Spider reach sectional finals

Concord's boys' basketball team defeated Weddington in Wednesday's second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs to move on to the sectional finals.

The Spiders will host Harding Friday at 7 p.m.

Jay M. Robinson, the only Cabarrus County girls' basketball team to get out of the first round, lost a close game to Carson to end its season. The Lady Bulldogs finish their year 23-6.

Second round scores

3A boys

(1) Concord def. (9) Weddington at 68-56

3A girls

(11) Carson def. (3) Jay M. Robinson 59-57

Third round (Friday)

3A boys

(5) Harding (15-10) at (1) Concord (24-2)

Black named to all-star game

Concord senior guard Darren Black will represent North Carolina at the Carolinas All-Star Basketball Classic.

Black, who was chosen by the N.C. Coaches Association, and his North Carolina team will face South Carolina's all-star on March 23 at Socastee High (S.C.).

Black is second for the Spiders in scoring, averaging 15 points per game. Only junior Connor Burchfield averages more, with 18.8 a game.

Click here for more on the All-Star Basketball classic and for full boys' and girls' rosters.

Spiders, Bulldogs move on to second round

Cabarrus County high school basketball teams didn't have much luck in the first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs.

Of the 10 boys' and girls' basketball teams that qualified for the playoffs, only two won first-round games on Monday night.

On the boys' side, South Piedmont Conference regular-season champion Concord defeated Central Cabarrus in the first round. The Spiders, the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region of the bracket, will host Weddington on Wednesday in the second round.

Jay M. Robinson was the lone girls' team to reach the second round, defeating Ledford Monday. The Lady Bulldogs will host Carson on Wednesday.

Here are the first-round score and second-round matchups for local teams (in bold):

Boys tournament

(1) Concord def. (16) Central Cabarrus 89-39
(3) Statesville def. (14) Northwest Cabarrus 104-64
(6) North Forysth def. (11) A.L. Brown 82-75

(10) Charlotte Berry Academy def. (7) Cox Mill 58-57

Wednesday's second round

(9) Weddington (15-12) at (1) Concord (23-2)

Girls tournament

(1) Ledford def. (16) A.L. Brown 51-28

(4) Weddington def. (13) Northwest Cabarrus 55-32

(3) Jay Robinson def. (14) East Rowan 62-45

(7) Southwestern Randolph def. (10) Concord 62-48

(2) Harding University def. (15) Central Cabarrus 60-36

Wednesday's second round

(11) Carson 20-7 at (3) Jay M. Robinson (23-5)

For more, see the full 3A boys and girls brackets.

Chargers win SPC tourney, have coaches reinstated (updated)

Cox Mill hit a half-court shot in the closing seconds of the South Piedmont Conference boys' basketball tournament championship to defeat A.L. Brown 54-53 and win its first tourney title.

The Chargers, the tournament's No. 4 seed, defeated the top-seeded teams - Concord and Brown, respectively - to win the title.

Cox Mill's celebration didn't last long. The Chargers will allegedly be without coach Brad Hinson and assistant coach Jody Barbee for their first playoff game in school history.

The coaches were allegedly suspended after taking part in a Harlem Shake video with their players. NBC Charlotte sportscaster Chris Clark has the video on his Facebook page.

UPDATE: Our friends at WCNC are now reporting that Hinson and Barbee have been reinstated.

Just talked with Cox Mill officials. They told me Brad Hinson and Jody Barbee will be on the sidelines coaching tonight against Berry.
— Chris Clark (@Cdclarksports) February 25, 2013

Cox Mill will host Berry Academy on Monday for a first-round 3A playoff game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs claim SPC crown

Jay M. Robinson defeated Concord 43-28 in the SPC girls' basketball tournament finals.

The Bulldogs, which have not lost a game to SPC opponents this season, also won the regular-season conference title.

Robinson will host East Rowan today at 7 p.m. to open postseason play.

Local playoff matchups 

The N.C. High School Athletic Association released its basketball playoff brackets during the weekend. Here are the first-round matchups for local teams (in bold):

Boys tournament

(16) Central Cabarrus (10-15) at (1) Concord (22-2)

(14) Northwest Cabarrus (15-9) at (3) Statesville (20-3)

(11) Kannapolis A.L. Brown (19-7) at (6) North Forysth (20-6)

(10) Charlotte Berry Academy (13-10) at (7) Concord Cox Mill (17-10)

Girls tournament

(16) Kannapolis A.L. Brown (9-15) at (1) Ledford (23-3)

(13) Northwest Cabarrus (12-12) at (4) Weddington (20-6)

(14) East Rowan (15-10) at (3) Concord Jay Robinson (22-5)

(10) Concord (16-9) at (7) Southwestern Randolph (19-5)

(15) Central Cabarrus (10-16) at (2) Charlotte Harding University (18-4)

Eagles are state runner-up

First Assembly's boys' basketball team was the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A runner-up, losing to back-to-back state champion Northside Christian Academy 84-63 in Saturday's finals.

The Eagles reached the finals with a 49-43 win against Gaston Day School.

First Assembly was led by all-state senior Kriston Beasley.

The Lady Eagles also had an all-state selection. Eighth-grader Zaria Wright was also honored.

Bulldogs lead way at 3A Midwest wrestling regionals

Robinson wrestlers David Cline (106 pounds), Jake Glunt (152) and Kenan Robertson (160) won individual wrestling titles at the 3A Midwest regional tournament this past weekend to lead the Bulldogs' six state qualifiers

Central Cabarrus' Heath Gleaton (113), Hickory Ridge's Troy Gregor (120), Mount Pleasant's Ryan Johns (182) and Concord's Michael Simpson (195) also claimed regional championships.

Here are the full 3A Midwest results as well as the list of 3A state qualifiers and the 3A championship brackets.

The 3A state tournament will be held Thursday-Saturday in Greensboro.

Rirst ead more here: http://lknprepsports.blogspot.com/#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://lknprepsports.blogspot.com/#storylink=cpy

First Assembly reaches 2A semis

First Assembly's boys' basketball team defeated Westchester Country Day 59-52 on Thursday to reach the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association's 2A state semifinals.

The Eagles, the tournament's No. 3 seed, will face second-seeded Gaston Day today at 5:30 p.m. at Charlotte Country Day. The winner will face either No. 1 Northside Christian or No. 5 Calvary Baptist Saturday at 4 p.m. at Providence day.

On the girls' 2A bracket, First Assembly was eliminated in a 53-44 loss to third-seeded Calvary Baptist. The Lady Eagles finish their season 22-6.

For more, see the full NCISAA tournament brackets.

Hickory Ridge hosts 3A Midwest wrestling regional

Local wrestlers will convene at Hickory Ridge Friday and Saturday for a chance to earn a spot at next week's 3A state tournament.

The 3A Midwest regional tournament kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday. Wrestling resumes Saturday at 9 a.m.

For more, see the full brackets for the 3A Midwest and the rest of the regional tournaments.

SPC girls' final set

Top-seeded Jay M. Robinson will face Concord in the South Piedmont Conference girls' basketball tournament championship on Friday.

Robinson defeated Central Cabarrus, while Concord beat Cox Mill to reach the title game.

The boys' championship will feature Cox Mill and A.L. Brown.

Both championships will be played at Concord High. The girls' game will start at 6 p.m. and the boys will follow.

Here are complete semifinal scores and championship match-ups:

Semifinals (at Concord High)

Girls

(1) Jay M. Robinson def. (4) Central Cabarrus 43-22

(3) Concord def. (7) Cox Mill 45-28

Boys

(4) Cox Mill def. (1) Concord 90-85 (OT)

(2) A.L. Brown def. (3) Northwest Cabarrus 71-69

Finals (at Concord High)

Girls

(1) Jay M. Robinson vs.  (3) Concord – Friday 6 p.m.

Boys

(4) Cox Mill vs. (2) A.L. Brown  – Friday 7:30 p.m.

Cox Mill upsets top-seeded Concord, moves on to finals

Cox Mill, the South Piedmont Conference tournament's fourth-seed, ousted the top boys' team, Concord, 90-85 in overtime on Tuesday.

The Chargers will play No. 2 seed A.L. Brown, which defeated third-seeded Northwest Cabarrus 71-69, in the SPC tournament final Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The girls' semifinals will be played today at Concord High. The winners will play in the finals Friday at 6 p.m.

Here are the semifinal/final match-ups:

Semifinals (at Concord High)

Girls

(1) Jay M. Robinson vs. (4) Central Cabarrus – Wednesday 6 p.m.

(7) Cox Mill vs. (3) Concord – Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

Boys

(4) Cox Mill def. (1) Concord 90-85 (OT)

(2) A.L. Brown def. (3) Northwest Cabarrus 71-69

Finals (at Concord High)

Girls

Winner of 1/4 vs. winner of 7/3 – Friday 6 p.m.

Boys

(4) Cox Mill vs. (2) A.L. Brown  – Friday 7:30 p.m.

Lady Eagles move on to 2A quarterfinals

First Assembly's girls' basketball team defeated Caldwell Academy 62-23 on Tuesday in the first round of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association's 2A basketball playoffs.

The Eagles, the tournament's sixth-seed, will travel to Charlotte Country Day on Thursday to face No. 3 Calvary Baptist in the state quarterfinals. The game is slated for a 4 p.m. tip-off.

First Assembly's boys had a first-round bye. The third-seeded Eagles will face Westchester Country Day, the tournament's No. 6 seed, Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Country Day.

Cannon's girls fell in the first-round of the 3A playoff, losing to fifth-seeded Charlotte Christian 60-45. The Cougars, the 12th-seed in the tournament, finish the season 11-15.

For more, see the full brackets.

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SPC 3A tournaments update

Here's what the South Piedmont 3A conference basketball tournaments are shaping up after Monday's first-round games (scores below):

Girls

(1) Jay M. Robinson def. (8) Mount Pleasant 80-22

(4) Central Cabarrus def. (5) A.L. Brown 46-41

(3) Concord def. (6) Hickory Ridge 67-55

(7) Cox Mill def. (2) Northwest Cabarrus 50-45

Boys

(1) Concord def. (8) Mount Pleasant 69-51

(4) Cox Mill def. (5) Central Cabarrus 58-54

(3) Northwest Cabarrus def. (6) Jay M. Robinson 71-70

(2) A.L. Brown def. (7) Hickory Ridge 74-50

Semifinals (All played at Concord High)

Girls

(1) Jay M. Robinson vs. (4) Central Cabarrus – Wednesday 6 p.m.

(7) Cox Mill vs. (3) Concord – Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

Boys

(1) Concord vs. (4) Cox Mill – Tuesday 6 p.m.

(3) Northwest Cabarrus vs. (2) A.L. Brown – Tuesday  7:30 p.m.

Read more here: http://cabprepsports.blogspot.com/#storylink=cpy

Roses leads Cannon at 3A swim meet

Cannon School's girls' swimming team was fourth at the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A swim meet on Monday in Greensboro.

The Lady Cougars were led by the 200-yard medley championship relay team of Diana Dale, Maija Roses, Darby West and Isabella Jacoby. The same quartet finished second in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Roses, a junior, won the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke state championships.

The Cannon boys placed 10th.

For more, check out the full meet results.

Read more here: http://lknprepsports.blogspot.com/2013/02/roses-leads-cannon-at-3a-swim-meet.html#storylink=cpy

SPC tournament gets under way Monday

The South Piedmont Conference basketball tournaments start today.

On the boys' side, Concord finished as the top seed after claiming the regular-season title with an unblemished 14-0 mark in SPC play. A.L. Brown (12-2) lost to the Spiders 68-66 in a dramatic regular-season finale on Friday to end up as the No. 2 seed.

Jay M. Robinson's girls are their bracket's No. 1 seed after also finishing 14-0 in conference games. Northwest Cabarrus (11-3) enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed.

First-round games are scheduled for today at the higher seeds. The boys' semifinals are slated for Tuesday, while the girls are set to play on Wednesday. Finals are scheduled for Friday. Semis and finals will be played at Concord high.

Here are the brackets:

South Piedmont Conference 3A

Girls

(8) Mount Pleasant at (1) Jay M. Robinson

(5) A.L. Brown at (4) Central Cabarrus

(6) Hickory Ridge at (3) Concord

(7) Cox Mill at (2) Northwest Cabarrus

Boys

(8) Mount Pleasant at (1) Concord

(5) Central Cabarrus at (4) Cox Mill

(6) Jay M. Robinson at (3) Northwest Cabarrus

(7) Hickory Ridge at (2) A.L. Brown

Eagles ready for playoffs

First Assembly's boys' and girls' basketball teams both earned spots in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association's 2A playoffs.

The Lady Eagles earned the tournament's No. 6 seed. They's slated to host No. 11 Caldwell Academy on Tuesday. The winner of that game will face No. 3 Calvary Baptist at Charlotte Country Day on Thursday in a state semifinal.

First Assembly's boys earned a first-round bye by claiming the tournament's No. 3 seed. The Eagles will face either O'Neal School or Westchester Country Day at Country Day on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Both championships are scheduled for  Friday and will be played at Country Day.

Cannon's girls, a 12th-seed in the 3A bracket, will play Charlotte Christian on Tuesday. No. 4 Cary Academy awaits the winner. The 3A semifinals and finals will be held at Charlotte Latin.

Click here for full brackets.

NCISAA swim meet to be held Monday, Tuesday

The 1A/2A/3A independent schools' state swim meets are  scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Finals are slated to start at 3:30 p.m.

Read more here: http://lknprepsports.blogspot.com/2013/02/southlake-trio-wins-wrestling-titles.html#storylink=cpy

Robinson falls in 3A semifinals

Jay M. Robinson barely got by host Southwest Randolph 32-31 Thursday night in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A dual-team wrestling quarterfinals.

But the Bulldogs couldn't muster a win against Fred T. Foard in the semis, dropping the match 38-27.

Robinson, the SPC regular-season and conference champions, finish the year 28-7.

The Bulldogs and other local wrestlers will compete in the 3A Midwest individual regional on Feb. 22-23 at Hickory Ridge. The top four wrestlers in each class will qualify for the 3A state meet in Greensboro on Feb. 28-March 2.

Eagles named all-conference

The Metrolina Athletic Conference announced its boys' and girls' all-conference basketball teams. Five First Assembly players – Cassidy Crawford, Zaria Wright, Kriston Beasley, Nate Cantadore and Stefan Fundic – were honors.

Here is the complete all-conference lists:

2012-13 Girls MAC All-Conference

Hannah Adamczyk – Hickory Grove Christian School

Catherine Casey – Westminster Catawba Christian School

Cassidy Crawford – First Assembly Christian School

Catherine Crouch – Covenant Day School

Amanda Dobner – Hickory Grove Christian School

Veronica Dzuik – SouthLake Christian Academy

Kianna Funderburk – SouthLake Christian Academy

Hannah Griffin – Hickory Grove Christian School

Jayla Joyner – Hickory Grove Christian School

Nora Logan – Metrolina Christian Academy

Morgan Mosteller – Covenant Day School

Nina Okoroji – Gaston Christian School

Giselle Verville – SouthLake Christian Academy

Zaria Wright – First Assembly Christian School

2012-13 Boys MAC All-Conference

David Airing – Covenant Day School

Kriston Beasley – First Assembly Christian School

Nate Cantadore – First Assembly Christian School

James Demery – Northside Christian Academy

Dustin Dodd – Hickory Grove Christian School

Josh Dominguez – Metrolina Christian Academy

Stefan Fundic – First Assembly Christian School

Keith Griffin – Hickory Grove Christian School

AJ Jackson – Westminster Catawba Christian School

Luke Morrison – Northside Christian Academy

Tyrell Nelson – Metrolina Christian Academy

Phillip Reed – Northside Christian Academy

Jalen Sanders – SouthLake Christian Academy

Keyshawn Woods – Northside Christian Academy

Bulldogs reach 3A wrestling quarterfinals

Jay M. Robinson beat North Iredell and Asheboro Tuesday night to get to the N.C. High School Athletic Association's 3A dual-team quarterfinals.

The Bulldogs, the South Piedmont Conference champions, defeated North Iredell 38-33 in the first round before dropping Asheboro 57-19 in the second.

Robinson will travel to Southwest Randolph on Thursday for the state quarterfinals. The winner will face Fred T. Foard or Ashbrook for a shot to wrestle at Saturday's 3A state championship match.

Cabarrus County's other playoff representative, Concord, lost in the first round. The Spiders dropped their match 42-25 to West Iredell.

Fiedler defends 100 butterfly title

Jay M. Robinson's Griffin Fiedler claimed the 100-yard butterfly state championship at the 3A state meet Friday. The senior was the defending 100 fly medalist.

Griffin led the way for area athletes to help the Bulldogs boys finish fifth. He was part of the runner-up 400-yard freestyle relay along with Ryan Buddendeck, Dillon Roey and Tyler Gomez.


A.L. Brown's Davied Sanchez was runner-up in the 100-yard backstroke, the event the senior won last year.

Cox Mill finished ninth, while Concord was 10th in the boys' standings.

The Lady Bulldogs were fourth. The Lady Spiders were sixth while Hickory Ridge was ninth, A.L. Brown was 12th and Cox Mill was 14th.

Here are the full results.

Ragin' Bulls duo perform at state runners-up

Hickory Ridge's Jordan Warren won a state championship in the triple job and took second in the high jump to lead Cabarrus County's athletes at the 1A/2A/3A indoor track state meet. Teammate Elizabeth Olesen was second in the girls' high jump.

The Ragin' Bulls finished were tied for 19th among the boys and 26th in the girls' standings.

Jay M. Robinson's 4x800 meter relay, made up of Ashleigh Andrejchak, Brooke Johns, Katie Miller and Natalie Andrejchak, finished third. The Lady Bulldogs were 30th.

Click here for full results.

Robinson wins SPC wrestling tourney

Behind six individual conference champions, Jay M. Robinson claimed another South Piedmont Conference wrestling tournament title.

The Bulldogs' David Cline (106), Jonah Swinson (126), Hamilton Jones (138), Jake Glunt (152), Kenan Robertson (160) Harrison Marchese (220) won SPC titles.

Mount Pleasant was tournament runner-up, while Hickory Ridge was third. Concord, which was regular-season runner-up, did not place any wrestlers.

Robinson, the SPC regular-season champion, and Concord will represent the league in the 3A dual-team state tournament, which kicks off Tuesday.

Robinson will travel to Marvin Ridge to face North Iredell in the first round. The winner will face either Marvin Ridge or Asheboro later that night.

Concord will travel to North Piedmont champs West Iredell. In the second round, the winner takes on Charlotte Catholic or Southwest Randolph.