1-20-26 roundup: Pro football and basketball, College football and basketball, High school basketball, Middle school basketball

By Richard Walker

As the 2026 Gaston County Middle School Conference basketball season gets underway on Wednesday, competitive races are seen in both the girls and boys races.

The defending champion Southwest boys and Holbrook girls are strong contenders to repeat but according to preseason coaches’ voting, a competitive race is expected.

In the boys race, Belmont is the favorite, Southwest is picked second and they were the lone teams to receive 1st-place votes.

In the girls race, Holbrook is the favorite as it enters enters the year with a county-record 49-game winning streak and is a four-time defending county champion; Belmont, Bessemer City, Grier and Mount Holly are picked just behind them in the preseason.

Here is the preseason boys poll:

1. Belmont
2. Southwest
3. Stanley
4. Grier
5. Holbrook
6. (tie) Cramerton
6. (tie) W.C. Friday
8. York Chester
9. Mount Holly
10. Bessemer City
11. Chavis

Here is the preseason girls poll:

1. Holbrook
2. Belmont
3. (tie) Bessemer City
3. (tie) Grier
3. (tie) Mount Holly
6. Cramerton
7. Southwest
8. W.C. Friday
9. Stanley
10. York Chester
11. Chavis

The 2026 Gaston County Conference basketball schedule is as follows:

Gaston County Conference schedule:

(Wednesday, Jan. 21)
Belmont at Stanley
Bessemer City at Southwest
Chavis at Mount Holly
Cramerton at Holbrook
W.C. Friday at Grier
BYE – York Chester
(Thursday, Jan. 22)
Southwest at York Chester
Mount Holly at Belmont
Holbrook at Bessemer City
Grier at Chavis
W.C. Friday at Cramerton
BYE – Stanley
(Monday, Jan. 26)
Stanley at Mount Holly
York Chester at Holbrook
Belmont at Grier
Bessemer City at W.C. Friday
Chavis at Cramerton
BYE – Southwest
(Thursday, Jan. 29)
Holbrook at Southwest
Grier at Stanley
W.C. Friday at York Chester
Cramerton at Belmont
Chavis at Bessemer City
BYE – Mount Holly
(Monday, Feb. 2)
Mount Holly at Grier
Southwest at W.C. Friday
Stanley at Cramerton
York Chester at Chavis
Belmont at Bessemer City
BYE – Holbrook
(Thursday, Feb. 5)
Holbrook at W.C. Friday
Cramerton at Mount Holly
Southwest at Chavis
Bessemer City at Stanley
York Chester at Belmont
BYE – Grier
(Monday, Feb. 9)
Grier at Cramerton
Holbrook at Chavis
Mount Holly at Bessemer City
Southwest at Belmont
Stanley at York Chester
BYE – W.C. Friday
(Thursday, Feb. 12)
Chavis at W.C. Friday
Bessemer City at Grier
Belmont at Holbrook
York Chester at Mount Holly
Stanley at Southwest
BYE – Cramerton
(Tuesday, Feb. 17)
Cramerton at Bessemer City
W.C. Friday at Belmont
Grier at York Chester
Holbrook at Stanley
Mount Holly at Southwest
BYE – Chavis
(Thursday, Feb. 19)
Belmont at Chavis
York Chester at Cramerton
Stanley at W.C. Friday
Southwest at Grier
Mount Holly at Holbrook
BYE – Bessemer City
(Monday, Feb. 23)
Bessemer City at York Chester
Chavis at Stanley
Cramerton at Southwest
W.C. Friday at Mount Holly
Grier at Holbrook
BYE – Belmont
(Thursday, Feb. 26)
Semifinals: No. 4 at No. 1, No. 3 at No. 2
(Tuesday, March 3)
Boys final
(Wednesday, March 4)
Girls final

And here is a team-by-team look at the 2026 season with information provided by the respective coaches:

(BOYS)

Belmont Wildcats
Head coach: Pet Sumner (7th year, 55-16)
Assistant coaches: none
Top returning players: Julian Vickers (PG, 8th), Brandon Jackson (F, 7th), Grey McWhirter (G, 8th), Gray Gathings (F, 8th)
Top newcomers: none listed

Bessemer City Tigers
Head coach: no information provided
Assistant coach: no information provided
Top returning players: no information provided
Top newcomers: no information provided

Chavis Wolverines
Head coach: Alex Cash (1st year)
Assistant coaches: none
Top returning players: Beau Davis (8th), Landen Farley (8th), Dane Harris (8th), Brayden Adkins (8th), Brandon Wray (8th),
Brandon Puckett (8th), Aiden Jenks (8th), T.K. Russell (8th), Beckham Sermersheim (8th), Dylan Freeman (8th)
Top newcomers: Elias Jackovich (8th), Zaylon Degree (8th), Brody Self (6th), Mason Hollingsworth (6th), Avion Kee (6th)

Cramerton Eagles
Head coach: Tyler Phillips (1st year)
Assistant coach: Lamar Wilson
Top returning players: David Kendrick (PG, 8th), Brayden Thomas (PF, 8th), Grayson Randolph (SG, 7th), Jayden Rayfield (SG, 7th), Jake Pritchett (PF, 8th)
Top newcomers: Gabe Goins (SF, 7th), Martin Prince (C, 8th), D’Andre Kendrick (PG, 6th), Silas Green (PG, 6th), Carson Hatten (PG, 6th), Lake Iyonmahom (C, 8th), Connor Smith (C, 8th), Spencer Phillips (C, 7th), Semaj Yacho (SF, 7th), Jace Tate (PG, 6th)

W.C. Friday Cavaliers
Head coach: Matthew McCray (1st year)
Assistant coach: Jacob McDaniel
Top returning players: Jamaal Barksdale (G, 8th), Preston Brandon (F, 8th), Ezra Davis (G, 7th), Jalen Green (F, 8th), Schae Hepler (F, 7th), Zvarea Mingo (G, 8th)
Top newcomers: Yaqin Simpson (F, 6th), Cam’ren Douglas (G, 8th), Landon Jackson (F, 8th), Landon Johnson (F, 7th), Kiyan Boulware (G, 6th), Kaison Long (G, 6th), Avery Johnson (F, 8th), Amere Rhoe (G, 6th), Kenneth Williams (G, 6th), Kayden Moorman (G, 8th)

Grier Knights
Head coach: Eric Furr (2nd year, 6-4)
Assistant coaches: none
Top returning players: Amarion Wilson (F, 8th), Brayden Lindsey (C, 8th), Derrik Pettus (G, 7th)
Top newcomers: Johnathan Wells (G, 8th), Antwan Sanders (F/C, 7th), A.J. Nelson (G, 7th)

Holbrook Lions
Head coach: Josh Benfield (1st year)
Assistant coaches: John Brown, Keith Fox, Bryan Nichols
Top returning players: Antonio Surratt (G, 8th), Messiah Patterson (F, 8th), Hudaifah Jamal (C, 8th), Jayceon Hall (G, 7th), Ayden Fonville (G, 7th)
Top newcomers: Isaac Lumene (G, 8th), Joseph Sherril (G, 7th), Ladarius Pratt (C, 8th)

Mount Holly Hawks
Head coach: Zachary Rakoczy (2nd year, 2-7)
Assistant coach: Jacy Concepcion
Top returning players: Chase Goard (G, 8th), Adler Abernathy (G, 8th), Amir Bichara (G, 8th), Alex Austin (G, 7th), Reggie Clinton (G/F, 7th), Taolin Wright (G, 7th)
Top newcomers: Kaidence Nichols (F/C, 8th), Christian Rodriguez (F, 8th), Rylan Davis (F/C, 8th), Nolan Lopez (G, 8th), Carter Stephens (G, 8th), Zach Keener (F, 7th), Jake Smith (F, 8th), Lawson Lyle (G, 6th), Landon Nolley (G, 6th)

Southwest Roadrunners
Head coach: Darius Hill (1st year)
Assistant coach: no information provided
Top returning players: no information provided
Top newcomers: no information provided

Stanley Blue Devils
Head coach: Zach Bumgarner (1st year)
Assistant coach: Graham McClure
Top returning players: Jace Johnson (G/F, 8th), Cash Anderson (G/F, 8th), Brayden Silvers (G/F, 8th), Jayce Ellerbe (F, 8th),
Brenton Floyd (G, 8th), Tallon Brooks (G, 7th)
Top newcomers: Case Conner (G, 8th), Marcus Showers (G, 7th), Luke Addington (G/F, 8th), Marquez Holloway (F, 7th), Kai Gaut (F, 8th), Lachay Duncan (F, 8th), Colton Waldroup (G, 8th), Carter Proffitt (G, 8th), Dylan Haynes (G/F, 7th), Xzavier Byrd (G, 8th)

York Chester Cougars
Coach: Marcus Campbell (1st year)
Assistant coaches: no information provided
Top returning players: no information provided
Top newcomers: no information provided

(GIRLS)

Belmont Wildcats
Head coach: Carey Galbreath (10th year, 63-35)
Assistant coach: Kevin Cline
Key players: Bexley Zinobile (PG, 7th), Gemma Norton (F, 7th), Makinley Brooks (G, 7th), Maggie Rhoden (C, 7th), Stella McGee (G/F, 8th)

Bessemer City Tigers
Head coach: Monica Moore (1st year)
Assistant coaches: no information provided
Top returning players: no information provided
Top newcomers: no information provided

Chavis Wolverines
Head coach: Sarah Word (2nd year, 0-10)
Assistant coaches: no information provided
Top returning players: no information provided
Top newcomers: no information provided

Cramerton Eagles
Head coach: Carrie Curtis (10th year, 56-31)
Assistant coaches: none
Top returning players: Kinley Crist (G/F, 7th), Eason Hobbs (F/C, 8th), Sara Garcia (F/C, 8th), Aubrey Cole (F, 8th), Brynn DuBois (G, 7th)
Top newcomers: Kieran Scott (F/C, 8th), Amelia Lovelace (G/F, 7th), Bella Gibson (G, 6th), Terri Mason (G/F, 6th), Rae Richards (G/F, 6th), Korin Scott (F/C, 6th), Karmen Tims (F, 6th), Macon Tippett (G, 6th), Haleigh Vance (G/F, 6th)

W.C. Friday Cavaliers
Coach: Jacob McDaniel (3rd year, 3-17)
Assistant coach: Matthew McCray
Top returning players: Braelyn Whitten (F, 8th), Eva Moir (W, 8th), Cali Monge (W, 8th), Jazmyne Causey (C, 8th), Addison Vineyard (F, 8th)
Top newcomers: Hazel Harris (G, 6th), Raelynn Rayfield (G, 7th), Anniston Whitlock (G/F, 7th), Madeline Mulkey (G, 7th), Daniela Aguilar (F, 8th), Adrianna Simpson (F, 8th), Aubree Dawson (G, 7th), Naomi Taylor (C, 8th), Tatiana Hurst-Wilson (C, 8th), Kaedynce Hughes (F, 7th)

Grier Knights
Head coach: Christy Banks (3rd year, 12-9)
Assistant coaches: Lisa Jones, Toni Roseboro
Top returning players: Moriyah Rainey-Thompson (PG, 8th), Jada Williams (F, 8th), Jeriyah Williams (F, 8th), Jenesis Morrow (G, 8th), Amirah Hardin (G, 7th)
Top newcomers: Alyssa Jiminez (G, 8th), Malaysia Pendergrass (F, 8th), Janeli Ortiz (G, 7th), Da’Myiera Moss-Moore (SF, 6th), Melania Samuel (PG, 6th), Za’Niya Holmes (G/F, 6th)

Holbrook Lions
Head coach: Bryan Nichols (6th year, 52-6)
Assistant coaches: John Brown, Keith Fox, Cierra Lipscomb
Top returning players: Kennedi Johnson (F, 8th), Kyzland Forney (F, 8th), Caitlyn Lindsay (G, 8th), Sophia Harper (F, 8th),
Zah’mia Brooks (G, 8th), Harmony Tucker (G, 7th)
Top newcomers: Cordelia Salalac (G, 6th), Miryam Okasha (Guard, 6th), Elyon Kana (G, 6th), Piper Brafford (G, 6th), Malaya Clark (F, 7th), Ke’myah Durham (G, 7th), Madison McCormick (F, 8th), Maurihanna Gullatte (F, 8th), E’niah Anderson (F, 8th)

Mount Holly Hawks
Head coach: Carley Womack (2nd year, 6-4)
Assistant coaches: no information provided
Top returning players: no information provided
Top newcomers: no information provided

Southwest Roadrunners
Head coach: Markeith Redd (1st year)
Assistant coaches: no information provided
Top returning players: no information provided
Top newcomers: no information provided

Stanley Blue Devils
Head coach: Brooke Cook (8th year, 31-40)
Assistant coaches: Mark Grahl, K.C. Correll
Top returning players: Avery Price, Olivia Falls, Jayda McKinney, Kamirra Curry-Coleman
Key players: Kamirra Currie-Coleman, Avery Price, Rachel Jones, Janessa Pena, Janae Pena, Amy Page, Pazleigh Lucas, Blakely Knight, Avery Morrison, Sydney Huffstetler, McKinlee Flowers, Taylin Dulin, Evelyn Daly, Makenna Burgess

York Chester Cougars
Head coach: Levi Worley (1st year)
Assistant coach: Erica Ervin
Top returning players: none listed
Top newcomers: none listed

High school basketball

The area’s schedule/results:

(Monday, Jan. 12)
-BOYS
East Lincoln 73, Maiden 52
North Lincoln 75, Bunker Hill 37

-GIRLS
Maiden 70, East Lincoln 63
North Lincoln 64, Bunker Hill 13

(Tuesday, Jan. 13)
-BOYS
Huss 77, Crest 74
Kings Mountain 76, Ashbrook 69
South Point 86, North Gaston 68
Bessemer City 78, Cherryville 44
Cramer 80, East Gaston 57
Shelby 72, Burns 70
Lincolnton 82, West Lincoln 46
Lincoln Charter 70, Bradford Prep 45
Jackson Day 65, Mountain Island Charter 63
Piedmont Community Charter 64, Carolina International 39
Gaston Christian 79, Davidson Day 67
Gaston Day 76, Westminster Catawba 72

-GIRLS
Huss 59, Crest 25
Kings Mountain 60, Ashbrook 45
South Point 50, North Gaston 12
Bessemer City 56, Cherryville 14
Cramer 71, East Gaston 14
Burns 56, Shelby 51
Lincolnton 63, West Lincoln 45
Lincoln Charter 57, Bradford Prep 20
Jackson Day 50, Mountain Island Charter 23
Piedmont Community Charter 50, Carolina International 17
Gaston Christian 67, Forsyth Country Day 30
Gaston Day 34, Westminster Catawba 18

(Wednesday, Jan. 14)
-BOYS
Shelby 71, Highland Tech 41
North Lincoln 75, Foard 43
Catawba Ridge, S.C. 59, Forestview 58
Roberson 65, East Lincoln 60
Lincolnton 90, South Point 83

-GIRLS
Shelby 49, Highland Tech 37
North Lincoln 63, Foard 15
Catawba Ridge, S.C. 52, Forestview 25
East Lincoln 56, Roberson 44
Lincolnton 70, South Point 62

(Thursday, Jan. 15)
-BOYS
Piedmont Community Charter 78, NCSSM Morganton 29

-GIRLS
Piedmont Community Charter 45, NCSSM Morganton 10

(Friday, Jan. 16)
-BOYS
Ashbrook 85, Forestview 60
South Point 75, Kings Mountain 72
Crest 82, North Gaston 41
Lincolnton 81, Bessemer City 77
Burns 75, Cramer 70
Highland Tech 49, East Gaston 40
Cherryville 87, West Lincoln 77
East Lincoln 83, Newton-Conover 40
North Lincoln 46, North Lincoln 30
Lincoln Charter 77, Christ the King 50
Mountain Island Charter 71, Cone Leadership 58
Piedmont Community Charter 60, Thomas Jefferson 52
Gaston Christian 58, Gaston Day 55

-GIRLS
Ashbrook 54, Forestview 34
South Point 47, Kings Mountain 34
North Gaston 58, Crest 51
Lincolnton 71, Bessemer City 41
Cramer 68, Burns 27
Highland Tech 53, East Gaston 19
West Lincoln 54, Cherryville 18
East Lincoln 57, Newton-Conover 38
Maiden 85, North Lincoln 83
Lincoln Charter 64, Christ the King 56
Mountain Island Charter at Cone Leadership
Thomas Jefferson 61, Piedmont Community Charter 18
Gaston Christian 66, Gaston Day 47

(Saturday, Jan. 17)
-BOYS
Reidsville 82, Lincolnton 59

-GIRLS
Lincolnton 67, Reidsville 28

(Tuesday, Jan. 20)
-BOYS
Crest 60, Ashbrook 45
South Point 72, Forestview 44

Huss 92, Kings Mountain 64: Jaleel Smith (31 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals), Zach Anderson (16 points, 4 assists, 3 steals), O.B. Lockhart (15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 7 steals) and Zii Phillips (10 points, 5 assists) led Huss.

Bessemer City 88, West Lincoln 64: Tristen Gordon had 25 points, Jayveon Miller 17, Isaiah McCallister, Raheem McClure and
Jamari Starr 12 apiece for Bessemer City.

Burns 74, East Gaston 44

Lincolnton 87, Cherryville 72: Josiah Guyton had 23 points and Cam Smith 16 for Lincolnton and Paxton Pruett had 28 points for Cherryville.

Shelby 70, Highland Tech 34
Bandys 72, East Lincoln 59
North Lincoln 90, West Iredell 63
Lincoln Charter 81, Lake Norman Charter 56
Mountain Island Charter at Piedmont Community Charter
Concord Academy 65, Gaston Christian 56
Gaston Day 75, Hickory Grove Christian 70
Cramer 91, North Gaston 56

-GIRLS
Ashbrook 39, Crest 38

South Point 58, Forestview 47: Claire Frank (23 points), Jyi’Yanna Watkins (18 points), Rowen Trexler (11 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals) and Tierney Waters (1 point, 7 rebounds) led South Point and Amani Neely (24 points) led Forestview.

Huss 62, Kings Mountain 27
West Lincoln 58, Bessemer City 51
Burns 47, East Gaston 19
Lincolnton 78, Cherryville 13
Highland Tech at Shelby
East Lincoln 73, Bandys 46
North Lincoln 81, West Iredell 27
Lincoln Charter 54, Lake Norman Charter 49
Mountain Island Charter at Piedmont Community Charter
Concord Academy 60, Gaston Christian 46
Hickory Grove Christian 52, Gaston Day 34

Cramer 80, North Gaston 44: Oshauna Holland (40 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals), Unique McDowell (14 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals), Lauren Humphrey (10 points, 20 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals) and Amasia McDowell (7 points) led Cramer and Jaelia Littlejohn (34 points, 10 rebounds) led North Gaston.

(Wednesday, Jan. 21)
Lincolnton at Shelby

(Thursday, Jan. 22)
Bessemer City at Cramer
Burns at South Point

(Friday, Jan. 23)
Forestview at North Gaston
Huss at Ashbrook
Kings Mountain at Crest
Cramer at West Lincoln
East Gaston at Cherryville
Highland Tech at Bessemer City
Shelby at Lincolnton
North Lincoln at East Lincoln
Lincoln Charter at Corvian Community
Piedmont Community Charter at Queen’s Grant
Sugar Creek Charter at Mountain Island Charter
Gaston Christian at Hickory Grove Christian
Asheville Carolina Day at Gaston Day

(Monday, Jan. 26)
Metrolina Christian at Gaston Christian

(Tuesday, Jan. 27)
Forestview at Kings Mountain
North Gaston at Huss
South Point at Ashbrook
Burns at Lincolnton
Cramer at Bessemer City
Highland Tech at Cherryville
West Lincoln at Shelby
Bunker Hill at East Lincoln
North Lincoln at Hickory
Community School of Davidson at Lincoln Charter
Jackson Day at Piedmont Community Charter
Concord Academy at Gaston Day
Gaston Christian at Ambassador Christian

(Wednesday, Jan. 28)
Bessemer City at Kings Mountain
Crest at Shelby
South Point at Huss
Langtree Charter at Mountain Island Charter

(Thursday, Jan. 29)
North Gaston at Highland Tech

(Friday, Jan. 30)
Crest at Forestview
North Gaston at Ashbrook
South Point at Huss
Cherryville at Burns
Highland Tech at West Lincoln
Lincolnton at Cramer
Shelby at East Gaston
East Lincoln at West Iredell
Newton-Conover at North Lincoln
Langtree Charter at Lincoln Charter
Mountain Island Charter at Carolina International
Piedmont Community Charter at Cone Leadership
Gaston Day at Gaston Christian

Middle school basketball

Here is the Gaston County Conference schedule

Pro football

NFL 2025-26 playoff schedule:

-CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
BYES- AFC Denver (14-3), NFC Seattle (14-3)
(Saturday, Jan. 10)
NFC- No. 5 L.A. Rams (12-5) at No. 4 Carolina (8-9) – L.A. Rams 34-31
NFC- No. 7 Green Bay (9-7-1) at No. 2 Chicago (11-6) – Chicago 31-27
(Sunday, Jan. 11)
AFC- No. 6 Buffalo (12-5) at No. 3 Jacksonville (13-4) – Buffalo 27-24
NFC- No. 6 San Francisco (12-5) at No. 3 Philadelphia (11-6) – San Francisco 23-19
AFC- No. 7 L.A. Chargers (11-6) at No. 2 New England (14-3) – New England 16-3
(Monday, Jan. 12)
No. 5 Houston (12-5) at No. 4 Pittsburgh (10-7) – Houston 30-6

-CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
(Saturday, Jan. 17)
AFC- No. 6 Buffalo at No. 1 Denver – Denver 33-30 (OT)
NFC- No. 6 San Francisco at No. 1 Seattle – Seattle 41-6
(Sunday, Jan. 18)
AFC- No. 5 Houston at No. 2 New England – New England 28-16
NFC- No. 5 L.A. Rams at No. 2 Chicago – L.A. Rams 20-17 (OT)

-CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
(Sunday, Jan. 25)
AFC- No. 2 New England at No. 1 Denver, 3 p.m., CBS
NFC- No. 5 L.A. Rams at No. 1 Seattle, 6:30 p.m., FOX

SUPER BOWL
(Sunday, Feb. 8)
At Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara CA, 6:30 p.m., NBC

The Carolina Panthers’ 2025 schedule:

-Preseason
Friday, Aug. 8 Cleveland Browns (L 10-30)
Saturday, Aug. 16 at Houston Texans (L 3-20)
Thursday, Aug. 21 Pittsburgh Steelers (L 10-19)

-Regular season
Sunday, Sept. 7 at Jacksonville Jaguars (L 10-26)
Sunday, Sept. 14 at Arizona Cardinals (L 22-27)
Sunday, Sept. 21 Atlanta Falcons (W 30-0)
Sunday, Sept. 28 at New England Patriots (L 13-42)
Sunday, Oct. 5 Miami Dolphins (W 27-24)
Sunday, Oct. 12 Dallas Cowboys (W 30-27)
Sunday, Oct. 19 at New York Jets (W 13-6)
Sunday, Oct. 26 Buffalo Bills (L 9-40)
Sunday, Nov. 2 at Green Bay Packers (W 16-13)
Sunday, Nov. 9 New Orleans Saints (L 7-17)
Sunday, Nov. 16 at Atlanta Falcons (W 30-27, OT)
Monday, Nov. 24 at San Francisco 49ers (L 9-20)
Sunday, Nov. 30 Los Angeles Rams (W 31-28)
Sunday, Dec. 7 BYE WEEK
Sunday, Dec. 14 at New Orleans Saints (L 17-20)
Sunday, Dec. 21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W 23-20)
Sunday, Dec. 28 Seattle Seahawks (L 10-27)
Saturday, Jan. 3 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L 14-16)
-Playoffs
Saturday, Jan. 10 Los Angeles Rams (L 31-34)

Pro basketball

The Charlotte Hornets full 2025-26 regular season schedule:

OCTOBER
Wednesday 22 BROOKLYN (W 136-117)
Saturday 25 at Philadelphia (L 121-125)
Sunday 26 at Washington (W 139-113)
Tuesday 28 at Miami (L 117-144)
Thursday 30 ORLANDO (L 107-123)
NOVEMBER
Saturday 1 MINNESOTA (L 105-122)
Sunday 2 UTAH (W 126-103)
Tuesday 4 at New Orleans (L 112-116)
Friday 7 at Miami* (L 108-126)
Monday 10 L.A. LAKERS (L 111-121)
Wed. 12 MILWAUKEE (W 111-100)
Friday 14 at Milwaukee* (L 134-147, OT)
Saturday 15 OKLAHOMA CITY (L 96-109)
Monday 17 at Toronto (L 108-110)
Wednesday 19 at Indiana (L 118-127)
Saturday 22 LA CLIPPERS (L 116-131)
Sunday 23 at Atlanta (L 110-113)
Wednesday 26 NEW YORK* (L 101-129)
Friday 28 CHICAGO* (W 123-116)
Saturday 29 TORONTO (W 118-111, OT)
DECEMBER
Monday 1 at Brooklyn (L 103-116)
Wednesday 3 at New York (L 104-119)
Friday 5 at Toronto (W 111-86 )
Sunday 7 DENVER (L 106-115)
Friday 12 CHICAGO (L 126-129)
Sunday 14 at Cleveland (W 119-111)
Thursday 18 ATLANTA (W 133-126)
Saturday 20 at Detroit (L 86-112)
Monday 22 at Cleveland (L 132-139)
Tuesday 23 WASHINGTON (W 126-109)
Friday 26 at Orlando (W 120-105)
Monday 29 MILWAUKEE (L 113-123)
Wednesday 31 GOLDEN STATE (L 125-132)
JANUARY
Friday 2 at Milwaukee (L 121-122)
Saturday 3 at Chicago (W 112-99 )
Monday 5 at Oklahoma City (W 124-97 )
Wednesday 7 TORONTO (L 96-97 )
Thursday 8 INDIANA (L 109-112)
Saturday 10 at Utah (W 150-95 )
Monday 12 at LA Clippers (L 109-117)
Thursday 15 at L.A. Lakers (W 135-117)
Saturday 17 at Golden State (L 116-136)
Sunday 18 at Denver (W 110-87 )
Wednesday 21 CLEVELAND 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 22 at Orlando 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 24 WASHINGTON 6:00 p.m.
Monday 26 PHILADELPHIA 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 28 at Memphis 8:00 p.m.
Thursday 29 at Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Saturday 31 SAN ANTONIO 3:00 p.m.
FEBRUARY
Monday 2 NEW ORLEANS 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 5 at Houston 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 7 at Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
Monday 9 DETROIT 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 11 ATLANTA 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 19 HOUSTON 7:00 p.m.
Friday 20 CLEVELAND 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 22 at Washington 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 24 at Chicago 8:00 p.m.
Thursday 26 at Indiana 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 28 PORTLAND 1:00 p.m.
MARCH
Tuesday 3 DALLAS 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 4 at Boston 7:30 p.m.
Friday 6 MIAMI 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 8 at Phoenix 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10 at Portland 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday 11 at Sacramento 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 14 at San Antonio 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday 17 MIAMI 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 19 ORLANDO 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 21 MEMPHIS 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 24 SACRAMENTO 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 26 NEW YORK 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 28 PHILADELPHIA 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 30 BOSTON 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 31 at Brooklyn 7:30 p.m.
APRIL
Thursday 2 PHOENIX 7:00 p.m.
Friday 3 INDIANA 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 5 at Minnesota 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 7 at Boston 7:30 p.m.
Friday 10 DETROIT 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 12 at New York 6:00 p.m.

Home games in CAPS
All times listed are Eastern
* Denotes Emirates NBA Cup Group Play game
Schedule to be announced following Emirates NBA Cup Group Play: Dec. 9, 10, 13, 16- Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Rounds, Dec. 11, 12, 14, 15- Additional regular-season games for eliminated teams

The Charlotte Hornets 2025 preseason schedule:

Sunday, Oct. 5 Oklahoma City (at N. Charleston Col.) L 114-135
Thursday, Oct. 9 at Oklahoma City L 116-122
Saturday, Oct. 11 at Dallas W 120-116
Wednesday, Oct. 15 Memphis (at First Horizon Col., Gboro) W 145-116
Friday, Oct. 17 at New York L 108-113

College football

Here’s the full 2025-26 college postseason schedule:

(Non-CFP bowl games)
Date Time Bowl, Location, TV
Dec. 13 Cricket Celebration Bowl- S.C. State vs. Prairie View A&M, Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta GA – S.C. State 40-38 (OT)
Dec. 13 Bucked Up LA Bowl- Boise State vs. Washington, SoFi Stadium Inglewood CA – Washington 38-10
Dec. 16 (Tuesday) 9 p.m. IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl- Troy vs. Jacksonville State, Cramton Bowl Montgomery AL – Jacksonville State 17-13
Dec. 17 (Wednesday) 5 p.m. StaffDNA Cure Bowl- Old Dominion vs. South Florida, Camping World Stadium Orlando FL – Old Dominion 24-10
Dec. 17 (Wednesday) 8:30 p.m. 68 Ventures Bowl- Louisiana vs. Delaware, Hancock White Stadium Mobile AL – Delaware 20-13
Dec. 18 (Thursday) 9 p.m. Xbox Bowl- Missouri State vs. Arkansas State, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco TX – Arkansas State 34-28
Dec. 19 (Friday) 11 a.m. Myrtle Beach Bowl- Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan, Brooks Stadium Conway SC – Western Michigan 41-6
Dec. 19 (Friday) 2:30 p.m. Gasparilla Bowl- Memphis vs. N.C. State, Raymond James Stadium Tampa FL – N.C. State 31-7
Dec. 22 (Monday) 2 p.m. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl- Washington State vs. Utah State, Albertsons Stadium Boise ID – Washington State 34-21
Dec. 23 (Tuesday) 2 p.m. Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl- Toledo vs. Louisville, Flagler Credit Union Stadium Boca Raton FL – Louisville 27-22
Dec. 23 (Tuesday) 5:30 p.m. New Orleans Bowl- Western Kentucky vs. Southern Mississippi, Caesars Superdome New Orleans LA – Western Kentucky 27-16
Dec. 23 (Tuesday) 9 p.m. Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl- UNLV vs. Ohio U., Ford Center at The Star, Frisco TX – Ohio U. 17-10
Dec. 24 (Wednesday) 8 p.m. Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl- California vs. Hawaii, Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex Honolulu, HI – Hawaii 35-31
Dec. 26 (Friday) 1 p.m. Game Above Sports Bowl- Central Michigan vs. Northwestern, Ford Field, Detroit MI – Northwestern 34-7
Dec. 26 (Friday) 4:30 p.m. Rate Bowl- New Mexico vs. Minnesota, Chase Field, Phoenix AZ – Minnesota 20-17
Dec. 26 (Friday) 8 p.m. SERVPRO First Responder Bowl- Florida International vs. UTSA, Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas TX – UTSA 57-20
Dec. 27 (Saturday) 11 a.m. Go Bowling Military Bowl- Pittsburgh vs. East Carolina, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis MD – East Carolina 23-17
Dec. 27 (Saturday) 12 p.m. Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl- Penn State vs. Clemson, Yankee Stadium, Bronx NY – Penn State 22-10
Dec. 27 (Saturday) 2:15 p.m. Wasabi Fenway Bowl- Connecticut vs. Army, Fenway Park Boston MA – Army 41-16
Dec. 27 (Saturday) 3:30 p.m. Pop-Tarts Bowl- Georgia Tech vs. BYU, Camping World Stadium Orlando FL – BYU 25-21
Dec. 27 (Saturday) 4:30 p.m. Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl- Miami, O. vs. Fresno State, Arizona Stadium Tucson AZ – Fresno State 18-3
Dec. 27 (Saturday) 5:45 p.m. Isleta New Mexico Bowl- North Texas vs. San Diego State, Branch Field at University Stadium Albuquerque NM – North Texas 49-47
Dec. 27 (Saturday) 7:30 p.m. TaxSlayer Gator Bowl- Virginia vs. Missouri, EverBank Stadium Jacksonville FL – Virginia 13-7
Dec. 27 (Saturday) 9:15 p.m. Kinder’s Texas Bowl- LSU vs. Houston, NRG Stadium Houston TX – Houston 38-35
Dec. 29 (Monday) 2 p.m. JLBA Birmingham Bowl- Appalachian State vs. Georgia Southern, Protective Stadium Birmingham AL – Georgia Southern 29-10
Dec. 30 (Tuesday) 2 p.m. Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl- Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech, Independence Stadium Shreveport LA – Louisiana Tech 23-14
Dec. 30 (Tuesday) 5:30 p.m. Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl- Tennessee vs. Illinois, Nissan Stadium Nashville TN – Illinois 30-28
Dec. 30 (Tuesday) 9 p.m. Valero Alamo Bowl- Southern California vs. TCU, Alamodome San Antonio TX – TCU 30-27
Dec. 31 (Wednesday) 12 p.m. ReliaQuest Bowl- Iowa vs. Vanderbilt, Raymond James Stadium Tampa FL – Iowa 34-27
Dec. 31 (Wednesday) 2 p.m. Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl- Arizona State vs. Duke, Sun Bowl Stadium El Paso TX – Duke 42-39
Dec. 31 (Wednesday) 3 p.m. Cheez-It Citrus Bowl- Michigan vs. Texas, Camping World Stadium Orlando FL – Texas 41-27
Dec. 31 (Wednesday) 3:30 p.m. SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl- Nebraska vs. Utah, Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas NV – Utah 44-22
Jan. 2 (Friday) 1 p.m. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl- Rice vs. Texas State, Amon Carter Stadium Fort Worth TX – Texas State 41-10
Jan. 2 (Friday) 3:30 p.m. AutoZone Liberty Bowl- Navy vs. Cincinnati, Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Memphis TN – Navy 35-13
Jan. 2 (Friday) 8 p.m. Duke’s Mayo Bowl- Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State, Bank of America Stadium Charlotte – Wake Forest 43-29
Jan. 2 (Friday) 8 p.m. Trust & Will Holiday Bowl- Arizona vs. SMU, Snapdragon Stadium San Diego CA – SMU 24-19

(College Football Playoff)
Date Time Bowl, Location, TV
-1st round
Dec. 19 (Friday) 8 p.m. No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma – Alabama 34-24
Dec. 20 (Saturday) 12 p.m. No. 10 Miami, Fla. at No. 7 Texas A&M – Miami, Fla. 10-3
Dec. 20 (Saturday) 3:30 p.m. No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Mississippi – Mississippi 41-10
Dec. 20 (Saturday) 7:30 p.m. No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon – Oregon 51-34

-Quarterfinals
Dec. 31 (Wednesday) 7:30 p.m. Cotton- No. 10 Miami, Fla. vs. No. 2 Ohio State, Arlington TX – Miami 24-14
Jan. 1 (Thursday) 12 p.m. Orange- No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech, Miami Gardens FL – Oregon 23-0
Jan. 1 (Thursday) 4 p.m. Rose- No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana, Pasadena CA – Indiana 38-3
Jan. 1 (Thursday) 8 p.m. Sugar- No. 6 Mississippi vs. No. 3 Georgia, New Orleans LA – Mississippi 39-34

-Semifinals
Jan. 8 (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. Fiesta- No. 10 Miami, Fla. vs. No. 6 Mississippi, Glendale AZ – Miami 31-27
Jan. 9 (Friday) 7:30 p.m. Peach- No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 1 Indiana, Atlanta GA – Indiana 56-22

-Final
Jan. 19 (Monday) 7:30 p.m. No. 10 Miami, Fla. vs. No. 1 Indiana, Miami Gardens FL – Indiana 27-21

College basketball

Here are the recent results/upcoming schedule for area teams:

(Thursday, Jan. 8)
Queens 77, Jacksonville 51
J.C. Smith 71, Elizabeth City State 52

(Saturday, Jan. 10)
Gaston College 109, Converse JV 80
Queens 89, North Florida 82
Rhode Island 70, Rhode Island 45
Cleveland CC 91, Pitt CC 73
UNC Pembroke 70, Belmont Abbey 51
Virginia State 83, J.C. Smith 61

(Sunday, Jan. 11)
Charlotte 74, Rice 73

(Monday, Jan. 12)
Cleveland CC 86, Johnston CC 70
Bluefield State 66, J.C. Smith 64

(Tuesday, Feb. 13)
Ferrum 78, Belmont Abbey 75 (OT)

(Wednesday, Jan. 14)
Davidson 84, George Washington 79
Forsyth Tech 93, Cleveland CC 81
Gaston College 122, Denmark Tech 73
Radford 89, Gardner-Webb 80
Tulsa 86, Charlotte 74
Virginia Union 75, J.C. Smith 73

(Thursday, Jan. 15)
Queens 85, Florida Gulf Coast 74

(Saturday, Jan. 17)
Queens 87, Stetson 81
Presbyterian 92, Gardner-Webb 55
Forsyth Tech 84, Cleveland CC 71
Brunswick CC 68, Gaston College 63
Chowan 90, Belmont Abbey 69
Fayetteville State 95, J.C. Smith 83

(Sunday, Jan. 18)
Charlotte 73, East Carolina 70

(Monday, Jan. 19)
Mount Olive 64, Belmont Abbey 61

(Wednesday, Jan. 21)
Fordham at Davidson, 7 p.m.
Gardner-Webb at Longwood, 7 p.m.
Guilford Tech at Cleveland CC, 7 p.m.
North Alabama at Queens, 7 p.m.
Shaw at J.C. Smith, 7:30 p.m.
Caldwell Tech at Gaston College, 8 p.m.

(Thursday, Jan. 22)
Belmont Abbey at Emmanuel, 7 p.m.

(Saturday, Jan. 24)
USC Upstate at Gardner-Webb, 2 p.m.
Cleveland CC at Fayetteville, 3 p.m.
Gaston College at Cape Fear CC, 3 p.m.
J.C. Smith at Livingstone, 4 p.m.
Queens at West Georgia, 4:30 p.m.
VCU at Davidson, 5 p.m.

(Sunday, Jan. 25)
Tulane at Charlotte, 2 p.m.

(Tuesday, Jan. 27)
Belmont Abbey at King, 7:30 p.m.

(Wednesday, Jan. 28)
Central Arkansas at Queens, 7 p.m.
Davidson at George Mason, 7 p.m.
Charlotte at Temple, 7 p.m.
J.C. Smith at Winston-Salem, 7:30 p.m.
USC Salkehatchie at Gaston College, 8 p.m.

(Thursday, Jan. 29)
Gardner-Webb at UNC-Asheville, 6:30 p.m.

(Friday, Jan. 30)
Cleveland CC at Catawba Valley CC, 7 p.m.

(Saturday, Jan. 31)
Gardner-Webb at Charleston Southern, 2 p.m.
Queens at Bellarmine, 2 p.m.
Gaston College at Wake Tech, 3 p.m.
Cleveland CC at Southwest Virginia, 4 p.m.
Erskine at Belmont Abbey, 4 p.m.
J.C. Smith at Claflin, 4 p.m.
Davidson at Richmond, 4:30 p.m.
Rice at Charlotte, 6 p.m.