Thursday's boys’ rewind: North Meck upset at West Charlotte ends in chaos
Emotions have historically run high when North Mecklenburg and West Charlotte high schools meet on the basketball court.
On Thursday night, after visiting North Mecklenburg fended off a furious West Charlotte rally for a 69-64 victory, those emotions got the best of some of the players and many of the fans.
Shortly after the postgame handshake line began, pushing and shoving turned into fan involvement and the heavy security force that was in place for the sellout crowd needed about five minutes to restore order, get teams back into their locker rooms and get fans out of the Charles Adams McCullough Athletic Center.
“I didn’t even see what happened,” North Mecklenburg coach Duane Lewis said before police cars helped escort his team’s bus off the West Charlotte campus. “I shook hands with the guys the way you’re supposed to. I can’t comment on anything else because I don’t know and didn’t see what happened.”
Security guards cleared all fans, including the media, out of the facility soon after The Observer interviewed Lewis. Efforts to reach West Charlotte coach Jacoby Davis for comment were unsuccessful.
With a multitude of camera phones taping the postgame incident, it’s fair to assume there could be fallout as soon as Friday — or when the teams are slated to play another game.
On Thursday, the Observer received a video of a West Charlotte player pushing North Mecklenburg assistant coach Clark Camp to the floor as he was leaving the court.
In the game, after West Charlotte scored first, North Mecklenburg (15-3 overall, 5-0 Meck Power Six 7A/8A) took as much as a six-point lead — the last at 12-6 — in a back-and-forth opening half that saw the Vikings lead 18-17 after the first quarter and West Charlotte lead 33-32 at the break.
In the third quarter, North Mecklenburg put the Lions on their heels, scoring 14 of the first 20 points of the half for a 46-39 advantage midway through the third quarter.
North Mecklenburg took a 57-47 lead into the final quarter and was ahead by a game-high 12 points three times and still ahead 65-54 with 3:38 to play before the Lions made a final push.
West Charlotte used four Vikings turnovers in their next five possessions to score 10 straight points and pull within 65-64 with 1:36 to play.
Both teams went scoreless on their next three possessions before West Charlotte fouled twice in seven-tenths of a second to put North Mecklenburg sophomore D.J. Lindsey Jr. on the foul line. Lindsey hit both shots for a 67-64 lead with 7.1 seconds left.
After a timeout and having three fouls to give, West Charlotte inbounded to sophomore standout Kaharri Coleman, and he evaded attempts to foul him before being fouled with 3.9 seconds left as he tried a long 3-pointer in front of the Lions’ bench.
With a chance to tie, Coleman’s first free throw bounded off the front rim. His second try was good, but negated by a violation by one of his teammates. Finally Coleman fired a hard toss off the backboard without hitting the rim that gave North Mecklenburg possession.
Vikings junior Alek Lewandowski was fouled with 1.0 seconds left and hit both free throws for the final margin.
“We’re just excited to come over here and upset them,” Lewis said, noting the Lions were ranked No. 3 in The Observer Sweet 16 and No. 1 in the N.C. Class 8A poll compared to the Vikings being No. 7 in the Sweet 16 and No. 2 in the N.C. Class 7A poll. “It was a tough environment and a great crowd. We held on. There’s always a lot of emotions going on in a game like that. I’m just glad that we came out on top. Now we’ve got to come out and play again tomorrow.”
North Mecklenburg hosts Mallard Creek on Friday in a game whose start time has been moved up to 6:30 p.m. over the expectation of wintry weather Friday night. West Charlotte is slated to play at Independence.
Senior guard Ashton Pierce led the Vikings with a game-high 20 points, including 10 in the third quarter, and ExZavier Young had 16 points and Wilson Estwick and Lindsey 10 each.
It also was North Mecklenburg’s 13th straight win in the rivalry that began in 1971.
For West Charlotte (14-3, 4-1), Jkhai Wade and Janon Singh had 15 points each, Coleman 10 and Amen “AC” Pressley and Major Cross nine each.
Quick links
Former Carmel Christian star finds way back to D1 using juco. Is this the new wave?
NC statewide girls’ basketball rankings: Polls are tightening up
7 new teams in NC statewide boys’ basketball polls
Longtime Butler coach Brian Hales steps down, for second time
Bradford Prep to start varsity football, with Independence assistant Adam Webber
Early start for games Friday, at least in CMS
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will operate on a two-hour weather delay Friday. The district is also canceling junior varsity basketball games, usually held before varsity games tip off.
That will allow varsity games to start at 5 and 6:30 p.m., hopefully finishing ahead of snow expected to reach the area late Friday evening.
All CMS weekend athletic events are canceled
Thursday’s #BIG5 boys’ top performers
Braylon Gray, Corvian Community: In a 79-67 win over Langtree Charter, the sophomore point guard had a career-high 32 points and 7 assists.
Christan Jones, Independence: Jones had 14 points in a 66-46 upset of No. 15 Butler in a matchup of Mint Hill-Matthews rivals Thursday.
James Minlend, Concord Academy: Minlend had a game-high 28 points in an 84-56 win over Gaston Day. Concord Academy, No. 1 in The Sweet 16, improved to 23-2.
Carson Powell, Providence: Powell, a 5-9 freshman, had a game-high 20 points as Providence upset No. 9 Ardrey Kell, 61-50, beating its arch rival for the first time in 13 years. Providence (10-8, 4-1) has won eight of its last nine games and is tied for first place in its conference.
Jaleel Smith, Hunter Huss: In a 74-47 win over North Gaston, Smith — The Observer’s midseason player of the year — had 23 points, 6 steals, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
Providence ends long streak
Most of Providence’s boys’ basketball players were 2 or 3 years old the last time their school beat neighborhood rival Ardrey Kell.
The streak ended Thursday night.
The Panthers made five free throws in the closing minute and knocked off No. 9 Ardrey Kell 69-65 in a Southwestern 7A/8A contest.
It marked the first time since Feb. 10, 2012, that Providence has beaten the Knights.
The Panthers (10-8, 4-1) are one of the Charlotte area’s hottest teams. They have won four in a row and eight of nine.
Thursday night, free throws and defense paved the way.
Carson Powell made two foul shots with 39 seconds left, putting the Panthers up 66-60.
But Matthew Craft hit a three-pointer from the left side, and the Knights (15-4, 3-2) were withing 66-63.
Powell was fouled against with 21.2 seconds left and made two more free throws, for a 68-63 lead.
Then Providence forced an Ardrey Kell turnover, the Panthers’ Caleb Gaither was fouled, and he made a free throw.
The Knights’ Cole Stankavage got the game’s final points on a tip-in with two seconds left.
Powell, a freshman, finished with 20 points. Wyatt Sweet added 17, and Gaither scored 14.
Braden Suggs and Donnie Jones each scored 16 for Ardrey Kell.
Patriots wallop Butler
Independence ended the drama early Thursday night.
Playing before a full house, the Patriots raced to a 17-3 lead against visiting neighborhood rival Butler and cruised to a 66-46 Meck Power Six 7A/8A victory.
Coach Preston Davis’ team did it with defense.
The Patriots swatted away six Butler shots in the opening quarter, with three of the blocks coming from junior standout Lusemo Macharia.
After Butler sophomore Kellan Worthy scored on a layup midway in the first quarter, cutting Independence’s lead to 8-3, the Patriots went on a 9-0 run.
Dylan McFarland hit a three-pointer, Macharia scored on a tip-in, Laurence Black made two free throws, and Macharia scored on a 12-foot jump shot. That put Independence up 17-3, and the Patriots never looked back.
Butler (13-6, 2-3) narrowed the deficit to 31-21 on Terrance Badio’s three-pointer jump before the half, but Independence (11-7, 3-2) scored six straight points – all of them by King Rhodes – and pulled away.
Christian Jones led the Patriots with 14 points, Rhodes added 12, and McFarland scored 10.
Elijah Shine led Butler with 10 points.
Independence has a three-game winning streak against the Bulldogs.
GREATER CHARLOTTE 7A/8A
No. 14 Hough 70, Hopewell 67: Jaylen Byers scored 16 points, and Tre Ratliff and John Slusher each added 14, as the host Huskies (14-7, 4-1) squeaked past the Titans (6-11, 2-3).
M.J. McKinney had a game-high 18 points for Hopewell, with Brayden McCrimmon adding 16.
West Mecklenburg 69, Garinger 48
MECK POWER SIX 7A/8A
Chambers 66, Mallard Creek 54: Mallard Creek (6-13, 0-5) trailed most of the way, but the Mavericks narrowed the game to 52-47 with four minutes left. Chambers (11-8, 1-4) responded with a three-pointer by Q.J. Young. After Mallard Creek got within 57-52, Young again hit a basket.
SOUTHWESTERN 7A/8A
Ballantyne Ridge 63, Rocky River 50
East Mecklenburg 77, Palisades 65
GREATER METRO 6A/7A
Harding 71, Cox Mill 58
Olympic 46, Central Cabarrus 45
SOUTHERN CAROLINA 6A/7A
No. 10 Charlotte Catholic 77, Porter Ridge 35: The host Cougars (17-3, 8-0) trounced the Pirates (1-18, 0-8), behind 17 points from Mack Jordan. Jack Siegel added 12 points and Joseph Kapsiak scored 11. Keenan Sullivan topped Porter Ridge with 10.
BIG SOUTH 5A/6A
No. 4 Hunter Huss 74, North Gaston 47: The host Huskies (17-2, 8-0) outscored North Gaston (9-9, 0-8) 29-8 in the second quarter for a 53-21 halftime lead.
ROCKY RIVER 4A/5A
Anson County 61, Central Academy 54
Mount Pleasant 63, Monroe 60
METROLINA ATHLETIC
No. 1 Concord Academy 84, Gaston Day 56: The top-ranked Eagles (23-2, 8-0) got 28 points from James Minlend and outscored the host Spartans (14-9, 5-2) 45-27 in the second half. Lincoln Raper and Mata Vidakovic each added 16 for the victors. Dyson Britt and Griffen Simpson each had 16 points for Gaston Day.
CATAWBA SHORES 2A/3A/4A
Corvian Community 79, Langtree Charter 67: Langtree Charter (2-14, 0-9) led 22-12 early in the second quarter, but the Cardinals (4-14, 4-5) battled back and took a 34-33 lead on Braylon Gray’s basket early in the third period. Barrington Cook followed with a basket, and then Gray and Brock Spaulding hit three-pointers, and Corvian was rolling.
Lincoln Charter 59, Community School of Davidson 49
Pine Lake Prep 64, Bradford Prep 61
SOUTHERN PIEDMONT 2A/3A/4A
Cherryville 63, Highland Tech 55
Bessemer City 66, Stuart Cramer 61: Tahj Whitley scored 14 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked five shots for Stuart Cramer, but Bessemer City outscored the Storm 38-27 in the middle two quarters and held on.
CATAWBA RIVER 1A/2A/3A
Thomas Jefferson Academy 77, Carolina International 66
NONCONFERENCE
Lab Univ. Prep 78, Combine Regional 54
Socrates Academy 42, British International School 22
Victory Christian 73, Arborbrook Christian 27: McKennon Showers scored 17 points for the victorious Kings, and Deshawn Coulter added 16 points, five assists, and six steals.
Friday’s high school picks
Here are this week’s picks from the Talking Preps crew. How did we do?
Thursday’s boys’ box scores
NO. 1 CONCORD ACADEMY 84, GASTON DAY 56
Concord Academy 20 19 26 19 — 84
Gaston Day 19 10 16 11 — 56
CONCORD ACADEMY 84 — James Minlend 28, Lincoln Raper 16, Mata Vidakovic 16, Brylee Austin 6, Cruz Miller 5, Jonas Agyeman 4, Jordan Pierce 3, Romain Boyer 2, Modou Ndiaye 2, Mandrake Lewis Jr 2
GASTON DAY 56 — Dyson Britt 16, Griffen Simpson 16, Jaylon Bowden 11, Mehki McIntosh 5, Lucas Simpson 3, Onur Kurucu 2, Kingston Limpscomb 2, Gavin Fields 1
Notable: Concord Academy (23-2) next play Friday vs. Westminster; Gaston Day (14-9) next plays Friday at Gaston Christian.
NO. 4 HUNTER HUSS 74, NORTH GASTON 47
Hunter Huss 24 29 8 13 — 74
North Gaston 13 8 14 12 — 47
HUNTER HUSS 74 — Jaleel Smith 23, Ametrius McCoy 10, Phillips 9, Pless 9, Anderson 7, Falls 6, Griggs 6, Moore 3, Lockart 2
PROVIDENCE 69, NO. 9 ARDREY KELL 65
Providence 11 14 16 28 — 69
Ardrey Kell 18 9 14 24 — 65
PROVIDENCE 61 — Powell 20, Sweet 17, Gaither 14, Desabrielle 13, Hodgson 3 , Williams 2
ARDREY KELL 50 — Suggs 16, D. Jones 16, Craft 10, J. Jones 10, Morrison 9, Smith 2, Nelson 2
Notable: This was Providence’s first win against rival AK since Feb. 10, 2012. Providence has won 8 of its last 9 games.
NO. 7 NORTH MECKLENBURG 69, NO. 4 WEST CHARLOTTE 64
North Mecklenburg 18 14 25 12 — 69
West Charlotte 17 16 14 17 — 64
NORTH MECKLENBURG 69 — White 4, Wilson Estwick 10, Lewandowski 7, Ashton Pierce 20, D.J. Lindsey, Jr. 10, ExZavier Young 16, Pack 2 WEST CHARLOTTE 64 — Kaharri Coleman 10, Womack 4, Pressley 9, Jkahi Wade 15, Cross 9, Sullivan 2, Janon Singh 15
Records: North Mecklenburg 15-3, 5-0 Meck Power Six 7A/8A; West Charlotte 14-3, 4-1.
NO. 10 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 77, PORTER RIDGE 35
Charlotte Catholic 19 19 22 17 — 77
Porter Ridge 9 10 9 7 — 35
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 77 — Mack Jordan 17, Jack Siegel 12, Joseph Kapsiak 11, Shepard 9, Culpepper 7, Kerr 6, Houser 6, M. Kapsiak 5, Denning 2, O’Connell 2
PORTER RIDGE 35 — Keenan Sullivan 10, M’Clain 8, Dotson 5, Johnson 4, Monghan 3, Osei 2, Jordan 2, Adams 1
NO. 14 HOUGH 70, HOPEWELL 67
Hough 16 22 14 18 — 70
Hopewell 18 15 17 17 — 67
HOUGH 70 — Jaylen Byers 16, Tre Ratliff 14, John Slusher 14, Burnett 8, Coleman 8, Spear 7, Funderburk 4
HOPEWELL 67 — MJ McKinney 18, Brayden McCrimmon 16, Tre Gaitlin 16, Broughton 8, Cole 8, White 1
Record: Hough 14-4 Hopewell 6-11
INDEPENDENCE 66, NO. 15 BUTLER 46
Independence 17 14 20 15 — 66
Butler 10 10 13 13 — 46
BUTLER 46 — Elijah Shine 10, Badio 9, Tomlinson 6, Bloomfield 5, White 4, Vastis 4, Branch 3, Worthy 3, Ross 2
INDEPENDENCE 66 — Christan Jones 14, King Rhodes 12, Dylan McFarland 10, Neely 9, Black 6, Macharia 6, Powell 4, Bodrick 2, Fisher 2, Campo 1
Records: Butler: 13-6, 2-3; Independence 11-7, 3-2
CORVIAN COMMUNITY 79, LANGTREE CHARTER 67
Corvian Community 10 20 22 27 — 79
Langree Charter 16 17 11 23 — 67
CORVIAN 79 — Cook 6, Zion Edwards 19, Hunnant 5, Brock Spaulding 10, Patel 1. Braylon Gray 32, Summers 4, Garvin 2
LANGTREE CHARTER 67 — Jerel Brawley 22, Kendrick Phifer 14, Ruff 3, Arbrey Hoyle 23, Ahlbin 5
Notable: Corvian senior Maxwell Garvin had 10 rebounds. Senior Barrington Cook had 6 assists, 6 steals. Sophomore point guard Braylon Gray finished with a career-high 32 points and 7 assists.
Wednesday’s boys’ roundup
Cannon School 81, Charlotte Christian 64: The host Cougars (11-11, 4-1) remained second in the CISAA behind a huge night from Sean Nix, who had 39 points and 13 rebounds. Nix hit four of eight shots from three-point range. D.J. Rogers added 13 points and eight rebounds.
Charlotte Christian (15-10, 0-5) bolted to a 22-11 lead after one quarter, but Cannon School rallied for a 37-32 halftime lead and outscored the Knights 23-12 in the fourth quarter.
Covenant Day 61, Charlotte Country Day 56
Cuthbertson 81, Piedmont 47: Grady Webb’s 23 points led the visiting Cavaliers (13-8, 4-4) to a Southern Carolina 6A/7A victory. Jayden Gunby added seven points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Bryan Little had a game-high 27 points for Piedmont (8-11, 3-5).
Lake Norman Charter 60, Christ the King 46: Cam Roberts’ 17 points led the visiting Knights (10-8, 6-3 Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A) over the Crusaders (8-9, 6-3).
No. 6 Providence Day 61, Charlotte Latin 53: Zeke Battier had 15 points and seven rebounds, and C Parker added 13 points and five rebounds for the Chargers. Providence Day (17-5, 5-0 CISAA) trailed the Hawks (14-8, 2-3) 42-41 after three quarters but outscored Latin 20-11 in the final period.
Freshman Emory Chaney scored a game-high 33 points for the Hawks.
Weddington 61, Sun Valley 57 (OT)
Friday’s schedule
Greater Charlotte 7A/8A
Hopewell at South Mecklenburg
Hough at West Mecklenburg
Myers Park at Garinger
Meck Power Six 7A/8A
Chambers at Butler
Mallard Creek at North Mecklenburg
West Charlotte at Independence
Southwestern 7A/8A
Ardrey Kell at Palisades
East Mecklenburg at Ballantyne Ridge
Providence at Rocky River
CISAA
Cannon School at Charlotte Country Day (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Charlotte Christian at Charlotte Latin (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Covenant Day at Providence Day (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Greater Charlotte 6A/7A
A.L. Brown at Olympic
Berry Academy at Hickory Ridge
Cox Mill at Central Cabarrus
West Cabarrus at Harding
North Piedmont 6A/7A
Mooresville at South Iredell
North Iredell at Davie County
Statesville at Lake Norman
Southern Carolina 6A/7A
Marvin Ridge at Weddington
Piedmont at Porter Ridge
Sun Valley at Cuthbertson
Big South 5A/6A
Crest at Forestview
North Gaston at Ashbrook
South Point at Hunter Huss
Rocky River 4A/5A
Anson County at Parkwood
Mount Pleasant at Forest Hills
West Stanly at Monroe
South Piedmont 4A/5A
Jay M. Robinson at West Rowan
Jesse Carson at East Rowan
Northwest Cabarrus at Concord
Salisbury at South Rowan
Western Foothills 4A/5A
East Lincoln at West Iredell
Fred T. Foard at Bandys
Hickory at Maiden
Newton-Conover at North Lincoln
Metrolina Athletic
Gaston Day at Gaston Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Metrolina Christian at Hickory Grove Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Westminster Catawba at Concord Academy (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A
Christ the King at Bradford Prep
Community School of Davidson at Corvian Community
Lake Norman Charter at Pine Lake Prep
Langtree Charter at Lincoln Charter
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
Cherryville at Burns
Highland Tech at West Lincoln
Lincolnton at Stuart Cramer
Shelby at East Gaston
Yadkin Valley 2A/3A
Union Academy at Gray Stone Day
Catawba River 1A/2A/3A
Mountain Island Charter at Carolina International
Piedmont Community Charter at Bonnie Cone Academy
Sugar Creek Charter at Jackson Day
Foothills Athletic
Salem Christian at North Hills Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Statesville Christian at Hickory Christian (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Nonconference
Lee Park Prep at Liberty Prep (boys), 7 p.m.
South Charlotte Thunder at Forsyth Home Educators
This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 10:07 PM.
