Weddington girls basketball star Stephanie Watts commits to UNC

Weddington junior Stephanie Watts, the 2012-13 Observer region girls basketball player of the year, has committed to North Carolina. She had more than 15 major college offers.

Watts, an Associated Press all-state pick, averaged 22.1 points and 9.9 rebounds last season.

East-West All-Star Games recap

BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL

The annual East-West All-Star games were held in Greensboro this week, honoring some of the state’s top seniors from the class of 2013. A few notes involving area players:

-- The East girls basketball team beat the West 67-60 at the Greensboro Coliseum Monday. Charlotte 49ers recruit Mylia Garner of Jordan-Matthews scored 16 points to lead the West.

UNC-Greensboro signee Tyrone Outlaw of Roxboro Person High had 16 points and seven rebounds to the lead the East boys to a 107-84 win over the West. The West got 18 points from Greensboro Dudley guard Sam Hunt.

Area girls players: Alexis Armstrong, Forestview, G; Jasmine Huntley, Porter Ridge, G; Milan Quinn, Berry, F; Imani Williams, Freedom, G
Area boys players: Darren Black, Concord, G; Clay Byrd, East Burke, G; Donte Falls, Shelby, F; Josh Gaither, Statesville, G; Chris Wray, Shelby, F




BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER

-- The East boys soccer team defeated the West 2-1. Jason Andrejchak of Concord’s Robinson High scored the West goal. The West led 1-0 in the first half before losing.

The girls soccer game ended in a 2-2 tie. Greensboro Grimsley’s Rachel Cox scored a goal for the West and was named MVP.

Area boys players: Jason Andrejchak, Robinson, MF; Conner Hartman, Hickory, MF; James Jackson, Hough, MF/F; Josh Laney, South Meck, D; Ze Yang, West Iredell, D
Area girls players: Amanda Bill, Sun Valley, GK; Jane Cline, Charlotte Catholic, F; Bri Cuevas, Hough, D; Kendall Fischlein, Lake Norman, F; Macy Franklin, St. Stephens, F; Sarah Henson, Hickory, D; Caroline Holmes, St. Stephens, MF;


FOOTBALL

In the football game, the West won 14-7 to avoid an East sweep of the all-star games. A crowd of more than 6,500 watched the game at A.J. Simeon Stadium in High Point. The previous 64 all-star games had been held at Greensboro Grimsley HIgh. Grimsley is undergoing a field renovation project this year.

The West got the winning points on a 79-yard touchdown from David Burgess of Freedom High.

Burgess scored on a screen pass, set up by a block from East Lincoln’s Jesse Earnhardt.

Area players: Julius Bowe, South Iredell, DL; David Burgess, Freedom, RB; Kyree’ Connor, Hickory, OL; Jesse Earnhardt, East Lincoln, WR; Brandon Floyd, South Meck, OL; Brandon Hansen, West Rowan, OL; Zoshua Heilig, Concord, WR; Travon Hunt, Burns; TJ Jefferson, East Rowan, DL; Cody Jones, Huss, P/K; Scott Miller, South Iredell, DB; Joshua Mills, Forestview, OL; Zach Panek, Cuthbertson, OL; Matthew Quigley, Alexander Central, WR; Andre Rice-Dial, Rocky River, QB; Zach Singleton, South Stokes, LB; Logan Stoodley, West Rowan, LB; Tray Watkins, Chase, DL; Clayton Welker, South Caldwell, TE; Marquis Wills, Statesville, DB; Garrett Young, East Lincoln, QB

Hancock named new Mallard Creek basketball coach

Jon Hancock was named the new boys' basketball coach at Mallard Creek, the school's athletic director, Karen McKaig, announced on Tuesday.

Hancock comes to Charlotte from East Burke. During his coaching career, he has gone 283-176 on his way to winning seven conference championships, seven coach-of-the-year honors, two sectional championships and two regional appearances.

Hancock, who was the physical education department chair at East Burke, graduated from Mars Hill, where he scored more than 1,000 career points and served as a captain his junior and senior years.

Hancock takes over the Mavericks' basketball program for David Rutledge, who accepted the Wilmington Ashley job in May. Rutledge was 48-34 at Mallard Creek.