Boys’ rewind: No. 16 Weddington beats Ardrey Kell at home Tuesday
Weddington High’s basketball program has been one of the area’s best in recent years.
The Warriors won back-to-back state championships in 2021 and 2022 and entered this season after back-to-back 20-win seasons.
But with five departed seniors from last year’s 23-6 team and a new coach, some expected Weddington to be rebuilding. Instead, the Warriors are off to a 4-0 start against another daunting schedule following Tuesday’s 73-61 win over visiting Ardrey Kell.
“We lost a lot from last year,” said guard Jake Ford, one of just two seniors on the Weddington roster. “But the standard is the standard here.”
Ford’s team-high 16 points included a pair of 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter that helped the Warriors hold off an Ardrey Kell (2-2) rally that had forged a tie at 43 and gotten the Knights within 46-45 after three quarters.
“I’m lucky the last coach (Greg Ellington) was a heckuva coach,” said first-year Weddington head coach John Lattimore, who came from NCAA Division II Converse University after two years as an assistant coach. “They know how to play and how to compete.”
After a back-and-forth opening quarter, Weddington held the lead for all but a few seconds the rest of the way.
The Warriors we led by Ford, sophomores Tre Jefferson (15 points) and Brandon Barbier (14 points), junior Max Muteb (11 points) and Tyler Cain (10 points).
The 6-foot-5 Muteb, 6-7 Cain and 6-8 sophomore Max Werdann give Lattimore’s team an imposing front line. Against Ardrey Kell’s guard-dominated team, that played a key role.
“Our strength is being big up front,” Lattimore said. Braden Suggs’ game-high 17 points led Ardrey Kell, which also got 14 points from Matthew Craft, 12 from Jeremiah Jones and 11 from Dylan Morrison.
Quick links
When he took the job at North Meck 27 years ago, Duane Lewis was a little unsure about himself and the North Meck community was unsure about him, too.
After four state championships and more than 500 wins, Lewis has developed into a legend and one of the best coaches in Mecklenburg County history.
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Tuesday’s boys’ #BIG5 top performers
Terrance Badio, Butler: Badio had a team-high 17 points in a 66-47 win over Sun Valley.
Hunter Blythe, Charlotte Country Day: Blythe had a game-high 21 points in an 88-58 win over Porter Ridge.
Jabari Byrd, Concord: A 6-6 forward, Byrd had a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double in a 51-21 win over AL Brown.
Ben Houpt, South Mecklenburg: In a 73-64 win over Pinecrest, Houpt had a game-high 34 points.
MJ Littlejohn, Westminster Catawba: A 6-6 senior, Littlejohn had 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals in an 86-56 win over Hickory Christian.
Tuesday’s boys’ box scores
(Includes how The Sweet 16 fared)
NO. 11 BUTLER 66, SUN VALLEY 47
Butler 17 12 24 13 — 66
Sun Valley 8 11 12 16 — 47
BUTLER 66 — Terrance Badio 17, Isaiah White 11, Ian Tomlinson 8, Aree Branch 7, Elijah Shine 6, Kellan Worthy 5, Vastis 4, Bloomfield 3, Boyd 3, Ham 2
SUN VALLEY 47 — Chafin 15, Mckinney 15, Powell 8, Patterson 5, Brockington 2, Davis 2 Notes: Butler moves to 2-0. Sun Valley moves to 1-2. Butler plays Charlotte Country Day at the Charlotte Hoops Challenge on Saturday.
NO. 16 WEDDINGTON 73, ARDREY KELL 61
Ardrey Kell 17 11 17 16 — 61
Weddington 16 17 13 27 — 73
ARDREY KELL 61 — Braden Suggs 19, Matthew Craft 14, Jeremiah Jones 12, Dylan Morrison 9, Donnie Jones 7
WEDDINGTON 73 — Jefferson 14, Barbies 15, Muteb 10, Ford 16, Cain 10, Stevens 8 Records: Ardrey Kell 2-2
BALLANTYNE RIDGE 57, GARINGER 49
Ballantyne Ridge 8 18 17 14 — 57
Garinger 18 2 13 16 — 49
BALLANTYNE 57 — Jimmy Neubauer 15 points, Cam Sapon 8, Cam Landrum 11, Jaelen King 9. Notabe: Aaron Lawler had 23 points for Garinger.
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 73, FOREST HILLS 56
Forest Hill 13 9 18 16 — 56
Carmel Christian 11 24 23 15 — 73
FOREST HILLS 56 — Landon Blakeney 4, Makhi Massey 9, Amari Melton 21, Matthew Florentino 3, Nyheem Covington 2, Truth Rorie 3, T.J Parker 12, Angelo Little 2
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 73 — Landon H. 3, James W. 6 Jayden G 9, Logan J 16, Timmy K 2, Josh G 12, Noah N. 14 Hunter G 9, Myles V. 2
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 72, VICTORY CHRISTIAN 64
Victory Christian 16 20 18 10 — 64
Charlotte Christian 22 8 30 12 — 72
VICTORY CHRISTIAN 64 — Keysanne Massengo 18, Deshawn Coulter 11, Carlos Marshall10, White 7, Johnson 6
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 88, PORTER RIDGE 58
Charlotte Country Day 25 29 17 17 - 88
Cary Academy 14 15 19 10 - 58
COUNTRY DAY 88 - Hunter Blythe 21, Emory Roberts 19, Nolan Lowery 16, Jojo Youakim 15, Philip Brosseau 6, Peter Richardson 2, Hobs Mulford 2, Jabari Spruill 2, Henry Apostolopoulas 3, Cole Zouzoulas 2
PORTER RIDGE 58 - Dotson 15, Johnson 12, McClain 8, Osei 7, Henriquez 6, Elmore 4, Gaddy 3, Alston 3
CONCORD 51, AL BROWN 21
Concord 27 11 12 1 — 51
AL Brown 7 4 8 2 — 21
CONCORD 51 — Jayden Beyan 16, Jabari Byrd 13, Taheer Jackson 5, Lawson Childress 4, Kyzen Coleman 4, CJ Beckford 2, Deonte’ Hester 2, DJ Sandford 2, Tyrel Weatherspoon 2, Daeshon Glanton 1
AL BROWN 21 — Sincere Bunch 11, Jeremiah Christopher 3, Quincy Lewis 3, BJ Ford 2, Noah Hancock1, Tristan Sifford 1
Records: Concord 2-2; Kannapolis 2-1
Notable: Concord 6-6 Forward, Jabari “Big” Byrd, pulled down a team high 10 rebounds to go with his 13 points for his first double-double of the season.
SOUTH MECK 73 PINECREST 64
South Meck 20 12 20 21 — 73
Pinecrest 14 21 16 13 — 64
SOUTH MECK 73 — B. Houpt 34, J. Gatehouse 17, L. Gathings 9
PINECREST 64 — Melton 14, McClaughin 11, Riss 9, Sutton 8
Records: S. Meck 2-1, Pinecrest 0-2
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 86, HICKORY CHRISTIAN 56
Westminster Catawba 32 18 17 19 — 86
Hickory Christian 8 18 15 17 — 56
WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 86 — MJ Littlejohn 17, Terence Guess III 16, Ryder Henderson 13, Will Spatola 12, Josiah Fleming 12, Briggs Friddle 7, M. Booker 6, Quinn 3
HICKORY CHRISTIAN 56 — Joyce 3, J. Massey 13, N. Durham 13, J. Han 4, G. Coles 11, C. Moore 10, J. Gordon 2
Records: Westminster Catawba 7-0-; Hickory Christian 1-3
Notable: Westminster Catawba had a balanced scoring attack with 5 players in double figures. MJ led the way with a double-double (17 points 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals). Westminster Catawba plays next at the Charlotte Hoops Challenge on Friday, Nov 28 against Charlotte Christian.
Monday’s boys’ box scores
CONCORD ACADEMY 92, CALVARY DAY 48
Concord Academy 20 32 17 23 — 92
Calvary Day 12 14 17 5 — 48
CONCORD ACADEMY 92 — Lincoln Raper 22, Jonas Agyeman 19, Cruz Miller 15, Jordan Pierce 13, James Minlend 13, Modou Ndiaye 4, Mata Vidakovic 3, Romain Boyer 3
CALVARY DAY 48 — Owen Calvert 14, Luca Sarnowska 12, Brady Bennett 7, Erind Bislimi 5, BJ Clarke 3, Austin Williams 3, Caleb Autry 1
Notable; Concord Academy (8-0) next game 11/29 vs Lakeside (@ Harding); Calvary Day (3-1) next game 12/2 vs Asheville Christian
THE SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY
Nonconference
Anson County at Union Academy
FRIDAY
Charlotte Hoops Challenge
(at Harding High)
(boys) Hunter Huss vs. Charlotte Latin, noon (Ward Gym)
(boys) Corvian Community vs. West Cabarrus, noon (Ram Gym)
(girls) Marvin Ridge vs. Providence Day, 1:30 p.m. (Ward Gym)
(boys) South Mecklenburg vs. Cuthbertson, 1:30 p.m. (Ram Gym)
(boys) Lakeside (GA) vs. Ridge View (SC), 3 p.m. (Ward Gym)
(boys) Buckets Brand first round: West Charlotte vs. Charlotte Christian, 3 p.m. (Ram Gym)
(boys) Providence Day vs. Florence (SC) Wilson, 4:30 p.m. (Ward Gym)
(boys) Buckets Brand first round: Victory Christian vs. Virginia Beach Catholic, 4:30 p.m. (Ram Gym)
(girls) Ardrey Kell vs. Mallard Creek, 6 p.m. (Ward Gym)
(boys) Harding vs. West Charlotte, 7:30 p.m. (Ward Gym)
Phenom Lakesgiving Classic
(at Lake Norman High)
(boys) Cannon School vs. Statesville, noon
(boys) Gaston Christian vs. Fort Mill, 1:30 p.m.
(girls) North Lincoln vs. Southeast Alamance, 3 p.m.
(boys) North Lincoln vs. Salisbury, 4:30 p.m.
(girls) Lake Norman vs. Concord Academy, 6 p.m.
(boys) Lake Norman vs. Burlington Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Leroy Holden Invitational
(at North Mecklenburg High)
(first round)
(girls) Hough vs. Jay M. Robinson, noon
(boys) Mooresville vs. Jay M. Robinson, 1:30 p.m.
(girls) North Mecklenburg vs. South Iredell, 3 p.m.
(boys) North Mecklenburg vs. South Iredell, 4:30 p.m.
KR3 Classic
(at West Charlotte High)
(boys) Sugar Creek Charter vs. Lab Prep Regional, 11 a.m.
(girls) East Mecklenburg vs. Shelby, 12:30 p.m.
(girls) West Charlotte vs. Fort Mill, 2 p.m.
(boys) Lab Prep National vs. CPI, 3:30 p.m.
(boys) Rocky River vs. Carolina International, 5 p.m.
(girls) Oak City Prep vs. Queens Grant charter, 6:30 p.m.
(girls) Charlotte Country Day vs. Sanford Grace Christian, 8 p.m.
Holiday Hoopsgiving (boys)
(at Norcross, Ga., Meadowbrook High)
(games involving area teams)
Davidson Day vs. Vashon (MO), 2:30 p.m.
Queens Grant Charter vs. Bogart (GA) North Oconee, 5:30 p.m.
Other games
Jackson Day at Northeast Guilford (girls only), 11 a.m.
SATURDAY
Charlotte Hoops Challenge
(at Harding High)
(boys) Charlotte Country Day vs. Butler, 10 a.m. (Ram Gym)
(boys) Concord Academy vs. Lakeside (GA), 10:30 a.m. (Ward Gym)
(boys) Caldwell Academy vs. Florence (SC) Wilson, 11:30 a.m. (Ram Gym)
(girls) Concord Academy vs. Marvin Ridge, noon (Ward Gym)
(boys) Covenant Day vs. Hunter Huss, 1 p.m. (Ram Gym)
(girls) Charlotte Country Day vs. South Mecklenburg, 1:30 p.m. (Ward Gym)
(boys) Buckets Brand third-place game: Westminster Catawba-Charlotte Christian loser vs. Virginia Beach Catholic-Victory Christian loser, 2:30 p.m. (Ram Gym)
(boys) South Mecklenburg vs. Greensboro Day, 3 p.m. (Ward Gym)
(boys) Olympic vs. Corvian Community, 4 p.m. (Ram Gym)
(boys) Buckets Brand championship: Westminster Catawba-Charlotte Christian winner vs. Virginia Beach Catholic-Victory Christian winner, 4:30 p.m. (Ward Gym)
(boys) Cuthbertson vs. Blythewood (SC), 5:30 p.m. (Ram Gym)
(girls) Cannon School vs. South Pointe, 6 p.m. (Ward Gym)
(boys) Independence vs. Providence Day, 7:30 p.m. (Ward Gym)
Phenom Lakesgiving Classic
(at Lake Norman High)
(boys) Jesse Carson vs. West Mecklenburg, noon
(boys) Ardrey Kell vs. Asheville Christian, 1:30 p.m.
(boys) Gaston Christian vs. Cannon School, 3 p.m.
(boys) Pine Lake Prep vs. Salisbury, 4:30 p.m.
(girls) Lake Norman vs. Terry Sanford, 6 p.m.
(boys) Lake Norman vs. Mallard Creek, 7:30 p.m.
Leroy Holden Invitational
(at North Mecklenburg High)
Girls’ third-place game: Hough-Jay M. Robinson loser vs. North Mecklenburg-South Iredell loser, noon
Boys’ third-place game: Mooresville-Jay M. Robinson loser vs. North Mecklenburg-South Iredell loser, 1:30 p.m.
Girls’ championship: Hough-Jay M. Robinson winner vs. North Mecklenburg-South Iredell winner, 3 p.m.
Boys’ championship: Mooresville-Jay M. Robinson winner vs. North Mecklenburg-South Iredell winner, 4:30 p.m.
KR3 Classic
(at West Charlotte High)
(boys) Seventy-First vs. Parris Prep, 12:45 p.m.
(girls) Sanford Grace Christian vs. Fort Mill, 2:15 p.m.
(girls) Butler vs. Oak City Prep, 3:30 p.m.
(boys) Charlotte Catholic vs. Jordan, 5 p.m.
(girls) West Charlotte vs. Rocky River, 6:30 p.m.
(boys) West Charlotte vs. Walkerstown, 8 p.m.
Craze Sports Invitational (girls)
(at Indian Land High)
(games involving area teams)
Sugar Creek Charter vs. North Central (SC), 11 a.m.
Central Cabarrus vs. York, 2 p.m
. Holiday Hoopsgiving (boys)
(at Norcross, Ga., Meadowbrook High)
(games involving area teams)
Davidson Day vs. Zephyrhills (FL) Christian, 11:30 a.m.
Queens Grant Charter vs. Wilson Academy (GA), 2:30 p.m.
Southwest Guilford Classic
(games involving area teams)
SouthLake Christian vs. South Caldwell (boys), 4 p.m.
Statesville vs. Grimsley (girls), 4 p.m.
Other nonconference
Metrolina Christian at Faith Academy (boys only), 11:30 a.m.
This story was originally published November 25, 2025 at 10:43 PM.
