2-24-26 roundup: Pro basketball, auto racing, soccer and rodeo, College basketball and football, High school basketball, wrestling and baseball, Middle school basketball
By Richard Walker
High school baseball begins with conference play in several area conferences today.
With that in mind, we’re previewing the area teams in the Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A, Western Foothills 4A/5A, Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A and Catawba River 1A/2A/3A conferences today and will preview the Big South 5A/6A conference, which doesn’t begin league play until March 10, at a later date.
Four-time defending champion is one of three defending league champions in the Southern Piedmont Conference, which added league champion West Lincoln and postseason playoff winner Cramer from other conferences.
In preseason coaches’ voting, Cherryville – which shared the Southern Piedmont regular season title with Burns a year ago – is the 2026 favorite in close voting in which the Ironmen, Cramer and Burns received first-place votes.
Here is the coaches’ preseason poll for the Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A:
1. Cherryville
2. Cramer
3. Burns
4. West Lincoln
5. East Gaston
6. Lincolnton
7. Highland Tech
8. Shelby
9. Bessemer City
In the other leagues, defending state champion North Lincoln and East Lincoln are favorites to win the Western Foothills, Lincoln Charter is the defending champion in the Catawba Shores and Piedmont Community Charter comes from another league after winning its 2025 conference title.
Here’s a look, by conference, at teams in those four leagues:
(Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A)
Bessemer City
Coach: Rod Hayes (3rd year 12-32)
Assistant coaches: Jacob Nixon, Tommy Shumaker, Micheal Howard
Returning starters: 4
Starters lost: 3
2025 record: 7-16, 2-10
Returning players: C Cooper Hayes, Utility Justin Short, CF/P Jacob Cook
Top newcomer: IF/C Jayden Swink
All-time record: 777-716 since 1946 (1st known team was 1931)
Burns
Coach: Alex Leonhardt (9th year 143-49)
Assistant coaches: Nick Triplett, Colson Miller, Jonathan Blanton, Brad Hoyle
Returning starters: 2
Starters lost: 8
2025 record: 22-5, 11-1
Returning players: OF/IF/P Drew Dixon, C Yates Toney, SS/P Max Davis
Top newcomers: CF/P Mason Bralley, 3B/P Andrew Yarboro 3B/P, 1B/P Gage Camp, IF/P Lathan Peeler, P Brian Buttrick
All-time record: 589-623
Cherryville
Coach: Scott Heavner (21st year, 372-157)
Assistant coaches: Seth Freeman, Austin Treadway, Brian Kiser, Michael Whitesides, Jeff Williams
Returning starters: 9
Starters lost: 0
2025 record: 20-8, 11-1
Returning players: IF Talon Dalton, IF/C Davin Digh, IF/P Aaron Heavner, P Camden Williams, OF Bryson Withers, Utility/P Parker Anderson, IF/P Brock Bumgardner, OF Kenan Fowler, C Chandler Wooten, OF Jayden Adams, 1B Canon Whitesides
Top newcomers: 1B/DH Maddox Carrigan, IF/P Karter Willis
All-time record: 1,432-599-1 since 1914
Cramer
Coach: Matt Scholz (6th year, 66-44)
Assistant coaches: Kent Womack, Hank Rodkin, Dennis Brown, Eddie Womack, Casey McMillen, Chad Brown
Returning starters: 6
Starters lost: 4
2025 record: 17-8, 10-4
Returning players: P/OF Nic Stutzman, P/OF Kenan Helton, OF Chris Wurster, 3B Aiden Bradley, P/OF Kingston Womack, P/Utility Dylan Rodkin, P/1B Jack Scholz
Top newcomers: IF Devin Phillips, C Landon Lee, OF/P Caleb Smith
All-time record: 118-143
East Gaston
Coach: Clint Jordan (4th year, 44-30)
Assistant coaches: Donald Efird, Daniel Russell
Returning starters: 3
Starters lost: 6
2025 record: 14-11, 8-4
Returning players: IF/P Parker Stafford, OF/P Jackson Messer, C/IF Zane Dodd, OF/P Luke Bryant, IF/P Seth Massey, C/IF/OF
Logan Furr
Top newcomers: IF/P Kia Lucas, C/IF/OF Debron Johnson, OF Hunter Hurst, IF/OF/P Keegan Lucas, IF/P Cooper Sadler, C/IF/P Cam Stillwell
All-time record: 636-550-3
Highland Tech
Coach: Carl Beam (1st year)
Assistant coach: P.J. Rathbone
Returning starters: 8
Starters lost: 2
2025 record: 11-14, 5-7
Returning players: OF Brandon Rice, C/P Grayson Lunsford, CF/P Coleman Schafer, SS/P Cooper Hartis, 3B/P Nate Watts, 2B/P Zane Milstead, OF/P Jackson Bradley, OF/P Noah Carr, P/1B Grant Martin
Top newcomers: IF/OF/P Sawyer Armstrong, OF Bradyen Gallagher, OF Jayden Armenta, OF Nolan Bray, OF Owen Michael, IF Parker Mills, IF Brendan Toscano
All-time record: 166-331
Lincolnton
Coach: Brad Gates (6th year, 32-67)
Assistant coaches: Brent Gates, Wayne Houser, Patrick King, Garett Hedgepeth
Returning starters: 3
Starters lost: 4
2025 record: 6-17, 2-12
Returning players: IF Bradyn Bass, Utility Hunter Houser, P/1B Tyler Gates, P/OF Noah Eaker
Top newcomers: Utility Ariyon Allen, IF/P Josh Eaker, Utility/C Lane Davis
All-time record: 541-722-1 since 1963 (1st known team is 1925)
Shelby
Coach: Russ Branch (2nd year, 6-15)
Assistant coaches: Ben Hodge, Jamie Dunaway, Brian Branch, Charlie Ruff
Returning starters: 7
Starters lost: 2
2025 record: 6-15, 4-8
Returning players: SS Jaiden Carty, Utility Matthew Spaes, 1B/P Brett Morgan
Top newcomer: Utility Hunter Davidson
All-time record: 1,050-819-4 since 1922 (1st known team in 1916)
West Lincoln
Coach: John Markley (9th year, 88-88)
Assistant coaches: Parker Chapman, Adam Fortenberry, Noah Huss, Matt Lytton
Returning starters: 2
Starters lost: 7
2025 record: 16-12, 11-3
Returning players: OF/P Hayes Kiser, C/IF Ryder Dellinger, IF/P Grae Ponder, OF/P Cole Carpenter, C/IF Landon Sain
Top Newcomers: C/IF Caden Abernathy
All-time record: 578-583-6 since 1972 (1st year was 1962)
(Western Foothills 4A/5A)
East Lincoln
Coach: Chris Matile (21st year, 315-175)
Assistant coaches: Dan Duckworth, Ryan Skellie, Neil Lunceford, Garrett Young
Returning starters: 3
Starters lost: 5
2025 record: 20-7, 11-3
Returning players: 1B Brandon Washington, CF Braden Brotherton, SS Ryker Wensil, P Cooper Royster, P Josh Beam, P Tayden Dockens, OF/P Ethan Arledge-Martin, Utility Harper Henson, OF/P Reed Duckworth
Top newcomers: IF Tanner Matile, 1B Connor Pressley, C Ryan Beheler
All-time record: 759-560-1
North Lincoln
Coach: Charlie Goss (5th year, 74-34)
Assistant coaches: Jake Helms, Mike Gardiner, Mike Sullivan
Returning starters: 6
Starters lost: 3
2025 record: 29-3, 12-2
Returning players: SS Cason McGinnis, 3B Tucker Sigmon, 1B Blake Mincey, C Elliott Dellinger, CF Greyson Evans, RF Beckett Rinkus, 2B Bryson Summey
Top newcomers: OF Caleb Hancock, P Parker Williams, P Bryson Schmidt, P Brooks Jones
All-time record: 302-230-1
(Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A)
Lincoln Charter
Coach: Scott Clark (11th year, 179-55)
Assistant coaches: Brandon Capps, Will Roberts
Returning starters: 5
Starters lost: 4
2025 record: 22-5, 13-1
Returning players: SS/P Adam Rodgers, SS/P Canton Bare, OF/IF/P Danny Okoniewski, RF Reed Osborne, CF Christian Cherry
Top newcomers: none listed
All-time record: 267-108
(Catawba Shores 1A/2A/3A)
Mountain Island Charter
Coach: Josh Featherstone (4th year, 20-42)
Assistant coaches: no information provided
Returning starters: no information provided
Starters lost: no information provided
2025 record: 9-14, 4-10
Returning players: no information provided
Top newcomers: no information provided
All-time record: 74-106
Piedmont Community Charter
Coach: Brent Walls (1st year)
Assistant coaches: Chesley Walls, Jason May
Returning starters: 6
Starters lost: 3
2025 record: 11-14, 6-0
Returning players: SS/P Jack Hewlett, Utility/P Cooper Hamlin, OF/P Michael Grabowski, 3B/P D’Angelo Garcia, 1B/C Cole Burchfield, C/OF Nolan Ivie, OF/P Preston Froneberger
Top newcomers: 2B/SS Luke Bartlett, P/3B/OF Danny Ramero, OF/DH/P Thomas Reeves
All-time record: 48-129
Thomas Jefferson
Coach: Storm Mace (4th year, 8-47)
Assistant coach: Cam Miller, Andy Upton, Landyn Johnson
Returning starters: 7
Starters lost: 2
2025 record: 2-16, 1-11
Returning players: P/3B Austin Walker, C/IF Rhylan Wood, 1B Judah Leroy, 2B Lincoln Christman
Top newcomers: P/SS Mason Hunter, LF Luke Pate, P/IF Holden Austin
All-time record: 71-215-1
Middle school basketball
The 2026 Gaston County Conference standings thru Feb. 23:
-BOYS
York Chester 9-0
Belmont 9-1
Stanley 7-2
Holbrook 6-3
Grier 5-4
Chavis 4-5
Southwest 4-5
Cramerton 2-7
Mount Holly 2-7
W.C. Friday 2-7
Bessemer City 0-9
-GIRLS
Holbrook 9-0
Bessemer City 7-2
Grier 7-2
W.C. Friday 7-2
Belmont 6-4
Cramerton 5-4
Southwest 3-6
York Chester 3-6
Mount Holly 2-7
Stanley 1-8
Chavis 0-9
(Thursday, Feb. 26)
-BOYS
Semifinals: No. 4 Holbrook at No. 1 York Chester, No. 3 Stanley at No. 2 Belmont
-GIRLS
Semifinals: No. 4 Grier at No. 1 Holbrook, No. 3 W.C. Friday at No. 2 Bessemer City
(Tuesday, March 3)
Boys final
(Wednesday, March 4)
Girls final
Tri-County Conference standings:
-BOYS
(East Division)
Kings Mountain 9-1
West Lincoln 9-1
Lincolnton 5-5
East Lincoln 4-6
Burns 2-8
North Lincoln 1-9
(West Division)
Crest 10-0
East Rutherford 7-2
Shelby 5-4
Chase 3-6
R-S Central 3-8
Thomas Jefferson 0-10
(Thursday, Feb. 19)
Semifinals: East Rutherford at Kings Mountain (KM won), West Lincoln at Crest (Crest won)
(Tuesday, Feb. 24)
Championship: Kings Mountain at Crest (Crest won)
-GIRLS
(East Division)
Kings Mountain 10-0
North Lincoln 8-2
Lincolnton 5-5
East Lincoln 5-5
Burns 2-8
West Lincoln 0-10
(West Division)
R-S Central 10-0
Shelby 8-2
Crest 5-5
Thomas Jefferson 3-7
Chase 2-7
East Rutherford 1-8
(Thursday, Feb. 19)
Semifinals: Shelby at Kings Mountain (KM won), North Lincoln at R-S Central (R-S won)
(Tuesday, Feb. 24)
Championship: Kings Mountain at R-S Central (KM won)
High school basketball
Here’s is the NCHSAA postseason schedule for local teams:
(Tuesday, Feb. 24- 1st round)
1A boys- No. 8 Thomas Jefferson bye
2A boys- No. 13 Mountain Island Charter hosts East Wilkes – East Wilkes 58-56
2A boys- No. 22 Cherryville at Avery County – Avery County 90-55
3A boys- No. 2 Shelby bye
3A boys- No. 6 Piedmont Community Charter bye
3A boys- No. 8 Lincolnton bye
3A boys- No. 14 Bessemer City hosts Owen – Bessemer City 75-69
4A boys- No. 8 Lincoln Charter bye
4A boys- No. 9 Burns hosts Foard – Burns 74-49
4A boys- No. 15 Cramer hosts Ashe County – Cramer 97-83
5A boys- No. 1 Huss bye
5A boys- No. 3 East Lincoln bye
5A boys- No. 5 North Lincoln bye
5A boys- No. 11 Crest hosts North Gaston – Crest 88-67
5A boys- No. 16 South Point hosts Concord – South Point 87-77
5A boys- No. 22 North Gaston at Crest – Crest 88-67
5A boys- No. 24 Forestview at North Buncombe – North Buncombe 71-63
6A boys- No. 12 Kings Mountain hosts St. Stephens – Kings Mountain 67-44
6A boys- No. 14 Ashbrook hosts Olympic – Ashbrook 72-68
1A girls- No. 1 Thomas Jefferson bye
2A girls- No. 10 Highland Tech hosts Alleghany County – Highland Tech 49-29
2A girls- No. 11 Mountain Island Charter hosts Corvian Community – Mountain Island Charter 59-11
2A girls- No. 24 Cherryville at Community School of Davidson – Community School of Davidson 72-10
3A girls- No. 10 Lincolnton hosts Patton – Lincolnton 61-39
3A girls- No. 12 Shelby hosts Trinity
3A girls- No. 13 Piedmont Community Charter hosts Bessemer City – Bessemer City 48-43
3A girls- No. 14 West Lincoln hosts Pine Lake Prep – Pine Lake Prep 43-40
3A girls- No. 20 Bessemer City at Piedmont Community Charter – Bessemer City 48-43
4A girls- No. 3 Cramer bye
4A girls- No. 5 Lincoln Charter bye
4A girls- No. 6 Burns bye
5A girls- No. 4 East Lincoln bye
5A girls- No. 7 Huss bye
5A girls- No. 17 South Point at Carson – South Point 59-50: Jyi Watkins (24 points), Ja’Nyiah Bittle (19 points, 13 rebounds) and Rowen Trexler (10 points, 9 rebounds) led South Point.
5A girls- No. 18 Crest at Parkwood
5A girls- No. 19 North Gaston at Smoky Mountain – Smoky Mountain 66-44
5A girls- No. 23 North Lincoln at Enka – North Lincoln 73-27
6A girls- No. 20 Kings Mountain at Ben Smith
6A girls- No. 22 Ashbrook at Charlotte Catholic – Charlotte Catholic 60-19
(Thursday, Feb. 26- 2nd round)
1A boys- No. 8 Thomas Jefferson hosts Hiwassee Dam
3A boys- No. 2 Shelby hosts North Wilkes
3A boys- No. 6 Piedmont Community Charter hosts McMichael
3A boys- No. 8 Lincolnton hosts Providence Grove
3A boys- No. 14 Bessemer City at North Stanly
4A boys- No. 8 Lincoln Charter hosts Burns
4A boys- No. 9 Burns at Lincoln Charter
4A boys- No. 15 Cramer at Lexington
5A boys- No. 1 Huss hosts South Point
5A boys- No. 3 East Lincoln hosts Parkwood
5A boys- No. 5 North Lincoln hosts Forest Hills
5A boys- No. 11 Crest at Franklin
5A boys- No. 16 South Point at Huss
6A boys- No. 12 Kings Mountain at Freedom
6A boys- No. 14 Ashbrook at Mount Tabor
1A girls- No. 1 Thomas Jefferson hosts Blue Early College
2A girls- No. 10 Highland Tech at Murphy
2A girls- No. 11 Mountain Island Charter at Christ the King
3A girls- No. 10 Lincolnton at Wheatmore
3A girls- No. 20 Bessemer City at Mountain Heritage
4A girls- No. 3 Cramer hosts Lexington
4A girls- No. 5 Lincoln Charter hosts Bandys
4A girls- No. 6 Burns hosts Foard
5A girls- No. 4 East Lincoln hosts West Henderson
5A girls- No. 7 Huss hosts North Lincoln
5A girls- No. 17 South Point at Oak Grove
5A girls- No. 23 North Lincoln at Huss
(Saturday, Feb. 28- 3rd round)
(Monday, March 2- 4th round)
(Wednesday, March 4 thru Saturday, March 7- Western regionals)
at Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory
(Saturday, March, 11 thru Saturday, March 14 – State finals)
at Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem
-NCISAA boys state playoffs
(Tuesday, Feb. 17- 1st round)
2A: Carolina Friends at Gaston Day – Gaston Day 81-50
3A: Gaston Christian- bye
(Thursday, Feb. 19- 2nd round)
2A: Westminster Catawba at Gaston Day – Gaston Day 72-39
3A: Gaston Christian- bye
(Saturday, Feb. 21- Quarterfinals)
2A: Gaston Day at Fayetteville Academy – Fayetteville Academy 86-71
3A: Asheville Christian at Gaston Christian – Gaston Christian 73-51
(Tuesday, Feb. 24- Semifinals)
3A: Gaston Christian at Concord Academy
-NCISAA girls state playoffs
(Tuesday, Feb. 17- 1st round)
2A: Gaston Day- bye
3A: Gaston Christian- bye
(Thursday, Feb. 19- 2nd round)
2A: Westminster Catawba at Gaston Day – Gaston Day 47-24
3A: Gaston Christian- bye
(Saturday, Feb. 21- Quarterfinals)
2A: Gaston Day at Fayetteville Freedom Christian Academy – Freedom Christian 58-43
3A: Wilmington Cape Fear Academy at Gaston Christian – Gaston Christian 71-62
(Tuesday, Feb. 24- Semifinals)
3A: Gaston Christian at Concord Academy
Pro basketball
Charlotte 131, Chicago 99: The Hornets set a franchise record with an 8th straight road victory on a night in which recent trade acquisition Coby White made his Charlotte debut with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. White had missed 7 games due to a left calf injury after being acquired from Chicago.
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 (L 87-94 )
Thursday 22 at Orlando (W 124-97 )
Saturday 24 WASHINGTON (W 119-115)
Monday 26 PHILADELPHIA (W 130-93 )
Wednesday 28 at Memphis (W 112-97 )
Thursday 29 at Dallas (W 123-121)
Saturday 31 SAN ANTONIO (W 111-106)
FEBRUARY
Monday 2 NEW ORLEANS (W 102-95 )
Thursday 5 at Houston (W 109-99 )
Saturday 7 at Atlanta (W 126-119)
Monday 9 DETROIT (W 110-104)
Wednesday 11 ATLANTA (W 110-107)
Thursday 19 HOUSTON (L 101-105)
Friday 20 CLEVELAND (L 113-118)
Sunday 22 at Washington (W 129-112)
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 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10 at Portland 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday 11 at Sacramento 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 14 at San Antonio 3:30 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
Pro soccer
The 2026 Charlotte FC schedule:
Saturday, Feb. 21 at St. Louis (T 1-1)
Saturday, Feb. 28 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 PM
Saturday, March 7 Austin, 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 14 Miami, 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 21 New York Red Bulls, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Apr. 4 Philadelphia, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Apr. 11 Nashville, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Apr. 18 at New York, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, Apr. 22 at Orlando, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Apr. 25 at Nashville, 8:30 PM
Saturday, May 2 at New England, 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 9 Cincinnati, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, May 13 New York, 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 16 Toronto, 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 23 New England, 7:30 PM
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
High school baseball
The area’s schedule:
(Wednesday, Feb. 25)
Bessemer City at West Lincoln
Burns at East Gaston
Cherryville at Lincolnton
Highland Tech at Shelby
Newton-Conover at East Lincoln
North Lincoln at Maiden
Cone Leadership at Mountain Island Charter
Thomas Jefferson at Piedmont Community Charter
East Rutherford at Kings Mountain
Gaston Christian at Charlotte Latin
Lake Norman Charter at South Point
Lincoln Charter at Mallard Creek
(Friday, Feb. 27)
East Gaston at Burns
Lincolnton at Cherryville
Shelby at Highland Tech
West Lincoln at Bessemer City
Bandys at East Lincoln
North Lincoln at West Iredell
Piedmont Community Charter at Mountain Island Charter
Charlotte Country Day at Gaston Christian
Crest at Roberson
Gaston Day at Pinnacle Classical
Kings Mountain at A.C. Reynolds
Lincoln Charter at South Point
North Gaston at South Caldwell
(Monday, March 2)
Greensboro Caldwell Academy at Gaston Day
Mountain Island Charter at Sugar Creek Charter
Queen’s Grant at Piedmont Community Charter
(Tuesday, March 3)
Burns at Lincolnton
Cramer at Bessemer City
Highland Tech at Cherryville
West Lincoln at Shelby
East Lincoln at North Lincoln
Corvian Community at Lincoln Charter
Chambers at Ashbrook
Crest at West Henderson
East Rutherford at North Gaston
Forestview at East Gaston
South Point at North Stanly
(Wednesday, March 4)
Piedmont Community Charter at Jackson Day
Burns at Draughn, DH
Cramer at Mount Pleasant
Kings Mountain at West Lincoln
Mooresville at Lincoln Charter
Mountain Island Charter at Lake Norman Charter
Gaston Day at York Prep
(Thursday, March 5)
Bessemer City at Cramer
Tuscola at Crest
West Charlotte at Huss
(Friday, March 6)
Cherryville at Highland Tech
Lincolnton at Burns
Shelby at West Lincoln
West Iredell at East Lincoln
North Lincoln at Newton-Conover
Lincoln Charter at Corvian Community
Carolina International at Mountain Island Charter
A.C. Reynolds at Crest
Ashbrook at Statesville
Bessemer City at Forestview
East Gaston at North Gaston
High Point Westchester Country Day at Gaston Day
Piedmont Community Charter at Chase
South Point at East Rutherford
College basketball
Here are the recent results/upcoming schedule for area teams:
(Monday, Feb. 16)
Belmont Abbey 78, Erskine 42
Gaston College 104, USC Salkehatchie 91
(Tuesday, Feb. 17)
Charleston Southern 75, Gardner-Webb 66
(Wednesday, Feb. 18)
Davidson-Davie CC 71, Cleveland CC 56
Emmanuel 86, Belmont Abbey 76
Queens 85, North Alabama 78
Davidson 65, Richmond 63
J.C. Smith 71, Winston-Salem State 63
Tulsa 79, Charlotte 74
(Thursday, Feb. 19)
Radford 82, Gardner-Webb 70
Gaston College 81, Wake Tech 76
(Saturday, Feb. 21)
Charlotte 68, East Carolina 56
Gaston College 118, Cape Fear CC 94
Fordham 63, Davidson 59
Claflin 65, J.C. Smith 52
Cleveland CC 86, Louisburg 80
Queens 91, West Georgia 84
Southern Wesleyan 79, Belmont Abbey 69
(Sunday, Feb. 22)
Bryant & Stratton, Va. 91, Cleveland CC 74
(Wednesday, Feb. 25)
Cleveland CC at Southwest Virginia, 7 p.m.
Belmont Abbey at Lees-McRae, 7 p.m.
Davidson at Duquesne, 7 p.m.
Gaston College at USC Salkehatchie, 7 p.m.
North Texas at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Queens at Eastern Kentucky, 7 p.m.
CIAA tournament at Baltimore, Md.- J.C. Smith vs. Elizabeth City State, 10 a.m.
(Thursday, Feb. 26)
UNC-Asheville at Gardner-Webb, 7 p.m.
CIAA tournament at Baltimore, Md.
(Friday, Feb. 27)
CIAA tournament at Baltimore, Md.
(Saturday, Feb. 28)
Gardner-Webb at USC Upstate, 2 p.m.
Queens at Central Arkansas, TBD
CIAA tournament at Baltimore, Md.
(Sunday, March 1)
Brunswick CC at Gaston College, 2 p.m.
La Salle at Davidson, noon
Charlotte at Florida Atlantic, 2 p.m.
Conference Carolinas tournament
(Wednesday, March 4)
Gaston College at Caldwell Tech, 7 p.m.
Saint Joseph’s at Davidson, 7 p.m.
UAB at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Atlantic Sun tournament at Jacksonville, Fla.
Big South tournament at Johnson City, Tenn.
Conference Carolinas tournament
(Thursday, March 5)
Big South tournament at Johnson City, Tenn.
Region 10 Division II tournament at Wake Tech
(Friday, March 6)
Atlantic Sun tournament at Jacksonville, Fla.
Big South tournament at Johnson City, Tenn.
Conference Carolinas tournament at Spartanburg, S.C.
Region 10 Division II tournament at Wake Tech
(Saturday, March 7)
Davidson at St. Bonaventure, noon
Atlantic Sun tournament at Jacksonville, Fla.
Big South tournament at Johnson City, Tenn.
Conference Carolinas tournament at Spartanburg, S.C.
Region 10 Division II tournament at Wake Tech
(Sunday, March 8)
Charlotte at South Florida, 2 p.m.
Atlantic Sun tournament at Jacksonville, Fla.
Big South tournament at Johnson City, Tenn.
Conference Carolinas tournament at Spartanburg, S.C.
(Tuesday, March 10)
ACC tournament at Charlotte
(Wednesday, March 11)
American tournament at Birmingham, Ala.
ACC tournament at Charlotte
Atlantic 10 tournament at Pittsburgh, Pa.
(Thursday, March 12)
American tournament at Birmingham, Ala.
ACC tournament at Charlotte
Atlantic 10 tournament at Pittsburgh, Pa.
Region 10 Division I tournament at TBA
(Friday, March 13)
American tournament at Birmingham, Ala.
ACC tournament at Charlotte
Atlantic 10 tournament at Pittsburgh, Pa.
Region 10 Division I tournament at TBA
(Saturday, March 14)
American tournament at Birmingham, Ala.
ACC tournament at Charlotte
Atlantic 10 tournament at Pittsburgh, Pa.
Region 10 Division I tournament at TBA
(Sunday, March 15)
American tournament at Birmingham, Ala.
Atlantic 10 tournament at Pittsburgh, Pa.
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
March 8 — Phoenix
March 15 — Las Vegas
March 22 — Darlington, South Carolina
March 29 — Martinsville, Virginia
April 5 — off weekend
April 12 — Bristol, Tennessee
April 19 — Kansas
April 26 — Talladega, Alabama
May 3 — Texas
May 10 — Watkins Glen, New York
May 17 — All-Star Race (Dover)
May 24 — Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte)
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)
Feb. 28 – PBR Bridgeport
March 7 – PBR Kubota PBR Little Rock
March 14 – PBR Florida State
March 22 – Ram Trucks PBR Indianapolis
March 29 – PBR Albuquerque
April 12 – First Premier Bank PBR Sioux Falls
April 18 – PBR Billings
April 24 – Cooper Tires PBR Tacoma
May 10 – PBR World Finals at Cowtown Coliseum
Sept. 18-20 – Greensboro First Horizon Coliseum Complex