Friday’s boys’ rewind: No. 3 North Meck routs No. 12 Butler on the road
Even as a two-time defending state champion, North Mecklenburg coach Duane Lewis knew the start of his team’s inaugural Meck Power Six 7A/8A Conference schedule would be daunting.
But after Friday’s convincing 76-54 win at Butler, Lewis’ Vikings are 2-0 in league play with a pair of road wins under their belt as they prepare for a week off for exams.
North Meck is No. 3 in The Observer’s Sweet 16. Butler is No. 12.
“Our conference is really tough, and you want to get wins on the road,” Lewis said of the Meck Power Six, whose membership includes four recent state champions (Chambers, Independence, North Mecklenburg and West Charlotte) and last year’s Western 4A finalists (Chambers and North Mecklenburg). “I’m just proud of the effort we got from all of our guys tonight and am just pumped to be 2-0 in conference play.”
Senior veteran Ashton Pierce almost single-handedly ended whatever hopes Butler might have had of pulling the upset against the Vikings (12-2, 2-0).
Pierce scored 32 points, highlighted by seven 3-pointers. He scored 22 points in the opening half, in which North Mecklenburg fended off a strong Bulldogs challenge.
Butler held the lead four times in the opening quarter and was within 25-22 with six minutes left in the first half before Pierce erupted for 11 points in the next five minutes as North Mecklenburg moved comfortably ahead 41-25.
“He did a great job,” Lewis said of Pierce, the 6-foot-3 guard who has signed with Sacramento State. “They came out in a zone on us, and we were able to find the spots in it and give Ashton and some others really good looks.”
ExZavier Young added 17 points and Alek Lewandowski nine for the Vikings, who hit 13 3-pointers overall.
Lewis also praised the play of guards D.J. Lindsay Jr., and Wilson Estwick for helping create many of North Mecklenburg’s open shots.
Butler (12-3, 1-1), which started the season 9-0, got 18 points from Ian Tomlinson and seven each from Terrance Badio, Isaiah White and Elijah Shine.
Leading 41-29 at the half, North Mecklenburg put the game away with a 13-4 surge for a 21-point lead (54-33) with 2:53 left in the third quarter. And the Vikings’ defense held the Bulldogs without a field goal from 44-second mark of the first half until 2:03 remained in the third quarter.
Quick links
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Young Queen’s Grant hopes to become state power, win elusive state title
Friday’s girls’ rewind: No. 1 North Meck bounces back, rolls
Friday’s #BIG5 boys’ top performers
Mike Craft, Ardrey Kell coach: Craft won his 350th career game in a 61-35 win over Rocky River. Ardrey Kell improved to 13-2, 2-0 and plays Charlotte Catholic on Monday.
Amari Melton, Forest Hills: In a 92-71 win over Central Academy, Melton had a game-high 27 points.
Ashton Pierce, North Mecklenburg: Sacramento State recruit had a game-high 32 points as the Vikings, No. 3 in The Sweet 16, routed No. 12 Butler, 76-54.
Cam Roberts, Lake Norman Charter: In an 85-55 win over Langtree Charter, Roberts had a career-high 21 points.
John Slusher, Hough: In an 77-68 win over Garinger, Slusher had 21 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
Friday’s roundup, scores
GREATER CHARLOTTE 7A/8A
Hough 77, Garinger 68: John Slusher had 21 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists as the Huskies (10-3, 2-0) won on the road. Justin Funderburk had a double-double, with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Aaron Lawler scored 26 for the Wildcats (7-9, 0-2).
Myers Park 68, Hopewell 40
South Mecklenburg 72, West Mecklenburg 52: Ben Houpt’s 22 points and Jim Gatehouse’s 21 points lifted the host Sabres (6-9, 1-1) over the Hawks (7-8, 0-2). Josiah Pratt topped West Meck with 14 points.
MECK POWER SIX 7A/8A
Independence 83, Chambers 64: The host Patriots (9-5, 1-1) raced to a 36-24 halftime lead and never looked back. Chambers is 9-6, 0-2.
North Mecklenburg 76, Butler 54
West Charlotte 61, Mallard Creek 58: The visiting Lions (10-2, 2-0) built a 49-38 third-quarter lead and fought off a late rally by the Mavericks (5-10, 0-2).
SOUTHWESTERN 7A/8A
Ardrey Kell 61, Rocky River 35: Matthew Craft scored 13 points, and Dylan Morrison added 12 for the Knights (13-2, 2-0), who led 27-4 after one quarter and 50-10 at the half. Eleven players scored for Ardrey Kell, whose coach, Mike Craft, earned his 350th career victory.
Kweli Reels topped the Ravens (7-10, 0-2) with 12 points.
Ballantyne Ridge 59, Palisades 51
NORTH PIEDMONT 6A/7A
Mooresville 78, South Iredell 49: Nolan Ericson had 14 points and five assists, and Jordan Walton added 12 points and 10 rebounds for Mooresville (11-2, 1-0).
SOUTHERN CAROLINA 6A/7A
Charlotte Catholic 72, Marvin Ridge 54: The Cougars (13-2, 4-0) trounced the visiting Mavericks (12-3, 3-1) in a battle for first place. Jack Siegel led Charlotte Catholic with 29 points, and Mack Jordan added 20. Matthew Rivlin topped Marvin Ridge with 22.
Sun Valley 75, Piedmont 69: The host Spartans (7-8, 1-3) outscored Piedmont (7-8, 2-2) 30-16 in the third quarter for a 64-41 lead, then held off a Panther rally.
BIG SOUTH 5A/6A
Hunter Huss 96, Forestview 63: The first-place Huskies (13-2, 4-0) outscored the Jaguars (4-9, 1-3) 52-22 in the second and third quarters. Jaleel Smith had 26 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and eight steals. Zii Phillips added 16 points and nine assists.
Kings Mountain 84, North Gaston 48
ROCKY RIVER 4A/5A
Anson County 69, West Stanly 59
Forest Hills 92, Central Academy 71: Amari Melton’s 27 points led the Yellow Jackets (10-6, 3-1), who remained a game behind league-leading Parkwood. Makhi Massey added 16 for the victors. Jaylen Rogers and Michael Hoff each scored 23 for the Cougars (6-10, 0-4).
Parkwood 47, Monroe 34: DeShaun Hamrick had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Asher Terry added 11 points, as the Wolf Pack (10-6, 4-0) remained unbeaten in conference play.
SOUTH PIEDMONT 4A/5A
Concord 79, South Rowan 29: Jayden Beyan scored 20 points and the Spiders (7-6, 2-2) had five players score in double figures. Concord scored 59 first-half points. South Rowan is 2-10, 0-4.
Jay M. Robinson 78, Salisbury 66: Da’Montre Harlee’s 16 points and six rebounds led the visiting Bulldogs (11-1, 4-0) over the Hornets (9-4, 2-2). Roger Walton added 15 points, and C.J. Moranda had 14.
Jesse Carson 65, West Rowan 54
Northwest Cabarrus 50, East Rowan 38
WESTERN FOOTHILLS 4A/5A
Bandys 70 Maiden 54
East Lincoln 64, Hickory 51: The host Mustangs (13-1, 7-0) won this big conference battle, outscoring Hickory (10-3, 5-2) 20-11 in the third quarter. Christian Atkins scored 18 points and Jaxon Dollar added 13.
METROLINA ATHLETIC
Gaston Christan 88, SouthLake Christian 55: Gaston Christian (19-4, 4-1) jumped to a 22-6 first-quarter lead over the Eagles (13-9, 0-4).
Gaston Day 69, Metrolina Christian 56: Dyson Britt (14 points) and Griffen Simpson (13) were among four players in double figures for Gaston Day (11-5, 3-0). Malachi Wilson scored 24 points, and Rickey Torrence added 20 for Metrolina (10-8, 1-3).
CATAWBA SHORES 2A/3A/4A
Christ the King 46, Corvian Community 45
Lake Norman Charter 85, Langtree Charter 55: Colin McConneyhead’s 28 points led the Knights (6-7, 2-2) over the Lions (2-9, 0-4). Cam Roberts added a career-high 21 points for Lake Norman Charter.
Lincoln Charter 67, Pine Lake Prep 60: The first-place Eagles (9-3, 4-0) led only 26-24 at halftime but built the lead to 47-38 after three quarters. The Pride dropped to 4-9, 2-2.
SOUTHERN PIEDMONT 2A/3A/4A
Burns 60, West Lincoln 32
Lincolnton 71, Highland Tech 30
Shelby 79, Stuart Cramer 43
YADKIN VALLEY 2A/3A
Albemarle 60, Union Academy 36
North Rowan 66, South Stanly 30
North Stanly 70, Gray Stone Day 33
CATAWBA RIVER 1A/2A/3A
Carolina International 61, Bonnie Cone Academy 50
Sugar Creek Charter def. N.C. School of Science & Math/Morganton, forfeit
NONCONFERENCE
Ambassador Christian 46, Victory Christian 43
Asheville Christian 57, Covenant Day 46
Charlotte Christian 76, Ravenscroft School 62
Charlotte Latin 67, Cary Academy 61: Alex Dauska’s 26 points led the Hawks (11-5) to a road victory. Emory Chaney added 16.
Concord Academy 83, Burlington Christian 44: The host Eagles (18-3) got 11 players in the scoring column, with Lincoln Raper and Mata Vidakovic each scoring 12 points.
Durham Academy 66, Charlotte Country Day 45: Nolan Lowery scored a team-high 12 points for the host Buccaneers (9-9) in the loss.
Phoenix Montessori 83, Cannon School 80
Providence Day 77, Legion Collegiate (SC) 55: Zeke Battier scored a game-high 17 points for the Chargers (12-5), who have won 11 of 12 games. The Chargers led 48-22 at halftime.
Friday’s boys’ box scores
NO. 1 CONCORD ACADEMY 83, BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN 44
Concord Academy 18 23 29 13 — 83
Burlington Christian 8 9 19 6 — 44
CONCORD ACADEMY 83 — Lincoln Raper 12, Mata Vidakovic 12, Jonas Agyeman 10, Brylee Austin 9, Cruz Miller 9, James Minlend 9, Mandrake Lewis Jr 8, Romain Boyer 7, Jordan Pierce 5, Tyzhir Dyer 2, Modou Ndiaye 2
BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN 44 — Manny Vahook 13, Jack Baker 10, RJ Robinson 8, Pierce Bowman 8, Xander Yarborough 3, Jordan Jacobson 2 Notable: Concord Academy (18-2) next plays Jan. 13 vs, Hickory Grove; Burlington Christian (8-9) next plays Jan. 15 vs. Forsyth Home Educators
NO. 2 QUEEN’S GRANT 78, MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHARTER 44
QGHS: 20 25 22 11 — 78
MICS: 18 7 11 8 — 44
QUEEN’S GRANT 78 — Bobby Montgomery 15, Mekhi Allen 22, Chase Smith 22, DeBerry 4, Preston Scott 13, White 2
MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHARTER 44 — Kyle Bridgewater 16, David Furlough 13, Johnson 6, Donaldson 5, DeMoor 2, Jordan 1, Harris 1
NO. 3 NORTH MECKLENBURG 76, NO. 12 BUTLER 54
North Mecklenburg 18 23 19 16 — 76
Butler 18 11 13 12 — 54 NORTH MECKLENBURG 76 — Estwick 2, Lewandowski 9, Ashton Pierce 32, Lindsay 4, Gary 3, ExZavier Young 17, Johnson 1, Davis 6, Pack 2. BUTLER 54 — Badio 7, Boyd 4, Ross 6, Ian Tomlinson 18, White 7, Vastis 5, Shine 7.
Records: North Meck 12-2, 2-0; Butler 12-3, 1-1
NO. 4 WEST CHARLOTTE 61, MALLARD CREEK 58
West Charlotte 17 17 15 12 — 61
Mallard Creek 15 8 15 20 — 58
WEST CHARLOTTE 61 — ChaCho Womack 19 Kaharri Coleman 17 Jkhai Wade 14 Pressley 9 Cross 2
MALLARD CREEK 58 — Lajaylen Overton 18 Aiden Roberson 10 Caldwell 6 McKissick 6 Savage 5 Shonqanie 4 Moats4 Hayes 3 Tucker 2
NO. 6 HUNTER HUSS 96, FORESTVIEW 63
HUNTER HUSS 96 — Jaleel Smith 26, Zii Phillips 16, Ametrius McCoy 13, Griggs 9, Piess 8, Sanders 6, Anderson 6, Falls 5, Lockhart 3, Moore 3, Walker 1
NO. 9 PROVIDENCE DAY 77, LEGION COLLEGIATE (SC) 55
Providence Day 22 26 19 10 — 77
Legion Collegiate 9 13 13 20 — 55
PROVIDENCE DAY 77 — Zeke Battier 17, C Parker 10, Dylan Bradley 10, Haynes 8, Stokes III 7, Scruitsky 5, Williams 5, Swinson 4, Meyers 4, Brancieri 3, Woolcock 2, Tyree-Rodriguez 2
LEGION COLLEGIATE 55 — Brian Jeudy 12, Kenny Walker 12, Coffman 8, Torres 8, Siuta 7, Hanes 4, Brzozka 2, McKinney 2
Records: Providence Day 12-5, Legion Collegiate 3-13
Notable: The Chargers have won 11 of their last 12 games and all players were able to score Friday. The Chargers will start conference play at Covenant Day on Tuesday.
NO. 10 ARDREY KELL 61, ROCKY RIVER 35
Ardrey Kell 27 23 5 6 — 61
Rocky River 4 6 14 11 — 35
ARDREY KELL 61 — Matthew Craft 13, Dylan Morrison 12, Donnie Jones 9, Jeremiah Jones 6, Shyam Jobanputra 5, Braden Suggs 4, Ethan Gramaglia 4, Trey Smith 2, Jaden Washington 2, Asa Nelson 2, Preston Rubinacci 2
ROCKY RIVER 35 — Cunningham 3, Jordan 2, Reels 12, Mullings 7, Moore 2, Riley 1, K Cunningham 6, Petty 2
Record: Ardrey Kell 13-2, 2-0
NO. 13 MOORESVILLE 78, SOUTH IREDELL 49
Mooresville 26 15 18 19 — 78
South Iredell 10 9 16 14 — 49
MOORESVILLE 78 — Nolan Ericson 14, Qua Bailey 12, Jordan Walton 12, Christian Wilson 10, Tyler Morrison 6, Eian Bailey 6, Taurean McKinnon 6, Braelen Ross 5, Chanse Bost 3, Carson Schaen 2, Justus White 2
Record: Mooresville 11-2
NO. 14 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 82, MARVIN RIDGE 54
CCHS 16 17 24 15 — 72
MRHS 12 15 16 11 — 54
CCHS 72 — Jack Siegel 29, Mack Jordan 20, Joseph Kapsiak 14, Houser 5, Hodes 3, Woeste 1
MRHS 54 — Matthew Rivlin 22, Henry Smith 15, Mac Habernicht 10, Wiest 5, Tackett 2
NO. 15 EAST LINCOLN 64, HICKORY 51
East Lincoln 15 15 20 14 — 64
Hickory 16 13 11 11 — 51
EAST LINCOLN 64 — Christian Atkins 18, Gavin Heaberlin 11, Davis Beam 3, Jaxon Dollar 13, Brayden Miller 9, Gaige Ikard 10, Parker Frisk 0
HICKORY 51 — Forrest 5, Powell 10, White 9, McClain 9. Hillman 12, Blocker 6
Records: East Lincoln 13-1, 7-0; Hickory 10-3, 5-2
Notable: East Lincoln outscored Hickory 34-22 in the second half and had four players in double figures, led by senior Christian Atkins, who had 18 points. The Mustangs will be on the road against the Maiden Blue Devils on Monday.
CHARLOTTE LATIN 67, CARY ACADEMY 61
CL 18 9 16 24 — 67
CA 15 11 15 20 — 61
CHARLOTTE LATIN 67 — Alex Dauska 26, Emory Chaney 16, Diaz 5, Smith 4, Latta 4, Warren 3, Spicer 3, White 2, Hollmeyer 2, Hutchinson 2
CARY 61 — Julian Tweedy 22, Aiden Rousseau 13, Harrell 8, Chang 8, McLeary 5, Cadet 5
Records: Latin 11-5, Cary Academy 7-10
CONCORD 79, SOUTH ROWAN 29
Concord 26 33 14 6 — 79
South Rowan 10 23 3 3 — 29
CONCORD 79 — Jayden Beyan 20, DJ Sandford 13, Jabari Byrd 10, Lawson Childress 10, Kyzen Coleman 10, Daeshon Glanton 5, Tyrel Weatherspoon 4, Antonio Brown 2, Lisander Farias 2, Taheer Jackson 2, CJ Beckford 1
SOUTH ROWAN 29 — Mason Long 18, Brycen Burris 5, Maverick Morgan 3, Keegan Strickland 3
Records: Concord 7-6 (2-2 SPC); South Rowan 2-10 (0-4 SPC)
DURHAM ACADEMY 66, CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 45
Durham Academy 10 13 24 19 — 66
Charlotte Country Day 9 8 15 13 — 45
DURHAM ACADEMY 66 — Jacob Bullock 7, Malcom McNeill 14, Rem Frasher 15, Jack Simpson 4, Josh Dorsette 16, Parker Jeffries 1, Josiah Dorsette 4, Major Howell 5
COUNTRY DAY 45 — Emory Roberts 7, Hunter Blythe 8, Nolan Lowery 12, Peter Richardson 2, Hobs Mulford 2, Ben Harker 4, Jojo Youakim 10
EAST MECKLENBURG 46, PROVIDENCE 40 OT
East Meck- 11 9 11 11 4 — 46
Providence- 12 13 2 13 2 — 40
EAST MECK 46 — Zavion Funderburk 12, Nixon Wright 10, Caldwell 8, Ramirez Toro 6, Ruff 5, Buzzard 5
PROVIDENCE 40 — Gaither 8, Siegel 7, Drayton 6, Powell 5, Williams 4, DeGabrielle 3, Hodgson 3, Sweet 2, Ren 2
FOREST HILLS 92, CENTRAL ACADEMY 71
Forest Hills 18 30 22 22 —92
CATA 8 28 17 18—71
FOREST HILLS 92 — Landon Blakeney 10, Amari Melton 27, T.J Parker 4, Makhhi Massey 16, Truth Rorie 11, Xze’Vion Brewer 4, Ny’heem Covington 7, Simeon Parker 1, Matthew Florentino 12
CATA 71 — Jaylen Rodgers 23, Michael Hoff 23, Oliver Stark 9, Aman Gandhi 5, Torres Adam 10
GASTON DAY 69, METROLINA CHRISTIAN 56
MCA 10 12 13 21 — 56
GDS 15 19 22 13 — 69
METROLINA CHRISTIAN 56 — Malachi Wilson 24, Rickey Torrence 20, Kirbyson 5, Reeder 4, Whitehurst 3
GASTON DAY 69 — Dyson Britt 14, Griffen Simpson 13, Onur Kurucu 12, Jaylon Bowden 12, Mcintosh 9, Fields 6
Records: MCA 13-8; GDS 11-6
Notable: Metrolina Christian plays SouthLake Christian on Tuesday, January 13 at 7 p.m.
HOUGH 77, GARINGER 68
HOUGH 77 — John Slusher 21. Tre Ratliff 18, Justin Funderburk 12, Beckett Burnett 10, Coleman 7, Beshears 5, Spear 4
GARINGER 68 — Aaron Lawler 26
Notable: Hough’s John Slusher had 21 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Teammate Justin Funderburk added 10 points, 10 rebounds.
Records: Hough 10-3 Garinger 3-9
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 85, LANGTREE CHARTER 55
LNC- 23 21 18 23 — 85
Langtree Charter- 15 17 12 11 — 55
LNC 85 — Collin McConneyhead 28, Cam Roberts 21, Kam Davis 16, Justin Massey 7, Alex Massey 3, Bennett Love 3, Drew Nelson 3, Isaiah Carter 2, Peter Fusco 2, Jake Wozniak 2 Notable: Cam Roberts had a career high 21 points and Peter Fusco got his first ever Varsity points. LNC will travel to Corvian next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
SOUTH MECKLENBURG 72, WEST MECKLENBURG 52
S.Meck 17 16 16 23 — 72
W.Meck 8 12 18 14 — 52
SOUTH MECK 72 — B. Houpt 22, J. Gatehouse 21, R. Foster 9, C. Yett 8
WEST MECK 52 — Pratt 14, Bridges 11, Walkup 10, White 7
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 10:39 PM.
