8-26-25 roundup: Pro baseball, football, soccer and basketball, College football, High school football, boys soccer, volleyball and tennis, Middle school football, softball and golf, Auto racing
By Richard Walker
When Curtis Simpson was a senior at Kings Mountain High School, he was considered a 3-star recruit and ranked the No. 23 prospect in the state of North Carolina.
He was expected to make an immediate impact at the University of North Carolina for coach Mack Brown, who had previously recruited future Pro Football Hall of Famer (and Carolina Panthers star) Julius Peppers.
Instead, Simpson was redshirted last fall and would eventually leave the Tar Heels’ program after Brown was fired and Bill Belichick was hired.
Earlier this summer, Simpson entered the transfer portal and chose to make a homecoming by choosing the Charlotte 49ers.
On Friday, he’ll make his debut for his new team at 7 p.m. when it meets Appalachian State at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium in the Duke’s Mayo Classic.
“I’ll just say we had a whole new coaching staff change at Carolina,” Simpson said. “I really couldn’t find a place for myself at the time to get on the field so I decided to leave.
“I still want to have a great college career and have a chance to play in the pros.”
While Simpson had been recruited by Charlotte’s previous staff under former head coach Biff Poggi, the new 49ers coaching staff of Tim Albin had to learn about Simpson’s background.
And when Charlotte co-defensive coordinator Kurt Mattix was made aware of Simpson’s decision to leave North Carolina while he was recruiting current Kings Mountain players, Mattix quickly reached out to the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder.
“I asked him, ‘What are you looking for?’ He said, ‘I just want a chance to play,'” Mattix said of his first discussion with Simpson. “Apparently, the situation (at UNC) wasn’t one where he felt he would be able to compete.
“I said, ‘Well, this is where we’re at here at Charlotte: We’ve got a lot of people in your situation and we’re going to play the best guys.’
“I told him if he was able to demonstrate he was one of our best guys that he would have the opportunity to contribute. And he got here in the summer and looked like he had gotten bigger. And he’s done things in the fall camp that are really special. He has the ability to rush the passer. He has the strong hands to be effective in the run game. And he loves to work, loves the game of football and is willing to work and take the coaching in order to improve.
“He’s been a blessing. We are very fortunate to have him. He’s doing a good job competing every day.”
Simpson has enjoyed the opportunity.
Charlotte “was the first school I talked to, it was close to home and it was close to my family,” Simpson said. “They see me as someone who can help the defense become better. I’m looking forward to the chance to be able to play.”
Simpson is one of several former standouts from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties are playing college football this season. Here are the others that have been posted of the respective college websites:
Austin Peay: Carson Smith (South Point 2021) is a junior kicker/punter and Jaycob Neely (Forestview 2022) a junior linebacker for the Governors.
Averett: Khalil Yarborough (Lincolnton 2024) is a sophomore wide receiver and Talik Chambers (Huss 2025) a freshman wide receiver for the Cougars.
Bluefield: Javarion Brown (Huss 2025) is a freshman quarterback, Antonio Douglas (Ashbrook 2025) a freshman linebacker/defensive lineman and Gavin Gibson (South Point 2025) a freshman defensive lineman for the Rams.
Campbell: Grayson Harvey (Mountain Island Charter 2025) is a freshman quarterback, DaVonyae Pettis (Crest 2023) a junior linebacker and Ashton Miller (Mountain Island Charter 2023) a junior defensive lineman for the Camels.
Catawba: Kujuan “Bo” Pryor (Burns 2020) is a graduate wide receiver for the Indians.
Charleston Southern: Eli Simonds (Cramer 2024) and Khavijae Nixon (Lincolnton 2025) are freshman offensive lineman for the Buccaneers.
The Citadel: J’hari Mosley (Crest 2025) is a freshman defensive back for the Chargers.
Clemson: Kyle Richardson (South Point 1996) is a co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach for the Tigers.
Colgate: Aiden Carson (Crest) is a freshman running back for the Raiders.
Concord, W.Va.: Tyler Mizell (East Lincoln 2023) is a sophomore quarterback for the Mountain Lions.
Davidson: Mari Adams (Crest 2022) is a senior running back, Landen Glezen (East Lincoln 2023) a junior safety, A.J. Adams (Crest 2024) a sophomore wide receiver, Rodney Unnasch (Kings Mountain 2024) a sophomore linebacker and Ryan Bassani (North Lincoln 2025) a freshman linebacker for the Wildcats.
Defiance: Cooper Sloan (Cherryville 2022) is a senior running back for the Yellow Jackets.
Duke: Chris Foster (Gardner-Webb 2004) a running backs coach for the Blue Devils.
East Carolina: Dameon Wilson (Kings Mountain 2021) a senior linebacker, Jurnee Lattimore (North Gaston 2024) a sophomore defensive back and Lance Ware (Shelby 1992) a director of player personnel and recruiting for the Pirates.
East Tennessee State: Izay Bridges (Shelby 2024) is a freshman wide receiver and Jaden Pierce (Shelby 2024) a freshman defensive lineman for the Buccaneers.
Eastern Kentucky: Gabe Stephens (Mountain Island Charter 2021) is a senior linebacker and Samuel Eskridge (Kings Mountain 2023) a junior offensive lineman for the Colonels.
Elon: Marcus Mauney (Huss 2019) is a senior defensive tackle for the Phoenix.
Emory & Henry: Chaynce Ford (South Point 2025) is a freshman linebacker for the Wasps.
Fayetteville State: Jason Melton II (Kings Mountain 2024) is a freshman linebacker and Chris Stowe (South Point 2025) a freshman defensive back for the Broncos.
Ferrum: Bryson Brown (Kings Mountain 2024) is a sophomore cornerback, Zach Daigler (West Lincoln 2022) a senior linebacker, Garrett McAuley (East Gaston 2024) a sophomore offensive lineman, Cameron Ross (Crest 2022) a senior linebacker, Iverson Snell (North Lincoln 2023) a junior linebacker and Zavion Wilson (Burns) a freshman linebacker for the Panthers.
Furman: Ja’Keith Hamilton (Shelby 2023) is a sophomore wide receiver for the Paladins.
Gardner-Webb: Caleb Borders (Crest 2021) is a graduate wide receiver, Ben Mauney (Burns 2024) a freshman quarterback, Cahari Haynes (Burns 2023) a sophomore linebacker and Blake Bradford (East Lincoln 2023) a sophomore offensive lineman for the Bulldogs.
Guilford: Jaylen Abernathy (East Lincoln 2025) is a freshman defensive lineman, Tay Leslie (Ashbrook 2024) a sophomore receiver and Nehemiah Lynch (Lincolnton 2024) a sophomore defensive back for the Quakers.
Hampden-Sydney: Aaron Chaney (South Point 2023) is a junior wide receiver and David Clark, Jr. (Kings Mountain 2008) an assistant coach for the Tigers.
Hampton: Antonio Armstrong (Kings Mountain 2025) is a freshman linebacker running back for the Pirates.
Johnson C. Smith: Lamont Littlejohn (Kings Mountain 2024) is a sophomore quarterback and Reginald Daniel (Mountain Island Charter 2024) a sophomore wide receiver for the Golden Bulls.
Lawrence University: Micah Hinton (Highland Tech 2024) is a sophomore runningback and Zach Currier (Burns 2024) a sophomore linebacker for the Vikings.
Lenoir-Rhyne: James Ussery (Kings Mountain 2020) is a senior defensive back, Jamir Fox (Ashbrook 2024) a sophomore running back, L.J. Allen, Jr. (Burns 2023) a sophomore defensive back, Jackson Beam (East Lincoln 2025) a freshman wide receiver and Jeremiah Pagan (Ashbrook 2025) a freshman defensive lineman for the Bears.
Mercer: Xavier Jennings (Burns 2020) a graduate offensive lineman for the Bears.
Michigan State: Dontavius Nash (Huss 2021) is a senior defensive back for the Spartans.
Navy: Justin Ross (Huss 2023) is a sophomore linebacker, Will Ross (South Point 2023) a sophomore safety and former Burns player Jay Guillermo is an offensive line coach for the Midshipmen.
Newberry: Todd Knight (Gardner-Webb 1989) is head coach of the Red Wolves.
North Carolina: Javarious Green (Crest 2024) is a freshman wide receiver, Kings Mountain’s Kobe Paysour a senior wide receiver and Spencer Triplett (Shelby 2020) a senior long snapper for the Tar Heels.
North Carolina A&T: Jaylen Roseboro (East Lincoln 2024) is a freshman cornerback for the Aggies.
North Carolina Central: Kamari Houze (Kings Mountain 2024) is a freshman defensive back for the Eagles.
N.C. State: Charlie Birtwistle (South Point 2024) is a freshman kicker, Trent Mitchell (Ashbrook 2024) a freshman offensive lineman, Travali Price (North Lincoln 2021) a graduate defensive end and A.J. Richardson (Kings Mountain) a junior linebacker for the Wolfpack.
Notre Dame: Sullivan Absher (South Point 2023) is a sophomore offensive lineman for the Fighting Irish.
Presbyterian: J.T. Patton (Mountain Island Charter 2023) is a junior defensive back and L.J. Forney (East Lincoln 2025) a freshman wide receiver for the Blue Hose.
South Carolina: Nick Sharpe (Huss 2021) is a senior offensive lineman for the Gamecocks.
Tulane: Santana Hopper (Shelby 2022) is a junior defensive lineman and Jack Hollifield (Shelby 2021) a senior offensive lineman for the Green Wave.
Virginia: Dre Walker (East Lincoln 2023) is a junior cornerback for the Cavaliers.
Wake Forest: Brandon Hoyle (Shelby 2022) is a junior defensive lineman for the Deacons.
West Virginia: Ben Cutter (East Lincoln 2023) is a junior linebacker for the Mountaineers.
Western Carolina: Camury Reid (Forestview 2022) is a junior running back and Canden McGill (Shelby 2024) a freshman cornerback for the Catamounts.
William & Mary: Jackson Blee (South Point 2023) is a sophomore tight end for the Tribe.
NOTE: Other local products are playing this fall for schools that haven’t updated their 2025 rosters on the respective websites. Please email [email protected] players that should be on the list.
Pro football
After releasing 19 players on Monday, the Carolina Panthers made a series of moves to get their roster to the 53-player limit on Tuesday.
The moves included releasing veterans like wide receiver Hunter Renfrow and nose tackle Shy Tuttle.
The team waived running back Raheem Blackshear (with an injury settlement), waived-injured guard Ja’Tyre Carter and placed defensive end LaBryan Ray on injured reserve (he can return after missing a minimum of 4 weeks).
Here are Tuesday’s full list of transactions:
(WAIVED)
WR Ja’seem Reed
TE Bryce Pierre
OL Jarrett Kingston
OL Brandon Walton
OL Michael Tarquin
DE Jared Harrison-Hunter
DT Sam Roberts
LB Maz Mwansa
CB Shemar Bartholomew
CB Michael Reid
S Trevian Thomas
(WAIVED-INJURED)
G Ja’Tyre Carter
(WAIVED – INJURY SETTLEMENT)
RB Raheem Blackshear
(RELEASED – VESTED VETERAN)
WR Hunter Renfrow
DT Shy Tuttle
OLB Boogie Basham
LB Krys Barnes
LB Jon Rhattigan
(INJURED RESERVE – DESIGNATED FOR RETURN)
DE LaBryan Ray
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, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 14 at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 21 Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 28 at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 5 Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 12 Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 19 at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 26 Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 2 at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 9 New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 16 at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 24 at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 30 Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7 BYE WEEK
Sunday, Dec. 14 at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Week 17 TBA, Dec. 25-29 Seattle Seahawks, TBA
Week 18 TBA, Jan. 3-4 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, TBA
High school football
Here are the results/upcoming schedule for Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties:
(Friday, Aug. 22)
Bessemer City 14, Pine Lake Prep 10
Cherryville 68, North Stokes 8
Crest 55, Burns 14
Foard 14, Mountain Island Charter 0
Cramer 34, Forestview 12
South Point 27, Hickory 25
Roberson 12, Huss 10
Lincoln Charter 50, Highland Tech 6
Maiden 29, Lincolnton 26
North Gaston 14, East Gaston 7
Kings Mountain 30, Shelby 14
East Lincoln 60, South Iredell 35
North Lincoln 41, West Lincoln 14
Ashbrook 35, West Meck 8
(Friday, Aug. 29)
Ashbrook at Berry Academy
Cramer at North Gaston
Crest at Shelby
East Gaston at Forestview
East Lincoln at Providence
Highland Tech at Buford, S.C.
Huss at Bessemer City
Kings Mountain at Burns
Lincoln Charter at West Lincoln
Lincolnton at North Lincoln
Owen at Cherryville
Idle – Mountain Island Charter, South Point
(Friday, Sept. 5)
East Gaston at Burns
Lincolnton at Cherryville
Shelby at Highland Tech
West Lincoln at Bessemer City
Newton-Conover at East Lincoln
North Lincoln at Maiden
Ashbrook at Northwest Cabarrus
Asheville at Crest
Bandys at Kings Mountain
Concord at North Gaston
Huss at North Meck
Lincoln Charter at Union Academy
Mountain Island Charter at West Caldwell
Smoky Mountain at Forestview
South Point at Roberson
Idle – Cramer
(Friday, Sept. 12)
Bessemer City at Cramer
Cherryville at Highland Tech
Lincolnton at Burns
Shelby at West Lincoln
East Lincln at Bandys
North Lincoln at West Iredell
Anson County at Huss
Forestview at Lake Norman Charter
Kings Mountain at Charlotte Catholic
Lincoln Charter at SouthLake Christian
Marvin Ridge at Ashbrook
Mount Pleasant at South Point
Mountain Island Charter at Christ the King
Weddington at Crest
Idle – East Gaston
(Friday, Sept. 19)
Huss at North Gaston
Kings Mountain at Forestview
South Point at Ashbrook
Burns at Bessemer City
Cherryville at Shelby
East Gaston at Lincolnton
Highland Tech at Cramer
East Lincoln at North Lincoln
Christ the King at Lincoln Charter
Mountain Island Charter at North Stanly
North Gaston at South Caldwell
Idle – Crest, West Lincoln
High school boys soccer
(Monday, Aug. 25)
Lincolnton 8, Bessemer City 0: Justin Blanco-Tellez had 3 goals, Luis Salas-Torres had 2 and Joel Chavez, Josue Diaz and Isaac Rojas had 1 goal each for Lincolnton.
West Lincoln 7, Cherryville 0: Edwin Rameriz (3 goals), Anthony Musto Guardado (3 goals), Greg Soto Aguiliar (1 goal), Alex Arrendondo (2 assists), Stiven Sanchez (3 assists), Gustavo Oterro Tores (2 assists) and goalkeeper Chase Driscoll (2 saves, shutout) led West Lincoln.
Middle school football
Gaston County Conference standings thru Aug. 20:
-Division I Div. All PF-PA
Belmont 0-0 1-0 41-0
Grier 0-0 0-0 38-0
Holbrook 0-0 1-0 20-14
Southwest 0-0 1-0 38-0
Cramerton 0-0 0-1 0-24
-Division II Div. All PF-PA
Stanley 0-0 1-0 24-0
Bessemer City 0-0 0-0 0-0
Chavis 0-0 0-0 0-38
Mount Holly 0-0 0-0 0-41
W.C. Friday 0-0 0-0 0-38
York Chester 0-0 0-0 14-20
Here is the remainder of this year’s schedule:
(Wednesday, August 27)
York Chester at Cramerton, Holbrook at W.C. Friday, Stanley at Southwest, Chavis at Grier, Bessemer City at Belmont, BYE – Mount Holly
(Wednesday, September 3)
Southwest at Cramerton, Stanley at W.C. Friday, Belmont at Holbrook, Mount Holly at Bessemer City, Chavis at York Chester,
BYE – Grier
(Wednesday, September 10)
Cramerton at Belmont, Holbrook at Grier, Bessemer City at Chavis, Stanley at York Chester, Mount Holly at W.C. Friday, BYE – Southwest
(Wednesday, September 17)
Grier at Belmont, Holbrook at Southwest, Mount Holly at Chavis, Bessemer City at Stanley, W.C. Friday at York Chester, BYE – Cramerton
(Wednesday, September 24)
York Chester at Mount Holly, Southwest at Grier, Cramerton at Holbrook, Chavis at Stanley, W.C. Friday at Bessemer City,
BYE – Belmont
(Wednesday, October 1)
Stanley at Mount Holly, Belmont at Southwest, Grier at Cramerton, York Chester at Bessemer City, W.C. Friday at Chavis,
BYE – Holbrook
(Wednesday, October 8)
County Championship at TBD (Division I is host team)
Middle school softball
Gaston County Conference standings thru Aug. 26:
Bessemer City 2-0
Cramerton 2-0
Chavis 1-0
Belmont 1-1
Mount Holly 1-1
Southwest 0-1
Stanley 0-1
W.C. Friday 0-1
Holbrook 0-2
(Monday, August 25)
Mount Holly 13, Belmont 5
Bessemer City 18, Holbrook 3 (4 innings)
Cramerton 41, W.C. Friday 31 (6 innings)
BYEs – Chavis, Stanley, Southwest
(Tuesday, August 26)
Bessemer City 21, Southwest 6: Winning pitcher Lilly Stiffler (8 strikeouts as pitcher, 3 hits as batter), Bella McIntosh (2 hits), Alexis Ward (2 hits) and Rhiley Hamrick (2 hits) led Bessemer City.
Here is the remainder of this year’s schedule:
(Thursday, August 28)
Stanley at Mount Holly, Bessemer City at W.C. Friday, Chavis at Cramerton, BYEs – Belmont, Holbrook, Southwest
(Tuesday, September 2)
Holbrook at Southwest, Cramerton at Belmont, Chavis at Bessemer City, BYEs – Stanley, W.C. Friday, Mount Holly
(Thursday, September 4)
Southwest at W.C. Friday, Stanley at Cramerton, Belmont at Bessemer City, BYEs – Mount Holly, Chavis, Holbrook
(Monday, September 8)
Holbrook at W.C. Friday, Cramerton at Mount Holly, Southwest at Chavis, Bessemer City at Stanley, BYE – Belmont
(Thursday, September 11)
Holbrook at Chavis, Mount Holly at Bessemer City, Southwest at Belmont, BYEs – Cramerton, W.C. Friday, Stanley
(Monday, September 15)
Chavis at W.C. Friday, Belmont at Holbrook, Stanley at Southwest, BYEs – Bessemer City, Cramerton, Mount Holly
(Thursday, September 18)
Cramerton at Bessemer City, W.C. Friday at Belmont, Holbrook at Stanley, Mount Holly at Southwest, BYE – Chavis
(Monday, September 22)
Belmont at Chavis, Stanley at W.C. Friday, Southwest at Grier, Mount Holly at Holbrook, BYE – Bessemer City, Cramerton
(Thursday, September 25)
Chavis at Stanley, Cramerton at Southwest, W.C. Friday at Mount Holly, Grier at Holbrook, BYE – Belmont, Bessemer City
(Monday, September 29)
Semifinals: No. 4 at No. 1, No. 3 at No. 2
(Thursday, October 2)
Finals: Semifinals winner at highest remaining seed
Middle school golf
Gaston County Conference schedule:
(Tuesday, September 2)
At Cherryville CC- Chavis (host), Belmont, Cramerton and Stanley (host), Mount Holly, Southwest, Grier
At Pine Island- W.C. Friday (host), Bessemer City, Holbrook, York Chester
(Monday, September 8)
At Cherryville CC- Stanley (host), Bessemer City, Holbrook, Grier and Belmont (host), Southwest, W.C. Friday, York Chester
At Pine Island- Mount Holly (hos), Chavis, Cramerton
(Monday, September 15)
At Cherryville CC- Holbrook (host), Belmont, Mount Holly, York Chester and Bessemer City (host), W.C. Friday, Chavis, Grier
At Pine Island- Cramerton (host), Stanley, Southwest
(Monday, September 22)
At Cherryville CC- Chavis (host), W.C. Friday, Southwest, York Chester and Cramerton (host), Holbrook, Stanley
At Pine Island- Belmont (host), Bessemer City, Mount Holly, Grier
(Tuesday, September 30)
County championship at Cherryville CC
College football
Here are the Carolinas’ NCAA Division I football results/schedule:
(Saturday, Aug. 23)
N.C. Central 31, Southern U. 14
(Thursday, Aug. 28)
East Carolina at N.C. State, 7 p.m.
Elon at Duke, 7:30 p.m.
(Friday, Aug. 29)
Campbell at Rhode Island, 6 p.m.
Appalachian State vs. Charlotte at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, 7 p.m.
(Saturday, Aug. 30)
North Dakota State at The Citadel, noon
Georgetown at Davidson, 1 p.m.
William & Mary at Furman, 2 p.m.
Coastal Carolina at Virginia, 6 p.m.
Gardner-Webb at Western Carolina, 6 p.m.
New Hampshire at N.C. Central, 6 p.m.
Presbyterian at Mercer, 6 p.m.
Wofford at S.C. State, 6 p.m.
Charleston Southern at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m.
LSU at Clemson, 7:30 p.m.
(Sunday, Aug. 31)
Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 3 p.m.
(Monday, Sept. 1)
TCU at North Carolina, 8 p.m.
(Saturady, Sept. 6)
Illinois at Duke, noon
Virginia at N.C. State, noon
Presbyterian at Furman, 2 p.m.
Western Carolina at Wake Forest, 2 p.m.
The Citadel at Samford, 3:30 p.m.
Gardner-Webb at Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m.
Lindenwood at Appalachian State, 3:30 p.m.
Troy at Clemson, 3:30 p.m.
Campbell at East Carolina, 6 p.m.
Davidson at Elon, 6 p.m.
N.C. Central at Old Dominion, 6 p.m.
Richmond at Wofford, 6 p.m.
North Carolina at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
North Carolina A&T at Central Florida, 7 p.m.
S.C. State at South Carolina, 7 p.m.
Charleston Southern at Coastal Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Pro basketball
The Charlotte Hornets full regular season schedule:
OCTOBER
Wednesday 22 BROOKLYN, 7 p.m.
Saturday 25 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 26 at Washington 6 p.m.
Tuesday 28 at Miami 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 30 ORLANDO 7 p.m.
NOVEMBER
Saturday 1 MINNESOTA 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 2 UTAH 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 4 at New Orleans 8:00 p.m.
Friday 7 at Miami* 8:00 p.m.
Monday 10 L.A. LAKERS 7:00 p.m.
Wed. 12 MILWAUKEE 7:00 p.m.
Friday 14 at Milwaukee* 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 15 OKLAHOMA CITY 7:00 p.m.
Monday 17 at Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 19 at Indiana 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 22 LA CLIPPERS 1:00 p.m.
Sunday 23 at Atlanta 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday 26 NEW YORK* 7:00 p.m.
Friday 28 CHICAGO* 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 29 TORONTO 6:00 p.m.
DECEMBER
Monday 1 at Brooklyn 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 3 at New York 7:30 p.m.
Friday 5 at Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 7 DENVER 6:00 p.m.
9-16 Two games TBD**
Thursday 18 ATLANTA 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 20 at Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Monday 22 at Cleveland 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 23 WASHINGTON 7:00 p.m.
Friday 26 at Orlando 7:00 p.m.
Monday 29 MILWAUKEE 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 31 GOLDEN STATE 1:00 p.m.
JANUARY
Friday 2 at Milwaukee 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 3 at Chicago 8:00 p.m.
Monday 5 at Oklahoma City 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday 7 TORONTO 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 8 INDIANA 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 10 at Utah 9:30 p.m.
Monday 12 at LA Clippers 10:30 p.m.
Thursday 15 at L.A. Lakers 10:30 p.m.
Saturday 17 at Golden State 8:30 p.m.
Sunday 18 at Denver 8:00 p.m.
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 North Charleston Coliseum), 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 9 at Oklahoma City, TBD
Saturday, Oct. 11 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 15 Memphis (at First Horizon Coliseum, Greensboro), 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17 at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Pro soccer
The Charlotte FC MLS team’s 2025 schedule:
(15-11-2 record)
Saturday, Feb. 22 at Seattle (T 2-2)
Saturday, March 1 Atlanta (W 2-0)
Sunday, March 9 at Miami (L 0-1)
Saturday, March 15 Cincinnati (W 2-0)
Saturday, March 22 San Jose (W 4-1)
Saturday, March 29 at Colorado (L 0-2)
Saturday, April 5 Nashville (W 2-1)
Saturday, April 12 at Montreal (W 1-0)
Saturday, April 19 San Diego (W 3-0)
Saturday, April 26 New England (L 0-1)
Saturday, May 3 at Columbus (L 2-4)
Saturday, May 10 at Nashville (L 1-2)
Wednesday, May 14 at Orlando (L 1-3)
Saturday, May 17 Chicago (L 1-4)
Saturday, May 24 Columbus (W 3-2)
Wednesday, May 28 at NY Red Bulls (L 2-4)
Saturday, May 31 at Toronto (W 2-0)
Saturday, June 14 at Philadelphia (L 1-2)
Wednesday, June 25 at Kansas City (L 1-2)
Saturday, June 28 at Chicago (L 2-3)
Saturday, July 5 Orlando (T 2-2)
Saturday, July 12 New York (W 2-0)
Wednesday, July 16 DC (W 2-1)
Saturday, July 19 at Atlanta (W 3-2)
Saturday, July 26 Toronto (W 2-0)
Sunday, Aug. 10 at Cincinnati (W 1-0)
Saturday, Aug. 16 Real Salt Lake (W 1-0)
Sunday, Aug. 24 NY Red Bulls (W 1-0)
Saturday, Aug. 30 at New England 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 13 Miami 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 at New York 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27 Montreal 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 4 at DC 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 18 Philadelphia 6 p.m.
(U.S. Open Cup 2025)
Tuesday, May 6 North Carolina FC (W 4-1)
Wednesday, May 21 at D.C. United (L 3-3, 1-2 penalty kicks)
(Leagues Cup 2025)
Thursday, July 31 FC Juárez (L 1-4)
Sunday, Aug. 3 C.D. Guadalajara (L 2-2, 2-4 penalty kicks)
Thursday, Aug. 7 C.F. Monterrey (W 2-0)
Pro baseball
Lexington 9, Gastonia 8: A late Ghost Peppers’ rally wasn’t enough to win in the opener of a 3-game road series. The 2nd game is 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Here is the full Gastonia Ghost Peppers’ 2025 schedule:
(52-54 record, 28-35 1st half, 24-19 2nd half)
-1st half
April 25-27 York 0-3 (L 4-5, L 9-10 in 11, L 3-11)
April 28 DH-29 High Point 1-2 (L 0-3, L 4-7, W 11-3)
May 2-4 at Lancaster 2-1 (L 5-6, W 6-3, W 9-8)
May 6-8 at High Point 1-2 (W 14-8, L 3-4 in 10, L 3-6)
May 9-11 High Point 1-2 (W 10-9, L 2-4, L 4-5)
May 13-15 at Long Island 1-2 (L 3-7, L 2-4, W 5-2)
May 16-18 at Staten Island 1-2 (W 9-2, L 3-4, L 7-8 in 10)
May 20-21 Lexington 2-1 (W 6-4, L 6-7, W 8-7)
May 23-25 High Point 0-3 (L 3-9, L 2-6, L 12-13)
May 27-29 Southern Maryland 1-2 (L 6-8, L 8-12, W 8-3)
May 30-June 1 at So. Maryland 2-1 (ppd, L 3-4, W 7-4, W 12-5)
June 3-5 Lexington 1-2 (W 2-1, L 2-11, L 5-6)
June 6-8 Charleston, W.Va. 2-1 (W 15-4, W 7-6, L 8-11)
June 10-12 at So. Maryland 1-2 (L 8-10, W 10-3, L 8-9 in 10)
June 13-15 at York 1-2 (L 2-3, L 5-13, W 14-7)
June 17-19 Lexington 1-2 (L 3-8, L 3-17, W 7-3)
June 20-22 So. Maryland 2-1 (W 5-2, L 3-8, W 10-9 in 11)
June 24-26 High Point 2-1 (W 4-0, W 8-2, L 6-12)
June 27-29 at Charleston, W.Va. 3-0 (W 8-5, W 9-4, W 14-3)
July 1-3 at High Point 2-1 (W 2-0, L 5-12, W 7-4)
July 4-6 High Point 1-2 (L 3-4 in 10, W 3-2, L 6-7)
-2nd half
July 8-10 Charleston, W.Va. 1-2 (W 8-1, L 2-6, L 5-7)
July 11-13 at High Point 1-2 (W 13-7, L 5-6 in 10, L 2-3)
July 15-17 at Lexington 0-3 (L 8-11, L 11-12, L 3-8)
July 18-20 Staten Island 3-0 (W 16-4, W 16-4, W 7-6)
July 22-24 Lexington 2-1 (W 7-6, L 7-15, W 9-5)
July 25-27 at High Point 1-2 (L 3-9, L 4-6, W 6-2)
July 29-31 at Hagerstown 3-0 (W 8-5 in 11, W 9-2, W 5-3)
Aug. 1-3 at Southern Maryland 2-1 (L 6-7, W 10-6, W 6-1)
Aug. 5-10 Charleston, W.Va. 6-0 (W 6-3, W 6-2, W 11-8, W 6-4, W 4-1, W 7-6)
Aug. 12-17 at Lexington 3-3 (L 6-7, W 10-7, L 2-6, W 5-0, L 5-12, W 10-5)
Aug. 19-21 at Southern Maryland 1-2 (W 8-4 in 11, L 7-8, L 2-3 in 10)
Aug. 22-24 Lancaster 1-1 (L 4-7, W 9-2, L 5-8 in 10)
Aug. 26-28 at Lexington 0-1 (L 8-9)
Aug. 29-31 at Charleston, W.Va.
Sept. 2-4 Long Island
Sept. 5-7 Southern Maryland
Sept. 9-14 at Charleston, W.Va.
Sept. 16-18 Hagerstown
Charlotte 7, Norfolk 3: Dominic Fletcher had 3 hits, including a 3rd-inning grand slam in 6-run 3rd inning, to lead the Knights to a win in the opener of the 6-game road series. The 2nd game is 7:35 p.m. on Wednesday in Nashville.
Here is the full Charlotte Knights’ 2025 schedule:
(58-68 record, 36-39 1st half, 22-29 2nd half)
-1st half
March 28-30 Gwinnett 3-0 (W 9-1, W 12-4, W 9-6)
April 1-6 Norfolk 3-3 (W 4-3, L 1-3, L 3-6, W 7-6, L 2-3, W 9-8)
April 8-13 at Jacksonville 0-6 (L 0-3, L 1-2, L 5-8, ppd, L 3-4, L 1-3, L 3-4)
April 15-20 Nashville 1-5 (L 3-6, L 7-11 in 8, L 4-5, W 2-1, L 4-10, L 11-14)
April 22-27 at Scranton-Wilkes Barre 5-1 (W 5-4 in 11, L 0-5, W 10-3, W 4-1, W 8-7, W 13-12 in 12)
April 29-May 4 Norfolk 3-3 (W 6-1, W 9-8, W 7-4, L 3-11, L 1-11, L 3-9)
May 6-11 Memphis 4-2 (W 5-3 in 11, W 12-11 in 10, ppd., L 10-13, L 4-8, W 3-2, W 6-5)
May 13-18 at Gwinnett 3-3 (W 8-5, L 4-7, W 7-1, L 6-7, W 5-3, L 0-6)
May 20-25 Round Rock 3-3 (L 1-5, W 7-3, W 8-0, L 13-22, L 6-8, W 7-4)
May 27-June 1 at Buffalo 2-4 (L 9-10, ppd, L 2-3, L 2-5, W 5-3, L 4-5, W 8-4)
June 3-8 Lehigh Valley 4-2 (L 6-10, W 8-3, L 4-11, W 14-2, W 7-4, W 10-9)
June 10-15 at Durham 2-4 (W 7-6, L 1-5, L 1-2, L 5-6, L 1-3, W 6-3)
June 17-22 Gwinnett 3-3 (W 6-3, W 9-3, L 1-8, L 3-7, W 4-1, L 4-5)
-2nd half
June 24-29 at Toledo 4-2 (L 3-4, W 4-3 in 10, W 12-9, W 7-5, W 9-0, L 3-5)
July 3-5 Jacksonville 2-1 (L 0-5, W 4-3, W 10-5)
July 4-6 at Jacksonville 1-1 (L 0-4, W 7-2, ppd)
July 8-13 at Memphis 4-2 (ppd, W 10-4, W 9-2, L 1-8, L 1-4, W 10-9, W 4-2)
July 18-20 Durham 0-3 (L 5-7, L 4-7, L 7-10 in 10)
July 22-27 at Nashville 2-4 (L 7-10, L 13-14 in 11, W 2-0, W 3-0, L 4-5, L 2-3 in 10)
July 29-Aug. 3 Rochester 2-4 (L 1-16, L 8-13, W 7-5, W 4-3, L 8-9, L 7-12)
Aug. 5-10 at Syracuse 3-3 (L 0-11, W 6-0 in 5/rain, L 3-10, L 5-9, W 12-6, W 5-1)
Aug. 12-17 Memphis 1-5 (W 13-6, L 5-14, L 4-5, L 5-7 in 10, L 6-9, L 3-6)
Aug. 19-24 at Norfolk 2-4 (W 6-1, L 3-4, W 3-2, L 1-4, L 2-4, L 4-6)
Aug. 26-31 at Nashville 1-0 (W 7-3)
Sept. 2-7 Jacksonville
Sept. 9-14 at Omaha
Sept. 16-20 Durham
Auto racing
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule with * indicating the in-season tournament and # including the playoffs:
Date Race / Track Broadcast partner Winner
Feb. 2 Clash at Bowman Gray FOX Sports (Chase Elliott)
Feb. 16 Daytona 500 FOX Sports (William Byron)
Feb. 23 Atlanta FOX Sports (Christopher Bell)
March 2 Circuit of The Americas FOX Sports (Bell-2)
March 9 Phoenix FOX Sports (Bell-3)
March 16 Las Vegas FOX Sports (Josh Berry)
March 23 Homestead-Miami FOX Sports (Kyle Larson)
March 30 Martinsville FOX Sports (Denny Hamlin)
April 6 Darlington FOX Sports (Hamlin-2)
April 13 Bristol FOX Sports (Larson-2)
April 20 Off
April 27 Talladega FOX Sports (Austin Cindric)
May 4 Texas FOX Sports (Joey Logano)
May 11 Kansas FOX Sports (Larson-3)
May 18 North Wilkesboro (ASR) FOX Sports (Bell-4)
May 25 Charlotte Prime Video (Ross Chastain)
June 1 Nashville Prime Video (Ryan Blaney)
June 8 Michigan Prime Video (Hamlin-2)
June 15 Mexico City Prime Video (Shane van Gisbergen)
June 22 Pocono Prime Video (Chase Briscoe)
June 28 (Sat.) Atlanta * TNT Sports (Elliott-2)
July 6 Chicago * TNT Sports (van Gisbergen-2)
July 13 Sonoma * TNT Sports (van Gisbergen-3)
July 20 Dover * TNT Sports (Hamlin-3)
July 27 Indianapolis * TNT Sports (Bubba Wallace)
Aug. 3 Iowa NBC Sports (Byron-2)
Aug. 10 Watkins Glen NBC Sports (van Gisbergen-4)
Aug. 16 (Sat.) Richmond NBC Sports (Austin Dillon)
Aug. 23 (Sat.) Daytona NBC Sports (Blaney-2)
Aug. 31 Darlington # NBC Sports
Sept. 7 World Wide Tech Raceway # NBC Sports
Sept. 13 (Sat.) Bristol # NBC Sports
Sept. 21 New Hampshire # NBC Sports
Sept. 28 Kansas # NBC Sports
Oct. 5 Charlotte Roval # NBC Sports
Oct. 12 Las Vegas # NBC Sports
Oct. 19 Talladega # NBC Sports
Oct. 26 Martinsville # NBC Sports
Nov. 2 Phoenix Championship # NBC Sports