MVP Performers

Two of the North Neighbors best basketball players showed they were amongst Charlotte’s best at the Charlotte Pro-Am All-Star Classic last weekend (March 27). Hopewell’s DeMon Brooks had 24 points to lead the East squad to an 84-82 victory. Brooks, a 6-foot-8 senior, was named MVP for his performance.

North Meck’s Lauren Lewis had a similar day for the East girls’ team, who won 80-72 in overtime. Lewis was named MVP for her team after scoring 15 points, including back-to-back three-pointers to open the overtime period.

North Meck track quartet sets record

The North Meck 1600-meter relay team set a 29-year old record last weekend (March 27) at the Queen City Relays at Myers Park High School. The relay squad, which included Briana Brazile, Lindsey Lang, Alexis Jordan and Trikeria Johnson broke the record set in 1981 (by Menchville HS (Va.), with a time of 3:59.16. The same quartet also won the 800-meter relay run.

Lake Norman softball off to perfect start

The Lake Norman softball team is a perfect 11-0 (4-0 I-Meck) this season, and have dominated nearly every team in their path, outscoring their opponents 102-14. The Wildcats, led by head coach Bob Hall, have notched their two biggest victories in the last two weeks, beating I-Meck rivals North Meck and Hopewell. After beating the Vikings 1-0, Lake Norman scored five runs in the 7^th inning to for an improbable comeback win over the Titans to take sole possession of first-place in the I-Meck.

Eddie, Larsen, Wright named all-state

Three Lake Norman/Cabarrus County area players were named to the Associated Press all-state basketball this week after helping their teams to standout seasons.

Lake Norman senior forward Paul Larsen, who helped lead the Wildcats to their first state title in school history, was an all-state selection. Larsen, who will continue his career at Mercer next season, was also MVP of the state championship game.

Cannon's Jarrell Eddie was also an all-state AP selection. Eddie, who will play basketball at Virginia Tech next season, averaged nearly 25 points this season and score well over 2,500 points in his Cougar career.

East Lincoln's Lindsy Wright was the only female from the area named to the all-state squad. Wright, a senior who will play at Wake Forest next season, averaged 21 points and nine rebounds per game for the Mustangs and led her team to a SPC tournament title.

Hough High to hold booster club meeting

William A. Hough High School, which is scheduled to open in Cornelius next fall, will be having an athletic booster club meeting at Bailey Middle School in Cornelius on Tuesday, March 30 at 6:30 pm in the Media Center.

Davidson Day names new boys' soccer coach

Davidson Day School has selected Josh Wagner as its new head boys soccer coach. The former collegiate soccer standout comes to Davidson Day following a stint as head coach for the North Mecklenburg boys' junior varsity soccer team (2008-2010), where the team finished last season with an impressive 21-8-1 record.

“There are few teachers and coaches who are more engaged in the Lake Norman youth athletic community than Josh Wagner,” Davidson Day Athletic Director Kevin Buechler said. “He is a rising star in scholastic soccer at the high school, middle school, and youth levels. So many of our elementary aged students know and love Mr. Wagner for his teaching. We are extremely excited to see him build a program based on integrity, diligence, and a passion for the game.”

When it comes to soccer, Wagner is a very popular figure in the Lake Norman area. In addition to his coaching duties at North Mecklenburg, he is also the head boys soccer coach at Bailey Middle School, where he started the program from the ground up (2006-present). He also is a recreation coordinator for the Town of Davidson Parks and Recreation, where he plays a key role in facilitating soccer camps throughout the year (2006-present)

"Words cannot explain how excited I am to join the Davidson Day family. To finally begin my dream of running a varsity program; with my philosophy of the game, and applying it at such a high level of play,” said Wagner. “I have been waiting for this position for two years now. The timing is perfect, and the potential of this soccer program has no boundaries."

With soccer being a clear passion for Wagner, it wasn’t the only factor that attracted him to Davidson Day. “What attracted me the most to Davidson Day was the philosophy of the school and the passion for not just athletics, but also academics. The opportunity to have full support from the administration is something I couldn’t ignore. I live in this community, and have a vested interest, so what better way to continue to impact this community in such a positive way and to mold future leaders than to be at Davidson Day School.”

A native of Rochester, NY, Wagner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from Baptist Bible College (Clarks Summit, PA) in 2003. While at Baptist Bible College, he was a four-year starter for the men’s soccer team. During his junior and senior year, he led the team to an East Regional Championship.

Davidson Day hires new girls' basketball coach

Former Davidson Wildcats guard Jessica Mitchell was named the head girls basketball coach at Davidson Day Tuesday, March 9. The former Davidson basketball standout comes to Davidson Day following a stint as an assistant coach for the Wingate University Women’s Basketball program (2009-2010).

“Anyone who watched Davidson athletics in recent history knows what a fierce competitor Jessica Mitchell is and what an exceptional leader she is on and off the basketball court,” Davidson Day Athletic Director Kevin Buechler said. “She learned from some of the best coaches in the area in Wingate coach Barbara Nelson and Davidson College coach Annette Watts. We are thrilled to add such a talented young coach and exceptional role model to our Patriot coaching family.”

Mitchell brings a wealth of experience to Davidson Day, on both the Division I and Division II college landscape, as a player and a coach. Prior to arriving at Wingate University, Mitchell was a Graduate Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Augusta State University in Augusta, GA (2008-2009).

"I am very excited to be taking my first head coaching job at Davidson Day School. I feel as though I have learned a lot over the last six years, both as a player and as a college coach, and I am ready to bring some of that experience to the program and DDS,” said Mitchell. “It's a tremendous opportunity."

In addition to having the chance to head a basketball program, another factor in Mitchell’s decision was the opportunity to come back home to Davidson.

“I really enjoyed my four years at Davidson College, athletically and academically," she said. "I found that after I left this area, I could really appreciate how incredibly special it was. The relationships that I established here have continued to be staples in my life, even after my college career was over. I feel blessed to be back to the place that I still identify as "home." There really is no other place like it.”

Davidson Women’s Basketball Coach Annette Watts had this to say on the hiring of Jessica Mitchell: "I think the young women of Davidson Day are in for a learning curve, great time and exciting basketball. Jessica was a fundamental player and I know she will be a fundamental coach. I cannot wait to watch the girls’ basketball program grow.”

A native of Wilkesboro, N.C., Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Davidson College in 2007. While at Davidson, she was a three-year starter for the women’s basketball team. During her senior year, she was elected team captain and led the team to a 23-9 record; the best in school history.

--Davidson Day press release