5-28-26 roundup: Pro football, basketball, baseball, auto racing, soccer and rodeo, High school baseball, soccer and softball, College baseball, Middle school athletics

By Richard Walker

North Lincoln kept its county perfect in N.C. High School Athletic Association baseball state championships while Burns and Cherryville suffered disappointment and heartbreak in their pursuit of state titles.

North Lincoln’s 2026 N.C. Class 5A state championship baseball team.

The Knights finished a 2-0 sweep of their best-of-three Class 5A championship series against Pittsboro Seaforth with an 8-3 victory behind the pitching of series MVP Cason McGinnis.

North Lincoln, which finished 29-3 overall, has won back-to-back state titles and three championships in the past seven seasons.

Additionally, Lincoln County is now 5-0 all-time in state championship baseball competition; Old Rock Springs won in 1953 and Lincolnton in 1995.

Meanwhile, Burns dropped its second straight hard-fought Class 4A best-of-three contest to Bunn (26-3), which was celebrating its first state title since 1979. In Thursday’s loss, Burns fell 7-5 despite a pair of two-run doubles from Yates Toney.

Burns, which finished 25-5, was making its third state finals appearance in four years.

And Cherryville lost twice to first-time state champion Rosewood on Thursday by 6-5 and 3-2 scores.

Cherryville, which finished 25-7, left 16 runners on bases including the bases loaded five times in the opening defeat in which the Ironmen were ahead 5-0 after 1 1/2 innings.

Then in the finale, the Eagles (25-6) led 3-0 before Cherryville couldn’t complete a late rally.

The Ironmen were making their 16th state championship appearance – losing for the sixth time.

Here are the championship series results:

(State championships- Wednesday, May 27 through Thursday, May 30)
Class 2A Cherryville vs. Rosewood at Burlington Athletic Park
Game 1- May 27 at 5 p.m.- Cherryville 4-0
Game 2- May 28 at 11 a.m.- Rosewood 6-5
Game 3- May 28 at 5 p.m.- Rosewood 3-2 (Rosewood wins series 2-1)

Class 4A Burns vs. Bunn at North Main Athletic Complex, Holly Springs
Game 1- May 27 at 5 p.m.- Bunn 3-2
Game 2- May 28 at 11 a.m.- Bunn 7-5 (Bunn wins series 2-0)

Class 5A North Lincoln vs. Pittsboro Seaforth at Burlington Athletic Park
Game 1- May 27 at 8 p.m.- North Lincoln 11-1 in 6
Game 2- May 28 at 2 p.m.- North Lincoln 8-3 (North Lincoln wins series 2-0)

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 – Cherryville 10-1
Class 4A No. 2 Burns hosts No. 7 Lake Norman Charter – Burns 9-2
Class 4A No. 4 Lincoln Charter hosts No. 12 Forbush – Lincoln Charter 12-2
Class 4A No. 6 Cramer at No. 3 Pisgah – Cramer 4-3
Class 5A No. 1 North Lincoln hosts No. 8 North Davidson – North Lincoln 11-3
Class 5A No. 2 South Point hosts No. 10 Hickory – South Point 11-4
Class 5A No. 3 Crest hosts No. 6 East Lincoln – Crest 14-9
Class 5A No. 6 East Lincoln at No. 3 Crest – Crest 14-9

(Fourth round- Friday, May 15)
Class 2A No. 1 Cherryville hosts No. 4 Corvian Community – Cherryville 12-2 in 6
Class 4A No. 4 Lincoln Charter at No. 1 West Stanly – Lincoln Charter 5-1
Class 5A No. 1 North Lincoln hosts No. 5 East Rowan – North Lincoln 4-3
Class 5A No. 2 South Point hosts No. 3 Crest – South Point 5-4
Class 5A No. 3 Crest at No. 2 South Point – South Point 5-4

(Fourth round- Saturday, May 16)
Class 4A No. 2 Burns hosts No. 6 Cramer – Burns 16-2 in 5
Class 4A No. 6 Cramer at No. 2 Burns – Burns 16-2 in 5

(Regional finals- Tuesday, May 19 through Saturday, May 23)
Class 2A No. 1 Cherryville vs. No. 6 Greensboro Cornerstone Charter
Game 1 May 19 at Cherryville – Cherryville 5-2
Game 2 May 20 at Guilford College – Cherryville 12-6 (Cherryville wins series 2-0)

Class 4A No. 2 Burns vs. No. 4 Lincoln Charter
Game 1 May 19 at Burns – Burns 3-1
Game 2 May 21 at Lincoln Charter – Burns 16-6 in 6 (Burns wins series 2-0)

Class 5A No. 1 North Lincoln vs. No. 2 South Point
Game 1 May 19 at North Lincoln – South Point 4-3 in 8
Game 2 May 21 at South Point – North Lincoln 9-7
Game 3 May 23 at Cherryville – North Lincoln 9-0 (North Lincoln win series 2-1)

(State championships- Wednesday, May 27 through Saturday, May 30)
Class 2A Cherryville vs. Rosewood
Class 4A Burns vs. Bunn
Class 5A North Lincoln vs. Pittsboro Seaforth

-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 – High Point Christian 5-0

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 – Roxboro Community 15-0 in 4
Class 3A No. 1 West Lincoln hosts No. 8 Union Academy – Union Academy 2-1
Class 5A No. 2 North Lincoln hosts No. 10 East Rowan – North Lincoln 3-0
Class 5A No. 5 Crest hosts No. 13 West Rowan – Crest 8-7
Class 6A No. 1 Kings Mountain hosts No. 8 Charlotte Catholic – Kings Mountain 14-1 in 5

(Fourth round- Friday, May 15)
Class 5A No. 2 North Lincoln hosts No. 3 North Davidson – North Davidson 3-0
Class 5A No. 5 Crest at No. 1 Enka – Enka 6-5
Class 6A No. 1 Kings Mountain hosts No. 5 Alexander Central – Kings Mountain 3-0

(Regional finals- Tuesday, May 19 through Saturday, May 23)
Class 6A No. 1 Kings Mountain vs. No. 2 South Caldwell
Game 1 May 19 at Kings Mountain – South Caldwell 9-0
Game 2 May 21 at South Caldwell – South Caldwell 7-6 (South Caldwell wins series 2-0)

-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 girls soccer

Here are the area pairings:

(First Round – Monday, May 11)
Class 1A No. 3 Thomas Jefferson hosts No. 14 Carolina International – Thomas Jefferson by forfeit
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
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 – Wednesday, May 13)
Class 5A No. 4 South Point hosts No. 13 Crest – South Point 9-0
Class 5A No. 13 Crest at No. 4 South Point – South Point 9-0

(Second Round – Thursday, May 14)
Class 1A No. 3 Thomas Jefferson at No. 6 Clover Garden School – Thomas Jefferson 5-0
Class 2A No. 2 Mountain Island Charter hosts No. 15 East Wilkes – Mountain Island Charter 10-0
Class 2A No. 5 Highland Tech hosts No. 12 Bradford Prep – Bradford Prep 4-2
Class 2A No. 14 Cherryville at No. 3 Murphy – Murphy 1-0
Class 3A No. 13 Lincolnton at No. 4 Wheatmore – Wheatmore 2-0
Class 3A No. 14 Piedmont Community Charter at No. 3 Polk County – Polk County 7-1
Class 3A No. 17 West Lincoln at No. 1 Pine Lake Prep – Pine Lake Prep 7-0
Class 4A No. 3 Burns hosts No. 14 Bandys – Bandys 4-0
Class 4A No. 6 East Gaston hosts No. 11 Wilkes Central – Wilkes Central 2-1
Class 4A No. 21 Lincoln Charter at No. 5 Salisbury – Lincoln Charter 3-1
Class 5A No. 3 East Lincoln hosts No. 14 Concord – East Lincoln 8-0
Class 5A No. 7 Forestview hosts No. 10 Smoky Mountain – Forestview 3-2
Class 6A No. 14 Kings Mountain at No. 3 A.C. Reynolds – A.C. Reynolds 6-1

(Third Round – Monday, May 18)
Class 1A No. 3 Thomas Jefferson at No. 2 Kernersville N.C. Leadership Academy – N.C. Leadership 2-0
Class 2A No. 2 Mountain Island Charter hosts No. 10 Corvian Community – Mountain Island Charter 6-2
Class 4A No. 21 Lincoln Charter at No. 4 Ashe County – Ashe County 2-0
Class 5A No. 3 East Lincoln hosts No. 6 North Davidson – East Lincoln 3-0
Class 5A No. 4 South Point hosts No. 12 North Henderson – South Point 3-0
Class 5A No. 7 Forestview vs. No. 2 Hickory – Hickory 4-1

(Fourth Round – Wednesday, May 20)
Class 5A No. 3 East Lincoln at No. 2 Hickory – Hickory 2-0
Class 5A No. 4 South Point at No. 1 Northwest Cabarrus – South Point 5-1

(Fourth Round – Friday, May 22)
Class 2A No. 2 Mountain Island Charter hosts No. 6 Community School of Davidson – Mountain Island Charter 3-2

(Regional finals – Tuesday, May 26)
Class 2A No. 2 Mountain Island Charter hosts No. 4 Christ the King – Christ the King 1-0
Class 5A No. 4 South Point at No. 2 Hickory – Hickory 4-0

-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 – Gaston Christian 1-1 (3-1 in penalty kicks)

(State championships- Saturday, May 16)
3A: Raleigh Grace Christian at Gaston Christian – Gaston Christian 3-2 in 2OT

Legion baseball

Area schedule/results:
x-non division games

Monday, May 25
x-Matthews at Cherryville (ppd., no date)

Tuesday, May 26
No games

Wednesday, May 27
No games

Thursday, May 28
x-Cherryville at Union County (ppd., no date)

Friday, May 29
No games

Saturday, May 30
x-Easley, S.C. at Shelby, 3 p.m.
x-Garner at Cherryville (ppd., no date)

Sunday, May 31
x-Garner at Cherryville (ppd., no date)
x-Garner at Shelby, 1:30 p.m.
Caldwell County at Cherryville

Monday, June 1
Caldwell County at Gastonia
x-Matthews at Cherryville

Tuesday, June 2
Gaston Braves at Caldwell County

Wednesday, June 3
Cherryville at Hickory

Thursday, June 4
Gaston Braves at Shelby
Rutherford County at Cherryville

Friday, June 5
No games

Saturday, June 6
Asheville at Shelby

Sunday, June 7
Gastonia vs. Gaston Braves (at East Gaston)

Pro soccer

The 2026 Charlotte FC schedule:

(6-6-3 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 (L 0-1)
Saturday, May 16 Toronto (W 3-1)
Saturday, May 23 New England (W 1-0)
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 football

Here is the Panthers’ full 2026 schedule:

(preseason)
Aug. 6 – Arizona (at Canton, Ohio), 8 p.m.
Aug. 15 – at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Aug. 21 – at Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 28 – Houston, 7 p.m.
(regular season)
Sept. 13 – Chicago, 1 p.m.
Sept. 20 – at Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Sept. 27 – at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Oct. 4 – Detroit, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 8-12 – BYE week
Oct. 18 – at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Oct. 25 – Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Oct. 29 – at Green Bay, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 8 – Denver, 1 p.m.
Nov. 15 – at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22 – Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Nov. 30 – at Tampa Bay, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 6 – at Minnesota, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 13 – New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20 – Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
Dec. 24-28 TBA – at Pittsburgh, TBA
Jan. 3 – Seattle, 1 p.m.
Jan. 9-10 TBA – Atlanta, TBA

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 – Cleveland 117-113 in OT
Game 6: Detroit at Cleveland- Friday, May 15 – Detroit 115-94
Game 7: Cleveland at Detroit- Sunday, May 17 – Cleveland 125-94 (Cleveland wins series 4-3)

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. 4 Cleveland vs. No. 3 New York
Game 1: Cleveland at New York- Tuesday, May 19 – New York 115-104
Game 2: Cleveland at New York- Thursday, May 21 – New York 109-93
Game 3: New York at Cleveland- Saturday, May 23 – New York 121-108
Game 4: New York at Cleveland- Monday, May 25 – New York 130-93 (New York wins series 4-0)

(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 – Oklahoma City 115-110 (Oklahoma City wins series 4-0)

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 – San Antonio 126-97
Game 6: San Antonio at Minnesota- Friday, May 15 – San Antonio 139-109 (San Antonio wins series 4-2)

(Western Conference finals)
No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 2 San Antonio
Game 1: San Antonio at Oklahoma City- Monday, May 18 – San Antonio 122-115 in 2OT
Game 2: San Antonio at Oklahoma City- Wednesday, May 20 – Oklahoma City 122-113
Game 3: Oklahoma City at San Antonio- Friday, May 22 – Oklahoma City 123-108
Game 4: Oklahoma City at San Antonio- Sunday, May 24 – San Antonio 103-82
Game 5: San Antonio at Oklahoma City- Tuesday, May 26 – Oklahoma City 127-114
Game 6: Oklahoma City at San Antonio- Thursday, May 28
Game 7*: San Antonio at Oklahoma City- Saturday, May 30 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock)

(NBA finals)
East No. 3 New York vs. West No. 1 Oklahoma City/West No. 2 San Antonio winner
Game 1: New York at Oklahoma City/San Antonio- Wednesday, June 3 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 2: New York at Oklahoma City/San Antonio- Friday, June 5 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 3: Oklahoma City/San Antonio at New York- Monday, June 8 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 4: Oklahoma City/San Antonio at New York- Wednesday, June 10 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5*: New York at Oklahoma City/San Antonio- Saturday, June 13 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 6*: Oklahoma City/San Antonio at New York- Tuesday, June 16 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 7*: New York at Oklahoma City/San Antonio- Friday, June 19 (8:30 ET, ABC)

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 (Montreal wins series 4-3)

(Western Conference Round 2)
-No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild (Colorado wins series 4-1)
-No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 3 Anaheim Ducks (Vegas wins series 4-2)

(Eastern Conference Finals)
-No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 3 Montreal Canadiens
Game 1: Thursday, May 21- at Carolina – Montreal 6-2
Game 2: Saturday, May 23- at Carolina – Carolina 3-2 in OT
Game 3: Monday, May 25- at Montreal – Carolina 3-2 in OT
Game 4: Wednesday, May 27- at Montreal – Carolina 4-0
Game 5: Friday, May 29- at Carolina (8 ET, TNT)
Game 6*: Sunday, May 31- at Montreal (TBD, TNT)
Game 7*: Tuesday, June 2- at Carolina (8 ET, TNT)

(Western Conference Finals)
-No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights (Vegas wins series 4-0)

(Stanley Cup)
-No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes/No. 3 Montreal Canadiens winner vs. No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights
Starts June 2 or June 4

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

Jacksonville 6, Charlotte 3 (1st game)
Charlotte 12, Jacksonville 5 (2nd game): Jacob Gonzalez (4 hits, 2 home runs, double, 4 RBIs) and Braden Montgomery (3 hits, home run, 4 RBIs) powered the Knights to a split of the doubleheader caused when Wednesday’s game was suspended and completed on Thursday afternoon. The fourth game of the six-game series at Charlotte’s Truist Field is Friday at 7:04 p.m.

Here is the full Charlotte Knights’ 2026 schedule:

(28-26 record, 28-26 1st half, 0-0 2nd 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 3-3 (L 6-9, L 8-9, W 4-1, W 4-1, L 10-11, W 15-3)
May 19-24 at Gwinnett 4-2 (W 5-4, W 4-3, L 3-7, W 4-3 in 10, L 1-5, W 3-2)
May 26-31 Jacksonville 1-0 (W 4-0, susp, L 3-6, W 12-5)
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:

(21-12 record, 21-12 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 3-3 (L 3-6, L 3-11, W 10-0, L 4-6, W 8-6, W 6-5)
May 19-20 Charleston, W.Va. 3-0 (W 9-4, W 6-2, W 9-6)
May 22-24 at Charleston, W.Va. 3-0 (W 17-4, W 8-4, W 12-4)
May 26-28 at Lexington 3-0 (W 10-6, W 3-2, W 3-1)
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) (Hamlin-2)
May 24 — Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte) (Daniel Suarez)
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.