11-16-23 roundup: Pro football and basketball, College football and basketball, High school football and basketball, Middle school soccer, volleyball and wrestling
By Richard Walker
When Crest and Shelby continue their N.C. High School Athletic Association state title bids, they’ll face teams with which they have long postseason histories.
Unbeaten Crest (12-0) hosts West Charlotte (9-3) in the 6th postseason meeting between the two schools. And Shelby (9-3) visits unbeaten Salisbury (12-0) for the first time in their postseason-only rivalry with 5 previous matchups.
Crest has a regular season and postseason rivalry with the Lions as the Chargers met West Charlotte in regular season non-conference games in 1981 and 1982 and in 2003 and 2004 and they were Tri-County 4A Conference rivals from 1985 to 1992.
But their postseason games are still remembered most as West Charlotte has ended Crest’s seasons in 1993, 1995, 1998 and 2006 with the Chargers winning in 1994.
West Charlotte went to win the 1995 state title after beating Crest in the Western 4A final and the Lions were runner-ups in 1993 and 2006 later in the playoffs after eliminating the Chargers.
For Shelby, both of the Golden Lions’ victories produced state championships – the 1970 Western N.C. Activities Association and 2019 N.C. 2AA.
Salisbury’s 1974 win gave it the WNCHSAA title, its 2009 win came in a Western N.C. 2AA runner-up season and 2010 win came in a 2AA state title season.
The 2023 N.C. High School Athletic Association playoff results/pairings:
(Class 4A)
-Nov. 3 1st round
Weddington 42, Providence 7
Chambers 45, Northwest Guilford 20
T.C. Roberson 42, Reagan 21
Charlotte Catholic 42, Myers Park 24
Hough 51, Asheville 0
Porter Ridge 41, Cuthbertson 0
Sun Valley 44, Cox Mill 18
Grimsley 54, North Mecklenburg 0
Mooresville 24, A.L. Brown 18 (OT)
Mount Tabor 48, Davie County 26
Butler 49, Alexander Central 7
West Forsyth 32, Kell 15
East Forsyth 42, Page 6
Independence 35, Lake Norman 0
Mallard Creek 41, Marvin Ridge 7
Watauga 54, Hickory Ridge 34
Rolesville 62, Purnell Swett 0
Wake Forest 42, Garner 19
Fuquay-Varina 17, Jack Britt 9
Ashley 35, Pine Forest 19
Cardinal Gibbons 40, Overhills 0
Millbrook 28, Heritage 21
Clayton 55, South View 20
Pinecrest 45, South Garner 31
Hoggard 52, Chapel Hill 0
Jordan 42, Holly Springs 21
Apex Friendship 27, Southeast Raleigh 6
Laney 27, Middle Creek 13
New Hanover 23, Hillside 6
New Bern 51, Apex 35
Leesville Road 27, Richmond County 0
Cleveland 57, Gray’s Creek 13
-Nov. 10 2nd round
Weddington 14, Chambers 10
Charlotte Catholic 24, T.C. Roberson 21
Hough 45, Porter Ridge 12
Grimsley 56, Sun Valley 24
Mt. Tabor 19, Mooresville 14
Butler 47, West Forsyth 7
Independence 34, East Forsyth 28
Watauga 20, Mallard Creek 14
Rolesville 49, Garner 13
Fuquay-Varina 10, Ashley 7
Cardinal Gibbons 55, Millbrook 21
Clayton 17, Pinecrest 10
Hoggard 39, Jordan (8-3) 16
Laney 38, Apex Friendship 20
New Bern 36, New Hanover 15
Cleveland 49, Leesville Road 21
-Nov. 16 3rd round
Cleveland 56, New Bern 13
-Nov. 17 3rd round
Charlotte Catholic (9-3) at Weddington (10-2)
Hough (11-1) at Grimsley (12-0)
Mount Tabor (8-4) at Butler (11-1)
Independence (9-3) at Watauga (12-0)
Fuquay-Varina (6-6) at Rolesville (11-1)
Clayton (10-2) at Cardinal Gibbons (10-2)
Laney (10-2) at Hoggard (11-1)
(Class 3A)
-Nov. 3 1st round
Crest 53, Parkwood 0
Statesville 28, South Point 27
West Charlotte 21, Northeast Guilford 0
Hibriten 41, Tuscola 40
Concord Robinson 42, North Davidson 0
Northwest Cabarrus 52, West Rowan 21
Central Davidson 30, Eastern Guilford 27
Dudley 63, West Iredell 14
West Henderson 61, Clyde Erwin 15
East Lincoln 49, Ledford 13
Oak Grove 34, Ashbrook 0
Pisgah 35, North Henderson 17
A.C. Reynolds 45, North Gaston 0
Kings Mountain 37, Smoky Mountain 7
North Lincoln 50, Rockingham County 7
Hickory 51, Huss 32
Havelock 62, Dixon 0
Cape Fear 33, Western Alamance 12
Greenville Rose 21, White Oak 19
North Brunswick 28, Person 27
Scotland County 48, Rocky Mount 23
Southern Durham 36, Eastern Alamance 7
Northern Nash 56, Richlands 28
Southern Nash 49, Croatan 15
Southern Alamance 44, Orange 0
Jacksonville 55, Pikeville Aycock 21
Terry Sanford 34, Vance County 27
Harnett Central 42, West Carteret 30
Fike 43, Southern Lee 21
Currituck County 28, South Johnston 21
Williams 44, Hunt 22
Seventy-First 56, Triton 7
-Nov. 10 2nd round
Crest 28, Statesville 16
West Charlotte 29, Hibriten 8
Concord Robinson 27, Northwest Cabarrus 17
Dudley 48, Central Davidson 6
West Henderson 37, East Lincoln 7
Oak Grove 23, Pisgah 16
A.C. Reynolds 15, Kings Mountain 0
Hickory 48, North Lincoln 28
Havelock 27, Cape Fear 15
Greenville Rose 14, North Brunswick 7
Scotland County 21, Southern Durham 12
Northern Nash 35, Southern Nash 32
Southern Alamance 25, Jacksonville 19 (OT)
Terry Sanford 43, Harnett Central 22
Fike 37, Currituck County 25
Seventy-First 40, Williams 20
-Nov. 16 3rd round
Havelock 20, Greenville Rose 6
-Nov. 17 3rd round
West Charlotte (9-3) at Crest (12-0)
Concord Robinson (12-0) at Dudley (12-0)
Oak Grove (11-1) at West Henderson (12-0)
A.C. Reynolds (9-3) at Hickory (12-0)
Northern Nash (11-1) at Scotland County (10-2)
Terry Sanford (8-4) at Southern Alamance (11-1)
Fike (9-3) at Seventy-First (12-0)
(Class 2A)
-Nov. 3 1st round
Reidsville 58, Madison County 0
West Stokes 19, Southwestern Randolph 6
Brevard 44, Trinity 13
North Stanly 34, High Point Andrews 32
Monroe 63, Bandys 13
West Lincoln 53, Chase 35
Burns 63, Pine Lake Prep 34
Bunker Hill 61, East Rutherford 7
Community School of Davidson 38, Lexington 16
East Surry 42, Providence Grove 13
Randleman 43, West Stanly 0
Forest Hills 28, Anson County 7
Shelby 62, Mount Pleasant 14
Lincolnton 35, North Surry 21
Maiden 31, East Gaston 21
Salisbury 55, East Davidson 21
Clinton 64, Kinston 12
Beddingfield 18, James Kenan 16
Cummings 27, Heide Trask 22
Southeast Alamance 27, Martin County 13
Wallace-Rose Hill 55, Greene Central 6
Hertford County 44, St. Pauls 36
West Craven 22, North Pitt 12
Nash Central 47, Roanoke Rapids 8
SouthWest Edgecombe 36, Red Springs 13
Farmville Central 42, Southwest Onslow 35
Whiteville 42, South Granville 0
East Duplin 41, Eastern Wayne 18
Princeton 63, Camden County 20
Louisburg 46, Northwood 43
Edenton Holmes 38, Midway 14
Northeastern 41, North Johnston 21
-Nov. 9 2nd round
Reidsville 42, West Stokes 7
Shelby 41, Lincolnton 21
Salisbury 40, Maiden 0
Northeastern 55, Edenton Holmes 28
-Nov. 10 2nd round
Brevard 36, North Stanly 7
Monroe 35, West Lincoln 27
Bunker Hill 21, Burns 14
Community School of Davidson 25, East Surry 18
Forest Hills 35, Randleman 14
Clinton 56, Beddingfield 15
Southeast Alamance 21, Cummings 14
Hertford County 50, Wallace-Rose Hill 38
Nash Central 56, West Craven 28
SouthWest Edgecombe 55, Farmville Central 12
Whiteville 28, East Duplin 7
Princeton 35, Louisburg 33
-Nov. 16 3rd round
Clinton 42, Southeast Alamance 7
Northeastern 62, Princeton 53
-Nov. 17 3rd round
Brevard (10-2) at Reidsville (11-1)
Monroe (11-1) at Bunker Hill (12-0)
Forest Hill (11-1) at Community School of Davidson (11-1)
Shelby (9-3) at Salisbury (12-0)
Hertford County (10-2) at Nash Central (10-2)
Whiteville (10-2) at SouthWest Edgecombe (10-2)
(Class 1A)
-Nov. 3 1st round
Robbinsville 55, Thomas Jefferson 7
Mountain Island Charter 27, Alleghany 22
Bessemer City 52, South Stanly 32
Swain County 47, Avery County 0
Mountain Heritage 51, Carver 6
Starmount 35, Cherokee 21
Corvian Community 38, Draughn 28
North Rowan 63, Elkin 19
Eastern Randolph 68, Cherryville 7
Hayesville 28, Christ the King 0
Albemarle 49, South Davidson 0
Thomasville 49, Andrews 6
Bishop McGuinness 50, South Stokes 8
Murphy 57, Polk County 21
Mitchell 33, East Wilkes 15
Mount Airy 55, Union Academy 3
Tarboro- bye
Northampton 54, Hobbton 36
North Duplin 35, Pamlico County 27
Southeast Halifax 66, Union 0
Bear Grass Charter- bye
Rosewood 41, Washington County 28
East Bladen 57, North Edgecombe 14
Pinetown Northside- bye
Wilson Prep- bye
Weldon 20, Gates County 14
North Moore 28, Chatham Central 0
Bertie 34, Southside 14
Lakewood 60, Northwest Halifax 16
Perquimans 40, East Columbus 6
Pender 58, Warren County 42
West Columbus- bye
-Nov. 9 2nd round
Robbinsville 40, Mountain Island Charter 7
Tarboro 48, Northampton 0
Lakewood 35, Perquimans 28 (OT)
-Nov. 10 2nd round
Swain County 42, Bessemer City 7
Mountain Heritage 38, Starmount 14
North Rowan 49, Corvian Community 34
Eastern Randolph 39, Hayesville 10
Thomasville 41, Albemarle 13
Murphy 59, Bishop McGuinness 22
Mount Airy 42, Mitchell 0
Southeast Halifax 26, North Duplin 21
Rosewood 48, Bear Grass Charter 17
East Bladen 25, Pinetown Northside 18
Wilson Prep 50, Weldon 8
North Moore 58, Bertie 20
West Columbus 54, Pender 6
-Nov. 16 3rd round
Wilson Prep 42, North Moore 15
-Nov. 17 3rd round
Swain County (11-1) at Robbinsville (11-1)
Mountain Heritage (10-2) at North Rowan (10-2)
Hayesville (7-4) at Eastern Randolph (10-1) vs. Thomasville (8-3) at Albemarle (6-5)
Murphy (8-3) at Bishop McGuinness (6-5) vs. Mitchell (9-2) at Mount Airy (11-0)
Southeast Halifax (10-2) at Tarboro (10-0)
East Bladen (7-5) at Rosewood (7-5)
Lakewood (10-2) at West Columbus (10-1)
College football
The Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF) announced on Thursday Appalachian State and the Charlotte 49ers are facing off in the 2025 Duke’s Mayo Classic on Thursday, August 28th in the Carolina Panthers’ Bank of America Stadium.
“We are thrilled to add this passionate regional rivalry to our upcoming slate of Duke’s Mayo Classic games,” CSF executive director Danny Morrison said in a news release. “We believe the atmosphere in the Queen City will be electric and both the Mountaineers and 49ers will be well represented.”
This matchup will be the 4th meeting between the 2 programs with Appalachian State winning the first 3 games.
Here is this week’s Carolinas NCAA Division I (FBS and FCS) schedule:
(Saturday, Nov. 18)
Coastal Carolina at Army, noon
East Carolina at Navy, noon
Furman at Wofford, noon
Western Carolina at VMI, noon
Campbell at North Carolina A&T, 1 p.m.
Charleston Southern at Gardner-Webb, 1 p.m.
The Citadel at East Tennessee State, 1 p.m.
Hampton at Elon, 1 p.m.
Morehead State at Presbyterian, 1 p.m.
Appalachian State at James Madison, 2 p.m.
Delaware State at N.C. Central 2 p.m.
Rice at Charlotte, 2 p.m.
S.C. State at Norfolk State, 2 p.m.
Duke at Virginia, 3 p.m.
North Carolina at Clemson, 3:30 p.m.
N.C. State at Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m.
Wake Forest at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m.
Kentucky at South Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
This week’s Carolinas NCAA Division II playoff schedule:
(Saturday, Nov. 18)
Limestone at Valdosta State, 1 p.m.
Shepherd at Lenoir-Rhyne, 1 p.m.
Here is next week’s Carolinas NCAA Division I (FBS and FCS) schedule:
(Saturday, Nov. 25)
FCS playoffs – to be determined Nov. 19
Pittsburgh at Duke, noon or 3 p.m.
Tulsa at East Carolina, 2 p.m.
Wake Forest at Syracuse, 2 p.m.
Georgia Southern at Appalachin State, 3:30 p.m.
James Madison at Coastal Carolina, 3:30 p.m.
Charlotte at South Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Clemson at South Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
North Carolina at N.C. State, TBD
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 (W 15-13)
Nov. 5 Indianapolis (L 13-27)
Nov. 9 at Chicag (L 13-16)
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
Pro basketball
The Charlotte Hornets will be adding Miles Bridges to its roster after he completed his 10-game NBA-mandated suspension to start the season.
The organization released the following statement on Thursday:
“Miles Bridges is eligible to return to our active roster on Friday after serving his NBA suspension. We are comfortable with Miles returning to play based on our current understanding of the facts of the recent allegations and remain in contact with the NBA as that matter proceeds through the court process.”
Reports surfaced earlier this week that Bridges will be added to the team’s playing rotation when he returned.
Bridges was suspended for the first 10 games of this season after the NBA investigated a domestic violence incident that forced him to miss all of last season.
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 (L 119-128)
Sat. 4 at Indiana (W 125-124)
Sun. 5 at Dallas (L 118-124)
Wed. 8 WASHINGTON (L 116-132)
Fri. 10 at Washington (W 124-117)
Sun. 12 at New York (L 107-129)
Tue. 14 MIAMI (L 105-111)
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
College basketball
Here is this week’s schedule for area men’s college basketball:
(Thursday, Nov. 16)
Gaston College 82, Cleveland CC 69
(Friday, Dec. 17)
Davidson at East Tennessee State
Gardner-Webb vs. Weber State at Moncton, New Brunswick
(Saturday, Nov. 18)
Belmont Abbey at St. Augustine’s
Central Carolina CC at Cleveland CC
Gardner-Webb vs. Colgate at Moncton, New Brunswick
Queens vs. Fairfield at Drexel tournament
(Sunday, Nov. 19)
Gardner-Webb vs. Yale at Moncton, New Brunswick
George Mason vs. Charlotte at Jacksonville Classic
Queens at Drexel
High school basketball
Here is this week’s schedule for Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties:
(Friday, Nov. 17)
Asheville School at Gaston Christian
Highland Tech at Piedmont CC
North Gaston at Bessemer City
Thomas Jefferson at West Lincoln
Valor Prep at Mountain Island Charter
(Saturday, Nov. 18)
Gaston Christian at United Faith
Middle school boys soccer
Gaston County Conference standings through Nov. 16:
Belmont 7-1
Cramerton 6-1
Mount Holly 6-1
York Chester 5-3
Holbrook 4-3
Bessemer City 3-4
Grier 3-4
Southwest 3-4
Chavis 1-6
W.C. Friday 1-6
Stanley 1-7
(Thursday’s results:)
Belmont 5, Chavis 0: Matias Quispe scored 2 goals, Charles Rodenberger, Ollie Soriano and Jacob John scored 1 each, Harley Green, Wilson London, Tucker McWhirter and Alex Echeverria led the defense and Jacob Wallace, Brayden Kelly and Jack Carsner combined for the shutout in goal for Belmont.
Cramerton 5, York Chester 0: Ibreham Abubaker (1 goal), Zach Janik (1 goal, 2 assists), M.J. Liwosz (1 goal), Kaden Robinson (1 goal), Esteban Vivas Sanchez (1 goal), Andrew Hellams (2 assists), defenders John Hellams and Chris Markley and goalkeeper Gavin Moose led Cramerton.
Stanley 3, W.C. Friday 1: Broc Benson, Devin Phillips and Omar Flores scored goals for Stanley.
Southwest 5, Grier 2
Mount Holly 4, Holbrook 1
BYE – Bessemer City
(Monday’s schedule:) Bessemer City at York Chester, Chavis at Stanley, Cramerton at Southwest, W.C. Friday at Mount Holly, Grier at Holbrook, BYE – Belmont
Middle school volleyball
Gaston County Conference standings through Nov. 16:
Cramerton 7-0
Belmont 7-1
Stanley 6-2
Bessemer City 5-2
Chavis 4-3
Mount Holly 4-3
Holbrook 3-4
W.C. Friday 2-5
Grier 1-6
Southwest 1-6
York Chester 0-8
(Thursday’s results:)
Belmont 3, Chavis 1
Cramerton 3, York Chester 0
Stanley 3, W.C. Friday 0
Southwest 3, Grier 0
Mount Holly 3, Holbrook 0
BYE – Bessemer City
(Monday’s schedule:) Bessemer City at York Chester, Chavis at Stanley, Cramerton at Southwest, W.C. Friday at Mount Holly, Grier at Holbrook, BYE – Belmont
Middle school wrestling
Gaston County Conference standings through Nov. 14:
Belmont 6-0
Stanley 5-1
Cramerton 4-1
W.C. Friday 4-1
Holbrook 4-1
Chavis 3-3
Grier 2-3
Mount Holly 1-4
York Chester 1-5
Southwest 0-5
Bessemer City 0-6
(Tuesday’s results:)
W.C. Friday 63, Chavis 39
Grier 78, Bessemer City 21
Belmont 66, Holbrook 36
York Chester 58, Mount Holly 42
Stanley 60, Southwest 48
BYE – Cramerton
(Friday’s schedule:) Cramerton at Bessemer City, W.C. Friday at Belmont, Grier at York Chester, Holbrook at Stanley, Mount Holly at Southwest, BYE – Chavis