3-9-26 roundup: Pro basketball, auto racing, soccer and rodeo, College basketball, High school basketball, baseball, soccer and softball
By Richard Walker
Ten teams are slated to play in North Carolina Area IV American Legion baseball when the 2026 season begins in May after Sunday’s organizational meeting at Cherryville Post 100.
It’s the same 10 teams as participated last year when Asheville Post 70 became the first Area IV team to advance to the American Legion World Series in Shelby.
Asheville Post 70, Burke County Post 21, Caldwell County Post 29, Cherryville, Gaston Braves Post 144-266, Gastonia Post 23, Hickory Post 48, North Wilkesboro Post 31, Rutherford County Post 423 and Shelby Post 82 return to Area IV.
League action is slated to begin May 29 with an eight-team playoff to begin with three straight best-of-three series – July 5-9 quarterfinals, July 11-15 semifinals and July 17-22 finals – set to determine which Area IV team will join the N.C. state tournament host Gaston Braves in the July 25-29 championship held at Gastonia’s Sims Legion Park.
Additionally, former Cherryville Post 100 player and athletic officer Brent Heavner has been named Area IV commissioner.
A 1989 Cherryville High graduate who played baseball collegiately at North Greenville, Heavner spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps and later became a police officer and real estate salesman.
“It’s an exciting time for Area IV,” said Heavner, who served in 2025 as Post 100 athletic officer. “All the events are here because this area is such a well-oiled machine.”
In addition to the Gaston Braves hosting the N.C. state tournament, Cherryville hosts a super regional for teams from the Southeast and Mid-South Aug. 5-9 and Shelby continues in its role as permanent American Legion World Series Aug. 13-18.
Cherryville is hosting its fourth national legion tournament while Shelby first hosted the ALWS in 2008 and has hosted every ALWS since 2011.
In addition to his chores with Legion baseball, Heavner and his wife Kim work as real estate agents serving Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Burke, Caldwell and Caldwell counties for Belmont-based Premier South.
Junior Legion baseball also will resume for Area IV in May with as many as 20 teams according to Area IV commissioner Lance Hudson, who is giving teams until April 1 to officially register for the 2026 season.
Area IV junior legion playoffs will include the top four teams from two divisions with three rounds of best-of-three series – July 1-3 quarterfinals, July 5-7 semifinals and July 9-11 finals – before playing the N.C. state tournament at Cherryville July 18-23.
High school basketball
Here are the N.C. High School Athletic Association state championship game pairings:
-State championship games at Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem
(Wednesday, March, 11)
1A boys- Vance Charter vs. Thomas Jefferson, noon
1A girls- Wilson Prep vs. Robbinsville, 2:30 p.m.
8A boys- Wilmington Hoggard vs. West Charlotte, 5 p.m.
8A girls- Wilmington Hoggard vs. Mallard Creek, 7:30 p.m.
(Thursday, March 12)
2A boys- Warren County vs. Queen’s Grant, noon
6A girls- Fayetteville Terry Sanford vs. Northern Guilford, 2:30 p.m.
2A girls- Pamlico County vs. Cherokee, 5 p.m.
6A boys- Northern Nash vs. Kings Mountain, 7:30 p.m.
(Friday, March 13)
3A girls- Goldsboro vs. East Surry, noon
4A girls- Fairmont vs. Maiden, 2:30 p.m.
3A boys- Kinston vs. Walkertown, 5 p.m.
4A boys- Reidsville vs. Salisbury, 7:30 p.m.
(Saturday, March 14)
5A girls- Southeast Alamance vs. North Lincoln, noon
5A boys- Wilson Fike vs. Huss, 2:30 p.m.
7A girls- Southern Durham vs. North Mecklenburg, 5 p.m.
7A boys- Southern Durham vs. Mooresville, 7:30 p.m.
Here are the NCHSAA’s previous postseason results 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 – Shelby 65-34
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
5A girls- No. 18 Crest at Parkwood – Crest 58-55
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 – Ben Smith 67-54
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 – Thomas Jefferson 83-70
3A boys- No. 2 Shelby hosts North Wilkes – Shelby 60-55
3A boys- No. 6 Piedmont Community Charter hosts McMichael – Piedmont Community Charter 73-59
3A boys- No. 8 Lincolnton hosts Providence Grove – Lincolnton 65-51
3A boys- No. 14 Bessemer City at North Stanly – Bessemer City 49-48
4A boys- No. 8 Lincoln Charter hosts Burns – Lincoln Charter 70-56
4A boys- No. 9 Burns at Lincoln Charter – Lincoln Charter 70-56
4A boys- No. 15 Cramer at Lexington – Lexington 81-77
5A boys- No. 1 Huss hosts South Point – Huss 82-64
5A boys- No. 3 East Lincoln hosts Parkwood – East Lincoln 65-48
5A boys- No. 5 North Lincoln hosts Forest Hills – North Lincoln 101-85
5A boys- No. 11 Crest at Franklin – Crest 65-59
5A boys- No. 16 South Point at Huss – Huss 82-64
6A boys- No. 12 Kings Mountain at Freedom – Kings Mountain 65-58
6A boys- No. 14 Ashbrook at Mount Tabor – Mount Tabor 70-58
1A girls- No. 1 Thomas Jefferson hosts Blue Early College – Thomas Jefferson 61-29
2A girls- No. 10 Highland Tech at Murphy – Murphy 45-21
2A girls- No. 11 Mountain Island Charter at Christ the King – Christ the King 56-47
3A girls- No. 10 Lincolnton at Wheatmore – Wheatmore 59-49
3A girls- No. 12 Shelby at Hendersonville – Shelby 49-40
3A girls- No. 20 Bessemer City at Mountain Heritage – Mountain Heritage 72-43
4A girls- No. 3 Cramer hosts Lexington – Cramer 68-39
4A girls- No. 5 Lincoln Charter hosts Bandys – Bandys 53-48
4A girls- No. 6 Burns hosts Foard – Foard 56-48
5A girls- No. 4 East Lincoln hosts West Henderson – East Lincoln 63-43
5A girls- No. 7 Huss hosts North Lincoln – North Lincoln 94-64
5A girls- No. 17 South Point at Oak Grove – Oak Grove 71-31
5A girls- No. 18 Crest at West Rowan – West Rowan 76-26
5A girls- No. 23 North Lincoln at Huss – North Lincoln 94-64
(Saturday, Feb. 28- 3rd round)
1A boys- No. 8 Thomas Jefferson at Robbinsville – Thomas Jefferson 64-60
3A boys- No. 2 Shelby hosts Walkertown – Walkertown 63-54
3A boys- No. 6 Piedmont Community Charter hosts Bessemer City – Piedmont Community Charter 86-68
3A boys- No. 8 Lincolnton at East Rutherford – Lincolnton 76-64
3A boys- No. 14 Bessemer City at Piedmont Community Charter – Piedmont Community Charter 86-68
4A boys- No. 8 Lincoln Charter at East Henderson – Lincoln Charter 52-33
5A boys- No. 1 Huss hosts Oak Grove – Huss 67-59
5A boys- No. 3 East Lincoln hosts Crest – East Lincoln 50-42
5A boys- No. 5 North Lincoln at Hickory – Hickory 68-60
5A boys- No. 11 Crest at East Lincoln – East Lincoln 50-42
6A boys- No. 12 Kings Mountain at Roberson – Kings Mountain 63-61
1A girls- No. 1 Thomas Jefferson hosts Robbinsville – Robbinsville 50-41
3A girls- No. 12 Shelby at Mountain Heritage – Mountain Heritage 70-55
4A girls- No. 3 Cramer hosts Foard – Cramer 66-24
5A girls- No. 4 East Lincoln hosts Forest Hills – Forest Hills 58-43
5A girls- No. 23 North Lincoln at West Rowan – North Lincoln 79-71
(Monday, March 2- 4th round)
1A boys- No. 8 Thomas Jefferson at Chatham Charter – Thomas Jefferson 64-42
3A boys- No. 6 Piedmont Community Charter hosts Walkertown – Walkertown 71-60
3A boys- No. 8 Lincolnton at East Surry – East Surry 56-48
4A boys- No. 8 Lincoln Charter at Central Davidson – Central Davidson 57-53
5A boys- No. 1 Huss hosts Hickory – Huss 76-70
5A boys- No. 3 East Lincoln at Concord Robinson – Concord Robinson 54-53
6A boys- No. 12 Kings Mountain at Ben Smith – Kings Mountain 69-68
4A girls- No. 3 Cramer at Pisgah – Pisgah 60-56
5A girls- No. 23 North Lincoln at Northwest Cabarrus – North Lincoln 59-48
(Wednesday, March 4- West finals at Lenoir-Rhyne, Hickory)
8A boys at 1 p.m.- West Forsyth vs. West Charlotte – West Charlotte 74-70 (OT)
8A girls at 3 p.m.- Kell vs. Mallard Creek – Mallard Creek 59-44
6A girls at 6 p.m.- Northern Guilford vs. Alexander Central – Northern Guilford 62-59
6A boys at 8 p.m. – Kings Mountain vs. Charlotte Catholic – Kings Mountain 68-61
(Thursday, March 5- West finals at Lenoir-Rhyne, Hickory)
1A boys at 1 p.m.- Thomas Jefferson vs. Jackson Day – Thomas Jefferson 61-48
1A girls at 3 p.m.- Robbinsville vs. Andrews – Robbinsville 53-38
4A girls at 6 p.m.- Maiden vs. Pisgah – Maiden 69-41
4A boys at 8 p.m.- Central Davidson vs. Salisbury – Salibury 47-46
(Friday, March 6- West finals at Lenoir-Rhyne, Hickory)
3A girls at 1 p.m.- East Surry vs. North Wilkes – East Surry 53-39
3A boys at 3 p.m.- East Surry vs. Walkertown – Walkertown 57-45
7A girls at 6 p.m.- Lake Norman vs. North Mecklenburg – North Mecklenburg 73-57
7A boys at 8 p.m.- North Mecklenburg vs. Mooresville – Mooresville 55-52
(Saturday, March 7- West finals at Lenoir-Rhyne, Hickory)
2A girls at 1 p.m.- Cherokee vs. Bishop McGuinness – Cherokee 58-48
2A boys at 3 p.m.- Queen’s Grant vs. South Stokes – Queen’s Grant 62-49
5A girls at 6 p.m.- Forest Hills vs. North Lincoln – North Lincoln 79-51
5A boys at 8 p.m.- Huss vs. Concord Robinson – Huss 72-63
-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 – Concord Academy 67-54
-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 – Concord Academy 52-37
College basketball
Here are the recent results/upcoming schedule for area teams:
(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 79, Southwest Virginia 74
Belmont Abbey 83, Lees-McRae 72
Davidson 67, Duquesne 56
Gaston College 104, USC Salkehatchie 89
Charlotte 80, North Texas 79
Queens 96, Eastern Kentucky 79
CIAA tournament at Baltimore, Md.- J.C. Smith 61, Elizabeth City State 60
(Thursday, Feb. 26)
UNC-Asheville 77, Gardner-Webb 71
CIAA tournament at Baltimore, Md. – J.C. Smith 64, Virginia Union 63
(Friday, Feb. 27)
CIAA tournament at Baltimore, Md. – Fayetteville State 90, J.C. Smith 68
(Saturday, Feb. 28)
USC Upstate 71, Gardner-Webb 61
Central Arkansas 84, Queens 79
(Sunday, March 1)
Gaston College 104, Brunswick CC 89
Davidson 71, La Salle 64
Florida Atlantic 77, Charlotte 76 (OT)
(Wednesday, March 4)
Saint Joseph’s 70, Davidson 67
UAB 80, Charlotte 74
Big South tournament at Johnson City, Tenn.- Gardner-Webb 65, USC Upstate 64
(Thursday, March 5)
Gaston College 98, Caldwell Tech 83
Region 10 Division II tournament at Wake Tech- Catawba Valley CC 88, Cleveland CC 78
(Friday, March 6)
Atlantic Sun tournament at Jacksonville, Fla.- Queens 71, West Georgia 63
Big South tournament at Johnson City, Tenn.- High Point 81, Gardner-Webb 59
(Saturday, March 7)
Davidson 68, St. Bonaventure 63
Atlantic Sun tournament at Jacksonville, Fla.- Queens 90, Austin Peay 83
(Sunday, March 8)
South Florida 83, Charlotte 60
Atlantic Sun tournament at Jacksonville, Fla.- Queens 98, Central Arkansas 93 (OT)
(Thursday, March 12)
American tournament at Birmingham, Ala.- No. 5 Charlotte vs. No. 8 Memphis/No. 9 Tulane winner, 7 p.m.
Atlantic 10 tournament at Pittsburgh, Pa.- No. 6 Davidson vs. No. 11 Richmond/No. 14 Loyola Chicago winner, 7:30 p.m.
(Friday, March 13)
American tournament at Birmingham, Ala.
Atlantic 10 tournament at Pittsburgh, Pa.
Region 10 Division I tournament at Richard Bland- Gaston College vs. Caldwell Tech-Richard Bland winner, 2 p.m.
(Saturday, March 14)
American tournament at Birmingham, Ala.
Atlantic 10 tournament at Pittsburgh, Pa.
Region 10 Division I tournament at Richard Bland
(Sunday, March 15)
American tournament at Birmingham, Ala.
Atlantic 10 tournament at Pittsburgh, Pa.
-ACC tournament at Spectrum Center, Charlotte
(Tuesday, March 10)
No. 10 Stanford vs. No. 15 Pittsburgh, 2 p.m.
No. 11 SMU vs. No. 14 Syracuse, 4:30 p.m.
No. 12 Virginia Tech vs. No. 13 Wake Forest, 7 p.m.
(Wednesday, March 11)
No. 7 N.C. State vs. 10-15 winner, noon
No. 6 Louisville vs. 11-14 winner, 2:30 p.m.
No. 8 Florida State vs. No. 9 California, 7 p.m.
No. 5 Clemson vs. 12-13 winner, 9:30 p.m.
(Thursday, March 12)
No. 2 Virginia vs. 7-10-15 winner, noon
No. 3 Miami vs. 6-11-14 winner, 2:30 p.m.
No. 1 Duke vs. 8-9 winner, 7 p.m.
No. 4 North Carolina vs. 5-12-13 winner, 9:30 p.m.
(Friday, March 13)
2-7-10-15 winner vs. 3-6-11-14 winner, 7 p.m.
1-8-9 winner vs 4-5-12-13 winner, 9:30 p.m.
(Saturday, March 14)
Championship at 8:30 p.m.
Pro basketball
Phoenix 111, Charlotte 99 (Sunday): The Hornets dropped their 2nd straight game in the opener of a 4-game Western Conference road trip.
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 (W 131-99 )
Thursday 26 at Indiana (W 133-109)
Saturday 28 PORTLAND (W 109-93 )
MARCH
Tuesday 3 DALLAS (W 117-90 )
Wednesday 4 at Boston (W 116-89 )
Friday 6 MIAMI (L 120-128)
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 (L 0-3)
Saturday, March 7 Austin (W 3-1)
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 results/schedule:
(Wednesday, Feb. 25)
West Lincoln 12, Bessemer City 0 (5 innings)
Burns 11, East Gaston 0 (6 innings)
Cherryville 13, Lincolnton 1 (5 innings)
Shelby 6, Highland Tech 5
Newton-Conover 4, East Lincoln 0
North Lincoln 13, Maiden 1 (5 innings)
Palisades 8, Mountain Island Charter 3
Thomas Jefferson 4, Piedmont Community Charter 2
Kings Mountain 7, East Rutherford 4
Gaston Christian 7, Charlotte Latin 0
South Point 11, Lake Norman Charter 3
Lincoln Charter 10, Mallard Creek 1
(Friday, Feb. 27)
Burns 8, East Gaston 2
Cherryville 17, Lincolnton 0 (5 innings)
Highland Tech 8, Shelby 5
West Lincoln at Bessemer City, ppd., no date
Mountain Island Charter 17, Piedmont Community Charter 9
Gaston Christian 13, Charlotte Country Day 3 (5 innings)
Roberson 1, Crest 0
Gaston Day 10, Pinnacle Classical 0 (6 innings)
A.C. Reynolds 3, Kings Mountain 0
Lincoln Charter 8, South Point 4
(Monday, March 2)
Greensboro Caldwell Academy 10, Gaston Day 0 (5 innings)
Mountain Island Charter 20, Sugar Creek Charter 0 (3 innings)
Piedmont Community Charter 5, Queen’s Grant 3
(Tuesday, March 3)
Burns 13, Lincolnton 0 (6 innings)
Cramer 15, Bessemer City 0 (5 innings)
Cherryville 10, Highland Tech 0 (5 innings)
Shelby 9, West Lincoln 4
North Lincoln 11, East Lincoln 1
Lincoln Charter 5, Corvian Community 2
Ashbrook 18, Chambers 2 (5 innings)
Crest 6, West Henderson 1
East Gaston 4, Forestview 2
South Point 5, at North Stanly
(Wednesday, March 4)
Piedmont Community Charter 14, Jackson Day 11
East Lincoln 7, Bandys 2
Burns 7, Draughn 0
Cramer 12, Mount Pleasant 2
East Rutherford 7, North Gaston 1
Kings Mountain 13, West Lincoln 3 (6 innings)
Lincoln Charter 3, Mooresville 2
Lake Norman Charter 7, Mountain Island Charter 0
Ashbrook 8, Thomas Jefferson 7
York Prep 12, Gaston Day 2 (6 innings)
(Thursday, March 5)
Cramer 11, Bessemer City 0 (5 innings)
North Lincoln 14, West Iredell 2 (6 innings)
Crest 11, Tuscola 8
(Friday, March 6)
Cherryville 3, Highland Tech 0
Burns 12, Lincolnton 2 (5 innings)
West Lincoln 12, Shelby 1
East Lincoln 8, West Iredell 3
North Lincoln 4, Newton-Conover 1
Lincoln Charter 13, Corvian Community 2
A.C. Reynolds 5, Crest 0
Ashbrook 23, Statesville 12
Forestview 12, Bessemer City 2 (5 innings)
North Gaston 19, East Gaston 0 (5 innings)
High Point Westchester Country Day 14, Gaston Day 0 (4 innings)
Chase 12, Piedmont Community Charter 0 (5 innings)
East Rutherford 5, South Point 0
(Monday, March 9)
Mountain Island Charter 8, Thomas Jefferson 7
Hickory Grove Christian 11, Gaston Day 1
South Caldwell 15, North Gaston 3 (5 innings)
Highland Tech 10, Piedmont Community Charter 0 (5 innings)
(Tuesday, March 10)
Crest at Ashbrook
Forestview at South Point
Huss at Kings Mountain
Bessemer City at Burns
Cramer at Highland Tech
Lincolnton at East Gaston
Shelby at Cherryville
East Lincoln at Bunker Hill
Hickory at North Lincoln
Lincoln Charter at Community School of Davidson
Charlotte Stampede at Gaston Christian
Statesville Christian at Gaston Day
(Wednesday, March 11)
Piedmont Community Charter at Sugar Creek Charter
Bandys at West Lincoln
Christ the King at Mountain Island Charter
East Burke at Cherryville
Hendersonville at Shelby
Lincoln Charter at East Lincoln
North Gaston at East Gaston
(Thursday, March 12)
South Point at Burns
(Friday, March 13)
Ashbrook at Huss
Crest at Kings Mountain
North Gaston at Forestview
Burns at Bessemer City
Cherryville at Shelby
East Gaston at Lincolnton
Highland Tech at Cramer
Bunker Hill at East Lincoln
North Lincoln at Hickory
Community School of Davidson at Lincoln Charter
Mountain Island Charter at Queen’s Grant
Asheville Trailblazers at Gaston Christian
(Monday, March 16)
Shelby at Cramer
Berry Academy at Ashbrook
Mountain Island Charter at Union Academy
(Tuesday, March 17)
Huss at North Gaston
Kings Mountain at South Point
South Point at Ashbrook
Burns at West Lincoln
East Gaston at Bessemer City
Highland Tech at Lincolnton
Bandys at North Lincoln
East Lincoln at Foard
Lincoln Charter at Langtree Charter
Gaston Christian at Concord Academy
Crest at Cherryville
Jackson Day at Mountain Island Charter
Piedmont Community Charter at Carolina International
Gaston Day at Hickory Grove Christian
High school softball
(Monday, March 9)
West Lincoln 18, Bessemer City 4 (4 innings): Addy Morehead hit a 3-run HR for Bessemer City and Kaylin Pardo (3 hits, 2B, 3B, 6 RBIs), Abree Sutton (2 hits, 2B, 3 runs, 1 RBI), Melony Hoffman (2B, 2 RBIs), Kennedy McCumber (2 hits, 3B) and Danilyn Lewis (2 RBIs) led West Lincoln.
High school girls soccer
-Gaston High School Soccer Cup at Poston Park, Lowell
Here is the schedule of games:
(Wednesday, March 4)
Bessemer City vs. Forestview – Forestview 9-0
East Gaston vs. Huss – East Gaston 9-0
Ashbrook vs. Highland Tech – Highland Tech 9-0
Cramer vs. Newton-Conover – Newton-Conover 8-0
(Wednesday, March 11)
Bessemer City vs. Huss, Field 2 at 5 p.m.
Ashbrook vs. Cramer, Field 1 at 5 p.m.
Forestview vs. East Gaston, Field 2 at 7 p.m.
Highland Tech vs. Newton-Conover, Field 1 at 7 p.m.
(Saturday, March 21 with all games at Field 1)
7th place- noon
5th place- 2 p.m.
3rd place- 4 p.m.
Championship- 6 p.m.
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
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)
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