3-8-23 roundup: Pro basketball and soccer, High school basketball, baseball and softball, Middle school basketball and baseball, College basketball and baseball

By Richard Walker

Southwest Middle School broke a tie with longtime rival York Chester for the all-time winningest Gaston County Conference boys basketball champion on Wednesday.

The Roadrunners completed a 12-0 season with a 51-49 win over Holbrook in a game played at the Huss High School gymnasium.

It marks the 10th county tite in school history; Southwest previously won titles in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1995, 1999, 2007, 2009, 2010.

It also givs the Roadrunners their fourth unbeaten championship season, joining the 1983 team that finished 14-0, the 1995 team that finished 13-0 and the 2010 team that also finished 12-0.

In Wednesday’s victory, Zaiyir Phillips had 25 points and Kamari Falls 10 for Southwest and Savion Lindsey had 19 points, Mekhi McIntosh 13 and Dyson Britt 12 for Holbrook (9-3).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school basketball

The Catawba Valley 2A all-conference teams are as follows:

(Boys first team)
West Caldwell: Malek Patterson, Jordan Patterson, Mason Anthony
Maiden: Raheim Misher, Jalen Robinson.
Newton-Conover: Javier Lineberger, Landen Lyerly
Lincolnton: Will Blackburn
Bandys: Micah Slaughter
West Lincoln: Jordan Truesdale
Bunker Hill: Charles Murray
East Burke: Caleb Hudson
Player of the year – Jordan Patterson, West Caldwell
Coach of the year – Billy Anderson, West Caldwell
(Boys honorable mention)
Zion Thomas (West Caldwell), Chris Culliver (Maiden), Trey-Stinson (Newton-Conover), Eian Stancil (Lincolnton), Bobby Delguercio (Bandys), Gideon Allen (West Lincoln), Elijah Boston (Bunker Hill), Barger Shook (East Burke)

(Girls first team)
East Burke: Braelyn Stilwell, Kara Brinkley, Aubree Grigg
Newton-Conover: Cassidy Geddes, Catherine “Lizzie” Sain
Maiden: Kennedie Noble, Khiara Culliver
West Lincoln: Chloe Norman, Carolina Robinson
Bandys: Kate Dutka
Lincolnton: Mackenzie Sand-Odom
Bunker Hill: Damireona Burch
West Caldwell: Lucy Manuel
Player of the year – Cassidy Geddes, Newton-Conover
Coach of the year – Crystal Bartlett, East Burke
(Girls honorable mention)
Cassie Turner (East Burke), Hadleigh Swagger (Newton-Conover), Aleah Ikard (Maiden), Anna Bieberich (West Lincoln), Rachel Anderson (Bandys), Camellia Holland (Lincolnton), Vanessa Morales (Bunker Hill), Anna Cline (West Caldwell)

Here are Saturday’s N.C. High School Athletic Association state championship game pairings, times and sites:

-BOYS
l4A – Myers Park vs. Richmond County, 7:30 p.m. at Smith Center, UNC Chapel Hill
3A – Central Cabarrus vs. Pittsboro Northwood, 7:30 p.m. at Reynolds Coliseum, N.C. State
2A – Reidsville vs. Farmville Central, 2:30 p.m. at Smith Center, UNC Chapel Hill
1A – Eastern Randolph vs. Wilson Prep, noon at Reynolds Coliseum, N.C. State

-GIRLS
4A – Lake Norman vs. Cary Panther Creek, noon at Smith Center, UNC Chapel Hill
3A – West Rowan vs. Rocky Mount, 2:30 p.m. at Reynolds Coliseum, N.C. State
2A – Salisbury vs. Pittsboro Seaforth, 5 p.m. at Smith Center, UNC Chapel Hill
1A – Kernersville McGuinness vs. Chatham Charter, 5 p.m. at Reynolds Coliseum, N.C. State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College basketball

Gaston College’s 3-point sharpshooter Dee Merriweather was named first team All-Region 10 on Tuesday in voting done by league coaches.

A 6-foot point sophomore guard from Memphis, Tennessee, Merriweather becomes the 13th all-conference honoree in Gaston College history – and second since the school restarted its athletic program last year.

Merriweather is the Rhinos’ leading scorer at 11.2 points per game and his 77 made 3-pointers led Region 10 in the regular season.

Here’s the full 2023 All-Region 10 team:

(First Team)
Toyaz Solomon – Caldwell Tech
Khouri Carvey – Brunswick Community College
Keishon Porter – Cape Fear Community College
Dee Merriweather – Gaston College
Daniel Mayfield – Spartanburg Methodist
Harold Johnson – Spartanburg Methodist

(Second Team)
Sam Hood – Brunswick Community College
Daniel Ransom – Cape Fear Community College
Martin Kawa – Richard Bland
Landon King – Brunswick Community College
Korey Richardson – Cape Fear Community College
Jalen Miller – Caldwell Tech
Derrick Singleton – Denmark Tech

Player of the Year: Toyaz Solomon – Caldwell Tech
Coach of the Year: Jamison McIver – Caldwell Tech
Newcomer of the Year: Khouri Carvey – Brunswick
Defensive Player of the Year: Toyaz Solomon – Caldwell Tech

(Conference tournaments)
-2023 Region 10 men (at Cape Fear Community College)
Quarterfinals – Thursday, March 9
No. 4 Gaston College vs. No. 5 Cape Fear Community College, 2 p.m.
No. 2 Brunswick Community College vs. No. 7 Denmark Tech, 4 p.m.
No. 3 Spartanburg Methodist vs. No. 6 Richard Bland, 6 p.m.
Semifinals – Friday, March 10
No. 1 Caldwell Tech vs. 4/5 winner, 2 p.m.
2/7 winner vs. 3/6 winner, 4 p.m.
Final – Saturday, March 11
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.

-2023 ACC men (at Greensboro Coliseum)
(Tuesday, March 7)
Game 1: No. 12 Florida State vs. No. 13 Georgia Tech – Georgia Tech 61-60
Game 2: No. 10 Boston College vs. No. 15 Louisville – Boston College 80-62
Game 3: No. 11 Virginia Tech vs. No. 14 Notre Dame – Virginia Tech 67-64
(Wednesday, March 8)
Game 4: No. 8 Syracuse vs. No. 9 Wake Forest – Wake Forest 77-74
Game 5: No. 5 Pittsburgh vs. No. 13 Georgia Tech – Pittsburgh 89-81
Game 6: No. 7 North Carolina vs. No. 10 Boston College – North Carolina 85-61
Game 7: No. 6 N.C. State vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech – N.C. State 97-77
(Thursday, March 9)
Game 8: No. 1 Miami vs. No. 9 Wake Forest, noon (ESPN)
Game 9: No. 4 Duke vs. No. 5 Pittsburgh, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 10: No. 2 Virginia vs. No. 7 North Carolina, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 11: No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 6 N.C. State, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
(Friday, March 10)
Game 12: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 13: Game 10 winner vs. Game 11 winner, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
(Saturday, march 11)
Game 14: Championship, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

-2023 Conference USA men (at Frisco, Tex.)
(Wednesday, March 8)
No. 8 WKU vs. No. 9 UTEP – WKU 73-67
No. 7 FIU vs. No. 10 Louisiana Tech – Louisiana Tech 81-76 (OT)
No. 6 Rice vs. No. 11 UTSA – Rice 72-71
(Thursday, March 9)
No. 1 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 8 WKU, 6:30 p.m. Court A
No. 4 Middle Tennessee vs. No. 5 Charlotte, 7 p.m. Court B
No. 2 North Texas vs. No. 10 Louisiana Tech, 9 p.m. Court A
No. 3 UAB vs. No. 6 Rice, 9:30 p.m. Court B
(Friday, March 10)
1/8/9 winner vs. 4/5 winner, 12:30 p.m. Court A
2/7/10 winner vs. 3/6/11 winner, 3 p.m. Court A
(Saturday, March 11)
Final – 8:30 p.m. Court A

-2023 Conference USA women (at Frisco, Tex.)
(Wednesday, March 8)
No. 8 FIU vs. No. 9 Charlotte – Charlotte 72-59
No. 7 North Texas vs. No. 10 UAB – UAB 75-71
No. 6 UTSA vs. No. 11 Florida Atlantic – UTSA 69-68
(Thursday, March 9)
No. 1 Middle Tennessee vs. No. 9 Charlotte, Noon Court A
No. 4 UTEP vs. No. 5 Louisiana Tech, 12:30 p.m. Court B
No. 2 WKU vs. No. 10 UAB, 2:30 p.m. Court A
No. 3 Rice vs. No. 6 UTSA, 3 p.m. Court B
(Friday, March 10)
1/8/9 winner vs. 4/5 winner, 5:30 p.m. Court A
2/7/10 winner vs. 3/6/11 winner, 8 p.m. Court A
(Saturday, March 11)
Final – 5:30 p.m. Court A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school baseball

(Tuesday, March 7)
East Lincoln 15, Forestview 0 (5 innings): Carson Dahle (4 innings, 7 strikeouts) and Evan Matile (1 inning, 3 strikeouts) combined on a 1-hitter and Trey Spees (3 hits, 1 RBI, home run), Isaac Armstrong (1 hit, 3 walks, 2 stolen bases), Matile (2 hits, 3 RBIs, 2 stolen bases), Kade Scott (3-run home run) and Matthew Phuntek (1 hit, 1 RBI) led the East Lincoln offense.

Bunker Hill 4, Lincolnton 3: Will Blackburn (6 innings) and Karson Cloninger (1-3 inning) pitched for Lincolnton and Jacob Driggers (2 hits), Nate Hovis (2 hits), Cloninger (1 hit, 2 RBIs) and Camden Wray (1 hit, 1 RBI) led the Wolves offense.

(Wednesday, March 8)
Kings Mountain 13, Blacksburg, S.C. 0

Cramer 4, Olympic 2: Carter Jessen (5 innings, 7 strikeouts, win) and Hunter Reavis (2 innings, 2 strikeouts, save) handled the pitching and Zach Camacho (double, 1 RBI) and Dylan Jennings (1 hit, 1 run) led the Cramer offense.

Highland Tech 13, Ashbrook 2

Union Academy 13, Mountain Island Charter 6

East Gaston 7, North Gaston 6

North Lincoln 7, Forestview 3

Lincolnton 26, Statesville 1 (4 innings): Jacob Driggers (1 2-3 innings), Jesus Antonio (1 1-3 innings) and Sam Houser (1 inning) handled the pitching and Jacob Driggers, Lee Johnson, Caleb Deaton, Will Blackburn, Andre Bost, Caden Smith and Davian Johnson all had 1 hit to lead the Lincolnton offense.

(Thursday, March 9)
Chambers at Shelby
Cherryville at East Lincoln
Cramer at Bessemer City
Crest at Chase
East Rutherford at Gaston Christian
North Hills Christian at Piedmont CC
SouthLake Christian at Lincoln Charter
Statesville Christian at Gaston Day

(Friday, March 10)
Burns at Thomas Jefferson
East Gaston at Bessemer City
Highland Tech at Shelby
North Gaston at North Lincoln
Bandys at West Lincoln
Newton-Conover at Lincolnton
West Lincoln at Maiden
Piedmont CC at Apprentice Academy
Gaston Day at Westchester
Kings Mountain at Enka
Lincoln Charter at South Caldwell
Community School of Davidson at Mountain Island Charter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school softball

(Tuesday, March 7)
Cherryville 5, Forestview 1: Emma Proctor and Laila Davis and 2 hits apiece and Raylei Gidney was the winning pitcher for Cherryville.

(Wednesday, March 8)
Myers Park 7, Cramer 3

East Lincoln 8, Bandys 5: Leah Correll (5-hitter, 6 strikeouts), Tatum Martin (single, double, 2 RBIs, 2 runs), Betsy Eatmon (3-run home run, 3 walks), Taniyah Thomas (2 singles, 1 RBI, 1 run), Lyla Haywood (triple, 2 RBIs), Emery Pethel (single, double, 1 RBI) and Lauren Bochardt (single, 1 run) led East Lincoln.

East Gaston 10, North Gaston 7

Central Cabarrus 15, Mountain Island Charter 5

Foard 7, Burns 6 (8 innings): Sayge Strange (10 strikeouts, 2 for 4, home run, 2 RBIs), Jaycee Bivins (2 for 4, double), Hunter Morgan (2 for 3, double, 2 RBIs) and Kadence Parker (2 for 4, double, RBI) led Burns.

(Thursday, March 9)
East Gaston at Bessemer City
East Rutherford at North Lincoln
Gaston Christian at Charlotte Christian
Metrolina at Lincoln Charter
West Wilkes at Mountain Island Charter

(Friday, March 10)
Burns at Thomas Jefferson
Bandys at Maiden
Newton-Conover at Lincolnton
Crest at South Caldwell
Forestview at Cherryville
Hough at East Lincoln

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school girls soccer

Ashbrook 7, Cherryville 2 (Tuesday): Monica Velasco (3 goals, 2 assists), Trinity Osorio (2 goals, 1 assist), Arianna Martell (1 goal, 1 assist), Dasha Antonio (1 goal), Delaney Gault (1 assist) and America Santiago (1 assist) led Ashbrook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro basketball

Here’s the 2022-23 Charlotte Hornets schedule:

(21-46 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 (W 121-113)
25 Miami (W 108-103)
27 Detroit (W 117-106)
March
1 Phoenix (L 91-105)
3 Orlando (L 106-117)
5 at Brooklyn (L 86-102)
7 at New York (W 112-105)
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

Here is Charlotte FC’s full 2023 schedule:

(0-2 record)
Feb. 25 New England Revolution (L 0-1)
March 4 at St. Louis City SC (L 1-3)
March 11 Atlanta United FC, noon
March 18 at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.
March 25 New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
April 1 at Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
April 8 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.
April 15 Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.
April 22 Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
April 29 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
May 6 New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 13 at Atlanta United FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 17 Chicago Fire FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 20 Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
May 27 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
May 31 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 0.m.
June 3 at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
June 10 Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m.
June 21 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
June 24 CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 5 at New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
July 8 FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
July 15 at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 20 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 L.A. FC, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at Nashville SC, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 at FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 30 at New England Revoultion, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 Inter Miami CF, TBD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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, 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travel Basketball

The Denver Nuggets Travel boys’ basketball teams will be holding tryouts for the following teams: 7th-8th Grade Boys Monday, March 20th, Thursday, March 23rd, and Monday, March 27th from 6:00-7:30 PM in the competition gym at East Lincoln High School (6471 Hwy 73 Denver, NC 28037). 9th-11th grade boys have the same dates 7:30-9:00 PM. Players need to be at all 3 tryout dates if possible.

All basketball players in Lincoln and surrounding counties are encouraged to tryout for the teams. Parent Permission, Medical Consent, and Information forms are required to tryout and can be electronically sent to you. Contact Chip Ashley, at [email protected] or call 704-718-5136.