Saturday’s basketball rewind: Butler wins on crazy day at Charlotte Hoops Challenge

There were a lot of big-time high school basketball tournaments in the area Saturday and a lot of big-time wins.

— Butler improved to 3-0 on the season, taking down Charlotte Country Day, 54-44, at the Charlotte Hoops Challenge at Harding High School.

The teams were tied heading into the third quarter, but Butler held Country Day (3-3) to just six points in the period.

Butler got 20 points, eight rebounds from Isaiah White and a combined 23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and six steals from Terrance Badio and Ian Tomlinson.

— Wilson (SC) High star Josh Leonard, the No. 1 recruit in the junior class in his state and top 25 nationally, broke a 13-year-old scoring record (more below).

— North Meck’s boys and girls are ranked No. 1 in The Observer’s Sweet 16. Both teams won the Holden Challenge at North on Saturday, but the boys got a scare (more below).

— In Atlanta, Queen’s Grant backed up a big win over a two-time state champion with another win, less than 24 hours later, against a Georgia power (more below).

— Plus, get #BIG5 performers, box scores and more.

Providence Day holds off Independence at Hoops Challenge

Providence Day School’s perennially strong basketball program entered the weekend with an 0-4 record. After beating Florence, S.C., Wilson on Friday night, the Chargers kept their momentum going with a 71-62 victory over previously unbeaten Independence in the 2025 Charlotte Hoops Challenge finale at Harding University High’s Ward Gymnasium.

“We knew this would be a tough stretch for us, and we’ve got another tough one on Tuesday,” said Providence Day coach Jonathan McIntyre, whose team hosts Ambassador Christian on Tuesday. “We learned a lot from our four losses. This is a new team with a whole new starting five and all of our mistakes were kind of magnified in those games.

“We’ve stayed together and this weekend we were able to make another step.”

Columbus Parker had 19 points, Aidan Scruitsky and Dylan Bradley 13 apiece, Deuce Haynes 10, Zeke Battier eight and Tristan Williams six to spark the Chargers’ balanced offensive attack.

Providence Day trailed briefly before taking the lead for good in the middle of the fourth quarter.

Independence (2-1), whose football team was eliminated in the Class 7A Western semifinals on Friday, added one football player for a few minutes and hopes to add four players in Tuesday’s home game against Providence.

“We’ll see what they look like in practice on Monday,” Patriots coach Preston Davis said. Independence junior Laurence Black had a game-high 27 points.

— Richard Walker, Correspondent

Queen’s Grant has big weekend in Atlanta

Queen’s Grant beat Wilson Academy (GA) at the Hoopsgiving event in Atlanta, 58-49, on Saturday, backing up a huge win Friday against North Oconee (GA), which had won back-to-back state championships and was on a 32-game winning streak.

Queen’s Grant beat North Oconee 59-57 Friday behind 20 points from Preston Scott, 13 from Chase Smith and 12 from Mekhi Allen.

In Saturday’s win over Wilson Academy, Smith had 13 points and nine rebounds for Queen’s Grant, which got 14 points and four steals from Scott.

North Meck girls, boys win Holden Challenge

North Meck’s boys and girls, No. 1 in their respective Observer Sweet 16 polls, won the Holden Challenge at North Meck.

The tournament is named for longtime Vikings coach Leroy Holden, who retired 27 years ago after winning more than 450 games and taking the Vikings to the 1987 N.C. 4A state championship game.

The North boys were tied with Mooresville after three quarters before winning 73-69.

Christian Wilson had 18 points for Mooresville. North Meck got 24 from Sacramento State signee Ashton Pierce.

The North Meck girls had an easier time, beating former conference rival Hough, 68-30.

Preseason Observer player of the year Lenise Joseph had 18 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Autumn Lacy (16 points, five rebounds), Morgan Knox (nine points, seven steals, four assists) and SaRuan Newton (six points, six assists, four rebounds, three steals) also had big games.

Boys all-tournament: Ashton Pierce, North Meck (MVP); Exzavier Young, North Meck; Ethan Pack, North Meck; Qua Bailey, Mooresville; Christian Wilson, Mooresville

Girls all-tournament: Lenise Joseph, North Meck, MVP; Morgan Knox, North Meck; Stephanie Mobley, North Meck; Saroun Newton, North Meck; Alexis Otto, Hough

Saturday’s #BIG5 boys’ top performers

Grant Duggins, Greensboro Day: In a 64-46 win over South Mecklenburg at the Charlotte Hoops Challenge, Duggins had 25 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Zaiyir Phillips, Hunter Huss: In a 79-57 win over Covenant Day, Phillips had 22 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Josh Leonard, Wilson (SC): Leonard, a 6-foot-7 point guard, set a new Charlotte Hoops Challenge tournament record with 45 points in a 95-61 win over Caldwell Academy. He made 18 of 23 shots and added 12 rebounds, five steals and four assists. Leonard is averaging 25 points, 12 rebounds, six steals, three blocks and two assists per game this season. He averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds as a sophomore. He is the No. 1-ranked player in his class in South Carolina and a top 25 recruit nationally.

Wilson snapped the old tournament scoring mark of 43, set by Berry High’s Caz’Mon Hayes in 2013.

Braden Suggs, Ardrey Kell: Suggs had a game-high 21 points in a 53-51 win over Asheville Christian at the Phenom Hoops’ Lakesgiving tournament at Lake Norman High.

Braylon Taylor, Salisbury: In a 76-64 win over Pine Lake Prep at the Phenom Lakesgiving event, Taylor had 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.

Saturday’s #BIG5 girls’ top performers

Justice Alexander, Concord Academy: In a 60-56 overtime win over Marvin Ridge, Alexander had 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Kaitlyn Hensley, South Mecklenburg: In a 70-27 win over Charlotte Country Day at the Charlotte Hoops Challenge, Hensley had 15 points, six assists and five steals. She shot 6 of 12 from the field.

Lenise Joseph, North Meck: Joseph had 18 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in a 68-30 win over Hough in the Holden Challenge championship game.

Myajah Nix, Central Cabarrus: Nix had 21 points, 16 rebounds in a 55-11 win over York at the CLS Thanksgiving Classic.

Finley Sherrill and Rayana Minard, Lake Norman: In a 63-49 win over eastern N.C. power Terry Sanford at the Phenom Lakesgiving event, both players had game-highs of 22 points. Sherrill, a sophomore, added nine rebounds, three steals and two assists. Minard, a senior, had four rebounds, three steals and two assists.

CHARLOTTE HOOPS CHALLENGE BOX SCORES

BOYS

BUTLER 54, CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 44

Butler 15 8 15 16 — 54

Country Day 8 18 12 6 — 44

BUTLER 54 — Isaiah White 20, Terrance Badio 12, Ian Tomlinson 11, Shine 7, Worthy 4

COUNTRY DAY 44 — Hunter Blythe 16, Emory Roberts 10, Mulford 6, Youakim 6, Lowery 4, Richardson 2

Records: Butler 3-0; Country Day 3-3

CONCORD ACADEMY 91, LAKESIDE (GA) 17

Concord Academy 26 31 21 13 — 91

Lakeside 4 9 4 0 — 17

CONCORD ACADEMY 91 — Cruz Miller 17, Mata Vidakovic 14, Lincoln Raper 13, Brylee Austin 13, Romain Boyer 10, Agyeman 8, Minlend 8, Ndiaye 6, Pierce 3

LAKESIDE 17 — Turner 5, Riley 5, Cowart 3, Lott 3, Bower 2

Records: Concord Academy 9-0; Lakeside 1-5

GREENSBORO DAY 64, SOUTH MECKLENBURG 46

Greensboro Day 13 10 18 23 — 64

South Meck 11 11 8 16 — 46

GREENSBORO DAY 64 — Robinson 6, Julian 4, Micah Gunter 11, Juergens 3, Giant 4, Emerson 4, Wynn 4, Grant Duggins 25

SOUTH MECK 46 — Jim Gatehouse 20, Ben Houpt 13, Reason 1, Yett 3, Davis 2, Chudgar 5, McFadden 2

HUNTER HUSS 79, COVENANT DAY 57

Covenant Day 9 12 13 23 — 57

Hunter Huss 18 21 16 24 — 79

COVENANT DAY 57 — Luke Thompson 13, Dylan Thurman 22, Smith 3, Huffman 3, Montgomery 4, Krose 5, Oakes 5, Wang 2

HUNTER HUSS 79 — Zaiyir Phillips 22, Griggs 3, Falls 7, Jaleel Smith 16, Lockhart 7, Davis 2, Zach Anderson 12, Will Pless 10

OLYMPIC 70, CORVIAN COMMUNITY 66 OT

Olympic 15 14 20 11 10 — 70

Corvian 8 152413 6 — 66

OLYMPIC 70 — Bivens 7, Jaden Hordnett 27, Eddie Cota 10, Glance Ross 20, Fort 2, Kara 4

CORVIAN 66 — Kendall 4, Gavin Maxwell 11, Cook 8, Zion Edwards 23, Stephen 2, Alsea Lee 16, Pinyon 2

PROVIDENCE DAY 71, INDEPENDENCE 62

Providence Day 20 12 21 18 — 71

Independence 12 16 13 21 — 62 PROVIDENCE DAY 71 — Battier 8, Deuce Haynes 10, Aidan Scruitsky 13, Columbus Parker 19, Dylan Bradley 13, Stokes 2, Williams 6. INDEPENDENCE 62 — Macharia 7, Dylan McFarland 11, Christan Jones 12, Fike 5, Laurence Black 27

Records: Independence 2-1; Providence Day 2-4

VIRGINIA BEACH (VA) CATHOLIC 81, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 52

Catholic 17 20 27 17 — 81

Christian 14 17 10 11 — 52

VIRGINIA BEACH CATHOLIC 81 — Samuals 2, Lee 9, Tabren Hawkins 19, Dean Williams 19, Carter Bullock 14

CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 52 — Lieberman 3, Marshall Nicholson 12, Bradway 9, Carroll 5, Catanes 2, Miller 9, Huge 6, Jackson 6

WILSON (SC) 95, CALDWELL ACADEMY 61

Caldwell Academy 17 16 15 13 — 95

Wilson 14 21 23 37 — 95

CALDWELL ACADEMY 95 — Holland 6, Ayden Johnson 16, Neal Swindell 16, Jones 9, King Kendrick 11, Scales 3

WILSON 95 — Josh Leonard 45, Addison 9, Gamble 6, Kiauji Allen 24, Jaden Gerald 11

GIRLS

CANNON SCHOOL 48, SOUTH POINTE (SC) 47

Cannon 16 5 15 12 — 48

South Pointe 16 12 7 12 — 47

CANNON SCHOOL 48 — Busby 7, Nakamura 7, Love 3, Jakaila Gaskin 10, Larkins 2, Crowder 7, Truesdale 1, Burton 2, Thompson 9

SOUTH POINTE 47 — Ja’Niya Cunningham 11, Traylin Phillips 15, Lucas 9, Aiyanna Murrell 11, Hardy 1

CONCORD ACADEMY 60, MARVIN RIDGE 56 OT

Concord Academy 16 12 11 13 8 — 60

Marvin Ridge 9 17 12 14 4 — 56

CONCORD ACADEMY 60 — Justice Alexander 20, Jada Powell 12, Taylor Smith 11, McDermot 9, Collins 5, Fomond 3

MARVIN RIDGE 56 — Kate Schindler 16, Kate Sheridan 10, Lenhan 8, Fritz 7, Stewart 6, Chadderton 5, Heine 4

LAKE NORMAN 63, TERRY SANFORD 49

LAKE NORMAN 63 — Bond 2, Kelsey Rhyne 12, Rayana Minard 21, Finley Sherrill 21,Ellis 4

SANFORD 49 — Faircloth 2, Carswell 1, Blake 5, Reddick 5, Ameya Brown 11, Harrington 8, Alani-Skye Wilkerson 17

SOUTH MECKLENBURG 70, CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 27

South Meck 13 15 30 12 — 70

Charlotte Country Day 9 9 1 8 — 27

SOUTH MECK 70 — Grant 8, Coleman 2, Brown 8, NyKira Arrigton 11, Kendrick 9, Kaitlyn Hensley 15, Young 2, Bri-Asia Rowe 12, Klutz 3

CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 27 — Starnes 2, Nelson 2, Bharti 5, Vanderhave 8, Hill 7, Thomas 3

HOLDEN CHALLENGE BOX SCORES

GIRLS

NORTH MECK 68, HOUGH 30

North Meck 20 19 15 14 — 68

Hough 12 10 5 3 — 30

NORTH MECK 68 — Lenise Joseph 18, Autumn Lacy 16, Knox 9, Newton 6

HOUGH 30 — Shryock 7, Puskarich 6, Breault 4, Otto 4, Haines 2, Hinds 1

BOYS

NORTH MECK 73, MOORESVILLE 69

North Meck 16 19 13 25 — 73

Mooresville 20 18 10 21 — 69

NORTH MECK 73 — Ashton Pierce 24, DJ Lindsey 16, Exzavier Young 13, Pack 8, Lewandowski 6, Estwick 6

MOORESVILLE 69 — Christian Wilson 18, Qua Bailey 15, Eian Bailey 14, Nolan Ericson 10, McKinnon 7, Walton 5

PHENOM HOOPS LAKESGIVING BOX SCORES

BOYS

ARDREY KELL 53, ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN 51

Ardrey Kell 21 11 13 8 — 53

Asheville Christian 20 10 10 11 — 51

ARDREY KELL 53 — Braden Suggs 21, Dylan Morrison 12, Donnie Jones 12, Craft 5

ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN 51 — Garrett 4, Markiv 4, Pierce 14, Bailey 18, Ganza 3, Rogers 6, Otis 2

CARSON 87, WEST MECKLENBURG 65

Carson 21 21 17 18 — 87

West Meck 14 12 24 19 — 65

CARSON 87 — Jacob Mills 20, Krider 3, Will Hall 17, Martin 8, Drew Neve 27, CP Perry 11

WEST MECK 65 — Leak 9, Nasir White 24, RJ Grier 15, Pratt 2, Graham 2, Walkup 4, Bridges 8

GASTON CHRISTIAN 63, CANNON SCHOOL 62

GASTON CHRISTIAN 63 — Makoi 5, Luparia 6, Cameron Newman 15, Duhon 6, Jaishawn Woods 14, Milner 2, Joy 9, Southern 4

CANNON SCHOOL 62 — Brezeault 9, Underwood II 3, Lowry 4, Sean Nix 28, DJ Rogers 19

Notable: Cannon got big games from Sean Nix (28 points, nine rebounds) and DJ Rogers (19 points, three rebounds, two assists). Gaston Christian’s Cameron Newman (15 points, three rebounds, three steals), playing through illness, split a double team with six seconds left and went coast-to-coast for the game-winning layup.

MALLARD CREEK 58, LAKE NORMAN 52

LAKE NORMAN 52 — Gruber 4, Noah Wilson 18, Edwards 5, Owen Pfefferkorn 10, Braden Miller 13

MALLARD CREEK 58 — Aiden Roberson 20, Tucker 3, Ahmad Savage 14, McKissick 8, Shonganie 5, Cardwell 2, Moats 6

SALISBURY 74, PINE LAKE PREP 64

PINE LAKE PREP 64 — Kaliszewski 3, Chris Luceri 12, Hunter 3, Mahoney 6, Lentz 2, Macey 2, Dellinger 1, Gary Grear 19, Morgan 5, Paul Mahoney 12

SALISBURY 74 — Jon Ross 13, Shipp 4, Braylon Taylor 21, Blake Smith 19, Jones 5, Royce Perkins 14

OTHER BOX SCORES

BOYS

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS (FL) 74, DAVIDSON DAY 55

Columbus 21 15 21 17 — 74

Davidson Day 5 9 20 21 — 55

COLUMBUS 74 — Jordan Fisher 15, Caleb Gaskins 22, Felipe Quinones 12, Gaskins 4, Hammond 3, Nyok 6, Trelles 2, Meireles 2, Balado 2

DAVIDSON DAY 55 — Sherod McCormick 13, Arnold 9, Cody Peck 11, Will Stevens 10, Whitefield 7, Whiteside 5

METROLINA CHRISTIAN 72, FAITH ACADEMY CHARTER 36

METROLINA CHRISTIAN 72 — Rickey Torrence 21, Brayden Kirbyson 12, Tyler Gadd 10, Wilson 8, Whitehurst 8, Secrest 6

FAITH 36 — Morris 9, King8, Austin 6, Franks 5, Ludwig 3, Brinkley 3

Records: Metrolina 5-2; Faith Academy 2-5

QUEEN’S GRANT 58, WILSON ACADEMY 49

Queen’s Grant 8 20 15 15 — 58

Wilson 5 12 16 16 — 49

QUEEN’S GRANT 58 — Bobby Montgomery 10, Preston Scott 14, Allen 8, Chase Smith 13, DeBerry 8, Jackson 5

WILSON ACADEMY 49 — Culen Browne 18, Albi 3, Jordi Musifari 12, Emmanuel Ouedraogo 14, Onyekwelle 2

GIRLS

CENTRAL CABARRUS 55, YORK 11

Central Cabarrus 15 19 19 2 — 55

York 5 5 0 1 — 11

CENTRAL 55 — Myajah Nix 21, Felecity Are’valo 11, Rouse 8, Pickett 7, Duncan 4, Fofana 4

YORK 11 — Poindexter 6, Wright 3, Shields 2

MIDFIELD 53, VICTORY CHRISTIAN 52

Victory 15 12 16 8 — 52

Midfield 14 10 14 14 — 53

VICTORY 52 — Lanice Yearwood 21, Aylin Villareal 13, Valery Bethancourt 14

Records: Victory 4-7

Note: Bethancourt’s 14 points were a career high at the Hunger 4 Hoops tournament in Atlanta.

Saturday’s results

Charlotte Hoops Challenge

(at Harding High)

(boys) Butler 54, Charlotte Country Day 44

(boys) Concord Academy 91, Lakeside (GA) 17

(boys) Florence (SC) Wilson 95, Caldwell Academy 61

(girls) Concord Academy 60, Marvin Ridge 56 (OT)

(boys) Hunter Huss 79, Covenant Day 57

(girls) South Mecklenburg 76, Charlotte Country Day 27

(boys) Buckets Brand third-place game: Westminster Catawba 49, Victory Christian 45

(boys) Greensboro Day 64, South Mecklenburg 46

(boys) Olympic 70, Corvian Community 66

(boys) Virginia Beach Catholic 81, Charlotte Christian 52

(boys) Cuthbertson 65, Blythewood (SC) 59

(girls) Cannon School 48, South Pointe 47

(boys) Providence Day 71, Independence 62

Phenom Lakesgiving Classic

(at Lake Norman High)

(boys) Jesse Carson 87, West Mecklenburg 65

(boys) Ardrey Kell 53, Asheville Christian 51

(boys) Gaston Christian 63, Cannon School 62

(boys) Salisbury 74, Pine Lake Prep 64

(girls) Lake Norman 63, Terry Sanford 49

(boys) Mallard Creek 58, Lake Norman 52

Leroy Holden Invitational

(at North Mecklenburg High)

Girls’ third-place game: South Iredell 50, Jay M. Robinson 37

Boys’ third-place game: Jay M. Robinson 75, South Iredell 49

Girls’ championship: North Meck 68, Hough 30

Boys’ championship: North Meck 73, Mooresville 69

KR3 Classic

(at West Charlotte High)

(boys) Seventy-First 66, Parris Prep 65

(girls) Sanford Grace Christian 90, Fort Mill 60

(girls) Jackson Prep 61, Butler 40

(boys) Jordan 67, Charlotte Catholic 45

(girls) West Charlotte 55, Rocky River 51

(boys) West Charlotte 66, Walkertown 56

Craze Sports Invitational (girls)

(at Indian Land High)

(games involving area teams)

Sugar Creek Charter 39, North Central (SC) 34

Central Cabarrus 55, York 11

Holiday Hoopsgiving (boys)

(at Norcross, Ga., Meadowbrook High)

(games involving area teams)

Christopher Columbus 74, Davidson Day 55

Queens Grant Charter 59, Wilson Academy (GA) 48

Southwest Guilford Classic

(games involving area teams)

SouthLake Christian vs. South Caldwell (boys)

Grimsley 54, Statesville 35 (girls)

Other non-conference

Metrolina Christian 72, Faith Academy (boys) 36

This story was originally published November 29, 2025 at 7:01 PM.