Tuesday’s girls’ rewind: No. 1 Lake Norman rolls past North Meck, back to quarterfinals
Entering the third round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs, the Lake Norman High girls’ basketball team had gone a perfect 17-0 at home.
It took a while for them to get rolling Tuesday night, but behind a trapping, full-court zone defense the Wildcats improved to 18-0 at home and 27-1 overall with a 69-45 win over North Mecklenburg.
The Vikings — who finished the season 25-4 — cut the lead to one point midway through the second period, but the relentless Wildcat defense eventually wore them down.
“It’s something so unconventional that people really don’t know how to prepare for our defense,” said Lake Norman coach McKenzie Graham, a graduate of the high school. “People ask me is at a zone, is it a man, but it’s kind of a secret. It’s our bread and butter.”
Rayana Mitchell scored 10 of her 18 points in the first half as the Wildcats jumped out to a 34-27 halftime advantage.
North Mecklenburg was able to cut the lead to four with 5:03 to play in the third quarter, but would not get closer as Lake Norman went a 30-6 run to push its lead to 64-41.
Kelsey Rhyne paced the Wilcatds with 29 points, 16 of which came in the second half. She made made four 3-point shots. Lenise Joseph, The Observer’s pick for Queen City conference player of the year, had 11 points and five blocks.
“We haven’t really had that many games where everyone is on the same page,” said Graham, coaching on her birthday. “But my guys are gamers and they want to come out and compete on the biggest stage.”
Quick links
Tuesday’s NCHSAA boys’ and girls’ playoff scores, quarterfinal schedule
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
Marvin Ridge 52, Hickory Ridge 34: The Mavericks (24-5) reached the Elite 8 for the first time in school history. Their coach, Steve Lenahan, earned his 100th victory at the school. The Mavericks travel to unbeaten McDowell in the quarterfinals.
McDowell 53, South Mecklenburg 27: Kensly Stewart scored 23 points, and the top-seeded Titans (29-0) remained undefeated. McDowell bolted to an 11-0 lead, but the Sabres battled back to within 18-12 on a Chloe Grant field goal. The Titans responded by going on a 9-2 run and never looked back. South Mecklenburg finished 25-5.
CLASS 3A
Jay M. Robinson 57, Hunter Huss 51: Robinson was down 41-37 heading into the fourth quarter but outscored Huss 20-10 in the final period to win and advance to Friday’s quarterfinals. Huss led 49-47 midway in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs made 10 free throws down the stretch and pulled away. Robinson (26-4) won its 18th straight game and advanced to the Elite 8 for the first time in school history. Huss ended its season at 18-8.
Stuart Cramer 65, Dudley 47: Oshauna Holland totaled 27 points, nine rebounds and four steals, as the top-seeded Storm (27-2) rolled on. Lauren Humphrey added 19 points. Stuart Cramer hosts Jay M. Robinson in the Elite 8 round.
CLASS 1A
Bishop McGuinness 74, Queen’s Grant Charter 56: Adelaide Jernigan scored 33 points, including seven 3-pointers, and the top-seeded Villains eliminated Queen’s Grant. The Stallions finished with a 22-5 record.
Cherokee 108, Christ the King 28: Defending state champion Cherokee was too much for the Crusaders, but Christ the King finished with a 22-7 record, setting a school mark for single-season victories.
Tuesday’s girls box scores
MARVIN RIDGE 52, HICKORY RIDGE 34
Hickory Ridge 9 5 13 7 — 34
Marvin Ridge 18 7 5 12 — 52
HICKORY RIDGE 34 — Gidney 13, Ritter 7. Johnson 6, Powell 6, Duley 2
MARVIN RIDGE 52 — Schindler 21, Chaddeton 10, Douglas 5, Sheridan 5, Haine 5, Briggs 3, Lenatan 3
Notable: Ma-Kaela Gidney led Hickory Ridge with 13 points, three assist and three steals. Makaila Ritter added seven points and Miranda Duley had 13 rebounds.
Records: Hickory Ridge 21-9 Marvin Ridge 24-5
This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 9:39 PM.