Thursday’s rewind: With milestone in rearview, North Meck’s Lewis chases another
North Mecklenburg boys’ basketball coach Duane Lewis absolutely hates attention being brought on himself.
That’s why he 86’d a planned ceremony Thursday night, during an 88-53 win over Cuthbertson, to honor him as Mecklenburg County’s all-time wins leader among public school boys’ basketball coaches.
“I think one thing we preach is team and North Meck,” Lewis said. “It’s always about all of us. I appreciate every win and I love all my players to death, but it’s so ingrained that it’s North Meck. I didn’t do that. We did that. It’s about kids. This is their shining moment. I want them to enjoy it. I’m going to keep coaching. But every group is special. I understand it’s a big deal, but it’s the way my mind works.”
Lewis, who graduated from North Mecklenburg, got his 588th victory in Thursday’s NCHSAA 8A second-round playoff game with Cuthbertson, having passed West Charlotte legend Charles McCullough (583) several games back.
And now Lewis is going for another record.
No Mecklenburg County boys’ basketball team has won three state championships in a row since South Mecklenburg and head coach Dave Price won three in a row from 1970-72 and four in seven seasons.
North Meck, which has won the past two 4A state titles, is three wins away from playing for another.
“What those South Meck teams did was unbelievable. They had some unbelievable talent,” Lewis said. “With us, we live in the moment so much. You just never know. Our deal is always win championships — conference and conference tournament. Our deal now is we want to win Saturday and win that sectional championship and put another banner up. You’ve got to do all the little things to get to the big things. We always dial into what’s in front of us. If you’re not dialed in for the nest game, there won’t be another one.”
In Thursday’s second-round playoff win, the Vikings were tied with Cuthbertson after the first quarter, but outscored their Union County opponent 21-11 in the second quarter and 31-11 in the third, led by 35 points from Sacramento State recruit Ashton Pierce. That was more than enough for the Vikings (23-4) to advance to Saturday’s state quarterfinal at home against Weddington (18-10).
“For us to be in this position says a lot about the players who have bought in,” Lewis said, “and in the big scheme of things, that’s what North Meck basketball is about. Coach (Leroy Holden) passed it on to me, and hopefully I’ll pass it to somebody else one day.”
Quick links
Longtime CMS assistant Donald Littlejohn named football coach at Butler
Thursday’s girls’ NCHSAA second-round scores, schedule
Thursday’s boys’ NCHSAA second-round scores, schedule
Thursday’s #BIG5 top performers
Kiara Anderson, Mallard Creek girls: In a 74-30 win over Providence, Anderson had 16 points, six assists and six steals.
Ma-Kaela Gidney, Hickory Ridge girls: In a 75-54 win over Winston-Salem’s Parkland High, Gidney had 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Teammates Aubrey Cranford (18 points, seven rebounds, four steals) and Miranda Duley (nine points, 11 rebounds, four blocks) also had big games.
Lane Pethel, East Lincoln girls: In a 63-43 win over West Henderson, Pethel had 31 points, 13 rebounds and a charge taken in a 63-43 win over West Henderson that sent the Mustangs to their fourth NCHSAA Sweet 16 in five years.
Nasir White, West Mecklenburg: White had 15 points, two assists and two steals in a 49-39 win over Chapel Hill. The Hawks were 0-25 last year and hadn’t made the playoffs in eight years. Now West Meck is heading to the third round for the first time in 17 years.
Christian Wilson, Mooresville: In a 77-60 win over Greensboro’s Page High, Wilson had 21 points, five rebounds and four steals.
Stuart Cramer’s Holland nears scoring mark
Stuart Cramer’s Oshauna Holland, the reigning Charlotte Observer player of the year, scored 34 points in Thursday’s 68-39 win over Lexington in the second round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs.
Holland is 28 points away from becoming the state’s all-time leading scorer and will have a chance to set the record in Saturday’s third-round home game with Newton’s Fred T. Foard.
After leading 14-13 in the first quarter, Stuart Cramer blew the game open in the second quarter, outscoring Lexington 21-6 in the second quarter.
Holland, a Wake Forest recruit, also had seven assists, five rebounds and three steals in Thursday’s game. She now has 3,198 career points, second in state history, public or private, behind the 37-year-old record of 3,225, set by Clinton’s Danyel Parker in 1989.
CISAA all-conference teams announced
Here are the Charlotte Independent Schools winter sports all-conference teams, as selected by league coaches.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
First team
Brooke Busby, Cannon
Ginny Anne Dumont, Providence Day
Lanie Edwards, Charlotte Latin
Jakaila Gaskin, Cannon (player of the year)
Jaida McClure, Providence Day
Second team
Olive Bigham, Charlotte Country Day
Avery Houseton, Covenant Day
Jaiden Thompson, Cannon
Charlotte Tune, Charlotte Latin
Sam Vanderhave, Charlotte Country Day
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
2025-26 Boys Basketball All-Conference
First team
Zeke Battier, Providence Day
Emory Chaney, Charlotte Latin
Alex Dauska, Charlotte Latin
Sean Nix, Cannon (player of the year)
Columbus Parker, Providence Day
Second team
Deuce Haynes II, Providence Day
Micah Huffman, Covenant Day
Marshall Nicholson, Charlotte Christian
Emory Roberts, Charlotte Country Day
DJ Rogers, Cannon
DANCE
First team
Taylor Pochick, Providence Day (dancer of the year); Aiyanna West, Charlotte Latin; Caroline Harkness, Charlotte Christian; Emmi Burns, Providence Day; Ella Fitts, Providence Day; Gaby Olaya, Providence Day; Sloan Ellison, Charlotte Latin; Adaline Robinson, Charlotte Christian; Winta Hailu, Providence Day; Kate Warner, Charlotte Latin
Second team
Rachel Brandon, Charlotte Christian; Eloise Givens, Charlotte Country Day; Savannah Parker, Charlotte Christian; EA Johnston, Charlotte Christian; Sami Cohen, Providence Day; Kendyl Meisel, Charlotte Christian; Grace Krause, Charlotte Christian; Elena Lapuente, Charlotte Latin
Girls’ Swimming
First team
200 medley relay – Maddy Boland, Annie Shall, Zetta Grace Bartee and Zona Smith, Providence Day; 200 free – Zetta Grace Bartee, Providence Day; 200 IM – Annie Shall, Providence Day; 50 free – Erin Greathouse, Charlotte Latin; 100 fly – Caroline Mallard, Charlotte Country Day; 100 free – Zona Smith, Providence Day; 500 free – Karlin Smith, Charlotte Latin; 200 free relay – Taylor Klein, Kaylee Daniell, Caroline Mallard, and Cate Wickerham, Charlotte Country Day; 100 back – Maddy Boland, Providence Day; 100 breast – Annie Shall, Providence Day; 400 free relay – Maddy Boland, Georgia Howard, Zona Smith and Zetta Grace Bartee, Providence Day
Second team
200 free – Zona Smith, Providence Day; 200 IM – Elizabeth Kern, Providence Day; 50 free – Caroline Mallard, Charlotte Country Day; 100 fly – Taylor Klein, Charlotte Country Day; 100 free – Zetta Grace Bartee, Providence Day; 500 free – Reese Gail, Charlotte Latin; 100 back – Erin Greathouse, Charlotte Latin; 100 breast – Sarah Benvenuto, Providence Day
Boys Swimming
First team
200 medley relay – Teddy Peterson, Tripp Cooler, Lucas Shah and Jack Hines, Cannon; 200 free – David Sammons, Charlotte Latin; 200 IM – Harrison Short, Charlotte Latin; 50 free – Thomas Greathouse, Charlotte Latin; 100 fly – David Sammons, Charlotte Latin; 100 free – Thomas Greathouse, Charlotte Latin; 500 free – Santi Alzate-Celin, Charlotte Country Day; 200 free relay – Thomas Greathouse, Tyler Dugan, Harrison Short and David Sammons, Charlotte Latin; 100 back – Harrison Short, Charlotte Latin; 100 breast – Tripp Cooler, Cannon; 400 free relay – Thomas Greathouse, David Sammons, Harrison Smith and Ben Spiegler, Charlotte Latin
Second team
200 free – Santi Alzate-Celin, Charlotte Country Day; 200 IM – Tripp Cooler, Cannon; 50 free – Caleb Gyorfi, Covenant Christian; 100 fly – Dean Hamid, Providence Day; 100 free – Reid Cooler, Providence Day; 500 free – Griffin Cagle, Charlotte Country Day; 100 back – Alex Pham, Providence Day; 100 breast – Austin Yang, Charlotte Country Day
WRESTLING
First team
106 – Ethan Cole, Charlotte Country Day; 113 – Trey Paige, Charlotte Latin; 120 – Aidan Schirra, Providence Day; 126 – Liam McConaughy, Charlotte Latin; 132 – Harrison Landon, Charlotte Christian; 138 – Jack Gilson, Charlotte Latin; 144 – Nicholas Arado, Charlotte Country Day; 150 – Spear Gorelick, Charlotte Latin; 157 – Dante Graham, Charlotte Country Day; 165 – Caleb Henson, Charlotte Christian; 175 – Max McNeer, Charlotte Christian; 190 – Na’il Diggs, Charlotte Latin; 215 – Banks Cutter; HWT – Ethan Turner, Charlotte Latin
Second team
106 – Trey Chapman, Charlotte Latin; 113 – Myles Clark, Providence Day; 120 – Dino Lambos, Charlotte Latin; 126 – Marshall Martin, Charlotte Christian; 132 – Nicolas Fernandez, Cannon; 138 – Jason Deleon, Charlotte Christian; 144 – Clifton Gorelick, Charlotte Latin; 150 – Colin Klueg, Cannon; 157 – John Zarbatany, Providence Day; 165 – Mac Fletcher, Charlotte Latin; 175 – Riley Powers, Charlotte Country Day; 190 – Jackson Laws, Cannon; 215 – Bobby Wakefield, Charlotte Country Day; HWT – Hudson Clavin, Providence Day
Thursday’s boys’ box scores
NO. 2 QUEEN’S GRANT 84, CORNERSTONE CHARTER 40
Queen’s Grant 33 27 17 7 — 84
Cornerstone 13 8 10 9 — 40
QUEEN’S GRANT 84 — Bobby Montgomery 30, Mekhi Allen 18, Chase Smith 16, DeBerry 8, McSweeney 5, Alston 3, White 2, Brown 2
CORNERSTONE CHARTER 40 — Charles Walker 16, Lake Briston 17, Shaffery 5, Adamczak 2
NO. 3 HUNTER HUSS 82, SOUTH POINT 64
Hunter Huss 23 24 24 11 — 82
South Point 13 19 16 16 — 64
HUNTER HUSS 82 — Jaleel Smith 27, Zii Phillips 18, Zach Anderson 16, Pless 8, Lockhart 6, Griggs 5, Falls 2
NO. 4 NORTH MECKLENBURG 88, CUTHBERTSON 53
Cuthbertson 20 11 11 11 - 53
North Mecklenburg 20 21 31 16 - 88
CUTHBERTSON 53 — Darrien Smith 13, Chase Nali 10, Nickerson 9, Daniels 6, Webb 6, Malone 4, Nelson 4, Harris 2, Ganby 2
NORTH MECK 88 — Ashton Pierce 35, Exzavier Young 14, Alex White 11, Xavier Davis 11, Estwick 8, Pack 4, Gary 3, Trudewind 2
NO. 9 MOORESVILLE 77, PAGE 60
Mooresville 14 23 27 13 — 77
Page 14 15 16 15 — 60
MOORESVILLE 77 — Christian Wilson 21, Eian Bailey 13, Nolan Ericson 13, Taurean McKinnon 10, Chase McDonald 8, Carson Schaen 6, Qua Bailey 2, Jordan Walton 2, Tyler Morrison 2.
Notable: Wilson had 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Eian Bailey had 5 rebounds. Ericson had 2 steals. McKinnon had 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Walton had 5 assists and 2 steals.
Record: Mooresville 24-2
NO. 10 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 76, HUNTER HUSS 68
Charlotte Catholic 10 20 28 18 — 76
Harding 14 20 18 16 — 68
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 76 — Jack Siegel 27, Luke Woeste 18, Mack Jordan 17, Joey Kapsiak 13, Culpepper 1
HARDING 68 — Kingston Henry 28, Coviness 16, Evans 10, Coviness 5, Tucker 4, Cornelius 3, Cherry 2
NO. 13 EAST LINCOLN 65, PARKWOOD 48
East Lincoln 23 18 12 12 — 65
Parkwood 13 13 16 6 — 48
EAST LINCOLN 65 — Christian Atkins 25, Gavin Heaberlin 4, Davis Beam 6, Jaxon Dollar 26, Brayden Miller 4, Parker Frisk 0
PARKWOOD 48 — Nathaniel Davis 17, Whitted 3, Bit 6, Braylon Cureton 10, Dylan Pierce 12
Records: East Lincoln 21-4, 14-2; Parkwood 19-10, 11-3
Notable: East Lincoln senior Christian Atkins scored 25 points and had 5 assists and 3 rebounds, while junior Jaxon Dollar added 26 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists.
NO. 16 WEST MECKLENBURG 49, CHAPEL HILL 39
WEST MECKLENBURG 49 — White 15, Grier 11, Bridges 11, Kamaree 10, Pratt 2
ARDREY KELL 68, MYERS PARK 53
Ardrey Kell 14 16 16 22 — 68
Myers Park 18 14 9 12 — 53
ARDREY KELL 68 — Dylan Morrison 26, Donnie Jones 18, Matthew Craft 8, Jeremiah Jones 7, Braden Suggs 6, Cole Stankavage 3
MYERS PARK 53 — Walters 9, Hayes 2, Vickery 6, Samson 8, Hall 7, Awosanya 19, Burns 2
Record: Ardrey Kell 20-7
Notable: This is the 10th time that Ardrey Kell has won 20 games, and the Knights will make their seventh straight appearance in the NCHSAA Elite 8. The Knights improved to 20-1 at home, all-time, in state playoff games Thursday.
LINCOLNTON 65, PROVIDENCE GROVE 51
Lincolnton 22 18 15 10 — 65
Providence Grove 8 20 12 11 — 51
LINCOLNTON 65 — Josiah Guyton 18, Nehemiah Thompson 12, Cameron Smith 11, Tucker Robinette 8, Charlie Foster 6, Dailen Adams 4, Zymarion Jackson 3, Messiah Thompson 3
NORTH LINCOLN 101, FOREST HILLS 85
North Lincoln 27 23 22 29 — 101
Forest Hills 21 25 7 32 — 85
NORTH LINCOLN 101 — Nick Whitener 23, Carter Abernethy 20, Beckett Rinkus 16, Ty Chandler 12, Landen Agee 12, Ben Heavner 10, Canyon Keilman 5, Blake Mincey 4
Records: North Lincoln 20-4; Forest Hills 19-9
Thursday’s girls’ box scores
NO. 2 NORTH MECKLENBURG 57, WEDDINGTON 46
North Meck 18 6 14 19 — 57
Weddington 9 7 12 18 — 46
NORTH MECK 57 — Lenise Joseph 14, Morgan Knox 13, Stephanie Mobley 11, Lacy 5, Newton 4, Blake 4, Mack 3, Trotter 2, Jones 1
WEDDINGTON 46 — Carolina Clark, Myra Wewa 15, Bella Denton 10, Younger 3
NO. 3 QUEEN’S GRANT 83, SWAIN COUNTY 19
Queen’s Grant 42 24 16 1 — 83
Swain County 5 10 0 4 — 19
QUEEN’S GRANT 83 — Za’Miya Bynum 24, Gia Wilson 19, Malone Hicks 17, Misa Garris 14, Smith 8, Haywood 1
SWAIN COUNTY 19 — Shuler 6, M. Blankenship 4, Woodard 3, Aldridge 2, Teav 2, Teesateskie 2
Notables: Queen’s Grant was led by Za’Miya Bynum (24 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 4 blocks), Gia Wilson (19 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 8 steals), Malone Hicks (17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 1 block) and Misa Garris (14 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 8 steals).
Record: Queen’s Grant 25-3
NO. 4 STUART CRAMER 68, LEXINGTON 39
Stuart Cramer 14 21 14 19 — 68
Lexington 13 6 11 9 — 39
STUART CRAMER 68 — Oshauna Holland 34, Lauren Humphrey 13, Amasia McDowell 10, Unique McDowell 9
LEXINGTON 39 — Jordyn Dearman 12, Leah Lal 10, Gu’Niyah Holt 9, Jayla Cowan 8
Records: Stuart Cramer 27-1; Lexington 13-9
Notable: Oshauna Holland is now 28 points away from being the all-time leading scorer in NC history. Holland had 34 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals Thursday. Lauren Humphrey added 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 assists and Unique McDowell added 11 rebounds.
NO. 6 ARDREY KELL 59, PINECREST 39
ARDREY KELL 59 — Autumn Washington 20, Imani Shelton 10, Kent 10, Keenan 8, Veal 6, Mapp 2, Turner 2
PINECREST 39 — Moore 18, Berrier 8, McGregor 7, Donzy 4, Vondarkill 2 Record: Ardrey Kell 24-3 (advances to NCHSAA Elite 8)
NO. 8 MALLARD CREEK 74, PROVIDENCE 30
Mallard Creek 23 25 11 15 — 74
Providence 5 11 6 8 — 30
MALLARD CREEK 74 — Kiara Anderson 16, My’Asia Young 10, Hobbs 3, Stone 7, Campbell 6, Easterling 2, Karpeh 9, Londyn Faison 11, Gomillion 2, Odoms 2, Tendall 4, Smith 2
Records: Mallard Creek 21-6
NO. 11 SOUTH MECKLENBURG 62 , WEST FORSYTH 43
South Meck 19 18 16 9 — 62
Myers Park 13 10 14 4— 43
SOUTH MECK 62 — KB Brown 18, Kendrick 14, Hensley 8
WEST FORSYTH 43 —Brooklyn King 13
Records: South Meck 22-4 ; West Forsyth 18-7
Notable: The Sabres knocked down 12 and KB Brown led all scorers with 18 points, including making all three of her 3-point attempts. Kate Kendrick shot 80 percent from the three-point line. The Lady Sabres advance to play Ardrey Kell in the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs Saturday.
BANDYS 53, NO. 13 LINCOLN CHARTER 48
Bandys 17 7 12 17 — 53
Lincoln Charter 9 17 17 5 — 48
Bandys 53, LCHS 48
BANDYS 53 — Vaughn 18, Bell 10, Gault 8, Hoyle 7 Tamamoto 6, Saunders 3, Williams 1
LINCOLN CHARTER 48 — Kylie Riggenbach 19, Taylor Riggenbach 7, Brenna Barbier 5, Claire David 4, Halle Bowman 2, Camryn David 2
Records: Bandys 17-9, LCHS 23-3
NO. 15 HICKORY RIDGE 75, PARKLAND 54
Parkland 7 8 13 26 — 54
Hickory Ridge 15 24 21 15 — 75
PARKLAND 54 — Eldridge 18, Brooks 11, Carter 8, Wilkins 7, Blackwell 4, Mitchell 3, Thomas 3
HICKORY RIDGE 75 — Gidney 26, Cranford 18, Duley 9, Johnson 9 Ritter 9, Hamilton 4
Records: Hickory Ridge 24-4; Parkland 18-7
ALEXANDER CENTRAL 69, PIEDMONT 44
Piedmont 5 12 15 12 — 44
Alexander Central 25 15 24 5 — 69
ALEXANDER CENTRAL 69 — Ava Head 24, Burch 2, Meredith Wike 18, Adams 6, Jack 2, Bingham 3, Rector 8, Mayberry 2, Chapman 4
PIEDMONT 44 — Deese 9, Smith 9, Charleigh Battle 13, Conway 7, Lundquist 3, LeGrand 3
Notable: For Alexander Central, Ava Head had 24 points, four rebounds and two assists, and Meredith Wike had 18 points and five rebounds. Charleigh Battle (13 points, three rebounds) and Peyton Conway (seven points, 12 rebounds, three assists) led Piedmont.
EAST LINCOLN 63, WEST HENDERSON 43
West Henderson 12 13 4 14 — 43
East Lincoln 13 11 24 15 — 63
WEST HENDERSON 43 — June Scontras 19, S. Manuel 9, T. Currin 4, E. Collier 4, R. Simons 4, M. Amia 3
EAST LINCOLN 63 — Lane Pethel 31, Emma Montanari 17, B. Miller 7, S. Dann 4, K. Byus 4
Notable: East Lincoln advances to its fourth Sweet 16 in five years. .Lane Pethel (31 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 charge taken), Emma Montanari (17 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks) and Brooklyn Miller (7 points, 3 rebounds, 9 steals, 4 assists) led the Mustangs.
Records: West Henderson 13-14, East Lincoln 22-3
OAK GROVE 68, SOUTH POINT 31
South Point 13 6 6 6 — 31
Oak Grove 18 9 29 12 — 68
SOUTH POINT 31 — J. Watkins 12, K. Gardin 5, J. Bittle 4, E. Boyd 3, R. Trexler 3, M. Bridges 2, T. Waters 2
Notable: South Point loses to No. 1 seed Oak Grove in the second round of the playoffs. Tierney Waters recorded 10 rebounds. Ja’Nyiah Bittled added 7 and Kayla Gardin had 6.
Record: South Point 9-16
This story was originally published February 26, 2026 at 10:15 PM.
