Independence vs Richmond Senior to be played at Independence

Independence High’s N.C. 4AA football semifinal against Richmond Senior will be played at Independence Friday. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.

Coach Tom Knotts said Friday after winning against Butler that there was no need for the Patriots to switch the game to Memorial Stadium to accommodate a potential large crowd.

“We looked on TV at the West Charlotte game (vs. Richmond Senior on Nov. 21) and they didn’t fill their side of the stands,” Knotts said, refering to Richmond’s crowd. “They used to travel good, but they’re not traveling quite like they used to.
“The game will be at Independence, and we look forward to playing them at home.”

Independence-Butler games have routinely been switched to Memorial Stadium because of large crowds. Independence switched home playoffs against Richmond Senior to Memorial Stadium in 2003 and 2004.

Patriots athletics director Kelly Lewis confirmed Saturday that the semifinal is scheduled to be played at Independence’s home field on Friday.

-- Cliff Mehrtens

Q&A with Tom Knotts

Observer reporter Langston Wertz Jr. sat down with sometimes controversial Independence High Tom Knotts for a 90-minute talk Sunday night that ranged from what he thinks CMS principals need to be successful to why this run to a potential state championship is more important to him than any other. You can read the interview in Friday's Observer. Here are portions that will not appear in the print version:

Q. Could you take not winning?
A. “It would be hard. I’d be tough to live with. But I wouldn’t complain about not having p layers. I’d go to work like we did at Harding (going 6-14 in two years before turning it around). We made some changes and we were successful. We felt we had a plan and just needed the backing of the administration and teachers and for kids to be willing and you’ve got to have some players. But I believe every Charlotte school has 10 to 12 great players.”

Q. You’ve turned out more great players than a lot of coaches here, though. How do you want to be remembered when you stop?

A. “That I’ve given it my best and that I’m in it for the kids. That I enjoyed coaching kids and seeing them grow up to be young men. That I give it my all.”

Q. You ever think about doing something else?

A. “I’m not going to get out of it. Nothing else interests me as far as making money.”

Q. OK, what’s next then? Would you be interested in a new school?

A. I’m not interesting in starting a program like at UNCC or the new Mint Hill High. I have a great relationship with Mint Hill mayor (Ted) Biggers and we’ve talked about several things. It remains to be seen. But I’m more a Westside guy than an Eastside guy and I guess Indy right now is like a Westside school. But if the mayor has a hand in it, I could maybe do the Mint Hill school. A Mint Hill school would be good but not if all the Mint Hill kids keep going to Butler. I don’t know why we don’t get any Mint Hill kids. It’s like they’re letting our school go the way of others that are struggling.”

Q. Two CMS officials recently told me they’d favor leaving the N.C. High School Athletic Association and have city championships instead. What do you think?

A. “I don’t really care to leave the state association but I think the state has to be pay more attention to Charlotte since we’ve got so many teams going deep into the playoffs every year. We’ve got ADs who have good ideas and it seems to be we’re behind the times when it comes to so many things.”

Q. How has having a son, Jaxon, this year changed your life?

A. “It’s easier to leave work at school even though I have worked all weekend on Butler. My wife has been very accommodating. But I get frustrated by kids today. I don’t understand them. That really motivates me but it also makes me irritable, makes me mad. I don’t understand their attitudes and their terrible work ethics, but when I come home now I’m able to forget about the four or five guys that drive me nuts until the next day. I don’t bring it home much anymore.”

Q. Will you hang around long enough to coach your son and coach into your 70s like Catholic’s Jim Oddo? Will he play quarterback, your favorite position?

A. “It remains to been seen if Jaxon's a quarterback. He’s a little bit chunky now, but he might be a dad gum good lineman. Coach’s sons are always good. I probably will coach until I’m Oddo’s age. But there’s going to be a time when I take a year off. I haven’t had a Thanksgiving in 20 years. I had a momma the other day say, ‘I don’t think my son needs to practice, we’re going to the Outer Banks.’ I’m like, ‘We have practice and if he doesn’t practice, he doesn’t play.’ I’ve given up maybe 19 of the past 22 Thanksgivings. It’s a hard life. I’ve been going from July full-tilt now.”

Oasis All-Star Shrine Classic rosters

Here are rosters for the Oasis All-Star Shrine Classic, 1 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium (Charlotte).

The game matches football all-stars from private and independent schools in both Carolinas.

North Carolina

Team Jersey No. First Last School Height Weight Position-1 Position-2 NC 33 Cole Gonet NC-Ravenscroft School 6-2 218 LB RB NC 35 Jonathan Williams NC-First Assembly Christian School 5-11 200 LB RB NC 72 John Benson NC-Charlotte Country Day School 6-2 255 OL DL NC 32 Trevor Taylor NC-Ravenscroft School 5-10 182 RB DB NC 10 Landon Adams NC-Hickory Grove Christian Academy 6-1 160 RB DB NC 19 Lanny Funsten NC-Ravenscroft School 6-2 175 DB WR NC 24 Carter Barnhardt NC-Charlotte Latin School 5-11 200 RB LB NC 44 Ryan Rawlins NC-Halifax Academy 6 215 DB LB NC 88 Christian Rogers NC-Christ School 6-5 240 TE DE NC 75 Wesley Bryant NC-Northeast Academy 6-1 260 DL OL NC 36 Arch Harrell NC-Northeast Academy 6 207 LB RB NC 30 Terrell Tyrance NC-Providence Day School 5-11 190 RB LB NC 42 August Campbell NC-Christ School 6-3 207 LB RB NC 53 Kip Haddock NC-Charlotte Country Day School 6-1 227 OL DL NC 15 Josh Strickland NC-Forsyth Country Day School 6-2 185 WR LB NC 77 Curtis Porter NC-Victory Christian Center School 6-3 330 DL OL NC 78 Zach Cook NC-Charlotte Christian School 6-3 235 OL DL NC 3 Grey Berry NC-Ravenscroft School 6-4 225 DE TE NC 6 Cromatia King NC-Trinity Christian School 6-4 177 QB DB NC 70 Zach Orsino NC-Charlotte Christian School 6-2 230 OL DL NC 9 Sylvester Crawford NC-Northside Christian Academy 6-5 221 TE DE NC 14 Jonathan Miller NC-Charlotte Christian School 6 180 WR DB NC 55 Andrew Dos Santos NC-Asheville School 6 255 OL DL NC 2 Ross Cockrell NC-Charlotte Latin School 6 170 WR DB NC 21 Kitric Reeves NC-Trinity Christian School 6-2 200 WR LB NC 56 Vic Showalter NC-Charlotte Country Day School 6 195 LB OL NC 5 Blake Wylie NC-Providence Day School 5-11 167 WR DB NC 7 Hayden Maples NC-Ravenscroft School 6-2 185 QB DB NC 12 Jarvis Denning NC-World Of God Christian Academy 6-2 190 QB DB NC 4 Wil Kamin NC-Charlotte Christian School 5-9 165 K/P K/P NC 52 Mark "Bo" Ernsberger NC-Charlotte Latin School 6 195 LB RB NC 1 Michael Staton NC-Victory Christian Center School 5-7 165 RB DB NC 90 Justin Foxx NC-Victory Christian Center School 6-3 211 DE TE NC 17 Hedley Jennings NC-Charlotte Country Day School 6-1 190 QB DB NC 8 Travis Wilson NC-Harrells Christian Academy 5-11 190 RB LB NC 65 Justin Campbell NC-Victory Christian Center School 6 295 OL DL NC 11 Doug Mayo-Tapp NC-Providence Day School 6-1 180 WR DB

NC Coaches: NC Head Coach: Ned Gonet NC Assistant Coach: Bob Whitman NC Assistant Coach: Steve Wall NC Assistant Coach: Wes Wilder

South Carolina

Team Jersey No First Last School Height Weight Position-1 Position-2 SC 9 Zachary Robertson SC-Thomas Sumter 6 180 TE LB SC 11 William Banks SC-Augusta Christian 5-9 180 ATH DB SC 7 Joey Davis SC-Hilton Head Christian 6 170 WR DB SC 76 Jonathan Gibbs SC-Augusta Christian 6-1 260 OL DL SC 48 Justin Tretera SC-Northwood Academy 6 200 RB LB SC 21 Mark McDevitt SC-Hilton Head Christian 5-11 155 WR DB SC 14 Jeffrey Kinard SC-Colleton Prep 6-1 180 TE LB SC 88 William Hyman SC-Proter-Gaud 6-3 228 TE LB SC 55 Jordan Randolph SC-First Baptist 6-4 235 OL DL SC 42 Andrew Harvin SC-Wilson Hall 6-1 180 TE LB SC 67 William Clinkscales SC-Wilson Hall 6-4 235 OL DL SC 6 Dustin Scott SC-Thomas Sumter 5-9 185 RB DB SC 20 Rickie Crum SC-Wilson Hall 5-9 174 RB DB SC 28 Josh Funderburk SC-Dillon Christian 6 165 WR DB SC 34 Nicolas Montalto SC-Bible Baptist 5-11 217 RB LB SC 19 Garrett Freel SC-Dillon Christian 6-1 215 RB LB SC 8 Carson Parker SC-Proter-Gaud 5-9 165 WR DB SC 31 Xan Mangum SC-Ben Lippen 6 205 WR DB SC 70 Michael Robinson SC-Laurence Manning 6 240 OL DL SC 12 Davis Ray SC-Heathwood Hall 6-1 180 WR DB SC 75 Evan Peterson SC-Heathwood Hall 6-2 255 OL DL SC 72 Nathan Parrish SC-Ben Lippen 6-2 275 OL DL SC 10 Ryan Salley SC-Orangeburg Prep 5-10 165 WR DB SC 5 Thomas Plumb SC-Orangeburg Prep 6-2 190 QB ATH SC 17 Jarin Bouie SC-Pinewood Prep 6-1 160 WR DB SC 13 Michael Williamson SC-Orangeburg Prep 6-2 185 WR DB SC 2 LaQuan Gilliard SC-Pinewood Prep 6-3 185 WR DB SC 58 Phillip Thames SC-Laurence Manning 6 225 OL DL SC 57 Chase Loveless SC-Hammond School 6-5 255 OL DL SC 4 Cliff Ayers SC-Hammond School 6-3 175 QB ATH SC 22 Melvin Lesure SC-Pinewood Prep 5-10 190 RB DB SC 44 Will Patterson SC-Hammond School 6 230 RB LB SC 73 Francois Gaudreault SC-Pinewood Prep 6-4 300 OL DL SC 3 Kyle George SC-Hammond School 5-8 165 WR DB SC 33 Justin Bishop SC-Pinewood Prep 6-5 210 TE LB SC 58 Greg Regan SC-Cardinal Newman 6-1 230 OL DL

SC Coaches: SC Head Coach: Tommy Lewis SC Assistant Coach: Ken Kellahan SC Assistant Coach: Will McCombs SC Assistant Coach: Matt Smith

-- Cliff Mehrtens

N.C.'s top recruit listing 5 schools

Fayetteville Jack Britt High's Xavier Nixon, the top offensive line prospect in the state, seems to have narrowed his college choices, according to his coach.

Britt coach Richard Bailey said that from what Nixon has told him, he would guess that Nixon had trimmed his list to Florida, Miami, LSU, North Carolina and Notre Dame.

"That's not definitive; it's just what I've picked up," Bailey said. "He expects to announce his choice next month at the (U.S. Army) high school all-American game, and he's pretty much quit doing interviews now and stopped talking to (college) coaches."

Bailey added that Nixon is concentrating on Britt's playoff run, which continues Friday night at Hope Mills South View.

Rivals.com ranks Nixon, who is 6-foot-6 and 263 pounds, as the No.3 offensive lineman nationally.

The all-star game is set for Jan. 3 in San Antonio.

-- Stan Olson

Regional basketball, state wrestling tournaments move to Greensboro

GREENSBORO -- Forty-five years ago, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association played its first championship in the Greensboro Coliseum. Today, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the Greensboro Sports Commission, the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, and the Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau are pleased to announce a new partnership agreement that will bring the Western Regional basketball championships and state wrestling championships to Greensboro, and continue the state track championships in Greensboro.

Other partners in this endeavor are the Greensboro Sports Council, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and North Carolina A&T State University.

Beginning in March of 2009, the Western Regional basketball championships will be held in the Special Events Center of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex and at Fleming Gymnasium on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The State Individual Wrestling Championships will be held in the Greensboro Coliseum in 2010 and 2011.

The State Track and Field Championships, which have been held at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University since 2004, will continue through 2011.

"Greensboro has long been considered an excellent sports city and we believe our events certainly fit in with a fine sports tradition," said Charlie Adams, executive director of the NCHSAA.

-- Observer News Services

Private school all-state, all-CISAA announced

NCISAA All-State Football Team
OFFENSE
Running Backs
Name School HT WT Class
Mike Staton Victory Christian 5'8" 165 Senior
Trevor Taylor Ravenscroft 5'10" 185 Senior
Terrell Tyrance Providence Day 5'11" 190 Senior
Line
John Benson Charlotte Country Day 6'2" 265 Senior
Zach Cook Charlotte Christian 6'3" 250 Senior
Zach Curl Providence Day 5'11" 235 Senior
Kip Haddock Charlotte Country Day 6'1" 225 Senior
Zach Orsino Charlotte Christian 6'2" 230 Senior
Receivers
Tayler Sipperly Charlotte Latin 6'3" 190 Senior
Blake Wylie Providence Day 6'0" 165 Senior
Quaterback
Hedley Jennings Charlotte Country Day 6'0" 190 Senior
DEFENSE
Backs
Ross Cockrell Charlotte Latin 5'10"175 Senior
Lanny Funsten Ravenscroft 6'1" 175 Senior
Paul Paschal Charlotte Latin 5'11" 210 Junior
Kevin Sherrill Providence Day 5'11" 160 Junior
Line
Carter Barnhardt Charlotte Latin 5'11" 190 Senior
Grey Berry Ravenscroft 6'4" 225 Senior
Justin Foxx Victory Christian 6'5" 215 Senior
Curtis Porter Victory Christian 6'3" 330 Senior
Linebackers
Cole Gonet Ravenscroft 6'2" 218 Senior
Ty Linton Charlotte Christian 6'2" 200 Junior
Vic Showalter Charlotte Country Day 6'0" 195 Senior
Kicker
Wil Kamin Charlotte Christian 5'9" 175 Senior
Punter
Sam Myers Charlotte Latin 6'2" 180 Junior

2008 CISAA All-Conference Football Team



Offense

Running Backs
Terrell Tyrance, Providence Day
Michael Watterson, Charlotte Country Day

Line

John Benson, Charlotte Country Day

Zach Cook, Charlotte Christian

Zach Curl, Providence Day

Kip Haddock, Charlotte Country Day

Zach Orsino, Charlotte Christian

Receivers

Taylor Sipperly, Latin

Blake Wylie, Providence Day

Quarterback

Hedley Jennings, Charlotte Country day

Kicker

Wil Kamin, Charlotte Christian



Defense

Line

Aaron Arant, Charlotte Country Day

Carter Barnardt, Latin

Judson Hall, Charlotte Christian

Scott Sattizahn, Providence Day

Linebackers

Kelby Brown, Charlotte Christian

Bo Ernsberger, Latin

Ty Linton, Charlotte Christian

Vic Showalter, Charlotte Country Day

Backs

Ross Cockrell, Latin

Paul Paschal, Latin

Kevin Sherrill, Providence Day

Punter

Sam Myers, Latin

Huss-Kings Mountain hoops canceled

The basketball game between Gastonia Huss and Kings Mountain, originally scheduled for tonight and moved to Saturday, has been canceled.

The game will not be rescheduled.

The schools will play Dec. 5 at Hunter Huss as scheduled.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

Myers Park to rename gym, dedicate floor

Myers Park High will rename its gym and dedicate the gym floor to two former coaches at its home game Monday.

The gym will become the James A. Hartman Gymnasium, to recognize 26 years of service at Sedgefield Middle School and Myers Park. Coach Hartman was 238-89 in 14 years at Myers Park.

His 1966 team played for the state championship.

The gym floor will be named George Powell Court, to recognize coach Powell’s service as an adminstrator and coach. His 1961 team played in the state championship game.

A reception for friends, family and former players will be at 6 p.m. in the Art Gallery on campus.

The dedication will take place after the girls’ game, at approximately 7:30 p.m.

-- Cliff Mehrtens

Concord First Assembly falls in title game

Concord First Assembly fell short of winning a second straight football state championship on Saturday.

The Eagles lost 38-35 to Harrells Christian in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II title game in Concord. First Assembly finished 10-2 in coach Mike Minter's first season (he's a former Carolina Panther).

First Assembly's Andrew Burton, a senior, ran for 263 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. First Assembly led 21-7 in the first half, and 35-24 early in the fourth quarter, but couldn't hang on.

Harrells Christian finished 10-2.

-- Cliff Mehrtens

Safety Holloman commits to S. Carolina

Rock Hill South Pointe defensive back DeVonte Holloman committed to South Carolina, Stallions coach Bobby Carroll said.

Holloman, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior, moved to Rock Hill during the summer after playing three seasons at N.C. power Independence, where he won two state 4AA state championships in three seasons.

National recruiting service scout.com ranks Holloman as the No. 2 safety in the country and the top overall recruit in South Carolina.

Holloman had withdrawn his commitment to Clemson after Tigers coach Tommy Bowden was fired this season. Now he'll play for Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks in the SEC.

"He's just got great leadership qualities. He leads by example," Carroll said. "He's not very vocal. He's a great kid. He's articlulate and he's having fun. He's good football players."

South Pointe (12-0), in its third year of varsity football, will plays Berkeley at home Friday in second round of playoffs. Berkeley beat South Pointe in the second round of the 2007 S.C. 4A playoffs. --Langston Wertz Jr.

Should CMS leave NCHSAA ?

In my Wednesday weekly column this week, I mentioned an idea that I had heard from two different CMS officials at two different times: that CMS ought to consider leaving the N.C. High School Athletic Association and create a city championship system here instead of participating in state playoffs.

I have gotten a lot of emails about it and people have told me it's sparked some message board discussion at few sites.

I think it's an interesting idea. I am for city championships. In a time when we need to raise funds here, it's a great way to do it. There have been two organizations that have put forth ideas for city championships here, both with corporate sponsors and both with promises to create a fund that would help boost coaches salaries.

But I would rather see a city championship played before teams went to state playoffs. There's still something mystical about winning the state championship and I think the NCHSAA does a great job putting on the events.

Still city championships here would be probably the biggest thing going. I could see kids wearing their letter jackets and rings and hats -- and little kids growing up dreaming of getting them.

How to do it?

In football, you could arrange a two-week city championship playoff fairly easily and in basketball you could do it over Christmas break or eliminate conference tournaments, which I'd rather do, while maintaining something coaches enjoy: giving a non-playoff qualifier a chance to steal a bid with a conference tournament championship.

You could eliminate a few regular season games and start conference tournaments early enough to send the three public school league champs and the CISAA regular season champion into a four-team city championship playoff -- or you could have a two week open-ended playoff event. But if the next realignment introduces CMS teams to multiple leagues, as is likely, the Christmas tournament for basketball and an Easter tournament for baseball would be about the only ways to have a city championship.

Also, a few of have asked about the Q&A. Go ahead and ask away. I've been busy putting out all the basketball stuff and didn't have time to answer, but I'm ready now. I'll check back later today for questions.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

Providence Day girls star chooses Duke

Providence Day girls basketball star Janee Johnson, one of the top senior recruits in North Carolina, signed with Duke Thursday, according to Chargers coach Josh Springer.

Johnson is a 6-foot-1 guard who averaged 12.1 points and 6.7 rebounds for Providence Day, which won its fourth straight N.C. Independent Schools 3A state championship.

Johnson, a McDonald's All-American nominee, chose the Blue Devils over Florida State, Kentucky, N.C. State and Oklahoma. Butler junior center Clair Watkins will also play at Duke. She chose the Blue Devils last week.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

Kennedy Charter hosting basketball tournament

The Elon Homes & Schools high school basketball tipoff tournament begins today at 3 p.m. and will have four games today and tomorrow. Below are pairings and more information:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13

MATCH-UP TIME

Kennedy Charter Girls vs. Waddell High Girls 3 p.m.

Olympic High Girls vs. Gaston Day Girls 4:30 p.m.

Olympic High Boys vs. Queen’s Grant Boys 6:15 p.m.

Kennedy Charter Boys vs. Waddell High Boys 7:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14

MATCH-UP TIME

Kennedy Charter Girls vs. Olympic High Girls 3:00 p.m.

Waddell High Girls vs. Gaston Day Girls 4:30 p.m.

Waddell High Boys vs. Queen’s Grant Boys 6.15pm

Kennedy Charter Boys vs. Olympic High Boys 7:45 p.m.

Location: Carol Grotnes Belk Sports & Activities Center, Kennedy Charter Public School,
1717 Sharon Road West, Charlotte, NC 28210

Ph: 704-688-2939 (school)

Game times are approximate depending on ending of previous games. At the conclusion of each game, there will be a 15-minute warm-up clock administered and each halftime will be 10 minutes.

Admission: $5 Adult daily / $2 Students Daily / Under Age 4 free.

Coaches, Players, Managers, Cheerleaders (in uniform), will be admitted no charge. Each school's administration will be admitted free with proper ID presented. Seating is limited to capacity of 350. Doors will be shut if that capacity is reached no questions asked.

4AA title game to be played on a Sunday

The N.C. High School Athletic Association released its state championship football schedule Tuesday afternoon and the N.C. 4AA championship game, as expected, will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. The game will be broadcast live -- against the NFL -- on Time Warner Cable.

The NCHSAA was forced to move state finals in Chapel Hill to Friday, Saturday and Sunday due to conflicts with sporting events and winter graduation with the University.

Below is the schedule.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2008 STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS‹95TH ANNUAL
WEEKEND OF CHAMPIONS

Friday, December 12
7:30 p.m.: 2-A championship, Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill

Saturday, December 13
11 a.m.: 4-A championship, Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill

11 a.m.: 2-AA championship, Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh
3:30 p.m.: 1-A championship, Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh
7:30 p.m.: 1-AA championship, Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh

Noon: 3-A championship, BB&T Field, Winston-Salem
3:30 p.m.: 3-AA championship, BB&T Field, Winston-Salem

Sunday, December 14
3 p.m.: 4-AA championship, Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill

Weddington QB commits to Duke

Weddington High quarterback Anthony Boone (above) committed to Duke after taking an unofficial visit to Durham last weekend, coach Phil Williams said.

Boone, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior, has more than 5,000 career rushing and passing yards. He threw for more than 1,200 yards and rushed for more than 300 yards this season for Weddington, which finished 0-11.

Boone was being recruited by N.C. State, Wake Forest, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Illinois, Williams said.

"I've coached 37 years," Williams, "and I coached a guy who played 10 years from the San Francisco 49ers (Jimmy Stuckey, a two-time All-American at Clemson) and Anthony is the best quarterback I've coached. "

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

Preseason Basketball Sweet 16 polls

Boys Preseason Sweet 16
Team Class 2007-08 Record
1. Vance 4A 27-6
2, Hopewell 4A, 22-7
3. North Mecklenburg, 4A, 24-6
4. Myers Park, 4A, 20-5
5. East Lincoln, 2A, 24-7
6. Morganton Freedom, 4A, 18-10
7. Lake Norman, 3A, 14-9
8. Shelby, 2A, 26-4
9. West Rowan, 3A, 21-7
10. Hickory, 3A, 27-4
11. East Mecklenburg, 4A, 25-8
12. Charlotte Christian, IND, 22-10
13. Concord 3A 27-3
14. Ardrey Kell 4A 16-11
15. Olympic, 3A, 16-12
16. West Mecklenburg, 4A, 22-6
Also Receiving Votes: Harding (4A, 19-9); Forest Hills, 2A, 17-10; Fort Mill (4A, 23-2); Albemarle (1A, 24-5); Indian Trail Sun Valley (3A, 16-10); West Caldwell (2A, 23-6); East Burke (4A, 20-6)

Girls Preseason Sweet 16
Team Class 2007-08 Record
1. Butler, 4A, 26-4
2. W. Charlotte, 4A,
3. Concord, 3A, 31-2
4. E. Mecklenburg, 4A, 25-4
5. Gastonia Forestview, 3A, 30-1
6. Statesville, 3A, 28-3
7. E. Rutherford, 2A, 25-5
8. North Stanly, 2A, 25-4
9. Providence Day, IND, 26-4
10. Weddington, 4A, 14-12
11. South Caldwell, 4A, 17-10
12. Hopewell, 4A, 10-14
13. Harding, 4A, 19-8
14. Morganton Freedom, 4A, 19-10
15. Charlotte Catholic, 3A, 22-7
16. Catawba Bandys, 2A, 21-8Also Receiving Votes: Concord Robinson (4A, 17-11); E. Gaston (4A, 22-6); Hickory Ridge (3A, 14-13); Monroe (2A, 18-10); Indian Trail Porter Ridge (3A, 19-9)

Note: The Sweet 16 is a ranking of teams in the Observer’s 110-school coverage area. It is not a power poll and does not consider how ranked teams would do against each other unless they play. The poll does consider strength of classification and strength of schedule. To be considered, schools must adhere to the 8-semester rule, draw students from a contained geographic area, field varsity football and basketball teams and be a recognized member of an approved conference and state association.

4AA title game might be played on Sunday

This year, the N.C. 4AA championship football game could be on Sunday.

Because of scheduling conflicts at North Carolina, the 2A, 4A and 4AA football games, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13 at North Carolina's Kenan Stadium, may be played over three days.

The N.C. High School Athletic Association will meet with North Carolina officials next week, but the tentative plan for the championships has the 2A championship being played Friday, Dec. 12, the 4A Saturday Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. and the 4AA Sunday at 3 p.m.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

NCHSAA football playoff pairings

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2008 BB&T/NCHSAA STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Teams were seeded based on 10-game records as submitted to the NCHSAA.
2008 STATE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
FIRST ROUND NOVEMBER 14

CLASS 4-AA EAST
(10) West Johnston (7-3) at (7) Apex (8-2)
(15) Southern Pines Pinecrest (6-4) at (2) Wilmington Hoggard (9-1)
(11) Raleigh Wakefield (7-3) at (6) Lumberton (8-2)
(14) Durham Jordan (6-4) at (3) Wake Forest-Rolesville (9-1)
(9) Raleigh Millbrook (8-2) at (8) Garner (7-3)
(16) Raleigh Sanderson (5-5) at (1) Fayetteville Jack Britt (9-1)
(12) Raleigh Enloe (6-4) at (5) Raleigh Leesville Road (8-2)
(13) Raleigh Broughton (6-4) at (4) Hope Mills South View (7-3)

CLASS 4-AA WEST
(10) Charlotte Zeb Vance (6-4) at Huntersville Hopewell (7-3)
(15) Charlotte Myers Park (5-5) at (2) East Forsyth (10-0)
(11) Northwest Guilford (6-4) at (6) Richmond Senior (7-2-1)
(14) North Mecklenburg (6-4) at (3) West Charlotte (8-2)
(9) West Forsyth (8-2) at (8) East Mecklenburg (8-2)
(16) West Mecklenburg (5-5) at (1) Charlotte Independence (10-0)
(12) Davie (7-3) at (5) Matthews David Butler (9-1)
(13) Providence (6-4) at (4) Charlotte Garinger (4-6)

CLASS 4-A EAST
(10) Smithfield-Selma (6-4) at (7) Apex Middle Creek (4-6)
(15) Cary (4-6) at (2) Southeast Raleigh (9-1)
(11) Fayetteville Pine Forest (5-5) at (6) Durham Hillside (9-0-1)
(14) Raleigh Athens Drive (4-6) at (3) Southern Durham (8-2)
(9) New Bern (6-3-1) at Fayetteville Douglas Byrd (8-2)
(16) Fayetteville Terry Sanford (4-6) at (1) Fuquay-Varina (10-0)
(12) Northern Durham (5-5) at (5) Wilmington New Hanover (6-4)
(13) Fayetteville Cape Fear (5-5) at (4) Greenville Rose (6-4)

CLASS 4-A WEST

(10) South Caldwell (5-5) at (7) Winston-Salem R.J. Reynolds (6-4)
(15) North Davidson (5-5) at (2) Asheville A.C. Reynolds (9-1)
(11) South Mecklenburg (6-4) at (6) East Burke (7-3)
(14) Watauga (5-5) at (3) Boiling Springs Crest (7-3)
(9) Lumberton Purnell Swett (7-3) at (8) Fayetteville Seventy-First (9-1)
(16) Gastonia Ashbrook (4-6) at (1) Winston-Salem Mount Tabor (10-0)
(12) High Point Central (6-4) at (5) Greensboro Page (7-3)
(13) Fayetteville Westover (5-5) at (4) Chapel Hill (8-2)

CLASS 3-AA EAST

(10) Wilson Fike (8-2) at (7) Asheboro (8-2)
(15) Winterville South Central (5-5) at (2) Greensboro Dudley (10-0)
(11) Western Guilford (6-4) at (6) Erwin Triton (8-2)
(14) Southeast Guilford (7-3) at (3) Jamestown Ragsdale (10-0)
(9) Wilson Hunt (4-6) at (8) Northeast Guilford (5-5)
(16) Western Harnett (4-6) at (1) Harnett Central (10-0)
(12) Spring Lake Overhills (4-6) at (5) West Brunswick (6-4)
(13) Trinity (4-6) at (4) Northern Vance (6-4)

CLASS 3-AA WEST
(10) Sun Valley (7-3) at (7) Mooresville (8-2)
(15) Hickory (6-4) at (2) Kings Mountain (8-2)
(11) Asheville T.C. Roberson (6-4) at (6) Charlotte Olympic (8-2)
(14) Hickory St. Stephens (6-4) at (3) Anson (8-2)
(9) Winston-Salem Parkland (4-6) at (8) Asheville Clyde Erwin (6-4)
(16) Northwest Cabarrus (4-6) at (1) Charlotte Catholic (9-1)
(12) Waxhaw Marvin Ridge (6-4) at (5) Gastonia Forestview (8-2)
(13) Lake Norman (6-4) at (4) Kannapolis Brown (9-1)

CLASS 3-A EAST
(10) Havelock (8-2) at (7) Washington (7-3)
(15) Bertie (5-5) at (2) West Craven (10-0)
(11) South Granville (7-3) at (6) SouthWest Edgecombe (8-2)
(14) Nash Central (5-5) at (3) Kinston (9-1)
(9) Wilson Beddingfield (8-2) at (8) Oxford Webb (8-2)
(16) Jacksonville (2-8) at (1) Rocky Mount (10-0)
(12) Hope Mills Gray¹s Creek (5-5) at (5) Eastern Alamance (9-1)
(13) Eastern Wayne (5-5) at (4) Hertford (9-1)

CLASS 3-A WEST
(10) Western Alamance (8-2) at (7) High Point Andrews (7-3)
(15) South Rowan (5-5) at (2) Belmont South Point (10-0)
(11) R-S Central (7-3) at (6) Asheville (7-3)
(14) Gastonia Hunter Huss (6-4) at (3) Waynesville Tuscola (9-1)
(9) Monroe Parkwood (7-3) at (8) Statesville (8-2)
(16) Franklin (5-5) at (1) West Rowan (10-0)
(12) North Buncombe (7-3) at (5) Newton Fred T. Foard (8-2)
(13) West Iredell (6-4) at (4) Winston-Salem Carver (9-1)

CLASS 2-AA EAST
(10) Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons (6-4) at (7) Ledford (8-2)
(15) Richlands (5-5) at (2) Marshville Forest Hills (8-2)
(11) South Brunswick (8-2) at (6) East Duplin (8-2)
(14) Central Davidson (5-5) at (3) Orange (7-3)
(9) North Pitt (6-4) at (8) Southern Guilford (7-3)
(16) West Stanly (4-6) at (1) Reidsville (10-0)
(12) Mayodan McMichael (8-2) at (5) West Stokes (8-2)
(13) Eastern Guilford (7-3) at (4) Pittsboro Northwood (9-1)

CLASS 2-AA WEST
(10) Mount Pleasant (7-3) at (7) North Surry (4-6)
(15) South Iredell (4-6) at (2) East Henderson (10-0)
(11) Salisbury (6-4) at (6) Canton Pisgah (8-2)
(14) Forest City Chase (4-6) at (3) Lenoir Hibriten (9-1)
(9) North Lincoln (7-3) at (8) Lincolnton (8-2)
(16) East Rutherford (4-6) at (1) East Lincoln (10-0)
(12) Catawba Bandys (5-5) at (5) Ashe County (8-2)
(13) Black Mountain C.D. Owen (4-6) at (4) Shelby (8-2)

CLASS 2-A EAST
(10) North Brunswick (6-4) at (7) Southwest Onslow (8-2)
(15) Whiteville (4-6) at (2) Northside (Jacksonville) 10-0)
(11) Clinton (6-4) at (6) Northwest Halifax (8-2)
(14) Greene Central (4-6) at (3) Elizabeth City Northeastern (10-0)
(9) Kill Devil Hills First Flight (7-3) at (8) Franklinton (6-4)
(16) Pasquotank (4-6) at (1) Tarboro (10-0)
(12) Edenton Holmes (5-5) at (5) Goldsboro (8-1-1)
(13) Newport Croatan (4-6) at (4) Bunn (9-1)

CLASS 2-A WEST
(10) Monroe (8-2) at (7) Bessemer City (8-2)
(15) Graham (4-6) at (2) Newton-Conover (9-1)
(11) Wilkes Central (6-4) at (6) West Bladen (6-4)
(14) Providence Grove (5-5) at (3) Burnsville Mountain Heritage (9-1)
(9) Brevard (6-4) at (8) Lexington (7-3)
(16) Burlington Cummings (4-6) at (1) South Columbus (10-0)
(12) Red Springs (6-4) at (5) West Davidson (8-2)
(13) Maiden (6-4) at (4) Boonville Starmount (8-2)

CLASS 1-AA EAST
(10) Pamlico (6-4) at (7) Hampstead Topsail (9-1)
(15) Gates (2-8) at (2) East Bladen (10-0)
(11) Southeast Halifax (6-4) at (6) Pender (6-4)
(14) Rocky Point Heide Trask (3-7) at (3) Louisburg (10-0)
(9) North Johnston (5-5) at (8) Newton Grove Midway (9-1)
(16) Wallace-Rose Hill (2-8) at (1) Warsaw James Kenan (10-0)
(12) East Columbus (5-5) at (5) Ayden-Grifton (8-2)
(13) Dixon (4-6) at (4) Camden (9-1)

CLASS 1-AA WEST
(10) Kernersville Bishop McGuinness (6-4) at (7) East Surry (8-2)
(15) West Wilkes (2-8) at (2) Murphy (10-0)
(11) West Columbus (5-5) at (6) Siler City Jordan-Matthews (9-1)
(14) Avery (2-8) at (3) Hendersonville (10-0)
(9) Polk County (7-3) at (8) West Montgomery (7-3)
(16) East Wilkes (2-8) at (1) Thomasville (10-0)
(12) Swain County (5-5) at (5) Cherryville (4-6)
(13) South Stokes (3-7) at (4) Albemarle (10-0)

CLASS 1-A EAST
(10) Perquimans (6-4) at (7) Robersonville Roanoke (4-6)
(15) Rosewood (2-8) at (2) Creswell (8-1)
(11) Northampton-West (5-5) at (6) Cape Hatteras (4-5)
(14) Pinetown Northside (2-8) at (3) Williamston (6-4)
(9) Jamesville (4-5) at (8) Manteo (5-5)
(16) Lejeune (2-8) at (1) Jones (10-0)
(12) Northampton-East (4-6) at (5) Plymouth (8-2)
(13) Mattamuskeet (3-6) at (4) Weldon (9-1)

CLASS 1-A WEST
(10) Hayesville (5-5) at (7) Hobbton (7-3)
(15) South Davidson (3-7) at (2) Elkin (9-1)
(11) Alleghany (4-6) at (6) North Duplin (5-5)
(14) North Stokes (3-7) at (3) Robbinsville (9-1)
(9) Rose Hill Union (6-4) at (8) South Stanly (7-3)
(16) Chatham Central (2-8) at (1) Mount Airy (10-0)
(12) Princeton (4-6) at (5) Lakewood (6-4)
(13) Rosman (3-7) at (4) Cherokee (8-2)

NCHSAA uses complex system to seed football playoffs

The N.C. High School Athletic Association will release football pairings Saturday afternoon.

Here's a primer on the complex system its uses to seed its football playoffs.

If a team finishes first, second or third in its conference (first or second in a conference with teams from different classifications), the team makes it to the playoffs.

Of course, lots of other teams, including almost every 1-A school, also make the playoffs.
There are eight 32-team brackets, so 256 teams will make the football playoffs.

Once a team is selected for the playoffs, the process of seeding becomes a step-by-step process that uses geography, school size, conference finish and win-loss record to assemble the brackets.

Qualifying

Sixty-four teams in each classification will qualify. Teams that finish first, second or third (first or second in split conferences) are in.

The bracket is completed by selecting other schools based on the teams' overall 10-game records. If a team played 11 games, one game can be dropped for seeding purposes.
The overall record is the key.

A team that finishes fifth in its league with an 8-4 record might make the playoffs, but the No. 4 finisher with a 6-5 record might not.

Once 64 teams in a classification have been selected, the schools are listed according to overall ADM (average daily membership), with the largest schools listed first.

The 32 qualifying schools with the highest enrollment go to the big-school class for that division.

Take the 4-A classification, for example. Sixty-four 4-A teams make the playoffs. Of those 64, the 32 with the biggest enrollments will play in the 4-AA tournament. The other 32 will play in the 4-A bracket.

Once the teams are put in brackets, they are divided by East and West. Depending on who makes it, area teams could be placed in a bracket with teams in the mountains or teams on the coast.

Once qualifying teams have been sorted by size and geography, each East and West bracket for each classification is seeded.

Seeding

First, all conference champions are seeded by their 10-game record.

Then, all conference No. 2 seeds are seeded by the same process. No conference runner-up can be seeded higher than a league champion in its bracket.

All the conference No. 3 seeds are seeded by the same process. Again, no third-place seed can be seeded higher than any conference champion or a conference runner-up.

After seeding the first, second and third finishers, the other schools are seeded by 10-game records, not conference finish.

A No. 5 finisher could be seeded higher than a No. 4.

There's more

Actually, the seeding is more complicated than this because of ties. There may be three champions with identical overall records.

There is a tie-breaking procedure, but in most cases, a drawing determines the seed.

Conference presidents report qualifiers and records on Friday before midnight.

If a game is not played on Friday night, the teams must play no later than 1 p.m. on Saturday.
The tentative bracket will be announced on Saturday around 3 p.m.

Any corrections need to be called in before 4 p.m., and the final bracket will be announced by 6 p.m.

-- Tim Stevens, Raleigh News & Observer.

South Pointe beats Rock Hill, closes 11-0

Rock Hill South Pointe, No. 2 in the Observer Sweet 16 football poll, capped an 11-0 regular season with a 31-10 victory against Rock Hill on Thursday.

The Stallions clinched the Region 4 4A championship with a 5-0 mark, and ended Rock Hill’s seven-game winning streak.

South Pointe quarterback Stephon Gilmore ran for 119 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, and passed for 142 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown to Devin Wherry.

Jamal Tyler had 150 rushing yards and a touchdown on 27 carries for Rock Hill (9-2), which is No. 13 in the Sweet 16.

-- Cliff Mehrtens

Salisbury latest to forfeit games; Indy JV wins

Salisbury High's football team, enjoying one of the best seasons in school history, will have to forfeit some of its 10 wins after self-reporting an ineligible player Thursday.

Published reports said the school would forfeit four games, changing its record from 10-0 to 6-4, but N.C. High School Athletic Association spokesperson Rick Strunk said the NCHSAA and Salisbury school officials were trying to determine how many games the player, a transfer student from a neighboring school, had appeared in. The player missed too many days of school to retain eligibility.

"We're still trying to get sorted out how many games they'll forfeit," Strunk said. "But the player is ineligible."

Salisbury, ranked No. 14 in the Sweet 16, plays Providence Grove tonight.

PATRIOTS JV HOLDS OFF BUTLER

Independence's junior varsity beat Butler 13-12 Thursday. Butler scored with less than a minute left and went for a two-point conversion and failed. Patriots athletics director Kelly Lewis said more than 700 people attended the game, better than two varsity home games this season.

Last season, Butler won the junior varsity game, ending a Patriots win streak of more than 50 games.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

Ashbrook's Boyd commits to Tar Heels

Gastonia Ashbrook receiver Jheranie Boyd, a top 50 national recruit, committed to North Carolina Thursday.

Boyd (left) is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash and a 43-inch vertical leap. National recruiting service rivals.com ranks Boyd as the No. 32 overall prospect in the class of 2009. This season, Boyd has 42 catches for 773 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He'll play in the Green Wave's regular-season finale Friday against rival Hunter Huss at home Friday. Ashbrook is 4-6 this season.

Boyd chose the Tar Heels over Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and N.C. State.

National recruiting website scout.com ranks Boyd as North Carolina's No. 4 senior recruit. Four of the top five in scout's list have committed to the Tar Heels: No. 2 Donte Moss, a 6-4 defensive end from Northside; No. 3 Justin Dixon, a 6-1 liniebacker from Smithfield-Selma; and No. 5 Jared McAdoo, a 6-3 defensive tackle from Chapel Hill.

Scout's No. 1 in state prospect, Fayetteville Britt lineman Xavier Nixon is considering the Tar Heels, along with Clemson, Florida, LSU, Miami (Fl), N.C. State and Notre Dame.

Butler linebacker Hawatha Bell, the No. 6 statewide recruit, also has North Carolina among his finalists along with Illinois, Maryland, N.C. State, South Carolina and Wake Forest.

Also at Thursday's pep rally at Ashbrook, Boyd's teammate, Willie Kennedy, a 5-11, 180-pound safety with 4.6 speed, committed to Colorado.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

Butler's Watkins commits to Duke

Butler High girls' basketball player Clair Watkins , a junior, committed to Duke.

Watkins took an unofficial visit to Durham Tuesday, an off-day for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and told Blue Devils coaches before she left that she would play there in college.
Watkins is a 6-foot-4 center who averaged 10 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks last year for Butler, which finished 26-4.

Watkins’ mother, Nancy, said Duke coach Joanne McCallie watched her daughter play on Butler’s campus three weeks ago.

Watkins, who has a 3.6 grade-point average, improved her game in the offseason, Butler coach Stephanie Butler said, playing with elite AAU teams in Atlanta and Charlotte. Watkins now can consistently shoot from 3-point range and has added a variety of moves near the basket.

“Clair really worked hard and took heed to the different things college coaches were telling her in the summer,” Butler said. “She had the opportunity this summer to play against some of the nation’s best and that really jump-started things for her. She has lots of potential and loads of talent.”

Watkins is the third player on her team to commit to a Division I school. Point guard Celeste Stewart has committed to East Carolina. Shooting guard Jaquaria Forney has committed to Charlotte. Butler has three more players being recruited Division I, including 6-3 sophomore wing Cierra Burdick, considered one of the top five players nationally in her age group by many recruiting services.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

Ashbrook's Boyd to decide on college Thursday

Gastonia Ashbrook receiver Jheranie Boyd, a top 50 national recruit, will make his college decision Thursday at school.

Boyd is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior. National recruiting service rivals.com ranks Boyd as the No. 32 overall prospect in the class of 2009. This season, Boyd has 42 catches for 773 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He'll play in the Green Wave's regular-season finale Friday against rival Hunter Huss at home Friday. Ashbrook is 4-6 this season.

Weather permitting, Ashbrook plans to hold a pep rally at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the school's football field when Boyd will choose a college.

His final five are Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, N.C. State and North Carolina.

-- Langston Wertz Jr.

Christian qualifies for state playoffs

Charlotte Christian's Knights, who were among the area's top teams in August and September, will get a chance to win their first N.C. Independent Schools 3A championship despite a late-season slide.

Christian began the season 6-0, giving up only 18 points and shutting out three teams. It finished the season 1-3, including an upset loss to Providence Day Friday that might have earned the Chargers a wild-card seed.

Providence Day (4-6) will host Raleigh Ravenscroft (9-2) in the only first-round game Friday.

Charlotte Latin, which upset Charlotte Country Day to win the CISAA regular season title, is the top seed in the five-team bracket. The Hawks won their third straight NCISAA 3A title last season but were decimated by graduation.

Latin will play the Ravenscroft-Providence Day winner at home on Nov. 14.

The other semifinal, also on Nov. 14, will be a rematch between Charlotte Christian and Charlotte Country Day at Country Day. The Bucs beat Christian 21-3 on Oct. 17.

The NCISAA championship will be Nov. 21 at the site of the higher seed.

NCISAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF’S

#1 Charlotte Latin School
#2 Charlotte Country Day School
#3 Charlotte Christian School
#4 Providence Day School
#5 Ravenscroft School


Friday, 11/7/08
#1, #2, #3: Bye
#4 Providence Day School vs. #5 Ravenscroft @ PD. Game time: TBD

Friday, 11/14/08:
#4/#5 Winner vs. Charlotte Latin @ Latin
#2 Charlotte Country Day vs. #3 Charlotte Christian @ CCDS. Game time: TBD

11/21/08
NCISAA Championship @ Higher Seed

- Langston Wertz Jr.

West Stanly's Yeakley wins N.C. cross-country title

CLEMMONS Black Mountain Charles D. Owen won its second straight state team championship in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association men¹s 2-A cross country championships at Tanglewood Park on Saturday.

Owen placed five runners among the top 17 scoring positions to tally 56 points, 32 ahead of runner-up West Stanly. Orange was third with 99 points, followed by Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons with 108 and then West Henderson well back in fifth at 207.

West Stanly senior Daniel Yeakley was the individual winner, finishing just over 17 seconds ahead of second place Ben Sterett of Swansboro.

Sarah Rapp led Cardinal Gibbons to the 2-A womenŒs team title for the fourth consecutive year, as she won the individual competition in a time of 19:30.36. She finished ahead of Orange runners Mackenzi Robinson and Emily Wirzba.

Gibbons had 45 team points to 68 for Orange in the 2-A women¹s standings, followed by Carrboro (102), North Henderson (146) and West Henderson (149).

In 1-A competition, East Wilkes senior Erick Blackburn crossed the finish line just over eight seconds ahead of Polk¹s John Spence Wolfe to take the individual title. However, Hayesville won the team championship, with sophomore Tyler Breedlove leading Hayesville with a third-place individual finish.

Hayesville scored 50 points to 63 for runner-up Misenheimer Gray Stone Day. Durham¹s North Carolina School of Science and Math placed third with 101 points, followed by Hendersonville (117) and Raleigh Charter (131).

Kernersville Bishop McGuinness overcame Hayesville to win the women¹s 1-A team crown in a tiebreaker that went to the sixth runner¹s finish after both had tallied 84 points. Robbinsville was just back in third with 89, while Hendersonville was fourth at 117 and Hampstead Topsail fifth at 139.

Robbinsville¹s Faith Trammell won one of the closest races of the day in 19:58.77, less than
three seconds ahead of Hendersonville¹s Kristen Trout in second place.
Zatha Loewen¹s bid for a third consecutive individual crown fell short as the Topsail runner placed seventh overall.

North Iredell wins N.C. 3A volleyball title

RALEIGH --­ North Iredell, led by the all-around play of senior outside hitter Molly Rhyne, rolled past Greenville D.H. Conley in three straight to win the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 3-A volleyball championship at Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of North Carolina State University on Saturday.

North ran its record to 26-0 with victories by 25-18, 25-22 and 25-17.

The Raiders did not lose a single set during the season.

Rhyne had eight kills, 10 digs and two blocks to pace North Iredell to its first NCHSAA volleyball championship in its initial appearance in the state finals. Sophomore outside hitter Hayley Rhyne added eight kills for the winners while Taylor Hardee contributed 25 digs.

Defending state champ Conley finished the season with a record of 25-3 and was in its eighth championship appearance with two previous state titles. Kaitlyn Anderson had 11 kills and Brandi Tanner nine for Conley.

Myers Park wins N.C. 4A tennis title

BURLINGTON ­ Led by state 4-A singles champion Grace Baker, Charlotte Myers Park swept five of the six singles matches and downed East Chapel Hill 5-1 in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association dual team tennis championships at the Burlington Tennis Center on Saturday.

Myers Park completed a perfect 18-0 season and won its first NCHSAA state 4-A women¹s dual team tennis final in five trips to the championship match. The Mustangs slipped past four-time defending state 4-A champion Greensboro Page 5-4 on Thursday in the regional round.

East Chapel Hill (21-2), runner-up for the second consecutive year, got its only point on a win by Megan Huang at the number-two singles. Jennifer Huang of East lost to Baker at number-one singles in a rematch of last week¹s state 4-A singles championship.

In a battle of unbeatens in the 3-A championship, Asheville T.C. Roberson upended Wilson Fike 5-1, winning the first five singles matches in straight sets. Roberson won its fourth state championship in four appearances in the final.

Fike wound up 18-1 while Roberson earned its 22nd victory of the season against no losses.

Salisbury won its fifth NCHSAA women's dual team state championship with a convincing 5-1 decision over Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons, sweeping the first five singles matches to take the title.

Salisbury made its fourth straight appearance in the state championship match and finished 23-1 overall. Gibbons, in the finals for the second time in the last three years, wound up 19-5.

The grueling 1-A match lasted over four hours, as East Wilkes retained its perfect record on the season by defeating Raleigh Charter 5-2.

East, which finished the year 21-0, won four of the six singles but did not clinch the title until the number-three doubles team of Jessica Taylor and Amber Jennings won their match.

Raleigh Charter closed the season with an 18-4 record. Both schools were making their initial appearance in the women¹s dual team finals.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION 2008 STATE WOMEN¹S DUAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS Burlington Tennis Center, Burlington

Saturday¹s Championship Results CLASS 4-A: Charlotte Myers Park 5, East Chapel Hill 1 Singles: Grace Baker (MP) def. Jennifer Huang 6-2, 6-3; Megan Huang (ECH) def. Kelsey Sherck 3-6, 6-3, (12-10); Emily Carpenter (MP) def. Tamara Hill 3-6, 6-3, (10-6); Anna Rickenbaker (MP) def. Tessa Johnson 6-2, 6-4; Olivia Turnbull (MP) def. Tegan Flynn 6-3, 6-1; Jessica Perez (MP) def. Jasmine Sun 6-3, 6-2.
Doubles: not played with outcome of match decided.

CLASS 3-A: Asheville T.C. Roberson 5, Wilson Fike 1
Singles: Maya Blue Stauffer-MacDowell ITCR) def. Mary-Katherine Prince 7-5, 6-4; Erin Williams (TCR) def. Mallory Short 6-2, 6-1; Lauren Vaughn (TCR) def. Meredith Pruden 6-0, 6-1; Elle Klein (TCR) def. Connor Allegood 6-4, 6-2; Shannon Melrose (TCR) def. Sarah Flinn 6-4, 6-1; Katelyn Suggs (F) def. Sydney Hedberg 6-4, 6-3.

Doubles: not played with outcome of match decided.

CLASS 2-A: Salisbury 5, Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons 1
Singles: Hannah Lebowitz (S) def. Lauren Brooker 6-0, 6-3; Kirstin Meyerhoeffer (S) def. Casey Perriccio 6-4, 0-6, (11-9); Brooke Johnson (S) def. Ally Tucker 6-3, 7-5; Shea Comadoll (S) def. Meredith Masteller 6-0, 6-1l; Joy Loeblein (S) def. Rachel Lynch-Daniels 6-3, 6-3; Cori Krause (CG) def. Erika Nelson 6-2, 6-2.

Doubles: not played with outcome of match decided.

CLASS 1-A: East Wilkes 5, Raleigh Charter 2
Singles: Lori Wang (RC) def. Jessica Elmore 6-1, 6-0; Brianna Fulp (EW) def. Caroline Chandler 6-2, 1-6, (10-6); Lauren Stutts (EW) def. Margaret Gaines 6-0, 6-1; Christine Diepanbrock (RC) def. Amy Hill 6-1, 7-6 (6); Jessica Taylor (EW) def. Mahati Sridhar 6-2, 6-2; Amber Jennings (EW) def. Aardi Thakker 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: Wang-Gaines (RC) led Elmore-Fulp 7-6 when match stopped with outcome of championship decided; Stutts-Hill (EW) led Chandler-Sridhar 8-3 when match stopped with outcome of championship decided; Taylor-Jennings (EW) def. Diepanbrock-Thakker 10-3.

North Meck's Spano, Mooresville wins state cross-country titles

CLEMMONS -- ­ Taylor Gilland of Chapel Hill and Kim Spano (right) of North Mecklenburg each won their third consecutive individual championship in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 4-A cross country championships at Tanglewood Park on Saturday.

Gilland, a senior, beat Northwest Guilford¹s Seth Crawford to the finish line in the 4-A men¹s race by just over six seconds to earn the victory in a time of 15:50.68. Raleigh Broughton won its second straight men¹s 4-A team title with 59 points to 94 for runner-up Chapel Hill. Northwest Guilford was third with 118 points, followed by Morrisville Green Hope (118) and Winston-Salem Mount Tabor (164).

Spano, also a senior, won her third straight title in the women¹s 4-A competition in a winning time of 18:04.02, better than 20 seconds faster Carolyn Baskir of East Chapel Hill. However, Baskir helped lead East Chapel Hill to the team title with 94 points to 115 for Green Hope. Watauga was third, followed by Charlotte Myers Park and West Johnston. Chapel Hill, which had won the last three 4-A women¹s crowns, placed seventh.

Asheville T.C. Roberson won its fifth state 3-A women¹s team title in succession, tallying 57 points to 84 for runner-up Lake Norman. Monroe Sun Valley was third at 104, followed by Asheville at 117 and Marvin Ridge with 137.

Junior Kenyatta Iyerbele of Charlotte Olympic was the individual 3-A women¹s champion, edging T.C. Roberson runners Marie Mauher and Laura Hoer who were second and third, respectively.

Mooresville captured its third consecutive men¹s team crown with 69 points, 14 points ahead of second-place Nash Central. Waxhaw Marvin Ridge was third with 109, followed by Asheville with 126 and Eastern Alamance with 133.

Asheville junior John Harwell took top individual honors among the 3-A men in a winning time of 15:57.36, just over 13 seconds ahead of runner-up Steven Bollinger of Olympic.