Saturday’s HS basketball rewind: No. 2 Catholic girls get test, but stop Providence Day
The Charlotte Catholic girls’ basketball team has many strengths, and one of them was on display Saturday evening at Providence Day School.
The Cougars (4-0) are resilient.
“We took a good shot from that team,” Cougars coach Robert Conrad said, after his team subdued the Chargers 50-39 in the Barefoot Classic. “We fell behind and had to battle back. I liked the resilience I saw from our team.”
Providence Day (4-5), loaded with sophomores and apparently unfazed by Catholic’s height advantage at nearly every position, led for much of the first half, by margins of up to eight points (20-12).
In the end, though, the second-ranked Cougars pulled away and looked very much the part of a 4A state championship contender.
Saturday’s game was, in effect, a final tuneup for Charlotte Catholic before its Tuesday night game at top-ranked Independence.
“Those will be two of the state’s top teams,” Conrad said.
With four sophomores in the starting lineup, coach Josh Springer’s Chargers hit 7-of-14 from the floor in the second quarter and built their big lead, although the Cougars fought back for a 27-27 halftime tie.
In the third quarter, Charlotte Catholic began hitting its long-range shots, and Providence Day had no answer.
“When 44 and 34 start hitting those shots from 18 feet, it’s pretty tough to beat them,” Springer said, referring to Graceynn Gough and Blanca Thomas. “Until then, we held our own with them. I was proud of our kids.”
Charlotte Catholic is a powerhouse because it excels in nearly all parts of the game.
The Cougars play tenacious defense, led by guards Olivia Fava and Kate Meardle. With Meardle sidelined Saturday, Fava picked up the slack and shut down Providence Day’s Jada McClure in the second half. McClure had 12 points at halftime. She finished with 14.
Hough can score from the inside or outside. On Saturday, she hit four 3-pointers and finished with 15 points.
And then there’s 6-6 Thomas, who dominated the inside but stepped outside and connected twice from 15 feet or longer. She finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and a steal.
“That is one of the best teams in North Carolina,” Springer, who has coached state championship contenders himself, said of Charlotte Catholic.
Conrad said playing Providence Day was a good experience.
“It will help us, down the road,” he said. “Against Providence Day, if you make a mistake, it usually turns into two points for the other team.”
Just noting
▪ Saturday’s games were a fundraiser for the Samaritan’s Feet charity, and coaches either wore just socks or coached in their bare feet. Conrad was in the latter category. “My coaching record is 1-0 alltime in bare feet,” he said. “I don’t plan to make a practice of it.”
▪ Charlotte Catholic hit 18-of-48 from the floor, for 37 percent. Providence Day made 16-of-49, for 31 percent. McClure led the Chargers with 14 points, and Sophie Levine added 10.
Steve Lyttle on Twitter: @slyttle
Myers Park falls to Paul VI at National Hoops Fest
In a battle of top 10-ranked teams in the nation, Myers Park had a chance to upset No. 2 Paul VI in regulation but fell 78-70 in overtime.
Myers Park rallied in the fourth quarter behind Notre Dame-bound senior guard Sir Mohammed, who finished with a game-high 30 points. Mohammed made a pair of monster 3-point shots to give his team the lead late.
The Mustangs ended up with a possession to win, but turned the ball over with three seconds left in regulation.
In overtime, playing without starting point guard, Tennessee signee Bishop Boswell, the Mustangs seemed to run out of gas and struggled to score.
Myers Park, No. 8 in MaxPreps’ national poll, fell to 4-2 on the season.
Saturday’s #BIG5 top performers
Amare Bethel, Charlotte Country Day boys: Bethel finished with a game-high 25 points as Charlotte Country Day, No. 16 in The Sweet 16, upset No. 9 Victory Christian at home.
Jake Benham, Concord Academy boys: Benham had a game-high 30 points in a 64-40 win over Hammond (SC). Benham made 10 3-point shots.
Jackson Fannon, East Lincoln boys: Fannon had 19 points, six rebounds, four steals in a 68-62 win over Kings Mountain at the Phenom Hoops 828 Showcase in Morganton.
Sir Mohammed, Myers Park: game-high 30 points, plus nine rebounds and three assists against No. 2 national ranked Paul VI at the National Hoops Fest tournament. Myers Park lost a close game in overtime. Mohammed made 12-of-24 field goals attempts and 5-of-11 3-point attempts. Teammate Sadiq White (24 points, seven rebounds, 12-of-21 field goals) also had a big game.
Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic girls: The UNC signee had 17 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and a steal in a 50-39 win at private school power Providence Day.
Saturday’s boys’ box scores
▪ Sweet 16 rankings included:
NO. 16 CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 65, NO. 9 VICTORY CHRISTIAN 55
COUNTRY DAY 65 — Amare Bethel 25, Jojo Youakim 10, Nick Diaz 13, Smith 3, Scott 2, Schulze 4, Lowery 6, Horton 2
VICTORY CHRISTIAN 55 — Xavier 13, Alvis 10, Justyn 5, Myles 10, Carlos 2, Abubakar 2, Kabba 9, Siulm 4
Notable: The Bucs put in their best performance of the year to beat the Kings at home. Amare Bethel had 25 to lead the Bucs who are off this week for exams.
CONCORD ACADEMY 64, HAMMOND (SC) 40
Concord Academy 5 15 24 20 — 64
Hammond 5 15 8 12— 40
CONCORD ACADEMY 64 — Ian Howard 11, Sherrod McCormick 8, Lincoln Raper 2, Gray Madiera 1, Jake Benham 30, Sean Birmingham 6, Andre Rudy 2, Alek Kornacki 4
HAMMOND (SC) 40 — O Haltiwager 7, L Aaunders 5, D Haltiwanger 15, B Cvea 3, M Typer 10
Notable: Concord Academy’s Jake Benham made 10 3-point shots.
EAST LINCOLN 68, KINGS MOUNTAIN 62
East Lincoln 15 17 13 23 — 68
Kings Mountain 18 18 14 12 — 62
EAST LINCOLN 68 — Davis Hill 14, Riley Shropshire 2, Christian Atkins 15, Hampton Good 0, Houston Hartsell 14, Landon Aungst 0, Grant Lawless 4, Jackson Fannon 19
KINGS MOUNTAIN 62 — Tucker Robinette 10, Bradley Floyd 17, Kee’don Linney 6, Jordan Floyd 11, Charlie Foster 2, J’myun Huskey 16
Records: East Lincoln 2-3; Kings Mountain 2-1
Notable: The Mustangs have defeated the Mountaineers five straight times from 2018-2023. East Lincoln outscored Kings Mountain 23-12 in the fourth quarter to win the tightly fought game at the Phenom Hoops 828 Showcase at Freedom HS in Morganton.
OLYMPIC TROJANS 59, SOUTH AIKEN 34
Olympic 19 18 15 7 — 59
South Aiken 7 9 6 12 - 34
OLYMPIC 59 — Randy Johnson 17, Jaden Hardnett 14, Maurice Sabb 9, De’Angelo Hall 7, Rico Jackson 6, Cannon Deberry 2 , Terrance Southerland 2, Landon Glaze 2
SOUTH AIKEN 53 — Ladontae Felton 18, Kyson Mcleod 10, Tyler Nipper 2, Deon Simpkins 2, Roy Harris 2
Saturday’s girls’ box scores
NO. 2 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 50, PROVIDENCE DAY 39
Providence Day 10 17 5 7 — 39
Catholic 12 15 16 7 — 50
PROVIDENCE DAY 39 — Jaida McClure 14 Sophie Levine 10 UpDyke 4 Stuart 3 Ramsden 2 Dennison 3 Fyans 3
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 50 — Blanca Thomas 17 Gracynn Gough 15 Flava 7 McKain 2 Kernodle 7 Shea 2
PDS Record: 6-5
NO. 6 MYERS PARK 47, CATAWBA RIDGE 27
Catawba Ridge 6 2 13 6 — 27
Myers Park 10 4 13 21 — 47
CATAWBA RIDGE 27 — Morgan Davis 15, Reilly 5, Wilson 7
MYERS PARK 47 — Jerin Truesdale 15, Jimenez-Willis 7, Holcomb 4, Barner 5, Lassiter 2, Reich 1, Evers 1, McDaniel 4, Wilson 5, Thomason 4,
Records: Catawba Ridge - 1-8; Myers Park HS 7-0
HIGHLAND TECH 47, PIEDMONT CHARTER 43
PIEDMONT CHARTER 43 — Evie East 14, Houser 8, Brown 8, Berry 8, Cammer 3, Brown 2
VICTORY CHRISTIAN 59, CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 45
CCDS 11 9 12 13 — 45
Victory Christian 11 14 19 15 — 59
CCDS 45 — Sam Vanderhave 14, Margaret Blythe 12, Olive Bigham 15, Starnes 2, C Smith 2
VICTORY CHRISTIAN 59 — Lya 13, Sofia 13, Steph 11, Deborah8, Rosalyn 7, Idabell 3, Olivia 2, Iany 2
Records: CCDS 7-3
Friday’s girls basketball rewind
COUNTRY DAY WINS BIG ON BIGHAM’S BIRTHDAY
Country Day’s Olive Bigham led the Bucs past Cox Mill on her birthday.
FRIDAY’S #BIG5 TOP PERFORMERS
Kiara Anderson, East Lincoln: Anderson had 25 points, nine assists, six steals, four rebounds in a 68-29 win over Ashbrook. The Mustangs won their 41st straight regular-season game.
Boston Bates, North Mecklenburg: Bates scored 13 points, four steals in a 70-44 win for No. 8 North Meck over No. 13 Hough. Bates scored her 1,000th point in the win.
Hope Kluttz, South Mecklenburg: Kluttz had a career-high 14 points, making 43 percent of her 3-point attempts, in a 56-19 win over Olympic.
Gia Lowe, Mooresville: The sophomore had 13 points, seven blocks in a 43-35 win over Statesville.
Amani Neely, Forestview: Neely hit for 25 points, four rebounds in a 77-55 win over Bessemer City.
Friday’s box scores
▪ Observer Sweet 16 records included
NO. 2 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 74, PROVIDENCE 43
Catholic 25 10 21 18 — 74
Providence 4 11 9 12 — 43
Catholic 74 — Oliva Fava 8, Kate McArdle 2, Maggie Kernodle 10, Blanca Thomas 19, Gracyn Gough 16, Harper McKain 9, Megan Shea 2, Matalie Bryon 4, Caroline Fey 2
Providence 43 — Delanie Hill 23, Marlee Whitten 5, Julia Skinner 6, Isabella Hall 5, Lindsay Nolan 3, Noelle Williams 1
NO. 3 CANNON SCHOOL 53, COLONIAL HIGH (FL) 42
CANNON SCHOOL 53 — Maya Mccorkle 6, Madison Drayton 13p, Brooke Busby 10p, Kierra Morrow 14p, Hina Nakamura 2, Khloe Thompson 8
Notable: Cannon School 8-0 Next vs S3 Academy (VA) @ She Got Game Classic, DC. Saturday 12/9
NO. 5 MALLARD CREEK 75, WEST CHARLOTTE 20
Mallard Creek 32 18 15 10 —75
West Charlotte 2 9 7 2 — 20
MALLARD CREEK 75 — Elle Stone 10, Lili Booker 12, Biosse 6, Easterling 7, McGuire 8, Campbell 6, Tendall 4, Hennegan 2, Horne 5, Young 6, Robertson 4, J. Stone 5
WEST CHARLOTTE 20 — Grier 7, Generette 5, Andrews 3, Simmons 3, Bowman 2
Notable: Mallard Creek junior Elle Stone finished with 10 points, six steals, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Senior guard Lili Booker finished with 12 points, four steals, four assists and two rebounds.
Records: Mallard Creek 6-2 overall, League 1-0
NO. 8 NORTH MECKLENBURG 70, NO. 13 HOUGH 44
North Mecklenburg 23 15 13 19 — 70
Hough 9 11 12 12 — 44
NORTH MECKLENBURG 70 — Lenise Joesph 17, Boston Bates 13, Shanon Hoover, Morgan Knox 10, Reid 6, Fullenwider 5, Rivera 4, Smith 3, Davis 2,
HOUGH 44 — Chloe Galombeck 16, Zoerb 8, Breault 4, Law 4, James 2, DaKubecy 2, Mobley 2, Jones 2, Puskarick 2, Otto 2
Records: North Meck 5-2, 1-0
Notable: North Meck’s Boston Bates scored her 1,000th career point. Teammate Lenise Joseph had 17 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. Bates finished with 13 points and four steals.
NO. 9 EAST LINCOLN 68, ASHBROOK 29
Ashbrook 6 8 5 10 — 29
East LIncoln 27 24 13 4 — 68
ASHBROOK 29 — Nykira Arrington 16, D. Hardin 8, Quanteria Threats 3, A. McDowell 2
EAST LINCOLN 68 — Kiara Anderson 25, Lane Pethel 15, E. Montanari 9, A. Hege 4, M. Matz 4, M. Schmitz 4, B. Miller 4, N. Atkins 3
Noteables: The Lady Mustangs raced out to a 51-14 halftime lead en route to their 41st consecutive regular-season win. Kiara Anderson had 25 points, nine assists, six steals, four rebounds and a block. Teammates Emma Montanari (nine points, nine rebounds, five steals, five blocks, four assists) and Lane Pethel (15 points, seven rebounds) had strong games.
Records: AHS: (2-3,0-0) Next game vs East Lincoln 12/12/23; ELHS: (5-0, 0-0) Next Game @ East Lincoln 12/12/23
NO. 11 SOUTH MECKLENBURG 56, OLYMPIC 19
SOUTH MECK 9 9 20 18 — 56
OLYMPIC 2 4 4 9 — 19
SOUTH 56 — Hope Kluttz 14, Brown 13, Davis 11, Heaslet 8
OLYMPIC 19 — Barri Terry 8, James 5
Notable: Hope Kluttz led all scorers with a career high 14 points, shooting 43 percent from the 3-point line for South. Kyilah Brown added 13 points, seven steals.
Record: South Meck 3-3. Olympic 4-2
NO. 12 ARDREY KELL 58 SUN VALLEY 46
Ardrey Kell 11 21 15 9 — 58
Sun Valley 8 8 16 16 — 46
ARDREY KELL 58— Molly Burns 14, Skyler Fleck 14, Teanna Kenan 10, McCoy 8, Glahn 7, Sahayaraj 2
SUN VALLEY 46 — Robinson 15, Henry 12, Garcia 8, Grant 7, Meaders 2, Bradley 1
NO. 14 HICKORY RIDGE 55, NO. 10 PORTER RIDGE 47
Porter Ridge 12 9 19 7 — 47
HIckory Ridge 13 14 5 23 — 55
PORTER RIDGE 47 — Taylor 19, Blackwell 13, Malcolm 7, Scaldara 4, Williams 2, Swanston 2
HICKORY RIDGE 55 — S. Gidney 16, Leathers 16, M. Gidney 14, Duley 3, K. Woodward 3, C.Woodward
Notable: Sheree Gidney and Amya Leathers paced the Ragin’ Bulls with 16 point each
Records: Porter Ridge 4-4 Hickory Ridge 5-1
CENTRAL CABARRUS 45, CARSON 24
Central: 16 14 8 7 — 45
Carson 6 4 7 7 — 24
CENTRAL CABARRUS 45 — Burton 9, Lewis 8, Cruz 8, Duncan 5, Blanchard 5, Pickett 5, Arévalo 2, Estrada-Hill 2, Meeks 1
CARSON 24 — Rylee Hedrick 13, Bureleson 7, Furr 4
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY 41, COX MILL 25
Country Day 8 12 9 12 — 41
Cox Mill 8 3 1 13 — 25
COUNTRY DAY 41 — Sam Vanderhave 16, Margaret Blythe 11, Bigham 9, Britton 2, Turner 2, C Smith 1
COX MILL 25 — Alexander 7, Rkhardson 6, Saranon 4, Williams 2, Gibson 1
Records: CCDS 7-2; Cox Mill 4-2
Notable: Country Day allowed four points in the second and third quarters.
FORESTVIEW 77, BESSEMER CITY 55
Forestview 20 15 19 23 — 77
Bessemer City 10 15 16 14 — 55
FORESTVIEW 77 — Amani Neely 25, Tralyn Phillips 12, Blair Riley 11, Thompson 8, Forgan 6, Baker 5, Springs 4, Duncan 3, Anthony 3
BESSEMER CITY 55 — Kionna Pettus 25, Imani Rhodes 19, Harper 4, Jeffries 4, Mitchell 3
Notable: Amani Neely had four rebounds and a steal. Blair Riley posted seven rebounds and five steals. Miangel Thompson dished out 10 assists, nine steals and seven rebounds
Next: Forestview 6-1 travels to Crest next Friday.
HIGHLAND TECH 47, PIEDMONT CHARTER 43
HIGHLAND TECH 47 — Aleka Taylor 12, Thomas 8, McCraw 7, Maiers 6, Letts 9
Record: Highland Tech 5-1
LINCOLN CHARTER 64, CORVIAN COMMUNITY 21
Corvian 0 9 10 2 — 21
LIncoln Charter 22 14 23 5 — 64
CORVIAN 21 — w. Sandfors 8, C. Wheatley 7, A. Kinble 4, P. Church 2
LINCOLN CHARTER 64 — Kallie Lusk 16, Martha Guinle 13, Samantha Ayres 10, Taylor Riggenbach 10, Clair David 7, Lillie Merrill 4, Kaylyn Cherry 2, Olexa King
Notable: Kallie Lusk lead continued her hot shooting with 16 points. Lincoln Charter (4-3, 1-0) plays at Community School of Davidson Dec. 12.
MOORESVILLE 43, STATESVILLE 35
Statesville 12 1 7 15 — 35
Mooresville 10 11 7 15 — 43
MOORESVILLE 43 — Macy Crum 16, Gia Lowe 13
Record: Statesville 0-4, Mooresville 2-5
MOUNT TABOR 56, WEST CABARRUS 55
Mount Tabor 14 15 12 15 — 56
West Cabarrus 8 16 9 22 — 55
MOUNT TABOR 56 — Shaymiah Bailey 19, Kleiauna Riddida 13, Ava Hairston 11, McLean 8, Fulp 2, Scurry 3
WEST CABARRUS 55 — Tyler Collins 16, Kaiya Bond 15, Jillian Simmons 10, Shariah White 10, Neal 4
NORTH GASTON 59, BESSEMER CITY 52
North Gaston 12 19 17 11 — 59
Bessemer City 13 2 9 18— 52
NORTH GASTON 59 — Littlejohn-27,Brown 12,Thomas 9,Jackson 6,Arrowood 5
BESSEMER CITY 52 — Kionn Pettus 37 pts, Summer Gibson 3, Natalee Mitchell 2
Thursday’s box scores
JACKSON DAY 43, HIGHLAND TECH 40
HIGHLAND TECH 40 — Addie McCraw 10, Letts 9, Maiers 9
JACKSON DAY 43 — B. Beigil 17, A. Martin 14
Records: Highland Tech 4-1; Jackson Day 8-1
NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 70, WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 10
Northside 30 20 12 8 — 70
Westminster 6 1 2 1 — 10
NORTHSIDE 70 — Womack-5, Jakaila Gaskin- 23, Carelock- 9, Chambers- 6, Golphin- 6, Courtney Ashford- 14, Toscano- 2, Fields- 5
Notable: Jakaila Gaskin, an 8th grader, had 23 points, 10 rebounds, four steals for Northside. Teammate Courtney Ashford added 14 Points, three steals in a conference win.
PROVIDENCE DAY 37, TASMANIA (AUSTRALIA) 30
Providence Day 7 11 11 8 — 37
Tasmania 5 9 9 7 — 30
PROVIDENCE DAY 37 — McClure 7 Levine 7 Swinson 6 Fyans 6 Dennison 6 Clark 5
TASMANIA 30 — Portia Chopping 12 Nikki Parker 6 Sophie Ryan 3 Ali Reynolds 7
Notable: PDS record 6-4. Providence Day cpach Josh Springer won his 400th game.
PHOTOS: Cox Mill girls at Country Day
Saturday’s schedule
Saturday
Nonconference
Bonnie Cone Leadership at Valor Prep
Cannon School vs. S3 Academy (VA), in She Got Game Classic in Washington (girls)
Independence vs. Knoxville (TN) Farragut, in Double Tree Round Ball Classic at Johnson City, TN, noon (boys)
Myers Park vs. Chantilly (VA) Pope Paul VI, in National Hoopsfest at DeMatha (MD) High, 8:45 (boys)
Rabun Gap School at Legion Collegiate (SC)
Victory Christian at Charlotte Country Day (girls, 1; boys, 2:30)
Asheville Classic (boys)
(at Christ School, Arden)
Collins Hill (GA) vs. A.C. Reynolds, 1
Hendersonville vs. Lancaster (SC), 2:30
Combine Academy vs. United Faith Christian, 4
Charlotte Christian vs. Christ School, 5:30
Battle of the Border
(at Clover, SC, High; two gyms)
(girls) South Aiken vs. East Gaston, 1
(boys) Olympic vs. South Aiken, 1:30
(boys) East Gaston vs. Rock Hill, 5:30
(girls) Kings Mountain vs. Clover, 6
(girls) Hunter Huss vs. Rock Hill, 6:30
(boys) Hunter Huss vs. Clover, 8:30
Phenom 828 Showcase
(at Freedom High, Morganton)
Maiden vs. Asheville Christian, noon
Carmel Christian vs. Moravian Prep, 1:30
Hickory vs. South Caldwell, 3
East Lincoln vs. Kings Mountain, 4:30
Freedom vs. Shelby, 6 (girls)
Hopewell vs. Freedom, 7:30
Phenom Hoops Tourney Town Showcase (boys)
(at Smith High, Greensboro)
Chatham Charter vs. Southeast Raleigh, noon
Page vs. Westover, 1:30
Southern Guilford vs. Calvary Day, 3
Greensboro Day vs. Millbrook, 4:30
Caldwell Academy vs. Orange, 6
Grimsley vs. Salisbury, 7:30
Ben Smith vs. High Point Christian, 9
Samaritan’s Feet Classic
(at Providence Day)
Catawba Ridge (SC) vs. Myers Park, 1 (girls)
Concord Academy vs. Hammond School (SC), 2:30 (boys)
Charlotte Catholic vs. Providence Day, 4 (girls)
Northside Christian vs. Providence Day, 5:30 (boys)
This story was originally published December 8, 2023 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Saturday’s HS basketball rewind: No. 2 Catholic girls get test, but stop Providence Day."
