1-5-23 roundup: Pro basketball, football and soccer, College football and basketball, High school basketball
By Richard Walker
Calvin Camp, a 2017 Shelby High graduate, finished his college football career with a flourish under an interim coach for the Charlotte 49ers.
Camp had gotten one rushing attempt in the first eight games under former head coach Will Healy but interim head coach Pete Rossomando featured Camp’s talents in each of the school’s last four games while also surpassing a career milestone.
Camp rushed eight times for 80 yards and one touchdown in a 56-23 win at Rice in Rossomando’s first game. And he had career-highs of 111 yards and three touchdowns in 11 carries to push him over 1,000 rushing yards for his career as Charlotte defeated Louisiana Tech 26-21 in its 2022 finale.
In seven games this season, Camp had 194 yards rushing and four touchdowns in 20 rushing attempts.
Another former local products, 2019 Huss graduate Prince Bemah, finished with a team-leading 62 tackles along with one caused fumble for the 49ers.
Camp and Bemah are just two former local products from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties who played college football this season. Here are the others:
Appalachian State: Santana Hopper (Shelby 2022) had one tackle in two games and Nate Blanton, Jr. (Crest 2019) played in one game for the Mountaineers (6-6, 3-5).
Apprentice School: Matt West (Ashbrook 2020) caught two passes for 25 yards in eight games and Thomas Hougas (Shelby 2020) played in nine games for the Builders (9-1), who had their most successful season in history.
Averett: Dondra Burris (Huss 2019) had nine tackles in nine games, Namari Borders (Crest 2019) had 17 tackles in 10 games, Dkyieon Byers-Henderson (Forestview 2019) played in 10 game and Justin Dunavant (North Gaston 2020) had one tackle in one game for the Cougars (3-7, 1-6).
Barton: Dylan Williams (Mountain Island Charter 2019) had 22 tackles and one pass interception in 10 games for the Bulldogs (4-7, 3-6)
Brevard: James Woods (Lincolnton 2019) had 37 tackles in 10 games, K.J. Dagout (East Gaston 2020) had 42 tackles in nine games, Wyatt Lankford (Crest 2019) had 41 tackles in 10 games, Andrew Tarleton (East Lincoln 2019) played in eight games and Reginald Taylor II (Mountain Island Charter 2022) had three catches for 43 yards in seven games for the Tornados (5-5, 5-2).
Campbell: Lamagea McDowell (Huss 2020) had 370 yards rushing with eight touchdowns in 11 games and Christian Hunter (Mountain Island Charter 2021) had two tackles in three games for the Camels (5-6, 2-3).
Catawba: Kujuan Pryor (Burns 2020) had 106 yards passing, 137 yards and two touchdowns rushing and 35 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns, Calvin Stephens (Mountain Island Charter 2018) had 14 tackles in five games, Wyatt Painter (North Lincoln 2020) played in four games and Kobe Christian (Highland Tech 2020) had 14 catches for 84 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games for the Indians (1-10, 0-9).
Charleston Southern: Isaiah Bess (Shelby 2020) had 62 yards rushing and 426 yards passing with four touchdowns in four games and T.J. Ruff (Crest 2021) had 335 yards rushing and two touchdowns and caught 25 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown for the Buccaneers (2-8, 2-3).
Davidson: Mari Adams (Crest 2022) had 101 yards rushing and one touchdown in six games and Daniel Carter (North Lincoln 2021) had 58 tackles and one pass interception in 12 games for the Wildcats (8-4, 6-2), who advanced to the Football Championship Series (FCS) playoffs.
Duke: Tony Davis (Huss 2019) had 10 tackles in six games and left the program via the transfer portal before the Blue Devils’ bowl game; Duke finished 8-4, 5-3).
East Carolina: Aapri Washington (Mountain Island Charter 2017) had 24 tackles in 13 games and Devin King (South Point 2020) hade 13 tackles in 12 games for the Pirates (8-5, 4-4).
Emory & Henry: Justin Hill (East Gaston 2022) had 412 yards rushing with two touchdowns as was named South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division offensive freshman of the year for the Wasps (5-6, 4-5).
Gardner-Webb: Eleven local products helped the Bulldogs go 7-6 overall, win the Big South Conference with a 5-0 league mark and make the school’s first FCS appearance and win – Tyler Arrington (Shelby 2021) had 23 tackles in 12 games, Kendall Massey (Ashbrook 2020) had six tackles and 12 yards rushing in 11 games, Jalin Graham (Crest 2020) had 57 all-purpose yards and one touchdown rush in seven game, Jaycob Neely (Forestview 2022) played in two games, Jacari Shell (Shelby 2021) had one catch for eight yards in one game, Jamie Wilson (Kings Mountain 2021) had two tackles in 13 games, Larry Dowdy (South Point 2019) played in 13 games, Caleb Borders (Crest 2021) had 10 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games, Eli Brooks (Crest 2020) played in one game, Christopher Richardson (Crest 2020) had two tackles in three games and Stormy Mosteller (Burns 2018) played in five games.
Guilford: Cale Gibson (South Point 2019) had 153 yards rushing in nine games, Skylar Evans (Lincolnton 2018) played in two games, Paulie Menegay (East Lincoln 2021) had 156 yards rushing and two touchdowns in seven games and Cade Ratliff (South Point 2019) averaged 37.6 yards in 50 punts in 10 games for the Quakers (2-8, 1-6).
Hampton: Elijah Burris (Mountain Island Charter 2020) had 331 yards rushing and two touchdowns and Mason King (Mountain Island Charter 2018) had 36 tackles in 10 games for the Pirates (4-7, 1-7).
Lenoir-Rhyne: James Ussery (Kings Mountain 2020) had 27 tackles in 11 games and Xavier Jennings (Burns 2020) was a first team All-South Atlantic Conference Piedmont Division offensive lineman in 11 games for the Bears (8-3, 7-2).
Limestone: Marquis Fewell (Kings Mountain 2019) had nine tackles in five games for the Saints (8-4, 7-2), who made their first-ever NCAA Division II playoff appearance.
Louisburg: Ty Ledbetter (Kings Mountain 2021) played in one game for the Hurricanes (6-3).
Mars Hill: Ja’Hari Mitchell (Shelby 2020) had eight catches for 83 yards and one touchdown, Antwon McClee (Ashbrook 2019) had one tackles in two games, William Bryson (Ashbrook 2018) played in three games and Joshua Long (Ashbrook 2019) played in three games for the Lions (7-3, 7-2).
Maryville: Jace Brittain (Cherryville 2019) played in 10 games and became a three-time All-USA South offensive lineman for the Scots (5-5, 5-2).
Mercer: Arias Nash (Cramer 2022) had two tackles in seven games for the Bears (7-4, 5-3).
Methodist: Trevor Hargett (Huss 2019) averaged 34.6 yards in 38 punts in 10 games was All-USA South Sportsmanship, Nick Wiggins (Huss 2018) was a third-time All-USA South offensive lineman and Kadin Beaver (Cherryville 2022) had three tackles in 10 games for the Monarchs (5-5, 4-3).
Missouri: Shelby’s Ty’Ron Hopper had 77 tackles in 13 games and Dameon Wilson (Kings Mountain 2021) had 16 tackles in 12 games for the Tigers (6-7, 3-5).
Norfolk State: Javari Rice-Wilson (Kings Mountain 2021) had nine tackles in six games for the Spartans (2-9, 2-3).
North Carolina: Dontavius Nash (Huss 2021) had two tackles in five games, Malaki Hamrick (Shelby 2022) had nine tackles in 12 games, Aiden Cloninger (East Gaston 2022) played in one game, Spencer Triplett (Shelby 2020) played in 14 games, Kendall Karr (Cramer 2020) played in 10 games and Kings Mountain’s Kobe Paysour caught 29 passes for 324 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games for the Tar Heels (9-5, 6-2); Nash and Karr entered the transfer portal before UNC’s bowl game.
North Carolina A&T: Zach Leslie (Burns 2016) had 37 catches for 626 yards and five touchdowns in nine games, Devin Harrell (Huss 2017) had 26 tackles (six sacks) in nine games and Kendrick Leslie Jr. (Burns 2020) played in three games for the Aggies (7-4, 4-1).
N.C. State: Former East Lincoln standout Jalen Frazier had one tackle and one interception in nine games this season, Travali Price (North Lincoln 2021) had 16 tackles in 13 games and Jaylon Scott (Shelby 2019) had 20 tackles in 13 games for the Wolfpack (8-5, 4-4).
North Carolina Wesleyan: Travon Clark (Ashbrook 2021) had 672 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns in 10 games for the Battling Bishops (3-7, 3-4).
Presbyterian: Anthony Dye (Huss 2020) had 14 tackles in 11 games for the Blue Hose (1-10, 0-8)
Shaw: Akeythio Carson (Huss 2017) had 57 tackles and one interception in nine games for the Bears (4-6, 4-4).
Tennessee State: Rayonta Rose (South Point 2020) had four catches for 20 yards in nine games for the Tigers (4-7, 2-3).
Towson: Dorian Davis (Shelby 2019) had 17 tackles in nine games for the Tigers (6-5, 4-4).
Virginia: Sam Brady (North Lincoln 2020) had two tackles in seven games for the Cavaliers (7-3, 1-6).
VMI: Dorien Starnes (Burns 2021) had 25 tackles in 10 games for the Keydets (1-10, 0-8).
Virginia Tech: Dax Hollifield (Shelby 2018) had a team-leading 82 tackles with two fumble recoveries in 11 games and Jack Hollifield (Shelby 2021) had two tackles in 11 games for the Hokies (3-8, 1-6).
Wake Forest: Nick Sharpe (Huss 2021) played in 11 games for the Deacons (8-5, 3-5).
Western Carolina: Quenten Zanders (Crest 2018) had two carries for 11 yards in one game and Camury Reid (Forestview 2022) had eight carries for 13 yards in four games for the Catamounts (6-5, 4-4).
Wingate: Jaheim Mullen (Huss 2019) had 50 tackles and two interceptions in 14 games for the Bulldogs (11-3, 6-2), who advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Yale: Marcus Mauney (Huss 2019) had eight tackles in seven games for the Bulldogs (8-2, 6-1).
High school basketball
(Wednedsday’s game)
-BOYS
South Point 65, Hibriten 55 (Wednesday): Sean Gore (17 points, 4 assists), Graham Williams (13 points, 9 rebounds), Dylan Bradley (10 points, 5 rebounds), Jaquis Rumph (8 points) and Garret Hunt (8 points) led South Point.
Pro basketball
The Charlotte Hornets announced on Thursday that swingman Kelly Oubre, Jr., underwent successful surgery to address a torn ligament in his left hand. He will be listed as out moving forward and updates regarding his return will be provided as appropriate.
In his eighth NBA season, Oubre Jr. is averaging a career-high 20.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and a career-best 1.6 steals in 32.6 minutes per game in 35 games (30 starts).
Here’s the 2022-23 Charlotte Hornets schedule:
(10-29 record)
October
19 at San Antonio (W 129-102)
21 New Orleans (L 112-124)
23 at Atlanta (W 126-109)
26 at New York (L 131-134, OT)
28 at Orlando (L 93-113)
29 Golden State (W 120-113, OT)
31 Sacramento (L 108-115)
November
2 at Chicago (L 88-106)
4 at Memphis (L 99-130)
5 Brooklyn (L 94-98)
7 Washington (L 100-108)
9 Portland (L 95-105)
10 at Miami (L 112-117, OT)
12 at Miami (L 115-132)
14 at Orlando (W 112-105)
16 Indiana (L 113-125)
18 at Cleveland (L 122-132, 2 OT)
20 at Washington (L 102-106)
23 Philadelphia (W 107-101)
25 Minnesota (W 110-108)
28 at Boston (L 105-140)
December
2 Washington (W 117-116)
3 Milwaukee (L 96-105)
5 L.A. Clippers (L 117-119)
7 at Brooklyn (L 116-122)
9 New York (L 102-121)
11 at Philadelphia (L 113-131)
14 Detroit (L 134-141, OT)
16 Atlanta (L 106-125)
18 at Denver (L 115-119)
19 at Sacramento (W 125-119)
21 at L.A. Clippers (L 105-126)
23 at L.A. Lakers (W 134-130)
26 at Portland (L 113-124)
27 at Golden State (L 105-110)
29 Oklahoma City (W 121-113)
31 Brooklyn (L 106-123)
January
2 L.A. Lakers (L 115-121)
4 Memphis (L 107-131)
6 at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
8 at Indiana, 5 p.m.
10 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
12 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
14 Boston, 7 p.m.
16 Boston, 1 p.m.
18 at Houston, 8 p.m.
21 at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
23 at Utah, 9 p.m.
24 at Phoenix, 9 p.m.
26 Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
29 Miami, 1 p.m.
31 at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
February
2 at Chicago, 8 p.m.
3 at Detroit, 7 p.m.
5 Orlando, 1 p.m.
8 at Washington, 7 p.m.
10 at Boston, 7:30 p.m.
11 Denver, 7 p.m.
13 Atlanta, 7 p.m.
15 San Antonio, 7 p.m.
24 at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
25 Miami, 7 p.m.
27 Detroit, 7 p.m.
March
1 Phoenix, 7 p.m.
3 Orlando, 7 p.m.
5 at Brooklyn, 6 p.m.
7 at New York, 7:30 p.m.
9 at Detroit, 7 p.m.
11 Utah, 7 p.m.
12 Cleveland, 5 p.m.
14 Cleveland, 7 p.m.
17 Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
20 Indiana, 7 p.m.
23 at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
24 at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
26 Dallas, 1 p.m.
28 at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
31 Chicago, 7 p.m.
April
2 Toronto, 1 p.m.
4 Toronto, 7 p.m.
7 Houston, 7 p.m.
9 at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
College football
The Charlotte 49ers new head caoch Biff Poggi keeps adding assistant coaches to his staff.
On Thursday, Poggi announced the hiring of John Morookian as offensive tackles and tight ends coach and Greg Froelich as special teams coordinator and running backs coach.
Morookian has served as the offensive line coach at Kansas, Akron and Tiffin and spent this past season as an offensive analyst at Michigan. And Froelich was a special teams and running backs analyst at Michigan from 2017-20 before joining the staff at Illinois as a special teams analyst for the past two years.
Pro soccer
Charlotte FC captain Christian Fuchs on Thursday announced his retirement from professional soccer.
Fuchs’ decorated career spans over 19 seasons and features seven professional teams across four different countries. Prior to serving as captain for Charlotte FC during the Club’s inaugural season, he won the 2015/16 Premier League with Leicester City against 5,000-1 odds and captained Austria to UEFA Euro 2016.
“It has been an incredible journey for me and my family,” Fuchs said in a team news release. “Not only did we celebrate great success throughout the years, but we have also been able to learn from amazing people during this journey. I am so thankful for all the support I received during my career from club representatives, my teammates, and the fans. I am looking back with a big smile on the special moments I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
The 36-year-old finishes his illustrious career with 577 total professional club appearances, scoring 37 goals and adding 83 assists. He also achieved 78 caps with Austria, having captained his national team for 37 of those matches.
Fuchs joined Charlotte FC as the team’s fifth-ever signing on June 6, 2021. He spent a brief spell on loan with the Charlotte Independence at the end of that year ahead of CLTFC’s 2022 debut, making 17 appearances and scoring two goals to help the club qualify for the USL Championship playoffs. He then captained Charlotte FC throughout the Club’s inaugural 2022 campaign, making 27 appearances and scoring three goals from the penalty spot.
Fuchs will remain in Charlotte with an expanded role at the Club to be announced soon.
Pro football
Here’s the full Carolina Panthers schedule for the 2022 season:
Week 1, Sept. 11, Cleveland (L 24-26)
Week 2, Sept. 18, at N.Y. Giants (L 16-19)
Week 3, Sept. 25, New Orleans (W 22-14)
Week 4, Oct. 2, Arizona (L 16-26)
Week 5, Oct. 9, San Francisco (L 15-37)
Week 6, Oct. 16, at L.A. Rams (L 10-24)
Week 7, Oct. 23, Tampa Bay (W 21-3)
Week 8, Oct. 30, at Atlanta (L 34-37, OT)
Week 9, Nov. 6, at Cincinnati (L 21-42)
Week 10, Nov. 10, Atlanta (W 25-15)
Week 11, Nov. 20, at Baltimore (L 3-13)
Week 12, Nov. 27, Denver (W 23-10)
Week 13, Dec. 4, BYE
Week 14, Dec. 11, at Seattle (W 30-24)
Week 15, Dec. 18, Pittsburgh (L 16-24)
Week 16, Dec. 24, Detroit (W 37-23)
Week 17, Jan. 1, at Tampa Bay (L 24-30)
Week 18, Jan. 8, at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
College basketball
(Thursday’s games)
Florida International 62, Charlotte 60: Aly Khalifa had 15 points and Montre Gipson 14 for Charlotte (11-4, 2-2 Conference USA).
Queens 75, Bellarmine 74: A.J. McKee had 20 points and Kenny Dye had 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Queens (17-2, 2-1 Atlantic Sun).
College football
Here is the full 2022-23 NCAA Division I FBS schedule:
(College Football Playoff)
Championship – Jan. 9 at Inglewood, Cal., 7:30 p.m.
No. 3 TCU vs. No. 1 Georgia
Semifinal – Dec. 31 Peach at Atlanta, Ga.
No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Ohio State – Georgia 42-41
Semifinal – Dec. 31 Fiesta at Glendale, Ariz.
No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU – TCU 51-45
(CFP Selection Committee Bowl games)
Jan. 2 – Rose at Pasadena, Cal.
No. 8 Utah vs. No. 11 Penn State – Penn State 35-21
Jan. 2 – Cotton at Arlington, Tex.
No. 10 Southern California vs. No. 16 Tulane – Tulane 46-45
Dec. 31 – Sugar at New Orleans, La.
No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 9 Kansas State – Alabama 45-20
Dec. 30 – Orange and Miami, Fla.
No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Clemson – Tennessee 31-14
(Other bowl games)
Jan. 2 – Citrus at Orlando, Fla., 1 p.m. (ABC)
No. 17 LSU vs. Purdue – LSU 63-7
Jan. 2 – ReliaQuest at Tampa, Fla., Noon (ESPN2)
No. 22 Mississippi State vs. Illinois – Mississippi State 19-10
Dec. 31 – Music City at Nashville, Tenn., Noon (ABC)
Iowa vs. Kentucky – Iowa 21-0
Dec. 30 – Arizona at Tucson, Ariz.
Ohio vs. Wyoming – Ohio 30-27
Dec. 30 – Gator at Jacksonville, Fla.
No. 21 Notre Dame vs. No. 19 South Carolina – Notre Dame 45-38
Dec. 30 – Sun at El Paso, Tex.
No. 18 UCLA vs. Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh 37-35
Dec. 30 – Duke’s Mayo at Charlotte
Maryland vs. No. 23 N.C. State – Maryland 16-12
Dec. 29 – Alamo at San Antonio, Tex.
No. 20 Texas vs. No. 12 Washington – Washington 27-20
Dec. 29 – Cheez-It at Orlando, Fla.
Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Florida State – Florida State 35-32
Dec. 29 – Pinstripe at Bronx, N.Y.
Minnesota vs. Syracuse – Minnesota 28-20
Dec. 28 – Texas at Houston, Tex.
Mississippi vs. Texas Tech – Texas Tech 42-25
Dec. 28 – Holiday at San Diego, Cal.
No. 15 Oregon vs. North Carolina – Oregon 28-27
Dec. 28 – Liberty at Memphis
Arkansas vs. Kansas – Arkansas 55-53 (3 OT)
Dec. 28 – Military at Annapolis, Md.
Duke vs. Central Florida – Duke 30-13
Dec. 27 – Guaranteed Rate at Phoenix, Ariz.
Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma State – Wisconsin 24-17
Dec. 27 – Birmingham at Birmingham, Ala.
Coastal Carolina vs. East Carolina – East Carolina 53-29
Dec. 27 – First Responder at University Park, Tex.
Memphis vs. Utah State – Memphis 38-10
Dec. 27 – Camellia at Montgomery, Ala.
Buffalo vs. Georgia Southern – Buffalo 23-21
Dec. 26 – Quick Lane at Detroit, Mich.
Bowling Green vs. New Mexico State – New Mexico State 24-19
Dec. 24 – Hawai’i at Honolulu, Hawai’i
San Diego State vs. Middle Tennessee – Middle Tennessee 25-23
Dec. 23 – Gasparilla at Tampa, Fla.
Missouri vs. Wake Forest – Wake Forest 27-17
Dec. 23 – Independence at Shreveport, La.
Houston vs. Louisiana – Houston 23-16
Dec. 22 – Armed Forces at Fort Worth, Tex.
Baylor vs. Air Force – Air Force 30-15
Dec. 21 – New Orleans at New Orleans, La.
Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama – Western Kentucky 44-23
Dec. 20 – Boca Raton at Boca Raton, Fla.
Toledo vs. Liberty – Toledo 21-19
Dec. 20 – Famous Idaho Potato at Boise, Id.
San Jose State vs. Eastern Michigan – Eastern Michigan 41-27
Dec. 19 – Myrtle Beach at Conway, S.C.
Marshall vs. Connecticut – Marshall 28-14
Dec. 17 – Frisco at Frisco, Tex.
North Texas vs. Boise State – Boise State 35-32
Dec. 17 – New Mexico at Albuquerque, N.M.
BYU vs. SMU – BYU 24-23
Dec. 17 – LendingTree at Mobile, Ala., 5:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Southern Miss vs. Rice – Southern Miss 38-24
Dec. 17 – Jimmy Kimmel L.A. at Inglewood, Cal.
Washington State vs. Fresno State – Fresno State 29-6
Dec. 17 – Las Vegas at Las Vegas, Nev.
Florida vs. No. 14 Oregon State – Oregon State 30-3
Dec. 17 – Celebration Bowl at Atlanta
Jackson State vs. N.C. Central – N.C. Central 41-34 in OT
Dec. 17 – Fenway at Boston, Mass.
Louisville vs. Cincinnati – Louisville 24-7
Dec. 16 – Cure at Orlando, Fla.
No. 24 Troy vs. No. 25 UT-San Antonio – Troy 18-12
Dec. 16 – Bahamas at Nassau, Bahamas
UAB vs. Miami, O. – UAB 24-20