5-13-22 roundup: Pro baseball, basketball, football, soccer and hockey, College football, High school baseball, softball and girls soccer, College softball, Middle school girls soccer, Legion baseball

By Richard Walker

The coach who guided East Gaston to its winningest baseball season in school history announced his retirement after the Warriors’ 2022 season ended with a second round playoff loss at Randleman.

Randy Sellers, who became East Gaston head coach in 2007, guided the Warriors to a 20-7 overall record this season to set a single-season record for victories. East Gaston also won its sixth Gaston County Baseball Championship during the Easter break – and third during Sellers’ tenure as head coach.

A 1980 North Gaston High graduate and 1983 University of North Carolina graduate, Sellers coached the Warriors during an era in which the school played in three classifications (4A, 3A and 2A), guiding his teams to a school-record nine straight postseason appearances from 2009 to 2016.

This year, the Warriors won their first playoff game since 2014 in a 12-11, 8-inning first round home victory over Pine Lake Prep.

With a 173-180 overall head coaching record, Sellers’ finishes 12th in Gaston County history in victories and second in school history behind Darrell Van Dyke (362 wins); Sellers was an assistant coach for for Van Dyke before replacing him in 2007.

 

 

College football

One of the nation’s top high school football prospects, South Point offensive tackle Sullivan Absher, announced his commitment to play for Notre Dame on Friday.

A 6-foot-7, 290-pounder who is rated a four-star recruit, Absher’s other finalists were Clemson and N.C. State.

 

 

 

High school girls soccer

Ten area high schools will be in the N.C. High School Athletic Association girls soccer playoff that begin with Monday’s first-round games. Future playoff games will be played on May 19, 23, 26 and 31 with the state finals on June 3 and 4.

Monday’s area first round pairings:

(Class 3A)
Carson at South Point
Cramer at Freedom
Forestview at Hickory
St. Stephens at Crest
West Rowan at East Lincoln

(Class 2A)
Burns at Lincolnton
Shelby at North Davidson
West Wilkes at East Gaston

(Class 1A)
Highland Tech at McMichael

 

 

 

 

Middle school girls soccer

Belmont 2, Cramerton 1 (OT): Alice Bass and Elle Louise Blee scored for Belmont, which finished 12-0 overall after winning its sixth Gaston County Conference title in eight year and second straight. Cramerton finished 10-2.

The 2022 Gaston County Conference playoff schedule:

(Monday’s games)
Belmont 6, W.C. Friday 0
Cramerton 2, Mount Holly 2 (Cramerton 5-3 penalty kicks)

(Thursday’s game)
Championship – Belmont 2, Cramerton 1 (OT)

 

 

 

High school baseball

Thursday’s area second round playoff results:

(Class 3A)
South Rowan 6, South Point 1

North Lincoln 2, Crest 1

Carson 3, Kings Mountain 1

East Lincoln 7, Eastern Guilford 3

(Class 2A)
Randleman 11, East Gaston 0 (5 innings)

Trinity 11, Burns 7

Lincoln Charter 7, Forbush 4

(Class 1A)
Cherryville 4, Mountain Island Charter 1

May 17 area third round playoff pairings:

(Class 3A)
West Henderson at North Lincoln

(Class 2A)
Community School of Davidson at Lincoln Charter

(Class 1A)
East Wilkes at Cherryville

 

 

 

High school softball

Thursday’s area second round playoff results:

(Class 3A)
East Lincoln 4, East Rowan 0

North Buncombe 4, North Lincoln 1

Rockingham County 6, Cramer 0

Crest 12, Carson 2 (6 innings)

(Class 2A)
Eden Morehead 1, Burns 0

(Class 1A)
Cherryville 7, North Stokes 0

Mountain Island Charter 9, Queen’s Grant 0

 

May 17 area third round playoff pairings:

(Class 3A)
Friday’s Hibriten-Parkwood winner at East Lincoln
North Davidson at Crest

(Class 1A)
Cherryville at South Stanly
Mountain Island Charter at East Wilkes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legion baseball

The Gaston Braves Post 144-266 will hold tryouts for the 2022 season on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at East Gaston High School. Prospects, who can’t turn 19 before Jan. 1, 2022, are asked to print off, fill out and notarize American Legion Form 2 and bring it to the tryouts.

 

 

 

 

 

Pro basketball

The Charlotte Hornets continue pursuing their new head coach, with one report saying veteran head coach Mike D’Antoni is the top candidate.

Heavy.com called D’Antoni “the frontrunner to land the job” as a source told the media outlet, “I don’t think it’s a done deal or anything, but I know they like the idea of what he can do with LaMelo (Ball) and their running game. If D’Antoni can get those guys on his wavelength, that’s going to be an even more fun team to watch.”

Bleacher Report on Thursday reported that recently-fired Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Laker had interviewed for the vacancy.

Also known to have interviewed for the vacancy is Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro football

Here’s the full Carolina Panthers schedule for the upcoming season:

Week 1, Sept. 11, Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Week 2, Sept. 18, at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.
Week 3, Sept. 25, New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Week 4, Oct. 2, Arizona, 4:05 p.m.
Week 5, Oct. 9, San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.
Week 6, Oct. 16, at L.A. Rams, 4:05 p.m.
Week 7, Oct. 23, Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Week 8, Oct. 30, at Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Week 9, Nov. 6, at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
Week 10, Nov. 9, Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Week 11, Nov. 20, at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Week 12, Nov. 27, Denver, 1 p.m.
Week 13, Dec. 4, BYE
Week 14, Dec. 11, at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.
Week 15, Dec. 18, Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
Week 16, Dec. 24, Detroit, 1 p.m.
Week 17, Jan. 1, at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Week 18, Jan. 7 or 8, at New Orleans, TBD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro basketball

Here’s the schedule for the NBA playoffs:

(Eastern Conference)
FIRST ROUND
1-Miami vs. 8-Atlanta (Miami wins series 4-1)
4-Philadelphia vs. 5-Toronto (Philadelphia wins series 4-2)
2-Boston vs. 7-Brooklyn (Boston wins series 4-0)
3-Milwaukee vs. 6-Chicago (Milwaukee wins series 4-1)

SEMIFINALS
1-Miami vs. 4-Philadelphia
Game 1 at Miami: May 2 (Miami 106-92)
Game 2 at Miami: May 4 (Miami 119-103)
Game 3 at Philadelphia: May 6 (Philadelphia 99-79)
Game 4 at Philadelphia: May 8 (Philadelphia 116-108)
Game 5 at Miami: May 10 (Miami 120-85)
Game 6 at Philadelphia: May 12 (Miami 99-90, Miami wins series 4-2)

2-Boston vs. 3-Milwaukee
Game 1 at Boston: May 1 (Milwaukee 101-89)
Game 2 at Boston: May 3 (Boston 109-86)
Game 3 at Milwaukee: May 7 (Milwaukee 103-101)
Game 4 at Milwaukee: May 9 (Boston 116-108)
Game 5 at Boston: May 11 (Milwaukee 110-107)
Game 6 at Milwaukee: May 13 (Boston 108-95)
Game 7 at Boston: May 15

(Western Conference)
FIRST ROUND
1-Phoenix vs. 8-New Orleans (Phoenix wins series 4-2)
4-Dallas vs. 5-Utah (Dallas wins series 4-2)
2-Memphis vs. 7-Minnesota (Memphis wins series 4-2)
3-Golden State vs. 6-Denver (Golden State wins series 4-1)

SEMIFINALS
1-Phoenix vs. 4-Dallas
Game 1 at Phoenix: May 2 (Phoenix 121-114)
Game 2 at Phoenix: May 4 (Phoenix 126-114)
Game 3 at Dallas: May 6 (Dallas 103-94)
Game 4 at Dallas: May 8 (Dallas 111-101)
Game 5 at Phoenix: May 10 (Phoenix 110-80)
Game 6 at Dallas: May 12 (Dallas 113-86)
Game 7 at Phoenix: May 15

2-Memphis vs. 3-Golden State
Game 1 at Memphis: May 1 (Golden State 117-116)
Game 2 at Memphis: May 3 (Memphis 106-101)
Game 3 at Golden State: May 7 (Golden State 123-107)
Game 4 at Golden State: May 9 (Golden State 101-98)
Game 5 at Memphis: May 11 (Memphis 134-95)
Game 6 at Golden State: May 13 (Golden State 110-96, Golden State wins series 4-2)

 

 

 

 

Pro hockey

The Carolina Hurricanes’ first round playoff schedule in their series against the Boston Bruins:

Game 1 at Carolina: May 2 (Carolina 5-1)
Game 2 at Carolina: May 4 (Carolina 5-2)
Game 3 at Boston: May 6 (Boston 4-2)
Game 4 at Boston: May 8 (Boston 5-2)
Game 5 at Carolina: May 10 (Carolina 5-1)
Game 6 at Boston: May 12 (Boston 5-2)
Game 7 at Carolina: May 14

 

 

 

Pro soccer

Here’s the full Charlotte FC MLS schedule for the 2022 season (with results):

(4-6-1 record)
Feb. 26 at D.C. (L 0-3)
March 5, L.A. (L 0-1)
March 13, at Atlanta (L 1-2)
March 19, New England (W 3-1)
March 26, Cincinnati (W 2-0)
April 2, at Philadelphia (L 0-2)
April 10, Atlanta (W 1-0)
April 16, at New England (L 1-2)
April 23, at Colorado (T 0-0)
April 30, at Orlando (L 1-2)
May 7, Miami (W 1-0)
May 14, Montreal, 7 p.m.
May 22, Vancouver, 5 p.m.
May 29, at Seattle, 9:30 p.m.
June 11, New York, 3 p.m.
June 18, at Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
June 25, at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
June 30, Austin, 7 p.m.
July 3, at Houston, 8:30 p.m.
July 9, Nashville, 7 p.m.
July 16, at Miami, 8 p.m.
July 23, at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
July 30, Columbus, 7 p.m.
August 3, D.C., 7 p.m.
August 6, Chicago, 7 p.m.
August 13, at LAFC, 10:30 p.m.
August 17, at New York City, TBD
August 21, Orlando, 7 p.m.
August 27, Toronto, 7 p.m.
September 3, at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
September 10, New York City, 7 p.m.
September 17, at Chicago, 8 p.m.
October 1, Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
October 9, at New York, TBD

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro baseball

The full Gastonia Honey Hunters’ 2022 schedule (Games times 6:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 4:15 on Sunday):

April (8-1)
21 Lancaster, Pa. (L 2-5)
22 Lancaster, Pa. (W 4-3)
23 Lancaster, Pa. (W 8-1)
24 Lancaster, Pa. (W 13-4)
26 Wild Health, Ky. (W 12-1)
27 Wild Health, Ky. (W 17-4)
28 Wild Health, Ky. (W 6-4)
29 Staten Island (W 5-4)
30 Staten Island (W 6-5)

May (6-3)
1 Staten Island (W 10-5)
3 at York, Pa. (W 3-1)
4 at York, Pa. (L 4-5 in 10)
5 at York, Pa. (W 12-7)
6 at Staten Island (ppd.)
7 at Staten Island (ppd.)
8 at Staten Island (W 4-1)
8 at Staten Island (W 7-2)
10 at So. Maryland (W 2-0)
11 at So. Maryland (L 0-4)
12 at So. Maryland (L 2-4)
13 at Staten Island (ppd.)
14 at Staten Island
14 at Staten Island
15 at Staten Island
17 So. Maryland
18 So. Maryland
19 So. Maryland
20 Charleston, W.Va.
21 Charleston, W.Va.
22 Charleston, W.Va.
24 at Lancaster, Pa.
25 at Lancaster, Pa.
26 at Lancaster, Pa.
27 at Long Island
28 at Long Island
29 at Long Island
30 at Long Island
31 Long Island

June
1 Long Island
2 Long Island
3 at High Point
4 at High Point
5 at High Point
7 at Charleston, W.Va.
8 at Charleston, W.Va.
9 at Charleston, W.Va.
10 High Point
11 High Point
12 High Point
14 Charleston, W.Va.
15 Charleston, W.Va.
16 Charleston, W.Va.
17 at Lexington, Ky.
18 at Lexington, Ky.
19 at Lexington, Ky.
21 Charleston, W.Va.
22 Charleston, W.Va.
23 Charleston, W.Va.
24 at So. Maryland
25 at So. Maryland
26 at So. Maryland
28 Wild Health, Ky.
29 Wild Health, Ky.
30 Wild Health, Ky.

July
1 at Lexington, Ky.
2 at Lexington, Ky.
3 at Lexington, Ky.
4 High Point
5 High Point
6 at High Point
7 at High Point
8 High Point
9 High Point
10 High Point
12 at Wild Health, Ky.
13 at Wild Health, Ky.
14 at Wild Health, Ky.
15 Lexington, Ky.
16 Lexington, Ky.
17 Lexington, Ky.
19 at York, Pa.
20 at York, Pa.
21 at York, Pa.
22 at High Point
23 at High Point
24 at High Point
26 Lexington, Ky.
27 Lexington, Ky.
28 Lexington, Ky.
29 York, Pa.
30 York, Pa.
31 York, Pa.

August
2 at Lexington, Ky.
3 at Lexington, Ky.
4 at Lexington, Ky.
5 High Point
6 High Point
7 High Point
9 Staten Island
10 Staten Island
11 Staten Island
12 at High Point
13 at High Point
14 at High Point
16 So. Maryland
17 So. Maryland
18 So. Maryland
19 High Point
20 High Point
21 High Point
23 at Charleston, W.Va.
24 at Charleston, W.Va.
25 at Charleston, W.Va.
26 at High Point
27 at High Point
28 at High Point
30 High Point
31 High Point

September
1 High Point
2 Wild Health, Ky.
3 Wild Health, Ky.
4 Wild Health, Ky.
6 at Wild Health, Ky.
7 at Wild Health, Ky.
8 at Wild Health, Ky.
9 Lexington, Ky.
10 Lexington, Ky.
11 Lexington, Ky.
13 at High Point
14 at High Point
15 at High Point
16 at Charleston, W.Va.
17 at Charleston, W.Va.
18 at Charleston, W.Va.