5-19-22 roundup: Pro basketball, football, baseball, soccer and hockey, High school baseball, softball and girls soccer, College golf

By Richard Walker

Kings Mountain High’s first conference title in 13 years led to the team getting top honors in the 2022 Big South Conference all-league selection, highlighted by player of the year Zane Brockman and coach of the year Brad Melton.

Kings Mountain had three other all-league picks in Charlie Melton, Caleb Broome and Jacob Hamrick for an all-conference team that was led by South Point (six selections) and North Gaston (five).

Crest had four all-conference selections as well as pitcher of the year Colby Humphries and Ashbrook (three), Cramer (one) and Forestview (one) rounded out the all-league picks.

The full All-Big South 3A team:
Pitchers – Charlie Melton (Kings Mountain), Ashton Pope (North Gaston), Jake Beaty (South Point), Tucker McSwain (Crest)
Catchers – Carson Shell (South Point), Julian Hall (Cramer)
Infielders – Caleb Broome (Kings Mountain), Nate Williams (North Gaston), Austin Wood (North Gaston), Justin Smith (South Point), Wyatt Triplett (South Point), Chandler Meeks (Ashbrook), Clayton Brown (Crest), Jesse Osborne (Forestview)
Outfielders – Chase Sharpe (North Gaston), Ryan Harris (South Point), Manny Watkins (Ashbrook), Brayden Blaylock (Crest), Connor Gantt (Crest), Jacob Hamrick (Kings Mountain)
Utility – Matthew Walker (South Point), Cooper York (Ashbrook), Kandan Zollo (North Gaston)
Player of the year – Zane Brockman (Kings Mountain)
Pitcher of the year – Colby Humphries (Crest)
Coach of the year – Brad Melton (Kings Mountain)

 

 

College golf

Gardner-Webb senior Zack Byers set school history on Wednesday by qualifying for the upcoming NCAA Championship next week.

A 2018 Shelby High graduate, Byers had a final round of 71 at the Palm Beach Regional to become the Bulldogs’ first NCAA Division I golf championship qualifier; G-W became NCAA Division I in 2001.

Vanderbilt, Florida State, Florida, South Florida and College of Charleston Southern finished in the top-5 and Byers finished the tournament in a tie for sixth – a safe four strokes in front of his next closest competitor for the individual bid to the NCAA Championships.

Byers shot par on his first two holes before sinking a birdie on No. 3. He moved to 2-under par with another birdie on No. 6 and bounced back from a double bogey on the seventh hole with his third birdie of the round on the eighth. He birdied No. 10 for the third time in three rounds to get back to 2-under par and shot par on the final six holes of the day to secure his advancement to Arizona.

Byers (72-70-71 – 213) finished just four strokes back of the overall lead, with Florida State’s Brett Roberts taking medalist honors with a 209. Byers finished tied with South Florida’s Sam Nicholson and finished in front of 15 golfers who entered the week ranked in the top-100 nationally.

The NCAA Championship will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel, with the 7,289-yard (Par 70) Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., serving as the host venue. The tournament will be held from May 27 through June 1, with four rounds of individual stroke play over the first four days.

The field includes 30 teams and just six individuals – one golfer from each regional. Golf Channel coverage will begin on Friday at 2 pm and will re-air the same day at 7 p.m.

 

 

High school baseball

Friday’s area N.C. High School Athletic Association Western semifinal playoff pairings:

(Class 3A)
North Lincoln at South Rowan
East Lincoln at St. Stephens

(Class 1A)
Uwharrie Charter at Cherryville

 

 

 

High school softball

Friday’s area N.C. High School Athletic Association Western semifinal playoff pairings:

(Class 3A)
Central Davidson at East Lincoln
North Buncombe at Crest

 

 

 

Legion baseball

York, S.C. 12, Cherryville 2 (6 innings): Cherryville fell to 0-2 on the season with a second straight non-division loss.

 

 

 

 

 

High school girls soccer

Here are Thursday’s area second round results:

(Class 3A)
South Point 6, Cramer 0
East Lincoln 1, Hickory 1 (EL advances 3-2 on penalty kicks)

(Class 2A)
Wilkes Central 8, Lincoln Charter 1
Madison 3, Lincolnton 1
East Gaston 5, Salisbury 0

(Class 1A)
Union Academy 4, Mountain Island Charter 1

Here are Monday’s area third round results:

(Class 3A)
W-S Atkins at South Point
Asheboro at East Lincoln

(Class 2A)
Pine Lake Prep at East Gaston

 

 

 

 

 

College baseball

NCAA Division II Southeast Regional No. 1 at North Greenville:

(Thursday’s games)
No. 4 Lenoir-Rhyne 12, No. 5 UNC-Pembroke 5
No. 1 North Greenville 12, UNC-Pembroke 5

(Friday’s games)
North Greenville vs. Lenoir-Rhyne, noon
North Greenville vs. Lenoir-Rhyne, 4 p.m.

 

NCAA Division II Southeast Regional No. 2 at Wingate:

(Thursday’s gaems)
No. 2 Wingate 9, No. 7 Young Harris 4
No. 3 Columbus State 15, No. 6 Belmont Abbey 8

(Friday’s games)
Young Harris vs. Belmont Abbey, 3 p.m.
Wingate vs. Columbus State, 7 p.m.

(Saturday’s games)
Friday’s 3 p.m. winner vs. Friday’s 7 p.m. loser, 3 p.m.
Thursday’s 7 p.m. winner vs. Saturday’s 3 p.m. winner, 7 p.m.

(Sunday’s game – if necessary)
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m.

NCAA Division II Southeast Super Regional
May 27-28

NCAA Division II World Series at USA Baseball National Training Center in Cary:
June 4-11

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro basketball

Charlotte Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak met with the media by videoconference call on Thursday and announced he has signed a multiyear contract extension to remain with the team.

His contract was set to expire this summer.

“For better or for worse, I will be here for the next couple of years,” said Kupchak, who didn’t disclose the length of his contract extension.

Kupchak, 67, is currently leading the Hornets’ search for a new head coach. He said the team already has interviewed “eight to 10 candidates” and could speak with a few more. He said he would prefer to make a hire before the June 23 NBA draft.

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 (Miami wins series 4-2)
2-Boston vs. 3-Milwaukee (Boston wins series 4-3)

FINALS
1-Miami vs. 2-Boston
Game 1 at Miami: May 17 (Miami 118-107)
Game 2 at Miami: May 19 (Boston 127-102)
Game 3 at Boston: May 21
Game 4 at Boston: May 23
Game 5 (if necessary) at Miami: May 25
Game 6 (if necessary) at Boston: May 27
Game 7 (if necessary) at Miami: May 29

(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 (Dallas wins series 4-3)
2-Memphis vs. 3-Golden State (Golden State wins series 4-2)

FINALS
1-Dallas vs. 3-Golden State
Game 1 at Golden State: May 18 (Golden State 112-87)
Game 2 at Golden State: May 20
Game 3 at Dallas: May 22
Game 4 at Dallas: May 24
Game 5 (if necessary) at Golden State: May 26
Game 6 (if necessary): at Dallas: May 28
Game 7 (if necessary): at Golden State: May 30

 

 

 

 

 

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 (Carolina 3-2, Carolina wins series 4-3)

The Carolina Hurricanes’ second round playoff schedule in their series against the New York Rangers:
Game 1 at Carolina: May 18 (Carolina 2-1, OT)
Game 2 at Carolina: May 20
Game 3 at New York: May 22
Game 4 at New York: May 24
Game 5 (if necessary) at Carolina: May 26
Game 6 (if necessary) at New York: May 28
Game 7 (if necessary) at Carolina: May 30

 

 

 

Pro football

The Carolina Panthers announced dates and times for their 2022 preseason schedule.

It is as follows:

Aug. 13 at Washington, 1 p.m.
Aug. 19 at New England, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26 Buffalo, 7 p.m.

 

 

Pro soccer

Charlotte FC announced on Wednesday that it would be hosting Chelsea FC on July 20 for a “friendly” at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. Tickets are slated to go on sale on May 25.

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

(4-7-1 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 (L 0-2)
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 Gastonia Honey Hunters snapped a two-game losing streak with an emphatic 13-1 win over the Southern Maryland Crabs in the finale of their three-game series.

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 (9-6)
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 (ppd.)
15 at Staten Island (L 1-2)
15 at Staten Island (W 1-0)
16 at Staten Island (W 8-3)
17 So. Maryland (L 4-5)
18 So. Maryland (L 6-8)
19 So. Maryland (W 13-1)
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.

 

 

 

 

Auto racing

The 2022 NASCAR cup schedule (with winners):

Feb. 6 Busch Light Clash (Joey Logano)
Feb. 17 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 (Brad Keselowski)
Feb. 17 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 (Chris Buescher)
Feb. 20 Daytona 500 (Austin Cindric)
Feb. 27 Wise Power 400 (Kyle Larson)
Mar. 6 Pennzoil 400 (Alex Bowman)
Mar. 13 Ruoff Mortgage (Chase Briscoe)
Mar. 20 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (William Byron)
Mar. 27 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix (Ross Chastain)
Apr. 3 Toyota Owners (Denny Hamlin)
Apr. 9 Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 (William Byron-2)
Apr. 17 Food City Dirt Race (Kyle Busch)
Apr. 24 Geico 500 (Ross Chastain-2)
May 2 DuraMAX Drydene 400 (Chase Elliott)
May 8 Goodyear 400 (Joey Logano)
May 15 AdventHealth 400 (Kurt Busch)
May 22 NASCAR All-Star Open
May 29 Coca-Cola 600
June 5 Enjoy Illinois 300
June 12 Toyota/Save Mart 350
June 26 Ally 400
July 3 Kwik Trip 250
July 10 Quaker State 400
July 17 Ambetter 301
July 24 NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono
July 31 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard
Aug. 7 FireKeepers Casino 400
Aug. 14 Federated Auto Parts 400
Aug. 21 Go Bowling at The Glen
Aug. 27 Coke Zero Sugar 400
Sept. 4 Cook Out Southern 500
Sept. 11 Hollywood Casino 400
Sept. 17 Bass Pro Shops Night Race
Sept. 24 AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500
Oct. 2 YellaWood 500
Oct. 9 Bank of America ROVAL 400
Oct. 16 South Point 400
Oct. 23 Dixie Vodka 400
Oct. 30 Xfinity 500
Nov. 6 NASCAR Cup Series Championship