4-18-26 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, auto racing, soccer, football and rodeo, High school basketball, baseball, soccer and softball, Middle school baseball, girls soccer and track

By Richard Walker

The Carolina Panthers on Thursday announced a new naming partnership with Atrium Health for the team’s Uptown Charlotte training site.

It will be known as the Atrium Health Training Facility and is slowly but surely getting closer to completion as the foundation has been poured and structural steel is starting to be put in place.

Atrium Health, one of the nation’s leading health care providers and the region’s largest primary care network, will serve as the official naming partner for the facility, which is an integrated component of the Panthers broader Uptown training home anchored by Bank of America Stadium and part of the organization’s transformation of the venue and surrounding football operations footprint.

Located alongside Bank of America Stadium, the Atrium Health Training Facility is designed as part of an integrated, best-in-class environment that supports player performance, team operations and community engagement in the heart of Uptown Charlotte.

Thursday’s announcement took place during a special unveiling at the future location of the Atrium Health Training Facility, bringing together team leadership, Atrium Health executives and staff, local elected officials, community leaders and Panthers players. The event included the unveiling of new renderings and a ceremonial Keep Pounding Drum moment, an iconic tradition closely tied to many of the franchise’s most meaningful milestones and a powerful reminder that the team’s mantra extends beyond the field, coming to life each day within the facility and through the community that supports them.

“The Atrium Health Training Facility is an important part of the overall transformation of Bank of America Stadium, supporting our players and adding to Charlotte’s strength as a destination,” Panthers owner and chairman David Tepper said in a team news release. “Having Atrium Health as the naming partner underscores our shared commitment to performance, and the health and well-being of the people of the Carolinas.”

The Atrium Health Training Facility will span approximately 101,400 square feet and includes a full-size indoor field, a dedicated installation recognizing Atrium Health Keep Pounding Kids, training rooms, a nutrition space, football equipment storage, a video control room, and meeting spaces. Outdoors, the grounds feature two full-size practice fields that can rotate to help manage usage and reduce wear. The facility is designed to provide flexible spaces that can be used by the football team and for engagement with the broader community.

Construction of the Atrium Health Training Facility is expected to be completed in advance of the team’s 2027 training camp. While daily training camp practices will again be closed to the public in 2026, the Panthers will continue to host their annual Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium.

 

 

 

Pro basketball

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 (W 110-96 )

(Play-in tournament)
Tuesday 14 MIAMI (W 127-126, OT)
Friday 17 at Orlando (L 90-121)

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 – Philadelphia 109-97

Friday, April 17: Charlotte at Orlando – Orlando 121-90

(Eastern Conference quarterfinals)
*-if necessary

No. 1 Detroit vs. No. 8 Orlando
Game 1: Orlando at Detroit- Sunday April 19 (6:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 2: Orlando at Detroit- Wednesday, April 22 (7 ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Detroit at Orlando- Saturday, April 25 (1 ET, Peacock)
Game 4: Detroit at Orlando- Monday, April 27 (TBD, TBD)
Game 5: Orlando at Detroit*- Wednesday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: Detroit at Orlando*- Friday, May 1 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Orlando at Detroit*- Sunday, May 3 (TBD, TBD)

No. 2 Boston vs. No. 7 Philadelphia
Game 1: Philadelphia at Boston- Sunday April 19 (1 ET, ABC)
Game 2: Philadelphia at Boston- Tuesday, April 21 (7 ET, Peacock)
Game 3: Boston at Philadelphia- Friday, April 24 (7 ET, Prime)
Game 4: Boston at Philadelphia- Sunday, April 26 (7 ET, NBC)
Game 5: Philadelphia at Boston*- Tuesday, April 28 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: Boston at Philadelphia*- Thursday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Philadelphia at Boston*- Saturday, May 2 (TBD, TBD)

No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Atlanta
Game 1: Atlanta at New York- Saturday April 18 – New York 113-102
Game 2: Atlanta at New York- Monday, April 20 (8 ET, NBC)
Game 3: New York at Atlanta- Thursday, April 23 (7 ET, Prime Video)
Game 4: New York at Atlanta- Saturday, April 25 (6 ET, NBC)
Game 5: Atlanta at New York*- Tuesday, April 28 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: New York at Atlanta*- Thursday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Atlanta at New York*- Saturday, May 2 (TBD, TBD)

No. 4 Cleveland vs. No. 5 Toronto
Game 1: Toronto at Cleveland- Saturday April 18 – Cleveland 126-113
Game 2: Toronto at Cleveland- Monday, April 20 (7 ET, Peacock)
Game 3: Cleveland at Toronto- Thursday, April 23 (8 ET, Prime Video)
Game 4: Cleveland at Toronto- Sunday, April 26 (1 ET, ESPN)
Game 5: Toronto at Cleveland*- Wednesday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: Cleveland at Toronto*- Friday, May 1 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Toronto at Cleveland*- Sunday, May 3 (TBD, 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 – Portland 114-110

Wednesday, April 15: Golden State at L.A. Clippers – Golden State 126-121

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

(Western Conference quarterfinals)
*-if necessary

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- Wednesday, April 22 (9:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Oklahoma City at TBD- Saturday, April 25 (3:30 ET, NBC)
Game 4: Oklahoma City at TBD- Monday, April 27 (TBD, TBD)
Game 5: TBD at Oklahoma City*- Wednesday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: Oklahoma City at TBD*- Friday, May 1 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: TBD at Oklahoma City*- Sunday, May 3 (TBD, TBD)

No. 2 San Antonio vs. No. 7 Portland
Game 1: Portland at San Antonio- Sunday April 19 (9 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 2: Portland at San Antonio- Tuesday, April 21 (8 ET, NBC)
Game 3: San Antonio at Portland- Friday, April 24 (10:30 ET, Prime Video)
Game 4: San Antonio at Portland- Sunday, April 26 (3:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 5: Portland at San Antonio*- Tuesday, April 28 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: San Antonio at Portland*- Thursday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Portland at San Antonio*- Saturday, May 2 (TBD, TBD)

No. 3 Denver vs. No. 6 Minnesota
Game 1: Minnesota at Denver- Saturday April 18 – Denver 116-105
Game 2: Minnesota at Denver- Monday, April 20 (10:30 ET, NBC)
Game 3: Denver at Minnesota- Thursday, April 23 (9:30 ET, Prime Video)
Game 4: Denver at Minnesota- Saturday, April 25 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5: Minnesota at Denver*- Monday, April 27 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: Denver at Minnesota*- Thursday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Minnesota at Denver*- Saturday, May 2 (TBD, 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- Tuesday, April 21 (10:30 ET, NBC)
Game 3: Los Angeles at Houston- Friday, April 24 (8 ET, Prime Video)
Game 4: Los Angeles at Houston- Sunday, April 26 (9:30 ET, NBC)
Game 5: Houston at Los Angeles*- Wednesday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: Los Angeles at Houston*- Friday, May 1 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Houston at Los Angeles*- Sunday, May 3 (TBD, 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 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)
Ashbrook 10, Huss 0 (5 innings)
Crest 3, Kings Mountain 0
Burns 7, Cherryville 0
Cramer 12, Lincolnton 1 (6 innings)
East Gaston 9, Shelby 1
Highland Tech 4, West Lincoln 3
East Lincoln 5, North Lincoln 1
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)
Ashbrook 11, Misenheimer Gray Stone Day 10
North Gaston 7, Cramer 6
Forestview 13, Bessemer City 2 (9 innings)
Kell 11, Lincoln Charter 6
Newton-Conover 14, West Lincoln 9
South Point 8, North Lincoln 4
Corvian Community 10, Piedmont Community 4

(Thursday, April 16)
Gaston Christian 16, Gaston Day 1 (3 innings)
North Gaston 17, Huss 0 (3 innings)
Burns 10, Cherryville 3
Lincoln Charter 14, Christ the King 0 (5 innings)
Cramer 10, Lincolnton 2
Crest 7, Chase 3

(Friday, April 17)
South Point 12, Ashbrook 2 (6 innings)
Kings Mountain 17, Forestview 2 (5 innings)
East Gaston 11, Shelby 3
West Lincoln 4, Highland Tech 0
East Lincoln 16, West Iredell 6 (5 innings)
North Lincoln 11, Newton-Conover 0 (5 innings)
Piedmont Community Charter at Sugar Creek Charter
Gaston Christian 10, Covenant Day 2

(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

 

 

 

 

 

High school softball

(Friday, April 17)
East Lincoln 15, West Iredell 0 (5 innings): Starter and winner Jordyn Aungst (2 innings, 2 strikeouts as pitcher, single as batter), reliever Ava Cook (3 innings as pitcher, single, double, 3 RBIs, 2 runs as batter), Maliya fletcher-McLean (single, run), Kiley Crowe (2 singles, 3 runs), Gabby Vaughn (double, reach on error, 2 runs, stolen base), Lilliana Crane (single, reach on error, 2 runs), Lyla Haywood (2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 2 runs), Sadie Higgins (single, run), Raegan Beheler (2 singles, 2 runs, run), Olivia Cato (single) and Brylee Belcher (2 singles, RBI) led East Lincoln.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro soccer

Charlotte FC 2, New York FC 1: Idan Toklomati scored in the 54th minute and Kerwin Vargas in the 90th minute for Charlotte as they took their first road win of the season.

The 2026 Charlotte FC schedule:

(4-2-2 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 (W 2-1)
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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro hockey

NHL playoff results/schedule for Carolina Hurricanes and Stanley Cup playoff pairings (*-if necessary):

(Eastern Conference Round 1)
-No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. Wild Card No. 2 Ottawa Senators
Game 1: Saturday, April 18- at Carolina – Carolina 2-0
Game 2: Monday, April 20- at Carolina (7:30 p.m., ESPN2)
Game 3: Thursday, April 23- at Ottawa (7:30 p.m., TBS)
Game 4: Saturday, April 25- at Ottawa (3 p.m., TBS/truTV)
*Game 5: Monday, April 27- at Carolina (TBD, TBD)
*Game 6: Thursday, April 30- at Ottawa (TBD, TBD)
*Game 7: Saturday, May 2- at Carolina (TBD, TBD)

-No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 3 Philadelphia Flyers
-No. 1 Buffalo Sabres vs. Wild Card No. 1 Boston Bruins
-No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. 3 Montreal Canadiens

(Western Conference Round 1)
-No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. Wild Card No. 2 Los Angeles Kings
-No. 2 Dallas Stars vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild
-No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. Wild Card No. 1 Utah Mammoth
-No. 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. No. 3 Anaheim Ducks

 

 

 

Middle school baseball

Gaston County Conference standings through April 16:

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

The Gaston County Conference schedule:

(Thursday, April 16)
Chavis 8, W.C. Friday 3
Bessemer City 19, Grier 0 (3 innings)
Belmont 20, Holbrook 0 (4 innings)
Mount Holly 19, York Chester 0 (3 innings)
Stanley 16, Southwest 0 (3 innings)
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 16:

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

The Gaston County Conference schedule:

(Thursday, April 16)
W.C. Friday 2, Chavis 1
Bessemer City 2, Grier 1
Belmont 7, Holbrook 0
Mount Holly 4, York Chester 2
Stanley 2, Southwest 0
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

Charlotte 2, Jacksonville 0: Shane Smith (5 innings, 5 strikeouts), Ben Peoples (2 innings, 2 strikeouts) and Tyler Davis (2 innings, 3 strikeouts) combined on the 2-hitter – and first Knights’ shutout of the year – in the fifth game of the six-game series. The series finale is 2:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Here is the full Charlotte Knights’ 2026 schedule:

(8-11 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 1-4 (L 0-3, L 2-3, L 3-5, L 1-4, W 2-0)
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 def. No. 3 Kansas City Outlaws 87.10-84.50)
April 26 at Tacoma: Championship- (No. 1 Missouri Thunder vs. No. 2 Austin Gamblers)

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

 

 

Golf

The Rutherford County Sports Hall Of Fame (RCSHOF), presented by Hardin’s Drug, in conjunction with Golf Sponsors Forest City Honda and Chick-fil-A of Forest City, is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 T. Max Champion Memorial Golf Tournament.

The tournament will be held on Friday, July 31 at the Apple Vally Golf Course in Lake Luke, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Registration fee is $100.00 per player or $400.00 for a team of four and covers the green fee, cart usage and lunch.

First prize for Gross and Net Winners is $600.00 per team. Other prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries. Proceeds from the event go to support the RCSHOF Scholarship Fund and registration deadline is July 21.

For information or to register, please visit the RCSHOF website: https://www.rcshof.org/ or call Randy Page at 828-429-7773.