Tuesday’s roundup: Big South 3A cross country, KM high school and middle school volleyball and preseason honors for Belmont Abbey
By Richard Walker
Cramer’s boys won behind three top five finishers, including league individual champion Nick Willer.
A junior, Nick Willer finished in 16 minutes, 16.94 seconds. Junior Zach Willer finished third in 16:40.86 with senior Jacob Wootton finishing fifth in 18:37.16 for the Storm.
Forestview junior Austin Brotemarkle (16:24.34) finished second and Forestview senior Oussama Ajala (16:49.14) finished fourth.
Cramer finished with a team score of 24. They were followed by Forestview (52), Kings Mountain (70), Ashbrook (101), Crest (133) and Hunter Huss (157). North Gaston had no team score.
Kings Mountain’s top runner was junior Parker Key (18:54.86) in eighth place. Ashbrook was led by senior Michael Gates (18:42.54) in seventh place. Crest was led by senior Rex Howard (21:10.90) in 19th place. Hunter Huss was led by freshman Ben Kimmel (19:50.75) in 10th place. And North Gaston’s top runner was sophomore Joshua Ewing (23:03.34) in 29th place.
Forestview’s girls won behind four top nine finishers, including league individual champion Emma Hughlett.
A senior, Hughlett finished the course in 22:40.73. Senior Alexandra Floder (23:32.93) finished third, sophomore Sarah Shiflett (24:47.30) finished eighth and junior Josie Braddy (25:07.11) ninth for the Jaguars.
Forestview finished with a team score of 34 to edge second-place Kings Mountain (35). Cramer finished third with 52 points and Ashbrook, Crest, Hunter Huss and North Gaston had no team score.
Cramer’s top runner was senior Summer Bahr (23:40.40) in fourth place. Ashbrook’s top runner was senior Nicole Best (29:57.15 in 20th place). Crest’s top runner was senior Claire Horne (26:51.33 in 15th place). Huss’ top runner was senior Leilani Nolasco (33:40.58 in 25th place). And North Gaston’s top runner was senior Autumn Adams (29:19.30 in 19th place).
College women’s basketball
Preseason poll: Defending regular season champion Belmont Abbey was named preseason favaorite in Conference Carolinas in voting by the league’s head coaches.
The Lady Crusaders, currently ranked No. 23 in the NCAA Division II poll, received nine of the 11 first-place votes. Barton received the other two votes and finished second, followed by Emmanuel, Mount Olive, King, North Greenville, Lees-McRae, Chowan, Converse, Erskine and Southern Wesleyan.
Lees-McRae junior Destiny Johnson, a former East Lincoln High standout, was named one of the league’s players to watch.
Charlotte adds game: The 49ers announced an addition to their 2020-21 schedule as they will travel to play Campbell for a 3 p.m. game on Friday.
The matchup replaces the cancelled Thursday home game against Dayton due to COVID concerns within the Flyers program.
College men’s basketball
Preseason poll: Emmanuel is the preseason favorite in Conference Carolinas in voting by the league’s head coaches.
Defending tournament champion Southern Wesleyan finished second. Those two teams are followed by Lees-McRae, Belmont Abbey, Barton, Mount Olive, King, North Greenville, Chowan and Erskine.
Lees-McRae senior Quay Kimble, a former Shelby High standout, was named one of the league’s players to watch.
High school boys basketball
Metrolina Christian Academy 48, Gaston Day 47: The host Spartans (4-3, 0-1) dropped their league opener and play again Friday at Westminster Catawba.
High school volleyball
Kings Mountain 3, Crest 0 (28-26, 25-10, 28-26): The Mountaineers improved to 6-0 in the Big South 3A behind Aaliyah Byers (16 kills, 15 service points, 10 serve receptions, 11 digs), Meile Songaila (15 kills, 12 service points, 19 serve receptions, 12 digs), Paige Bagwell (16 assists, 6 digs), Ashlyn Wood (18 assists, 11 digs), Emma Goff (leadership, 3 kills) and Kyann Crocker (5 service points, 13 digs, 13 serve receptions).
Kings Mountain also won the JV match 2-0 behind Austyn Dixon (offense), Jessie Ozmore (8 service points) and Addi Peeler (10 service points).
South Point 3, Chase 0 (25-11, 25-18, 25-13): Kailee McAlister (8 Aces), Emily Revels (5 Aces, 24 Assists) and Anna Dunbar (19 Kills, 6 Aces) helped the visiting Red Raiders improve to 4-1 in the Southwestern 2A.
South Point also won the JV match 2-0.
Forestview 3, Cramer 2 (24-26, 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 15-7): The Jaguars improved to 4-2 in the Big South 3A behind Emma Davis (11 kills, 5 aces), Anna Townsend (10 kills, 2 aces) and Lily Harmon (8 kills, 3 aces, 21 assists).
Forestview also won the JV match 2-0 (25-23, 25-13).
Christ the King 3, Cherryville 0 (25-20, 25-9, 25-22): The visiting Ironmen fell to 2-5 despite big efforts from Addie Eaker (8 kills) and Rileigh Kiser (10 digs, 10 assists).
Middle school volleyball
Kings Mountain 3, Crest 0: The Patriots won a road sweep behind Alexa Jones (1 ace, 16 digs, 5 kills, 2 blocks), Camden Pasour (6 aces, 2 kills, 2 digs, 16 assists), Megan Harrison (4 aces, 4 kills) and London Brown (2 kills, 2 blocks). Kings Mountain (5-0) closes it regular season at East Rutherford on Wednesday.