Cannon 4th-grade golfer competes nationally

Cannon School fourth-grader Michael Sanders of Davidson, N.C., recently completed a busy season of golf. He traveled throughout the Carolinas during the summer and fall to play in tournaments with both the National Junior Golf Club and U.S. Kids Golf.

He won at Northstone Country Club in Huntersville (score of 76) and Rocky River Golf Club in Concord (73), placed 2nd at TPC Piper Glen in Charlotte (73), and 3rd at the Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis (74). Because of his level of play, he qualified for the National Junior Golf Club World Championship, which was played at Sea Trails Resort in Sunset Beach, N.C. over Labor Day weekend. Michael placed 3rd out of 10 boys in his age group.

He won a U.S. Kids Golf World Qualifier tournament at Beacon Ridge in Pinehurst, N.C. last summer, which qualified him for the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst in August. Michael placed 43rd out of 143 boys in the nine-year old division.

This fall, he has participated in several other tournaments with the U.S. Kids Golf program. He finished 4th at Highland Creek Golf Club in Charlotte (37 for 9 holes) and 2nd at Cherokee Valley Golf Club in Travelers Rest, S.C, (37 for 9 holes). At River Run, he won his flight in the Junior Club championship and finished his season by winning the Junior Member-Member championship with a 15-year old partner.

Cannon School wins Cannon Classic

Cannon School beat Northside Christian Friday and Mt. Zion Saturday to win their own Cannon Classic for the first time in school history.

Jarell Eddie and Keith Belfield dominated in both games to give the Cougars the win. Belfield scored 37 and Eddie scored 33 in the 100-72 win over Northside. Eddie also had 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.

In the championship game against Mt. Zion, Eddie had another 33-point performance and grabbed nine rebounds. Belfield had 21 points and nine rebounds in the 75-72 win.

Belfield and Eddie's younger brother, Jason, made the all-tournament team. Jarell Eddie was named the tournament MVP.

Cannon travels to Red Springs on Thursday to play in a tournament hosted by Flora MacDonald Academy. Other teams in the tournament include Quality Education Academy (Winston Salem), Mt. Zion (Durham), Upper Room Christian (Raleigh), Wesleyan Academy (High Point), Christian Faith Academy (Creedmoor) and Red Springs.

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

Hopewell preseason No. 1 in boys' basketball

The Hopewell boys' basketball team is ranked at the top of the Observer's preseason Sweet 16 basketball poll. The Titans went 29-1 last year, but lost their star player in Brandyn Curry. The Titans have reloaded and look like they will make another deep playoff run this year.

Lake Norman is fourth in the poll, Vance fifth and West Charlotte eighth, meaning the new I-Meck Conference will be very competitive this year.

Hopewell (No. 12) and Lake Norman (No. 13) also made the preseason girls' Sweet 16.

Look for a full basketball preview for both girls' and boys' in the Lake Norman News Wednesday.

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.

Football scores: Nov. 13

The NCHSAA playoffs started on Friday, with East Lincoln, Hopewell, North Mecklenburg and Lake Norman making the playoffs.

4AA West:

Mallard Creek 28, Hopewell 7
Olympic 54, North Mecklenburg 14
West Forsyth 14, Lake Norman 12

2AA West:
East Lincoln 30, Ashe County 16

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.