5-23-22 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, soccer and hockey, High school baseball, softball, girls soccer and basketball, College baseball and football, Legion baseball, Middle school athletics
By Richard Walker
Winning five Gaston County Conference Middle School titles were enough to lift Belmont to a comfortable victory in the 2021-22 school year Winner’s Cup all-sports trophy.
The Wildcats, who won titles in wrestling, boys basketball, baseball, girls soccer and boys track, racked up 114 1-2 all-sports points to outdistance second-place Cramerton by 15 points.
With four titles in boys sports, Belmont joins rare company in county history as only Grier (2012-13 school year) and Cramerton (2017-18) have done so previously.
After two years of the award not being granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Belmont won its fifth consecutive all-sports title – and eighth overall in the county’s 25-year middle school history.
Cramerton, which has won a county-record 11 Winner’s Cup titles, won county titles in softball, boys soccer and volleyball.
Other county champions were won by Holbrook (girls basketball and girls track), Southwest (football), Chavis (golf),
Additionally, the county awarded York Chester with its third Karen Sheppard Sportsmanship Award in the last six years; The Cougars also won the award in 2017 and 2019.
The Gaston County Middle School Winner’s Cup standings for 2021-22:
Belmont 114.5
Cramerton 99.5
Holbrook 91
Mount Holly 80.5
Stanley 80
W.C. Friday 71.5
Chavis 69.5
Southwest 54.5
Grier 53.5
York Chester 50.5
Bessemer City 34
High school baseball
This week’s best-of-three Western N.C. championship series matchups:
(Class 4A)
No. 1 Providence (30-0) vs. No. 10 T.C. Roberson (22-6)
(Class 3A)
No. 1 South Rowan (26-4) vs. No. 11 East Lincoln (20-6)
(Class 2A)
No. 1 Randleman (29-1) vs. No. 15 Community School of Davidson (17-6)
(Class 1A)
No. 3 Cherryville (19-9) vs. No. 5 Union Academy (19-7)
High school softball
This week’s best-of-three Western N.C. championship series matchups:
(Class 4A)
No. 3 Marvin Ridge (20-2) vs. No. 5 East Forsyth (24-1)
(Class 3A)
No. 3 North Buncombe (23-1) vs. No. 4 Central Davidson (17-5)
(Class 2A)
No. 2 West Stanly (25-4) vs. No. 5 West Stokes (20-4-1)
(Class 1A)
No. 1 South Stanly (26-3) vs. No. 11 South Stokes (21-6)
Legion baseball
(Monday’s games)
Cherryville at Gastonia (ppd., no date)
Gaston Braves at Cleveland County (ppd., no date)
High school girls soccer
Here are Monday’s area third round pairings:
(Class 3A)
W-S Atkins at South Point (ppd., Tuesday)
Asheboro at East Lincoln (ppd., Tuesday)
(Class 2A)
Pine Lake Prep at East Gaston (ppd., Tuesday)
High school basketball
Isaiah Tate announced on twitter on Monday that he would spend his senior year at Concord Academy.
A 6-foot-2 guard, Tate scored 1,001 points at Kings Mountain and added 327 more last season at Gaston Christian.
College football
Former South Point High standout Ray Rose will be playing for another college football team after he announced through social media on Monday that he was entering the transfer portal and leaving East Carolina.
A 2020 South Point High gradutate, Rose began his college career at the University of North Carolina before transferring to ECU. Since he is transferring after May 1, Rose would need to transfer to a FCS school if he wants to play immediately.
Rose, rated the No. 63 wide receiver and No. 372 overall prospect in the 2020 class by 247Sports Composite, played in one game at UNC as a true freshman before transferring to ECU where he redshirted last season.
College baseball
The pools and schedule for this week’s ACC baseball championship that will be played at Charlotte’s Truist Field.
Here are the seeding and the four pools:
POOL A – #1 Virginia Tech, #8 North Carolina, #12 Clemson
POOL B – #2 Louisville, #7 Georgia Tech, #11 Pitt
POOL C – #3 Miami, #6 Wake Forest, #10 NC State
POOL D – #4 Notre Dame, #5 Virginia, #9 Florida State
Here is the schedule for the games:
(Tuesday)
Pitt vs. Georgia Tech, 11 a.m.
N.C. State vs. Wake Forest, 3 p.m.
Clemson vs. North Carolina, 7 p.m.
(Wednesday)
Louisville vs. Pitt, 11 a.m.
Florida State vs. Virginia, 3 p.m.
Miami vs. N.C. State, 7 p.m.
(Thursday)
Georgia Tech vs. Louisville, 11 a.m.
Notre Dame vs. Florida State, 3 p.m.
Virginia Tech vs. Clemson, 7 p.m.
(Friday)
Virginia vs. Notre Dame, 11 a.m.
Wake Forest vs. Miami, 3 p.m.
North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech, 7 p.m.
(Saturday – semifinals)
Pool A Winner vs. Pool D Winner, 1 p.m.
Pool B Winner vs. Pool C Winner, 5 p.m.
(Sunday)
ACC Championship, Noon
ACC standings through May 21:
(Atlantic)
Louisville 18-11-1
Notre Dame 16-11
Wake Forest 15-14-1
Florida State 15-15
N.C. State 14-15
Clemson 13-16
Boston College 5-25
(Coastal)
Virginia Tech 19-9
Miami 20-10
Virginia 17-13
Pitt 13-13
North Carolina 15-15
Georgia Tech 15-15
Duke 10-20
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 (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 (Miami 109-103)
Game 4 at Boston: May 23 (Boston 102-82)
Game 5 at Miami: May 25
Game 6 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 (Golden State 126-117)
Game 3 at Dallas: May 22 (Golden State 109-100)
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 (Carolina 2-0)
Game 3 at New York: May 22 (New York 3-1)
Game 4 at New York: May 24
Game 5 at Carolina: May 26
Game 6 (if necessary) at New York: May 28
Game 7 (if necessary) at Carolina: May 30
Pro soccer
Here’s the full Charlotte FC MLS schedule for the 2022 season (with results):
(5-7-1 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 (W 2-1)
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 (11-7)
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.(W 12-10)
21 Charleston, W.Va.(W 6-4)
22 Charleston, W.Va.(L 1-8)
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 (Daniel Suarez)
May 22 NASCAR All-Star (Ryan Blaney)
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