2-18-23 roundup: Pro basketball and football, High school basketball, Middle school basketball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker

Twenty seven boys and girls high school basketball teams from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties found out their 2023 N.C. High School Athletic Association tournament pairings for the upcoming playoffs.

The tournament begins with opening round games on Tuesday, Thursday and next Saturday before regional semifinals on Feb. 28 and March 4 and culminating with the March 11 state finals.

Boys teams to qualify this season includes perennial postseason participants like Shelby (Cleveland County-record 27th straight appearance), East Lincoln (Lincoln County-record 14th straight appearance), Kings Mountain (10th straight), Lincoln Charter (10th straight) and Huss (17th appearance in 19 years).

Conference tournament champions entering the tournament are the boys teams from Huss, East Gaston and Lincoln Charter and the girls teams from Cramer, Shelby, East Lincoln and Lincoln Charter.

Ashbrook has the longest streak of consecutive girls playoff appearances at 16 years.

Here are the pairings of area teams for Tuesday’s opening round games:

-BOYS
(Class 3A)
No. 5 South Point hosts No. 28 Thomasville Ledford
No. 13 Crest hosts No. 20 West Rowan
No. 14 Huss hosts No. 19 Northwest Cabarrus
No. 17 North Lincoln at No. 16 North Henderson
No. 18 East Lincoln at No. 15 Greensboro Dudley
No. 24 Kings Mountain at No. 9 West Henderson
(Class 2A)
No. 4 East Gaston hosts No. 29 West Wilkes
No. 8 Lincoln Charter at No. 25 Brevard
No. 12 Shelby hosts No. 21 Eden Morehead
No. 24 Burns at No. 9 Southwestern Randolph
No. 31 Lincolnton at No. 2 Reidsville
(Class 1A)
No. 7 Bessemer City hosts No. 26 Cherokee
No. 27 Mountain Island Charter at No. 6 Robbinsville
No. 30 Cherryville at No. 3 Eastern Randolph

-GIRLS
(Class 3A)
No. 2 East Lincoln hosts No. 31 North Buncombe
No. 7 Huss hosts No. 26 W-S Atkins
No. 10 Cramer hosts No. 23 St. Stephens
No. 15 Ashbrook hosts No. 18 Lake Norman Charter
No. 24 Crest at No. 9 Ashe County
No. 27 South Point at No. 6 Oak Grove
(Class 2A)
No. 2 Shelby hosts No. 31 Robinson
No. 4 Lincoln Charter hosts No. 29 Brevard
No. 18 West Lincoln at No. 15 Southwestern Randolph
(Class 1A)
No. 7 Bessemer City hosts No. 26 Swain County
No. 22 Piedmont Community Charter at No. 11 Corvian Community
No. 30 Highland Tech at No. 3 Cherokee

Here are the conference tournament pairings and results for teams from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties:

(Conference tournament pairings)
-Big South 3A
Monday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 1 South Point 80, No. 8 North Gaston 72
No. 5 Ashbrook 52, No. 4 Kings Mountain 40
No. 2 Crest 79, No. 7 Forestview 62
No. 3 Huss 73, No. 6 Cramer 53
Monday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 1 Huss 64, No. 8 North Gaston 17
No. 4 Ashbrook 52, No. 5 South Point 51
No. 2 Cramer 70, No. 7 Forestview 38
No. 3 Crest 49, No. 6 Kings Mountain 42
Wednesday’s boys semifinals
No. 1 South Point 74, No. 5 Ashbrook 62
No. 3 Huss 77, No. 2 Crest 72
Wednesday’s girls semifinals
No. 1 Huss 33, No. 4 Ashbrook 27
No. 2 Cramer 47, No. 3 Crest 40
Friday’s finals at Huss
Girls – No. 2 Cramer 62, No. 1 Huss 37
Boys – No. 3 Huss 52, No. 1 South Point 49

-Southern Piedmont 1A/2A
Monday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 2 Shelby 70, No. 7 Thomas Jefferson 44
No. 3 Bessemer City 83, No. 6 Highland Tech 48
No. 4 Burns 66, No. 5 Cherryville 65
Monday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 2 Bessemer City 74, No. 7 Cherryville 27
No. 3 Thomas Jefferson 56, No. 6 Highland Tech 41
No. 4 Burns 58, No. 5 East Gaston 26
Wednesday’s boys semifinals
No. 1 East Gaston 80, No. 4 Burns 61
No. 3 Bessemer City 56, No. 2 Shelby 54
Wednesday’s girls semifinals
No. 1 Shelby 55, No. 4 Burns 24
No. 2 Bessemer City 62, No. 3 Thomas Jefferson 32
Friday’s finals at East Gaston
Girls – No. 1 Shelby 59, No. 2 Bessemer City 38
Boys – No. 1 East Gaston 76, No. 3 Bessemer City 75 (OT)

-Western Foothills 3A
Monday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 1 Hickory 79, No. 8 West Iredell 29
No. 4 North Iredell 64, No. 5 St. Stephens 51
No. 2 East Lincoln 81, No. 7 Statesville 60
No. 3 North Lincoln 65, No. 6 Foard 61
Monday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 1 East Lincoln 70, No. 8 West Iredell 18
No. 4 Hickory 59, No. 5 Foard 31
No. 2 St. Stephens 49, No. 7 North Lincoln 25
No. 3 North Iredell 70, No. 6 Statesville 49
Wednesday’s boys semifinal at North Iredell
No. 1 Hickory 71, No. 4 North Iredell 51
Wednesday’s girls semifinal at North Iredell
No. 1 East Lincoln 59, No. 4 Hickory 48
Thursday’s boys semifinal at North Iredell
No. 3 North Lincoln 60, No. 2 East Lincoln 57 (OT)
Thursday’s girls semifinal at North Iredell
No. 2 St. Stephens 42, No. 3 North Iredell 36
Friday’s finals at North Iredell
Girls – No. 1 East Lincoln 62, No. 2 St. Stephens 53
Boys – No. 1 Hickory 77, No. 3 North Lincoln 67

-Catawba Valley 2A
Tuesday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 1 West Caldwell 75, No. 8 East Burke 55
No. 4 Lincolnton 66, No. 5 Bunker Hill 59
No. 2 Maiden 79, No. 7 West Lincoln 67
No. 3 Newton-Conover 78, No. 6 Bandys 71
Tuesday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 1 East Burke 78, No. 8 Bunker Hill 26
No. 4 West Lincoln 45, No. 5 Bandys 30
No. 2 Newton-Conover 64, No. 7 West Caldwell 30
No. 3 Maiden 61, No. 6 Lincolnton 23
Wednesday’s boys semifinal at CVCC
No. 1 West Caldwell 57, No. 4 Lincolnton 42
Wednesday’s girls semifinal at CVCC
No. 1 East Burke 55, No. 4 West Lincoln 31
Thursday’s boys semifinal at CVCC
No. 3 Newton-Conover 59, No. 2 Maiden 42
Thursday’s girls semifinal at CVCC
No. 2 Newton-Conover 65, No. 3 Maiden 36
Friday’s finals at CVCC
Girls – No. 3 Newton-Conover 58, No. 1 East Burke 45
Boys – No. 1 West Caldwell 54, No. 3 Newton-Conover 40

-Catawba Shores 1A/2A
Monday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 2 Community School of Davidson 74, No. 7 Langtree Charter 32
No. 3 Christ the King 59, No. 6 Bradford Prep 41
No. 5 Mountain Island Charter 51, No. 4 Pine Lake Prep 47
Monday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 4 Pine Lake Prep 54, No. 5 Bradford Prep 30
Wednesday’s boys semifinals at Christ the King
No. 1 Lincoln Charter 77, No. 5 Mountain Island Charter 42
No. 3 Christ the King 72, No. 2 Community School 69 (OT)
Wednesday’s girls semifinals at Christ the King
No. 1 Lincoln Charter 46, No. 4 Pine Lake Prep 26
No. 2 Community School of Davidson 43, No. 3 Christ the King 39
Friday’s finals at Christ the King
Girls – No. 1 Lincoln Charter 49, No. 2 Community School of Davidson 33
Boys – No. 1 Lincoln Charter 70, No. 3 Christ the King 65

-Metro 8 1A
Monday’s boys quarterfinals
No. 2 Carolina International 92, No. 7 Apprentice Academy 38
No. 3 Queen’s Grant 71, No. 6 Cabarrus Charter 67
No. 4 Piedmont Community Charter 77, No. 5 Sugar Creek 57
Monday’s girls quarterfinals
No. 4 Sugar Creek 50, No. 5 Cabarrus Charter 19
No. 3 Queen’s Grant 56, No. 6 Carolina International 22
Wednesday’s boys semifinals
No. 1 Corvian Community 91, No. 4 Piedmont Community Charter 62
No. 2 Carolina International 82, No. 3 Queen’s Grant 44
Wednesday’s girls semifinals
No. 1 Piedmont Community Charter 61, No. 4 Sugar Creek 27
No. 2 Corvian Community 53, No. 3 Queen’s Grant 29
Friday finals at Corvian Community
Girls – No. 2 Corvian Community 46, No. 1 Piedmont Community Charter 43
Boys – No. 1 Corvian Community 67, No. 2 Carolina International 66

-NCISAA state playoffs
(3A boys)
Saturday – Gaston Christian 54, Cape Fear Academy 49: The Eagles advanced into Tuesday’s semifinals at Greensboro DAy.

(2A boys)
Saturday – Gaston Day 77, Sanford Grace Christian 56: Evan Montanari had 18 points, Callum Richard 17, Kurt Hunter 10 and Chase Owens 9 as the Spartans advanced to Tuesday’s quarterfinal game at Raleigh Trinity Academy.

(3A girls)
Tuesday – Hickory Grove Christian 45, Gaston Christian 33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College basketball

(Saturday’s games)
Lees-McRae 101, Belmont Abbey 92: The Crusaders fell to 17-10, 13-6 after the road loss.

Charlotte 74, Louisiana Tech 67: Aly Khalifa had 22 points and Brice Williams 15 as the 49ers (16-11, 7-9) took the program’s first ever win at Louisiana Tech.

UNC Asheville 75, Gardner-Webb 63: UNC Asheville wrapped up the Big South Conference regular season title as the Bulldogs fell to 10-6 in the league and 15-13 overall.

Gaston College 104, Hosanna College 75: The Rhinos honored seven sophomores then improved to 16-6 on the season with the comfortable victory.

Queens 83, Kennesaw State 76: Kenny Dye had 24 points and A.J. McKee 20 for the Royals (17-12, 7-9).

Davidson 76, St. Joseph’s 75: Sam Mennenga’s free throw with one second remaining lifted the Wildcats to the come-from-behind victory and to a 12-14, 5-9 record.

Gardner-Webb women 82, UNC Asheville 58: The Bulldogs made history as they moved to 16-0 in the Big South. Gardner-Webb (24-4, 16-0 Big South) became the first program in conference history – women or men – to start a Big South basketball season with a 16-0 mark.
Gardner-Webb’s stars of the past were out in full force as the school celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Title IX with its Legacy and Legends Hoopscoming Day.

Belmont Abbey women 73, Lees-McRae 46: The Crusaders opened with an 18-2 run and never looked back in a win that guaranteed at least a share of the 2022-23 Conference Carolinas regular-season championship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

College baseball

(Saturday’s games)

Charlotte 9-9, Ball State 4-5: The 49ers erased a 5-0 deficit in the third inning of the nightcap with nine unanswered runs to complete the doubleheader sweep.

UNC Pembroke 12-9, Belmont Abbey 0-6: The results dropped the Crusaders to 9-3 overall, 0-3 in Conference Carolinas play.

Gaston College 12, USC Sumter 2 (7 innings): The Rhinos roared to a 7-0 and improved to 12-1 overall with the win by the 10-run mercy rule.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle school basketball

Gaston County Conference standings through Feb. 16:

-BOYS
Southwest 8-0
Belmont 6-1
Holbrook 5-2
Mount Holly 5-2
Stanley 4-4
Grier 4-3
Cramerton 3-4
York Chester 3-5
Chavis 2-5
Bessemer City 0-7
W.C. Friday 0-7

-GIRLS
Holbrook 7-0
Belmont 6-1
Southwest 6-2
Cramerton 4-3
Mount Holly 4-3
W.C. Friday 4-3
Stanley 3-5
York Chester 3-5
Bessemer City 1-6
Chavis 1-6
Grier 1-6

(Tuesday’s games)
Grier at W.C. Friday, Holbrook at Cramerton, Mount Holly at Chavis, Southwest at Bessemer City, Stanley at Belmont

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro basketball

Here’s the 2022-23 Charlotte Hornets schedule:

(17-43 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 (W 138-109)
8 at Indiana (L 111-116)
10 at Toronto (L 120-132)
12 at Toronto (L 114-124)
14 Boston (L 106-122)
16 Boston (L 118-130)
18 at Houston (W 122-117)
21 at Atlanta (W 122-118)
23 at Utah (L 102-120)
24 at Phoenix (L 97-128)
26 Chicago (W 111-96)
29 Miami (W 122-117)
31 at Milwaukee (L 115-124)
February
2 at Chicago (L 98-114)
3 at Detroit (L 112-118)
5 Orlando (L 113-119)
8 at Washington (L 104-118)
10 at Boston (L 116-127)
11 Denver (L 105-119)
13 Atlanta (W 144-138)
15 San Antonio (W 120-110)
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 soccer

Charlotte FC beat Birmingham Legion FC 3-2 in its final preseason match of 2023 at Bank of America Stadium.

Kamil Jozwiak, Karol Swiderski and Enzo Copetti all scored goals for Charlotte FC, which opens the regular season against the New England Revolution at Bank of America Stadium on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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, 2:30 p.m. on FOX
Feb 26 NASCAR Cup Series at California, Fontana CA 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Mar 5 NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Mar 12 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, Avondale AZ, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Mar 19 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Mar 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Circuit of the Americas, Austin TX, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Apr 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA, 3:30 p.m. on FS1
Apr 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN, 7 p.m. on FOX
Apr 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville, Martinsville VA, 3 p.m. on FS1
Apr 23 NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Lincoln AL, 3 p.m. on FOX
Apr 30 NASCAR Cup Series at Dover, Dover DE, 2 p.m. on FS1
May 7 NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas, Kansas City KS, 3 p.m. on FS1
May 14 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington, Darlington SC, 3 p.m. on FS1
May 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open Race, North Wilkesboro NC, 6 p.m. on FS1
May 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race, North Wilkesboro NC, 8 p.m. on FS1
May 28 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte, Concord NC, 6 p.m. at FOX
Jun 4 NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison IL, 3:30 p.m. on FS1
Jun 11 NASCAR Cup Series at Sonoma, Sonoma CA, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Jun 25 NASCAR Cup Series at Nashville, Lebanon TN, 7 p.m. on NBC
Jul 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Chicago, Chicago IL, 5:30 p.m. on NBC
Jul 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA, 7 p.m. on USA
Jul 16 NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire, Loudon NH, 2:30 p.m. on USA
Jul 23 NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono, Long Pond PA, 2:30 p.m. on USA
Jul 30 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA, 3 p.m. on USA
Aug 6 NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan, Brooklyn MI, 2:30 p.m. on USA
Aug 13 NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis Road Course, Speedway IN, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Aug 20 NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen, Watkins Glen NY, 3 p.m. on USA
Aug 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona, Daytona Beach FL, 7 p.m. on NBC

(Cup Playoffs)
Sep 3 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington, Darlington SC, 6 p.m. on USA
Sep 10 NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas, Kansas City KS, 3 p.m. on USA
Sep 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN, 7:30 p.m. on USA
Sep 24 NASCAR Cup Series at Texas, Fort Worth TX, 3:30 p.m. on USA
Oct 1 NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Lincoln AL, 2 p.m. on NBC
Oct 8 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte, Concord NC, 2 p.m. on NBC
Oct 15 NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Oct 22 NASCAR Cup Series at Miami, Homestead FL, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
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