Mecklenburg County girls basketball on the upswing

• I remember when Mecklenburg County public schools girls' basketball was bad.

In 1986, a phenom named Andrea Stinson -- one of the five best girls to ever play basketball in North Carolina -- led North Mecklenburg to a perfect season and a state title.

It was 20 years before Mecklenburg got another champion, when McDonald's All-American Joy Cheek led South Meck to a title in 2006. The years in between were lean.

But since the Sabres' title, Mecklenburg County has regularly sent multiple teams to the regional playoffs and has been represented in four of the past six 4A finals.

Unbeaten Myers Park will try to extend that run this year in 4A, and Berry and Harding will try to make history, to become the first 3A Mecklenburg team to reach the championship round.

Muggsy Bogues to return as United Faith's basketball coach

Former Charlotte Hornets star Muggsy Bogues said he will will return to coach United Faith’s basketball team next season.

Bogues stepped in to coach the Falcons just before the start of the current season. Bogues’ team finished 21-8, including an eight-game win streak to end the season.

N.C. public and private school basketball results/pairings

Boys
4A West Second Round Results: Olympic 69, East Gaston 54; Alexander Central 80, McDowell 64; West Charlotte 54, North Mecklenburg 49; South Meck 50, Mallard Creek 45
Friday’s sectional finals: Alexander Central at Olympic, 7; West Charlotte at South Mecklenburg, 7 p.m.
4A Midwest second round results: Richmond Senior 64, High Point Central 53; Davie County 91, NW Guilford 67; Mount Tabor 81, Glenn 60; Page 63, Dudley 47
Friday’s sectional finals: Richmond at Davie; Mt Tabor at Page
3A Midwest second round results: Concord 65, West Rowan 42; Catholic 77, Anson 74; Robinson 79, Statesville 71; North Forsyth 75, Harding 71 (2 OT)
Friday’s sectional finals: Catholic at Concord; Robinson at North Forsyth
3A West second round results:  Freedom 73, Hunter Huss 68; Enka 105, Tuscola 101 (OT); Ashbrook 82, R-S Central 66; Hickory 80, Burns 56
Friday’s sectional finals: Enka at Freedom; Ashbrook at Hickory
2A Midwest second round results: Cuthbertson 94, Starmount 56; Surry Central 52, Wheatmore 44; Lexington 62, E. Lincoln 57; West Stokes 54, Salisbury 41
Friday’s sectional finals: Surry Central at Cuthbertson; Lexington at West Stokes
2A West second round results: Shelby 62, Ashe Co. 54; W. Caldwell 52, Lincolnton 50 (OT); Smoky Mountain 95, Mountain Heritage 70; East Rutherford 72, Wilkes Central 58
Friday’s sectional finals: Shelby at West Caldwell; Smoky Mountain at East Rutherford
1A Midwest second round: Winston-Salem Prep 93, Elkin 39; South Davidson 76, South Stokes 61;  Monroe 55, East Surry 52; North Rowan 55, Lake Norman Charter 45
Friday’s sectional finals: S. Davidson at Winston-Salem Prep; Monroe at North Rowan
1A West second round: Hayesville 66, Thomas Jefferson 48; Cherokee 59, Highlands 48; Highland Tech 62, Mitchell 50; Hendersonville 67, Swain County 51
Friday’s sectional finals: Cherokee at Hayesville; Highland Tech at Hendersonville
NCISAA 1A Quarterfinals: Greenfield 81, Burlington Christian 49; Community Christian vs. Oakwood, late; Trinity Christian 55, Word of God 54; Flora MacDonald 62, North Hills 38
Friday's semifinals at North Raleigh Christian: Greenfield  vs. Community Christian/Oakwood, 5:30 p.m.; Trinity Christian vs. Flora Macdonald, 8:30 p.m.
NCISAA 2A Quarterfinals: Davidson Day 50, Caldwell Academy 38; Gaston Day 96, Victory Christian 82; Asheville Christian 62, Fayetteville Christian 46; Northside 90, First Assembly 50
Friday's Semifinals at St. David’s: Davidson Day vs. Gaston Day, 5:30 p.m.; Northside vs. Asheville Christian, 8:30 p.m.
NCISAA 3A Quarterfinals:  High Point Christian 79, Forsyth Country Day 63; Greensboro Day vs. Wesleyan, late; Christ School 77, Charlotte Christian 64; Ravenscroft 81, Charlotte Latin 49
Fridays semifinals at Raleigh Ravenscroft: High Point Christian vs. Wesleyan/Greensboro Day, 5:30; Christ School vs. Ravenscroft, 8:30 pm.


Girls
 4A Midwest second round results: Mt. Tabor 63, Page 60; W. Forsyth 54, Dudley 39; SW Guilford 61, North Davidson 41; Porter Ridge 55, NW Guilford 49
Friday’s sectional finals: SW Guilford at Porter Ridge; W. Forsyth at Mt Tabor
4A West second round results: Myers Park 70, Hough 43; Butler 48, Hopewell 46; Alexander Central 69, Robersonl 47; Ardrey Kell 53, McDowell 37
Friday’s sectional finals: Ardrey Kell at Alexander Central; Butler at Myers Park, 7 p.m.
3A Midwest second round: Berry 50, Parkwood 44 (OT); Robinson 59, Anson Senior 45; North Iredell 61, Concord 40; Harding at Ledford, late
Friday’s sectional finals: Robinson at Berry, 7; Harding at North Iredell, 6
3A West second round: Hickory 65, Freedom 43; Tuscola 70, Erwin 67; Forestview 56, Ashbrook 41; R-S Central 60, Crest 47
Friday’s sectional finals: Tuscola at Hickory; Forestview at R-S Central
2A Midwest second round: N. Stanly 57, Starmount 36; Bandys 79, Thomasville 53; Salisbury 47, W. Stokes 40; North Surry 70, Forest Hills 61
Friday’s sectional finals: Bandys at North Stanly; Salisbury at North Surry
2A West second round: Wilkes Central 59, Lincolnton 26; Pisgah 78, N. Lincoln 74; E. Burke 64, Newton-Conover 62 (OT); Mountain Heritage 74, East Rutherford 51
Friday’s sectional finals: Pisgah at Wilkes Central; East Burke at Mtn Heritage
1A Midwest second round: River Mill 87, West Montgomery 56; Monroe 64, Lake Norman Charter 43; E Wilkes 61, South Davidson 49; Bishop McGuinness 50, Mt Airy 49 (OT)
Friday’s sectional finals: Monroe at River Mill; Bishop McGuinness at East Wilkes
1A West second round: Robbinsville 68, Highlands 32; Cherokee 78, North Wilkes 58; Murphy 57, Hayesville 43; W. Wilkes 60, Avery 57
Friday’s sectional finals: Cherokee at Robbinsville; Murphy at West Wilkes
NCISAA 1A quarterfinals: Trinity Christian 50, Hickory Christian 27; Oakwood 62, Ridgecroft 34; Wayne Country Day 50, Cresset 33; Statesville Christian 44, Hobgood 33
Friday’s semifinals at North Raleigh Christian: Trinity Christian vs. Oakwood, 4 p.m.; Statesville Christian vs. Wayne Country Day, 7 p.m.
NCISAA 2A Quarterfinals: Carolina Day 71, Fayetteville Academy 32; Cary Christian 67, Gaston Day 49; First Assembly 49, Fayetteville Christian 34; Carolina Friends 75, Victory Christian 30
Friday’s semifinals at St. David’s: Carolina day vs. Cary Christian, 4 p.m.; First Assembly vs. Carolina Friends, 7 p.m.
NCISAA 3A Quarterfinals: Providence Day 79, Charlotte Latin 38; Rabun Gap 65, Cary Academy 42; Charlotte Christian 72, High Point Christian 51; Greensboro Day 71, Ravenscroft 43
Friday’s semifinals at Raleigh Ravenscroft: Providence Day vs. Rabun Gap, 4 p.m.; Charlotte Christian vs. Greensboro Day, 7 p.m.

Harding starts playoffs with easy win over Kannapolis Brown

Harding upset Sweet 16 No. 1 Olympic Friday and backed that win up Monday in the first round of the N.C. 3A playoffs.

The Rams, No. 3 in the Sweet 16, beat A.L. Brown 81-55. The Rams led 28-9 after the first quarter.

Harding star Jarvis Haywood had 27 points, five rebounds and teammates Emmanual Patton (23 points) and Tony Lowery (13 pionts, 10 rebounds, four steals, three assists) also had big games.

A.L. Brown got 12 points from Tevin Stark and 12 from Derrick Copeland.

N.C. High School Basketball Playoff Pairings

N.C. High School Basketball Western Pairings for boys and girls:

Boys Western Pairings

4A West: S. Caldwell at Olympic; Watauga at E. Gaston; W. Mecklenburg at McDowell; E. Meck at Alexander Central; Mooresville at W. Charlotte; Myers Park at N. Mecklenburg; Mallard Creek at Roberson; Vance at South Meck

4A Midwest: HP Central at Sun Valley; Richmond Sr. at Butler; Smith at Davie; E. Forsyth at NW Guiford; W-S Reynolds at Mt Tabor; Glenn at SW Guilford; Reagan at Dudley; Rocky River at Page

3A Midwest: McMichael at Concord; W. Rowan at Weddington; Marvin Ridge at Anson Sr.; Central Cabarrus at Charlotte Catholic; S Rowan at Statesville; E. Rowan at Robinson; A.L. Brown at Harding; Hickory Ridge at N. Forsyth

3A West: S. Point at Freedom; Hunter Huss at St. Stephens; Foard at Enka; Erwin at Tuscola; R-S Central at Forestview; Ashbrook at Asheville; Burns at Franklin; E. Henderson at Hickory

2A Midwest: N. Surry at Cuthbertson; Starmount at Central Davidson; Carver at Surry Central; Wheatmore at Forest Hills; Thomasville at Lexington; Piedmont at East Lincoln; N. Lincoln at Salisbury; Bunker Hill at West Stokes

2A West: Maiden at Ashe Co.; Pisgah at Shelby; Newton-Conover vs. W. Caldwell; N. Henderson at Lincolnton; Owen at Smoky Mountain; Polk Co. at Mountain Heritage; E. Burke at Wilkes Central; Draughn at E. Rutherford

1A Midwest: Mt Airy at Winston-Salem Prep; River Mill at Elkin; N. Wilkes at S. Stokes; Bishop McGuinness at S. Davidson; E. Montgomery at Monroe; E. Surry at Union Academy; Albemarle at Lake Norman Charter; W. Montgomery at N. Rowan

1A West: Murphy at Hayesville; Thomas Jefferson at Hiwassee Dam; Blue Ridge at Highlands; Cherokee at Alleghany; Rosman at Highland Tech; Cherryville at Mtchell; Swain Co. at Robbinsville; Bessemer City at Hendersonville

Girls Western Pairings

4A Midwest: SE Guilford at Mt Tabor; Page at Sun Valley; Smith at W. Forsyth; Reynolds at Dudley; SW Guilford at HP Central; N. Davidson at Richmond Sr.; E. Forsyth at NW Guilord; Rocky River at Porter Ridge

4A West: Independence at Myers Park; S. Caldwell at Hough; Butler at West Meck; Olympic at Hopewell; W. Charlotte at Alexander Central; Mallard Creek at Roberson; E. Gaston at Ardrey Kell; N. Meck at McDowell

3A Midwest: Catholic at Berry; Hickory Ridge at Parkwood; W. Rowan at Robinson; NW Cabarrus at Anson; E. Rowan at N. Iredell; Concord at Carson; Marvin Ridge at Harding; AL Brown at Ledford

3A West: S. Point at Hickory; Foard at Freedom; Patton at Erwin; W. Henderson at Tuscola; Enka at Forestview; Ashbrook at Franklin; N. Buncombe at Crest; Hibriten at R-S Central

2A Midwest: E. Davidson at N. Stanly; Starmount at Carver; Cuthbertson at Thomasville; Central Davidson at Bandys; S. Iredell at Salisbury; Forbush at W.Stokes; Lexington at Forest Hills; Wheatmore at N. Surry

2A West: Surry Central at Wilkes Central; Madison at Lincolnton; Owen at N. Lincoln; N. Henderson at Pisgah; W. Lincoln at Newton-Conover; E. Burke at Shelby; Smoky Mountain at E. Rutherford; W. Caldwell at Mtn Heritage

1A Midwest: Gray Stone Day at River Mill; W. Montgomery at Monroe Central; S. Stokes at Monroe; N. Rowan at Lake Norman Charter; S. Stanly at S. Davidson; N. Moore at E. Wilkes; E. Surry at Bishop McGuinness; Elkin at Mt Airy

1A West: Andrews at Robbinsville; Cherryville at Highlands; Blue Ridge at N. Wilkes; Hendersonville at Cherokee; Hayesville at Hiwassee Dam; Murphy at Mitchell; W Wilkes at Highland Tech; Rosman at Avery

Metrolina Athletic Conference all-conference teams

Varsity Boys Basketball

Dionte Adams – Northside Christian Academy
David Airing – Covenant Day School
Demitri Allison – SouthLake Christian Academy
Justin Ashford – Northside Christian Academy
L.C. Cooks – Northside Christian Academy
Calvin Davis – Metrolina Christian Academy
Dustin Dodd – Hickory Grove Christian School
Josh Dominguez -- Metrolina Christian Academy
Justin Gordon -- Northside Christian Academy
Keith Griffin – Hickory Grove Christian School
Mark Vehaun – Westminster Catawba Christian School
Tyrell Nelson -- Metrolina Christian Academy
Dante Simmons – First Assembly Christian School
Andrew Wheet – First Assembly Christian School

Varsity Girls Basketball

Jordan Cook – Metrolina Christian Academy
Amanda Dobner – Hickory Grove Christian School
Kourtnie Hailey – SouthLake Christian Academy
Shelbie Hall – Gaston Christian School
Laura Beth Hite – Covenant Day School
Paris Johnson – First Assembly Christian School
Nora Logan – Metrolina Christian Academy
Megan Luke – Hickory Grove Christian School
Bri Mack – SouthLake Christian Academy
Anna Melton – Covenant Day School
Morgan Mosteller – Covenant Day School
Goddess Steele – First Assembly Christian School
Giselle Verville – SouthLake Christian Academy
Zaria Wright – First Assembly Christian School

Providence Day gets state championship football rings

Late last year, Providence Day won its first football state championship in 25 years.

This week, the school celebrated in style, honoring the team and coaches with a state championship ring ceremony during a basketball doubleheader at the school.

Here are photos of the rings, which have the players names on the side.