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 releases all-conference teams

Football

Offensive Player of the Year: Marquez North – Mallard Creek

Defensive Player of the Year: Larenz Bryant – Vance

Special Teams Player of the Year: Dominique Heath – Hopewell

Punter of the Year: Destry Barnwell – Hough

Kicker of the Year: Tim Gawert – Hough 

Coach of the Year: Bobby Collins – Hough

QBs

Josh Stilley – Hough

Jalen Latter – Vance

Tijuan Sifford – Hopewell

Josh Ladowski – Lake Norman

RBs

Jaylen Samuel – Mallard Creek

Drean Long – Hough

Manny Johnson - Mooresville

WRs

Jorian Jordan – Mallard Creek

Sanders Poff – Hough

Nick Burrow – Hough

Rashaan Brown – Vance

Trey Foggie – Vance

Jermaine Sanders – Hopewell

Tahjai Watt – North Mecklenburg

Dre Howell – Mooresville

Trevor White – Mooresville

OLs

Tevin Lawshe – Mallard Creek

Keon Brewer – Vance

Zach Howder – Hopewell

Jason Sparrow –Hopewell

Will Davis – Lake Norman

Brendon Latham – Lake Norman

Sheldon Kinard – North Mecklenburg

Blake Porter – West Charlotte

Stephen Richards – West Charlotte

DLs

Brandon Fowler – Mallard Creek

Stephen Askhew – Mallard Creek

Lee Phelps – Mallard Creek

Blake Dueitt – Hough

Brandon Cassarino – Hough

Kirk Donaldson – Vance

Josh Williams – Vance

Malcolm Surphlis – Lake Norman

LBs

Ilim Olive – Mallard Creek

Zach Boyd – Mallard Creek

Ryan Lemke – Hough

Tristen Spruill – Vance

Nick Dykema – Lake Norman

Ralph Montgomery – Mooresville

Brandon Dixon – West Charlotte

DBs

Brain Walker – Mallard Creek

Anthony Covington – Mallard Creek

Akeem Barringer – Hough

Corey Bell – Hough

Nolan Corpening – Vance

Michael Zanders – Hopewell

Kailan Chavis – Hopewell

Jesses Seaford – Lake Norman

Karl Roberts – North Mecklenburg

Adrian Byrd – North Mecklenburg

Demar Eaves –West Charlotte

Volleyball

Player of the Year:  Julia Brown – Hough

Coach of the Year: Sandi Skidmore – Hough

Haley Kain – Hough

Caroline Colleran – Lake Norman

Jennifer Hart – Hough

Alexis Bednarick - Lake Norman

Mallaory Pharr – Mooresville

Katelynn Granger – North Mecklenburg

Madeline Lippy – Hough

Jasmine Lindor – Hough

Michaela Manning – Mallard Creek

Keimaya Hunter – Mallard Creek

Haley Schmidt - Hopewell

Hannah Scheffer – North Mecklenburg

Promise Sherman – West Charlotte

Boys' soccer

Player of the Year: Michael Basnett –Hough

Coach of the Year: Paul Kikta – North Meck

Hopewell

Cole Tesar, Austin Clamon, Eli Greear, Lucas Fisher

Hough

Michael Basnett, James Jackson, Justin Collins, Landon Moss

Lake Norman

Jeffrey Angelino, Michael Kuras, Logan Frey, Steven Demeny, Mike Carman

Mallard Creek

Sami Jilla, Daniel Faler, Zack Wright, Tyus Lopez

Mooresville

Noah Privott, John Merrill

North Meck

Kelvin Sarkoh, Sven Wesel, CJ Jasinski, Bryce Crocknell, Robbie Quinlan

Vance

Luis Amaya, Uriel Velasquez, Jake Speidel

West Charlotte

Luabeya Bosenge, Daniel Valder

Girls' tennis

Player of the Year: Megan Mullen – Lake Norman

Coach of the Year: Otto Weise – Hopewell

Briana Bodner – Hough

Elizabeth Chen – North Meck

Constance Crisp – Lake Norman

Tiffany Dai – Mallard Creek

Bella Dokell – Lake Norman

Mehki Fant – West Charlotte

Elizabeth Farley – Lake Norman

Gabby Lindsay – Mallard Creek

Gabby Moore – Hough

Alexus Morgan – Mallard Creek

Maggie Seibert – Mooresville

Aneta Strycokva – Hough

Girls' golf

Player of the Year: Sam Vodry – Lake Norman  

Jesse Long –Mooresville

Morgan Zemaitis – Mallard Creek     

Abby Cathcart – Mooresville 

Tessa Young – Hough           

Renee Janis – Hough

Bailey Jones – Hough

Carrina Kissam – Mooresville

Taylor Scovel – Mallard Creek          

Alex Hull – North Meck

Smith, Dueitt named to Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas

South Iredell's LaChaston Smith and Hough's Blake Dueitt were named to the North Carolina roster for the upcoming Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

The bowl, which features some of the top senior players in North and South Carolina, will be held at Spartanburg's Wofford College Dec. 15.

Here's the complete North Carolina roster:

Last Name	First Name	High School
Phillips	Kalif	A. L. Brown
Johnson	Keeon	A. L. Brown
Prince	R.J.	Albemarle
Oliver	Demetrius	Ashbrook
Beecher	B.J.	Concord
Rogers Jr.	Dane	Crest
Patterson	Quinton	Crest
Wiggins	Sean	David W. Butler
Blankenship	Cole	Davie County
Lewis	Garry	Douglas Byrd Senior
Blair	Chris	East Forsyth
Clay	Aaron	Eastern Alamance
Thorb	Tim	Garner Magnet
Roane	Patrick	Gray’s Creek
Coplon	A.J.	Havelock
Cooper	Pharoh	Havelock
Wilson	Daryl	Hendersonville
Francis	Khris	Hillside
Wiggins	Korrin	Hillside
Neal	Lewis	Hunt
Tocho	Jack	Independence
Walker	Brian	Mallard Creek
Matau	Christian	New Bern
Logan	T.J.	Northern Guilford
Mann	Dequaivs	Northern Nash
Wogan	Matt	Porter Ridge
Covington	Devante	Richmond Senior
Crowder	Tyrone	Richmond Senior
Jones	Nazair	Roanoke Rapids
Diggs	Malik	Scotland
Robinson	Artemis	Scotland
McCauley	Eric	Shelby
Smith	Lachaston	South Iredell
Starnes	Jordan	South Stanly
Gilmore	Greg	South View
Mumford	Tristan	Statesville
Parker	Carlis	Statesville
Deleon	Jeff	T. C. Roberson
Suber	Noah	T. C. Roberson
Lewis	Tyquan	Tarboro
Gould	Ryan	West Forsyth
Dueitt	Blake	William A. Hough
Donaldson	Kirk	Zebulon Vance
Braynt	Larenz	Zebulon Vance

Eagles named all-conference

Several SouthLake Christian soccer and volleyball players were named to the All-Metrolina Athletic Conference teams. Christian MacArthur, Rhem Stubbs and Ty Stubbs were named to the all-conference soccer team, while Katie McGuire was honored in volleyball.

Here are the complete All-MAC teams:

Boys' soccer

Caleb Allen – Covenant Day School

Aaron Armstrong – Gaston Christian School

Cameron Church – Covenant Day School

Josh Denton – First Assembly Christian School

Michael Djali – First Assembly Christian School

Zach Dunn – Northside Christian Academy

Yohei Kawabata – Northside Christian Academy

Jonathan Love – Hickory Grove Christian School

Christian MacArthur – SouthLake Christian Academy

Joey Magnani – Gaston Christian School

Clarence Massalay – First Assembly Christian School

Matthew McKnight – Covenant Day School

Justin Melton – Gaston Christian School

Alex Pardue – Hickory Grove Christian School

Dylan Ritch – Hickory Grove Christian School

Mark Steele – Covenant Day School

Michael Stewart – Covenant Day School

Rhem Stubbs – SouthLake Christian Academy

Ty Stubbs – SouthLake Christian Academy

Volleyball

Hannah Billiard – Covenant Day School

Sumerlyn Carruthers – Westminster Catawba Christian School

Megan Embry – Covenant Day School

Kathryn Eudy – First Assembly Christian School

Christina Goforth – Covenant Day School

Hannah Griffin – Hickory Grove Christian School

Meghan Haigler – Metrolina Christian Academy

Katie McGuire – SouthLake Christian Academy

Hunter Moxley – Westminster Catawba Christian School

Shelly Nassar – Covenant Day School

Emily Oliver – Westminster Catawba Christian School

Anna Parson – Hickory Grove Christian School

Chezney Templeton – Hickory Grove Christian School

Caroline Zwick – First Assembly Christian School

Read more here: http://cabprepsports.blogspot.com/#storylink=cpy

Hough plays Mallard Creek for spot in state semifinals

Mallard Creek, the I-Meck regular-season champion, will host the I-Meck tournament winner Hough at 7 p.m. in the fourth round of the 4A playoffs.

Mallard Creek, the conference's top seed, goes into the state quarterfinals with a 19-8 record after a tough 4-2 win on the road at Asheville T.C. Roberson Friday.

Hough also won on the road, defeating South Caldwell 3-2 Friday, heading into the game with a 20-10 mark.

Regardless of who wins Tuesday night between the two teams, the I-Meck will be represented in the regional finals. The winner will play either West Forsyth or Mount Tabor.

Davidson Day's Brown wins state titles

Jordan Brown claimed three state track championships this past weekend for Davidson Day.

Brown won the 100- and 200-meter titles as well as the 4x200 relay championship (along with Aaron Seward, Miles Boone and Jordan Young) at the 1A/2A independent school track and field championships.

State champs Lake Norman lead the way in all-conference lacrosse team

Lake Norman's Danny Brown and coach Kevin Gowin were named Conference 10 player and coach of the year, respectively.

Here is the entire boys' lacrosse all-conference team:

Goalie: John Clark, Lake Norman Charter; CJ Schiemer, Lake Norman

LSM: Randon Hassell, Lake Norman Charter; Cole Maxon, Lake Norman

Midfield: JT Del Tufo, Lake Norman; Jake Koferi, Lake Norman Charter; Micharl Hart, Hough; Andrew Gobble, Lake Norman Charter; James, Hopewell (no first name listed); Bryan Kos, Lake Norman; Brendan Friss, Mooresville; Ben Craig, Hough; Sanders Poff, Hough

Attackers: Danny Brown, Lake Norman; Will Scott, Lake Norman; Josh Ford, Lake Norman Charter; Matt Wine, Lake Norman Charter; Hunter Howe, Hough; Joey Ruggerio, Hough

Defenders: Kyle Gradert, Lake Norman; Ryan Breman, Lake Norman; Ben Douglas, Hough; Ian Radcliff, Lake Norman; Taylor Day, Lake Norman Charter; Zachary Friss, Mooresville

I-Meck's all-conference tennis, golf teams announced

Hough's David Sargent was named I-Meck golfer of the year, while Mooresville's Jake Combs and Hough's Ryan Wydra split the conference boys' tennis player of the year honors.

Lake Norman's Chris Carroll was tennis coach of the year. No coach of the year for golf was announced.

Here are the rest of the all-conference teams:

Boys' golf

PEYTON WHITE                HOUGH

CONNER LEWIS                HOUGH

SETH GANDY                     HOUGH

DAVID YANG                     HOUGH

PHILLIP PARRISH              NORTH MECK

CLAY BROWN                   HOUGH

NOLAN WATTS                 MOORESVILLE

ANDREW JOHNSON        LAKE NORMAN

TYLER MURPHY               MALLARD CREEK

ALEX COHLMA                 LAKE NORMAN

BRANDON HOLST            HOPEWELL

Boys' tennis

Armato, John (Hopewell)

Black, Collin (Hough)

King, Noah (Hough)

Ciuffo, AJ (Hough)

Duncan, Marquis (Vance)

Jacobo, Jeff (North Meck)

Llewellyn, Spencer (Mooresville)

Lowery, Patrick (Lake Norman)

Rajan, Shravan (Lake Norman)

Coody, Hamit (Lake Norman)

Dow, Greg (Lake Norman)

Gallagher, Sean (Lake Norman)

Two area teams in soccer semis

Hough's undefeated girls' soccer team will host Providence at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Cornelius. The Lady Huskies are playing in the4A  state semifinals. The winner will face either Wilmington Hoggard or Raleigh Green Hope.

South Iredell will host Cuthbertson in the 2A state semis Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Lake Norman Charter lost to Thomas Jefferson in the state semifinals Saturday. 

North Lincoln is lone area team left in softball playoffs

North Lincoln will travel to Madison High in Marshall Tuesday to play its fourth-round 2A playoff game Tuesday.

The Knights (17-6) defeated West Lincoln 3-2 in the third round.

Lake Norman to play for lacrosse title Friday night

Lake Norman's boys' lacrosse team will face Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons at 7:30 p.m. in Cary for the state championship.

The Wildcats, which defeated Myers Park 13-7 Wednesday, go into the title game with a 22-0 record. Cardinal Gibbons is also undefeated this season with a 20-0 mark.

Lake Norman has outscored its opponents 350-76 this year.

Playoff update (May 18)

Other sports' playoffs are well under way, here are the games scheduled for Friday and Saturday (local teams in bold):

Baseball (third-round games to be played Friday)

2A
East Davidson at East Lincoln


4A
Hough at South Caldwell

Softball (third-round games to be played Friday)

1A
Lake Norman Charter at Bessemer City
Lincoln Charter at South Stanly

2A
West Lincoln at North Lincoln


4A
Hough at Alexander Central

Girls' soccer (fourth-round games)

1A
Thomas Jefferson at Lake Norman Charter (state semifinal to be played Saturday)

2A
South Iredell at Shelby (Saturday)

4A
Lake Norman at Hough (Friday)

*For full playoff brackets, follow the links in each subhead.

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.

Independent school brackets released

The N.C. Independent School Athletic Association released its baseball, girls' soccer, boys' tennis and boys' lacrosse playoff brackets.

Check out these links to see who made these postseason tournaments:

• Baseball
• Girls' soccer
• Boys' tennis
• Boys' lacrosse

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.

NCHSAA approves soccer mercy rule, 12-week football schedule

From the NCHSAA:

CHAPEL HILL-- The N.C. High School Athletic Association Board of Directors completed its spring Board meeting on Wednesday at the NCHSAA offices. Items which the Board studied and approved included:

- adoption of a "mercy rule" in soccer; if a goal differential of nine is reached by halftime or at any time in the second half, the game shall be terminated, to go into effect for 2012-13; at least one half of game must be completed

-  approved going back to 12 weeks to play 11 football games, starting with 2013 season, and approved two-year football calendar for 2013 and '14

- approved additional scheduling allowance for wrestling for one tri meet and one "multi team event" per week

- approved moving starting date for two-pound growth allowance for wrestling from January 1 to December 25

-approval of four booking agents, including Mark Kadlecik in soccer, Triangle Officials Association; Leigh Harris in wrestling, Mountain Officials Association; David Culbreth in wrestling, Southeastern Officials Association; Brad Allen in basketball, Southeastern Officials Association

-approved requiring each non-faculty coach and newly hired coaches to take "Fundamentals of Coaching" course through the National Federation to coach a team at an NCHSAA school; recommend all coaching staffs be certified in this area within three years

-added fine of $250 to Handbook if schools have non-compliant uniforms to NFHS rule codes

- discussed NCHSAA's 100th Anniversary Celebration and timeline of events

- approved additional ways to return additional revenue to member schools; take operating budget overage and also review any extra interest income from Endowment, and half of that, based on a formula, will be distributed to schools which participated in bracketed team sports playoffs. Schools traveling would receive full share, hosting school would receive half share

- adopted structured rate of expense reimbursements for football playoffs from first round through regionals

- reviewed 2011-12 budget

- approved four-year contract for commissioner

- approved NCHSAA strategic plan after presentation from Dr. Larry Price, who helped to facilitate the process

- a report from Paige King of Eastern Alamance High School of the NCHSAA's Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC)

For a final list of 2013-17 conferences, visit the NCHSAA's realignment page.

Three teams remain in boys' soccer playoffs

Three Lake Norman-area boys' soccer teams are still alive in the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs. Here are Saturday's scores (local teams in bold):

1A

Lake Norman Charter def. North Moore 3-0

2A

East Lincoln def. Polk County 2-0

Cuthbertson def. South Iredell 3-1

4A

Lake Norman def. Olympic 4-4 (4-2 penalty kicks)

Third-round games (must be played by Wednesday):

Hendersonville at Lake Norman Charter

Lincolnton at East Lincoln

Mallard Creek at Lake Norman

Forward caps off freshman year being named all-state

Davidson Day freshman C.J. Bradley, who led his Patriots and the area with 25 goals in the regular season, was named to the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A boys' soccer all-state team.

Bradley, who was the Southern Piedmont Athletic Association Player of the Year, led Davidson Day to a 13-4-2 record. The team's 13 wins was a school record. The Patriots finished their year in the first-round of the NCISAA 2A playoffs, losing 4-1 to Caldwell Academy.


For more on Bradley, check out last week's Lake Norman News feature story on the freshman.


For full all-state soccer honors, visit the NCISAA website.

NCHSAA soccer playoffs released

The N.C. High School Athletic Association released its boys' soccer playoffs Monday morning.

In the 1A bracket, Pine Lake Prep and Lake Norman Charter made the tournament. The Knights earned a first-round bye and will play the winner of the South Stanly at North Moore game.

North Lincoln and East Lincoln made the 2A tournament from the Southern Piedmont Conference, while South Iredell and Bandys are the local teams representing the Catawba Vally Conference.

The I-Meck had six selections to the playoffs, including Lake Norman, Mooresville, Hopewell and Hough.

First-round games have to be played by Wednesday. Here are the match-ups (local teams in bold):

1A
Pine Lake Prep at Thomas Jefferson
Lake Norman Charter BYE

2A
North Lincoln at Shelby
Maiden at East Lincoln
Starmount at South Iredell
Bandys at Surry Central

4A
Sun Valley at Lake Norman
Mooresville at Watauga
Hopewell at Porter Ridge
Ardrey Kell at Hough


For full brackets, visit the NCHSAA website.

Mertes to come back as Wildcats' boys' soccer coach

After deciding to step down as Lake Norman's boys' soccer coach in May, Jon Mertes has changed his mind.

Mertes, who had renounced his coaching duties because he didn't feel he could give the team adequate time, said he reconsidered after he was persuaded by Lake Norman athletic director Steve Rankin as well as many of his players.

"The boys were so excited about the upcoming season and that had a big influence on me coming back," said Mertes, who is also the Wildcats' girls' soccer coach. "These kids deserve to have the best coaching they can get."

Mertes will be in his fifth season as the head coach of the boys' team, and 11th overall with the program. The Wildcats, who were 17-3-4 last year, return seven starters for the 2011 season.

- Freelance writer Jay Edwards contributed.

Soccer All-Observer, all-region and all-Mecklenburg teams announced

The Observer released their picks for All-Observer, all-Mecklenburg and all-region boys' soccer teams today.

North Mecklenburg coach Paul Kikta was All-Mecklenburg coach of the year and two of his senior players, Will Krentz and Spencer Jackson were named to the All-Mecklenburg second team.

Junior Marcus Lohrmann of Lake Norman was named to the All-Region second team.

Matt Sarett from Cannon School made the All-Observer team.

Click here to see the full list.

East Lincoln soccer earns several post-season awards

Several East Lincoln soccer players and coaches earned conference and regional recognition this year.

Seniors Chad Salter, Nik Geerken, Eian Fowler, junior Tyler Matner, sophomore Rolando Miranda and freshman Justin Williams earned made the Southern Piedmont All-Conference Team. Williams was named player of the year, and coach Jason Dragoon is coach of the year after leading the Mustangs to a 18-7-1 (9-1) record.

Salter, Matner, Geerken and Williams also earned North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association all-region honors and assistant coach Darryl White is the NCSCA Regional assistant coach of the year.

The Mustangs made it to the third round of the NCHSAA 2A state playoffs, but lost in sudden death to Salisbury 3-2 on Saturday.

Here is the rest of the all-conference team:

Colin Bish Jr. North Lincoln
Meng Lee, Sr. Challenger

Steven Harrison Jr. North Lincoln

Mario Xiong, Jr. Challenger
Nate Smith Jr. North Lincoln

Mitch Vodanacharski, Sr. Highland Tech
Dylan Lawing Sr. North Lincoln

Andrew Harris, Jr. Highland Tech
Moises Rivera Jr. Lincolnton

Aaron Marlowe, Fr. Highland Tech
Manuel Ibarra Sr. Lincolnton

Fernando Ibarra Jr. Lincolnton
Rodolfo Hernandez Sr. Lincolnton
Jose Trejo So. Lincolton
Jorge Rosales So. Lincolnton
Ethan Bumgarner Fr. West Lincoln
Juan Barajas So. West Lincoln

Soccer: East Lincoln

East Lincoln coach Jason Dragoon will finally shave his mustache. The Mustangs fell to Salisbury 3-2 Saturday night in the third round of the NCHSAA 2A playoffs.

Salisbury is ranked No. 9 in the Observer's Sweet 16 soccer poll. They will face Shelby in the quarterfinals.

North Mecklenburg postpones soccer match

North Mecklenburg's third round playoff soccer match against Roberson has been postponed until tomorrow (Thursday) night at 6 p.m.

Many local schools are dealing with wet fields after several inches of rain as they prepare for playoff soccer and football games this week.

Langston Wertz Jr. over at the Prep Insiders blog has more about the soggy conditions.

North Meck, East Lincoln still alive in soccer playoffs

North Mecklenburg took down conference rival Vance in the second round of the NCHSAA 4A men's soccer playoffs Friday 2-0. East Lincoln also moved on to the third round in the 2A bracket with a win over East Davidson.

After upsetting Alexander Central in the first round, Hopewell lost 1-0 in the second round of the 4A playoffs to A.C. Reynolds.

North Mecklenburg will face T.C. Roberson and East Lincoln has Salisbury in the third round.

Soccer: East Lincoln moves on to second round

Coach Jason Dragoon will keep his “Hulk Hogan handlebar” mustache for at least a few more days.

The East Lincoln men’s soccer coach made a promise to his players after they won the conference that he would grow out his facial hair. He’s not going to shave it until the season is over.

The Mustangs ensured that the coach wouldn’t pull out the razor last night with a 2-0 win over Bandys in the first round of the NCHSAA 2A state tournament.

The two goals, the first by Justin Williams and the second by Rolando Miranda, came within two minutes of each other early in the first half.

East Lincoln (17-6-1, 9-1) continued to attack the entire game, but could never convert and put the game out of reach.

“Finishing has been good all year,” said Dragoon. He said it was like his players weren't being greedy enough, passing instead of attacking and shooting.

The Mustangs have outscored their opponent 64-36 this year and have eight shutouts. Keeper Austin Putnam recorded the shutout against Bandys (10-9-3).

Dragoon credited the lack of scoring to first-round nerves. It’s no surprise that the Mustangs were nervous. Despite going 15-4 in the regular season last year, they lost in the first round of the state tournament to East Davidson, who they will play in the second round on Saturday.

“East Davidson is a problem for us,” said Dragoon. “It’s like they’ve got our number.”

Regardless of the history between the two teams, Dragoon is confident that his Mustangs will play will in the next game. His team has been playing very well, winning 12 of their last 13 games.

“We feel comfortable with what we have,” he said. “This group is all about each other.”

-- Corey Inscoe

NCHSAA Boys Soccer Tournament seeding announced

The NCHSAA Boys Soccer Tournament brackets were released today. Hopewell will face Alexander Central in the first round, and North Mecklenburg, I-Meck champions, will play South Mecklenburg in the 4A playoffs.

In the 2A playoffs, East Lincoln will play Bandys in the first round.

First round games will be played Tuesday and Wednesday.

Also, North Mecklenburg jumped from 11th to seventh in this week's Observer Sweet 16 Soccer poll.