 15 15 7 — 46
QUEENS GRANT 89 — Za’Miya Bynum 43, Misa Garris 33, Casey Smith 13, Alexis Pope 2
PIEDMONT CHARTER 46 — Allasha Houser 18 (18 rebounds, 3 blocks), Bree Phillips 17 (3 rebounds, 2 steals), Aniya Jones 4 (2 rebounds, 2 steals), Julianna East 4 (2 rebounds, 2 assists), Evie East 2 (3 rebounds), Aubree Cammer 1 (2 rebounds)
SOUTH POINT 83, NORTH GASTON 25
South Point 23 15 34 11 — 83
North Gaston 11 5 9 0 — 25
SOUTH POINT 83 — Amya Graham 20, Toney Milton 15, Jossilyn Wallace 14, Annie Risk 12, Sally Risk 8, Jy Watkins 4, Tayler Culbertson 3, Stella Absher 3, Dajshia Foust 2, Claire Frank 1, Rowen Trexler 1
NORTH GASTON 25 — H. Holmes 12, S. White 7, J. Ortiz 3, A. Powell 3
Notable: South Point’s Amya Graham surpassed 1,500 career points and added another double- double with 10 rebounds and 4 assists.
Records: South Point 17-6, 10-4; North Gaston 3-21, 0-14
Thursday’s girls’ box scores
LAKE NORMAN 78, BISHOP MCGUINNESS 61
Lake Norman 15 25 16 22 — 78
Bishop McGuinness 18 12 15 16 — 61
LAKE NORMAN 85 — Samantha Shehan 27, Alexis Shehan 14, Rayana Minard 13, Kelsey Rhyne 11, Addison Sirianni 7, Adason Buoniconti 6
BISHOP MCGUINNESS 25 — A Jernigan 22, Stone 13, Taylor 9, Sullivan 7, Aho 6, Moore 4
Records: Lake Norman 21-1; Bishop McGuinness 21-2
Thursday’s capsules
Lake Norman held off several challenges from visiting Bishop McGuinness and pulled away in the closing minutes for a 78-61 victory, in a meeting of state powerhouses.
The Wildcats (21-1) are North Carolina’s top-ranked 4A team. Bishop McGuinness (21-2) is No. 2 in Class 1A.
For 3 1/2 quarters, they put on a state tournament-caliber battle.
The Villains led early, but Lake Norman battled back for a 40-30 halftime lead. The Wildcats maintained a margin of 6 to 10 points during much of the second half, but Bishop McGuinness senior standout Adelaide Jernigan scored seven straight points and narrowed the gap to 60-54 with 4:47 remaining.
Addison Siriani then hit a 3-pointer from the right corner for Lake Norman, and the Wildcats eventually pulled away.
Samantha Shehan led Lake Norman with 27 points. Jernigan finished with 22.
(Girls) Asheville Christian 69, Gaston Christian 64: The Eagles fell in the second round of the NCISAA 3A playoffs. They led early and were up 25-17 after one quarter. But a disastrous second quarter put them in a hole, as they were outscored 25-3 and trailed 42-28 at halftime. Sara Larios hit 11 of 19 3-point shots and scored 44 points for Asheville Christian.
(Girls) Christ the King 70, Cabarrus Stallions 17: Anna Haynes (21 points) and Claire Broda (19) led the Crusaders to a nonconference victory.
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
Harding at West Mecklenburg
Hough 78, Hopewell 21
Mallard Creek 68, Chambers 14
North Mecklenburg 80, West Charlotte 36
SoMeck 4A
Ardrey Kell 47, Palisades 27
Berry Academy 38, Olympic 32
Myers Park 34, South Mecklenburg 29
Southwestern 4A
Butler 81, Independence 11
Providence 50, East Meck 46
Rocky River at Garinger
Greater Metro 4A
Cox Mill 50, South Iredell 36
Hickory Ridge 68, West Cabarrus 39
Lake Norman 83, Mooresville 28
Southern Carolina 4A
Marvin Ridge 54, Weddington 21
Big South 3A
Ashbrook 47, Hunter Huss 39
Crest 57, Kings Mountain 23
South Point 83, North Gaston 25
Stuart Cramer 79, Forestview 45
South Piedmont 3A
Central Cabarrus 62, Concord 51
Jay M. Robinson 64, East Rowan 47
Lake Norman Charter 61, South Rowan 52
Northwest Cabarrus 49, Jesse Carson 47
Western Foothills 3A
Fred T. Foard 45, St. Stephens 30
Hickory 49, Statesville 32
North Iredell 80, West Iredell 37
North Lincoln 61, East Lincoln 46
Rocky River 2A-3A
Forest Hills 77, Monroe 53
Parkwood 75, Central Academy 41
West Stanly at Piedmont
Catawba Valley 2A
Bandys at Bunker Hill
East Burke 91, West Caldwell 11
Newton-Conover 58, Maiden 52
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Christ the King def. Langtree Charter, forfeit
Community School of Davidson 58, Pine Lake Prep 37
Lincoln Charter 69, Mountain Island 30
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Highland Tech 56, East Gaston 29
Shelby 41, Burns 39
Metro 1A
Queen’s Grant Charter 89, Piedmont Community Charter 46
Valor Prep 30, Carolina International 24
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
Cannon School 80, Forsyth Country Day 52
High Point Wesleyan 61, Ravenscroft 45
Providence Day 34, Charlotte Latin 22
Rabun Gap School 73, Charlotte Country Day 47
Tuesday’s semifinals
Rabun Gap School (16-11) at Cannon School (24-7)
Providence Day (25-7) at High Point Wesleyan (24-6)
CLASS 3A
Saturday’s quarterfinals
Asheville Christian (14-11) at Sanford Grace Christian (19-4)
John Paul II Catholic (22-3) at Asheville School (19-4)
Cape Fear Academy (19-6) at Greensboro Day (19-9)
St. David’s (18-7) at Concord Academy (24-6)
CLASS 2A
Saturday’s quarterfinals
O’Neal School (13-7) at Rocky Mount Academy (19-0)
The Burlington School (13-8) at Freedom Christian (14-8)
Westminster Catawba (13-10) at Trinity Christian (14-5)
Greenfield School (14-11) at Caldwell Academy (10-5)
CLASS 1A
Friday’s quarterfinals
Northeast Academy (9-8) at Victory Christian (11-9)
Halifax Academy (11-9) at Ridgecroft School (15-6)
Albemarle School (11-9) at Crossroads Christian (13-2)
Southeastern Christian (16-7) at Lawrence Academy (16-6)
This story was originally published February 14, 2025 at 5:30 AM.