Girls’ rewind: Led by juniors, No. 8 Mallard Creek routs Harding in conference opener
Mallard Creek’s girls basketball team, No. 8 in the latest Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 poll, rolled past Harding in the opening round of the Queen City 3A/4A conference tournament Monday in Huntersville.
The Mavericks got sterling performances from juniors My’Asia Young and Kiara Anderson and routed Harding 81-29.
Mallard Creek (22-3) led 24-11 after the first quarter and allowed Harding (3-14) just 18 total points after that.
Anderson finished with 38 points and Young had 19 points, six rebounds, four steals and a block.
The Mavericks will play in the semifinals at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Chambers High against either Hough or Hopewell.
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Monday’s #BIG5 top performers
Kiara Anderson, Mallard Creek: Anderson helped Mallard Creek to an 81-29 win over Harding in the first round of the Queen City conference tournament. She had 38 points, 12 steals, six assists and three rebounds.
Emma Fuller, Providence: In a 48-32 win over Independence in the first round of the Southwestern 4A tournament, Fuller had a triple-double: 15 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks.
Maggie Kernodle, Charlotte Catholic: Cougars star had a team-high 15 points in a 69-20 win over Garinger in the first round of the Southwestern 4A tournament.
Myajah Nix, Central Cabarrus: Nix had a team-high 20 points as Central, the No. 5 seed in the South Piedmont 3A, upset No. 4 seed Lake Norman Charter 62-51 in the first round of the conference tournament.
Taniyah Thomas, East Lincoln: In a 72-35 win over Statesville, Thomas had 22 points, seven steals, five rebounds and two assists.
Rosters announced for the Carolinas Classic
Three Observer-area girls and four boys were named to the 2025 Carolinas Classic all-star basketball roster. The N.C. team will face a team of S.C. stars March 22 at Wilmington’s Hoggard High.
On the girls’ team are Mallard Creek’s Elle Stone, Lake Norman’s Samantha Shehan and Bessemer City’s Tionna Pettus.
The boys’ roster includes Lake Norman’s Tre McKinnon and Trent Steinour along with North Meck’s Chadlyn Traylor and Weddington’s K.J. Younger
GIRLS ROSTER: Amari Baldwin, Albemarle; Caitlyn Jones, Rolesville; Jasmine Nivar, Apex Friendship; Tionna Pettus, Bessemer City; Kate Sears, Watauga; Samantha Shehan, Lake Norman; Taniya Simms, Fairmont; Braelyn Stillwell, East Burke; Elle Stone, Mallard Creek; Gabby White, Seaforth
BOYS ROSTER: Jacari Brim, West Forsyth; Issac Ericksen, Green Level; Andrew Grimes, Clayton; Will James Jr., Clayton; Will James Jr., Holly Springs; Jackson Keith, Southern Durham; Tre McKinnon, Lake Norman; Trent Steinour, Lake Norman; Chadlyn Traylor, North Mecklenburg; Chase Williams, West Bladen; K.J. Younger, Weddington
Monday’s capsules
(tournament seedings listed with each team)
QUEEN CITY 3A-4A quarterfinals
No. 1 North Mecklenburg 70, No. 8 West Mecklenburg 5: Four Vikings scored 10 points — Stephanie Mobley, Ashlynn Wilson, Kameron Smith and Shannon Hoover.
No. 2 Mallard Creek 81, No. 7 Harding 29: Kiara Alexander dominated this game, with 38 points and 12 steals. My’Asia Young added 19 points, and Mallard Creek totaled 32 steals.
SOUTHWESTERN 4A quarterfinals
No. 2 Charlotte Catholic 69, No. 7 Garinger 20: Maggie Kernodle led the Cougars with 15 points.
No. 3 Providence 48, No. 6 Independence 32: Freshman Emma Fuller had a triple double for the Panthers, with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks.
GREATER METRO 4A quarterfinals
No. 2 Hickory Ridge 76, No. 7 A.L. Brown 18: Amya Leathers had 15 points and seven assists, and Makaira Ritter also scored 15 points in the Ragin’ Bulls’ romp.
SOUTH PIEDMONT 3A quarterfinals
No. 1 Jay M. Robinson 64, No. 8 South Rowan 21: Camri Hobbs had another big games, with 23 points, four steals and three blocks. She shot 11-of-11 from the floor.
No. 5 Central Cabarrus 62, No. 4 Lake Norman Charter 51: My’Ajah Nix scored 20 points as the Vikings pulled a minor upset. Courtney Abbey had a game-high 22 for Lake Norman Charter.
WESTERN FOOTHILLS 3A quarterfinals
No. 2 East Lincoln 72, No. 7 Statesville 35: Taniyah Thomas led the Mustangs with 22 points, 7 steals and five rebounds. Lane Pethel had her 10th double-double of the season, with 17 points and 16 rebounds.
CATAWBA SHORES 1A-2A quarterfinals
No. 2 Christ the King 48, No. 7 Corvian Community 15: Claire Broda (11 points) and Audrey Gorman (10) led the Crusaders.
YADKIN VALLEY 1A-2A quarterfinal
No. 3 Mount Pleasant 53, No. 6 Gray Stone Day 23: The Tigers completed a three-game sweep of Gray Stone Day for the season.
Monday’s girls’ box scores
NO. 2 NORTH MECKLENBURG 70, WEST MECKLENBURG 5
North Meck 25 17 16 12 — 70
West Meck: 1 0 4 0 — 5
NORTH MECK 70 — Stephanie Mobley 10, Ashlynn Wilson 10, Kameron Smith 10, Shanon Hoover 10, Joesph 8, Coyour 6, Johnson 6, Know 4, Blake 4
WEST MECK 5 — Witherspoon 4, White 1
Notable: North Meck advances to Queen City semifinals at Chambers Tuesday against either West Charlotte or Chambers.
NO. 8 MALLARD CREEK 81, HARDING 29
Mallard Creek 24 24 25 8 — 81
Harding 11 7 8 3 — 29
MALLARD CREEK 81 — My’Asia Young 19, Kiara Anderson 38, Robertson 9, Tendall 6, Easterling 4, Smith 2, Brock 2
HARDING 29 — Bethany O 7, Egypt 6, Da’myia 11, Tamaya 2
Notable: Mallard Creek junior My’Asia Young finished with 19 points, six rebounds, four steals and a block. Junior PG Kiara Anderson had 38 points, six assists, three rebounds and 12 steals.
Records: Mallard Creek 22-3 overall, League 13-1 Conference Tournament 1-0
NO. 9 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 69, GARINGER 20
Charlotte Catholic 20 22 19 15 — 69
East Meck 3 6 7 4 — 20
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 69 — Maggie Kernodle 15, Shea 8, D.Lupinski 8, Dumler 8, Maino 6, Farrell 5, Bier 4, Tucker 4, L.Lupinski 4, Williams 3, Hoefling 2, Fey 2,
GARINGER 20 — Patterson 8, Garvin 7, McGill 4, Marcano 1
Records: CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 16-9 ; GARINGER 3-20
NO. 11 HICKORY RIDGE 76, AL BROWN 18
AL Brown 2 3 5 8 — 18
Hickory Ridge 34 14 12 8 — 76
AL BROWN 18 — Z. Gray 6, L. Gray 5, Cook 3, Honeycutt 2, Yow 2
HICKORY RIDGE 76 — Leathers 15, Ritter 15, Gidney 14, Juarez 7, Johnson 7, Powell 6, Karriker 4, Duley, 4, Pompei 2, Watkins 2
Records: AL Brown 4-21; Hickory Ridge 18-7
CENTRAL CABARRUS 62, LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 51
Central Cabarrus 12 13 17 20 — 62
Lake Norman Charter 15 9 14 14 — 51
CENTRAL CABARRUS 62 — Myajah Nix 20, Jahnae Duncan 12, Daniyah Burton 13, Blanchard 7, Arévalo 5, Estrada Hill 4, Pickett 1
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 51 — Courtney Abbey 22, Reece Long 14, Colotonia 9
EAST LINCOLN 72, STATESVILLE 35
Statesville 8 12 7 8 — 35
East Lincoln 24 13 17 18 —72
STATESVILLE 35 — TanDriyana Allison 12, C. Ward 6, S. Anderson 6, A. Graham 4, J. Glover 3, S. McCall 2, A. Waugh 2
EAST LINCOLN 72 — Taniyah Thomas 22, Lane Pethel 17, Emma Montanari 10, M. Matz 9, H. Ledford 7 M. Arndt 3, S. Dann 3, R. Farr 1
Noteables: East Lincoln got big games from Lane Pethel (10th double-double of season, 17 points, 16 rebounds), Taniyah Thomas (22 points, seven steals, five rebounds, two assists) and Emma Montanari (10 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals, three blocks)
Records: Statesville 8-16; East Lincoln (20-5, will play Foard/St. Stephens winner in Tuesday’s semifinal at East Lincoln, 6 p.m.
PROVIDENCE 48 INDEPENDENCE 32
Providence 15 14 11 11 — 48
Independence 8 2 11 11 — 32
PROVIDENCE 48 — Avery Detenber 3, Anna Fillnow 16, Elliott Stafford 2, Zamiyah Brooks 2, Emma Fuller 15, Marleee Whitten 4, Julia Skinner 3, Claire Page 3
INDY 32— K.Brown 9, Z. Gilmore 2, G. Nepay 13, T. Dickerson 4, C. Green 4
Records: Providence 11-14; Independence 1-24
Notable: Providence’s Marlee Whitten had 10 rebounds
WEST CABARRUS 55, MOORESVILLE 41
West Cabarrus 19 12 8 16 — 55
Mooresville 7 10 16 8 — 41
WEST CABARRUS 55 — Zoey Neal 16, Aubrey Silas 12, Jillian Simmons 11, London Griffin 10, White 6
MOORESVILLE 41 — Lilly Rumrill 15, Crum 9, Wise-Smith 3, Straub 7, Mckee 7
Monday’s results/schedule
Queen City 3A/4A
MONDAY
(girls’ quarterfinals)
(at Hough High)
No. 1 North Mecklenburg 70, No. 8 West Mecklenburg 5
No. 2 Mallard Creek 81, No. 7 Harding 29
No. 3 Hough 70, No. 6 Hopewell 31
No. 4 West Charlotte d. No. 5 Chambers, score NA
TUESDAY
(at Chambers)
(girls’ semifinals)
No. 1 North Mecklenburg (22-2) vs. West Charlotte (16-7), 3:30 p.m.
No. 2 Mallard Creek (22-3) vs. No. 3 Hough (19-6), 5 p.m.
FRIDAY
(championships)
girls semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
SoMeck 4A
(at Myers Park)
TUESDAY
(girls’ quarterfinals)
No. 3 South Mecklenburg (20-4) vs. No. 6 Berry Academy (7-14), 4 p.m. (Gym 2)
No. 2 Myers Park (12-12) vs. No. 7 Ballantyne Ridge (4-20), 4:30 p.m. (Gym 1)
No. 4 Palisades (10-14) vs. No. 5 Olympic (8-16), 5:30 p.m. (Gym 2)
THURSDAY
(girls’ semifinals)
South Mecklenburg/Berry Academy winner vs. Myers Park/Ballantyne Ridge, 5:30 p.m. (Gym 2)
No. 1 Ardrey Kell (16-8) vs. Palisades/Olympic winner, 6 p.m. (Gym 1)
FRIDAY
Girls’ final, 6 p.m. (Gym 1)
Southwestern 4A
(all games at Charlotte Catholic)
MONDAY
(girls quarterfinals)
Butler, bye
No. 2 Charlotte Catholic 69, No. 7 Garinger 20
No. 3 Providence 48, No. 6 Independence 32
No. 4 Rocky River 69, No. 5 East Mecklenburg 37
THURSDAY
(girls semifinals)
No. 1 Butler (21-2) vs. No. 4 Rocky River (13-7), 3:30 p.m.
No. 2 Charlotte Catholic (16-9) vs. No. 3 Providence (11-14), 6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
(championship)
girls semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
Greater Metro 4A
MONDAY
(girls quarterfinals)
No. 1 Lake Norman, bye
No. 2 Hickory Ridge 76, AL Brown 18
No. 3 Cox Mill 46, South Iredell 27
No. 5 West Cabarrus 55, No. 4 Mooresville 41
TUESDAY
(semifinals)
(at Lake Norman)
(girls) No. 1 Lake Norman (22-1) vs. No. 5 West Cabarrus (12-12), 6
(at Cox Mill)
(girls) No. 3 Cox Mill (11-14) vs. No. 2 Hickory Ridge (18-7), 6
FRIDAY
(girls championship at Cox Mill)
semifinals winners, 6
Southern Carolina 4A
(at Sun Valley)
TUESDAY
(girls semifinals)
No. 1 Marvin Ridge (19-5) vs. No. 4 Cuthbertson (4-14), 4
No. 2 Weddington (15-8) vs. No. 3 Porter Ridge (16-7), 7
FRIDAY
Girls’ final, 6 p.m.
Big South 3A
TUESDAY
(girls semifinals)
No. 4 Ashbrook (11-11) at No. 1 Stuart Cramer (22-2), 6
No. 3 South Point (17-6) at No. 2 Hunter Huss (16-6), 6
THURSDAY
(girls championship)
(at Stuart Cramer)
Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
South Piedmont 3A
MONDAY
(girls’ quarterfinals)
No. 1 Jay M. Robinson 64, No. 8 South Rowan 23
No. 2 Northwest Cabarrus 52, No. 7 Carson 31
No. 3 East Rowan 72, No. 6 Concord 32
No. 5 Central Cabarrus 62, No. 4 Lake Norman Charter 51
TUESDAY
(semifinals)
(at Jay M. Robinson)
(girls) No. 1 Jay M. Robinson (21-4) vs. No. 5 Central Cabarrus (14-14), 6 p.m.
(at Concord)
(girls) No. 2 Northwest Cabarrus (20-4) vs. No. 3 East Rowan (20-5), 6 p.m.
FRIDAY
(at Concord)
girls’ final, 6 p.m.
Western Foothills 3A
MONDAY
(girls quarterfinals)
No. 1 North Lincoln 73, West Iredell 15
No. 2 East Lincoln 72, No. 7 Statesville 35
No. 3 Fred T. Foard 50, No. 6 St. Stephens 45
No. 4 North Iredell 40, Hickory 38
TUESDAY
(girls semifinals, at higher seed)
No. 4 North Iredell (17-8) at No. 1 North Lincoln (23-1), 6 p.m.
Fred T. Foard (15-10) at No. 2 East Lincoln (20-5), 6 p.m.
THURSDAY
(championships at Statesville)
girls semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
Catawba Valley 2A
MONDAY
(girls’ quarterfinals)
No. 1 East Burke 80, West Lincoln 15
No. 2 Maiden 65, West Caldwell 30
No. 3 Newton-Conover 68, Bunker Hill 37
No. 4 Bandys 71, No. 5 Lincolnton 50
TUESDAY
(girls semifinals at higher seed)
No. 4 Bandys (16-7) at No. 1 East Burke (24-1), 7 p.m.
No. 3 Newton-Conover at No. 2 Maiden (21-4), 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
(championship, site TBD)
girls’ semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
Catawba Shores 1A/2A
(quarterfinals at campus sites; semifinals and finals at Christ the King)
MONDAY
(girls’ quarterfinals)
No. 2 Christ The King 48, Corvian Community 16
No. 3 Community School of Davidson 64, Pine Lake Prep 35
No. 5 Mountain Island Charter 43, No. 4 Bradford Prep 34
TUESDAY
(semifinals)
(girls) No. 1 Lincoln Charter (17-6) vs. No. 5 Mountain Island Charter (10-11), 4 p.m.
(girls) No. 2 Christ the King (19-5) vs. No. 3 Community School of Davidson (17-7), 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
girls’ final, 6 p.m.
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
MONDAY
(quarterfinals)
No. 4 Bessemer City 66, No. 5 Cherryville 29
No. 2 Shelby 64, No. 7 East Gaston 30
No. 3 Burns 57, No. 6 Highland Tech 44
TUESDAY
(semifinals)
No. 4 Bessemer City (14-11) at No. 1 Thomas Jefferson Academy (17-6), 6 p.m.
No. 3 Burns (18-6) at No. 2 Shelby (17-7), 6 P.M.
FRIDAY
(championship; site TBA)
semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
(quarterfinals at campus sites; semifinals and finals at Mount Pleasant)
MONDAY
(girls quarterfinals)
No. 3 Mount Pleasant 53, Gray Stone Day 23
No. 4 North Stanly 33, South Stanly 21
TUESDAY
(semifinals)
(girls) No. 1 Albemarle (20-4) vs. No. 4 North Stanly (13-11), 3:30 p.m.
(girls) No. 2 Union Academy (20-1) vs. No. 3 Mount Pleasant (14-10), 6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
girls’ final, 6 p.m.
Metro 1A
TUESDAY
(quarterfinals)
No. 5 Valor Prep (3-17) at No. 4 Sugar Creek Charter (9-13), 5:30 p.m.
No. 6 Carolina International (0-16) at No. 3 Piedmont Community Charter (13-9), 6 p.m.
THURSDAY
(semifinals)
Valor Prep/Sugar Creek Charter winner at No. 1 Queen’s Grant Charter (18-4), 6 p.m.
Carolina International/Piedmont Community winner at No. 2 Jackson Day (18-9), 6 p.m.
FRIDAY
(at Jackson Day)
Girls’ finals, 6 p.m.
NCISAA girls state tournament
CLASS 4A
Tuesday’s semifinals
Rabun Gap School (16-11) at Cannon School (24-7), 6 p.m.
Providence Day (25-7) at High Point Wesleyan (24-6), 5:30 p.m.
CLASS 3A
Tuesday’s semifinals
Asheville School (20-4) at Sanford Grace Christian (20-4), 5:30 p.m.
Greensboro Day (20-4) at Concord Academy (25-6), 5 p.m.
CLASS 2A
Tuesday’s semifinals
Freedom Christian (15-8) at Rocky Mount Academy (20-0), 5:30 p.m.
Trinity Christian (15-5) at Caldwell Academy (11-5), 6 p.m.
CLASS 1A
Tuesday’s semifinals
Crossroads Christian (14-2) at Lawrence Academy (17-6), 6 p.m.
Ridgecroft School (16-6) at Victory Christian (12-9), 5:30 p.m.
This story was originally published February 17, 2025 at 9:26 PM.
