Friday’s boys’ rewind: West Mecklenburg stops Myers Park on night of upsets
West Mecklenburg did it again.
The Hawks beat Myers Park, 62-59, Friday on the road, upsetting the Mustangs, No. 11 in The Observer’s Sweet 16, for the second time this season. And that’s quite an accomplishment for a team that was 0-25 last season.
On Jan. 20, the Hawks beat Myers Park at home, 72-69.
And Friday night was a night of upsets in the greater Charlotte area.
Garinger beat Hopewell, 82-69, to earn its first conference win in six years.
Butler beat No. 7 West Charlotte, 63-61; Cannon School upset No. 6 Providence Day, ending the Chargers’ 12-game win streak; and Marvin Ridge upset Charlotte Catholic, 59-54, ending the Cougars’ five-game win streak and hopes for an unbeaten run through the Southern Carolinas conference.
More on these games:
Friday’s #BIG5 boys’ top performers
Liam Drayton, Providence: Drayton had a game-high 20 points in a 52-38 win over Palisades. The Panthers have won 11 of their past 12 games.
Nolan Ericson, Mooresville: Ericson had 20 points and 2 steals in a 55-52 win over Davie County.
RJ Grier, West Mecklenburg: Grier had a team-high 16 points an upset win over Myers Park.
Aaron Lawler, Jameer Neely, Garinger: Lawler had 28 points and Nealy 27 in an 82-69 win over Hopewell, Garinger’s first conference win in six years.
Braden Suggs, Ardrey Kell: Suggs had a game-high 24 points in a 71-53 win over Ballantyne Ridge.
Friday’s game recaps
CANNON SCHOOL 72, NO. 6 PROVIDENCE DAY 71
Cannon School junior Sean NIx scored 26 points to lead the Cougars to an upset.
Cannon (13-12, 6-2) pulled within a game of Providence Day (19-6, 7-1) in the CISAA conference standings with two games to play.
Cannon plays Covenant Day and Charlotte Christian next week. Providence Day, which can earn a share of the title with one win next week, will play rivals Charlotte Christian and Charlotte Latin.
On Friday, Columbus Parker (21 points) and Zeke Battier (19) led the Chargers.
BUTLER 63, NO. 7 WEST CHARLOTTE 61
Elijah Shine scored 16 points and Terrance Badio had 15 to lead the Bulldogs to a big Meck Power 6 conference upset.
Butler (14-7, 3-4) led 43-32 going into the fourth quarter and held off a late rally by the Lions, who played without top 50 national recruit, sophomore Kaharri Coleman. Chacho Womack (20 points) and Amen Pressley (16) led the Lions.
WEST MECKLENBURG 62, NO. 11 MYERS PARK 59
West Meck, 0-25 a year ago, now has a real shot to win a conference championship.
The Hawks beat Myers Park for the second time this season, winning 62-59 on the road Friday.
West Meck (12-8, 5-2) pulled even with Myers Park (14-7, 5-2) and Hough (15-5, 5-2) for first place in the Greater Charlotte 7A/8A conference standings.
RJ Grier had 14 points to lead the Hawks, making 6 of 7 field goal attempts. Josiah Bridges had 10 points.
GARINGER 82, HOPEWELL 69
Aaron Lawler and Jameer Neely combined for 55 points in Garinger’s first conference win in six years.
The Wildcats ended a nine-game losing streak.
MARVIN RIDGE 59, NO. 9 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 54
The host Mavericks (16-4, 7-2) stayed alive in the Southern Carolina 6A/7A race, making a flurry of three-point shots early in the game and then nailing free throws down the stretch. Mac Habenicht made two key three-pointers in the third quarter, when the Mavericks built a lead that reached 13 points (42-29).
Marvin Ridge led 45-35 with 7:18 left after Henry Smith hit a three-pointer, but Charlotte Catholic (18-4, 9-1) battled back. The Cougars closed to 48-43 on a Joseph Kapsiak basket on a goaltending play with 2:40 remaining.
But the Mavericks made seven of eight free throws in the final minute, with Henry Smith going four-for-four from the line.
Jack Siegel kept Charlotte Catholic close with a pair of three-pointers in the closing six seconds, but D.J. Smith’s two free throws iced the victory for Marvin Ridge.
Elsewhere around the area Friday night:
GREATER CHARLOTTE 7A/8A
Hough 74, South Mecklenburg 69: John Slusher scored 23 points and Tre Ratliff added 17, as the Huskies (15-5, 5-2) won on the road. Jim Gatehouse scored 34 points for the Sabres (9-12, 3-4).
MECK POWER SIX 7A/8A
Independence 83, Mallard Creek 68
No. 5 North Mecklenburg 55, Chambers 47
SOUTHWESTERN 7A/8A
Ardrey Kell 71, Ballantyne Ridge 53: Braden Suggs scored 24 points, and Dylan Morrison added 14 for the Knights (17-5, 5-3). Cam Sapon led Ballantyne Ridge (9-13, 2-6) with nine points.
Providence 52, Palisades 38: Palisades (8-14, 2-6) led 28-26 at halftime, but Providence (13-8, 7-1) outscored the Pumas 15-3 in the third quarter. Liam Drayton (20 points) and Caleb Gaither (15) led the Panthers. Dillon Hill scored 13 for the Pumas (8-14, 2-6).
CISAA
Charlotte Christian 77, Charlotte Country Day 58
Charlotte Latin 68, Covenant Day 60
GREATER METRO 6A/7A
Central Cabarrus 53, Berry Academy 49: The visiting Vikings (8-12, 7-4) made four free throws in the closing 40 seconds and held off the Cardinals (8-9, 5-5).
Harding 71, Olympic 53
Hickory Ridge 90, A.L. Brown 61
West Cabarrus 62, Cox Mill 58
NORTH PIEDMONT 6A/7A
Lake Norman 85, North Iredell 62
No. 10 Mooresville 55, Davie County 52: Nolan Ericson’s 20 points and Taurean McKinnon’s 15 points and six rebounds led the Blue Devils (16-2, 5-0), who rallied from a 43-40 deficit after three quarters.
South Iredell 85, Statesville 67
SOUTHERN CAROLINA 6A/7A
Piedmont 77, Sun Valley 74
Weddington 79, Porter Ridge 43
BIG SOUTH 5A/6A
No. 3 Hunter Huss 65, Crest 55: Zii Phillips had 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Huskies (19-2, 10-0), who clinched the regular-season championship. Jaleel Smith added 11 points. Crest fell to 12-8, 5-4.
Kings Mountain 76, Ashbrook 73: Silas Tate made two clinching free throws in the Mountaineers’ (9-10, 6-2) home victory. Ashbrook is 8-9, 4-5.
South Point 77, North Gaston 53: South Point (8-11, 4-4) outdistanced North Gaston (9-11, 0-10) by scoring 31 fourth-quarter points.
ROCKY RIVER 4A/5A
Anson County 60, West Stanly 44
Forest Hills 64, Central Academy 38: Forest Hills coach Garrett Malone earned his 100th victory, as the Yellow Jackets (15-6, 8-1) cruised. Landon Blakeney (18 points and Makhi Massey (15) led the way. Michael Hoff scored 13 for CATA (6-15, 0-9).
Monroe 63, Parkwood 56: Bryson Simpkins’ 17 points and 12 rebounds carried the Redhawks (7-7, 5-4) past the Wolf Pack (12-9, 6-3). Jabari Benson added 14 points and nine rebounds for Monroe.
SOUTH PIEDMONT 4A/5A
East Rowan 64, South Rowan 32
No. 14 Jay M. Robinson 75, Jesse Carson 47: The Bulldogs (14-3, 7-2) handed Jesse Carson (17-2, 8-1) its first conference loss, as Jamell Reid totaled 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Roger Walton Jr. scored 15 points.
Northwest Cabarrus 63, West Rowan 55
Salisbury 75, Concord 62
WESTERN FOOTHILLS 4A/5A
Bandys 80, Maiden 68
Fred T. Foard 76, Bunker Hill 54
Hickory 75, No. 12 East Lincoln 74 (OT)
METROLINA ATHLETIC
No. 1 Concord Academy 82, Metrolina Christian 39: The Observer’s top-ranked boys; team improved to 25-2, 10-0, as Lincoln Raper scored 23 points and James Minlend added 14. Rickey Torrence topped Metrolina (19-9, 5-4) with 10 points.
No. 4 Gaston Christian 66, Westminster Catawba 41: Jaishawn Woods (18 points, seven rebounds), Cameron Newman (11 points) and Brayden Milner (11 points, nine rebounds) led the Eagles (24-5, 8-2) past Westminster Catawba (14-13, 1-9).
Gaston Day 79, SouthLake Christian 71
CATAWBA SHORES 2A/3A/4A
Community School of Davidson 60, Christ the King 48
Lake Norman Charter 60, Corvian Community 48: Colin McConneyhead’s 18 points led the Knights (12-9, 8-4) over the Cardinals (4-17, 4-8).
Pine Lake Prep 85, Langtree Charter 57
SOUTHERN PIEDMONT 2A/3A/4A
Burns 74, Highland Tech 34
East Gaston 66, West Lincoln 55
Shelby 84, Bessemer City 73
Stuart Cramer 106, Cherryville 81: Bryce Wilkerson scored 26 points for the Storm (12-9, 8-6), which also got 23 points from Kaiden Dye and 20 from Kingston Womack, who also had 13 assists and made four-of-six shots from three-point range. Cherryville dropped to 6-14, 3-11.
YADKIN VALLEY 2A/3A
North Rowan 51, North Stanly 46
Union Academy 56, South Stanly 35
CATAWBA RIVER 1A/2A/3A
No. 2 Queen’s Grant Charter 60, Thomas Jefferson Academy 23
NONCONFERENCE
Cabarrus Stallions 59, Surry Homeschool 45
Combine Regional 76, Lab Univ. Prep 45
Davidson Day 75, Carolina Day 50
Hickory Grove Christian 68, Northpointe Christian 33
Phoenix Montessori 73, Carmel Christian 71
Friday’s boys’ box scores
(Includes Observer Sweet 16 rankings)
NO. 1 CONCORD ACADEMY 82, METROLINA CHRISTIAN 39
Concord Academy 22 27 16 17 — 82
Metrolina Christian 9 16 5 9 — 39
CONCORD ACADEMY 82 — Lincoln Raper 23, James Minlend 14, Brylee Austin 10, Romain Boyer 8, Cruz Miller 6, Jonas Agyeman 6, Tyzhir Dyer 5, Mata Vidakovic 4, Mandrake Lewis 4, Jordan Pierce 2
METROLINA CHRISTIAN 39 — Rickey Torrence 10, Malachi Wilson 9, Brayden Kerbyson 8, Tyler Gadd 7, Ethan Whitehurst 3
Records: Concord Academy (25-2) next plays Feb. 10 at Hickory Grove; Metrolina Christian (19-9) next plays Feb. 9 vs. Gaston Day.
NO. 2 QUEEN’S GRANT 60, THOMAS JEFFERSON 20
QGHS 15 26 15 4 — 60
TJLA 4 8 2 6 — 20
QGHS 60 — Mekhi Allen 17, Chase Smith 18, DeBerry 9, Scott 2, McSweeney 3, White 2, Brown 6, O’Neil 2
TJLA 20 — Malachi 4, Surrat 6, Lawson 2, Kollock 2, Luther 2, Fuller 4
CANNON SCHOOL 72, NO. 6 PROVIDENCE DAY 71
Providence Day 16 19 16 20 — 71
Cannon 8 19 21 24 — 72
PROVIDENCE DAY 71 — Zeke Battier 19, C Parker 21, Dylan Bradley 11, Aidan Scruitsky 8, Deuce Haynes 12
CANNON SCHOOL — Nix 26, Lowery 16, Weeks 16, Mikell 6, Rogers 4, Underwood 4
Records: Providence Day 19-6 (7-1) Cannon 13-12 (6-2)
Notable: Providence Day fell to Cannon, but still has a one-game lead in the CISAA with two conference games remaining.
BUTLER 63, NO. 7 WEST CHARLOTTE 61
Butler 19 11 13 20 — 63
West Charlotte 10 7 15 29 — 61
BUTLER 63 — Elijah Shine 16, Terrance Badio 15, Ian Tomlinson 10, Kellan Worthy 8, Mlyk Bloomfield 6, Vastis 5, Branch 3
WEST CHARLOTTE 61 — Chacho Womack 20, Amen Pressley 16, Carter Sullivan 12, Wade 10, Johnson 3
Notable: Butler (14-7, 3-4) plays at North Meck Monday. West Charlotte falls to 15-4, 5-2.
NO. 10 MOORESVILLE 55, DAVIE COUNTY 52
Mooresville 20 10 10 15 — 55
Davie County 16 9 18 9 — 52
MOORESVILLE 55 — Nolan Ericson 20, Taurean McKinnon 15, Eian Bailey 9, Christian Wilson 5, Qua Bailey 4, Jordan Walton 2
Notable: Ericson had 2 steals. McKinnon had 6 rebounds. Eian Bailey had 8 rebounds. Wilson had 3 steals and 2 blocks. Walton had 5 assists.
Record: Mooresville 16-2
ARDREY KELL 71, BALLANTYNE RIDGE 53
Ardrey Kell 13 18 19 21 — 71
Ballantyne Ridge 19 6 20 8 — 53
ARDREY KELL 71 — Braden Suggs 24, Dylan Morrison 14, Donnie Jones 12, Matthew Craft 9, Cole Stankavage 5, Asa Nelson 5, Jeremiah Jones 2
BALLANTYNE 53 — Sapon 9, Flory 8, Janner 5, King 21, Wortham 1, Landrum 7, Neubauer 2
Record: Ardrey Kell 17-5, 5-3
FOREST HILLS 64, CENTRAL ACADEMY 38
Forest Hills 18 17 13 16 — 64
CATA 14 10 8 6 — 38
FOREST HILLS 64 — T.J Parker 7, Landon Blakeney 18, Truth Rorie 4, Makhi Massey 15, Amari Melton 14, Angelo Little 2, K.J Chambers 4
CATA 38 — Jayden Rogers 6, Micheal Hoff 13, Oliver Stark 2, Amari Gandhi 2, Caleb Lovett 2, Logan Segaers 14
Notable: Forest Hill coach Garrett Malone collected his 100th win.
HOUGH 74, SOUTH MECK 69
South Meck 16 16 10 27 — 69
Hough 10 20 21 23 — 74
SOUTH MECK 69 — J. Gatehouse 34, L. Gathings 10, C. Parker 8
HOUGH 74 — Slusher 23, Ratliff 17, Coleman 12
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 60, CORVIAN COMMUNITY 48
Lake Norman Charter 13 20 14 13 — 60
Corvian 11 8 9 20 — 48
LNC 60 — Collin McConneyhead 18, Kam Davis 12, Cam Roberts 7, Bennett Love 6, Isaiah Carter 4, Jake Wozniak 4, Peter Fusco 3, Alex Massey 2, Langston Holder 2
Notable: LNC improves to 12-9 (8-4) and will host Bradford Prep on Senior Night next Tuesday at 7:30.
PROVIDENCE 52, PALISADES 38
Providence 10 16 15 11 — 52
Palisades 15 13 3 7 — 38
PROVIDENCE 52 — Drayton 20, Gaither 15, Williams 6, Powell 6, Sweet 5
PALISADES 38 — Hill 13 , Harris 9 , Jenkins 8, Lester 4, VanFossen 2, Hunter 2
Notable: Providence has won 11 of its last 12 games.
Late Thursday
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 53, COVENANT DAY 50 Charlotte Christian 9 11 15 18 — 53
Covenant Day 7 11 15 17 — 50
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 53 — Marshall Nicholson 21, Matty Carroll 10, Adam Miller 5, Jack Schonberg 5, Saul Lieberman 5, William Huge 4, Carter Burns 4
COVENANT DAY 50 — Krouse 17, Thurman 13, Smith 7, Huffman 6, Wilder 5, Thompson 2
Notable: Marshall Nicholson had a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds plus 3 steals and 2 blocks.
Records: Charlotte Christian 16-11; Covenant Day 9-17
Saturday’s schedule
Well Invitational (boys)
(at Hopewell High)
West Mecklenburg vs. Corvian Community, noon
Victory Christian vs. Westminster Catawba, 1:30 p.m.
Harding vs. TBA, 3 p.m.
West Charlotte vs. Ambassador Christian, 4:30 p.m.
Greater Metro 6A/7A
A.L. Brown at Central Cabarrus (girls, noon; boys, 1:30 p.m.)
Olympic at West Cabarrus (girls, 1:30 p.m.; boys, 3 p.m.)
South Piedmont 4A/5A
East Rowan at Jay M. Robinson (girls, noon; boys, 1:30 p.m.)
Jesse Carson at Salisbury (girls, 11 a.m.; boys, 12:30 p.m.)
Northwest Cabarrus at South Rowan (girls, 11 a.m.; boys, 12:30 p.m.)
West Rowan at Concord (girls, noon; boys, 1:30 p.m.)
Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A
West Lincoln at Shelby (girls, 1 p.m.; boys, 2:30 p.m.)
Nonconference
Hickory Grove Christian at Lee Park Prep (girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
This story was originally published February 6, 2026 at 11:01 PM.
