Tuesday’s girls’ rewind: No. 15 Hickory Ridge rolls past Independence in season opener
Hickory Ridge, No. 15 in The Observer’s Sweet 16, has a huge game Friday at rival and reigning state champion Lake Norman.
But the Ragin’ Bulls didn’t get caught looking ahead in Tuesday’s season opener.
Hickory Ridge was sharp from the start in a 71-6 win over Independence.
Makaila Ritter (16 points, six steals), Miranda Duley (16 points, five rebounds), Aubrey Cranford (15 points, three assists), Ma-kaela Gidney (nine points, seven steals) and Ahna Johnson (seven points, six steals) led Hickory Ridge. Independence was held scoreless until late in the first quarter and without a field goal until the fourth quarter.
Tuesday’s #BIG5 girls’ top performers
Myajah Nix, Central Cabarrus: In a 55-22 season-opening win over Concord, Nix had 26 points, 14 rebounds and four steals.
Makaila Ritter, Hickory Ridge: She finished with 16 points and six steals in a 71-6 win over Independence.
Jazmeen Stone, Mallard Creek: In the night’s marquee game, No. 3 Mallard Creek beat No. 4 Marvin Ridge 48-33. Stone had 18 points, five rebounds.
Summer Thomason, Myers Park: In a 46-21 win over Chambers, Thomason had 17 points, nine rebounds and two steals.
Autumn Washington, Ardrey Kell: Washington had a game-high 19 points in a 59-44 win over Cuthbertson.
Tuesday’s girls’ box scores
NO. 1 CANNON SCHOOL 70, CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 43
Cannon School 12 20 20 18 — 70
Charlotte Catholic 8 6 13 15 — 43
CANNON SCHOOL 70 — Jakaila Gaskin 12, Crowder 8, Love 4, M. Larkins 6, Truesdale 4, Nakamura 6, Brooke Busby 12, Ndubueze 4, Jaiden Thompson 14
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 43 — Shea 18, Lupinski 1, Pisacano 18, L. lupinski 2, Dumler 3
Records: Cannon 3-2; Charlotte Catholic 0-1
NO. 3 MALLARD CREEK 48, NO. 4 MARVIN RIDGE 33
Marvin Ridge 11 11 6 5 — 33
Mallard Creek 7 10 19 12 — 48
MARVIN RIDGE 33 — Haley Lenahan 21, Emma Stewart 5, Kate Schindler 4
MALLARD CREEK 48 — Jazmeen Stone 16, Kiara Anderson 11, Young 6, Hobbs 4, McGuire 6, Faison 2, Campbell 2, Tendall 1
Records: Marvin Ridge 0-1; Mallard Creek 2-0 Notable: Haley Lenahan knocked down six three pointers for Marvin Ridge.
NO. 5 LAKE NORMAN 88, PINE LAKE PREP 13
Lake Norman 32 29 15 12 — 88
Pine Lake Prep 4 4 3 2 — 13
LAKE NORMAN 88 — Kelsey Rhyne 18, Kaiya Bond 13, Jai’Lynn Wilcox 13, Finley Sherrill 10, Rayana Minard 8, Jeta North 8, Aaliyah Peace 6, Kaylee Ellis 4, Mia Castoria 4, Ellie Smith 2, Sophie Stoller 2
PINE LAKE PREP 13 — M Beaver 5, S Chilton 4, T Schmedes 2, A Cuesta 2 Records: Lake Norman 1-0; Pine Lake 0-1
NO. 6 PROVIDENCE DAY 47, NO. 8 CONCORD ACADEMY 35
Providence Day 12 15 10 10 — 47
Concord Academy 8 5 9 13 — 35
PROVIDENCE DAY 47 — Julia O’Malley 13 Ginny Anne Dumont 10 McClure 5 Colaizzi 1 UpDyke 5 Clark 4 Ramsden 9
CONCORD ACADEMY 35 — Jala Powell 12 McDermott 6 Hicks 4 Collins 2 Fomond 7 Smith 4 Record: PDS 2-0
NO. 10 ARDREY KELL 59, CUTHBERTSON 44
Ardrey Kell 11 15 17 16 — 59
Cuthbertson 4 6 17 17 — 44
ARDREY KELL 59 — Autumn Washington 19, Layla Mapp 14, Kent 5, Keenan 4, Hairston 4, Shelton 4, Veal 3, Adarkwah 3, Flynn 2, Turner 2
CUTHBERTSON 44 — Mandy 22, Amayah 5, Ava 6, Johnson 4, Ella 2
GASTON CHRISTIAN 56, NO. 14 VICTORY CHRISTIAN 52
Victory 14 7 14 14 — 52
Gaston Christian 20 14 12 10 — 56
VICTORY 52 — Aylin Villarreal 24, Erika Fernanda Ramos 11
Notable: Victory’sA ylin Villarreal had a career-high 24 points. Fernanda Ramos had a season-high 11.
Record: Victory 0-6
NO. 15 HICKORY RIDGE 71, INDEPENDENCE 6
Independence 1 0 3 2 — 6 Hickory Ridge 23 23 11 14 — 71 INDEPENDENCE 6 — Lear 1, Robinson 1, Gabrielle Green 4
HICKORY RIDGE 71 — Aubrey Cranford 15, Pompei 8, Gidney 9, Makaila Ritter 16, Johnson 7, Miranda Duley 16.
NO. 16 MYERS PARK 46, CHAMBERS 21
Myers Park 12 11 12 11 — 46
Chambers 5 6 3 7 — 21
MYERS PARK 46 — Summer Thomason 17, Barner 16, Shaw 7, Reich 3, Willette 2, Christian 1, Porter 1
CHAMBERS 21 — Amyia Martin 6, Grover 5, Troutman 5, Moore 2, Sherill 2, Cuthberton 1 Records: Myers Park 1-0; Chambers 0-1
Notable: Summer Thomason 17p 9r 2s, Amani Barner 16pt 6r 6s 3a
CENTRAL CABARRUS 55, CONCORD 22
Central: 19 13 19 4 — 55
Concord: 4 6 3 9 — 22
CENTRAL CABARRUS 55 — Myajah Nix 26, Duncan 8, Moss 7, Rouse 5, Pickett 3, Arévalo 4 Efrid 2
CONCORD 22 — Tayrn Blue 17, Taylor 5
Notable: Central Cabarrus got 26 points, 14 rebounds and four steals from Myajah Nix. Central (1-0) plays Mount Pleasant Saturday at the CabCo Classic at Cox Mill (full schedule below)
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 43, SOUTH CHARLOTTE 32
Country Day 14 12 13 4 — 43
South Charlotte 2 14 7 9 — 32
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 43 — Layla Hill 12, Malina Bharti 10, Starnes 8, Liles 8, Turner 5
SOUTH CHARLOTTE 32 — Maibella Atchinson 16, Ashlyn Tallent 10, Gydney 5, Atchinson 1
Records: Country Day 1-1
CHARLOTTE LATIN 59, WEST STANLY 16
Charlotte Latin 25 19 11 4 — 59
West Stanly 2 7 3 4 — 16
CHARLOTTE LATIN 59 — Charlotte Tune 16, Lanie Edwards 14, Mollie Snyder 13, Claire Martin 10, Burns 2, Hutchinson 2, Amin 2
WEST STANLY 16 — Scarlet 4, Kennedy 4, Madi 4, Lizzie 4
GASTON DAY 47, CARMEL CHRISTIAN 33
Gaston Day 8 7 12 18 — 47
Carmel Christian 9 9 15 0 — 33
GASTON DAY 47 — Paula Mattern 25, McKenna Brown 11, Lauren Basanez, Chaney Thompson 2
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 33 — Krause 19, Miller 8, Campbell 4, Stewart 2 Records: Gaston Day 5-0, Carmel 0-3 Notable: The Spartans charged back from down 10 in the third quarter holding Carmel Christian scoreless in the fouth to win a hard fought road battle. Gaston Day is 5-0 for the first time since 2008-2009 when head coach Lulu Brase was a senior on the team which finished in the state semifinals.
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 56, MOUNT PLEASANT 39
Lake Norman Charter 18 13 21 4 — 56
Mount Pleasant 8 10 13 8 — 39
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 56 — Reece Long 24, Callie Genece 18, Abby Courtney 7, Maggie Kurz 4, Sam Colantonio 2, Corynn Keck 1
MOUNT PLEASANT 39 — Clutter 24, Buris 6, Slagle 3, Ouesbay 2, Ray 2, Allred 2 Records: LNC 1-0; Mount Pleasant 0-1
NORTH LINCOLN 66, LINCOLN CHARTER 29
Lincoln Charter 5 7 8 9 — 29
North Lincoln 14 16 25 11 — 66
LINCOLN CHARTER 29 — Claire David 08, Taylor Riggenbach 07, Martha Guinle 07, Cami David 04, Lillie Merrill 03
N. LINCOLN 66 — R. Burch 16, L. Cipriano 12, A. Pruitt 12, A. Black 11, L. Torbyfil 2, A. Grice 1, M. Black 1
Records LCHS 0-1, N. Lincolnton 1-0 Notes: LCHS falls in their season opener to a tough N. Lincolnton team. Claire David lead the lady Eagles with 8 points. Her teammates, Taylor Riggenbach and Martha Guinle add 7 points a piece. LCHS next game will be their first home game this season on Dec. 3rd.
PROVIDENCE 68, HARDING 40
Providence 19 15 17 15 — 68
Harding 2 8 14 16— 40
PROVIDENCE 50 — J. Skinner 6, M.Whitten 2, E. Fuller 11, A.Fillow 23, A.Detenber 15, E.Stafford 8, C.Broadway 3
HARDING 40 — A.Eucett 2, G. Kelly 21, D. Garris 17
Records: Providence 1-1; Harding 0-2
Notes: Emma Fuller records a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks, Julia Skinner had five assists and four steals. Anna Fillnow has six steals, E.Stafford had four rebounds.
WEST CABARRUS 57, SHELBY 48
West Cabarrus 12 17 13 15 — 57
Shelby 11 12 16 9 — 48
WEST CABARRUS 57 — Aubrey Silas 28, Jillian Simmons 13, White 7, Griffin 4, Hayes 2, Parks 2, Ocazio 1
SHELBY 48 — Da’Mani French 16, Dereon Kee 14, Bre Mcentire 12, McNeil 4, Tate 2, Notable: West Cabarrus is 1-0 on the season and will return to action on Thursday as they play host to Butler at 6 pm.
Monday’s girls’ box score
WEST CHARLOTTE 63, ROCKY RIVER 42
Rocky River 15 11 6 9 — 42
West Charlotte 15 11 21 16 — 63
ROCKY RIVER 42 — B.McCakill 2, R.Spears 3 , Lundyn Spears 14 , J.Foust 1 , Jade Bell 19 , K.Reeves 3.
WEST CHARLOTTE 63 — Zharia Fox 9, Kenya Grier 10 , Paris Reaves 21 , M.Huey 2 , H.McCleod 3 , D.Alexander 4 , A.Gray 3 , B.Moultrie 6, S.Grimes 5.
The full schedule
(Unless otherwise noted, all matchups are girls-boys doubleheaders, with girls’ games at 6 p.m. and boys’ games following)
Wednesday
Mecklenburg nonconference
Jackson Day at Langtree Charter
Lake Norman Charter at Weddington (boys only), 6 pm.
Statesville at Lake Norman Charter (girls only), 6 p.m.
Area nonconference
Ashbrook at Bessemer City (girls only), 6 p.m..
North Gaston at Cherryville
Porter Ridge at Forest Hills
Sun Valley at Parkwood (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Union Academy at Uwharrie Charter (girls, 6:30 p.m.; boys, 8 p.m..)
Thursday
Steve Smith Classic
(at West Mecklenburg)
Yng Dreamerz vs. High Point Wesleyan (boys), 6 p.m.
Ambassador Christian vs. Corvian Community (boys), 6:30 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
Davidson Day vs. Oak Hill, VA (boys), 8 p.m.
Rocky River vs. Chambers (girls), 8:30 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
Mecklenburg nonconference
Bonnie Cone Leadership at N.C. School of Science & Math/Morganton (girls, 5:30 p.m; boys, 7 p.m.)
Butler at West Cabarrus
Cabarrus Stallions at Charlotte Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Community School of Davidson at Mooresville (girls only), 6 p.m.
Covenant Day at Ambassador Christian (girls only), 5:30 p.m.
High Point Wesleyan at Carmel Christian (boys only), 7 p.m.‘
Pine Lake Prep at Independence (girls only), 6 p.m.
Metrolina Christian at Charlotte Latin (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
West Charlotte at Gasringer (girls only), 6 p.m.
Area nonconference
Arborbrook Christian at Grace Christian (boys only), 5:30 p.m.
Burns at South Point
Maiden at Forestview
Mount Pleasant at Concord
Mountain Island Charter at North Hills Christian (girls only), 5 p.m.
Northwest Cabarrus at A.L. Brown
Spartanburg Day at Gaston Day (girls only), 6 p.m.
Tabernacle Christian at Statesville Christian (girls only), 5:15 p.m.
Walnut Grove Christian at Gaston Day (boys only), 7 p.m.
Westminster Catawba at First Presbyterian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Friday
George Lynch Invitational
(at Myers Park High)
(boys) New Hanover vs. Harrells Christian, 5 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
(girls) Myers Park vs. Queens Grant Charter, 5 p.m.
(boys) Moravian Prep vs. Academy of Central Florida, 6:30 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
(boys) Providence Day vs. Christ School, 6:30 p.m.
(boys) Tennessee Collegiate vs. Combine Academy, 8 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
(boys) Myers Park vs. Davidson Day, 8 p.m.
Steve Smith Classic (boys)
(at Garinger High)
Garinger vs. Rocky River, 6 p.m.
Ambassador Christian vs. Oak Hill (VA), 8 p.m.
Mecklenburg nonconference
Arborbrook Christian at Jackson Day (boys only), 5:30 p.m.
Ardrey Kell at Marvin Ridge
Ashbrook at Berry Academy
Charlotte Country Day at Forsyth Country Day (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Charlotte Latin at Charlotte Catholic
Community School of Davidson at West Rowan
East Mecklenburg at South Mecklenburg
Harding at West Mecklenburg
Hickory Grove Christian at Coastal Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Hough at Lincolnton
Independence at Cuthbertson (girls only), 6 p.m.
Jay M. Robinson at Olympic
Mooresville at Christ the King (girls only), 6 p.m.
Palisades at Chambers
Parkwood at Ballantyne Ridge
Piedmont Community Charter at Lake Norman Charter
Porter Ridge at Providence
SouthLake Christian at Cape Fear Academy (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Union Prep at Socrates Academy (boys only), 4:45 p.m.
Weddington at Hopewell
Area nonconference
Cannon School at Winston-Salem Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Carolina International at Cuthbertson (boys only), 7:30 p.m.
Cherryville at Lake Lure Classical (girls, 5 p.m.; boys, 6:30 p.m.)
Concord Academy at Sanford Grace Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
East Gaston at Chase
Forestview at Bessemer City
Gaston Christian at Carolina Day (girls, 5:15 p.m.; boys, 6:45 p.m.)
Gaston Day at Caldwell Academy (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Hickory Ridge at Lake Norman
Hunter Huss at Fort Mill
Newton-Conover at North Iredell
NorthPoint Christian at Metrolina Christian (girls, 3 p.m.; boys, 4:30 p.m.)
Patton at West Lincoln (girls, 6:30 p.m.; boys, 8 p.m.)
Piedmont at Jesse Carson
South Stanly at Central Academy
Stuart Cramer at North Gaston
Surry Central at South Iredell
Union Academy at South Rowan
Westminster Catawba at Walnut Grove Christian (boys only), 7 p.m.
Wilkes Central at West Iredell
Saturday
George Lynch Invitational
(at Myers Park High)
(boys) Garinger vs. Cardinal Gibbons, 11:30 a.m. (auxiliary gym)
(boys) Carmel Christian vs. Asheville Christian, noon
(girls) Mallard Creek vs. Concord Academy, 1 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
(boys) Moravian Prep vs. Phoenix Montessori, 1:30 p.m.
(girls) North Mecklenburg vs. North Lincoln, 2:30 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
(boys) Greensboro Day vs. Tennessee Collegiate, 3 p.m.
(boys) Chambers vs. New Hanover, 4 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
(boys) Christ School vs. Academy of Central Florida, 4:30 p.m.
(boys) Mooresville vs. Indian Land, 5:30 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
(boys) Providence Day vs. Concord Academy, 6 p.m.
(boys) Queens Grant Charter vs. Gaston Christian, 7 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
(boys) Myers Park vs. Olympic, 7:30 p.m.
(boys) The Burlington School vs. Winston-Salem Christian, 8:30 p.m. (auxiliary gym)
Spectrum Center Doubleheader
Cuthbertson vs. Pine Lake Prep (girls game, 3:30 p.m.; boys game to follow)
NOTE: Games will be played following Charlotte Hornets-Los Angeles Clippers 1 p.m.contest
Cabco Tipoff
(at Cox Mill High)
(girls) Concord vs. Cox Mill, 9 a.m.
(girls) Hickory Ridge vs. Northwest Cabarrus, 10:30 a.m.
(boys) Hickory Ridge vs. Northwest Cabarrus, noon
(girls) Jay M. Robinson vs. West Cabarrus, 1:30 p.m.
(boys) Jay M. Robinson vs. West Cabarrus, 3:30 p.m.
(girls) Central Cabarrus vs. Mount Pleasant, 5 p.m.
(boys) Central Cabarrus vs. Mount Pleasant, 6:30 p.m.
(boys) Concord vs. Cox Mill, 8 p.m.
Area nonconference
Charlotte Country Day at Cary Academy (girls, 11 a.m.; boys, 12:30 p.m.)
Covenant Day at Forsyth Country Day (girls, noon’ boys, 1:30 p.m.)
Hickory Grove Christian at Cape Fear Academy (girls, 1 p.m.; boys, 2:30 p.m.)
Independence vs. Adamsville (AL) Minor (boys only), in Peach State Explosion at Cedar Shoals (GA) High, 1:30 p.m.
South Charlotte Thunder at Chatham Home School (girls, 3 p.m.; boys, 4:30 p.m.)
SouthLake Christian at Coastal Christian (girls, 11 a.m.; boys, 12:30 p.m.)
This story was originally published November 18, 2025 at 5:30 AM.