Husky, Wildcat named lacrosse All-Americans

Lake Norman's Kyle Gradert and Hough's Mike Hart were named All-Americans by the state's coaches.

Gradert, a senior defender/long-stick midfielder, was also named Conference 10 Player of the Year.

Here is the complete All-Conference boys' lacrosse team:

First team

Goalie: Michael Clark- LN Charter

Defenders: Kyle Gradert- Lake Norman, Randall Hassell- LN Charter, Ian Radcliff- Lake Norman

LSM: Brendan McCarthy- Lake Norman

Midfielders: Mike Hart- Hough, Matt Kos-Lake Norman, Hudson Harris- LN Charter, Brendan Friss- Mooresville, Shane Gottenberg- Lake Norman(Face-off specialist)

Attackers: Petey Fabian- LN Charter, Bryan Kos- Lake Norman, Josh Ford- LN Charter

Second team

Goalie: Perrin Robinson- Lake Norman

Defenders: Truman Spittell- LN Charter, JD Bunch- Lake Norman, Frankie Walsh- Hough

LSM: Griffin Stechmiller- LN Charter

Midfielders: Robert Berry- Mooresville, Eddie Hendrickson- Lake Norman, Jake Nanney- Lake Norman, Connor Wilson- Hopewell

Attackers: Eric Koehler- Lake Norman, Luke Koferl- LN Charter, Joey Ruggerio- Hough

Honorable mention

Goalie: Robert Odom- A.L. Brown

LSM: Josh Shipman- Hopewell

Midfielders: Joseph Clontz- A.L. Brown

Attackers: Jonathan Oracion-Hough

Player of the Year: Kyler Gradert, Lake Norman

Coach of the Year: Matt Wiehl, LN Charter

I-Meck 4A all-conference spring teams

I-Meck 4A baseball all-conference team

Tommy Bullock - Mooresville

Devan Watts - Mooresville

Chris Hill-Huntley - West Charlotte

Jesse Seaford - Lake Norman

Josh Ladowski - Lake Norman

John Stires- Lake Norman

Ivan Acuna - Hopewell

Mitch Nowicki- Hopewell

Craig Zalewa - Hopewell

Alex Chiuchiolo - Mallard Creek

David Folk - Mallard Creek

Kyle Bynum - Mallard Creek

Anderson Castillo - Vance

Andrew Altamira - Hough

Brandon Casas - Hough

Brandon Gragilla - Hough

Pierce Suttles - Hough

Zack Ruttkamp- North Mecklenburg

Player of the Year: Ryder Ryan - North Mecklenburg

Co-Pitchers of the Year: Ryder Ryan - North Mecklenburg, Kayden Krause -  Mallard Creek

Coach Of The Year: Shawn McGeorge - Mallard Creek

I-Meck 4A softball all-conference team

Shelby Bailey - Lake Norman

Dominique Wilson - Lake Norman

Kayla Mcguffery - Lake Norman       

Mackenzie Winslow - Lake Norman  

Kasey Moffett - Lake Norman

Sydney Ditto - Lake Norman

Patricia Thompson - Hopewell

Shelby Wiggs - Hopewell

Brooke Myers - Hopewell

Ada Thompson - Hopewell

Kayla Hall - Hough

Katelyn Shifflett - Hough

Leah Murray - Hough

Katrina Cassel - Hough

Kelsey Clark - Mooresville

Brandi Stamey - Mooresville

Sarah Doolen - Mooresville

Megan Curazo - North Mecklenburg

Katie Stokes - North Mecklenburg

Adrianne Mcdonald - Mallard Creek

Player of the Year:  Shelby Bailey - Lake Norman

Pitcher of the Year: Dominique Wilson - Lake Norman

Co-Coaches of the Year:  Bob Hall - Lake Norman, Dana Catchpole and Janna Lewis - Hopewell

I-Meck 4A girls' soccer all-conference team

Hopewell:  Jessica Burroughs, Kelly Flanders, Logan Sandate

Hough:  Brandi Arey, Courtney Carroll, Courtney Crump, Brianna Cuevas, Marnie Merritt, Sarah Moon

Lake Norman:  Kristin Brown, Kendall Fischlein, Amanda Karlsson, Justine Lockman, Riley Orr, Kelsey Steiner, Samantha Stoney

Mallard Creek:  Sabrina Baker, Trisha Clarke, Michaela Manning, Bree Roberts, Kelly Teague

Mooresville:  Meredith Cottrell, Peyton Roberts, Erin Settles

North Mecklenburg:  Malorie Bolster, Jill Robson

Vance: Kara Mitchell

West Charlotte: Chinh Rahlan

Player of the Year: Kendall Fischlein, Lake Norman

Coach of the Year: Beth Pressley, Lake Norman

I-Meck 4A boys' tennis all-conference team

Tyler Armato - Hopewell

Venton Bell - Mallard Creek

Clayton Bruin - Lake Norman

Greg Dow - Lake Norman

Ryan Farley - Lake Norman

Sean Gallagher - Lake Norman

Perry Hicks - Mooresville

Clay Kennedy - Hough

Spencer Llewellyn - Mooresville

Austin Schafers - Lake Norman

Brady Sowers - Mooresville

Jacob Stechly - Mooresville

Sean Wydra - Hough

Player of the Year: Ryan Wydra (Hough)

Coach of the Year: Adrian Singerman (Lake Norman)

All-I-Meck 4A boys' golf all-conference team

Hough: Seth Gandy, Peyton White, Clay Brown, Patrick Cover, Blake Wagoner

Lake Norman: Sean Shalvoy, Jonathan Moon

Mallard Creek: Keegan Sarchett, Tyler Murphy

North Meck: David Barkley

Mooresville: Nolan Watts

Hopewell: Brandon Holst

Player of the Year: Seth Gandy - Hough

Coach of the year: Erik Herberth - Hough

I-Meck 4A tennis tournament update

The semifinals for the I-Meck 4A tennis tournament were set after opening-round play at Hopewell High on Monday.

Semifinals and finals are set for Tuesday starting at 3:30 p.m.

Here are the full brackets:

Singles

Doubles

Brackets set for lacrosse conference tourney

The Conference 10 boys' lacrosse tournament gets under way on Wednesday at Hough High.

Wednesday's first round
No. 6 A.L. Brown vs. No. 3 Hough - 5:30 p.m.
No. 5 Hopewell vs. No. 4 Mooresville - 7:30 p.m.

Friday's semifinals
Winner of No. 6/No. 3 game vs. No. 2 Lake Norman Charter - 5:30 p.m.
Winner of No. 5/No.4 game vs. No. 1 Lake Norman - 7:30 p.m.

Monday's finals

Winner of No.6/No. 3 vs. No. 2 game vs. winner of No. 5/No.4 vs. No. 1 game - 7 p.m.

Admission each day will be $5.

I-Meck 4A winter all-conference teams

I-Meck 4A boys’ basketball all-conference

C.J. Bryce, Hopewell

Dre Howell, Mooresville

Tahjai Watt, North Meck

Kishawn Pritchett, Lake Norman

Dominique Henderson, Mallard Creek

Dupree Potter, Mallard Creek

Caleb Davis, Vance

Torin Dorn, Vance

Malek Massey, Vance

Luke Maye, Hough

Drexler Clark, Hough

Trey Foster, West Charlotte

Gabon Williams, West Charlotte

Austin Harris, West Charlotte

Player of the Year: Kennedy Meeks, west Charlotte

Coach of the Year: Justin Batts, Hough

I-Meck 4A girls’ basketball all-conference

Bryanna Curry, Hopewell

Mariah Washington, Hopewell

Kelsey Dean, Hough

Julia Brown, Hough

Brandi Arey, Hough

Argia Gibson, Lake Norman

Chantel Williams, Mallard Creek

Brianna Nichols, Mallard Creek

Amber Sherrill, Mooresville

Jasmine Bullock, North Meck

Jasmine Cash, North Meck

Jessica Gaston, West Charlotte

Rachel Porter, West Charlotte

Diamond Foggie, Vance

Player of the Year: Destiny Barrino, North Meck

Coach of the Year: Jennifer Baker, North Meck

I-Meck 4A wrestling all-conference

106 - Austin Powell (Hough),  Samuel Crisp (Mooresville)

113 - Conner Kominek (Lake Norman),   Tucker Key (Mooresville)

120 - Jamie Wright (Mooresville), Cody Karns  (Lake Norman)

126 - Kevin O’Brien (Hough), Antonio Patterson (West Charlotte)

132 - Jalen Hill (North Meck),  Hunter Owens (Hough)

138 - Josh Motsinger (Vance),  Tanner Russ (Hough)

145 - Adam Nivens (Hough), Eddie McGrail (Lake Norman)

152 - Jarred Brooks (Mooresville), Jacob Efird (Hough)

160 - Sebastian Barreto (Hough), Marquel Thompson (North Meck)

170 - Ryan Devlin (Lake Norman), Palmer Maples (Hough)

182 - Dontrez Patterson (Mooresville), Gore Vaughn (Hopewell)

195 - Deshjion Whitlock (Hopewell), Austin Newell (Hough)

220 - Jackson Dowless (Lake Norman), Kenan Ralph (Mallard Creek)

285 - Connor Brooks (Hough), Brendan Latham (Lake Norman)

Wrestler of the Year: Cody Karns (Lake Norman)

Coach of the Year:  Tripp Rogers (Hough)

I-Meck 4A swimming and diving all-conference

Girls

200 medley relay

Hough (Alexandria Kitchens, Ally Dupay, Katie O’Brien, Emily Allen)

Lake Norman (Elle Tucker, Kalyn Fetter, Erin Dickerman, Courtney Fulton)

200 free

Jessica Merritt, Hough

Lauren McRae , Mallard Creek

200 IM

Megan Dupay , Hough

Ally Dupay, Hough

50 free

Emily  Allen, Hough

Shannon Bauer, Hough

Diving

Karly Adams, Hough

Katelyn Abernathy, Hough

100 fly

Katie O’Brien, Hough

Heather Merritt, Hough

100 free

Emily Allen, Hough

Rachel Bright, Hough

500 free

Ally Dupay, Hough

Morgan Holbrook, Lake Norman

200 free relay

Hough (Emily Allen, Heather Merritt, Shannon Bauer, Jessica Merritt)

Lake Norman (Maddy Gillman, Erin Dickerman, Christine Wirt, Morgan Holbrook)

100 back

Heather Merritt, Hough

Alexandria Kitchens, Hough

100 breast

Jessica Merritt, Hough

Kalyn Fetter, Lake Norman

400 free relay

Hough (Katie O’Brien, Heather Merritt, Ally Dupay, Jessica Merritt)

Lake Norman (Courtney Fulton, Maddy Gillman, Christine Wirt, Morgan Holbrook)

Boys

200 medley relay

Hough (Jack Manchester, Andrew Botelho, Trey Poff, Jeffery Manchester)

Lake Norman (Austin Tucker, Justin Lindly, Austin Hill, Eric Koehler)

200 free

Jack Manchester, Hough

Charles Blinn, Lake Norman

200 IM

Andrew Botelho, Hough

Brian Davis, Hough

50 free

Brody Heck, Lake Norman

Patrick Cowley, Hough

Diving

Charles Mitchell, Hough

Colby Hendrix, Lake Norman

100 fly

Trey Poff, Hough

Josh Moore, Vance

100 free                              

Brody Heck, Lake Norman

Mark Brittain, Hopewell

500 free

Trey Poff, Hough

Evan Heldman, Hough

200 free relay

Lake Norman (John Suther, Eric Koehler, Charles Blinn, Brody Heck)

Hough (Andrew Petry, Alex Kirven, Patrick Cowley, Jeffery Manchester)

100 back

Jack Manchester, Hough

Austin Hill, Lake Norman

100 breast

Mark Brittain, Hopewell

Brian Davis, Hough

400 free relay

Hough (Andrew Petry, Andrew Botelho, Patrick Cowley, Jack Manchester)

Lake Norman (John Suther, Austin Hill, Charles Blinn, Brody Heck)

Coach of the Year: Tim Queen, Hough

Davidson Day players named all-state

Davidson Day's Maya Caldwell and Justin Jordan were named all-state by the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association.

Caldwell, an eighth-grader, averaged a double-double for the Lady Patriots, tallying 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.5 assists per game.

Jordan, a senior, led Davidson Day with 17.4 points and 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Wildcats, Huskies lead the way at 4A West wrestling regionals

Lake Norman and Hough combined to qualify 15 wrestlers  for the 4A state tournament at last weekend's 4A West regional.

The Wildcats were led by regional champions Conner Kominek (113 pounds) and Cody Karns (120). They will be joined by teammates Michael Ready (138), Eddie McGrail (145), Ryan Devlin (170), Matt Ready (195), Jackson Dowless (220) and Brendan Latham (285) at the 4A state tournament, which will take place Thursday-Saturday in Greensboro.

Four Huskies, Tanner Russ (138), Jake Efird (152), Palmer Maples (170) and Charles Smith (182), won regional championships. Three others, Austin Powell (106), Steven Owen (132) and Adam Nivens (145) also qualified for states.

Mooresville's Sam Crisp won the 106-pound regional championship. Jamie Wright (120), Kane Price (138), Jared Brooks (152) and Dontrez Patterson (182) also move on to states.

Hopewell's Gore Vaughn (182) as well as North Mecklenburg's Jalen Hill (132) and Marquel Thompson (170) also qualified for states.

At the 2A West regional, Bandys' Andrew Brotherton (170) and Anthony Christopher (195) won titles. Fellow Trojans Camron Crowe (138) and Zac Whisnant (220) will accompany them to states.

South Iredell’s Matthew Insogna (106), Jose Lopez (120), John Bustle (152) and Eythan Kramm (160) as well as East Lincoln’s James Daniel (126), Moses Boyter (145), Jeremy Tarleton (170) and Trenton Henderson (195) also made the cut for the 2A state tournament.

Lady Huskies fall in I-Meck tournament finals

Hough lost to Mallard Creek 47-45 in the I-Meck 4A girls' basketball tournament final on Friday. The Lady Huskies will have a rematch with the Mavericks today in the first round of the 4A playoffs. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m.

Check out the full boy's and girls' basketball playoff brackets.

I-Meck all-conference honors announced

The I-Meck released all-conference honors for baseball, girls' soccer and softball. Here are the honors by sport:

Baseball

Player of the Year: Ryder Ryan, North Meck
Pitcher of the Year: Brandon Gragilla, Hough
Coach of the Year: Shawn McGeorge, Mallard Creek

All-Conference team (by school):
Mallard Creek
Kyle Bynum
Kirk Morgan
Kayden Krause
Jamel Harbison

Hough
Johnny Piedmonte
Jared Sobo
Nick Bernado

Mooresville
Andrew Meadows
Ryan Brennan
Joe Cobb

Hopewell
Tristan Baker
Joe Bertone

Lake Norman
Ian Edmiston
Jack Edmiston
Alex Cagide
Jon Stires

West Charlotte
Marcus Holmes

Vance
Cameron Leland

Girls' soccer

Coach of the Year: David Smith, Hough
Player of the Year: Allison Stearns, Hough

All-Conference team (by school):
Hopewell
Kelly Flanders
 
Hough
Brandi Arey
Morgan Byrne
Lindsey Byrne
Courtney Carroll
Regan Collins
Brianna Cuevas
Marnie Merritt
Hannah Robinson
Allison Stearns

Lake Norman
Sam Condron
Kendall Fischlein
Sydney Foushee
Courtney Reilly
Kelsey Steiner
Taylor Waters
Jenna Weston
 
Mallard Creek
Allie Gartland
Rachel Kramer
Kelly Teague
 
Mooresville
Erin Settle
 
Vance
Kara Mitchell

Softball

Coach of the Year: Marylee Giurintano, Hough

Player of the Year: Kayla Pine, Lake Norman
Pitcher of the Year: Stacey Houser, Lake Norman.

All-conference team (by school):
Lake Norman
Kayla Pine- Sr. P/OF
Stacey Houser- Sr. P/SS
Kayla McGuffey- Jr. C
Shelby Bailey- Jr. 3B
Gabby Chester- Sr. OF
MacKenzie Winslow- So. OF
Arin Hall- Sr. 2B

Hough
Katelyn Shifflett- So. SS
Leah Murry- Fr. OF
Kayla Hall- Jr. OF
Jasmine Lamontagne- Jr. P/OF

Hopewell
Bre Blakely- Sr. IF/C
Madalynn Randall- Sr. OF
Lauren Parker- Jr. OF

Mooresville
Kelsey Clark- Jr. 1B
Brandi Stamey- Jr. SS

Mallard Creek
Ambery Kimrey- Sr. SS
Melissa Race- Sr. C

North Mecklenburg
Diamond Brown- Sr. SS
Katie Stokes- Fr. P

Two Lincoln County athletes claim state titles

East Lincoln's Marcus "Bubba" McDowell and North Lincoln's Allie Castro both won individual state championships at last weekend's 2A track and field meet.

McDowell, a senior, won the 400-meter title with a 48.72. Castro's 11:18.62 time in the 3,200 meters allowed her to claim her state title. She was more than eight seconds faster than the state runner-up.

North Lincoln's Andrew Fea was second in the 1,600 meter run with a 4:27.80, while Ryan Shannon was third in the 3,200 meters (9:54.30).

Lake Norman Charter participated in the 1A state meet, where they were led by Stephanie Zaino's third place finish in the 3,200 meters as well as the boys' 4x800 meter relay team (Michael Westbay, Nathan Farber, Stephen Hack, Chris Hack) that finished as state runner-up. Here are the full 1A results.

South Iredell tennis player is state runner-up

South Iredell’s Patrick Hensley had a good weekend at the 2A boys’ tennis state championships, winning three matches to reach the state final match.

Hensley, a senior, defeated Central Davidson’s Levi Bruff 6-3, 6-1 in the first round before coming back from behind to beat Hillsborough Cedar Ridge’s Zac Marion 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.

On the second day of the tournament, Hensley defeated Eben Wells (Kill Devil Hills First Flight) 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinal before losing to Salisbury freshman Michael Ogden 6-4, 6-0 for the state championship.

Hensley was state runner-up for a second year in a row.

Other Lake Norman area players didn't fare as well.

Jake Combs (Mooresville) dropped his first-round match 6-1, 6-0 to Greensboro Page’s Austin Ansari, while Greensboro Grimsley’s Will Albright and Graham Pearson defeated Ryan Wydra-Collin Black (Hough) 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of doubles play.

Lake Norman playoff update (May 14)

This past weekend was a busy one in playoff action. Here is a recap of results (Lake Norman area teams in bold).

Baseball

1A

Lake Norman Charter def. North Moore 5-3

2A

East Rutherford def. North Lincoln 2-1

East Lincoln def. South Iredell 3-2

Bandys def. West Stokes 20-3

4A

Mooresville def. Olympic 7-3

Hough def. Porter Ridge 2-1

Lake Norman def. Sun Valley 3-0

Asheville Roberson def. Hopewell  6-5

Tuesday's second round games:

Lake Norman Charter at Hendersonville

Shelby at East Lincoln

Bandys at Wilkes Central

Lake Norman at Mallard Creek

Mooresville at Hough

Click here for full baseball brackets.

Softball

1A

Lincoln Charter def. East Montgomery 5-2

Lake Norman Charter def. Hiwassee Dam 5-3

2A

Chase def. East Lincoln 5-4

North Lincoln def. South Iredell 3-1

Bandys def. West Davidson 11-1

4A

Olympic def. Hopewell 10-1

Hough def. Sun Valley 5-4

Lake Norman def. Butler 13-0

Asheville Roberson def. Mooresville 22-2

Tuesday’s second-round games:

Lincoln Charter at North Moore

Lake Norman Charter vs. Cherokee/Mitchell

Polk County at North Lincoln

West Lincoln at Bandys

Hough at Olympic

Porter Ridge at Lake Norman

Click here for full softball brackets.

Girls' soccer

1A

Lake Norman Charter def. Union Academy 5-0

2A

Shelby def. Bandys 4-1

Polk County def. East Lincoln 3-2 OT

South Iredell def. Wheatmore 8-6 OT

4A

Lake Norman def. Olympic 4-1

Hough def. Sun Valley 3-1

Tuesday’s third-round games:

Central Academy at Lake Norman Charter

Polk County at South Iredell

Lake Norman at Asheville A.C. Reynolds

Hough at Asheville T.C. Roberson

Click here for full girls' soccer brackets.

Boys' lacrosse

Lake Norman's 18-3 win against Greensboro Grimsley Friday will send the Wildcats to the state semifinals against Myers Park.

Lake Norman (21-0) will host the Mustangs (17-3) Tuesday night. The winner of that  game will play for a state championship against either Raleigh Athens Drive or Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons.

Girls' lacrosse

Lake Norman dropped a 16-7 game to Marvin Ridge in the state quarterfinals Friday to end their quest for a state championship.

The Lady Wildcats finished the year 13-6 after being runners-up in Conference 7 to Myers Park, which dropped the other western quarterfinal to Charlotte Catholic. For a bracket, go here.

Baseball, softball playoff brackets released

The N.C. High School Association released its baseball and softball playoff brackets Wednesday morning. First-round play is slated to be played by Friday.

Here are the first-round match-ups for Lake Norman area teams (in bold):

Baseball

1A
No. 3 North Moore (13-8) at No. 2 Lake Norman Charter (10-12)

2A
No. 3 North Lincoln (13-13) at No. 1 East Rutherford (17-5)
No. 5 South Iredell (12-11) at No. 1 East Lincoln (20-4)
No. 4 Bandys (16-7) at No. 1 West Stokes (20-3)

4A
No. 2 Porter Ridge (8-17) at No. 2 Hough (17-10)
No. 3 Mooresville (15-7) at No. 1 Olympic (19-5)
No. 4 Hopewell (14-10) at No. 1 T.C. Roberson (24-2)
No. 5 Lake Norman (13-9) at No. 1 Sun Valley (12-13)

Softball

1A
WC Lincoln Charter (15-2) at East Montgomery (20-5)
No. 4 Hiwassee Dam (10-10) No. 3 Lake Norman Charter (11-8)

2A
No. 3 East Lincoln (10-12) at No. 1 Chase (14-3)
No. 5 South Iredell (7-14) at No. 1 North Lincoln (14-6)
No. 3 West Davidson (9-12) at No. 1 Bandys (17-5)

4A
No. 4 Butler (14-11) at No. 1 Lake Norman (22-1)
No. 2 Sun Valley (7-13) at No. 2 Hough (17-4)
No. 3 Hopewell (14-7) at No. 1 Olympic (14-5)
No. 4 Mooresville (10-9) at No. 1 T.C. Roberson


For complete baseball and softball brackets, click on the respective links.

Girls' soccer playoffs announced

Several area teams made the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoff brackets, which were released Monday. First-round games are slated to be played Wednesday.

Hough, the I-Meck champions after going 20-0-1 in the regular season, will host South Mecklenburg in 4A tournament. No. 2 Lake Norman (19-2) will play Porter Ridge at home, while No. 4 Mooresville (9-9-2) and No. 5 Hopewell (7-11-2) will travel to Asheville T.C. Roberson and Sun Valley, respectively.

In 2A, the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A will have East Lincoln (13-6-3) and North Lincoln (9-8-1) as its representatives. They will host East Burke and Wheatmore, respectively.

South Iredell, the Catawba Valley champions after an 18-2 season, will host East Davidson, while Bandys (15-3-3) will travel to Sylva Smoky Mountain.

Lake Norman Charter (17-1) will be the No. 1 seed out of the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A in the 1A bracket. The Knights will host Lincoln Charter (11-5-2) Wednesday.

For full girls' soccer playoff brackets, visit the NCHSAA website.

Rivalry game to raise money for cancer charities

Lake Norman hosts Mooresville Tuesday night with a lot on the line, not only playing for position in the I-Meck 4A standings, but also looking to raise money to fight cancer in the Wildcats’ annual Strike Out Cancer Classic.

The game's proceeds will be donated to 24 Hours of Booty, LIVESTRONG's 24-hour cycling events that raise funds for local and national cancer charities. Charlotte's event, which will take place July 27-28, benefits the Levine Cancer Institute among other area organizations.

Both teams will wear special jerseys, featuring the 24 Hours of Booty logo, that will be auctioned off following the game. Lake Norman will wear yellow jerseys, supporting people suffering from sarcoma and bone cancers, while Mooresville will wear green, supporting those diagnosed with lymphoma.

The game, which is slated to start 7 p.m., will also have an impact in the I-Meck championship race. Mooresville, which is only one game behind first-place Hough with a 9-3 conference record, needs to win to stay in the hunt.

"We knew it was going to come down to this," said Mooresville coach Jeff Burchett. "We're set where we thought we should be. We have a chance to win it, and that's all we can ask."

 Lake Norman, which is fourth in the conference standings with an 8-4 I-Meck record, also wants to improve their position in the standings on their senior night Tuesday, but they will need some help. Hough plays Mallard Creek, which is tied for second place in the conference with a 9-3 league record, this week.

"Anything can happen," said Lake Norman coach Robert Little. "We're pulling for Mallard Creek now, unfortunately, but we've got to take care of our own business."

I-Meck announces basketball honors

North Mecklenburg's Shivaughn Wiggins and Hopewell's Sharee' Boyd were named the boys' and girls' basketball I-Meck Player of the Year, respectively.

Mallard Creek boys' basketball coach David Rutledge and Hopewell's girls' basketball coach Gary Richmond received I-Meck Coach of the Year honors.

Wiggins averaged 25 points a game to lead his Vikings to a 22-6 record on their way to second-place I-Meck finish, while Boyd, Hopewell's all-time leading scorer, averaged 16 points, seven rebounds, three steals,  three assists and two blocks per game.

Here are the full all-conference honors:

I-Meck girls' basketball all-conference
Bryanna Curry - Hopewell
Brandi Arey - Hough
Anna Diggs - Hough
Julia Brown - Hough
Marrisa Riley - Lake Norman
Amber Neely - Mallard Creek
Nicole Graham - Mallard Creek
Destiny Barrino - North Mecklenburg
Jasmine Bullock - North Mecklenburg
Diamond Foggie - Vance
Gabrielle McClain - West Charlotte
Rachel Porter - West Charlotte
Jessica Gaston - West Charlotte
Zana Tatum - Mooresville

Player of the Year: Sharee' Boyd - Hopewell
Coach of the Year: Gary Richmond - Hopewell

I-Meck boys' basketball all-conference

Tyrone Curry - Hopewell
Luke Maye - Hough
Josh Stepoli - North Meck
Tahjai Watt - North Meck
Bradley Robinson - Mallard Creek
Jamal White - Mallard Creek
Ryan Scott - Lake Norman
Shawn Lester - Mooresville
Dre Howell - Mooresville
Kendrick Johnson - Mooresville
Mike Brown - West Charlotte
Kennedy Meeks - West Charlotte
Derick Brewer - Vance
Caleb Davis -Vance

Player of the Year: Shivaughn Wiggins - North Meck
Coach of the Year: David Rutledge - Mallard Creek

Postseason update (Feb. 21)

North Mecklenburg coach Duane Lewis presents a commemorative ball to Shivaughn Wiggins after he scored his 1,000th point as a Viking. Courtesy of Kevin Wilson

Wiggins reaches milestone
North Meck's Shivaughn Wiggins scored his 1,000th point at the school. Wiggins, who spent his first two years at Lake Norman Charter, has been at the school for two seasons. Wiggins led North Meck by scoring 30 points Monday against Myers Park.

The senior has averaged 25.4 points and 4.2 assists per game for the 22-5 Vikings. North Meck will travel to I-Meck rivals West Charlotte for a second-round playoff game Wednesday.

Basketball

Here are the scores for local teams (in bold):

Boys
1A
Lake Norman Charter def. Albemarle 55-48
2A
East Lincoln def. Piedmont 66-60
Salisbury def. North Lincoln 63-47
4A
West Charlotte def. Mooresville 77-52
North Meck def. Myers Park 63-50

Girls
1A
Lake Norman Charter def. North Rowan 46-33
2A
Bandys def. Central Davidson 97-46
Salisbury def. South Iredell 81-45
North Lincoln def. Owen 80-50
4A
Hough def. South Caldwell 39-33
Hopewell def. Olympic 43-31
McDowell def. North Meck 75-54

These are the second-round match-ups (to be played Wednesday):

Boys

1A

Monroe at Lake Norman Charter, 7 p.m.

2A

Lexington at East Lincoln, 7 p.m.

4A

North Meck at West Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Girls
1A
Monroe at Lake Norman Charter, 7 p.m.
2A
Thomasville at Bandys, 7 p.m.
North Lincoln def. Pisgah, 7 p.m.
4A
Hough at Myers Park, 7 p.m.
Butler at Hopewell, 7 p.m.

Wrestling
The Lake Norman area had several regional champions this past weekend. The top four finishers at the regional meets will compete in the state championships, which will take place Thursday to Friday in Greensboro.

Here is a list of regional champions:

2A
- Moses Boyter, East Lincoln sophomore: 132 pounds
- Jeremy Tarleton, East Lincoln junior: 152 pounds.

4A

- Sam Crisp, Mooresville junior: 106 pounds.

- Cody Karns, Lake Norman junior: 113 pounds.

- Jordan Thompson, Hough freshman: 152 pounds.

- Palmer Maples, Hough junior: 160 pounds.

- Zach Brown, Mooresville senior: 285 pounds.

For full regional results and state qualifier lists, go here.

Basketball tournaments ready to tip off

The I-Meck 4A basketball tournament tip off later today at Mallard Creek. Here is today's schedule:

Boys:

No. 7 Lake Norman vs. No. 2 North Meck, 4 p.m.

No. 6 Hopewell vs. No. 3 Mallard Creek, 5:20 p.m.

No. 5 Vance vs. No. 4 Mooresville, 6:45 p.m.

No. 8 Hough vs. No. 1 West Charlotte, 8 p.m.

Girls:

No. 7 Vance vs. No. 2 Hough, 4 p.m.

No. 6 Lake Norman vs. No. 3 Mallard Creek, 5:20 p.m.

No. 5 North Meck vs. No. 4 West Charlotte, 6:45 p.m.

No. 8 Mooresville vs. No. 1 Hopewell, 8 p.m.

The Southern Piedmont 1A/2A tournaments also begin today. First-round games will be played at the higher seeds. North Lincoln will host semifinals and finals. The winners of the boys' games will play again tomorrow, while the girls take the court against Wednesday. Both finals are Friday.

Here is today's line-up:

Boys:

No. 7  Bessemer City at  No. 2 Lincolnton, 7:30 p.m.

No. 6 Cherryville at No. 3 East Lincoln, 7 p.m.

No. 5 Lake Norman Charter at No. 4 North Lincoln 7:30 p.m.

No. 8 West Lincoln at No. 1 Highland Tech, 7 p.m.

Girls:

No. 7  East Lincoln at  No. 2 Lake Norman Charter, 7 p.m.

No. 6 Cherryville at No. 3 Lincolnton, 6 p.m.

No. 5 Highland Tech at No. 4 West Lincoln, 7 p.m.

No. 8 Bessemer City at No. 1 North Lincoln, 6 p.m.

North Lincoln names football coach

David Maness, a native of Whitmire, S.C., was named North Lincoln High’s new football coach.

He received his B. S. in physical education from South Carolina and an Master of Education from The Citadel. Maness began his coaching career in 1971 as head baseball coach and assistant football coach at Wagener Salley High (S.C.).  In 1973, he was appointed head football coach and athletic director at Wagener Salley.  From there he began tenures at West Hardeeville High (S.C.) and Aynor High (S.C.).  At Aynor he attained 132 wins, nine region championships and 13 playoff teams in 22 years.

Maness. Courtesy of the S.C.
Athletic Coaches' Association.

In 2000, Maness was named offensive coordinator at Carvers Bay High (S.C). for five years. There he was 46-15 and reached the AA State Championship in 2002.  Since 2005, he has served as offensive coordinator at different schools, including last year at Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Florida.


His honors include 1989 Region 5 Coach of the Year for football, 1989 assistant football coach for the Shrine Bowl, 1988 Region 5 Football Coach of the Year, 1987 Region 5 Football Coach of the Year, 1987 District 11 Football Officials’ Coach of the Year, 1987 WBTW Coach of the Year, 1986 Head Football Coach of the North/South All-Star Game, 1984 Region 4 Football Coach of the Year, 1983 District 11 Football Official’s Coach of the Year, 1979 Region 5 Football Coach of the Year, 1996 South Carolina Golf Coach of the Year, 1999 North/South Head Golf Coach of the Year, 1994, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 Region Golf Coach of the Year.  Maness was also the president of the S.C. Athletic Coaches’ Association in 1986.  He also served as game athletic director for the North/South All-Star Football Game from 1995-1998.

Devils barely miss state title meet


Mooresville reached the regional final Thursday, but barely missed making the state championship match, losing to a strong Parkland team 34-31. The Blue Devils defeated Independence, Davie and Sun Valley to reach the regional finals.

Lady Titans win I-Meck titles

The Hopewell girls claimed their third consecutive I-Meck regular-season championship last week. The Lady Titans, who won their last five games to finish 12-2 in I-Meck play, were aided by Mallard Creek, which defeated Hough in the regular-season finale. Both finished 11-3.

Lake Norman area athletes prepare for state's indoor meets

Five Lake Norman area teams will have athletes competing at Saturday's N.C. High School Athletic Association state indoor track and field meets at UNC Chapel Hill's Eddie Smith Field House.

North Lincoln and South Iredell will participate in the 1A/2A/3A meet, which kick off at 9 a.m., while Lake Norman, Mooresville and North Mecklenburg will compete in the 4A meet, which starts at 4 p.m.

Here is a list of the local athletes participating by school:

1A/2A/3A

North Lincoln: Allie Castro (girls’ 1,000-meter run, 1,600-meter run, 3,200-meter run), Savannah Fornshell (girls’ 3,200-meter run), Morgan Ellis (girls’ 3,200-meter run), Caitlin Potter (girls’ 1,000-meter run),  girls’ 4x800 relay, Andrew Fea (boys’ 3,200-meter run), Chris Boyle (boys’ 3,200-meter run), German Perez (boys’ 1,600-meter run), boys’ 4x800 relay.

South Iredell: Kevin Little (boys’ 55-meter hurdles).

4A

Lake Norman: Michael Rupinski (boys’ 500-meter dash 1,000-meter run), Patrick Sheehan (boys’ 3,200-meter run), Kelsie Rubino (girls’ 500-meter dash, 1,000-meter run, 1,600-meter run, 3,200-meter run), Taylor Sweet (girls’ 1,600-meter run)

Mooresville: Tyler Bell (boys’ 55-meter hurdles, triple jump), Kendrick Johnson (boys’ high jump), Elizabeth Rodes (girls’ pole vault).

North Mecklenburg:  Michael Parkins (boys’ 500-meter dash), Nicholas Lawson (boys’ 500-meter dash), Christopher Thompson (boys’ 55-meter dash), Terrance Clyburn (boys’ 55-meter dash), Morgan Anderson (boys’ 55-meter dash), Melissa Helms (girls’ 55-meter hurdles, 500-meter dash), Jhatanah Thomas (girls’ triple jump), Sabrina Moores (girls’ 55-meter dash, 300-meter dash), Trikeria Johnson (girls’ 500-meter dash),  girls’ 4x400 relay.

For more qualifiers, check out N.C. Runners' complete 1A/2A/3A and 4A entry lists.

Four Lake Norman teams make dual team wrestling playoffs

Several Lake Norman area teams - 4A's Lake Norman and Mooresville as well as 2A's East Lincoln and Bandys -  made the N.C. High School Athletic Association's dual team wrestling playoffs. First- and second-round dual match-ups will take place Tuesday. Regional matches are slated for Thursday while the state championships are scheduled for Saturday.

Here are the western parts of the 4A and 2A brackets (local teams in bold):

4A

At Jack Britt High

No. 1 West Johnston(20-4)  vs. No. 2 Jack Britt (18-3)

No. 1 Sanderson(20-3) vs. WC Hoke (19-6)

At West Forsyth High

No. 1 Southeast Guilford (21-2) vs. WC East Forsyth (20-5)

No. 1 Lake Norman (29-4) vs. No. 2 West Forsyth (32-9)

At Parkland High

No. 1 T.C. Roberson (29-4) vs. No. 2 Dudley (21-4)

No. 1 Parkland (45-0) vs. No. 2 Ardrey Kell (12-5)

At Mooresville High

No. 1 Davie (26-2) vs. No. 1 Alexander Central (20-13)

No. 1 Independence (26-10) vs. No. 2 Mooresville (30-8)

At Sun Valley High

No. 1 Sun Valley (33-7) vs. No. 2 Northwest Guildford (28-2)

No. 1 East Gaston (10-5) vs. WC Porter Ridge (29-7)

2A

At East Lincoln High

No. 1 East Lincoln (14-9) vs. No. 2 Wheatmore (21-9)

No. 1 Owen (14-5) vs. WC Pisgah (14-2)

At Salisbury High

No. 1 Piedmont (33-0) vs. No. 2 Salisbury (6-6)

No. 1 North Surry (33-1) vs. No. 1 Randleman (15-5)

At North Henderson High

No. 1 Thomasville (26-11) vs. No. 2 Bandys (17-11)

No. 1 North Henderson (22-8) vs. WC T.W. Andrews (12-4)

At Newton-Conover High

No. 1 Newton-Conover (38-2) vs. No. 1 Ashe (18-12)

No. 1 Chase (23-8) vs. No. 2 Cuthbertson (10-20)

For the full brackets , check out the NCHSAA's website.

Huskies lead the way for area's 4A teams

Hough's girls won the 4A West regional swimming title, while the Husky boys were second to lead Lake Norman area teams.

Lake Norman finished fourth in the boys' side, while the Lady Wildcats were fifth.

Hough's Peter Brumm (200-yard freestyle), Ally Dupay (200-yard individual medley, 100-yard breaststroke), Whitney Timberlake (1-meter diving), Charles Mitchell (1-yard diving), Emily Allen (100-yard freestyle), John Manchester (500-yard freestyle) and Heather Merritt (100-yard backstroke) all won regional titles.

Lake Norman's Logan Heck (50-, 100-yard freestyle) and Reed Wheeler (100-yard backstroke) also won events, as did North Mecklenburg's Molly Sanborn (5000-yard freestyle).

For more details, check out the Observer's story on the meet or check out the NCHSAA's full PDF results.

Here are finals standings for local teams:

Girls

1. Hough 432.5
5. Lake Norman 179
10. North Mecklenburg 62
17. Mooresville 13

Boys

2. Hough 362.5
4. Lake Norman 241
12. North Mecklenburg 43
13. Mooresville 39
16. Hopewell 33

Knights sweep 1A/2A regionals

Lake Norman Charter's boys and girls both won the 1A/2A West regional titles this past weekend. For more, check out the full results.

Here are finals standings for local teams:

Girls

1. Lake Norman Charter 325
5. South Iredell 141
7. North Lincoln 135
8. East Lincoln 122.5
13. Lincoln Charter 63
17. Pine Lake Prep 44
19. Bandys 37

Boys

1. Lake Norman Charter 318
4. North Lincoln 182
8. South Iredell 84
9. Lincoln Charter 80
10. East Lincoln 73.5
21. Pine Lake Prep 21

Lake Norman football playoff update - week 2

Patriots wins state championship
Davidson Day's football team won the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III title Friday in a 41-26 rout of Trinity Christian. The Patriots, in their first year as a varsity program, were led by quarterback Will Grier, who threw for 300 yards and four touchdowns. The sophomore was also key on defense, recovering a fumble for a touchdown while also picking off a pass and recording six tackles. The Patriots went 11-1 for the year and are slated to return all but two of its players next year.

SouthLake eliminated in quarterfinals
SouthLake Christian came just short of reaching the NCISAA Division II championship game, losing to Asheville School 21-17 Friday. The Eagles, the No. 1-ranked team in their bracket, had a 17-14 lead with four minutes left in the game after a field goal, but allowed Asheville to return the ensuing kickoff for the winning touchdown. SouthLake made a long drive, which included a couple of fourth-down conversions, afterwards but  a turnover with a minute left allowed Asheville School to drain the clock and upset the Eagles. SouthLake finished the year with a 10-2 record.


NCHSAA playoff update
Bandys, South Iredell and Mooresville are the only Lake Norman area teams left in the N.C. High School Athletic Association football playoffs. The Trojans (2AA), the Vikings(2AA) and the Blue Devils (4A) will play in their respective sectional finals Friday. Here are last week's scores (local teams in bold):


2AA
South Iredell def. Forest Hills 51-21
Bandys def. Smoky Mountain 26-0


4ASun Valley def. Hopewell 35-28
Mooresville def. Watauga 38-7


Friday's games:
Bandys at Shelby
South Iredell at West Stokes
Sun Valley at Mooresville

Lake Norman football playoff update - week 1

NCHSAA football
First-round playoff play for the N.C. High School Athletic Association got under way Friday. Hopewell pulled a big upset, defeating T.C. Roberson, the No. 1 seed in the 4A West bracket, 14-9 to move on to the second round.

Mooresville (4A) and South Iredell (2AA) were the only other Lake Norman-area public schools to get out of the first round. Here are full results and second-round match ups (local teams in bold):

1AA
South Stokes def. Lake Norman Charter 35-26

2A
Starmount def. East Lincoln 21-13

2AA
South Iredell def. East Davidson 47-6

4A
Hopewell def. T.C. Roberson 14-9
Mooresville def. East Gaston 35-15

4AA
South Caldwell def. Lake Norman 35-0

Friday's games:
Forest Hills at South Iredell
Hopewell at Sun Valley
Watauga at Mooresville

NCISAA football
Davidson Day will play for a state championship in its first season as a varsity program after defeating Fayetteville Christian Friday 35-21 at Hopewell Friday. The Patriots (10-1) will play Trinity Christian (4-5) for the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II title. Davidson Day defeated Trinity Christian 61-34 in August.

In Division II play, No. 1 seed SouthLake Christian (10-1) moved on to the second round of play, defeating Forsyth Country Day for a second week in a row. The 35-21 win secured the Eagles a spot in the state semifinal game Friday. They will face Asheville School (8-2). It will be the team's second meeting this season. SouthLake won the first game 27-14 in late September.

11/3 playoff update

NCHSAA boys' soccer

The Observer's Sweet 16's No. 1 team, Hough, was eliminated in the first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A boys' soccer playoffs as Ardrey Kell outlasted them 2-1 Wednesday.

The Huskies were one of six local teams that fell in the first round of their respective brackets. Only Lake Norman Charter, which had a bye in the 1A bracket, 2A's East Lincoln and South Iredell and 4A's Lake Norman will play in the next round.

Here are scores from first-round play (local teams in bold):

1A

Thomas Jefferson def. Pine Lake Prep 5-1

Lake Norman Charter BYE

2A

Shelby def. North Lincoln 3-0

East Lincoln def. Maiden 6-2

South Iredell def. Starmount 3-1

Surry Central def. Bandys 6-1

4A

Lake Norman def. Sun Valley 1-0

Watauga def. Mooresville 2-1

Porter Ridge def. Hopewell 4-1

Ardrey Kell def. Hough 2-1

Second-round game must be played by Saturday.

1A

North Moore at Lake Norman Charter

2A

Polk County at East Lincoln

South Iredell at Cuthbertsom

4A

Lake Norman at Olympic

NCHSAA girls' tennis

Lake Norman's girls' tennis team was eliminated from the NCHSAA dual team playoffs Monday, losing to Myers Park 5-1. The Mustangs lost Wednesday in the state semis to Greensboro Grimsley.