10-31-23 roundup: Pro football and basketball, College football, High school football, volleyball, tennis and golf, Middle school soccer, volleyball and wrestling, NASCAR

By Richard Walker

Three local products and two championship-winning teams were the newest inductees into the Gardner-Webb University Athletics Hall of Fame class – Ashbrook’s Jesse James, Waco’s Joan Cline Backhaus, Crest’s Mark Rabb and the 2002 and 2003 Big South Conference football championship teams.

James, Cline Backhaus and the 2002 and 2003 teams are inductees while Rabb is the winner of the Chuck Burch Meritorious Service Award.

The honorees were officially inducted on Friday night at the Tucker Student Center on the G-W campus and also were recognized at Saturday’s homecoming football game against UT-Martin.

James, a 1983 Ashbrook High graduate who played at Gardner-Webb from 1985 to 1987, played quarterback suited up for the Runnin’ Bulldogs capped by a South Atlantic Conference championship team in 1987. That squad had an 11-2 and also won its first-ever NAIA playoff game in a 27-7 victory over Moorhead State, Minn. James finished his career with 3,833 passing yards and 28 touchdowns while earning 1987 All-SAC honors.

The late Cline Backhaus, a 1957 graduate of old Waco High School who played at Gardner-Webb Junior College from 1957 to 1959, was a two-time all-state selection. The all-time leading scorer in Cleveland County high school basketball history with 3,384 points highlighted by a 72-point game, she averaged 34 points per game while also serving as a G-W cheerleader.

The 2002 and 2003 Gardner-Webb football teams went 17-5 overall and 7-0 in league play while winning the first two Big South Conference championships. Area products on those teams include Brandon Gentry (Crest 1998), Michael Allison (Crest 2000) and Donnie Thurman (Crest 2001) and the 2002 team was ranked as high as No. 18 in the national polls.

Rabb, a 1990 Crest High graduate who served as the head of G-W athletic communications from 1995 to 2023, oversaw the school’s transition from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I competition and has written countless stories on Runnin’ Bulldogs athletes and Hall of Famers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College football

Charlotte 49ers coach Biff Poggi tried to put his best positive spin on the 1-game suspension of an undisclosed number of players following on-field incidents last Friday in a 38-16 home loss to Florida Atlantic.

“One of the hardest things I’ve had to do,” Poggi said during Tuesday’s weekly news conference. “But it was the right thing to do.
“They’re still kids and they’re learning how to handle life. And you have to handle your emotions even when you’re losing.
“I told them, ‘This isn’t something we’re doing to you, it’s something we’re doing for for you. The key is how do you respond to this.'”

Complicated matters for the 49ers (2-6, 1-3) entering Saturday’s 4 p.m. American Athletic Conference game at Tulsa (3-5, 1-3) is the injuries that continue to rack up for Charlotte, including the 2 players Poggi has started at quarterback.

Jalon Jones (8 games with 7 starts) and Trexler Ivey (7 games with 1 start) both are hobbled with thigh injuries. and veteran Dom Shoffner (1 game) and Oklahoma transfer Micah Bowens are getting most of the pratice reps this week.

“We’re not trying to be cute,” Poggi said of the quarterback situation. “We really don’t know. Jalon is probably the most serious. Trex is serious also.”

Since Poggi didn’t identify the players who have been suspended, there’s been lots of speculation as to who they are; Eight players from last week’s depth chart aren’t listed on this week’s depth chart.

“It’s not easy,” Poggi said of his program-building chore at Charlotte, which had 1 winning season and 1 postseason bowl appearance in its history before his hiring in the fall of 2022. “If it was easy, it would’ve already happened – and we wouldn’t be here.
“We’re in the crucible right now. I’m getting anonymous letters and whatnot. My message to the team was to cherish your role as a builder.”

Here is this 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.

Here is next week’s Carolinas NCAA Division I (FBS and FCS) schedule:

(Saturday, Nov. 11)
Charleston Southern at Robert Morris, noon
Morgan State at S.C. State, noon
Vanderbilt at South Carolina, noon
Appalachian State at Georgia State, 1 p.m.
Davidson at Morehead State, 1 p.m.
Delaware at Campbell, 1 p.m.
East Tennessee State at Western Carolina, 1 p.m.
North Carolina A&T at Rhode Island, 1 p.m.
VMI at Furman, 1 p.m.
Elon at Richmond, 2 p.m.
Memphis at Charlotte, 2 p.m.
N.C. State at Wake Forest, 2 p.m.
Presbyterian at Drake, 2 p.m.
Wofford at The Citadel, 2 p.m.
Gardner-Webb at Tennessee Tech, 2:30 p.m.
Texas State at Coastal Carolina, 2:30 p.m.
N.C. Central at Howard, 3:30 p.m.
East Carolina at Florida Atlantic, 4 p.m.
Georgia Tech at Clemson, TBD
Duke at North Carolina, 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
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 – KM 3-0

(1A 3rd round)
No. 7 Gray Stone Day at No. 2 Highland Tech – HT 3-0

-Oct. 28
(3A quarterfinals)
No. 10 North Henderson at No. 3 Kings Mountain – KM 3-0

(1A quarterfinals)
No. 3 Greensboro Cornerstone Charter at No. 2 Highland Tech – HT 3-0

-Oct. 31
(3A semifinals)
No. 3 Kings Mountain at No. 1 North Iredell – KM 3-1

(1A semifinals)
No. 2 Highland Tech at No. 1 Polk County – Polk 3-0

-Nov. 4
(3A championship)
No. 3 Kings Mountain vs. No. 2 Orange at Reynolds Coliseum, N.C. State (time TBD)

 

(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 – DD 3-0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school girls golf

West Lincoln finished the N.C. 1A/2A state championships at Stonebridge Golf Club in 3rd place overall with sophomore Melony Huffman leading the way with a 5th-place overall finish.

Huffman shot a 78-86–164 to finish 17 shots behind individual state champion Malerie Lague of Christ the King.

Huffman and the Rebels, who held a 2-shot lead after Monday’s opening day, finished with a 2-day score of 537 to finish 21 strokes behind Pine Lake Prep and 5 shots behind Thomas Jefferson.

All-Western Foothills 3A: Conference champion Hickory led the all-league voting with player of the year Lillian Bowman and coach of the year Daniel Willis. Second-place finisher East Lincoln had 1 all-conference selection (Maddie Reynolds) and 3rd-place finisher North Lincoln had 2 (Addison Grice and Audrianna Doty).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro basketball

Charlotte Hornets president of basketball operations and general manager Mitch Kupchak announced Tuesday the team has exercised its 3rd-year team option on center Mark Williams.

Williams has appeared in 46 games (20 starts) in his NBA career, recording 9.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.6 minutes per game. As a starter, he has averaged 11.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest.

The Hornets failed to exercise their 4th-year team option on guard James Bouknight.

Here is the Charlotte Hornets’ 2023-24 regular season schedule:

October
Wed. 25 ATLANTA (W 116-110)
Fri. 27 DETROIT (L 99-111)
Mon. 30 BROOKLYN (L 121-133)
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 football

After lots of reports of potential deals, the Carolina Panthers chose to stand pat on Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline and made no moves.

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 (W 15-13)
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 football

Here are the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoff pairings:

(Class 4A)
Providence (5-5) at Weddington (8-2)
Northwest Guilford (8-2) at Chambers (7-3)
Reagan (4-6) at T.C. Roberson (8-2)
Charlotte Catholic (7-3) at Myers Park (7-3)
Asheville (5-5) at Hough (9-1)
Cuthbertson (6-4) at Porter Ridge (8-2)
Cox Mill (5-5) at Sun Valley (7-3)
North Mecklenburg (5-5) at Grimsley (10-0)
Kannapolis Brown (5-5) at Mooresville (10-0)
Mount Tabor (6-4) at Davie County (7-3)
Alexander Central (5-5) at Butler (9-1)
Ardrey Kell (7-3) at West Forsyth (7-3)
Page (5-5) at East Forsyth (9-1)
Independence (7-3) at Lake Norman (9-1)
Mallard Creek (6-4) at Marvin Ridge (6-4)
Hickory Ridge (3-7) at Watauga (10-0)
Purnell Swett (5-5) at Rolesville (9-1)
Wake Forest (6-4) at Garner (6-4)
Fuquay-Varina (4-6) at Jack Britt (5-5)
Ashley (6-4) at Pine Forest (6-4)
Overhills (5-5) at Cardinal Gibbons (8-2)
Heritage (4-6) at Millbrook (8-2)
South View (7-3) at Clayton (8-2)
South Garner (5-5) at Pinecrest (10-0)
Chapel Hill (6-4) at Hoggard (9-1)
Jordan (7-3) at Holly Springs (9-1)
Southeast Raleigh (5-5) at Apex Friendship (8-2)
Middle Creek (6-4) at Laney (8-2)
New Hanover (5-5) at Hillside (6-4)
Apex (7-3) at New Bern (4-6)
Richmond County (5-5) at Leesville Road (8-2)
Gray’s Creek (5-5) at Cleveland (10-0)

(Class 3A)
Parkwood (2-8) at Crest (10-0)
South Point (6-4) at Statesville (7-3)
Northeast Guilford (7-3) at West Charlotte (7-3)
Tuscola (5-5) at Hibriten (6-4)
North Davidson (3-7) at Jay M. Robinson (10-0)
West Rowan (5-5) at Northwest Cabarrus (9-1)
Central Davidson (5-5) at Eastern Guilford (8-2)
West Iredell (6-4) at Dudley (10-0)
Clyde Erwin (4-6) at West Henderson (10-0)
East Lincoln (7-3) at Ledford (9-1)
Ashbrook (4-6) at Oak Grove (9-1)
North Henderson (7-3) at Pisgah (8-2)
North Gaston (5-5) at A.C. Reynolds (7-3)
Smoky Mountain (4-6) at Kings Mountain (9-1)
Rockingham County (7-3) at North Lincoln (7-3)
Huss (4-6) at Hickory (10-0)
Dixon (4-6) at Havelock (10-0)
Western Alamance (6-4) at Cape Fear (8-2)
Greenville Rose (4-6) at White Oak (9-1)
Person (5-5) at North Brunswick (7-3)
Rocky Mount (3-6) at Scotland County (8-2)
Southern Durham (6-4) at Eastern Alamance (8-2)
Richlands (7-3) at Northern Nash (9-1)
Croatan (5-5) at Southern Nash (9-1)
Orange (3-7) at Southern Alamance (9-1)
Pikeville Aycock (8-2) at Jacksonville (8-1)
Terry Sanford (6-4) at Vance County (10-0)
West Carteret (6-4) at Harnett Central (5-5)
Southern Lee (6-4) at Fike (7-3)
South Johnston (6-4) at Currituck County (7-3)
Hunt (8-2) at Williams (8-2)
Triton (6-4) at Seventy-First (10-0)

(Class 2A)
Madison County (2-8) at Reidsville (9-1)
Southwestern Randolph (6-4) at West Stokes (6-4)
Trinity (5-5) at Brevard (8-2)
High Point Andrews (6-4) at North Stanly (7-3)
Bandys (6-4) at Monroe (9-1)
Chase (7-3) at West Lincoln (8-2)
Pine Lake Prep (7-3) at Burns (7-3)
East Rutherford (5-5) at Bunker Hill (10-0)
Lexington (5-5) at Community School of Davidson (9-1)
Providence Grove (6-4) at East Surry (7-3)
West Stanly (5-5) at Randleman (9-1)
Anson County (5-5) at Forest Hills (9-1)
Mount Pleasant (5-5) at Shelby (7-3)
Lincolnton (5-5) at North Surry (7-3)
East Gaston (8-2) at Maiden (7-3)
East Davidson (4-6) at Salisbury (10-0)
Kinston (4-6) at Clinton (10-0)
James Kenan (6-4) at Beddingfield (6-4)
Heide Trask (6-4) at Cummings (8-2)
Southeast Alamance (6-4) at Martin County (5-5)
Greene Central (4-6) at Wallace-Rose Hill (7-3)
St. Pauls (6-4) at Hertford County (8-2)
North Pitt (5-5) at West Craven (7-3)
Roanoke Rapids (2-8) at Nash Central (8-2)
Red Springs (5-5) at SouthWest Edgecombe (8-2)
Southwest Onslow (5-5) at Farmville Central (8-2)
South Granville (5-5) at Whiteville (8-2)
Eastern Wayne (6-4) at East Duplin (9-1)
Camden County (4-6) at Princeton (7-3)
Northwood (7-3) at Louisburg (5-5)
Edenton Holmes (6-4) at Midway (7-3)
North Johnston (4-6) at Northeastern (10-0)

(Class 1A)
Thomas Jefferson Academy (2-8) at Robbinsville (9-1)
Alleghany (4-6) at Mountain Island Charter (7-3)
South Stanly (4-6) at Bessemer City (5-5)
Avery County (4-6) at Swain County (9-1)
Winston-Salem Carver (2-8) at Mountain Heritage (8-2)
Cherokee (5-5) at Starmount (9-1)
Corvian Community (5-5) at Draughn (8-2)
Elkin (3-7) at North Rowan (8-2)
Cherryville (2-8) at Eastern Randolph (9-1)
Christ the King (5-5) at Hayesville (6-4)
South Davidson (4-6) at Albemarle (5-5)
Andrews (4-6) at Thomasville (7-3)
South Stokes (2-8) at Bishop McGuinness (5-5)
Polk County (4-6) at Murphy (7-3)
East Wilkes (6-4) at Mitchell (8-2)
Union Academy (2-8) at Mount Airy (10-0)
Tarboro (9-0)- bye
Northampton (6-4) at Hobbton (5-5)
Pamlico County (3-7) at North Duplin (8-2)
Union (2-8) at Southeast Halifax (8-2)
Bear Grass Charter (8-2)- bye
Washington County (2-6) at Rosewood (5-5)
North Edgecombe (3-7) at East Bladen (5-5)
Pinetown Northside (8-2)- bye
Wilson Prep (9-1)- bye
Weldon (4-4) at Gates County (5-5)
Chatham Central (0-10) at North Moore (8-2)
Southside (4-6) at Bertie (4-5)
Northwest Halifax (1-9) at Lakewood (8-2)
East Columbus (2-8) at Perquimans (6-3)
Pender (4-6) at Warren County (5-5)
West Columbus (9-1)- bye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school boys soccer

Twelve area teams will begin bids for N.C. High School Athletic Association state titles on Monday after official pairings were announced on Friday.

Here are their postseason pairings:

-Oct. 30
(3A 1st round)
No. 19 North Davidson at No. 14 Cramer – Cramer 4-1
No. 28 Kings Mountain at No. 5 A.C. Reynolds – A.C. Reynolds 9-0
No. 29 North Gaston at No. 4 Hibriten – Hibriten 2-1
No. 26 East Lincoln at No. 7 South Point – South Point 3-2

(2A 1st round)
No. 22 Burns at No. 11 Pine Lake Prep – Pine Lake Prep 6-1
No. 28 East Surry at No. 5 Shelby – Shelby 2-1
No. 21 Lincolnton at No. 12 Southwestern Randolph – SWR 2-0
No. 20 Surry Central at No. 13 Lincoln Charter – LC 2-1

(1A 1st round)
No. 23 NCSSM-Morganton at No. 10 Highland Tech – HT 6-2
No. 18 Bradford Prep at No. 15 Mountain Island Charter – BP 3-1
No. 27 Uwharrie Charter at No. 6 Piedmont Community Charter – PCC 6-0

-Nov. 2
(3A 2nd round)
No. 14 Cramer at No. 3 Asheboro
No. 10 Ledford at No. 7 South Point

(2A 2nd round)
No. 12 Southwestern Randolph at No. 5 Shelby
No. 13 Lincoln Charter at No. 4 Forbush

(1A 2nd round)
No. 10 Highland Tech at No. 7 Avery County
No. 22 Starmount at No. 6 Piedmont Community Charter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school girls tennis

Eleven teams from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties have qualified for the N.C. High School Athletic Association 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 – NL 5-2

(2A 3rd round)
West Lincoln at Shelby – S 7-2
Salisbury at Lincoln Charter – S 6-0

(1A 3rd round)
Thomas Jefferson at Highland Tech – HT 6-0

-Oct. 30
(1A quarterfinals)
Highland Tech at Gray Stone Day – HT 5-1

(2A quarterfinals)
Salisbury at Shelby – Salisbury 5-2

(3A quarterfinals)
Franklin at North Lincoln – Franklin 5-4

-Nov. 1
(1A semifinals)
Highland Tech at Mount Airy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle school boys soccer

Gaston County Conference standings through Oct. 30:
York Chester 3-0
Mount Holly 2-0
Belmont 2-1
Bessemer City 2-1
Cramerton 2-1
Grier 2-1
Holbrook 1-1
Southwest 1-1
Chavis 0-3
W.C. Friday 0-3
Stanley 0-3

(Monday’s results:)
Mount Holly 4, Grier 1
Southwest 3, W.C. Friday 1
Cramerton 5, Stanley 0
York Chester 6, Chavis 2: Brandy Vasquez (4 goals), Juan Cepeda (1 goal) and Kevin Chavarro (1 goal) led York Chester.
Belmont 5, Bessemer City 2
BYE – Holbrook

(Thursday’s schedule:) Holbrook at W.C. Friday, Cramerton at Mount Holly, Southwest at Chavis, Bessemer City at Stanley, York Chester at Belmont, BYE – Grier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle school volleyball

Gaston County Conference standings through Oct. 30:
Cramerton 3-0
Holbrook 2-0
Belmont 2-1
Bessemer City 2-1
W.C. Friday 2-1
Stanley 2-1
Mount Holly 1-1
Chavis 1-2
Southwest 0-2
Grier 0-3
York Chester 0-3

(Monday’s results:)
Mount Holly def. Grier 3-0
W.C. Friday def. Southwest 3-1
Cramerton def. Stanley 3-0
Chavis def. York Chester 3-0
Belmont def. Bessemer City 3-0
BYE – Holbrook

(Thursday’s schedule:) Holbrook at W.C. Friday, Cramerton at Mount Holly, Southwest at Chavis, Bessemer City at Stanley, York Chester at Belmont, BYE – Grier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle school wrestling

Gaston County Conference standings through Oct. 31:
Belmont 2-0
W.C. Friday 2-0
Holbrook 2-0
Stanley 1-0
Cramerton 1-1
Bessemer City 0-1
Chavis 0-1
Grier 0-1
Mount Holly 0-1
Southwest 0-1
York Chester 0-2

(Tuesday’s results:)
Holbrook 66, Southwest 33: Lawrence Bryant (76-pound weight class), Kamarion Accor (83), Karlos Watson (98), Landon Leibacher (106), Cameron McDowell (113), Elijah Christenbury (120), Easton Christenbury (126), Kayson Elliott (132), EJ Lindsay (138), Jayden Morris (145), Dante Canseco (170) and Frank Coleman (182) were winners for Holbrook and Cameron Norris (90), Karall Witherspoon (152), Lucas Gunn (160), Xavier Gordon (195) Michael Davis (220) and Josiah Armstrong (heavyweight) were winners for Southwest.

W.C. Friday 54, York Chester 51

Belmont 45, Cramerton 39

(Wednesday’s schedule:) Grier at Stanley, Chavis at Bessemer City
(Thursday’s schedule:) Mount Holly at Grier
(Friday’s schedule:) Southwest at W.C. Friday, Stanley at Cramerton, York Chester at Chavis, Belmont at Bessemer City, BYE – Holbrook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto racing

The NASCAR Championship finalists are set for Sunday’s 2023 finale in Phoenix. They are Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell.

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 (Ryan Blaney-3)
Nov 5 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, Avondale AZ, 3 p.m. on NBC