4-14-26 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, auto racing, soccer and rodeo, High school basketball, baseball, soccer and softball, Middle school baseball, girls soccer and track

By Richard Walker

A Spectrum Center record crowd of 19,698 saw the Charlotte Hornets move within one victory of advancing to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2016 on Tuesday night.

In a game where momentum swung back and forth wildly in the fourth quarter and overtime, LaMelo Ball’s driving layup with 4.7 seconds left gave the Hornets a 127-126 win over the Miami Heat.

Charlotte led by 93-85 with 10:22 left in the fourth quarter before a 17-2 Heat surge gave it a 102-95 lead with 6:17 left in the fourth quarter.

But both teams made comebacks to force overtime and win in overtime.

The Hornets trailed 111-105 with 2:16 left in the fourth quarter but Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller and Coby White 3-pointers in the final 1:17 tied the score at 114.

In overtime, Charlotte led 125-120 with 26.0 seconds left before Tyler Herro hit a 3-pointer, then hit all three free throws after being fouled by Ball with 8.7 seconds left for a 126-125 Miami lead.

Ball (30 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists), Bridges (28 points, 9 rebounds), Miller (23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and White (19 points) led the Hornets, who advance to Friday’s play-in game against the loser of Friday’s Orlando at Philadelphia play-in contest.

The win gave the Hornets their first postseason elimination game victory in history; They were 0-12 previously in elimination games dating to their initial playoff appearance in 1993.

The Charlotte Hornets full 2025-26 regular season schedule:

OCTOBER
Wednesday 22 BROOKLYN (W 136-117)
Saturday 25 at Philadelphia (L 121-125)
Sunday 26 at Washington (W 139-113)
Tuesday 28 at Miami (L 117-144)
Thursday 30 ORLANDO (L 107-123)
NOVEMBER
Saturday 1 MINNESOTA (L 105-122)
Sunday 2 UTAH (W 126-103)
Tuesday 4 at New Orleans (L 112-116)
Friday 7 at Miami* (L 108-126)
Monday 10 L.A. LAKERS (L 111-121)
Wed. 12 MILWAUKEE (W 111-100)
Friday 14 at Milwaukee* (L 134-147, OT)
Saturday 15 OKLAHOMA CITY (L 96-109)
Monday 17 at Toronto (L 108-110)
Wednesday 19 at Indiana (L 118-127)
Saturday 22 LA CLIPPERS (L 116-131)
Sunday 23 at Atlanta (L 110-113)
Wednesday 26 NEW YORK* (L 101-129)
Friday 28 CHICAGO* (W 123-116)
Saturday 29 TORONTO (W 118-111, OT)
DECEMBER
Monday 1 at Brooklyn (L 103-116)
Wednesday 3 at New York (L 104-119)
Friday 5 at Toronto (W 111-86 )
Sunday 7 DENVER (L 106-115)
Friday 12 CHICAGO (L 126-129)
Sunday 14 at Cleveland (W 119-111)
Thursday 18 ATLANTA (W 133-126)
Saturday 20 at Detroit (L 86-112)
Monday 22 at Cleveland (L 132-139)
Tuesday 23 WASHINGTON (W 126-109)
Friday 26 at Orlando (W 120-105)
Monday 29 MILWAUKEE (L 113-123)
Wednesday 31 GOLDEN STATE (L 125-132)
JANUARY
Friday 2 at Milwaukee (L 121-122)
Saturday 3 at Chicago (W 112-99 )
Monday 5 at Oklahoma City (W 124-97 )
Wednesday 7 TORONTO (L 96-97 )
Thursday 8 INDIANA (L 109-112)
Saturday 10 at Utah (W 150-95 )
Monday 12 at LA Clippers (L 109-117)
Thursday 15 at L.A. Lakers (W 135-117)
Saturday 17 at Golden State (L 116-136)
Sunday 18 at Denver (W 110-87 )
Wednesday 21 CLEVELAND (L 87-94 )
Thursday 22 at Orlando (W 124-97 )
Saturday 24 WASHINGTON (W 119-115)
Monday 26 PHILADELPHIA (W 130-93 )
Wednesday 28 at Memphis (W 112-97 )
Thursday 29 at Dallas (W 123-121)
Saturday 31 SAN ANTONIO (W 111-106)
FEBRUARY
Monday 2 NEW ORLEANS (W 102-95 )
Thursday 5 at Houston (W 109-99 )
Saturday 7 at Atlanta (W 126-119)
Monday 9 DETROIT (W 110-104)
Wednesday 11 ATLANTA (W 110-107)
Thursday 19 HOUSTON (L 101-105)
Friday 20 CLEVELAND (L 113-118)
Sunday 22 at Washington (W 129-112)
Tuesday 24 at Chicago (W 131-99 )
Thursday 26 at Indiana (W 133-109)
Saturday 28 PORTLAND (W 109-93 )
MARCH
Tuesday 3 DALLAS (W 117-90 )
Wednesday 4 at Boston (W 116-89 )
Friday 6 MIAMI (L 120-128)
Sunday 8 at Phoenix (L 99-111)
Tuesday 10 at Portland (W 103-101)
Wednesday 11 at Sacramento (W 117-109)
Saturday 14 at San Antonio (L 102-115)
Tuesday 17 MIAMI (W 136-106)
Thursday 19 ORLANDO (W 130-111)
Saturday 21 MEMPHIS (W 124-101)
Tuesday 24 SACRAMENTO (W 134-90 )
Thursday 26 NEW YORK (W 114-103)
Saturday 28 PHILADELPHIA (L 114-118)
Sunday 29 BOSTON (L 99-114)
Tuesday 31 at Brooklyn (W 117-86 )
APRIL
Thursday 2 PHOENIX (W 127-107)
Friday 3 INDIANA (W 129-108)
Sunday 5 at Minnesota (W 122-108)
Tuesday 7 at Boston (L 102-113)
Friday 10 DETROIT (L 100-118)
Sunday 12 at New York 6:00 p.m.

(Play-in tournament)
Wednesday 15

Home games in CAPS
All times listed are Eastern
* Denotes Emirates NBA Cup Group Play game
Schedule to be announced following Emirates NBA Cup Group Play: Dec. 9, 10, 13, 16- Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Rounds, Dec. 11, 12, 14, 15- Additional regular-season games for eliminated teams

The Charlotte Hornets 2025 preseason schedule:

Sunday, Oct. 5 Oklahoma City (at N. Charleston Col.) L 114-135
Thursday, Oct. 9 at Oklahoma City L 116-122
Saturday, Oct. 11 at Dallas W 120-116
Wednesday, Oct. 15 Memphis (at First Horizon Col., Gboro) W 145-116
Friday, Oct. 17 at New York L 108-113

(Eastern Conference play-in tournament)

Tuesday, April 14: Miami at Charlotte – Charlotte 127-126 in OT

Wednesday, April 15: Orlando at Philadelphia (7:30 ET, Prime Video)
…winner advances to play No. 2 Boston

Friday, April 17: Charlotte at Orlando-Philadelphia loser (7:30 ET, Prime Video)
…winner advances to play No. 1 Detroit

*-if necessary)

(Eastern Conference quarterfinals)

No. 1 Detroit vs. No. 8 TBD
Game 1: TBD at Detroit- Sunday April 19 (6:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 2: TBD at Detroit- TBD
Game 3: Detroit at TBD- TBD
Game 4: Detroit at TBD- TBD
Game 5: TBD at Detroit*- TBD
Game 6: Detroit at TBD*- TBD
Game 7: TBD at Detroit*- TBD

No. 2 Boston vs. No. 7 TBD
Game 1: TBD at Boston- Sunday April 19 (1 ET, ABC)
Game 2: TBD at Boston- TBD
Game 3: Boston at TBD- TBD
Game 4: Boston at TBD- TBD
Game 5: TBD at Boston*- TBD
Game 6: Boston at TBD*- TBD
Game 7: TBD at Boston*- TBD

No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Atlanta
Game 1: Atlanta at New York- Saturday April 18 (6 ET, Prime Video)
Game 2: Atlanta at New York- TBD
Game 3: New York at Atlanta- TBD
Game 4: New York at Atlanta- TBD
Game 5: Atlanta at New York*- TBD
Game 6: New York at Atlanta*- TBD
Game 7: Atlanta at New York*- TBD

No. 4 Cleveland vs. No. 5 Toronto
Game 1: Toronto at Cleveland- Saturday April 18 (1 ET, Prime Video)
Game 2: Toronto at Cleveland- TBD
Game 3: Cleveland at Toronto- TBD
Game 4: Cleveland at Toronto- TBD
Game 5: Toronto at Cleveland*- TBD
Game 6: Cleveland at Toronto*- TBD
Game 7: Toronto at Cleveland*- TBD

(Eastern Conference semifinals)
No. 1-8 winner vs. No. 4-5 winner
No. 2-7 winner vs. No. 3-6 winner

(Eastern Conference finals)
TBD

(Western Conference play-in tournament)
Tuesday, April 14: Portland at Phoenix (10 ET, Prime Video)
…winner advances to play No. 2 San Antonio

Wednesday, April 15: Golden State at L.A. Clippers (10 ET, Prime Video)

Friday, April 17: Golden State-L.A. Clippers winner at Portland-Phoenix loser (10 ET, Prime Video)
…winner advances to play No. 1 Oklahoma City

(Western Conference quarterfinals)

No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 8 TBD
Game 1: TBD at Oklahoma City- Sunday April 19 (3:30 ET, ABC)
Game 2: TBD at Oklahoma City- TBD
Game 3: Oklahoma City at TBD- TBD
Game 4: Oklahoma City at TBD- TBD
Game 5: TBD at Oklahoma City*- TBD
Game 6: Oklahoma City at TBD*- TBD
Game 7: TBD at Oklahoma City*- TBD

No. 2 San Antonio vs. No. 7 TBD
Game 1: TBD at San Antonio- Sunday April 19 (9 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 2: TBD at San Antonio- TBD
Game 3: San Antonio at TBD- TBD
Game 4: San Antonio at TBD- TBD
Game 5: TBD at San Antonio*- TBD
Game 6: San Antonio at TBD*- TBD
Game 7: TBD at San Antonio*- TBD

No. 3 Denver vs. No. 6 Minnesota
Game 1: Minnesota at Denver- Saturday April 18 (3:30 ET, Prime Video)
Game 2: Minnesota at Denver- TBD
Game 3: Denver at Minnesota- TBD
Game 4: Denver at Minnesota- TBD
Game 5: Minnesota at Denver*- TBD
Game 6: Denver at Minnesota*- TBD
Game 7: Minnesota at Denver*- TBD

No. 4 L.A. Lakers vs. No. 5 Houston
Game 1: Houston at Los Angeles- Saturday April 18 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 2: Houston at Los Angeles- TBD
Game 3: Los Angeles at Houston- TBD
Game 4: Los Angeles at Houston- TBD
Game 5: Houston at Los Angeles*- TBD
Game 6: Los Angeles at Houston*- TBD
Game 7: Houston at Los Angeles*- TBD

(Western Conference semifinals)
No. 1-8 winner vs. No. 4-5 winner
No. 2-7 winner vs. No. 3-6 winner

(Western Conference finals)
TBD

(NBA finals)
TBD

 

 

 

 

 

High school volleyball

The winningest volleyball coach in Gaston County high school history has retired.

Leigh Kiser is retiring after 16 seasons as coach at Cherryville High School, Ironman athletic director Matt Powers announced on Tuesday.

Kiser guided the Ironmen to a 203-186 record with 12 state playoff appearances in her 16 seasons. She also

“Cherryville Ironmen Athletics thanks Coach Leigh Kiser for 16 seasons guiding our volleyball program,” Powers said in a school news release. “Your passion for CHS built a winner through hard work and heart — 200+ wins, county’s all-time leader, and a lasting impact on so many lives that goes way beyond the game. We are truly grateful and wish you the very best!”

Kiser had a 268-236 overall record which included tenures at Shelby High School and Chavis Middle School.

 

 

 

 

High school soccer

Gaston Day School announced the appointment of Jonas Richardson as the Spartans new varsity boys soccer head coach.

Already a first-year physical education teacher, Richardson had been a cross country and girls soccer assistant coach.

He replaces Gaston County’s all-time winningest boys soccer coach Greg Lekavich, who guided Gaston Day to a 250-61-9 record in 16 seasons highlighted by state championships in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2024 and state runner-up finishes in 2014, 2018 and last fall when the Spartans finished 16-4 overall.

A former collegiate standout and team captain at Thomas University, Richardson has had a lifelong dedication to the game as an elite player, a championship-caliber mentor and a highly decorated coach.

He’s had previous coaching roles with the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club and as a staff member for the North Carolina Olympic Development Program (NC ODP). He’s also holds a U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) B License as well as the United Soccer Coaches Premier, Director of Coaching, and National Youth diplomas. He’s also a previous North Carolina Youth Soccer Association Coach of the Year.

“Coach Richardson’s leadership style is grounded in professional excellence and a deep understanding of individual player development,” Gaston Day athletic director Lulu Brase said in a school news release. “He is committed to building upon our program’s historic success while shaping young men of character who are prepared for life beyond the field. We are thrilled to welcome him to this new role as he leads Spartan soccer into its next chapter.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school baseball

The area’s results/schedule:

(Monday, April 6)
-Gaston County Easter tournament at Sims Legion Park
Christ the King vs. North Gaston – Christ the King 9-8
Forestview vs. Cramer – Cramer 6-0
Ashbrook vs. Gaston Christian – Gaston Christian 17-0 (3 innings)
South Point vs. Highland Tech – South Point 7-0

-Shelby Easter tournament at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium
Shelby vs. South Caldwell – South Caldwell 4-0
Burns vs. Chase – Chase 4-2
-Walt Disney Wide World of Sports tournament at Orlando, Fla.
Cherryville vs. Utica NY Notre Dame Catholic – Cherryville 13-10
Cherryville vs. Voorhees NJ Eastern – canceled, rain

(Tuesday, April 7)
-Gaston County Easter tournament at Sims Legion Park
Ashbrook vs. North Gaston – North Gaston 15-0 (3 innings)
Forestview vs. Highland Tech – Highland Tech 7-2
Gaston Christian vs. Christ the King – Christ the King 3-2
Cramer vs. South Point – South Point 3-2

-Shelby Easter tournament at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium
Kings Mountain vs. Tuscola – Tuscola 2-1
Crest vs. Piedmont – Crest 1-0

-Cal Ripken Experience at Myrtle Beach SC
East Lincoln vs. Owensboro KY Apollo – East Lincoln 2-0

North Lincoln vs. Charles Town WV Washington – North Lincoln 7-2

(Wednesday, April 8)
-Gaston County Easter tournament at Sims Legion Park
7th place- Ashbrook vs. Forestview – Forestview 15-5 (5 innings)
5th place- North Gaston vs. Highland Tech – North Gaston 10-0 (6 innings)
3rd place- Gaston Christian vs. Cramer – Gaston Christian 5-2
Championship- Christ the King vs. South Point – South Point 9-1

-Shelby Easter tournament at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium
Shelby vs. Burns – Burns 5-1
Kings Mountain vs. Piedmont – Kings Mountain 6-5
South Caldwell vs. Chase – South Caldwell 12-0 (5 innings)
Tuscola vs. Crest – Crest 6-2

-Cal Ripken Experience at Myrtle Beach SC
East Lincoln vs. Highland Regional NJ – East Lincoln 7-0

-Walt Disney Wide World of Sports tournament at Orlando, Fla.
Cherryville vs. Appleton WI Xavier – Cherryville 6-3

North Lincoln vs. Hedgesville WV – North Lincoln 9-2

(Thursday, April 9)
-Shelby Easter tournament at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium
7th place- Shelby vs. Piedmont – Piedmont 7-1
5th place- Burns vs. Kings Mountain – Burns 2-1
3rd place- Chase vs. Tuscola – Tuscola 2-1 (8 innings)
Championship- South Caldwell vs. Crest – Crest 6-4

-Cal Ripken Experience at Myrtle Beach SC
East Lincoln vs. Elmira NY – Elmira 2-0

North Lincoln at Myrtle Beach SC Carolina Forest – North Lincoln 10-4

(Friday, April 10)
North Lincoln vs. Avon Lake OH – North Lincoln 13-3

(Monday, April 13)
SouthLake Christian 13, Gaston Day 3 (6 innings)
Mountain Island Charter 18, Queen’s Grant 3 (5 innings)
Bessemer City 11, Piedmont Community Charter 10

(Tuesday, April 14)
North Gaston 13, Forestview 3 (6 innings): Blake Mitchell (7-hitter, 9 strikeouts), C Bates (2 hits, double, 1 RBI), C Mason (2 hits, triple), E Cunningham (2 hits, home run, 2 RBIs), C Kanupp (2 hits, 1 RBI) and A Smith (2 hits, double, 3 RBIs) led North Gaston.

Ashbrook 10, Huss 0 (5 innings)

Crest 3, Kings Mountain 0: Hudson Lund pitched the shutout and Landry Ohmstead and Eli Black hit home runs for Crest.

Burns 7, Cherryville 0: The visiting Bulldogs ended Cherryville’s longest winning streak to start a season at 15.

Cramer 12, Lincolnton 1 (6 innings): Starter and winner Kingston Womack (3 innings, 5 strikeouts) and reliever Matthew Queler (3 innings, 6 strikeouts) were the pitchers for Cramer, whose offense was led by Chris Wurster (Double, 2 Runs) and
Kenan Helton (Double, 1 RBI, 2 Runs, 1 SB)

East Gaston 9, Shelby 1
Highland Tech 4, West Lincoln 3

East Lincoln 5, North Lincoln 1: The host Mustangs ended North Lincoln’s longest winning streak to start a season at 17.

Lincoln Charter 7, Christ the King 2
Mountain Island Charter 12, Thomas Jefferson 0 (5 innings)
Concord Academy 10, Gaston Day 6
Gaston Christian 10, Metrolina Christian 9

(Wednesday, April 15)
Cramer at North Gaston
Forestview at Bessemer City
Kell at Lincoln Charter
Newton-Conover at West Lincoln
North Lincoln at South Point
Piedmont Community at Corvian Community

(Thursday, April 16)
Gaston Day at Gaston Christian
North Gaston at Huss
Cherryville at Burns
Christ the King at Lincoln Charter
Lincolnton at Cramer
Chase at Crest

(Friday, April 17)
Ashbrook at South Point
Forestview at Kings Mountain
Shelby at East Gaston
West Lincoln at Highland Tech
East Lincoln at West Iredell
Newton-Conover at North Lincoln
Piedmont Community Charter at Sugar Creek Charter
Covenant Day at Gaston Christian

(Monday, April 20)
Ashbrook at Huss
Burns at Highland Tech
Cherryville at East Gaston
Lincolnton at Foard
Palisades at South Point
Piedmont Community Charter at Bessemer City Community Christian

(Tuesday, April 21)
Ashbrook at North Gaston
Crest at Forestview
South Point at Huss
East Gaston at West Lincoln
Shelby at Bessemer City
Foard at East Lincoln
North Lincoln at Bandys
Lincoln Charter at Lake Norman Charter
Queen’s Grant at Mountain Island Charter
SouthLake Christian at Gaston Day
Hickory Christian Academy at Gaston Christian

(Wednesday, April 22)
Burns at Polk County
Charlotte Stampede at Mountain Island Charter
Forestview at Lincolnton
Lincoln Charter at North Lincoln
Highland Tech at Piedmont Community Charter
North Gaston at East Lincoln

(Thursday, April 23)
Crest at South Point
Cherryville at Cramer
Highland Tech at Burns
Lake Norman Charter at Lincoln Charter
Gaston Christian at SouthLake Christian
Gaston Day at Metrolina Christian

(Friday, April 24)
Ashbrook at Chambers
Huss at Forestview
Kings Mountain at North Gaston
Bessemer City at Shelby
Cramer at Cherryville
West Lincoln at East Gaston
East Lincoln at Hickory
Carolina International at Piedmont Community Charter
Mountain Island Charter at Jackson Day
Pinnacle Classical at Gaston Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro soccer

The 2026 Charlotte FC schedule:

(3-2-2 record)
Saturday, Feb. 21 at St. Louis (T 1-1)
Saturday, Feb. 28 at L.A. Galaxy (L 0-3)
Saturday, March 7 Austin (W 3-1)
Saturday, March 14 Miami (T 0-0)
Saturday, March 21 New York Red Bulls (W 6-1)
Saturday, Apr. 4 Philadelphia (W 2-1)
Saturday, Apr. 11 Nashville (L 1-2)
Saturday, Apr. 18 at New York, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, Apr. 22 at Orlando, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Apr. 25 at Nashville, 8:30 PM
Saturday, May 2 at New England, 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 9 Cincinnati, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, May 13 New York, 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 16 Toronto, 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 23 New England, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, July 22 Atlanta, 8:00 PM
Saturday, July 25 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 1 at Chicago, 8:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 15 Columbus, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Toronto, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 22 DC, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 29 at Atlanta, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 5 Houston, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Montreal, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 12 at Cincinnati, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 19 at DC, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 26 Chicago, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 10 Dallas, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Columbus, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 17 at Philadelphia, 2:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 24 at Portland, 10:30 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 28 Montreal, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 31 Orlando, 1:00 PM
Saturday, Nov. 7 at Miami, 4:00 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle school baseball

Gaston County Conference standings through April 13:

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

The Gaston County Conference schedule:

(Monday, April 13)
Cramerton 15, Grier 0
Chavis 15, Holbrook 0 (3 innings)
Mount Holly 15, Bessemer City 2 (5 innings)

Belmont 18, Southwest 0 (3 innings): Jake Beck and Brooks Lineberger combined on the no-hitter with 9 strikeouts and Cade Hendrix had 2 hits and Weston Curry, Andrew Summerville, Sawyer Ensley and Carter Curry 1 apiece for Belmont.

Stanley 19, York Chester 0
BYE – W.C. Friday

(Thursday, April 16)
Chavis at W.C. Friday
Bessemer City at Grier
Belmont at Holbrook
York Chester at Mount Holly
Stanley at Southwest
BYE – Cramerton
(Monday, April 20)
Cramerton at Bessemer City
W.C. Friday at Belmont
Grier at York Chester
Holbrook at Stanley
Mount Holly at Southwest
BYE – Chavis
(Thursday, April 23)
Belmont at Chavis
York Chester at Cramerton
Stanley at W.C. Friday
Southwest at Grier
Mount Holly at Holbrook
BYE – Bessemer City
(Monday, April 27)
Bessemer City at York Chester
Chavis at Stanley
Cramerton at Southwest
W.C. Friday at Mount Holly
Grier at Holbrook
BYE – Belmont
(Thursday, April 30)
Semifinals: No. 4 at No. 1, No. 3 at No. 2
(Wednesday, May 6)
Baseball finals: Semifinal winners at highest remaining seed

 

 

 

 

 

Middle school girls soccer

Gaston County Conference standings through April 13:

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

The Gaston County Conference schedule:

(Monday, April 13)
Cramerton 7, Grier 0
Chavis 3, Holbrook 2
Mount Holly 5, Bessemer City 0
Belmont 7, Southwest 0
Stanley 5, York Chester 0
BYE – W.C. Friday

(Thursday, April 16)
Chavis at W.C. Friday
Bessemer City at Grier
Belmont at Holbrook
York Chester at Mount Holly
Stanley at Southwest
BYE – Cramerton
(Monday, April 20)
Cramerton at Bessemer City
W.C. Friday at Belmont
Grier at York Chester
Holbrook at Stanley
Mount Holly at Southwest
BYE – Chavis
(Thursday, April 23)
Belmont at Chavis
York Chester at Cramerton
Stanley at W.C. Friday
Southwest at Grier
Mount Holly at Holbrook
BYE – Bessemer City
(Monday, April 27)
Bessemer City at York Chester
Chavis at Stanley
Cramerton at Southwest
W.C. Friday at Mount Holly
Grier at Holbrook
BYE – Belmont
(Thursday, April 30)
Semifinals: No. 4 at No. 1, No. 3 at No. 2
(Wednesday, May 6)
Baseball finals: Semifinal winners at highest remaining seed

 

 

 

 

 

Middle school track

The Gaston County schedule

(Wednesday, March 18)
Bessemer City, Chavis, York Chester, Stanley at Stanley, ppd., no date
Grier, Belmont, Holbrook, Cramerton at Belmont

(Monday, March 23)
Cramerton, Grier, Chavis at Stuart Cramer

(Wednesday, March 25)
Stanley, Bessemer City, Holbrook, Southwest at Stanley: Stanley won both meets as the boys had 75 points and the girls 70. The boys finished ahead of Holbrook (58 1/2), Southwest (43 1/2) and Bessemer City (7) with the girls finishing ahead of Holbrook (69), Southwest (40) and Bessemer City (5).

Belmont, Mount Holly, W.C. Friday, York Chester at Belmont: Belmont won both meets as the boys had 111 points and the girls 76.7. The boys finished ahead of Mount Holly (40), W.C. Friday (22) and York Chester (11) with the girls finishing ahead of Mount Holly (73.8), W.C. Friday (31 1/2) and York Chester (2).

(Tuesday, March 31)
W.C. Friday, Mount Holly, Southwest at North Gaston

(Wednesday, April 1)
Holbrook, Stanley, Chavis, W.C. Friday at Bessemer City HS: Holbrook won both meets as the boys had 88 points and girls 72. The boys finished ahead of Stanley (72), W.C. Friday (15) and Chavis (9) with the girls finishing ahead of Stanley (62), W.C. Friday (31) and Chavis (16).

Mount Holly, York Chester, Southwest, Cramerton at Stanley

Belmont, Bessemer City, Grier at Belmont: Belmont won both meets as the boys had 98 points and the girls 77. The boys finished ahead of Grier (20) and Bessemer City (8) with the girls finishing ahead of Grier (40) and Bessemer City (9).

(Tuesday, April 14)
York Chester, Holbrook, Cramerton at Bessemer City HS: Cramerton won both meets as the boys had 68 points and the girls 65. The boys finished ahead of Holbrook (53) and York Chester (5) with the girls finishing ahead of Holbrook (61).

(Wednesday, April 15)
Southwest, Belmont, Grier, W.C. Friday at Belmont
Chavis, Mount Holly, Stanley, Bessemer City at Stanley

(Wednesday, April 22)
Division 1 Meet – Host: Southwest at Bessemer City HS
Division 2 Meet – Host: Stanley at Bessemer City HS

(Wednesday, April 29)
County Championship – Host: Cramerton at Stuart Cramer

 

 

 

 

 

Pro baseball

Jacksonville 3, Charlotte 0: Four Jacksonville pitchers combined on a 3-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts in the opener of a six-game road series for the Knights. The second game is 7:05 p.m. Wednesday night.

Here is the full Charlotte Knights’ 2026 schedule:

(7-8 record 1st half)
March 27-29 Durham 3-0 (W 19-2, W 2-1 in 11, W 4-3)
March 31-April 5 at Nashville 1-4 (L 3-7, W 9-3, L 0-4, L 6-7, ppd, L 5-7)
April 7-12 Memphis 3-3 (L 4-9, W 7-3, L 1-4, W 9-8 in 10, L 4-6, W 13-4)
April 14-19 at Jacksonville 0-1 (L 0-3)
April 21-26 Nashville
April 28-May 3 Gwinnett
May 5-10 at Jacksonville
May 12-17 Norfolk
May 19-24 at Gwinnett
May 26-31 Jacksonville
June 2-7 at Durham
June 9-14 Oklahoma City
June 16-21 at Buffalo
June 23-28 Rochester
June 30-July 5 at Memphis
July 7-12 Nashville
July 17-19 at Durham
July 21-26 Norfolk
July 28-August 2 at Nashville
August 4-9 Durham
August 11-16 at Rochester
August 18-23 at Scranton-WB
August 25-30 Memphis
September 1-6 at Gwinnett
September 8-13 Buffalo
September 15-20 at Norfolk

 

Here is the full Gastonia Ghost Peppers’ 2026 schedule:

(0-0 record, 0-0 1st half, 0-0 2nd half)

-1st half
April 21-23 at High Point
April 24-26 High Point
April 28-May 3 at York
May 5-10 Southern Maryland
May 12-17 at Long Island
May 19-20 Charleston, W.Va.
May 22-24 at Charleston, W.Va.
May 26-28 at Lexington
May 29-31 Charleston, W.Va.
June 2-7 Lancaster
June 9-14 at Lexington
June 16-21 Staten Island
June 23-28 at Lexington
June 30-July 2 Lexington
-2nd half
July 3-5 Charleston, W.Va.
July 7-12 at Hagerstown
July 14-19 Lexington
July 21-26 at Charleston, W.Va.
July 28, 30-31-Aug. 2 Hagerstown
Aug. 4-6 Southern Maryland
Aug. 7-9 at Lexington
Aug. 11-16 at High Point
Aug. 18-23 Charleston, W.Va.
Aug. 25-30 at Southern Maryland
Sept. 1-6 High Point
Sept. 8-10 Lexington
Sept. 11-13 at High Point

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto racing

Here is the full 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule with race winners in parentheses:

Feb. 4 — Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (Ryan Preece)
Feb. 15 — Daytona 500 (Tyler Reddick)
Feb. 22 — Atlanta (Reddick-2)
March 1 — Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas (Reddick-3)
March 8 — Phoenix (Ryan Blaney)
March 15 — Las Vegas (Denny Hamlin)
March 22 — Darlington, South Carolina (Reddick-4)
March 29 — Martinsville, Virginia (Chase Elliott)
April 5 — off weekend
April 12 — Bristol, Tennessee (Ty Gibbs)
April 19 — Kansas
April 26 — Talladega, Alabama
May 3 — Texas
May 10 — Watkins Glen, New York
May 17 — All-Star Race (Dover)
May 24 — Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte)
May 31 — Nashville, Tennessee
June 7 — Michigan
June 14 — Pocono in Long Pond, Pennsylvania
June 21 — San Diego
June 28 — Sonoma, California
July 5 — Chicagoland
July 12 — Atlanta
July 19 — North Wilkesboro
July 26 — Brickyard 400 (Indianapolis)
Aug. 2 — off weekend
Aug. 9 — Iowa
Aug. 15 — Richmond, Virginia
Aug. 23 — New Hampshire
Aug. 29 — Daytona, Florida
Sept. 6 — Darlington
Sept. 13 — Gateway in Madison, Illinois
Sept. 19 — Bristol
Sept. 27 — Kansas
Oct. 4 — Las Vegas
Oct. 11 — Charlotte Roval
Oct. 18 — Phoenix
Oct. 25 — Talladega
Nov. 1 — Martinsville
Nov. 8 — Homestead, Florida

 

 

 

 

Rodeo

Professional Bull Riding Unleash the Beast tour schedule for Greensboro-based Carolina Cowboys:

Feb. 1 – Golden 1 Center Sacramento- Austin Gamblers (L 173.90-256.90)
Feb. 21 – Progressive PBR Jacksonville- Florida Freedom (L 158.70-169.25)
March 22 – Ram Trucks PBR Indianapolis- Nashville Stampede (W 88.70- 0.00)
(DNQ for playoffs)

Team Challenge playoff results
March 29 at Albuquerque: Semifinal- (No. 1 Missouri Thunder def. No. 4 Florida Freedom 83.65-0.00)
April 17 at Billings: Semifinal- (No. 2 Austin Gamblers vs. No. 3 Kansas City Outlaws)
April 26 at Tacoma: Championship- (No. Missouri Thunder vs. April 17 winner)

Upcoming events:
April 12 – First Premier Bank PBR Sioux Falls
April 18 – PBR Billings
April 26 – Cooper Tires PBR Tacoma
May 10 – PBR World Finals at Cowtown Coliseum
Sept. 18-20 – Greensboro First Horizon Coliseum Complex