Titan assistant inherits girls' basketball coaching job

Hopewell High announced that longtime assistant Tyrelle Anderson will be its new girls' basketball head coach Wednesday.

Anderson, who was born and raised in Queens, N.Y., replaces Gary Richmond, who stepped down from the post after this past season. Anderson was an assistant under Richmond for five seasons.

Anderson’s coaching career began as director of  basketball pperations for Pick n’ Roll Basketball Camp in Hempstead, N.Y., in 1998. He served in this capacity for four years. For the next three years, he served as the assistant coach and lead skill developer for Ahead of the Game AAU boys’ basketball organization in Brooklyn.

Since retiring from FDNY-EMS in 2003 and relocating to Charlotte, Anderson has assisted various basketball organizations in the surrounding area. He was head coach for the Queen City Jewels 2010 girls' AAU basketball team and assistant coach of the 2012 Queen City Dynasty girls' basketball team.

He also held the position of director of basketball operations for the Queen City Dinasty girls' showcase group from 2009-10.

He currently serves as the head coach of the Charlotte Lady Warriors Elite summer basketball team.

Knights, Huskies lead area in final Wells Fargo Cup standings

The N.C. High School Athletic Association released its final Wells Fargo Cup standings and Lake Norman Charter and Hough fared the best out of Lake Norman area schools. The award recognizes the high schools that achieve the best overall athletic performance within each of the state’s four competitive classifications. The Cup program, formerly known as the Wachovia Cup, is in its 33rd year.


Here are the final standings, with local teams highlighted:

1A
SCHOOL             POINTS
1. Kernersville Bishop McGuinness       527.5
    Durham N.C. School of Science and Math     527.5
3. Lake Norman Charter         447.5
4. Hendersonville           432.5
5. Monroe            325
6. West Wilkes            320
7. Raleigh Charter           302.5
8. North Rowan           252.5
9. Riverside (Martin)           242.5
10. Ayden-Grifton            227.5
11. North Stokes           215
12. Thomas Jefferson Classical       207.5
13. Mount Airy           197.5
      Misenheimer Gray Stone Day       197.5
15. Elkin             195 
 
2A
SCHOOL             POINTS
1. Carrboro            602.5
2. Shelby              415
3. Waxhaw Cuthbertson         400
4. Salisbury             370
5. North Lincoln           362.5
6. Burlington Cummings         350
7. Wilson Beddingfield         307.5
8. Hillsborough Cedar Ridge         282.5
9. Pittsboro Northwood         255
10. Kill Devil Hills First Flight       242.5
11. Kinston              237.5
12. Newton-Conover           222.5
13. Swansboro             220
14. West Davidson           210
15. West Stokes           207.5
 
3A
SCHOOL             POINTS
1. Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons        775
2. Waxhaw Marvin Ridge         642.5
3. Charlotte Catholic           575
4. Chapel Hill             435
5. Northern Guilford           347.5
6. Weddington             305
7. Asheville             280
8. Hickory               277.5
9.  North Buncombe           272.5
10. Rocky Mount               245
11. Orange             240
12. Burlington Walter Williams       235
13. West Carteret           222.5
14. Pikeville Charles B. Aycock       220
15. Berry Academy           217.5
 
4A
SCHOOL             POINTS
1. Morrisville Green Hope        510
2. Charlotte Myers Park         400
3. Raleigh Broughton           377.5
4. Cornelius W.A. Hough         357.5
5. Charlotte Ardrey Kell         355
6. Southern Pines Pinecrest         345
7. Lake Norman           292.5
8. Pfafftown Ronald Reagan        285
9. Charlotte Providence         275
10. Raleigh Wakefield         270
11. Raleigh Millbrook           260
12. Apex             255
13. Winston-Salem Mount Tabor       242.5
14. Watauga             237.5
15. East Chapel Hill           227.5

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

Hough reaches state baseball semifinals

In only its second year as a program, Hough will play in the 4A regional finals after defeating I-Meck foe Mallard Creek 4-2 in the fourth round of the playoffs Wednesday.

With the game being postponed because of storms Tuesday night, the Huskies (21-10) were able to bring ace pitcher Brandon Gragilla onto the mound.

Despite being on short rest, having pitched against South Caldwell Friday, the 6-foot-5 junior left-hander, who’s 11-1 for the year, had another strong performance.

“He wanted it tonight,” said Hough coach Jimmy Cochran. “He did what he’s done all year for us.”

But Gragilla had a slow start, allowing the first Maverick batter he faced in the game, Jamel Harbison, to lead off with a triple. After the Huskies got the next two batters out, Kyle Bynum drove in Harbison to get Mallard Creek (20-9) the early 1-0 lead.

But Hough answered in its next outing, as A.J. Girting, who reached first on a walk to start the second inning, was driven in by a Nick Daddio single to tie the game.

In the top of third, the Huskies got the lead when Jared Sobo scored off a Johnny Piedmonte sacrifice fly. Daddio would go on to again score Girting.

Mallard Creek’s David Folk scored in the bottom of the inning, but Hough would add to its buffer in the fourth, when Eric Siler reached home off a Maverick error at first base.

Gragilla, whose only lost of the year came against the Mavericks, was glad to get the key win.

“It’s a great accomplishment to get this far,” he said. “Our team has done a good job. It feels good.”

Hough will face East Forsyth in the best-of-three, home-and-away state semifinal series, which begins Thursday.

“It’s amazing,” said Cochran. “I’m happy beyond belief for my guys. Last year we struggled and it wasn’t really a fun experience for our guys, but they stuck it out and came back hungry. It’s paid off.”

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