5-7-26 roundup: Pro basketball, baseball, auto racing, soccer and rodeo, High school baseball, tennis, soccer and softball

By Richard Walker

Starting with featured speaker Rick Barnes discussing his long coaching career, persistence in athletics was a theme at the 2026 Gaston County Sports Hall of Fame banquet at the Gastonia Conference Center.

That persistence was perhaps best exemplified by the final statement of the final inductee.

“We do not stop playing because we grow old,” said the 93-year-old Hester Martin Haynes. “We grow old because we stop playing.”

Haynes was the best example of such athletic persistence as she first gained athletic success what is believed to be the first female baseball pitcher in N.C. high school history in 1949 and is currently active as a participant in the N.C. Senior Games.

Barnes, who is preparing for his 12th season as head basketball coach at Tennessee, and the other three inductees – Robert “Al” Montgomery, Danny Anderson and Steve Culbertson – also exhibited that trait in their careers.

Barnes, a 1973 graduate of Hickory High School and 1977 graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College, said he finds it funny that he is now the second-oldest NCAA Division I coach.

“At one time, I was the youngest coach in the country,” Barnes said. “That was 40 years ago. Now I’m the second-oldest. And I’m just glad that (the oldest NCAA Division I coach) Rick Pitino is still coaching.”

Barnes is preparing for his 40th season in NCAA Division I after coaching at George Mason, Providence, Clemson, Texas and Tennessee. He is the 19th-winningest coach in all four-year divisions with 861 victories total at those schools.

Montgomery, who died at 74 on July 21, 2008, grew up during the Jim Crow era in the South and attended old Highland High School in Gastonia before playing at North Carolina Central, serving in the military, earning a tryout in the old AFL for the then-named Boston Patriots (now England) and eventually becoming a college coach for one year and high school coach and teacher for the next 31 years.

“This honor proves that his impact reaches beyond the scoreboard,” said his Eric Montgomery, who accepted the induction in his father’s behalf. “To many, he was a great athlete. To others, he was a teammate, a coach and a mentor. And to me and my family, he was our rock and foundation.”

Anderson, who was inducted by his sons Dan and Matt, talked about how fortunate he was to have started playing basketball in Gastonia in the 1970s. Coached by future Hall of Famers like Joe Robinson, Jerry Green and Jerry Steele in junior high, high school and college, respectively, Anderson also received coaching from Jerry Maye (who family tree includes current New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye) and future administrator Dean Knight in Gastonia.

“I was so blessed is so many ways,” sand Anderson, who last season became only the second 800-game N.C. high school basketball coaching winner. “My brothers (Andy and Mitch) let me tag along and learn the game. And And my family, my wife Toni especially, have been so supportive. And now I’m blessed with two sons, two daughters-in-law – and I call them daughters -and five grandchildren.”

Culbertson, who was inducted by former teammate and longtime friend Mick McMahon, emerged as a sports standout in elementary school in the late 1950s before starring on Gastonia’s Little Orangemen Pop Warner youth football national championship team in 1960. His school’s lone four-sport lettermen in 1965 at old Gastonia Ashley High, Culbertson went to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps before spending the 50 years as a coach and game official.

“I was so lucky to have the coaches that I had,” said Culbertson, whose coaches included Gaston County Sports Hall of Famers Russ Bergmann, Everette “Shu” Carlton, Earl Groves and Larry Rhodes. “And being around athletics has helped me in so many ways.”

Haynes, who was inducted by N.C. Senior Games organizer Ellen Fenters, has won more than 100 gold medals in the N.C. Senior Game since 1985 and was supported by family and former players from her tenures at old Tryon High School and Junior High and Cherryville High School.

“It’s a most humbling and great honor for me,” said Haynes, who coached multiple sports during his teaching and coaching career in Gaston County and in the late 1950s when she was Gardner-Webb’s first women’s basketball coach. “My journey has been shaped by many coaches, athletes, friends and family.”

Notes….
When Barnes played basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne he played alongside Gaston County products Andy Anderson (Ashley 1969 graduate), Hal White (Dallas 1970), Rod Rudisill (Stanley 1970), Gary Neely (Mount Holly 1970), Mike Gibson (Ashbrook 1972), Goldie Byers (Bessemer City 1974) and Mitch Anderson (Hunter Huss 1975). Andy Anderson (Barnes’ introduction speaker), White, Neely and Gibson were in attendance at Monday’s banquet….

During Barnes’ tenure as Texas, he coached future Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, who just completed his 19th season in the NBA. “He’s hardest-working, most-talented player I’ve ever coached,” Barnes said….

Last month, one of Barnes’ Tennessee assistant coaches, Justin Gainey, was hired as head coach at N.C. State. “I had him for five years and he’s going to do a great job as his alma mater.”…

At the event emceed by Rev. Dickie Spargo, other awards also were given to John Bolin (Bennie Cunningham Fan of the Year), Scott Neisler (David Poole Service Award), T.J. Solomon (Marshall Rauch Humanitarian Service Award), Charles “Tater” Tatham (Nathan Hensley For the Love of the Game Award) and Highland Tech senior Riley Decker (Dr. Buddy Whitesides FCA Student-Athlete Award)….

Several special guests attended Monday’s ceremony, among them the 2026 N.C. 5A basketball state championship-winning Hunter Huss team, South Point’s N.C. 5A girls golf state championship-winning team, N.C. High School Athletic Association all-time women’s basketball scorer Oshauna Holland of Stuart Cramer, four-time N.C. high school wrestling individual state champion Bentley Slye of Stuart Cramer, former Second Ward, Myers Park and Purdue star running back Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick, former Huss football coach Jamar McKoy, Huss graduate and former University of North Carolina coach Sylvia Rhyne Hatchell (and two of her former Tar Heels’ stars Charlotte Smith and Ivory Latta), former Gastonia YMCA youth coach Jerry Maye and former Huss basketball coach and longtime college basketball coach Jerry Green.

 

 

 

 

 

High school baseball

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
Class 2A No. 1 Cherryville hosts No. 17 Mitchell
Class 2A No. 8 Mountain Island Charter hosts No. 9 East Wilkes
Class 2A No. 13 Highland Tech at No. 4 Corvian Community
Class 3A No. 15 West Lincoln at No. 2 East Rutherford
Class 4A No. 2 Burns hosts No. 18 Ashe County
Class 4A No. 4 Lincoln Charter hosts No. 20 Wilkes Central
Class 4A No. 6 Cramer hosts No. 22 Bandys
Class 5A No. 1 North Lincoln hosts No. 17 Parkwood
Class 5A No. 2 South Point hosts No. 15 North Buncombe
Class 5A No. 3 Crest hosts No. 19 Forestview
Class 5A No. 6 East Lincoln hosts No. 11 Franklin
Class 5A No. 9 North Gaston at No. 8 North Davidson
Class 6A No. 13 Kings Mountain at No. 4 St. Stephens

(Third round- Tuesday, May 12)

(Fourth round- Friday, May 15)

(Regional finals- Tuesday, May 19 through Saturday, May 23)

(State championships- Wednesday, May 27 through Saturday, May 30)

 

-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

(Semifinals- Tuesday, May 12)

(Finals- Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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
Class 2A No. 11 Cherryville at No. 6 Murphy
Class 2A No. 14 Mountain Island Charter at No. 3 Swain County
Class 3A No. 1 West Lincoln hosts No. 17 Wheatmore
Class 3A No. 10 Bessemer City at No. 7 Walkertown
Class 4A No. 7 East Gaston hosts No. 10 Mount Pleasant
Class 4A No. 12 Burns at No. 5 Pisgah
Class 4A No. 17 Lincoln Charter at No. 1 West Stokes
Class 5A No. 2 North Lincoln hosts No. 18 Carson
Class 5A No. 5 Crest hosts No. 12 Northwest Cabarrus
Class 5A No. 7 East Lincoln hosts No. 10 East Rowan
Class 6A No. 1 Kings Mountain hosts No. 17 Sun Valley

(Third round- Tuesday, May 12)

(Fourth round- Friday, May 15)

(Regional finals- Tuesday, May 19 through Saturday, May 23)

(State championships- Wednesday, May 27 through Saturday, May 30)

-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

(Third round- Saturday, May 9)

(Semifinals- Tuesday, May 12)

(Finals- Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16)

 

 

 

 

High school tennis

Twenty area teams qualified for the N.C. High School Athletic Association dual team tennis playoffs.

Here are the area pairings:

(First round- Monday, April 27)
Class 1A/2A West No. 2 Highland Tech- bye
Class 1A/2A West No. 3 Cherryville- bye
Class 1A/2A West No. 4 Thomas Jefferson- bye
Class 3A West No. 12 West Lincoln- bye
Class 3A West No. 15 Lincolnton hosts No. 18 Piedmont Community Charter – Piedmont Community Charter 6-3
Class 3A West No. 19 Shelby at No. 14 Union Academy – Union Academy 5-2
Class 3A West No. 18 Piedmont Community Charter at No. 15 Lincolnton – Piedmont Community Charter 6-3
Class 4A West No. 6 Cramer- bye
Class 4A West No. 10 Lincoln Charter- bye
Class 4A West No. 11 East Gaston hosts No. 22 Tuscola – Tuscola 5-4
Class 4A West No. 14 Burns hosts No. 19 Bandys – Bandys 5-4
Class 5A West No. 3 Crest- bye
Class 5A West No. 4 South Point- bye
Class 5A West No. 6 North Lincoln- bye
Class 5A West No. 9 Forestview hosts No. 24 Robinson – Forestview 6-0
Class 5A West No. 13 East Lincoln hosts No. 20 High Point Central – East Lincoln 6-1
Class 5A West No. 21 North Gaston at No. 12 Oak Grove – Oak Grove 7-0
Class 5A West No. 23 Huss at No. 10 W-S Atkins – W-S Atkins 5-0
Class 6A West No. 12 Kings Mountain hosts No. 21 Harding – Kings Mountain
Class 6A West No. 18 Ashbrook at No. 15 Piedmont – Piedmont 6-0

(Second round- Wednesday, April 29)
Class 1A/2A West No. 2 Highland Tech hosts No. 15 Clover Garden – Highland Tech 5-1
Class 1A/2A West No. 3 Cherryville hosts No. 14 Christ the King – Christ the King 6-3
Class 1A/2A West No. 4 Thomas Jefferson hosts No. 13 Cornerstone Charter – Thomas Jefferson 9-0
Class 3A West No. 12 West Lincoln at West No. 5 Patton – Patton 7-2
Class 3A West No. 18 Piedmont Community Charter at No. 2 Pine Lake Prep – Pine Lake Prep 6-0
Class 4A West No. 6 Cramer hosts No. 22 Tuscola – Cramer 6-3
Class 4A West No. 10 Lincoln Charter at No. 7 Foard – Lincoln Charter 5-2
Class 5A West No. 3 Crest hosts No. 14 Concord – Crest 5-1
Class 5A West No. 4 South Point hosts No. 13 East Lincoln – South Point 5-1
Class 5A West No. 6 North Lincoln hosts No. 11 Carson – North Lincoln 5-1
Class 5A West No. 9 Forestview at No. 8 Smoky Mountain – Smoky Mountain 7-2
Class 5A West No. 13 East Lincoln at No. 4 South Point – South Point 5-1
Class 6A West No. 12 Kings Mountain at No. 5 Western Guilford – Western Guilford 5-2

(Third round- Monday, May 4)
Class 1A/2A West No. 2 Highland Tech hosts No. 7 NCSSM Morganton
Class 1A/2A West No. 4 Thomas Jefferson hosts No. 5 Community School of Davidson
Class 4A West No. 6 Cramer at No. 3 East Burke – East Burke 7-0
Class 4A West No. 10 Lincoln Charter at No. 2 Salisbury – Salisbury 5-1
Class 5A West No. 3 Crest hosts No. 6 North Lincoln – Crest 5-1
Class 5A West No. 4 South Point hosts No. 5 North Buncombe – South Point 6-3
Class 5A West No. 6 North Lincoln at No. 3 Crest – Crest 5-1

…………………………………………(Fourth round- Wednesday, May 6)
Class 5A West No. 3 Crest hosts No. 10 W-S Atkins
Class 5A West No. 4 South Point at No. 1 Hickory

(Regional finals- Tuesday, May 12)

(State championships at Burlington Tennis Center- Friday, May 15)
Class 6A and 8A, 8:30 a.m.
Class 5A and 7A, noon

(State championships at Burlington Tennis Center- Saturday, May 16)
Class 1A/2A and 4A, 8:30 a.m.
Class 3A, noon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro soccer

The 2026 Charlotte FC schedule:

(4-5-2 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, 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

(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 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 (3 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 4: Detroit at Cleveland- Monday, May 11 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 5: Cleveland at Detroit*- Wednesday, May 13 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: Detroit at Cleveland*- Friday, May 15 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Cleveland at Detroit*- Sunday, May 17 (TBD, TBD)

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 (7 ET, Prime)
Game 4: New York at Philadelphia- Sunday, May 10 (3:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5: Philadelphia at New York*- Tuesday, May 12 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: New York at Philadelphia*- Thursday, May 14 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Philadelphia at New York*- Sunday, May 17 (TBD, TBD)

(Eastern Conference finals)
TBD

(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 (9:30 ET, Prime)
Game 3: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles- Saturday, May 9 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 4: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles- Monday, May 11 (10:30 ET, Prime)
Game 5: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City*- Wednesday, May 13 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles*- Saturday, May 16 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City*- Monday, May 18 (TBD, TBD)

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 (9:30 ET, Prime)
Game 4: San Antonio at Minnesota- Sunday, May 10 (7:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 5: Minnesota at San Antonio*- Tuesday, May 12 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: San Antonio at Minnesota*- Friday, May 15 (TBD, TBD)
Game 7: Minnesota at San Antonio*- Sunday, May 17 (TBD, TBD)

(Western Conference finals)
TBD

(NBA finals)
TBD

 

 

 

 

 

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 (6 ET, TNT)
Game 5*: Monday, May 11- at Carolina (TBD, ESPN)
Game 6*: Wednesday, May 13- at Philadelphia (TBD, TNT)
Game 7*: Saturday, May 16- at Carolina (TBD, TNT)

-No. 1 Buffalo Sabres vs. No. 3 Montreal Canadiens

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

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

Charlotte 16, Jacksonville 1: Dru Baker had two hits, including a home run, and five RBIs as the Knights rolled to victory in the third game of the six-game road series. The fourth game is 7:05 p.m. Friday.

Here is the full Charlotte Knights’ 2026 schedule:

(18-18 record 1st 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 2-1 (W 5-3, L 6-8, W 16-1)
May 12-17 Norfolk
May 19-24 at Gwinnett
May 26-31 Jacksonville
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:

(8-6 record, 8-6 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 0-2 (L 2-3, L 11-18)
May 12-17 at Long Island
May 19-20 Charleston, W.Va.
May 22-24 at Charleston, W.Va.
May 26-28 at Lexington
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
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 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.