Charlotte's Jeff McInnis caps career year at Elite 24

Jeff McInnis of Charlotte -- the guy who a state title at West Charlotte and was all-ACC at North Carolina and played more than a decade in the NBA -- has had quite a season, post-retirement.

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The first Queen City Soccer Showcase kicks off Thursday night

Charlotte Latin and Providence Day are hosting the first Queen City Soccer Showcase Thursday and Saturday.

There will be four girls games played between public and private school teams.

On Thursday, Weddington plays at Charlotte Latin at 7:30 p.m. Also Thursday, Marvin Ridge is at Providence Day.

On Saturday, both games are at Charlotte Latin: Providence Day vs. Weddington at 5 p.m. and Charlotte Latin vs. Marvin Ridge at 7 p.m.

Providence Day is ranked No. 1 in the latest N.C. soccer coaches 3A private school rankings and Charlotte Latin is No. 3.

Weddington is No. 1 in the N.C. 3A poll. Marvin Ridge is fifth.

Proceeds from the event benefit the ThyCa organization, which supports survivors of thyroid cancer.

 

Florida bill could lead to "unlimited" high school transfers

A Florida bill being proposed could lead to rampant high school athletic transfers, reports the Tampa Tribune.

Under the "Extracurricular Activities Bill," which is working its way through the Florida House of Representatives, students would be able to play sports outside of their designated zones or school district so long as they were enrolled at the new school by the start of practice for their sport.

Eligibility would be determined by GPA. The law could go into effect July 1.

The bill also would remove the Florida High School Athletic Association as the sole governing body for the state's high school athletics and allow the Commissioner of Education to select a non-profit to replace it. Schools would have the option to join the state association, or others, by sport. So a school's football team could choose to join and a basketball team from the same school could opt not to do so.

AL Brown releases 2015 football schedule

The Wonders will kick off the season against Concord Aug. 21.

A21 Concord
A28 at South Rowan
S4 NW Cabarrus
S11 Mooresville
S18 open
S25 at North Meck
O2 at Vance
O9 Robinson
O16 Hough
O23 at Mallard Creek
O30 West Charlotte
N6 Hopewell

Fayetteville's Dennis Smiths is NC Gatorade player of the year

          Dennis Smith Jr. of Trinity Christian School is the 2014-15 Gatorade North Carolina Boys Basketball Player of the Year.  Smith Jr. is the first Gatorade North Carolina Boys Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Trinity Christian School. 

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Smith Jr. as North Carolina’s best high school boys basketball player.  

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound junior guard averaged 21.8 points per game this past season, leading the Crusaders (23-10) to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association’s Class 1A state semifinals. Competing for Team United in Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League this past summer, Smith averaged 12.0 points, 5.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest. Also a participant in the NBPA Top 100 and adidas Unrivaled camps in 2014, he was a member of the 2013-14 USA Basketball Men’s Developmental National Team.

Smith has maintained a 3.90 weighted GPA in the classroom and represents one of the state’s top academic candidates in meeting the Gatorade Award’s broad criteria. He has donated his time locally as part of multiple community service initiatives in coordination with his church.

“He could be one of the best high school basketball players I have seen in a long time,” said Dan Pruessner, head coach of rival Freedom Christian Academy. “He sees the floor really well. He’s crazy explosive. He scores at will. He has quick hands. He also dropped 22 points in a quarter on us, and 17 of those were on jump shots. So, he really has no weakness.”

Smith will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

Georgia HS Association to allow Wheeler High to play in national championship; Myers Park girls hope for same

The Georgia High School Athletic Association has granted Wheeler High's boys basketball team special permission to play in the Dick's Sporting Goods National Championship in New York City next month.

Like North Carolina, Georgia has a rule that prohibits teams from playing games after the season is complete. Wheeler parents began a petition that led to the special exemption.

Myers Park's girls have also been invited to the national championship, provided they win Saturday's N.C. 4A state championship game against Southeast Raleigh.

Myers Park officials and parents have also started a grassroots effort to try to get the NCHSAA to grant a special exemption. The NCHSAA executive committee will hold a meeting March 17 to make a determination, provided that Myers Park wins Saturday.

Charlotte Country Day football coach Bob Witman to retire

Courtesy of Charlotte Country Day School

Charlotte Country Day football coach Bob Witman will retire at the end of this school year after 25 years leading the Bucs, according to a release from the school.

Witman will leave as the winningest coach in school history, compiling a record of 219-67 since he came to Country Day in 1990.

He also led the Bucs to eight state championships: 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2010.

"Coach Witman has a unique ability to develop student-athletes as both football players and as young men, and to build teams that consistently outperform expectations," Director of Athletics Abe Wehmiller said in the release. "The passion he has for his work with our kids is evident in everything he does. I’m disappointed I won’t get to work with him longer than I did, but know his impact on this program will live on even after his departure."

Country Day will begin the process of hiring a new coach later this week, according to the release from the school, and hopes to have a new coach at the school by mid-April. Witman will stay at the school through June to help with the transition.

-Corey Inscoe

This week's Observer-area prep basketball schedule

Metrolina Conf. Tournament

Girls

Tuesday's first round:

#8 Westminister Catawba @ #1 Northside Christian

#7 Gaston Christian @ #2 Concord First Aseembly

#6 Metrolina Christian @ #3 Hickory Grove Christian

#5 Gaston Day @ # 4 Southlake Christian

Thursday's girls semifinals

1/8 Winner vs 4/5 Winner @ Northside 3pm Thur

2/7 Winner vs 3/6 Winner @ Northside 6:30pm Thur

Friday's girls championship

Girls Championship Game 5:30pm @ Northside Fri

Boys

Tuesday's first round:

#8 Gaston Christian @ #1 Northside Christian

#7 Westminster Catawba @ #2 Concord First assembly 

#6 Hickory Grove Christian @ #3 Gaston Day 

#5 Metrolina Christian @ #4 Southlake Christian

Thursday's boys semifinals

1/8 Winner vs 4/5 Winner @ Northside 4:30pm Thur

2/7 Winner vs 3/6 Winner @ Northside 8pm Thur

Friday's boys championship

Boys Championship Game 7pm @ Northside Fri, 7:30

SPAA Tournament

Tuesday: Statesville Christian at United Faith

Thursday at United Faith: 

3 pm. Girls Semi 1: #1 Victory Christian vs (#4 Hickory Christian/ #5 Woodlawn School Winner)

4:30 PM Boys Semi 1: #1 Victory Christian vs (#4 UFCA/ #5 Statesville Christian winner)

6 pm: Girls Semi 2: #2 Carmel vs #3 Statesville Christian

7:30 pm; Boys Semi 2: #2 HCA vs #3 Carmel

Friday at United Faith: 5:30 Girls Finals; 7:30 Boys Finals

Monday, Feb. 9

Community School of Davidson at Christ the King (Boys)

New Garden Friends at Charlotte United Christian

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Alexander Central at West Iredell

Albemarle at Queens Grant

A.L. Brown at West Charlotte

Ashbrook at Lake Norman Charter

Bandys at West Lincoln
Bessemer City at Thomas Jefferson Academy

Buford at Indian Land

Calvary Baptist at Davidson Day

Cannon School at Charlotte Latin

Central Cabarrus at East Rowan

Charlotte Catholic at Ardrey Kell

Charlotte Christian at Charlotte Country Day

Charlotte United Christian at Oakbrook Prep

Cherryville at Mountain Island Charter

Clover at Northwestern

Covenant Day at Providence Day
Cox Mill at West Rowan

Crossroads Charter at Princeton Hall

East Gaston at Stuart Cramer

Fletcher School at Countryside Montessori

Forest Hills at Central Academy

Grace Academy at Comenius

Gray Stone Day at Union Academy

Hickory Ridge at Carson

Highland Tech at Community School of Davidson

Hopewell at Vance

Hunter Huss at Forestview

Independence at Rocky River

Jay M. Robinson at Mallard Creek

Kennedy Charter at Legacy Charter

Lancaster at South Pointe (SC)

Lincoln Charter at Pine Lake Prep

Lincolnton at West Caldwell

Maiden at East Lincoln

Monroe at West Stanly

Myers Park at Garinger

Nation Ford at Gaffney

North Iredell at Lake Norman

North Lincoln at Statesville

North Mecklenburg at Hough

Northwest Cabarrus at Concord

Olympic at Harding

Parkwood at Mount Pleasant

Porter Ridge at East Mecklenburg

Rock Hill at Fort Mill

South Iredell at Mooresville

South Mecklenburg at Providence

South Point at North Gaston

West Mecklenburg at Berry

York at Spartanburg Christian Academy

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Central (SC) High at Cuthbertson

Thursday, Feb. 12

A.L. Brown at Hopewell

Andrew Jackson at Indian Land

Carolina Christian at Fletcher School

Central Academy at Parkwood

Charlotte Christian at Providence Day

Charlotte Latin at Covenant Day

Christ the King at Arbrorbrook

East Lincoln at West Lincoln

Hough at Vance

Lake Norman at Mooresville

Mallard Creek at North Mecklenburg

North Iredell at Alexander Central

Pine Lake Prep at Countryside Montessori

Statesville at South Iredell
West Charlotte at Jay M. Robinson

West Iredell at North Lincoln

Friday, Feb. 13

Ardrey Kell at South Mecklenburg

Ashbrook at Hunter Huss

Berry at Olympic

Bessemer City at Highland Tech

Butler at Independence

Carson at Cox Mill

Charlotte Country Day at Cannon School

Charlotte United Christian at Mountain Mission

Community School of Davidson at Lincoln Charter

Davidson Day at Greensboro Day

East Mecklenburg at Myers Park

Forest Hills at Monroe

Forestview at East Gaston

Fort Mill at Nation Ford

Harding at West Mecklenburg

Kennedy Charter at Elite Prep

Lake Norman Charter at North Gaston

Lincolnton at Maiden

Marvin Ridge at Cuthbertson

Mount Pleasant at West Stanly

Northwest Cabarrus at Central Cabarrus

Northwestern at Rock Hill

Piedmont at Anson County

Providence at Charlotte Catholic

Queens Grant at Union Academy

Rocky River at Porter Ridge

Stuart Cramer at South Point

Thomas Jefferson Academy at Cherryville

Weddington at Sun Valley

West Rowan at Hickory Ridge

York at Clover

Saturday, Feb. 14

Charlotte United Christian at Wesleyan Christian

This week's Observer-area prep basketball schedule 2/2-2/7

Monday, Feb. 2

Carolina Christian at Charlotte United Christian (Girls)

Gaston Christian at Concord First Assembly

Providence Day at Charlotte Country Day

Winston Salem Christian at Statesville Christian

York Prep at Indian Land

Tuesday, Feb. 3

A.L. Brown at Hough

Alexander Central at Statesville

Anson County at Weddington

Berry at Harding

Butler at Rocky River

Carson at Concord

Central Academy at West Stanly

Central Cabarrus at South Rowan

Charlotte Catholic at South Mecklenburg

Charlotte Christian at Cannon School

Charlotte Country Day at Covenant Day

Charlotte Latin at Providence Day

Charlotte United Christian at Grace Academy

Cherryville at Community School of Davidson

Christ the King at Victory Christian (Girls)

Clover at Fort Mill

Concord First Assembly at SouthLake Christian

Cuthbertson at Piedmont

East Gaston at Ashbrook

East Lincoln at Newton Conover
Fletcher School at Arborbrook

Forest Hills at Parkwood

Forsyth Country Day at Davidson Day

Gaffney at Rock Hill
Garinger at Independence

Gaston Christian at Gaston Day

Hickory Christian at United Faith
Hickory Grove at Westminster Catawba

Hickory Ridge at Northwest Cabarrus

Highland Tech at Lincoln Charter

Hunter Huss at Lake Norman Charter

Legacy Charter at Crossroads Charter

Lincolnton at Bunker Hill

Mooresville at North Lincoln

Mount Pleasant at Monroe

Myers Park at Porter Ridge                                      

North Gaston at Stuart Cramer

North Iredell at South Iredell

North Mecklenburg at Jay M. Robinson

Northside Christian at Metrolina Christian

Olympic at West Mecklenburg

Pine Lake Prep at Bessemer City

Providence at Ardrey Kell

Queens Grant at East Montgomery

South Point at Forestview

South Pointe (SC) at Broome

Statesville Christian at Woodlawn School

Sun Valley at Marvin Ridge

Vance at Mallard Creek

Victory Christian at Carmel Christian

West Caldwell at West Lincoln

West Charlotte at Hopewell

West Iredell at Lake Norman

York at Nation Ford

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Monroe at Union Academy

Thursday, Feb. 5

Community Christian at Christ the King (Boys)

Piedmont Charter at Gaston Christian 

Victory Christian at Christ the King (Girls)

Walnut Grove at Kennedy Charter

Westminster Catawba at Concord First Assembly
York Prep at Metrolina Christian

Friday, Feb. 6

Anson County at Marvin Ridge

Arborbrook at Statesville Christian (Girls)

Ardrey Kell at Berry

Carmel Christian at Hickory Christian

Carolina Christian at Albemarle

Central Cabarrus at Cox Mill

Charlotte Latin at Charlotte Christian

Charlotte United Christian at Elite Prep (Boys)

Chatham Central at Union Academy

Cherryville at Bessemer City

Christ the King at Community Christian

Clinton at South Pointe (SC)

Community School of Davidson at Thomas Jefferson Academy

Concord at West Rowan

Covenant Day at Cannon School

Davidson Day at Wesleyan Christian

East Mecklenburg at Garinger

Forestview at Ashbrook

Gaffney at Fort Mill
Gaston Day at Westminster Catawba

Grace Academy at North Hills Christian

Harding at Providence

Hickory Grove at Northside Christian

Hopewell at Jay M. Robinson

Hough at West Charlotte

Independence at Myers Park

Indian Land at North Central

Lake Norman at North Lincoln

Lake Norman Charter at South Point

Mallard Creek at A.L. Brown

Metrolina Christian at SouthLake Christian

Mooresville at West Iredell

Mount Pleasant at Central Academy

Newton Conover at Lincolnton

New Hope Christian at Crossroads Charter

North Gaston at East Gaston

North Moore at Queens Grant

Northwestern at Nation Ford

Northwest Cabarrus at Carson

Parkwood at Monroe

Pine Lake Prep at Highland Tech

Porter Ridge at Butler

Rock Hill at York

Shelby at Clover

South Iredell at Alexander Central

South Mecklenburg at Olympic

South Rowan at Hickory Ridge

Statesville at North Iredell

Statesville Christian at United Faith (Boys)

Stuart Cramer at Hunter Huss

Sun Valley at Cuthbertson

Vance at North Mecklenburg

Weddington at Piedmont

West Caldwell at East Lincoln

West Lincoln at Maiden

West Mecklenburg at Charlotte Catholic
West Stanly at Forest Hills

Woodlawn at Victory Christian (Girls)

Saturday, Feb. 7

Hickory Grove at Gaston Day

South Pointe (SC) at Northwestern