4-19-23 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball and soccer, High school baseball and softball, Middle school baseball and soccer, NASCAR
By Richard Walker
One of the area’s winningest basketball coaches is retiring from the sidelines as Bessemer City’s Danny McDowell announced he was resigning his head coaching job on Wednesday.
A Kings Mountain High native who was a member of Gaston College’s first baseball team in 1968, McDowell got his college degree from Appalachian State University and embarked on a long coaching career that took to his high school alma mater, Charlotte Christian and for the last 13 seasons at Bessemer City.
A 2017 inductee into the Kings Mountain Sports Hall of Fame, McDowell coached during two of the best eras in Mountaineers’ school history.
He was an assistant coach to the late John Blalock when Kings Mountain won back-to-back Southwestern 3A titles in 1981 and 1982 that included standout players like Carl Smith, Jimmy Brown, Todd Wray, Terrance Blalock and Demetrius Goode.
And after being an assistant coach to Larry Sipe, he was Kings Mountain head coach for five years from the 2000-01 to the 2004-05 seasons and guided the Mountaineers to a 75-59 record with three straight Southwestern Foothills 3A titles (2002-04) and a 2004 Western N.C. 3A regional appearance behind standouts like Derek Smith, Deshaun Young, Gabe Blair, Octrayveious Roebuck and D.J. Byrd.
His 75 victories currently puts him fifth in school history in basketball victories behind Don Parker (247), Larry Sipe (236), Grayson Pierce (170) and John Blalock (84).
After spending time as an assistant coach and head girls basketball coach Charlotte Christian, McDowell returned to the area as Bessemer City’s head coach in the 2010-11 season.
For the next 13 seasons, he guided the Yellow Jackets to a 195-127 record with one league championship, 12 playoff berths in 13 seasons and one advance to the Western N.C. 1A semifinals while also coaching six 1,000-point career scorers in Brad James, Michael Meeks, Trel McLean, Justice Davis, Randall Pettus and Keyshawn Adams; Pettus finished his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,078 points.
His 195 victories leaves him second in Bessemer City history behind Jackson “Ace” Parker’s 223 wins from 1954 to 1971.
Overall, McDowell was an 8-team conference coach of the year who also twice coached in the West-Midwest postseason game, was named Kings Mountain Man of the Year, won many church and civic awards and also coached 10 AAU state championship teams with one national coach of the year honor, one national championship and two other national runner-up finishes.
As a teacher, he has been named Fox 18 TV Terrific Teacher, Regional Finalist Teacher Of The Year, Kings Mountain District Teacher Of The Year, Kings Mountain Rotary Teacher Of The Year, Bethware Teacher Of The Year, Kings Mountain Math Teacher Of The Year and was a 2-time North Carolina Math Teacher Of The Year.
In his resignation email, McDowell said he wanted to thank the following coaches for helping him during his career: Ken Napier, the late John Blalock, Larry Sipe, Shon Brown, Dell and Sonya Curry, the late Calvin Albright, Kings Mountain assistant coaches Dr. Lamont Littlejohn, Marquiz Williamson and T.J. McClain, Charlotte Christian assistant the late Milton Carter and Aretha Ferguson and Bessemer City assistant coaches Billy James, Marcus Barnette, Jarrod Holmes and Thurman Geter.
McDowell also released the following statement:
“Anytime your peers think you are worthy, it is an honor. I was able to build a great rapport with faculty, staff, parents, and especially my players along the way. Seeing guys succeed in sports and life is the biggest reward you can get.
“It all started with my parents (William and Annie McDowell). They were at every game in Kings Mountain. My parents laid the foundation
for me. They’re deceased and if they could see it here at Bessemer City.
“That torch was passed to my beautiful wife Bendatra. She came to home and away games to support me. It was truly a blessing to have been the
head coach at three different high schools. I want to thank Dr. Sheila Wyont for giving me the keys to the bus (Bessemer City basketball) and
trusting me enough to drive it. I was able to do it my way. And what’s so special, I was told you can stay as long as you want and that speaks volume.
“I want to thank everyone for your support throughout my career. I am forever grateful.”
High school baseball
Burns sophomore Colby Putnam was named PBR North Carolina’s high school pitcher of the week on Wednesday.
Putnam’s 7-inning perfect game in a 6-0 victory over Monroe Piedmont in the opening round of the Shelby Easter Tournament on April 11; Putnam needed only 67 pitches with 10 strikeouts while throwing 55 strikes and he threw a first-pitch strike on 17 of the 21 batters he faced.
(Wednesday, April 19)
Bradford Prep at Piedmont CC
Cherryville 7, West Lincoln 2 (8 innings): Collin Robinson picked up the victory in relief for Cherryville, which scored five runs in the eighth inning.
Cramer 10, Lincolnton 0 (5 innings)
Huss 6, West Meck 4
SouthLake Christian 13, Gaston Day 7
(Thursday, April 20)
South Point at Kings Mountain
Highland Tech at Cherryville
Legion Collegiate at Gaston Christian
Piedmont CC at Queen’s Grant
(Friday, April 21)
Ashbrook at Cramer
Crest at North Gaston
Huss at Forestview
Burns at East Gaston
Shelby at Bessemer City
North Iredell at North Lincoln
West Iredell at East Lincoln
East Burke at Lincolnton
West Caldwell at West Lincoln
Lincoln Charter at Community School of Davidson
Carolina Royals at Mountain Island Charter
High school softball
(Tuesday, April 18)
Crest 16, Ashbrook 0: Pitchers Aidan Ledbetter (0 hits, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts) and Riley Parker (1 hit, 0 walks, 4 strikeouts) and hitter
Addie Beaver (2 hits, double), Molly Beam (2 hits), Madison Emery (1 hit), Madison Crocker (1 hit), Abby Edwards (1 hit), Taylor Black (1 hit), Ella Shope (1 hit) led Crest.
(Wednesday, April 19)
Chase 10, Burns 8 (8 innings): Laylah Haynes (2 hits, stolen base), Jaycee Bivins (3 hits, double, stolen base, RBI) and Sayge Strange (3 hits, 2 intentional walks, home run, 2 RBIs) led Burns.
Forestview 17, Palisades 1 (3 innings): Karson Sloop (2 hits, grand slam), Kaitlin Barnes (2 hits, double, home run, 4 RBIs), Blair Riley (2 hits), Olivia Hensley (winning pitcher, 2 hits) and Kayla Johnson (2 hits) led Forestview.
Mountain Island Charter 8, Piedmont Community Charter 0
(Thursday, April 20)
Crest at Cramer
Huss at South Point
Highland Tech at Cherryville
Lincoln Charter at North Lincoln
(Friday, April 21)
Ashbrook at Forestview
North Gaston at Kings Mountain
Shelby at Bessemer City
North Iredell at North Lincoln
West Iredell at East Lincoln
East Burke at Lincolnton
West Lincoln at West Caldwell
Lincoln Charter at Mountain Island Charter
Middle school baseball
Standings through games of April 19:
Chavis 6-0
Belmont 6-1
Stanley 6-1
Cramerton 5-1
Mount Holly 5-1
W.C. Friday 3-3
Bessemer City 1-5
Holbrook 1-5
Southwest 1-6
York Chester 1-6
Grier 0-6
(Wednesday’s game)
Cramerton 14, York Chester 0: Grayson Lunsford, Matthew Queler and Brock Dentilman combined for a no hitter and Ryan Payseur had 3 hits, Caleb Johnson 2 hits and Brock Windham, Jesse Ledford, Liam Luksa, Queler, Dentilman, C.J. Davis, Owen Kelly, Andrew Brown, Bentley Horne, Coleman Schafer, Mason McCarey, Porter Furr, Emerson Phadke and Lunsford all had runs scored and hits for Cramerton.
(Thursday’s games)
Holbrook at Grier, Mount Holly at W.C. Friday, Southwest at Cramerton, Stanley at Chavis, York Chester at Bessemer City
Middle school girls soccer
Standings through games of April 19:
Belmont 7-0
Stanley 6-1
Cramerton 5-1
Mount Holly 5-1
W.C. Friday 4-2
Chavis 3-3
Grier 3-3
Holbrook 2-4
Bessemer City 0-6
Southwest 0-7
York Chester 0-7
(Wednesday’s game)
Cramerton 9, York Chester 0: Addi Dellinger (1 goal), JyiYanna Watkins (2 goals, 2 assists), Ava Cabe (1 goal), Lily Porter (1 goal, 1 assist), Katalina Carter (2 goals, 1 assist), Brooklyn Cheatham (2 goals, 1 assist), Audrey Howell (2 assist) and Briley Christensen (2 assists) led Cramerton.
(Thursday’s games)
Holbrook at Grier, Mount Holly at W.C. Friday, Southwest at Cramerton, Stanley at Chavis, York Chester at Bessemer City
Pro soccer
Here is Charlotte FC’s full 2023 schedule:
(1-4-3 record)
Feb. 25 New England Revolution (L 0-1)
March 4 at St. Louis City SC (L 1-3)
March 11 Atlanta United FC (L 0-3)
March 18 at Orlando City SC (W 2-1)
March 25 New York Red Bulls (T 1-1)
April 1 at Toronto FC (T 2-2)
April 8 at Real Salt Lake (L 1-3)
April 15 Colorado Rapids (T 2-2)
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 Revolution, 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
Pro basketball
The NBA play-in tournament games:
(April 11)
Game 1- East No. 8 Atlanta at East No. 7 Miami – Atlanta 116-105
Game 2- West No. 8 Minnesota at West No. 7 L.A. Lakers – L.A. Lakers 108-102 (OT)
(April 12)
Game 3- East No. 10 Chicago at East No. 9 Toronto – Chicago 109-105
Game 4- West No. 10 Oklahoma City at West No. 9 New Orleans – Oklahoma City 123-118
(April 14)
East No. 10 Chicago at East No. 7 Miami – Miami 102-91
West No. 10 Oklahoma City at West No. 8 Minnesota – Minnesota 120-95
The first round NBA playoffs schedule (x-if necessary):
East No. 1 Milwaukee vs. East No. 8 Miami
Game 1: April 16 at Milwaukee – Miami 130-117
Game 2: April 19 at Milwaukee – Milwaukee 127-106
Game 3: April 22 at Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4: April 24 at Miami
Game 5-x: April 26 at Milwaukee
Game 6-x: April 28 at Miami
Game 7-x: April 30 at Milwaukee
East No. 2 Boston vs. East No. 7 Atlanta
Game 1: April 15 at Boston – Boston 112-99
Game 2: April 18 at Boston – Boston 119-106
Game 3: April 21 at Atlanta, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4: April 23 at Atlanta, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5-x: April 25 at Boston
Game 6-x: April 27 at Atlanta
Game 7-x: April 29 at Boston (TNT)
East No. 3 Philadelphia vs. East No. 6 Brooklyn
Game 1: April 15 at Philadelphia – Philadelphia 121-101
Game 2: April 17 at Philadelphia – Philadelphia 96-84
Game 3: April 20 at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4: April 22 at Brooklyn, 1 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5-x: April 24 at Philadelphia
Game 6-x: April 27 at Brooklyn
Game 7-x: April 29 at Philadelphia (TNT)
East No. 4 Cleveland vs. East No. 5 New York
Game 1: April 15 at Cleveland – New York 101-97
Game 2: April 18 at Cleveland – Cleveland 107-90
Game 3: April 21 at New York, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 4: April 23 at New York, 1 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 5-x: April 26 at Cleveland
Game 6-x: April 28 at New York
Game 7-x: April 30 at Cleveland
West No. 1 Denver vs. West No. 8 Minnesota
Game 1: April 16 at Denver – Denver 109-80
Game 2: April 19 at Denver, 10 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3: April 21 at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4: April 23 at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5-x: April 25 at Denver
Game 6-x: April 27 at Minnesota
Game 7-x: April 29 at Denver (TNT)
West No. 2 Memphis vs. West No. 7 L.A. Lakers
Game 1: April 16 at Memphis – L.A. Lakers 128-112
Game 2: April 19 at Memphis – Memphis 103-93
Game 3: April 22 at Los Angeles, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4: April 24 at Los Angeles
Game 5-x: April 26 at Memphis
Game 6-x: April 28 at Los Angeles
Game 7-x: April 30 at Memphis
West No. 3 Sacramento vs. West No. 6 Golden State
Game 1: April 15 at Sacramento – Sacramento 126-123
Game 2: April 17 at Sacramento – Sacramento 114-106
Game 3: April 20 at Golden State, 10 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4: April 23 at Golden State, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 5-x: April 26 at Sacramento
Game 6-x: April 28 at Golden State
Game 7-x: April 30 at Sacramento
West No. 4 Phoenix Suns vs. West No. 5 L.A. Clippers
Game 1: April 16 at Phoenix – L.A. Clippers 115-110
Game 2: April 18 at Phoenix – Phoenix
Game 3: April 20 at LA, 10:30 p.m. ET (NBATV)
Game 4: April 22 at LA, 3:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5-x: April 25 at Phoenix
Game 6-x: April 27 at LA
Game 7-x: April 29 at Phoenix (TNT)
Pro baseball
Former Gardner-Webb standout Mason Miller made his major league debut as the starting pitcher of the Oakland Athletics in a 12-2 home loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
Miller, 24 and considered the Athletics’ top prospect, allowed two runs, four hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. The 6-foot-5 right-hander surpassed 100 mph with 15 of 81 pitches and averaged 99.3 mph with 53 fastballs. Miller also retired nine of his first 10 batters he faced before the Cubs scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
With his debut, Miller becomes the fourth former Gardner-Webb player to play in the major leagues – Blake Lalli, Emilio Pagan and Jeremy Walker were the first three.
Louisville 7, Charlotte 6: The host Bats hit a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning just moment after the Knights had tied the score at 6 with a 2-run top of the ninth rally. The third game of the 6-game series will be played on Thursday in Louisville at 6:05 p.m.
Pro hockey
The Carolina Hurricanes’ NHL playoffs schedule (x-if necessary):
(First round)
Carolina vs. New York Islanders
Game 1: April 17 at Carolina – Carolina 2-1
Game 2: April 19, 7 p.m. at Carolina – Carolina 4-3 in OT
Game 3: April 21, 7 p.m. at N.Y. Islanders (TBS)
Game 4: April 23, 1 p.m. at N.Y. Islanders (TNT)
Game 5-x: April 25, TBD at Carolina (TBD)
Game 6-x: April 28, TBD at N.Y. Islanders (TBD)
Game 7-x: April 30, TBD at Carolina (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 (William Byron-2)
Mar 19 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA (Joey Logano-2)
Mar 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Circuit of the Americas, Austin TX (Tyler Reddick)
Apr 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA (Kyle Larson)
Apr 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN (Christopher Bell)
Apr 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville, Martinsville VA (Kyle Larson-2)
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