Yahoo Sports Boys’ basketball rewind: No. 4 North Mecklenburg routs league rival Mallard Creek
As the defending N.C. 4A state champion boys’ basketball team, North Mecklenburg coach Duane Lewis and his team know they get every opponent’s best shot every time they step on the court.
That’s even more obvious when the Vikings play a rival like Mallard Creek.
North Mecklenburg was more than up for the challenge on Friday as it came out of a two-week layoff with a 91-56 victory over the visitors to improve its record to 9-2 overall and 2-0 in the Queen City 3A/4A.
Even worse for Vikings opponents, Lewis thinks his team’s best days haven’t arrived yet.
“We’ve had some injuries so I feel like we’re still gelling,” said Lewis, the 26th-year head coach with three state and 10 league titles. “Our rotation isn’t set right now, which is strange for us. I really think our best basketball is ahead of us.”
In Friday’s win, the Vikings outscored Mallard Creek (6-7, 1-2) in all four quarters and had 10 players crack the scoring column highlighted by five double-figure scorers.
The three returning starters from last year’s 30-3 state championship-winner — Ashton Pierce (21 points), Exzavier Young (20) and Chadlyn Turner (13) — led the way. Carson Evans and Zion Williams added 10 points each.
Pierce had 10 first quarter points. Young had 11 in the second. North Meck led 45-25 at halftime.
Mallard junior pot Lajalin Overton led the Mavericks with 13 points.
“My biggest thing is that you’re playing for North,” Lewis said. “We have a tradition and culture here. And the guys we have are buying into our identity.”
Quickly
▪ North Mecklenburg’s last game was a 60-51 loss to Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale in the final of a three-day tournament. The Vikings’ only other loss came 71-59 to Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Baltimore, MD., in a Baltimore-D.C. high school showcase event on Dec. 7.
▪ The Vikings returned 12 of the 15 players from last year’s state title team, but have had five of their current roster players sidelined by injuries at some point this season.
▪ Both teams return to Queen City 3A/4A action on Tuesday with North Mecklenburg visiting West Mecklenburg and Mallard Creek hosting Harding.
Friday’s #BIG5 top performers
Nick Diaz, Charlotte Country Day: In a 71-58 win over Durham Academy, Diaz had 19 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Jackson Fannon, East Lincoln: In a 99-74 win over Statesville, Fannon had a game and team high 29 points, made 9 3-point shots and added seven rebounds and five assists.
Brett Freeman, Ardrey Kell: Coming off a 49-point game in a holiday tournament championship game, one of the best single-game scoring performances in Mecklenburg County history, Freeman went for 38 points in a 64-62 win over Berry. He scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to lead a comeback and give the Knights (11-1) their 10th straight win.
King Rhodes, Charlotte Catholic: Rhodes had a game-high 22 points in a 74-60 win over Rocky River Friday. Catholic (12-3, 2-1 Southwestern 4A) won its second straight game.
DJ Williams, West Charlotte: Williams had a game-high 19 points in a 72-60 win over previously unbeaten Hopewell.
West Charlotte upsets No. 8 Hopewell
West Charlotte outscored Hopewell by 20 points in a decisive fourth quarter to upset the No. 8-ranked team in The Sweet 16, 72-60.
Hopewell (11-1) lost for the first time this season after losing a 48-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter at West Charlotte.
West Charlotte was led by 19 points from DJ Williams, 16 from AC Pressley and 16 from ChaCho Womack.
Friday’s roundup
Ardrey Kell 64, Berry Academy 62: The visiting Knights rallied in the fourth quarter for this SoMeck 4A victory. Brett Freeman led Ardrey Kell with 39 points, 11 of those in the final period.
Butler 40, East Mecklenburg 37: The Bulldogs (9-5, 3-0 Southwestern 4A) won this first-place showdown, holding the Eagles’ (8-4, 2-1) high-scoring offense in check. Isaiah Keys scored 10 points for Butler, which led 17-6 after the first quarter but was outscored 11-0 in the second period.
Central Cabarrus 80, Lake Norman Charter 77: Braden Wilkie scored 31 points for Lake Norman Charter in this South Piedmont 3A game.
Chambers 93, Harding 73: Malik McCotter had a big night for Chambers in this Queen City 3A-4A contest, hitting four-of-six 3-point shots and finishing with 20 points. He added 10 assists. Tarris Bouie III connected on eight-of-10 from the floor, scoring 18 points and adding five rebounds.
Charlotte Country Day 71, Durham Academy 58: The Buccaneers (11-7) opened a two-game weekend set against Triangle teams with a victory, as Nik Diaz scored 19 points. Jeromy Lowery had 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Covenant Day 68, Bradford Prep 50: Chris Rivens scored 17 points for the victors.
East Lincoln 99, Statesville 74: The visiting Mustangs outscored Statesville 32-14 in the second quarter for a 56-28 halftime lead. East Lincoln is now 9-3 overall and 2-0 in the Western Foothills 3A.
Hickory 80, North Lincoln 78: Kellen Karr scored 17 points, leading four North Lincoln players in double figures, but the Knights came up short in a key Western Foothills 3A game.
Hough 58, West Mecklenburg 15: The Huskies rolled to a Queen City 3A-4A victory, outscoring the Hawks 25-2 in the second quarter for a 32-6 halftime lead. Judah Freeman led Hough with 13 points.
Independence 93, Garinger 26: The Patriots rolled to a Southwestern 4A triumph, as Daniel Waritay scored 16 points. Sawyer Fike and Nick Barnes each added 14, and Omarion Burgess had seven assists and three steals.
Nation Ford 62, Weddington 54: Weddington’s K.J. Younger, averaging 25 points a game, did not play Friday, and the Warriors fell on the road. Myles Vicks led Weddington with 12 points, hitting five-of-seven shots from the floor.
Northwest Cabarrus 67, West Rowan 33: The Trojans improved their South Piedmont 3A record to 5-0.
Rosedale Christian 82, Corvian Community 64: The Baltimore school halted a three-game winning streak by Corvian (3-5), jumping to a 22-8 first-quarter lead. The game was played at Wilson Prep. Corvian Community faces powerhouse Reidsville on Saturday night.
South Mecklenburg 72, Palisades 67: The Sabres scored a road SoMeck 4A victory, behind 20 points from Myles Howard and 17 from Ben Houpt. Jayen Reeves scored 21 for Palisades.
South Point 79, Cox Mill 76: Freshman O.B. Lowery Jr. poured in 33 points for the Raiders in this road victory. Junior Jashawn Woods added 21.
Friday’s boys’ box scores
ARDREY KELL 64, BERRY 62
Ardrey Kell 8 18 13 16 9 — 64
Berry 10 18 17 10 7 — 62
ARDREY KELL 64 — Brett Freeman 38, Bryce Thomas 8, Dylan Morrison 7, Braden Suggs 6, Owen Wacker 4, Matthew Craft 1
BERRY 62 — Goodman 11, Meriweather 10, Rushing 1, Taylor 4, Ellis 10, McManus-Wade 20, Davis 6
Ardrey Kell 11-1 Conf 2-0
BUTLER 40, EAST MECK 37
Butler - 17 0 14 9 — 40
East Meck 6 11 14 6 — 37
BUTLER 40 — Isaiah Keys 10, Grier 9, Milligan 7, Currance 6, Starnes 6, Badio 2
EAST MECK 37 — Nixon Wright 10, Buzzard 6, Hicks 5, Mciver 6, Johnson 8, Toro 2
Notable: Butler (9-5, 3-0 Southwestern 4A) plays at Rocky River Tuesday. East Meck drops to 8-4, 2-1.
CENTRAL CABARRUS 80, LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 77
LNC 21 14 19 23 — 77
Central Cabarrus 16 18 21 25 — 80
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 77 — Braden Wilkie 31, Collin McConneyhead 10, Major Leak 10, Jay Morgan 9, Langston Holder 8, Kaison Propst 5, Isaiah Smith 2
CHAMBERS 93, HARDING 77
Harding 15 16 17 29 — 77
Chambers 25 24 23 21 — 93
CHAMBERS 93 — Lavonte Jackson 6, Markus Kerr 16, Quentel Young 8, Malik McCotter 20, Tarris Bouie 18, Zyon White 9, Chance Gill 4, Desmond Martin 4, Cameron Thompson 6, Q Felder 2
Notable: Chamber’s Malik McCotter had 20 points, on 8 of 10 shooting, to go with three rebounds, three deflections and two steals. McCotter made 4 of 6 3-point shots. Teammates Tarris Bouie (18 points, five rebounds, four steals, two blocks), Markus Kerr (16 points, six rebounds, six assists, five deflections, three steals, two blocks), Zion White (nine points, 3 of 6 field goal shooting) and Quentel Young (eight points, 8 of 10 free throws) had strong games.
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 74, ROCKY RIVER 60
Rocky River 11 7 26 16 — 60
Charlotte Catholic 10 16 25 23 — 74
ROCKY RIVER 60 — Walton 11, Champ 4, Ross 20, Warren 2, Noble 8, Carr 13, Griffin 1
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 74 — Noch 7, Bergen 12, Seigel 10, Brady 2, Eagen 10, Rhodes 22, Jordan 4, Hejker 2
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 71, DURHAM ACADEMY 58
Country Day 21 9 24 17 — 71
Durham Academy 13 11 17 17 — 58
COUNTRY DAY 65 — Nick Diaz 19, Jerome Lowery 14, DJ Lindsey 13, Youakim 9, Clark 9, Davis 5, Schulze 2
DURHAM ACADEMY — Frasher 15, Wilcox 13, Dorsette II 10, Bullock 7, Jeffries 5, Moore 5, Frasher 2, Abdelbarr 1
Records: Charlotte Country Day 11-7, Durham Academy 9-5
Notable: Country Day seniors Nick Diaz (19 points, four rebounds, three assists), Jerome Lowery (14 points, seven rebounds, four assists) and freshman DJ Lindsey (13 points, two rebounds, two assists) had big games for the Bucs. Country Day plays Raleigh’s Ravenscroft School Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
COVENANT DAY 68, BRADFORD PREP 50
COVENANT DAY 68 — White 11, Rivens 17, Krouse 12, Haggarty 10, Montgomery 5, Thurman 2, Thompson 6, Huffman 2, Wilder 3
BRADFORD PREP 50 — Bradley 11, Caves 5, Poston 11, Hanson 18, Bart 5
CUTHBERTSON 72, BUFORD 29
Cuthbertson 15 18 16 23 — 72
Buford 7 9 5 8 — 29
CUTHBERTSON 72 — Luke Nelson 19, Jayden Gunby 11, Nali 7, Cheek 7, E. Nelson 6, Malone 5, Williams 5, Webb 4, Nkwah 4, Shah 2, Heyward 2
BUFORD 29 — Milhorn 15, Bridges 11, McManus 2, Duncan 1
Records: Cuthbertson 8-4; Buford 2-5
EAST LINCOLN 99, STATESVILLE 74
East Lincoln 24 32 25 18 — 99
Statesville 14 14 19 27 — 74
EAST LINCOLN 99 — Davis Hill 9, Landon Aungst 4, Jaxon Dollar 18, Christian Atkins 12, Grant Lawless 14, Gaige Ikard 6, Jackson Fannon 29, Brayden Miller 5
STATESVILLE 74 – Jayveon Lackey 5, T. Smith 11, Paul Cauthen 10, Sherrill 3, Mock 2, Kevin Bryant 17, Caleb Tillman 9, MJ Gladden 17
Records: East Lincoln 9-3, 2-0; Statesville 5-6, 1-1
Notable: East Lincoln exploded for 32 points in the second quarter to take a 56-28 halftime lead. Four players scored in double figures — Jackson Fannon (29 points), Jaxon Dollar (18, seven rebounds, six assists), Grant Lawless (14, 10 rebounds) and Christian Atkins (12, seven assists).
HOUGH 58, WEST MECKLENBURG 15
Hough 7 25 14 13 — 58
West Mecklenburg 4 2 4 5 — 15
HOUGH 58 — Judah Freeman 13, Brayden Sloan 10, Otto 8, Love 8, Burnett 8, Ratliff 5, Funderburk 3, Slusher 2
WEST MECKLENBURG 15 — McDonald 6, Morris 5, Derity 4
NATION FORD (SC) 62, WEDDINGTON 54
Weddington 12 15 14 13 — 54
Nation Ford 10 11 26 15 - 62
WEDDINGTON 54 — Myles Vick 12, Brandon Barbier 10, Tre Jefferson 10, Cain 5, Nnaji 6, Vaughn 4, Muteb 4, Pandoria 1
NATION FORD 62 — Ben Chultey 20, Anthony Pryor 13, Kobertson 9, Walters 6, Brookcover 6, Gove 3, Patrick 2, Valentine 2, Merriwether 1
Records: Weddington 9-4 Nation Ford 6-6
NORTH MECKLENBURG 91, MALLARD CREEK 56
Mallard Creek 13 25 21 10 — 56
North Mecklenburg 21 24 26 20 — 91
MALLARD CREEK 56 — Lasalin Overton 13, Cam Higgins 10, Washington 9, Johnson 9, Robinson 7, Dailey 3, McKissick 2, Walk 2, Meats 1,
NORTH MECKLENBURG 91 — Ashton Pierce 21, Exzavier Young 20, Chadlyn Traylor 13, Carson Evans 10, Zion Williams 10, Estwick 4, Davis 3, Murray 2, Jones 2
SOUTH MECKLENBURG 72, PALISADES 67
South Meck 16 13 28 15 — 72
Palisades 17 16 18 16 — 67
SOUTH MECKLENBURG 72 — M. Howard 20, B. Houpt 17, M. Williams 11, C. Yett 10, J. Gatehouse 8
PALISADES 67 — Reeves 21, Simpkins 14, Fenn 8
Records: S. Meck 7-7, 2-1); Palisades 8-7, 1-2)
WEST CHARLOTTE 72, HOPEWELL 60
West Charlotte 9 16 15 32 — 72
Hopewell 12 17 19 12 — 60
WEST CHARLOTTE 72 — DJ Williams 19 AC Pressley 16 ChaCho Womack 16 Grier 8 Bryson 6 Kone 5 Faison 2
HOPEWELL 60 — Jones 10 Cooke 9 Rice 9 Clark 7 Brown 7 Broughton 6 K. Clark 5 Cage 4 Gatfin 3
Charlotte-area previews
SATURDAY
(boys) Corvian Community (3-5) vs. Reidsville (8-0), in Ed Price Classic at High Point Andrews High, 8 p.m. — This could be a stellar matchup. Ignore Corvian’s record, as several of the Cardinals’ basketball regulars were on the football team that played until just before Christmas. The Cardinals have won three in a row, with sophomore R.J. Moore Jr. (28.1 ppg) and Malachi McCutcheon (7.9 rpg) leading the way. Corvian, the 1A state runner-up last season, looks like a state title contender again. Reidsville, meanwhile, is arguably the best team in the state so far, regardless of size classification. The Rams are led by junior Dionte Neal (24.6 ppg) and senior Johnnyius Sharpe (21.6 ppg).
(boys) Gaston Day (12-5) vs. Carolina International School (9-3), in Ambassador Christian New Year’s Showcase, 4:30 p.m. — This is one of the top contests in the six-game showcase at Ambassador Christian. Gaston Day’s DeShawn Coulter (13.6 ppg) and Dyland Bradley (13.5 ppg) face a Comet club that looks to challenge Queen’s Grant Charter and Corvian Community for the area’s 1A supremacy. K.J. Shouse Jr., a 6-4 junior, leads the Comets with 18.6 points a game. He is shooting 60 percent from the floor.
Another feature game in this showcase has Queen’s Grant Charter (12-5) facing Burlington Christian (8-8) at 6 p.m.
(girls) Providence Day (12-5) at Sanford Grace Christian (8-4), 2:30 p.m. — Providence Day is red-hot, having won 10 in a row before Friday’s games. Ginny Anne Dumont (15.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) has been leading the Chargers. Sophomores Jordan Speller (13.8 ppg) and Kyndoll English (10.8 ppg, 11.2 rpg) lead Grace Christian, filling in for the departure of last season’s N.C. Player of the Year, Sarah Strong, now played collegiately at UConn.
Weekend results, schedule
(unless otherwise listed, all matchups are girls-boys doubleheaders, with girls’ games starting at 6 p.m.)
Friday’s boys’ scores
Queen City 3A-4A
Chambers 93, Harding 77
Hough 58, West Mecklenburg 15
North Mecklenburg 91, Mallard Creek 56
West Charlotte 70, Hopewell 62
SoMeck 4A
Ardrey Kell 64, Berry Academy 62
Olympic 71, Ballantyne Ridge 56
South Mecklenburg 72, Palisades 67
Southwestern 4A
Butler 40, East Mecklenburg 37
Charlotte Catholic 74, Rocky River 60
Independence 93, Garinger 26
Greater Metro 4 4A
Hickory Ridge 83, A.L. Brown 35
South Piedmont 3A
Central Cabarrus 80, Lake Norman Charter 77
East Rowan 60, South Rowan 53
Jay M. Robinson 54, Concord 53
Northwest Cabarrus 67, West Rowan 33
Western Foothills 3A
East Lincoln 99, Statesville 74
Hickory 80, North Lincoln 78
St. Stephens 84, North Iredell 61
West Iredell 82, Fred T. Foard 66
Rocky River 2A-3A
Central Academy at Anson County
Monroe 46, Piedmont 19
Parkwood 55, West Stanly 47
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Hickory Grove Christian 55, Metrolina Christian 31
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Bessemer City 84, East Gaston 61
Burns 70, Cherryville 33
Thomas Jefferson Academy 51, Highland Tech 35
Metro 1A
Piedmont Community Charter 81, Sugar Creek Charter 74
Nonconference
Blue Ridge (VA) 64, 1 of 1 Academy 53
Cannon School 100, Lake Norman Christian 87
Charlotte Country Day 71, Durham Academy 68
Covenant Day 68, Bradford Prep 50
Cuthbertson 72, Buford (SC) 29
Hammond School (SC) 61, Charlotte Latin 49
Nation Ford 62, Weddington 54
Pinecrest 64, Providence 62 (OT)
Ravenscroft School 55, Charlotte Christian 46
South Point 79, Cox Mill 66
South Stanly 58, Forest Hills 36
Other area games
Jesse Carson 62, North Rowan 45
McDowell County 68, South Caldwell 51
Richmond Senior 70, Cheraw (SC) 40
R-S Central 47, Brevard 46
Salisbury 75, East Davidson 31
Shelby 58, Kings Mountain 53
SATURDAY
New Year’s Showcase (boys)
(at Ambassador Christian)
Langtree Charter vs. N.C. Good Better Best, noon
Charlotte Performance Institute vs. Oak Ridge (VA) Regional, 1:30 p.m.
Gaston Christian vs. Heritage Christian, 3 p.m.
Gaston Day vs. Carolina International School, 4:30 p.m.
Queen’s Grant Charter vs. Burlington Christian, 6 p.m.
Ambassador Christian vs. Cardinal Newman (SC), 7:30 p.m.
Ed Price Classic
(at High Point Andrews)
(girls) T.W. Andrews vs. Smith, 12:30 p.m.
Grimsley vs. College Leadership and Prep, 2 p.m.
Davidson Day vs. High Point Christian, 3:30 p.m.
(boys) T.W. Andrews vs. West Forsyth, 5 p.m.
(boys) Caldwell Academy vs. Berean Baptist, 6:30 p.m.
(boys) Corvian Community vs. Reidsville, 8 p.m.
Nonconference
Charlotte Christian at Durham Academy, noon
Charlotte Country Day at Ravenscroft School, noon
Elevation Prep at Victory Christian (boys)
Jackson Day vs. Germantown (TN) Houston, in Atlanta She Got Game Classic (girls), 2:45 p.m.
Metrolina Christian at North Raleigh Christian, 1 p.m.
Providence Athletic Club (SC) at South Charlotte Thunder
Providence Day at Greensboro Day (girls), 2 p.m.
1 of 1 Academy at Charlottesville (VA) Miller School (boys)
