Tuesday’s boys’ rewind: Chambers outlasts Independence in NCHSAA playoffs. Next? Myers Park
Chambers High’s boys’ basketball team used a second half surge fueled by improved shooting to win 68-59 Tuesday at Independence and advance to the Western N.C. 4A semifinals.
Earlier on Tuesday, Chambers and Independence found out they would be facing Myers Park in the next round after top-seeded Lake Norman announced it was forced to forfeit its Tuesday home game against the Mustangs.
No. 13-seeded Chambers (22-8) will travel to No. 9 Myers Park on Friday for a berth in next week’s Western N.C. 4A championship game in Winston-Salem.
“We just kept calm,” said Chambers junior Tarris Bouie III, who scored a game-high 30 points to go with six rebounds, four steals and three assists. “We didn’t try to force shots. We were a little off there from 3 at the start then we played better, got easy buckets and started hitting 3s.”
Bouie, Markus Kerr (13 points, four rebounds), Malik McCotter (10), Zyon White (9) and Cameron Thompson (6) provided the Cougars’ offensive punch and allowed them to rally from three deficits of five points in the first half; they trailed 29-26 at halftime.
But when McCotter opened the second half with a tying 3-pointer, it sparked a 42-point second half that carried Chambers to its fourth straight Western N.C. 4A semifinal appearance.
“We moved without the basketball and we were able to make shots,” Chambers coach Brian Frashier said. “And a lot of guys stepped up, hit big shots for us and it took off from there.”
Independence trailed only once in the first half but after the Patriots fell behind 32-30 on Bouie’s 3-pointer with 6:25 left in the third quarter, they never led again, though the Patriots did pull even on three separate occasions.
THREE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE
Tarris Bouie III, Chambers: Junior forward scored 30 points by converting 12 of 17 field goals (two of five on 3-pointers) and four of eight free throws. He also had five slam dunks, including the game’s exclamation point in the closing seconds.
Lusemo Macharia, Independence: Sophomore forward scored a team-high 17 points with points in each quarter.
Daniel Waritay and Kaleb Jasper, Independence: Seniors closed out their careers with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
NOTABLE
▪ Independence coach Preston Davis’ team had success playing a matchup zone until Chambers took the lead and were able to coax the Patriots into a man-to-man defense late in the game. The Patriots finished their season with a 23-6 record and a second straight third-round playoff appearance.
▪ Chambers converted six of 11 3-pointers in the second half after making one of nine in the first half.
▪ The Cougars are in the playoffs for the 21st season in school history and have 40-19 overall record, one state title (2003) and 10 years with two or more playoff wins including the last four seasons.
THEY SAID IT
“It makes me feel good. The crowd gets all lit.” — Chambers junior Tarris Bouie III on his slam dunks.
Quick links
Tuesday’s NCHSAA boys’ and girls’ playoff scores, quarterfinal schedule
Girls’ rewind: Lake Norman girls roll to Elite 8: photos, reaction
Lake Norman self-reports ineligible player, abruptly ends season
Sources: NCISAA mulling major membership changes
How Independence High’s Kaleb Jasper pushed Patriots to third round
Tuesday’s roundup
CLASS 4A
North Mecklenburg 94, Weddington 57: North Mecklenburg, the reigning N.C. 4A state champion, jumped on Weddington early and never let up. The Vikings led 27-16 after the first quarter and 55-30 at halftime. Ashton Pierce (29 points), Carson Evans (15), Chadlyn Traylor (13) and Greg Murray (11) paced North Meck, which will host Watauga in Friday’s regional semifinal.
CLASS 3A
Ashbrook 65, Central Davidson 44: The Green Wave set up a quarterfinal match with crosstown rival Hunter Huss, building a big halftime lead and trouncing Central Davidson. Ashbrook (26-3) led 39-16 at the half. Issac Byers Jr. scored 23 points, including nine straight in the second quarter, and Jamarion Patton added 17.
Hunter Huss 74, High Point Central 47: The 12th-seeded Huskies advanced to the Elite 8 and a game against Gastonia city rival Ashbrook. Freshman Jaleel Smith scored 19 points, sophomore Zii Phillips had 18 rebounds and seven assists, and junior Antonio Worthy scored 18 points.
CLASS 2A
Reidsville 50, Monroe 36: Monroe’s hopes of winning the football and boys’ basketball state championships in the same academic year came to an end against the No. 1-seeded Rams. Monroe trailed only 23-18 at the half, but Reidsville outscored the Red Hawks 18-3 in the third quarter.
Lincoln Charter 76, North Surry 45: The Eagles advanced to the state quarterfinals, building a 41-14 halftime lead and coasting to victory. Lincoln Charter will host Bandys on Friday night.
Salisbury 67, Lincolnton 59: Lincolnton took a 56-55 lead with three minutes lefrt on a Tyler McClain free throw, but the Hornets went on an 11-0 run and ended the Wolves’ season.
CLASS 1A
Queen’s Grant 90, East Wilkes 52: Queen’s Grant (26-7) advanced to the 1A Elite 8, getting 14 points from Mekhi Allen and Ian Howard, 13 from Bobby Montgomery and Preston Scott plus 12 from Chase Smith. Queen’s Grant, from Mint Hill, and Charlotte’s Corvian Community are in the regional semifinals.
Corvian Community 66, Carolina International 54: The Cardinals advanced to a quarterfinal game Friday at top-seeded Bishop McGuinness, thanks to 23 points and 11 rebounds from Ricky Moore Jr. Andre Jackson Jr. had 10 assists for Corvian (22-7). Carolina International finished 22-9.
Tuesday’s box scores
CHAMBERS 68, INDEPENDENCE 59
Chambers 15 11 27 15 — 68
Independence 18 11 18 12 — 59
CHAMBERS 68 — Tarris Bouie 30, Markus Kerr 13, Malik McCotter 10, White 9, Thompson 6,
INDEPENDENCE 59 — Lusemo Macharia 17, Daniel Waritay 13, Kaleb Jasper 12, Lee 7, Neely 4, Burgess 3, Barnes 3
Records: Chambers 22-8; Independence 23-6
CORVIAN COMMUNITY 66, CAROLINA INTERNATIONAL 54
Corvian 8 18 18 22 — 66
Carolina International 11 10 15 18 — 54
CAROLINA INTERNATIONAL 54 — Leak 4, Kendall Salter 11, Landon Griffin 13, KJ Shouse 13, Josiah Bridges 10, Gerringer 3
CORVIAN 66 — Ricky Moore Jr 25, Malachi McCutcheon 16, DeMarkus Milton 12, Johnson 2, Kirkwood 4, Rucks 5, Jackson 2
Notable: Corvian guard Ricky Moore Jr had 23 points, 11 rebounds. Andre Jackson Jr had 10 assist. Corvian got defensive ball pressure from senior guards Donovan Kirkwood, Josiah Rucks, DeMarkus Milton and Cam Johnson, which was key to winning the game.
NORTH MECKLENBURG 94, WEDDINGTON 57
Wedington 16 14 13 14 — 57
North Mecklenburg 27 28 12 27 — 94
WEDDINGTON 57 — KJ Younger 16, Mason Zepp 15, Naaji 7, Vaughn 7, Ford 6, Jefferson 5, Vick 1
NORTH MECKLENBURG 29 — Ashton Pierce 29, Carson Evans 15, Chadlyn Traylor 13, Greg Murray 11, Williams 8, Young 4, Davis 4, White 4, Lewandowski 3, Matthews 3
QUEEN’S GRANT 90, EAST WILKES 52
Queen’s Grant 28 29 25 8 — 90
East Wilkes 14 16 13 9 — 52
QUEENS GRANT 90 — Mekhi Allen 14, Chase Smith 12, Bobby Montgomery 13, Ian Howard 14, Preston Scott 13, DeBerry 1, Geronimo Clark 10, Richardson 3, Smith 3, Shamberger 2, Moncrieffe 2, Honeycutt 3
EAST WILKES 52 — Dobbins 4, Blackburn 8, Lambert 4, Andrew Thorpe 13, Hatley 5, Shore 4, Jordon Dobson 14
Records: Queens Grant 26-7
This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 10:58 PM.
