5-11-26 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, auto racing, soccer and rodeo, High school baseball, tennis, soccer, golf and softball, College baseball
By Richard Walker
Five former area products are on major league baseball rosters and eight others are in minor leagues or independent leagues, including two in Gastonia for the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball’s Ghost Peppers.
The major leaguers are former Gardner-Webb (2010-11) and Belmont Abbey (2012-13) standout Emilio Pagan, 2011 South Point High graduate Jeffrey Springs, 2016 Kings Mountain High graduate Will Wilson, 2017 East Lincoln High graduate Alec Burleson and former Gardner-Webb (2021) standout Mason Miller.
Pagan is a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Springs a pitcher for the Athletics, Wilson an infielder for the Seattle Mariners, Burleson and infielder-outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and Miller a pitcher for the San Diego Padres.
In the minor leagues are Shelby pitcher Isaiah Lowe (2022 Combine Academy graduate) for the San Diego Padres’ Class A Fort Wayne Tin Caps, pitcher Dalton Pence (Cherryville 2021) for the Texas Rangers’ Class A Hub City Spartanburgers, pitcher Gus Hughes (2022 Gaston College) for the Washington Nationals’ Class A Fredericksburg Nationals, pitcher Derek Vartanian (2023 Gaston College) for the Atlanta Braves’ Augusta GreenJackets and outfielder Konni Durschlag for the Seattle Mariners’ organization.
In Gastonia for the Ghost Peppers are catcher Christopher Proctor (Burns 2015) and pitcher Blake Brown (North Gaston 2016).
And in the Mexican League for Narenjeros de Hermosillo is pitcher Garrett Davila (South Point 2015).
High school baseball
Here are the area’s postseason pairings:
-NCHSAA playoffs
(First round- Tuesday, May 5)
Class 1A No. 8 Thomas Jefferson hosts No. 9 Jackson Day – Thomas Jefferson 5-1
Class 2A No. 1 Cherryville- bye
Class 2A No. 8 Mountain Island Charter- bye
Class 2A No. 13 Highland Tech hosts No. 20 Alleghany – Highland Tech 12-2 in 5
Class 3A No. 16 Piedmont Community Charter hosts No. 17 East Surry – East Surry 21-6 in 5
Class 3A No. 19 Shelby at No. 14 Madison – Madison 6-2
Class 3A No. 15 West Lincoln hosts No. 18 Hendersonville – West Lincoln 4-3
Class 4A No. 2 Burns- bye
Class 4A No. 4 Lincoln Charter- bye
Class 4A No. 6 Cramer- bye
Class 4A No. 16 East Gaston hosts No. 17 West Stokes – West Stokes 7-2
Class 5A No. 1 North Lincoln- bye
Class 5A No. 2 South Point- bye
Class 5A No. 3 Crest- bye
Class 5A No. 6 East Lincoln- bye
Class 5A No. 9 North Gaston hosts No. 24 Concord – Concord 21-4 in 5
Class 5A No. 19 Forestview at No. 14 Northwest Cabarrus – Northwest Cabarrus 12-0 in 5
Class 6A No. 13 Kings Mountain hosts No. 20 Ashbrook – Kings Mountain 7-0
Class 6A No. 20 Ashbrook at No. 13 Kings Mountain – Kings Mountain 7-0
(Second round- Friday, May 8)
Class 1A No. 8 Thomas Jefferson at No. 1 Kernersville N.C. Leadership Academy – Leadership Academy 9-0
Class 2A No. 1 Cherryville hosts No. 17 Mitchell – Cherryville 8-5
Class 2A No. 8 Mountain Island Charter hosts No. 9 East Wilkes – East Wilkes 6-1
Class 2A No. 13 Highland Tech at No. 4 Corvian Community – Corvian Community 9-1
Class 3A No. 15 West Lincoln at No. 2 East Rutherford – East Rutherford 18-1 in 5
Class 4A No. 2 Burns hosts No. 18 Ashe County – Burns 13-0 in 5
Class 4A No. 4 Lincoln Charter hosts No. 20 Wilkes Central – Lincoln Charter 10-5
Class 4A No. 6 Cramer hosts No. 22 Bandys – Cramer 3-1
Class 5A No. 1 North Lincoln hosts No. 17 Parkwood – North Lincoln 9-0
Class 5A No. 2 South Point hosts No. 15 North Buncombe – South Point 4-3
Class 5A No. 3 Crest hosts No. 14 Northwest Cabarrus – Crest 6-1
Class 5A No. 6 East Lincoln hosts No. 11 Franklin – East Lincoln 7-3
Class 5A No. 9 North Gaston at No. 8 North Davidson – North Davidson 7-5
Class 6A No. 13 Kings Mountain at No. 4 St. Stephens – St. Stephens 5-1
(Third round- Tuesday, May 12)
Class 2A No. 1 Cherryville hosts No. 9 East Wilkes
Class 4A No. 2 Burns hosts No. 7 Lake Norman Charter
Class 4A No. 4 Lincoln Charter hosts No. 12 Forbush
Class 4A No. 6 Cramer at No. 3 Pisgah
Class 5A No. 1 North Lincoln hosts No. 8 North Davidson
Class 5A No. 2 South Point hosts No. 10 Hickory
Class 5A No. 3 Crest hosts No. 6 East Lincoln
(Fourth round- Friday, May 15)
(Regional finals- Tuesday, May 19 through Saturday, May 23)
(State championships- Wednesday, May 27 through Saturday, May 30)
-NCISAA playoffs
(First round- Tuesday, May 5)
2A: Northwood Temple Academy at Gaston Day – Gaston Day 12-0 in 5
3A: Gaston Christian- bye
(Second round- Thursday, May 7)
2A: Gaston Day at Greensboro Caldwell Academy – Greensboro Caldwell Academy 2-1
3A: Gaston Christian- bye
(Third round- Saturday, May 9)
3A: Gaston Christian hosts Cary Christian – Gaston Christian 2-1
(Semifinals- Tuesday, May 12)
3A: Gaston Christian at High Point Christian
(Finals- Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16)
High school softball
Here are the area’s postseason pairings:
-NCHSAA playoffs
(First round- Tuesday, May 5)
Class 2A No. 7 Highland Tech- bye
Class 2A No. 11 Cherryville- bye
Class 2A No. 14 Mountain Island Charter hosts No. 19 Elkin – Mountain Island Charter 9-7
Class 3A No. 1 West Lincoln- bye
Class 3A No. 10 Bessemer City hosts No. 23 Patton – Bessemer City 9-2
Class 3A No. 21 Piedmont Community Charter at No. 12 East Davidson – East Davidson 12-2 in 6
Class 3A No. 22 Shelby at No. 11 East Surry – East Surry 13-0 in 5
Class 4A No. 7 East Gaston- bye
Class 4A No. 12 Burns at No. 21 Ashe County – Burns 11-5
Class 4A No. 17 Lincoln Charter at No. 16 Monroe Central Academy – Lincoln Charter 7-2
Class 5A No. 2 North Lincoln- bye
Class 5A No. 5 Crest- bye
Class 5A No. 7 East Lincoln- bye
Class 5A No. 15 South Point hosts No. 18 Carson – Carson 10-5
Class 5A No. 17 North Gaston at No. 16 W-S Atkins – W-S Atkins 8-5
Class 5A No. 22 Forestview at No. 11 Clyde Erwin – Clyde Erwin 11-0 in 5
Class 6A No. 1 Kings Mountain- bye
Class 6A No. 19 Ashbrook at No. 14 Freedom – Freedom 16-0 in 3
(Second round- Friday, May 8)
Class 2A No. 7 Highland Tech hosts No. 10 Queen’s Grant – Highland Tech 7-1
Class 2A No. 11 Cherryville at No. 6 Murphy – Murphy by forfeit
Class 2A No. 14 Mountain Island Charter at No. 3 Swain County – Swain County 6-5 in 8
Class 3A No. 1 West Lincoln hosts No. 17 Wheatmore – West Lincoln 8-6
Class 3A No. 10 Bessemer City at No. 7 Walkertown – Walkertown 5-0
Class 4A No. 7 East Gaston hosts No. 10 Mount Pleasant – Mount Pleasant 11-5
Class 4A No. 12 Burns at No. 5 Pisgah – Pisgah 6-0
Class 4A No. 17 Lincoln Charter at No. 1 West Stokes – West Stokes 14-3 in 5
Class 5A No. 2 North Lincoln hosts No. 18 Carson – North Lincoln 12-2 in 5
Class 5A No. 5 Crest hosts No. 12 Northwest Cabarrus – Crest 9-5
Class 5A No. 7 East Lincoln hosts No. 10 East Rowan – East Rowan 12-0
Class 6A No. 1 Kings Mountain hosts No. 17 Sun Valley – Kings Mountain 1-0
(Third round- Tuesday, May 12)
Class 2A No. 7 Highland Tech at No. 2 Roxboro Community
Class 3A No. 1 West Lincoln hosts No. 8 Union Academy
Class 5A No. 2 North Lincoln hosts No. 10 East Rowan
Class 5A No. 5 Crest hosts No. 13 West Rowan
Class 6A No. 1 Kings Mountain hosts No. 8 Charlotte Catholic
(Fourth round- Friday, May 15)
(Regional finals- Tuesday, May 19 through Saturday, May 23)
(State championships- Wednesday, May 27 through Saturday, May 30)
-NCISAA playoffs
(First round- Tuesday, May 5)
Division 2: Gaston Christian- bye
(Second round- Thursday, May 7)
Division 2: Gaston Christian hosts Fayetteville Freedom Christian – Gaston Christian 2-1
(Third round- Saturday, May 9)
Division 2: Gaston Christian at Sanford Grace Christian – Grace Christian 11-1 in 5
High school tennis
Here are the area pairings:
(First round- Monday, April 27)
Class 1A/2A West No. 2 Highland Tech- bye
Class 1A/2A West No. 3 Cherryville- bye
Class 1A/2A West No. 4 Thomas Jefferson- bye
Class 3A West No. 12 West Lincoln- bye
Class 3A West No. 15 Lincolnton hosts No. 18 Piedmont Community Charter – Piedmont Community Charter 6-3
Class 3A West No. 19 Shelby at No. 14 Union Academy – Union Academy 5-2
Class 3A West No. 18 Piedmont Community Charter at No. 15 Lincolnton – Piedmont Community Charter 6-3
Class 4A West No. 6 Cramer- bye
Class 4A West No. 10 Lincoln Charter- bye
Class 4A West No. 11 East Gaston hosts No. 22 Tuscola – Tuscola 5-4
Class 4A West No. 14 Burns hosts No. 19 Bandys – Bandys 5-4
Class 5A West No. 3 Crest- bye
Class 5A West No. 4 South Point- bye
Class 5A West No. 6 North Lincoln- bye
Class 5A West No. 9 Forestview hosts No. 24 Robinson – Forestview 6-0
Class 5A West No. 13 East Lincoln hosts No. 20 High Point Central – East Lincoln 6-1
Class 5A West No. 21 North Gaston at No. 12 Oak Grove – Oak Grove 7-0
Class 5A West No. 23 Huss at No. 10 W-S Atkins – W-S Atkins 5-0
Class 6A West No. 12 Kings Mountain hosts No. 21 Harding – Kings Mountain
Class 6A West No. 18 Ashbrook at No. 15 Piedmont – Piedmont 6-0
(Second round- Wednesday, April 29)
Class 1A/2A West No. 2 Highland Tech hosts No. 15 Clover Garden – Highland Tech 5-1
Class 1A/2A West No. 3 Cherryville hosts No. 14 Christ the King – Christ the King 6-3
Class 1A/2A West No. 4 Thomas Jefferson hosts No. 13 Cornerstone Charter – Thomas Jefferson 9-0
Class 3A West No. 12 West Lincoln at West No. 5 Patton – Patton 7-2
Class 3A West No. 18 Piedmont Community Charter at No. 2 Pine Lake Prep – Pine Lake Prep 6-0
Class 4A West No. 6 Cramer hosts No. 22 Tuscola – Cramer 6-3
Class 4A West No. 10 Lincoln Charter at No. 7 Foard – Lincoln Charter 5-2
Class 5A West No. 3 Crest hosts No. 14 Concord – Crest 5-1
Class 5A West No. 4 South Point hosts No. 13 East Lincoln – South Point 5-1
Class 5A West No. 6 North Lincoln hosts No. 11 Carson – North Lincoln 5-1
Class 5A West No. 9 Forestview at No. 8 Smoky Mountain – Smoky Mountain 7-2
Class 5A West No. 13 East Lincoln at No. 4 South Point – South Point 5-1
Class 6A West No. 12 Kings Mountain at No. 5 Western Guilford – Western Guilford 5-2
(Third round- Monday, May 4)
Class 1A/2A West No. 2 Highland Tech hosts No. 7 NCSSM Morganton
Class 1A/2A West No. 4 Thomas Jefferson hosts No. 5 Community School of Davidson
Class 4A West No. 6 Cramer at No. 3 East Burke – East Burke 7-0
Class 4A West No. 10 Lincoln Charter at No. 2 Salisbury – Salisbury 5-1
Class 5A West No. 3 Crest hosts No. 6 North Lincoln – Crest 5-1
Class 5A West No. 4 South Point hosts No. 5 North Buncombe – South Point 6-3
Class 5A West No. 6 North Lincoln at No. 3 Crest – Crest 5-1
(Fourth round- Wednesday, May 6)
Class 5A West No. 3 Crest hosts No. 10 W-S Atkins – W-S Atkins 5-2
Class 5A West No. 4 South Point at No. 1 Hickory – Hickory 6-3
(Regional finals- Tuesday, May 12)
(State championships at Burlington Tennis Center- Friday, May 15)
Class 6A and 8A, 8:30 a.m.
Class 5A and 7A, noon
(State championships at Burlington Tennis Center- Saturday, May 16)
Class 1A/2A and 4A, 8:30 a.m.
Class 3A, noon
High school girls soccer
Here are the area pairings:
(First Round – Monday, May 11)
Class 1A No. 3 Thomas Jefferson hosts No. 14 Carolina International
Class 2A No. 2 Mountain Island Charter- bye
Class 2A No. 5 Highland Tech- bye
Class 2A No. 14 Cherryville hosts No. 19 Queen’s Grant – Cherryville 2-1
Class 3A No. 13 Lincolnton hosts No. 20 Madison – Lincolnton 3-0: The Wolves won their 1st playoff game since 2017 behind Keegan Carpenter (1 goal), Kaysi Araya-Jimenez (2 assists), Gabriella Sanchez (1 goal), Mia Goodson (1 goal, 1 assist) and keeper Jordyn Avery (9 saves).
Class 3A No. 14 Piedmont Community Charter hosts No. 19 Shelby – Piedmont CC 4-2
Class 3A No. 17 West Lincoln at No. 16 McMichael – West Lincoln 10-2
Class 3A No. 19 Shelby at No. 14 Piedmont Community Charter – Piedmont CC 4-2
Class 4A No. 3 Burns- bye
Class 4A No. 6 East Gaston- bye
Class 4A No. 21 Lincoln Charter at No. 12 North Surry – Lincoln Charter 2-1
Class 4A No. 23 Cramer at No. 10 Forbush – Forbush 8-2
Class 5A No. 3 East Lincoln- bye
Class 5A No. 4 South Point- bye
Class 5A No. 7 Forestview- bye
Class 5A No. 13 Crest hosts No. 20 Enka – Crest 2-1
Class 5A No. 18 North Lincoln at No. 15 W-S Atkins – W-S Atkins 3-1
Class 5A No. 23 North Gaston at No. 20 Smoky Mountain – Smoky Mountain 6-0
Class 6A No. 14 Kings Mountain hosts No. 19 Southeast Guilford – Kings Mountain 2-1
(Second Round – Thursday, May 14)
Class 2A No. 2 Mountain Island Charter hosts No. 15 East Wilkes
Class 2A No. 5 Highland Tech hosts No. 12 Bradford Prep
Class 2A No. 14 Cherryville at No. 3 Murphy
Class 3A No. 13 Lincolnton at No. 4 Wheatmore
Class 3A No. 14 Piedmont Community Charter at No. 3 Polk County
Class 3A No. 17 West Lincoln at No. 1 Pine Lake Prep
Class 4A No. 3 Burns hosts No. 14 Bandys
Class 4A No. 6 East Gaston hosts No. 11 Wilkes Central
Class 4A No. 21 Lincoln Charter at No. 5 Salisbury
Class 5A No. 3 East Lincoln hosts No. 14 Concord
Class 5A No. 4 South Point hosts No. 13 Crest
Class 5A No. 7 Forestview hosts No. 10 Smoky Mountain
Class 5A No. 13 Crest at No. 4 South Point
Class 6A No. 14 Kings Mountain at No. 3 A.C. Reynolds
(Third Round – Monday, May 18)
(Fourth Round – Thursday, May 21)
(Regional finals – Tuesday, May 26)
(State championships at Durham County Stadium – Thursday, May 28 through Saturday, May 30)
-NCISAA playoffs
(First round- Tuesday, May 5)
2A: Salem Christian at Gaston Day – Gaston Day 2-0
3A: Gaston Christian- bye
(Second round- Thursday, May 7)
2A: Hickory Christian at Gaston Day – Gaston Day 2-1
3A: Gaston Christian- bye
(Third round- Saturday, May 9)
2A: Gaston Day at Rocky Mount Academy – Rocky Mount Academy 9-0
3A: Asheville Christian at Gaston Christian – Gaston Christian 3-1
(Semifinals- Tuesday, May 12)
3A: Gaston Christian at Cape Fear Academy
(State championships- Saturday, May 16)
High school boys golf
Local teams and golfers did well afer after Monday’s opening round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association tournaments.
Here are the local results:
(5A at Sapona Golf Club)
South Point shot a 295 to take a two-shot team lead.
South Point’s Harley Green shot a 71 and is in fifth place, Will Monteith and Tyler Cunningham shot 74s and are tied for 10th place, Aidan McGinnis shot a 76 for 16th place and Matthew Hackney shot an 88 and is tied for 42nd place.
Additionally, Crest’s Jack Brown shot a 74 and is tied for 10th place, North Lincoln’s Trent Sammons shot an 81 and is tied for 26th place, East Lincoln’s Carter Bolinger shot an 83 and is tied for 32nd and Forestview’s Davis Spargo shot an 86 and is tied for 38th place.
(4A at Longleaf Golf and Family Club)
Cramer shot a 287 to take a two-shot team lead.
Cramer’s Drew Mercer and Britton Steede shot 69s and are tied for first place, Lane Crotts shot a 70 and is tied for sixth place, Ian Irish shot a 79 and is tied for 24th place and Trip Stacey shot an 81 and is tied for 28th place.
(2A at Gates Four CC)
Mountain Island Charter’s Brody Belcher (77) is tied for fifth and Cherryville’s Colton Robinson (78) is tied for seventh place.
College baseball
NCAA Division II playoff pairings:
-Southeast Regional – at Catawba
(Thursday, May 14)
No. 7 Belmont Abbey at No. 2 Catawba, 2 p.m.
No. 3 Wingate vs. No. 6 Young Harris, 6 p.m.
(Friday, May 15)
(Saturday, May 16)
-Super Regionals (May 21-23)
-World Series at USA Baseball National Training Complex (May 29-June 6)
Pro soccer
The 2026 Charlotte FC schedule:
(4-5-3 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 (L 1-4)
Saturday, Apr. 25 at Nashville (L 2-4)
Saturday, May 2 at New England (L 0-1)
Saturday, May 9 Cincinnati (T 2-2)
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
(U.S. Open Cup)
Wednesday, Apr. 15 Charlotte Independence (W 6-0)
…at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex
Tuesday, Apr. 28 Atlanta United FC (L 0-2)
…at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex
Pro basketball
(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 – Orlando 112-101
Game 2: Orlando at Detroit- Wednesday, April 22 – Detroit 98-83
Game 3: Detroit at Orlando- Saturday, April 25 – Orlando 113-105
Game 4: Detroit at Orlando- Monday, April 27 – Orlando 94-88
Game 5: Orlando at Detroit- Wednesday, April 29 – Detroit 116-109
Game 6: Detroit at Orlando- Friday, May 1 – Detroit 93-79
Game 7: Orlando at Detroit- Sunday, May 3 – Detroit 116-94 (Detroit wins series 4-3)
No. 2 Boston vs. No. 7 Philadelphia
Game 1: Philadelphia at Boston- Sunday April 19 – Boston 123-91
Game 2: Philadelphia at Boston- Tuesday, April 21 – Philadelphia 101-97
Game 3: Boston at Philadelphia- Friday, April 24 – Boston 108-100
Game 4: Boston at Philadelphia- Sunday, April 26 – Boston 128-96
Game 5: Philadelphia at Boston- Tuesday, April 28 – Philadelphia 113-97
Game 6: Boston at Philadelphia- Thursday, April 30 – Philadelphia 106-93
Game 7: Philadelphia at Boston- Saturday, May 2 – Philadelphia 109-100 (Philadelphia wins series 4-3)
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 – Atlanta 107-106
Game 3: New York at Atlanta- Thursday, April 23 – Atlanta 109-108
Game 4: New York at Atlanta- Saturday, April 25 – New York 114-98
Game 5: Atlanta at New York- Tuesday, April 28 – New York 126-97
Game 6: New York at Atlanta- Thursday, April 30 – New York 140-89 (New York wins series 4-2)
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 – Cleveland 115-105
Game 3: Cleveland at Toronto- Thursday, April 23 – Toronto 126-104
Game 4: Cleveland at Toronto- Sunday, April 26 – Toronto 93-89
Game 5: Toronto at Cleveland- Wednesday, April 29 – Cleveland 125-120
Game 6: Cleveland at Toronto- Friday, May 1 – Toronto 112-110 in OT
Game 7: Toronto at Cleveland- Sunday, May 3 – Cleveland 114-102 (Cleveland wins series 4-3)
(Eastern Conference semifinals)
No. 1 Detroit vs. No. 4 Cleveland
Game 1: Cleveland at Detroit- Tuesday, May 5 – Detroit 111-101
Game 2: Cleveland at Detroit- Thursday, May 7 – Detroit 107-97
Game 3: Detroit at Cleveland- Saturday, May 9 – Cleveland 116-109
Game 4: Detroit at Cleveland- Monday, May 11 – Cleveland 112-103
Game 5: Cleveland at Detroit- Wednesday, May 13 (7 ET, ESPN)
Game 6: Detroit at Cleveland- Friday, May 15 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Cleveland at Detroit*- Sunday, May 17 (TBD, TBD)
No. 7 Philadelphia vs. No. 3 New York
Game 1: Philadelphia at New York- Monday, May 4 – New York 137-98
Game 2: Philadelphia at New York- Wednesday, May 6 – New York 108-102
Game 3: New York at Philadelphia- Friday, May 8 – New York 108-94
Game 4: New York at Philadelphia- Sunday, May 10 – New York 144-114 (New York wins series 4-0)
(Eastern Conference finals)
No. 1 Detroit/No. 4 Cleveland winner vs. No. 3 New York
(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 – Phoenix 111-96
(Western Conference quarterfinals)
*-if necessary
No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 8 Phoenix
Game 1: Phoenix at Oklahoma City- Sunday April 19 – Oklahoma City 119-84
Game 2: Phoenix at Oklahoma City- Wednesday, April 22 – Oklahoma City 120-107
Game 3: Oklahoma City at Phoenix- Saturday, April 25 – Oklahoma City 121-109
Game 4: Oklahoma City at Phoenix- Monday, April 27 – Oklahoma City 131-122 (Oklahoma City wins series 4-0)
No. 2 San Antonio vs. No. 7 Portland
Game 1: Portland at San Antonio- Sunday April 19 – San Antonio 111-98
Game 2: Portland at San Antonio- Tuesday, April 21 – Portland 106-103
Game 3: San Antonio at Portland- Friday, April 24 – San Antonio 120-108
Game 4: San Antonio at Portland- Sunday, April 26 – San Antonio 114-93
Game 5: Portland at San Antonio- Tuesday, April 28 – San Antonio 114-95 (San Antonio wins series 4-1)
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 – Minnesota 119-114
Game 3: Denver at Minnesota- Thursday, April 23 – Minnesota 113-96
Game 4: Denver at Minnesota- Saturday, April 25 – Minnesota 112-96
Game 5: Minnesota at Denver- Monday, April 27 – Denver 125-113
Game 6: Denver at Minnesota- Thursday, April 30 – Minnesota 110-98 (Minnesota wins series 4-2)
No. 4 L.A. Lakers vs. No. 5 Houston
Game 1: Houston at Los Angeles- Saturday April 18 – L.A. Lakers 107-98
Game 2: Houston at Los Angeles- Tuesday, April 21 – L.A. Lakers 101-94
Game 3: Los Angeles at Houston- Friday, April 24 – L.A. Lakers 112-108 in OT
Game 4: Los Angeles at Houston- Sunday, April 26 – Houston 115-96
Game 5: Houston at Los Angeles- Wednesday, April 29 – Houston 99-93
Game 6: Los Angeles at Houston- Friday, May 1 – L.A. Lakers 98-78 (L.A. Lakers win series 4-2)
(Western Conference semifinals)
No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 4 L.A. Lakers
Game 1: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City- Tuesday, May 5 – Oklahoma City 108-90
Game 2: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City- Thursday, May 7 – Oklahoma City 125-107
Game 3: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles- Saturday, May 9 – Oklahoma City 131-108
Game 4: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles- Monday, May 11 (10:30 ET, Prime)
Game 5: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City*- Wednesday, May 13 (9:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 6: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles*- Saturday, May 16 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City*- Monday, May 18 (TBD, TBD)
No. 2 San Antonio vs. No. 6 Minnesota
Game 1: Minnesota at San Antonio- Monday, May 4 – Minnesota 104-102
Game 2: Minnesota at San Antonio- Wednesday, May 6 – San Antonio 133-95
Game 3: San Antonio at Minnesota- Friday, May 8 – San Antonio 115-108
Game 4: San Antonio at Minnesota- Sunday, May 10 – Minnesota 114-109
Game 5: Minnesota at San Antonio- Tuesday, May 12 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 6: San Antonio at Minnesota- Friday, May 15 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Minnesota at San Antonio*- Sunday, May 17 (TBD, TBD)
(Western Conference finals)
No. 1 Oklahoma City/No. 4 L.A. Lakers winner vs. No. 2 San Antonio/No. 6 Minnesota
(NBA finals)
Starts June 3
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 – Carolina 3-2 in 2 OT
Game 3: Thursday, April 23- at Ottawa – Carolina 2-1
Game 4: Saturday, April 25- at Ottawa – Carolina 4-2 (Carolina wins series 4-0)
-No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 3 Philadelphia Flyers (Philadelphia wins series 4-2)
-No. 1 Buffalo Sabres vs. Wild Card No. 1 Boston Bruins (Buffalo wins series 4-2)
-No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. 3 Montreal Canadiens (Montreal wins series 4-3)
(Western Conference Round 1)
-No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. Wild Card No. 2 Los Angeles Kings (Colorado wins series 4-0)
-No. 2 Dallas Stars vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild (Minnesota wins series 4-2)
-No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. Wild Card No. 1 Utah Mammoth (Vegas wins series 4-2)
-No. 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. No. 3 Anaheim Ducks (Anaheim wins series 4-2)
(Eastern Conference Round 2)
-No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 3 Philadelphia Flyers
Game 1: Saturday, May 2- at Carolina – Carolina 3-0
Game 2: Monday, May 4- at Carolina – Carolina 3-2 in OT
Game 3: Thursday, May 7- at Philadelphia – Carolina 4-1
Game 4: Saturday, May 9- at Philadelphia – Carolina 3-2 in OT (Carolina wins series 4-0)
-No. 1 Buffalo Sabres vs. No. 3 Montreal Canadiens
(Western Conference Round 2)
-No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild
-No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 3 Anaheim Ducks
(Eastern Conference Finals)
-No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 1 Buffalo Sabres/No. 3 Montreal Canadiens winner
(Western Conference Finals)
-No. 1 Colorado Avalanche/No. 3 Minnesota Wild winner vs. No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights/No. 3 Anaheim Ducks
Calder Cup playoff results/schedule for Charlotte Checkers:
(Atlantic Division First Round)
-No. 3 Charlotte vs. No. 6 Springfield
Game 1: Wednesday, April 22- at Charlotte – Charlotte 8-1
Game 2: Friday, April 24- at Charlotte – Springfield 5-2
Game 3: Saturday, April 25- at Charlotte – Springfield 2-1 in OT (Springfield wins series 2-1)
Pro baseball
After a day off, the Charlotte Knights begin a six-game home series against the Norfolk Tides on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m.
Here is the full Charlotte Knights’ 2026 schedule:
(19-20 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 2-4 (L 0-3, L 2-3, L 3-5, L 1-4, W 2-0, W 9-4)
April 21-26 Nashville 4-3 (L 1-5, W 9-4, W 3-2 in 10, W 11-9, L 5-12, W 16-6, L 1-5)
April 28-May 3 Gwinnett 3-3 (L 7-10, W 10-9, L 5-9, L 3-4, W 21-1, W 10-9)
May 5-10 at Jacksonville 3-3 (W 5-3, L 6-8, W 16-1, W 8-5, L 5-6, L 1-6)
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:
(9-9 record, 9-9 1st half, 0-0 2nd half)
-1st half
April 21-23 at High Point 1-2 (W 3-1, L 5-6, L 0-5)
April 24-26 High Point 3-0 (W 4-3, W 18-8, W 9-2)
April 28-May 3 at York 4-2 (W 14-2, ppd, W 2-1, W 5-4, L 4-5, W 10-2, L 3-9)
May 5-10 Southern Maryland 1-5 (L 2-3, L 11-18, L 2-12, L 4-5, W 7-3, L 1-14)
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 (Reddick-5)
April 26 — Talladega, Alabama (Carson Hocevar)
May 3 — Texas (Elliott-2)
May 10 — Watkins Glen, New York (Shane van Gisbergen)
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 def. No. 2 Austin Gamblers 254.75-171.35)
Upcoming events:
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.