Friday’s girls’ rewind: North Meck, Providence Day among Sweet 16 winners
North Mecklenburg, the top-ranked team in the Observer’s Sweet 16, responded to its Tuesday loss to Mallard Creek in resounding fashion on Friday as it rolled past Butler 81-43.
The Vikings picked up the road victory to improve to 12-2 overall and 1-1 in the Meck Power Six 7A/8A Conference behind a balanced offense.
Lenise Joseph had 14 points, SaRaun Newton and Morgan Knox 13 apiece, Stephanie Mobley 12 and KaLeiya Jones nine. Butler (7-7, 1-1) got a game-high 25 points from Hannah Moss.
Friday’s #BIG5 top performers
Kaitlyn Hensley, South Meck: In a 67-15 win over West Meck, Hensley led all scorers with 15 points and five steals.
Emma Montanari and Lane Pethel, East Lincoln: In a 58-47 win over Hickory, the duo combined for 51 points. Pethel added 10 rebounds, six steals, four assists and three blocks. Pethel had nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.
Hannah Moss, Butler: Moss scored a game-high 25 points against No. 1 North Mecklenburg, and was recognized for topping the 1,000-point scoring mark in her career.
Lily Rouse, Central Cabarrus: In a 65-44 win over AL Brown, Rouse, a sophomore, had 13 points and 12 rebounds.
My’Asia Young, Mallard Creek: In a 69-19 win over West Charlotte, Young had 19 points, six steals and four rebounds.
Friday’s roundup, scores
GREATER CHARLOTTE 7A/8A
Hough 49, Garinger 30: Blair Haines poured in 30 points as the visiting Huskies (9-4, 2-0) cruised. Garinger (4-8, 0-2) was tied 7-7 after one quarter with Hough. Janiyla McGill led Garinger with 10 points.
South Mecklenburg 67, West Mecklenburg 19: Kaitlyn Hensley had 15 points and five steals, and Skylar Young scored 13 points with three-of-four shooting from three-point range, for the Sabres (11-3, 2-0). Heaven Hassan-Witherspoon topped the Hawks (2-13, 0-2) with 11 points.
MECK POWER SIX 7A/8A
Mallard Creek 69, West Charlotte 19: The host Mavericks (12-4, 2-0) outscored the Lions (8-5, 1-1) 33-6 in the second half. My’Asia Young had 19 points, four rebounds and six steals for Mallard Creek, with Kiara Anderson adding 14 points, five assists and six steals. Paris Reaves scored a team-high 10 points for West Charlotte.
North Mecklenburg 81, Butler 43
SOUTHWESTERN 7A/8A
Ardrey Kell 49, Rocky River 47: Autumn Washington scored 25 points for the host Knights (12-3, 2-0), while Jade Bell topped Rocky River (6-10, 0-2) with 24 points.
Ballantyne Ridge 51, Palisades 49: The visiting Wolverines (8-7, 1-1) got the first girls’ basketball conference victory in the school’s two-year history, as Natanya Chando had 13 points and 10 rebounds. Kaiya Dodson led Ballantyne Ridge with 16 points. Jasmyn Ashbourne scored a game-high 19 points for the Pumas (6-7, 0-2).
Providence 80, East Mecklenburg 43: Anna Fillnow scored 31 points, and Avery Detenber added 20 for the Panthers (10-5, 2-0). .Jurnee Darling’s 20 points led the Eagles (7-8, 1-1).
GREATER METRO 6A/7A
Berry Academy 52, Harding 26
Central Cabarrus 65, A.L. Brown 41: Myajah Nix had 21 points and 15 rebounds, as the Vikings (9-5, 2-2) handed the Wonders (7-6, 3-1) their first conference loss. Lily Rouse had a double-double for the victors, with 13 points and 12 rebounds. London Gray led A.L. Brown with 11 points.
Hickory Ridge 58, Cox Mill 36: Ma-Kaela Gidney’s 22 points and seven steals led the Ragin’ Bulls (10-4, 4-0), who took over sole possession of first place. Makaila Ritter added 11 points and five steals. Jael Coleman led Cox Mill (6-6, 3-1) with 12 points.
West Cabarrus 55, Olympic 18: Avery Silas (13 points) and Jillian Simmons (12) carried the Wolverines (9-5, 3-1) to a lopsided victory. Chaya James scored 13 of Olympic’s 18 points. The Trojans are 1-12, 0-4.
NORTH PIEDMONT 6A/7A
Lake Norman 74, Statesville 44
North Iredell 52, Davie County 48: The host Warriors (9-3, 1-0) erased a 36-35 third-quarter deficit and topped the War Eagles (8-6, 0-1).
South Iredell 50, Mooresville 44: The visiting Vikings (6-8, 1-0) broke a 34-all third-quarter tie with a strong finish. Gia Lowe scored 12 points for Mooresville (3-10, 0-1).
SOUTHERN CAROLINA 6A/7A
Porter Ridge 51, Weddington 44
BIG SOUTH 5A/6A
Kings Mountain 67, North Gaston 52: The host Mountaineers (5-9, 2-1) raced to a 19-0 lead, but North Gaston (6-6, 1-3) fought back. The visitors got within 52-47 in the third quarter on a Jaleila Littlejohn basket, but Kings Mountain pulled away.
ROCKY RIVER 4A/5A
Monroe 55, Parkwood 48
West Stanly 57, Anson County 37
SOUTH PIEDMONT 4A/5A
Jesse Carson 65, West Rowan 54
Salisbury 43, Jay M. Robinson 28: The Bulldogs (3-9, 1-3) cut a 12-point deficit to 24-19 on a Jordain Creech basket in the third quarter, but the Hornets (4-5, 3-1) reopened the lead.
South Rowan 48, Concord 33
WESTERN FOOTHILLS 4A/5A
East Lincoln 58, Hickory 47: Emma Montaneri led the Mustangs (12-2, 5-1) with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six steals. Lane Pethel added 25 points and nine rebounds. Hickory fell to 9-4, 4-2.
Maiden 74, Bandys 46
Newton-Conover 49, West Iredell 34
METROLINA ATHLETIC
Metrolina Christian 47, Gaston Day 44
CATAWBA SHORES 2A/3A/4A
Christ the King 53, Corvian Community 22
Community School of Davidson 39, Bradford Prep 23
Lake Norman Charter 59, Langtree Charter 14: The visiting Knights remained unbeaten (13-0, 6-0), racing to a 32-0 first-quarter lead over the Lions (1-7, 0-4). Abby Courtney scored 16 points and Sam Colantonio added 11 for Lake Norman Charter. Jenna Long scored all but two of Langtree Charter’s points.
Lincoln Charter 75, Pine Lake Prep 30: Taylor Riggenbach poured in 22 points as the host Eagles (8-4, 4-0) remained in a first-place tie with Lake Norman Charter. Claire David added 13 points, and Kylie Riggenbach scored 12.
SOUTHERN PIEDMONT 2A/3A/4A
Bessemer City 63, East Gaston 38
Burns 58, West Lincoln 47
Lincolnton 66, Highland Tech 30
Stuart Cramer 63, Shelby 27: Oshauna Holland’s 27 points and 10 rebounds led the Storm (12-1, 6-0) over the Golden Lions (4-5, 3-1). Lauren Humphrey added 14 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks for Stuart Cramer.
YADKIN VALLEY 2A/3A
North Rowan 61, South Stanly 42
North Stanly 66, Gray Stone Day 38
Union Academy 39, Albemarle 31
CATAWBA RIVER 1A/2A/3A
Queen’s Grant Charter 66, Mountain Island Charter 38: The host Stallions (15-3, 7-0) surged to a 26-4 first-quarter lead. Za-Miya Bynum led the way, with 17 points, five rebounds, six steals and seven assists. Malone Hicks and Casey Smith each added 12 points. The Raptors fell to 7-5, 3-3.
Sugar Creek Charter 57, N.C. School of Science & Math/Morganton 36: Eriyana Anthony scored 13 points for Sugar Creek (6-6, 5-3).
Thomas Jefferson Academy 44, Jackson Day 40: The visiting Gryphons (11-3, 5-1) rallied from a 26-22 third-quarter deficit and topped Jackson Day (11-2, 5-2) in a battle for second place.
NONCONFERENCE
Carmel Christian 48, Davidson Day 36
Charlotte Christian 51, Ravenscroft School 22: The host Knights (6-9) outscored Ravenscroft 21-2 in the first quarter.
Charlotte Country Day 60, Durham Academy 34: The host Buccaneers (8-11) romped, behind 24 points from Sam Vanderhave and 15 from Olive Bigham.
Charlotte Latin 61, Cary Academy 34: Lanie Edwards scored 23 points in leading the Hawks (14-2) to a road victory.
Concord Academy 107, Burlington Christian 19: Justice Alexander scored 38 points, and Ava McDermott added 16 for the Eagles, who led 66-10 at halftime and had five players score in double figures.
Covenant Day 44, Asheville Christian 42 (OT): Covenant Day trailed 40-29 after three quarters, but battled back for a 42-all tie at the end of regulation. Avery Houseton (11 points, nine steals), Kaitlyn Allen (11 points) and Lila Jones (10 rebounds) led Covenant Day, which outscored Asheville Christian 2-0 in overtime.
Providence Day 68, Legion Collegiate (SC) 0: Jaida McClure scored 16 points in leading the Chargers (14-3) over outclassed Legion Collegiate.
Friday’s girls’ box scores
NO. 1 NORTH MECKLENBURG 81, BUTLER 43
North Mecklenburg 16 22 25 18 — 81
Butler 15 12 7 9 — 43
NORTH MECK 81 — Stephanie Mobley 12, Trotter 4, Blake 4, Wyke 3, SaRaun Newton 13, Jones 9, Lacy 4, Spindle 2, Morgan Knox 13, Lenise Joseph 14, Matthews 3
BUTLER 43 — Hannah Moss 25, Wesley 2, Park 7, Kondas 4, Heglund 3, Campbell 2
Records: North Meck 12-2, 1-1; Butler 7-7, 1-1
NO. 4 PROVIDENCE DAY 68, LEGION COLLEGIATE 0
Providence Day 24 26 8 10 — 68
Legion 0 0 0 0 — 0
PROVIDENCE DAY 68 — Jaida McClure 16 Julia O’Malley 10 Sistrunk 8 Carson 7 Shah 6 Crayton 4 Updyke 1 Colaizzi 6
Record: Providence Day 14-3
NO. 5 QUEEN’S GRANT 66, MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHARTER 38
Queen’s Grant 26 16 20 4 — 66
Mountain Island 4 15 9 10 — 38
QUEEN’S GRANT 66 — Za’Miya Bynum 17, Malone Hicks 12, Casey Smith 12, Misa Garris 10, Wilson 6, Chisholm 5, Watson 2, Pearman 2
MOUNTAIN ISLAND 38 — Tarriah Washington 10, Lucy Cook 10, Nicholson 7, Fudge 6, Bridgewater 5
Notables: Queen’s Grant got big games from Za’Miya Bynum (17 points, seven assists, six steals, five rebounds, two blocks); Malone Hicks (12 points, four steals, two rebounds); Casey Smith (12 points, four steals, two rebounds) and Misa Garris (10 points, four assists, two steals).
Records: Queen’s Grant 15-3, 7-0; Mountain Island 7-5, 3-3
NO. 8 MALLARD CREEK 69, WEST CHARLOTTE 19
Mallard Creek 14 22 20 13 — 69
West Charlotte 3 10 6 0 — 19
MALLARD CREEK 69 — Kiara Anderson 14, Hobbs 9, My’Asia Young 19, McGuire 2, Jazmeen Stone 12, McGuire 2, Tendall 4 Smith 4, Sanaa 2, Gomillion 3
WEST CHARLOTTE 19 — Stitt 4, Grier 2, Reaves 10, Moultrie 3
Notable: Mallard Creek senior Kiara Anderson finished with 14 points, five assists and six steals. My’Asia Young finished with 19 points, four rebounds and six steals. Jazmeen Stone finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals.
Records: Mallard Creek 12-4, 2-0
NO. 13 HOUGH 49, GARINGER 30
Hough 7 15 12 15 — 49
Garinger 7 10 7 6 — 30
HOUGH 49 — Blair Haines 30, Kate Breault 12, Kate Shryock 4, Olivia Puskarich 3
GARINGER 30 — Janiyla McGill 10, Marisa Garvin 9, Zanovia Davis 7, Jayden Jones 2, Angelina Moreno 2
Record: Hough 9-4 Garinger 4-8
NO. 14 SOUTH MECKLENBURG 67, WEST MECKLENBURG 15
South Meck 31 12 11 13 — 67
West Meck 7 5 1 2 — 15
SOUTH MECK 67— Kaitlyn Hensley 15, Young 13 Arrington 13
WEST MECK 15 —Heaven Hassan-Witherspoon 11
Records: South Meck 11-3 ; West Meck 2-13
Notable: Kaitlyn Hensley led all scorers with 15 points and five steals for South Meck. Skylar Young was 5 of 6 from the field and 3 of 4 from 3-point range and had 13 points.
NO. 15 EAST LINCOLN 58, HICKORY 47
Hickory 13 12 9 13 — 47
East Lincoln 21 12 15 10 — 58
HICKORY 47 — Aubrey Gibbs 15, Emily Bridges 10, E. Gambill 9, A. Bryant 5, Z. Robinson 4, Herring 2, A. Powell 2
EAST LINCOLN 58 — Emma Montanari 26, Lane Pethel 25, S. Dann 4, B. Miller 3
Notable: HHS (9-4, 4-2) Next Game vs Bandys 1/14/26; ELHS (12-2, 5-1) NExt Game @ Maiden 1/12/26
NO. 16 CONCORD ACADEMY 107, BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN 19
Concord Academy 29 37 27 14 — 107
Burlington Christian 8 2 4 5 — 19
CONCORD ACADEMY 107 — Justice Alexander 38, Ava McDermott 16, Victorian Collins 14, Quinn Hicks 11, Taylor Smith 11, Jayla Brower 9, Janiyah Fomond 6, Kinley Rosebure 2
BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN 19 — Zoie Johnson 8, Kylee Pennington 6, Kate Cockman 4, Calynn Kendrick 1
Notable: Concord Academy (14-7) next plays Jan. 13 vs. Hickory Grove; Burlington Christian (2-9) next plays Jan. 15 vs. Forsyth Home Educators.
ARDREY KELL 49 ROCKY RIVER 47
ARDREY KELL 49 — Autumn Washington 25, Shelton 9, Kent 6, Veal 5, Hairston 4
PALISADES 47 — Bell 24, R Spears 11, L Spears 10, Foust 2
BALLANTYNE RIDGE 51, PALISADES 49
Ballantyne Ridge 9 15 17 10 — 51
Palisades 10 13 11 15 — 49
PALISADES 49 — J. Ashbourne 19, M. Brown 12, J. Jones 6, R. Jackson 4, L. Moore 4, E. Macho 2, B. Young 2
BALLANTYNE RIDGE 51 — Kaiya Dodson 16, Natanya Chando 13 points & 10 rebounds, Jaela Brown 7, Madi Franklin 7, Nataliyah Agbewali 3, Sara Simko 2, Giana Love 2, Elise Dodds 1
Notable: Ballantyne Ridge 8-7 (1-1) got the first conference win in school history!
CENTRAL CABARRUS 65, AL BROWN 44
CCHS 17 15 17 16 — 65
Brown: 4 16 15 9 — 44
CENTRAL CABARRUS 65 — Myajah Nix 21, Lily Rouse 13, Felicity Arévalo 10, Duncan 8, Pickett 9, Fofana 3, Moss 1
AL BROWN 44 — London Gray 11, Alana Campbell 10, Cook 5, Buster 4
Notable: Central Cabarrus got big games from Myajah Nix (21 points, 15 rebounds) and Lily Rouse (13 points, 12 rebounds). Central is at home Monday vs. Philip O Berry.
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 60, DURHAM ACADEMY 34
Charlotte Country Day School 14 15 16 15 — 60
Durham Academy 6 10 8 10 — 34
COUNTRY DAY 60 — Sam Vanderhave 24, Olive Bigham 15, Hill 6, Turner 5, Starnes 4, L. Bharti 3, Liles 3
CHARLOTTE LATIN 61, CARY ACADEMY 24
Charlotte Latin 16 18 14 13 — 61
Cary Academy 8 3 11 3 — 24
CHARLOTTE LATIN 61 — Lanie Edwards 23, Charlotte Tune 13 , Amin 7, Martin 7, McLaughlin 6 , Hume 3, Webb 2
CARY ACADEMY 24— Gabrielle Young 12, Maya Pulldo 11, Phillips 2
HICKORY RIDGE 58, COX MILL 36
Hickory Ridge 18 13 15 12 — 58
Cox Mill 7 17 5 9 — 36
HICKORY RIDGE 58 — Gidney 22, Ritter 11, Cranford 9, Duley 6, Hamilton 4, Johnson 3, Pompei 3
COX MILL 36 — Coleman 12, Holmes 9, Alexander 8, Santiago 3, Bacon 2, Radack 2
Notable: Ma-Kaela Gidney leads the Ragin’ Bulls with 22 points and seven steals. Teammate Makaila Ritter had 11 points and five steals.
Records: Hickory Ridge 10-4; Cox Mill 6-6
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 59, LANGTREE 14
LNC 32 13 5 9 — 59
LCA 0 4 4 6 — 14
LNC 59 — Abby Courtney 16, Sam Colantonio 11, Reece Long 10, Emma Nelson 8, Maggie Kurz 4, Grace Hart 4, Caroline Fogarty 2, Brityn Gandy 2, Corynn Keck 1, Aiyana Montgomery 1
LCA 14 — Long 12, Levas 2
Records: LNC 13-0; Langtree 1-7
LINCOLN CHARTER 65, PINE LAKE PREP 30
Pine Lake Prep 7 9 11 3 — 30
Lincoln Charter 20 17 21 7 — 65
PINE LAKE 30 — Wills 9, Chilton 9, Schmedes 7, Blickley 3, Cuesta 2
Records: Pine Lake 4-10, LCHS 8-4
Notable: Lincoln Charter’s Taylor Riggenbach had 22 points in three quarters. Claire David added 13 points, seven rebounds and a block.
PORTER RIDGE 52, WEDDINGTON 44
WEDDINGTON 44 — Caroline Clark 19, Bella Denton 9, Myra Ukwu 8
PROVIDENCE 80, EAST MECK 43
Providence 26 26 13 15 — 80
East Meck 14 12 15 5— 43
PROVIDENCE 80 — Anna Fillnow 31, Avery Detenber 20, Emma Fuller 12, Whitten 8, Broadway 4, Skinner 3, Stafford 2
EAST MECK 43 — Jurnee Darling 20, MacKenna Weisner 16, Delaney 3, Ausman 2, Davis 2, Druen 2, Norman 1
Records: Providence 10-5, 2-0; East Meck 7-8, 1-1
SUGAR CREEK CHARTER 57, NC SCIENCE & MATH 38
Sugar Creek 10 18 15 14 — 57
NCSSM 11 8 13 6 — 38
SUGAR CREEK 57 — Hernandez 5, Bishop 9, Eriyana Anthony 12, Thompson 2, Thomas 9, Chisholm 7, Parker 5, Green 6, Nabinett 2
NCSSM 38 — S. Wilson 12, A. Bordoloi 14, Wilson 2, Sudathi 10
VICTORY CHRISTIAN 53, AMBASSADOR CHRISTIAN 39
Ambassador 11 6 11 11 — 39
VCCS 15 17 8 13 — 53
VCCS — Layla Lee 11, Fer Ramos 22, Hanna Tesfay 10
Records: VCCS Girls 7 - 10, Ambassador 10-8
Notables: Victory senior Fernanda Ramos had career-high 22 points.
WEST CABARRUS 55, OLYMPIC 18
West Cabarrus 17 27 5 6 — 55
Olympic 0 8 2 8 — 18
WEST CABARRUS 55 — Aubrey Silas 13, Jillian Simmons 11, White 8, Parks 9, Orazio 2, Warner 2, Griffin 4, Johnson 4, Hayes 2
OLYMPIC 18 — Chaya James 13, walker 2, McMuray 1, Wilkerson 2
Saturday’s schedule
Ambassador Classic (boys)
(at Ambassador Christian)
(partial schedule)
Phoenix Montessori vs. Charlotte Lab Christian, noon
Jackson Day vs. Northwood Temple, 2 p.m.
Cannon School vs. Northwest Guilford, 5 p.m.
West Charlotte vs. Gaston Day, 6:30 p.m.
East Mecklenburg vs. Ambassador Christian, 8 p.m.
Nonconference
Charlotte Latin at St. David’s School (girls, noon; boys, 1:30 p.m.)
Davidson Day vs. Chantilly (VA) Paul VI (boys), in Capitol Hoops Challenge, 1:30 p.m.
Durham Academy at Charlotte Christian (girls noon, boys, 1:30 p.m.)
Elevation Prep at New Life Christian (boys), 3 p.m.
Ravenscroft School at Charlotte Country Day (girls, 11 a.m.; boys, 12:30 p.m.)
South Charlotte Thunder at SouthLake Christian
This story was originally published January 9, 2026 at 8:22 PM.
