11-2-22 roundup: Pro basketball and football, High school football, girls tennis and soccer, College football, basketball and baseball, Middle school soccer, volleyball and wrestling, Auto racing
By Richard Walker
Former Shelby High star Dax Hollifield was named Defender of the Nation on Monday by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Hollifield, a sixth-year senior at Virginia Tech, won an award that goes to players from the nation’s service academies and senior military colleges that include Air Force, Army West Point, The Citadel, Coast Guard, Navy, Norwich, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and VMI.
A two-time team captain, Hollifield (2018 Shelby High graduate) has has played in all seven games this season. He ranks in a tie for fifth among FBS players in fumble recoveries and ranks 11th among ACC players in tackles (52). He also leads the Hokies in pass breakups (4) and tied for second in tackles for losses (4 1-2).
Entering Virginia Tech’s last four games which starts with Saturday’s home game against Georgia Tech, he ranks seventh all-time in school history with career tackles (325).
Here’s a look at other local products who are having big years in college and pro football:
Pittsburgh Steelers: Nic Sciba (Clover 2018) made his NFL debut in Sunday’s 35-13 loss at Philadelphia. A former Wake Forest standout, Sciba made one extra point and two field goals for the Steelers. Pittsburgh signed Sciba to a free agent contract as an undrafted free agent on May 16.
North Carolina A&T: Zach Leslie (Burns 2016) has caught 21 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns in six games for the Aggies.
Charleston Southern: T.J. Ruff (Crest 2021) has 214 yards rushing and two touchdowns and 19 catches for 183 yards and one touchdown in eight games for the Buccaneers.
College basketball
Gaston College 125, Gaddis Watts Prep Academy 75: The Rhinos tied for the sixth-highest scoring total in school history in their season-opener at Gastonia’s Ashbrook High School as freshmen Michael Smith and Asil Hoyle scored 22 and 20 points, respectively, and sophomore DaMarco Watson (15 poitns, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals) had an all-around game. Gaston College (1-0) returns to action on Friday in a 6 p.m. game at Walters State, Tenn.
College baseball
Cherryville High senior Kanon Willis announced on twitter on Wednesday he was committing to play next season at Catawba Valley Community College. Willis helped the Ironmen to the N.C. 1A state championship series last spring and helped Cherryville American Legion Post 100 to an Area IV title and the N.C. state tournament.
College football
(This weekend’s NCAA Division I Carolinas schedule:)
-Thursday
Appalachian State at Coastal Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
-Friday
Duke at Boston College, 7 p.m.
-Saturday
North Carolina at Virginia, noon
Western Kentucky at Charlotte, noon
Norfolk State at North Carolina A&T, noon
Robert Morris at Charleston Southern, noon
Stetson at Davidson, 1 p.m.
Delaware State at South Carolina State, 1:30 p.m.
Wofford at Western Carolina, 2 p.m.
Howard at North Carolina Central, 2 p.m.
Chattanooga at The Citadel, 2 p.m.
Albany at Elon, 2 p.m.
Campbell at Bryant, 2 p.m.
Clemson at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.
South Carolina at Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m.
Wake Forest at N.C. State, 8 p.m.
High school boys soccer
Here are Thursday’s second round pairings:
(Class 1A)
No. 24 Mountain Island Charter at No. 8 Mountain Heritage
(Class 2A)
No. 17 Lincoln Charter at No. 1 Pine Lake Prep
No. 8 Shelby hosts No. 9 East Davidson
(Class 3A)
No. 13 South Point at No. 4 East Lincoln
No. 2 Forestview hosts No. 15 North Henderson
High school girls tennis
NCHSAA DUAL TEAM PLAYOFFS:
Nov. 1 third round results:
(Class 1A)
No. 4 Highland Tech (12-3) at No. 1 Mount Airy (18-1) – MA 5-1
(Class 2A)
No. 7 West Lincoln (17-2) at No. 6 Hendersonville (14-1) – Hville 5-1
(Class 3A)
No. 11 East Lincoln (14-2) at No. 2 Franklin (16-0) – Franklin 5-1
High school football
NCHSAA Nov. 4 first round playoff pairings with highest seeded teams as host teams:
(1A EAST)
#1 Tarboro (9-1), BYE
#16 North Duplin (6-4) vs. #17 Southeast Halifax (4-5)
#8 Riverside-Martin (9-1) vs. #25 Pamlico County (3-7)
#9 North Edgecombe (7-3) vs. #24 KIPP Pride(2-8)
#5 West Columbus (7-3) vs. #28 South Creek (0-10)
#12 Gates County (6-4) vs. #21 Washington County (3-7)
#13 Northside-Pinetown (6-4) vs. #20 Weldon (3-5)
#4 Northampton County (8-2) vs. #29 Jones (1-9)
#3 Rosewood (6-4) vs. #30 Chatham Central (1-9)
#14 Warren County (6-4) vs. #19 Lakewood (5-5)
#6 Southside (7-3) vs. #27 Rocky Mount Prep (1-8)
#11 Hobbton (8-2) vs. #22 Northwest Halifax (2-8)
#7 Bear Grass Charter (5-5) vs. #26 East Columbus (2-8)
#10 Wilson Prep (8-2) vs. #23 Perquimans (2-8)
#15 Bertie (4-6) vs. #18 Pender (5-5)
#2 North Moore (10-0) vs. #31 Lejeune (0-10)
(1A WEST)
#1 Eastern Randolph (9-1), BYE
#16 South Stokes (4-6) vs. #17 Mountain Heritage (4-6)
#8 Robbinsville (7-3) vs. #25 Cherryville (2-8)
#9 Starmount (7-3) vs. #24 Cherokee (2-8)
#5 Christ the King (8-2) vs. #28 Avery County (3-7)
#12 Hayesville (5-5) vs. #21 Alleghany (3-7)
#13 North Rowan (6-4) vs. #20 Carver (3-7)
#4 Mount Airy (9-1) vs. #29 North Stokes (1-9)
#3 Thomasville (9-1) vs. #30 Elkin (1-9)
#14 Swain County (4-6) vs. #19 Winston-Salem Prep (3-6)
#6 Draughn (9-1) vs. #27 Union Academy (2-8)
#11 Mitchell (7-3) vs. #22 South Davidson (4-6)
#7 Murphy (7-3) vs. #26 Albemarle (3-7)
#10 East Wilkes (8-2) vs. #23 Thomas Jefferson (2-8)
#15 Mountain Island Charter (4-5) vs. #18 Bessemer City (3-7)
#2 Andrews (10-0) vs. #31 Highland Tech (0-10)
(2A EAST)
#1 Princeton (9-1) vs. #32 Goldsboro (2-8)
#16 Heide Trask (7-3) vs. #17 Eastern Wayne (6-4)
#8 Cummings (6-3) vs. #25 Bartlett Yancey (7-3)
#9 East Carteret (7-3) vs. #24 Midway (6-4)
#5 Northeastern (8-2) vs. #28 Farmville Central (5-5)
#12 Wallace-Rose Hill (8-2) vs. #21 Kinston (6-4)
#13 Greene Central (9-1) vs. #20 St. Pauls (6-3)
#4 Nash Central (7-3) vs. #29 North Johnson (3-7)
#3 Whiteville (9-1) vs. #30 Southwest Onslow (2-7)
#14 John A. Holmes (7-3) vs. #19 Southwest Edgecombe (4-6)
#6 West Craven (7-3) vs. #27 Bunn (4-6)
#11 Hertford County (9-1) vs. #22 East Bladen (5-5)
#7 Clinton (9-1) vs. #26 Beddingfield (5-5)
#10 South Granville (5-5) vs. #23 Roanoke Rapids (3-7)
#15 James Kenan (8-2) vs. #18 Camden County (6-4)
#2 East Duplin (9-1) vs. #31 North Pitt (4-6)
(2A WEST)
#1 Reidsville (9-1) vs. #32 Madison (3-7)
#16 McMichael (7-3) vs. #17 Providence Grove (7-3)
#8 Chase (10-0) vs. #25 North Wilkes (7-3)
#9 Robinson (9-1) vs. #24 Wilkes Central (7-3)
#5 Maiden (9-1) vs. #28 Polk County (5-5)
#12 Walkertown (8-2) vs. #21 Mount Pleasant (7-3)
#13 Bunker Hill (9-1) vs. #20 East Davidson (6-4)
#4 Community School of Davidson (9-1) vs. #29 East Gaston (6-4)
#3 Burns (9-1) vs. #30 Morehead (4-6)
#14 Forest Hills (9-1) vs. #19 Shelby (6-4)
#6 Salisbury (9-1) vs. #27 Brevard (5-5)
#11 Pine Lake Prep (9-1) vs. #22 West Stokes (5-5)
#7 Monroe (9-1) vs. #26 North Stanly (6-4)
#10 Randleman (7-3) vs. #23 Lincolnton (5-5)
#15 Hendersonville (8-2) vs. #18 West Lincoln (8-2)
#2 East Surry (10-0) vs. #31 Anson (4-6)
(3A EAST)
#1 Northern Nash (10-0) vs. #32 Northside-Jacksonville (1-8)
#16 Southern Nash (7-3) vs. #17 White Oak (7-2)
#8 West Carteret (7-3) vs. #25 Vance County (6-3)
#9 Southern Durham (6-4) vs. #24 Richlands (6-4)
#5 C.B. Aycock (9-1) vs. #28 Triton (5-5)
#12 Smithfield-Selma (9-1) vs. #21 Hunt (6-4)
#13 Rocky Mount (7-3) vs. #20 Jacksonville (5-4)
#4 Havelock (8-2) vs. #29 Croatan (4-6)
#3 Seventy-First (10-0) vs. #30 South Johnston (5-5)
#14 J.H. Rose (7-3) vs. #19 Cape Fear (7-3)
#6 North Brunswick (9-1) vs. #27 Westover (6-4)
#11 Currituck County (6-4) vs. #22 Lee County (7-3)
#7 Terry Sanford (8-2) vs. #26 South Brunswick (5-5)
#10 Scotland (6-4) vs. #23 Fike (5-5)
#15 Williams (7-3) vs. #18 Western Alamance (6-4)
#2 Eastern Alamance (9-1) vs. #31 Franklinton (4-6)
(3A WEST)
#1 Kings Mountain (10-0) vs. #32 St. Stephens (4-6)
#16 Central Davidson (8-2) vs. #17 Smoky Mountain (6-4)
#8 West Charlotte (5-5) vs. #25 Cramer (4-6)
#9 Hibriten (5-5) vs. #24 Southern Guilford (6-4)
#5 Northwest Cabarrus (9-1) vs. #28 Ashbrook (4-6)
#12 Ledford (9-1) vs. #21 Freedom (6-4)
#13 Tuscola (9-1) vs. #20 Forestview (4-6)
#4 East Lincoln (10-0) vs. #29 Ashe County (3-7)
#3 Oak Grove (10-0) vs. #30 West Mecklenburg (5-5)
#14 Crest (7-3) vs. #19 Statesville (7-3)
#6 Dudley (8-2) vs. #27 Pisgah (4-6)
#11 South Point (9-1) vs. #22 Hickory (7-3)
#7 Erwin (5-5) vs. #26 Carson (5-5)
#10 Parkwood (5-5) vs. #23 Eastern Guilford (6-4)
#15 West Rowan (8-2) vs. #18 Franklin (6-4)
#2 West Henderson (10-0) vs. #31 North Davidson (3-7)
(4A EAST)
#1 Hillside (10-0) vs. #32 Hoke County (5-5)
#16 Apex (9-1) vs. #17 Panther Creek (7-3)
#8 Holly Springs (8-2) vs. #25 Richmond (5-5)
#9 Pine Forest (8-2) vs. #24 Fuquay-Varina (6-4)
#5 Cardinal Gibbons (8-2) vs. #28 Knightdale (6-4)
#12 Millbrook (9-1) vs. #21 Clayton (6-4)
#13 Southern Alamance (7-3) vs. #20 Riverside-Durham (6-4)
#4 New Hanover (9-1) vs. #29 Broughton (5-5)
#3 Wake Forest (8-2) vs. #30 Chapel Hill (6-4)
#14 Leesville Road (8-2) vs. #19 D.H. Conley (5-5)
#6 Cleveland (10-0) vs. #27 Topsail (5-5)
#11 Rolesville (7-3) vs. #22 Overhills (7-3)
#7 Pinecrest (8-2) vs. #26 Laney (6-4)
#10 Jack Britt (7-3) vs. #23 Jordan (4-6)
#15 Heritage (7-3) vs. #18 Hoggard (7-3)
#2 New Bern (10-0) vs. #31 Sanderson (5-5)
(4A WEST)
#1 Grimsley (10-0) vs. #32 Davie (4-6)
#16 Reagan (8-2) vs. #17 Charlotte Catholic (8-2)
#8 Independence (9-1) vs. #25 Page (5-5)
#9 Olympic (10-0) vs. #24 T.C. Roberson (6-4)
#5 Hough (8-2) vs. #28 Providence (5-5)
#12 Mallard Creek (7-3) vs. #21 Ardrey Kell (8-2)
#13 Asheville (8-2) vs. #20 Mount Tabor (8-2)
#4 East Forsyth (10-0) vs. #29 West Forsyth (4-6)
#3 Watauga (9-1) vs. #30 South Iredell (4-6)
#14 Northwest Guilford (8-2) vs. #19 Southeast Guilford (7-3)
#6 Weddington (9-1) vs. #27 Marvin Ridge (5-5)
#11 Cox Mill (8-2) vs. #22 Lake Norman (7-3)
#7 A.C. Reynolds (9-1) vs. #26 A.L. Brown (6-4)
#10 Julius Chambers (8-2) vs. #23 Porter Ridge (7-3)
#15 Butler (8-2) vs. #18 Hickory Ridge (6-4)
#2 Mooresville (9-1) vs. #31 Southwest Guilford (5-5)
Pro basketball
The Charlotte Hornets lost for the fourth time in five games in a 106-88 loss at the Chicago Bulls.
Kelly Oubre (24 points, 5 rebounds), Mason Plumlee (11 points, 13 rebounds) and Dennis Smith (10 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists) led the Hornets.
Here is the 2022-23 Charlotte Hornets schedule:
(3-5 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, 8 p.m.
5 Brooklyn, 7 p.m.
7 Washington, 7 p.m.
9 Portland, 7 p.m.
10 at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
12 at Miami, 8 p.m.
14 at Orlando, 7 p.m.
16 Indiana, 7 p.m.
18 at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.
20 at Washington, 6 p.m.
23 Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
25 Minnesota, 5 p.m.
28 at Boston, 7:30 p.m.
December
2 Washington, 7 p.m.
3 Milwaukee, 6 p.m.
5 L.A. Clippers, 7 p.m.
7 at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.
9 New York, 7 p.m.
11 at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.
14 Detroit, 7 p.m.
16 Atlanta, 7 p.m.
18 at Denver, 8 p.m.
19 at Sacramento, 10 p.m.
21 at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.
23 at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.
26 at Portland, 10 p.m.
27 at Golden State, 10 p.m.
29 Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.
31 Brooklyn, 7 p.m.
January
2 L.A. Lakers, 7 p.m.
4 Memphis, 7 p.m.
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.
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, 1 p.m.
Week 10, Nov. 10, Atlanta, 8:15 p.m.
Week 11, Nov. 20, at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Week 12, Nov. 27, Denver, 1 p.m.
Week 13, Dec. 4, BYE
Week 14, Dec. 11, at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.
Week 15, Dec. 18, Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
Week 16, Dec. 24, Detroit, 1 p.m.
Week 17, Jan. 1, at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Week 18, Jan. 7 or 8, at New Orleans, TBD
Middle School boys soccer
GASTON COUNTY CONFERENCE
Standings through Nov. 1:
Cramerton 2-0
Holbrook 2-0
Belmont 1-0
York Chester 1-0-1
Southwest 2-1
Stanley 2-1
Mount Holly 1-1
Bessemer City 1-2
Chavis 0-2-1
Grier 0-2
W.C. Friday 0-3
(Wednesday’s game)
Belmont at York Chester, ppd. no date
(Thursday’s games)
Belmont at Southwest
Bessemer City at Mount Holly
Chavis at Holbrook
Cramerton at Grier
York Chester at Stanley
Middle School volleyball
GASTON COUNTY CONFERENCE
Standings through Nov. 1:
Chavis 3-0
Holbrook 2-0
Mount Holly 2-0
Belmont 1-0
W.C. Friday 2-1
Stanley 2-1
Cramerton 1-1
Grier 0-2
York Chester 0-2
Bessemer City 0-3
Southwest 0-3
(Wednesday’s game)
Belmont at York Chester, ppd. no date
(Thursday’s games)
Belmont at Southwest
Bessemer City at Mount Holly
Chavis at Holbrook
Cramerton at Grier
York Chester at Stanley
Middle School wrestling
GASTON COUNTY CONFERENCE
Standings through Nov. 1:
W.C. Friday 2-0
Stanley 2-0
Belmont 1-1
Chavis 1-1
Cramerton 1-1
Grier 1-1
York Chester 1-1
Holbrook 0-0
Mount Holly 0-1
Southwest 0-1
Bessemer City 0-2
(Tuesday’s matches)
Belmont def. Bessemer City 76-18
York Chester def. Chavis 54-51
Stanley def. Cramerton 57-47
W.C. Friday def. Southwest 84-21
Grier def. Mount Holly
(Friday’s matches)
Belmont at York Chester
Chavis at Southwest
W.C. Friday at Holbrook
Mount Holly at Cramerton
Stanley at Bessemer City
Auto racing
The 2022 NASCAR cup schedule (with winners):
Feb. 6 Busch Light Clash (Joey Logano)
Feb. 17 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 (Brad Keselowski)
Feb. 17 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 (Chris Buescher)
Feb. 20 Daytona 500 (Austin Cindric)
Feb. 27 Wise Power 400 (Kyle Larson)
Mar. 6 Pennzoil 400 (Alex Bowman)
Mar. 13 Ruoff Mortgage (Chase Briscoe)
Mar. 20 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (William Byron)
Mar. 27 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix (Ross Chastain)
Apr. 3 Toyota Owners (Denny Hamlin)
Apr. 9 Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 (William Byron-2)
Apr. 17 Food City Dirt Race (Kyle Busch)
Apr. 24 Geico 500 (Ross Chastain-2)
May 2 DuraMAX Drydene 400 (Chase Elliott)
May 8 Goodyear 400 (Joey Logano-2)
May 15 AdventHealth 400 (Kurt Busch)
May 22 NASCAR All-Star Open (Daniel Suarez)
May 22 NASCAR All-Star (Ryan Blaney)
May 29 Coca-Cola 600 (Denny Hamlin-2)
June 5 Enjoy Illinois 300 (Joey Logano-3)
June 12 Toyota/Save Mart 350 (Daniel Suarez)
June 26 Ally 400 (Chase Elliott-2)
July 3 Kwik Trip 250 (Tyler Reddick)
July 10 Quaker State 400 (Chase Elliott-3)
July 17 Ambetter 301 (Christopher Bell)
July 24 NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono (Chase Elliott-4)
July 31 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (Tyler Reddick-2)
Aug. 7 FireKeepers Casino 400 (Kevin Harvick)
Aug. 14 Federated Auto Parts 400 (Kevin Harvick-2)
Aug. 21 Go Bowling at The Glen (Kyle Larson-2)
Aug. 27-28 Coke Zero Sugar 400 (Austin Dillon)
Sept. 4 Cook Out Southern 500 (Erik Jones)
Sept. 11 Hollywood Casino 400 (Bubba Wallace)
Sept. 17 Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Chris Buescher)
Sept. 25 AutoTraderEchoPark Automotive 500 (Tyler Reddick-3)
Oct. 2 YellaWood 500 (Chase Elliott-5)
Oct. 9 Bank of America ROVAL 400 (Christopher Bell)
Oct. 16 South Point 400 (Joey Logano-4)
Oct. 23 Dixie Vodka 400 (Kyle Larson-3)
Oct. 30 Xfinity 500 (Christopher Bell-2)
Nov. 6 NASCAR Cup Series Championship