10-25-23 roundup: Pro football, basketball and soccer, High school football, volleyball and tennis, Middle school soccer and volleyball, College football, NASCAR
By Richard Walker
When the 2023-24 ACC basketball season begins this season, Gastonia’s Leonard Hamilton of Florida State is the longest-tenured ACC coach and is the 7th-longest tenured head coach among the 362 NCAA Division I basketball coaches.
“I’m just blessed to have been given this opportunity by the administration,” Hamilton said on Wednesday during the annual ACC Tip-Off held this year at Charlotte’s downtown Hilton. “Hopefully, this 22nd season will be a year we’ll remember.”
Only Oakland (Greg Kampe since 1984-85), Houston Christian (Ron Cottrell since 1991-92), Michigan State (Tom Izzo since 1995-96), Gonzaga (Mark Few since 1999-2000) and Yale (James Jones since 1999-2000) have longer current tenures in major college basketball.
And in ACC history, he’s tied for the 5th-longest tenure; Hamilton trails Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski (42 years from 1980-2022), Dean Smith (36 years from 1961-1997), Notre Dame’s Mike Brey (23 years from 2001-23) and is tied with Maryland’s Gary Williams (22 years from 1989-2011).
Hamilton was a part of the last graduating class of old Highland High School in Gastonia in 1966 in the final year of segregated schools in Gaston County before becoming one of the first two African-American basketball players at Gaston College later that year.
After a 2-year standout career at Gaston College, Hamilton played at UT-Martin before embarking on his long coaching career at Austin Peay in 1971.
Hamilton first became a head coach at Oklahoma State (1986-90), Miami, Fla. (1990-2000) and for the NBA’s Washington Wizards (2000-01 season) before coming to Florida State in 2002.
“I’ve enjoyed going to place and helping establish a winning tradition,” Hamilton said. “I think I’ve been very fortunate to have opportunites at programs that weren’t successful. I enjoy the challenge.”
Hamilton’s work has resulted in 645 overall head coaching victories, two regular season conference titles (Big East and ACC), one ACC tournament titles, 5 coach of the year honors (2 Big East and 3 ACC) and 1 national coach of the year award.
This season, Hamilton is coming off his 1st losing season in 17 years as injuries caused the Seminoles to finish with a 9-23 overall.
For that reason, there are low expectations for Florida State this year – and Hamilton embraces them.
“We have one bad season and people forget about us,” he said. “But we’ll see.”
College football
Former Shelby High standout Daylin Lee was named CIAA rookie of the week on Tuesday.
A 2023 Shelby High graduate, Lee completed 21 of 32 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns in Winston-Salem State’s 24-17 victory over St. Augustine’s last Saturday afternoon. He also had 16 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Here is this week’s Carolinas NCAA Division I (FBS and FCS) schedule:
(Thursday, Oct. 26)
S.C. State at N.C. Central, 7:30 p.m.
(Friday, Oct. 27)
Florida Atlantic at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
(Saturday, Oct. 28)
Florida State at Wake Forest, Noon
South Carolina at Texas A&M, Noon
UT-Martin at Gardner-Webb, 1:30 p.m.
Clemson at N.C. State, 2 p.m.
East Tennessee State at Furman, 2 p.m.
North Carolina A&T at Hampton, 2 p.m.
Mercer at Western Carolina, 2:30 p.m.
The Citadel at Samford, 3 p.m.
Campbell at Richmond, 3:30 p.m.
Duke at Louisville, 3:30 p.m.
East Carolina at UTSA, 3:30 p.m.
Southern Miss at Appalachian State, 3:30 p.m.
Bryant at Charleston Southern, 4 p.m.
Marshall at Coastal Carolina, 6 p.m.
Presbyterian at Davidson, 7 p.m.
North Carolina at Georgia Tech, 8 p.m.
Here is next week’s Carolinas NCAA Division I (FBS and FCS) schedule:
(Thursday, Nov. 2)
Wake Forest at Duke, 7:30 p.m.
(Saturday, Nov. 4)
Campbell at North Carolina, Noon
Jacksonville State at South Carolina, Noon
Notre Dame at Clemson, Noon or 3:30 p.m.
San Diego at Presbyterian, Noon
Davidson at Stetson, 1 p.m.
Elon at Delaware, 1 p.m.
Gardner-Webb at Bryant, 1 p.m.
Towson at North Carolina A&T, 1 p.m.
Furman at Chattanooga, 1:30 p.m.
Mercer at The Citadel, 2 p.m.
Western Carolina at Wofford, 3 p.m.
Coastal Carolina at Old Dominion, 3:30 p.m.
Howard at S.C. State, 3:30 p.m.
Norfolk Sate at N.C. Central, 3:30 p.m.
Tulane at East Carolina, 3:30 p.m.
Charlotte at Tulsa, 4 p.m.
Tennessee State at Charleston Southern, 4 p.m.
Marshall at Appalachian State, 6 p.m.
Miami at N.C. State, 8 p.m.
Pro basketball
Charlotte 116, Atlanta 110: The Hornets rallied from an 11-point first half deficit to down Southeast Division rival Atlanta in their 2023-24 season opener in front of 16,129 at Spectrum Center.
The win improved Charlotte to 17-17 all time in its home openers and 14-20 in regular season openers.
P.J. Washington (25 points, 5 rebounds), Terry Rozier (24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists), LaMelo Ball (15 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists), Mark Williams (13 points, 15 rebounds), Brandon Miller (13 points) and Gordon Hayward (10 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) led Charlotte.
Here is the Charlotte Hornets’ 2023-24 regular season schedule:
October
Wed. 25 ATLANTA (W 116-110)
Fri. 27 DETROIT 7 p.m.
Mon. 30 BROOKLYN 7 p.m.
November
Wed. 1 at Houston 8 p.m.
Sat. 4 at Indiana 7 p.m.
Sun. 5 at Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 8 WASHINGTON 7 p.m.
Fri. 10 at Washington 7 p.m.
Sun. 12 at New York Noon
Tue. 14 MIAMI 7 p.m.
Fri. 17 MILWAUKEE 7 p.m.
Sat. 18 NEW YORK 6 p.m.
Mon. 20 BOSTON 7 p.m.
Wed. 22 WASHINGTON 7 p.m.
Sun. 26 at Orlando 6 p.m.
Tue. 28 at New York 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 30 at Brooklyn 7:30 p.m.
December
Sat. 2 MINNESOTA 5 p.m.
4-9 Two games TBD s
Mon. 11 MIAMI 7 p.m.
Wed. 13 at Miami 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 15 NEW ORLEANS 7 p.m.
Sat. 16 PHILADELPHIA 7 p.m.
Mon. 18 at Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 20 at Indiana 7 p.m.
Sat. 23 DENVER 7 p.m.
Tue. 26 at LA Clippers 10:30 p.m.
Thu. 28 at L.A. Lakers 10:30 p.m.
Fri. 29 at Phoenix 9 p.m.
January
Mon. 1 at Denver 9 p.m.
Tue. 2 at Sacramento 10 p.m.
Fri. 5 at Chicago 8 p.m.
Mon. 8 CHICAGO 7 p.m.
Wed. 10 SACRAMENTO 7 p.m.
Fri. 12 at San Antonio 10 p.m.
Sun. 14 at Miami 6 p.m.
Wed. 17 at New Orleans 8 p.m.
Fri. 19 SAN ANTONIO 7 p.m.
Sat. 20 PHILADELPHIA 7 p.m.
Mon. 22 at Minnesota 8 p.m.
Wed. 24 at Detroit 7 p.m.
Fri. 26 HOUSTON 7 p.m.
Sat. 27 UTAH 7 p.m.
Mon. 29 NEW YORK 7 p.m.
Wed. 31 CHICAGO 7 p.m.
February
Fri. 2 at Oklahoma City 8 p.m.
Sun. 4 INDIANA 6 p.m.
Mon. 5 L.A. LAKERS 7 p.m.
Wed. 7 TORONTO 7 p.m.
Fri. 9 at Milwaukee 8 p.m.
Sat. 10 MEMPHIS 7 p.m.
Mon. 12 INDIANA 7 p.m.
Wed. 14 ATLANTA 7 p.m.
Thu. 22 at Utah 9 p.m.
Fri. 23 at Golden State 10 p.m.
Sun. 25 at Portland 9 p.m.
Tue. 27 at Milwaukee 8 p.m.
Thu. 29 MILWAUKEE 7 p.m.
March
Fri. 1 at Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Sun. 3 at Toronto 6 p.m.
Tue. 5 ORLANDO 7 p.m.
Fri. 8 at Washington 7 p.m.
Sat. 9 BROOKLYN 7 p.m.
Mon. 11 at Detroit 7 p.m.
Wed. 13 at Memphis 8 p.m.
Fri. 15 PHOENIX 7 p.m.
Sat. 16 at Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Tue. 19 at Orlando 7 p.m.
Sat. 23 at Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
Mon. 25 at Cleveland 7 p.m.
Wed. 27 CLEVELAND 7 p.m.
Fri. 29 GOLDEN STATE 7 p.m.
Sun. 31 LA CLIPPERS 6 p.m.
April
Mon. 1 BOSTON 7 p.m.
Wed. 3 PORTLAND 7 p.m.
Fri. 5 ORLANDO 7 p.m.
Sun. 7 OKLAHOMA CITY 6 p.m.
Tue. 9 DALLAS 7 p.m.
Wed. 10 at Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 12 at Boston 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 14 at Cleveland 1 p.m.
Charlotte’s In-Season Tournament Group Play Schedule:
Nov. 10 at Washington, 7 p.m.
Nov. 14 MIAMI, 7 p.m.
Nov. 17 MILWAUKEE, 7 p.m.
Nov. 28 at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Quarterfinals: Dec. 4-5 at higher-seeded teams
Semifinals: Dec. 7 at Las Vegas
Championship game: Dec. 9 at Las Vegas
The NBA In-Season Tournament Groups:
Western Conference
A: Memphis, Phoenix, L.A. Lakers, Utah, Portland
B: Denver, L.A. Clippers, New Orleans, Dallas, Houston
C: Sacramento, Golden State, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, San Antonio
Eastern Conference
A: Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta, Indiana, Detroit
B: Milwaukee, New York, Miami, Washington, Charlotte
C: Boston, Brooklyn, Toronto, Chicago, Orlando
Pro soccer
New York Red Bulls 5, Charlotte FC 2: The initial playoff appearance by Charlotte FC was a short one as New York’s Elias Manoel scored 3 times, including twice in the 1st half – to lead the Red Bulls to a 3-0 halftime lead.
Charlotte FC, which qualified for the playoffs in its second season as a franchise, closed within 3-1 and 4-2 in the 2nd half before Manoel completed his hat trick with a goal in the 78th minute for the final tally.
Here is Charlotte FC’s full 2023 schedule with results:
(10-11-13 record)
Feb. 25 New England Revolution (L 0-1)
March 4 at St. Louis City SC (L 1-3)
March 11 Atlanta United FC (L 0-3)
March 18 at Orlando City SC (W 2-1)
March 25 New York Red Bulls (T 1-1)
April 1 at Toronto FC (T 2-2)
April 8 at Real Salt Lake (L 1-3)
April 15 Colorado Rapids (T 2-2)
April 22 Columbus Crew (W 1-0)
April 29 at D.C. United (L 0-3)
May 6 New York City FC (W 3-2)
May 13 at Atlanta United FC (W 3-1)
May 17 Chicago Fire FC (W 2-1)
May 20 Nashville SC (L 1-2)
May 27 at L.A. Galaxy (W 1-0)
May 31 at Philadelphia Union (L 0-1)
June 3 at Columbus Crew (L 2-4)
June 10 Seattle Sounders FC (T 3-3)
June 21 at New York Red Bulls (T 2-2)
June 24 CF Montreal (T 0-0)
July 5 at New York City FC (T 1-1)
July 8 FC Cincinnati (T 2-2)
July 15 at CF Montreal (L 0-2)
Aug. 26 L.A. FC (W 2-1)
Aug. 30 Orlando City SC (T 1-1)
Sept. 2 at Nashville SC (T 1-1)
Sept. 16 D.C. United (T 0-0)
Sept. 20 Philadelphia Union (T 2-2)
Sept. 23 at FC Cincinnati (L 0-3)
Sept. 30 at New England Revolution (L 1-2)
Oct. 4 Toronto FC (W 3-0)
Oct. 7 at Chicago Fire FC (W 2-0)
Oct. 18 at Inter Miami CF (T 2-2)
Oct. 21 Inter Miami CF (W 1-0)
(MLS playoffs)
-Wild card
Oct. 25 at No. 8 New York Red Bulls (L 2-5)
(Leagues Cup schedule – Group stage)
July 21 at FC Dallas (T 2-2, wins 4-1 on penalty kicks)
July 29 Necaxa (W 4-1)
(Round of 32)
Aug. 3 Cruz Azul (at Dallas TX) (T 0-0, wins 4-3 on penalty kicks)
Aug. 7 at Houston Dynamo (W 2-1)
Aug. 11 at Inter Miami (L 0-4)
High school football
Fifteen products from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties have been selected to play in the 5th annual Queen City Senior Bowl.
This year’s contest will be played at 1 p.m. on Dec. 16 at Charlotte’s Olympic High School.
Here are the local selections:
QB Ben Mauney, Burns
QB Trenton Sherrill, East Gaston
RB Darius Headley, Huss
WR Reggie Daniel, Mountain Island Charter
WR Malachi Addison, Crest
OL Kayvahn Bonner, Burns
OL Alex Jackson, Kings Mountain
DL Jason McNeilly, Shelby
DL Payton Parker, East Gaston
DL Marcel Johnson, East Lincoln
LB Jason Melton, Kings Mountain
LB Khiyale Washington, Mountain Island Charter
DB Jurnee “J.T.” Lattimore, North Gaston
DB Camryn Anderson, Crest
ATH Jaylen Roseboro, East Lincoln
(This week’s Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties games:)
Ashbrook at Huss
Crest at Kings Mountain
Forestview at Cramer
North Gaston at South Point
Burns at Shelby
Cherryville at Bessemer City
East Gaston at Highland Tech
Mountain Island Charter at Corvian Community
East Lincoln at North Lincoln
Lincolnton at West Lincoln
(Other area games:)
Garinger at Rocky River
Independence at Butler
Providence at East Meck
Berry at Olympic
Kell at Palisades
Myers Park at South Meck
Harding at West Meck
Hough at Hopewell
Mallard Creek at Chambers
North Meck at West Charlotte
Hickory at Statesville
St. Stephens at Foard
West Iredell at North Iredell
Bunker Hill at Bandys
East Burke at West Caldwell
Newton-Conover at Maiden
R-S Central at Chase
Pro football
The 2023 Carolina Panthers’ schedule:
Sept. 10 at Atlanta (L 10-24)
Sept. 18 New Orleans (L 17-20)
Sept. 24 at Seattle (L 27-37)
Oct. 1 Minnesota (L 13-21)
Oct. 8 at Detroit (L 24-42)
Oct. 15 at Miami (L 21-42)
Oct. 22 OFF WEEK
Oct. 29 Houston, 1 p.m.
Nov. 5 Indianapolis, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 9 at Chicago, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 19 Dallas, 1 p.m.
Nov. 26 at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Dec. 3 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Dec. 10 at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 17 or 18 Atlanta, TBD
Dec. 24 Green Bay, 1 p.m.
Dec. 31 at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Jan. 6 or 7 Tampa Bay, TBD
High school volleyball
Twelve teams from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties have qualified for the state playoffs. Here are their postseason pairings:
-Oct. 21
(3A 1st round)
No. 28 North Lincoln at No. 5 Ashe County – AC 3-0
No. 21 East Lincoln at No. 12 West Henderson – WH 3-0
No. 30 Smoky Mountain at No. 3 Kings Mountain – KM 3-0
No. 22 South Point at No. 11 South Rowan – SR 3-0
No. 18 Forestview at No. 15 Crest – C 3-1
(2A 1st round)
No. 30 Lincoln Charter at No. 3 Southwestern Randolph – SR 3-0
No. 23 Eden Morehead at No. 10 East Gaston – EG 3-0
No. 31 West Lincoln at No. 2 Brevard – B 3-0
(1A 1st round)
No. 25 South Stanly at No. 8 Piedmont Community Charter – SS 3-2
No. 21 Union Academy at No. 12 Mountain Island Charter – MIC 3-1
No. 31 Cherryville at No. 2 Highland Tech – HT 3-0
-Oct. 24
(3A 2nd round)
No. 14 West Rowan at No. 3 Kings Mountain – KM 3-0 (25-11, 5-16, 25-19): Myracle Davis (14 kills, 3 digs, 2 blocks), Meile Songaila (16 kills, 8 digs, 10 serve receptions, 12 service points), Camden Pasour (37 assists, 3 kills, 8 digs, 1 serve reception, 1 block, 2 service points), Mary Grace Hogue (7 kills, 4 digs, 1 serve reception, 1 service point) and Alexa Jones (17 digs, 12 serve receptions, 5 assists, 1 kill, 14 service points) led Kings Mountain (30-1).
No. 15 Crest at No. 2 Oak Grove – OG 3-2
(2A 2nd round)
No. 10 East Gaston at No. 7 Maiden – M 3-1
(1A 2nd round)
No. 12 Mountain Island Charter at No. 5 Uwharrie Charter – UC 3-1
No. 15 Swain County at No. 2 Highland Tech – HT 3-0
-Oct. 26
(3A 3rd round)
No. 6 Lake Norman Charter at No. 3 Kings Mountain
(3A 3rd round)
No. 7 Gray Stone Day at No. 2 Highland Tech
(NCISAA playoffs)
-Oct. 17
(3A 1st round)
Gaston Christian at Asheville School – AS 3-2
-Oct. 21
(2A 3rd round)
Greensboro Caldwell Academy at No. 3 Gaston Day – GD 3-0
-Oct. 24
Wayne Christian at No. 3 Gaston Day – GD 3-0
-Oct. 26
No. 3 Gaston Day at No. 2 Davidson Day
High school girls tennis
Eleven teams from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties have qualified for the state playoffs. Here are their postseason pairings:
-Oct. 18
(3A 1st round)
Foard at Forestview – Foard 6-3
Hickory at North Lincoln – NL 6-0
Kings Mountain at Piedmont – Piedmont 5-1
North Gaston at Ashe County – Ashe 9-0
Smoky Mountain at East Lincoln – EL 9-0
(2A 1st round)
Mount Pleasant at Burns – Burns 6-2
Lincoln Charter-BYE
Shelby-BYE
Reidsville at West Lincoln – WL 9-0
-Oct. 23
(3A 2nd round)
East Lincoln at W-S Atkins – Atkins 5-1
Rockingham County at North Lincoln – NL 5-2
(2A 2nd round)
Southwestern Randolph at Shelby – S 6-0
East Surry at Lincoln Charter – LC 6-3
West Lincoln at North Stanly – WL 5-1
Burns at West Stanly – WS 5-1
(1A 1st round)
Draughn at Highland Tech – HT 6-0
Piedmont CC at South Davidson – SD 5-4
-Oct. 25
(3A 3rd round)
North Buncombe at North Lincoln
(2A 3rd round)
West Lincoln at Shelby
Salisbury at Lincoln Charter
(1A 3rd round)
Thomas Jefferson at Highland Tech
Middle school boys soccer
(Thursday’s schedule:) Holbrook at Southwest, Grier at Stanley, W.C. Friday at York Chester, Cramerton at Belmont, Chavis at Bessemer City, BYE – Mount Holly
Middle school volleyball
(Thursday’s schedule:) Holbrook at Southwest, Grier at Stanley, W.C. Friday at York Chester, Cramerton at Belmont, Chavis at Bessemer City, BYE – Mount Holly
Auto racing
The 2023 NASCAR schedule (with winners in parentheses):
Feb 5 Clash at The Coliseum, Los Angeles CA (Martin Truex, Jr.)
Feb 16 Duel No. 1, Daytona Beach FL (Joey Logano)
Feb 16 Duel No. 2, Daytona Beach FL (Aric Almirola)
Feb 19 Daytona 500, Daytona Beach FL (Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.)
Feb 26 NASCAR Cup Series at California, Fontana CA (Kyle Busch)
Mar 5 NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV (William Byron)
Mar 12 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, Avondale AZ (William Byron-2)
Mar 19 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA (Joey Logano-2)
Mar 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Circuit of the Americas, Austin TX (Tyler Reddick)
Apr 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA (Kyle Larson)
Apr 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN (Christopher Bell)
Apr 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville, Martinsville VA (Kyle Larson-2)
Apr 23 NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Lincoln AL (Kyle Busch-2)
May 1 NASCAR Cup Series at Dover, Dover DE (Martin Truex, Jr.-2)
May 7 NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas, Kansas City KS (Denny Hamlin)
May 14 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington, Darlington SC (William Byron-3)
May 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open Race, North Wilkesboro NC (Josh Berry)
May 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race, North Wilkesboro NC (Kyle Larson-3)
May 29 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte, Concord NC (Ryan Blaney)
Jun 4 NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison IL (Kyle Busch-3)
Jun 11 NASCAR Cup Series at Sonoma, Sonoma CA (Martin Truex, Jr.-3)
Jun 25 NASCAR Cup Series at Nashville, Lebanon TN (Ross Chastain)
Jul 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Chicago, Chicago IL (Shane van Gisbergen)
Jul 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA (William Byron-4)
Jul 17 NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire, Loudon NH, noon on USA (Martin Truex, Jr.-4)
Jul 23 NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono, Long Pond PA, 2:30 p.m. on USA (Denny Hamlin-2)
Jul 30 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA, 3 p.m. on USA (Chris Buescher)
Aug 6-7 NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan, Brooklyn MI, noon on USA (Chris Buescher-2)
Aug 13 NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis Road Course, Speedway IN (Michael McDowell)
Aug 20 NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen, Watkins Glen NY (William Byron-5)
Aug 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona, Daytona Beach FL (Chris Buescher-3)
(Cup Playoffs)
Sep 3 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington, Darlington SC (Kyle Larsen-4)
Sep 10 NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas, Kansas City KS (Tyler Reddick-2)
Sep 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN (Denny Hamlin-3)
Sep 24 NASCAR Cup Series at Texas, Fort Worth TX (William Byron-6)
Oct 1 NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Lincoln AL (Ryan Blaney-2)
Oct 8 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte, Concord NC (A.J. Allmendinger)
Oct 15 NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV (Kyle Larsen-5)
Oct 22 NASCAR Cup Series at Miami, Homestead FL (Christopher Bell-2)
Oct 29 NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville, Martinsville, 2 p.m. on NBC
Nov 5 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, Avondale AZ, 3 p.m. on NBC