The Gaston Gazette | www.GastonGazette.com Irish slip in NCAA rankings ’Pack pull off the upset Oklahoma moved into third and Iowa was NEW YORK (AP) — North Carolina State had a two- fourth in the new Playoff part plan Tuesday night: clog the lane defensively against star freshman Ben Simmons and get a win. C rankings, as Notre Dame slipped to No. 6. Clemson and Alabama remained the top The Wolfpack succeeded at both. two teams in the third-to-last committee Anthony Barber scored 12 of his 20 points at the foul line rankings. See PAGE 2C for the story and and the Wolfpack held Simmons to four points in an 83-72 complete rankings. overtime victory over No. 22 LSU in the consolation game of Sports — Associated Press the Legends Classic. See PAGE 2C for the story. Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Prep/college football Boys prep Bessemer City 69, North Gaston 57 Neal still bound for Syracuse? said Wednesday his son visit to Syracuse. His official visit to Jaguar RB keeping was “in limbo” and is very Syracuse is scheduled for next weekend interested in seeing the (Dec. 4-6), and Moe Neal Sr. is trying to direction Syracuse takes make sure that still happens. eye on Orange in hiring its next coach. “I’ve talked to the recruiting coordina- “He’s still committed, tor to make sure that’s still on,” he said. but we want to see who Moe Neal Jr. finished his career as a! er coach " red Neal they’re going to bring Gaston County’s all-time leading scorer in,” Moe Neal Sr. said. (620 points) and reception leader (164 By Richard Walker “We just want to make the sure the new catches), while also finishing tied for [email protected] coach still has Moe in his future plans.” second in receiving touchdowns (34), GASTONIA — When Syracuse fired Syracuse.com considers Oregon of- fourth in rushing touchdowns (68) and Jack Flagler/The Gazette Scott Shafer after three years as the fensive coordinator Scott Frost, Okla- receiving yards (2,251) and fifth in rush- North Gaston boys basketball coach Hal school’s head football coach on Mon- homa offensive coordinator Lincoln ing yards (4,631). White talks with guard Rakeem Brown during the Wildcats’ 69-57 loss on the road day, the impact on the Orange’s re- Riley, LSU defensive line coach Ed While his Forestview career ended with against Bessemer City on Tuesday night. cruiting efforts went nationwide — and Orgeron, Notre Dame offensive coordi- a road playoff loss at West Henderson included Gastonia. nator Mike Sanford and Coastal Caro- on Nov. 13, his high school career won’t And record-setting Forestview run- lina head coach Joe Moglia as potential end until he plays in the Offense-Defense ning back Moe Neal, who announced replacements. All-American Bowl in Daytona Beach, he was going to Syracuse in August, Moe Neal Jr. already visited Boston Fla., from Dec. 29 to Jan. 2. isn’t withdrawing his commitment to College, Mississippi State, North Caroli- Richard Walker: 704-869-1841; twit- White brings the school. But his father, Moe Neal Sr., na and N.C. State, and had an unofficial ter.com/jrwalk22 NBA | Washington at Charlotte, 7 tonight, FSSE unselfishness Playing for with return to North Gaston

By Jack Flagler a purpose jfl [email protected] BESSEMER CITY — There are a few different reasons Hal White returned to Amid tragedy in home country, Batum the sidelines this year to coach the North Gaston boys basketball team, but personal pride and glorification are not among them. Following his team’s 69-57 loss on the poised to break out with Hornets road to Bessemer City on Tuesday, White had some stipulations before answering By Dan Moberger a few questions in a postgame interview. [email protected] “As long as it’s about the guys, I’m good,” White said. CHARLOTTE — Often the first quality team- “ We are trying to show That selfless team concept will likely mates and coaches praise Nicolas Batum for is work from the top down this season, his balance on the court. people back in France from coach to players, as North Gaston The guard ranks in the top three in average that we think about them looks for a turnaround. Since White points, rebounds, assists and steals for the Char- and we are strong. stopped coaching at North Gaston in lotte Hornets. Through 13 games, his all-around 2005, the Wildcats went 48-183 and did ability has helped upgrade an offense that was Nicolas Batum not have a winning season in that time 28th in the NBA last season with 94.2 points per guard span. Last year, they finished 1-22. game. This year, after adding Batum in an off- White has 25 years of experience as season trade for Gerald Henderson and Noah head coach of North Gaston. He started Vonleh, the Hornets are averaging 104.6 points with the Wildcats in 1976, and won 285 per game — good enough for fifth in the league. “We may be ” far away from games in a two-decade stint with the But it’s the balance the Frenchman has exhib- our country right now, but that team through the 1996-97 season. That ited in handling more meaningful tribulations doesn’t mean we don’t think first stint included a trip to the 1987 than basketball that show his true character. about them.” state finals, when the Wildcats made a Before a Nov. 15 home game surprising run to Chapel Hill in a 15-15 FOR FRANCE against Batum’s former team, season before losing to D.H. Conley in Batum’s hometown is Lisieux, France — a Portland, the French national the state final. The coach returned in short trip from the coast, and about a two-hour anthem played at Time 2003 for three more seasons, going 33-42 drive slightly north but mostly west of Paris. Warner Cable Arena, in his second go-round with the team. When he was young, Batum spent a signifi- about which Batum But even with more than 300 wins in cant amount of time in the City of Light, where tweeted, “I want to thank his coaching career, White and North he now lives during NBA offseasons. all the fans, the NBA and Gaston started from square one when “Paris is just the most beautiful city in the the Hornets for your sup- practices began this winter. world. Everywhere you go, you have something port. It means a lot to me.” “We’ve got to remember that we played special, something different,” the 26-year-old And he said fans, local and two schools, (Cherryville and Bessemer said. “You have all these big monuments. You from France, have reached Associated Press photo City) that have veteran coaches. Their have the Eiffel Tower.” out with kind words to him teams knew come Nov. 2 what they were So though he was across an ocean and set through social media. After being traded going to be. Our team had no clue, I didn’t to play a game in Chicago against the Bulls He has taken to Char- from the Trail Blazers know our players,” White said. “But they’re that night, the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks on his lotte in the brief time he’s this summer, Nicolas picking up the system. It’s a process. The country’s capital quite literally hit close to spent in the city. Because Batum is having a great thing about basketball, we keep home. He’s been keeping his French family he played for the French breakout season in an getting better, we can still do good things. and friends in mind ever since. And he’s been national team in the off- expanded role in his We’ve got a long way to go.” playing like the All-Star the Hornets hoped he’d season, he hasn’t had the fi rst year on the Hor- Although North Gaston has started the be when they traded for him last summer. time to spend adjusting nets. The 26-year-old year 0-2, the Wildcats have been compet- “(Terrorists) do that to affect us, to bring us to his new environ- guard is performing at itive in both contests against the Ironmen down and make us act like we are scared, but an All-Star level, ac- ment other Hornet and the Yellow Jackets. Bessemer City since that happened, we all have (had) big cording to Charlotte newcomers have. But coach Danny McDowell, who coached games,” Batum said of fellow French NBA play- coach Steve Clifford, a countryman assured against White in his early career as an ers. “(Kevin) Seraphin in New York is playing even through the ter- him that he’d receive assistant coach to Kings Mountain’s John great. (Evan) Fournier is playing great. rorist attacks on his a warm welcome. home country of France. Blalock, called North Gaston “one of the is playing great. I’m just trying to do my thing, most athletic teams in our area.” too. We are trying to show people back in France that we think about them and we are strong. >> See BATUM/Page 4C >> See WILDCATS/Page 3C

GGAZETTEAZETTE PREPPREP FOOTBALLFOOTBALL PPLAYERSLAYERS OOFF TTHEHE WWEEKEEK SPONSORED BY TREVON WILSON — Kings Mountain MARCUS GRAHAM — East Lincoln TheT junior defensive tackle had sev- TThe freshman had thrown en tackles and one sack as the Moun- passesp in only five of the first 12 games taineerst upset top-seeded Freedom, ofo the season for the Mustangs before GASTONIA 21-6, in the second round of the 3A record-setting senior Chazz Surratt suf- CHRYSLER | DODGE | JEEP | RAM playoffs. Not only did the 6-foot-2, fered an elbow injury that knocked him 250-pound2 Wilson’s pass-rushing outo of the game. But Graham came off disruptd Freedom’s offense, it played theth bench to complete 10 of 13 throws for Players of the week are voted on by a roler in limiting Alabama recruit B.J. 152 yards and one touchdown in East Lin- members of the Gazette sports staff. Emmons to a season-low 25 yards rushing. coln’s 47-6 win over Wilkes Central.

What a weekend, great memories! Can’t thank everyone I like the symmetry of the 15-0 Warriors and the THEY TWEETED IT enough for all the love & support! Amazing! 0-15 76ers. Brings balance to the NBA standings. Follow @GazetteSports to see what sports people, locally and nationally, are saying. — Retiring NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) — ESPN’s J.A. Adande (@jadande)

HOW TO REACH US: Sports News: 704-869-1841 Fax: 704-867-5751 • Mail: P.O. Box 1538 Gastonia, 28053 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.GastonGazette.com • Page edited by Dan Moberger 2C Wednesday, November 25, 2015 www.GastonGazette.com | ! e Gazette Page edited by Michael Banks SPORTS

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College Basketball Roundup Upcoming schedule for Carolina Panthers Upcoming schedule for Charlotte Hornets Thursday: Week 12, at , 4:30 p.m., CBS Tonight: vs. , 7 p.m. Games Dec. 6: Week 13, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., FOX Friday: vs. , 7 p.m. Dec. 13: Week 14, vs. , 1 p.m., FOX Sunday: vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 2 p.m. ahead Dec. 20: Week 15, at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m., FOX Dec. 2: vs. Golden State Warriors, 7 p.m. carolinapanthers.com Dec. 27: Week 16, at Atlanta Falcoms, 1 p.m., FOX nba.com/hornets Dec. 5: at , 8 p.m.

SCOREBOARD

Philadelphia at N.Y. Islanders, 7:30 ODDS Boston at Detroit, 7:30 NBA ON THE AIR HIGHLIGHTS Los Angeles at Tampa Bay, 7:30 Wednesday Anaheim at Arizona, 9 FAVORITE LINE O/U UNDERDOG Television GOLF Ottawa at Colorado, 9:30 at ORLANDO 1½ (195½) New York BOXING I 8 p.m. — PGA Tour: Emirates Australian Open, Chicago at San Jose, 10 at CHARLOTTE 2½ (210) Washington I 8 p.m. — Premier Champions, Erislandy Lara opening round, at Sydney — GOLF at BOSTON 10½ (199) Philadelphia vs. Jan Zaveck (super welterweight), at Hialeah, at DETROIT PK (190½) Miami COLLEGE FOOTBALL Cleveland 1½ (197) at TORONTO Fla. — ESPN NBA BASKETBALL at HOUSTON OFF (OFF) Memphis Scores, upcoming schedule I Tuesday’s scores at MILWAUKEE OFF (OFF) Sacramento 7 p.m. — Washington at Charlotte — Fox MIDWEST at OKLA CITY 12½ (211) Brooklyn COLLEGE BASKETBALL Sports Southeast Bowling Green 48, Ball State 10 Atlanta 2 (204½) at MINN I Noon — Battle 4 Atlantis, quarterfinal 1, I 8 p.m. — Memphis at Houston — NBA Ohio 26, Northern Illinois 21 at SAN ANTONIO 10 (OFF) Dallas at PHOENIX OFF (OFF) New Orleans Gonzaga vs. Washington — ESPN2 at LA CLIPPERS 4½ (196½) Utah I 2:30 p.m. — Battle 4 Atlantis, quarterfinal 2, NHL HOCKEY NCAA FCS Playoffs COLLEGE BASKETBALL Charlotte vs. Syracuse — ESPN2 I 7 p.m. — Edmonton at Carolina — Fox Sports Saturday’s first-round games Wednesday W. Illinois (6-5) at Dayton (10-1), noon FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG I 2:30 p.m. — Maui Invitational, seventh-place Carolinas Fordham (9-2) at Chattanooga (8-3), 1 LA Salle 4 at PENNSYLVANIA game, St. John’s vs. Chaminade — ESPNU I 7:30 p.m. — Philadelphia at N.Y. Islanders Citadel (8-3) at Coastal Carolina (9-2), 2 at PITTSBURGH 21 Cornell I S. Utah (8-3) at Sam Houston St (8-3), 3 at DUKE 14 Yale 3 p.m. — Vermont at Florida — SEC Network — NBCSN South Dakota St (8-3) at Montana (7-4), 3 at OREGON 22 Arkansas State I 5 p.m. — Maui Invitational, fifth-place game, I 10 p.m. — Chicago at San Jose — NBCSN Colgate (7-4) at New Hampshire (7-4), 3:30 at MISSISSIPPI 6½ Georgia St Indiana vs. UNLV — ESPN2 Duquesne (8-3) at William&Mary (8-3), 3:30 at COLORADO 13 Air Force Eastern Ill. (7-4) at Northern Iowa (7-4), 5 at LOY-MARYMOUNT 5 CS Northridge I 5 p.m. — High Point at Georgia — ESPNU SOCCER Second Round at SAN FRANCISCO 3 UC Santa Barbara I 5 p.m. — Georgia State at Mississippi — SEC I 9:50 a.m. — UEFA Champions League, SL Saturday, Dec. 5 at GONZAGA 10 Washington Network I The Citadel-Coastal Carolina winner at at SYRACUSE 14 Charlotte Benfica at Astana — FS1 Charleston Southern (9-2), 1 p.m. Texas A&M 3½ at TEXAS I 6 p.m. — Cancun Challenge, third-place I Noon — UEFA Champions League, VfL Wolfs- I Colgate-New Hampshire winner at James at UCONN 3 Michigan game, TCU vs. Maryland/Illinois State loser — burg at CSKA Moscow — FS1 Madison (9-2), 1 p.m. at CREIGHTON 2½ UMass I Duquesne-William & Mary winner at Clemson 11½ at RUTGERS CBS Sports Network I 2:30 p.m. — UEFA Champions League, PSV Richmond (8-3), 1 p.m. National Hockey League I 7 p.m. — Yale at Duke — ESPNU I Western Illinois-Dayton winner at Illinois Associated Press Eindhoven at Manchester United — FS1 Wednesday I 7 p.m. — Arkansas State at Oregon — Pac 12 I 2:30 p.m. — UEFA Champions League, Real State (9-2), 2 p.m. FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE I Fordham-Chattanooga winner at at CAROLINA -125 Edmonton +115 Network Madrid at Shakhtar Donetsk — Fox Sports Jacksonville State (10-1), 2 p.m. HEELS TAKE AIM AT CLASSIC at NEW JERSEY -125 Columbus +115 I 7:30 p.m. — Maui Invitational, third-place Carolinas I South Dakota State-Montana winner at at NY RANGERS -130 Montreal +120 I North Dakota State (9-2), 3:30 p.m. at MINNESOTA -145 Vancouver +135 game, Wake Forest vs. Kansas/UCLA loser — 2:30 p.m. — UEFA Champions League, Man- I Southern-Sam Houston State winner at North Carolina’s Joel Berry II shoots under pres- Nashville -160 at BUFFALO +150 ESPN2 chester City at Juventus — FS2 McNeese State (10-0), 7 p.m. sure from Kansas State’s D.J. Johnson during the at PITTSBURGH -115 St. Louis +105 I 8 p.m. — Prairie View A&M at Wisconsin — I Eastern Illinois-Northern Iowa winner at at WASHINGTON -190 Winnipeg +175 Portland State (9-2), 10 p.m. second half of Tuesday’s championship game of at DETROIT -120 Boston +110 Big 10 Network I Radio the CBE Classic in Kansas City, Mo. The game at ISLANDERS -190 Philadelphia +175 8:30 p.m. — Cancun Challenge, champion- COLLEGE BASKETBALL at TAMPA BAY -115 Los Angeles +105 ship, Rhode Island vs. Maryland/Illinois State PRO FOOTBALL was not complete at presstime. Anaheim -110 at ARIZONA +100 I 2 p.m. — Battle 4 Atlantis, quarterfinal 2, winner — CBS Sports Network NFL standings, schedule at COLORADO -120 Ottawa +110 Charlotte vs. Syracuse — 1660-AM AMERICAN CONFERENCE at SAN JOSE -110 Chicago +100 I 9:30 p.m. — MGM Grand Main Event, cham- East College Football pionship, Massachusetts vs. Creighton — ESPN2 W L T Pct PF PA Thursday NBA BASKETBALL I New England 10 0 0 1.000 323 182 FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 10 p.m. — Maui Invitational, championship I 7 p.m. — Washington at Charlotte — 610-AM, Buffalo 5 5 0 .500 244 227 at UCF OFF OFF (OFF) S.Florida game, Vanderbilt vs. Kansas/UCLA winner — N.Y. Jets 5 5 0 .500 234 208 Wolfpack at TEXAS 2 1½ (72½) Texas Tech 1590-AM, 1050-AM ESPN Miami 4 6 0 .400 205 249 Friday South at West KY 10½ 11 (63½) Marshall W L T Pct PF PA Iowa 2 1 (58) at NEBRASKA Matt Kennelly, Ryan Lavarnway and Braeden HOCKEY TOURNAMENT Indianapolis 5 5 0 .500 224 248 at PITT 5 6½ (56) Miami Schlehuber; INFs Reid Brignac and Chase National Hockey League CBE Hall of Fame Classic Houston 5 5 0 .500 208 228 at BUFFALO 6½ 6½ (51½) UMass d’Arnaud and OF Matt Tuiasosopo on minor NHL — Announced the resignation of chief Third Place Jacksonville 4 6 0 .400 211 268 to beat LSU in OT at AKRON 8½ 11 (40) Kent State league contracts. operating officer John Collins. Northwestern 67, Missouri 62 Tennessee 2 8 0 .200 182 233 at GA ST 1½ 1 (59½) Troy NEW YORK METS — Agreed to terms with ARIZONA COYOTES — Recalled F Dustin Cancun Challenge-Mayan North NEW YORK (AP) — North Carolina State at TOLEDO 9½ 8 (61) W.Michigan RHP Stolmy Pimental on a minor league Jeffrey from Springfield (AHL). Assigned G First Round W L T Pct PF PA at C. MICH 23 24 (56½) E.Michigan contract. Louis Domingue and D Philip Samuelsson Cleveland St. 57, Rider 52 Cincinnati 8 2 0 .800 266 186 had a two-part plan Tuesday night, clog the at ARKANSAS 14 14 (46) Missouri WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Named to Springfield. S. Dakota St. 92, Houston Baptist 68 Pittsburgh 6 4 0 .600 236 191 at HOUSTON 1½ 1 (OFF) Navy Bobby Henley third base coach. SAN JOSE SHARKS — Signed F Dainius Cancun Challenge-Riviera Baltimore 3 7 0 .300 226 249 lane defensively against star freshman Ben Tulsa 3½ 6 (64½) at TULANE BASKETBALL Zubrus to a one-year contract. Reassigned F First Round Cleveland 2 8 0 .200 186 277 Simmons and get a win. at WASH OFF OFF (OFF) Wash State National Basketball Association Nikolay Goldobin to the Barracuda (AHL). Rhode Island 66, TCU 60 West at OREGON 30½ 35 (68½) Oregon St OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER — Assigned F TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Recalled D FanDuel Legends Classic W L T Pct PF PA The Wolfpack succeeded at both. Boise St 8½ 7 (58½) at SJOSE ST Josh Huestis to Oklahoma City (NBADL). Luke Witkowski from Syracuse (AHL). Third Place Denver 8 2 0 .800 222 183 Anthony Barber scored 12 of his 20 points Baylor 1 1½ (OFF) at TCU FOOTBALL NC State 83, LSU 72, OT Kansas City 5 5 0 .500 257 198 NFL National Football League Gulf Coast Showcase Oakland 4 6 0 .400 240 259 at the foul line and the Wolfpack held Sim- Thursday NFL — Suspended Carolina DE Frank COLLEGE BASKETBALL Second Round San Diego 2 8 0 .200 213 282 FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Alexander one year for violating the Policy Duquesne 96, Milwaukee 92, OT mons to four points in an 83-72 overtime Philadelphia 2 PK (45½) at DETROIT Tuesday’s men’s scores Murray St. 59, Pepperdine 55 NATIONAL CONFERENCE and Program for Substances of Abuse for SOUTH victory over No. 22 LSU in the consolation Carolina 1 PK (46) at DALLAS a third time. W. Kentucky 88, Cent. Michigan 60 East at GREEN BAY 7 8½ (46½) Chicago Belmont 80, Kennesaw St. 55 W L T Pct PF PA ATLANTA FALCONS — Signed TE D.J. Charleston Southern 77, ETSU 76 game of the Legends Classic. Sunday Tialavea to the practice squad. Waived TE N.Y. Giants 5 5 0 .500 273 253 at HOUSTON 2½ 3 (48) New Orleans Coastal Carolina 67, Coll. of Charleston 61 Tuesday’s women’s scores Marcel Jensen. SOUTH Washington 4 6 0 .400 221 253 Simmons became the eighth LSU player in at ATLANTA 3 2 (45½) Minnesota Fairfield 113, Md.-Eastern Shore 74 Philadelphia 4 6 0 .400 229 229 BALTIMORE RAVENS — Waived WR James Madison 106, E. Mennonite 74 Alabama 72, Georgia St. 56 the last 42 years to get 20 points and 20 re- at CINCINNATI 7 9 (42) St. Louis Joseph Morgan. Signed WR Chuck Jacobs Dallas 3 7 0 .300 190 228 at INDY 3 3 (46½) Tampa Bay Louisville 85, St. Francis Brooklyn 41 Belmont 78, Alabama A&M 28 from the practice squad and WR Chris Bethune-Cookman 67, Edward Waters 48 South bounds Monday against Marquette but with NY Giants 1 2½ (47) at WASH Morehead St. 85, Marshall 61 W L T Pct PF PA Matthews to the practice squad. Claimed South Alabama 78, IUPUI 68 Charleston Southern 67, Columbia Oakland 1½ 1½ (44) at TENN QB Jimmy Clausen off waivers from Chicago. Carolina 10 0 0 1.000 299 191 NC State constantly crowding the paint, he at KAN CITY 3 5 (OFF) Buffalo South Florida 63, Albany (NY) 61 International 35 Placed QB Joe Flacco on injured reserve. Davidson 62, High Point 60, OT Atlanta 6 4 0 .600 250 214 turned into more of a passer than a shooter. at NY JETS 4 3½ (42½) Miami Southern U. 79, Dillard 65 Tampa Bay 5 5 0 .500 236 254 — Signed DL Jerel Worthy Tennessee 95, Army 80 FAU 71, Milwaukee 67 at JAXVILLE 1½ 3½ (46½) San Diego to the practice squad. Released LB Kevin New Orleans 4 6 0 .400 255 315 Simmons had 10 assists and 14 rebounds be- Arizona 8 10 (45½) at SAN FRAN Tennessee St. 77, Reinhardt 61 Florida 99, Savannah St. 34 Reddick from the practice squad. Florida A&M 69, Kennesaw St. 67, OT North at SEATTLE 3 4 (45½) Pittsburgh Tennessee Tech 86, Jackson St. 82, OT W L T Pct PF PA fore fouling out early in overtime. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Released G Reese VMI 76, Presbyterian 61 Florida St. 80, North Florida 28 New England 5 3 (44) at DENVER Dismukes from the practice squad. Signed DB Green Bay 7 3 0 .700 249 198 “Our plan was to really crowd the lane, Monday Vanderbilt 86, Wake Forest 64 Furman 71, Winthrop 52 Ras-I Dowling to the practice squad. Gardner-Webb 59, UNC-Greensboro 57 Minnesota 7 3 0 .700 211 184 at CLEVELAND 1 2½ (41) Baltimore Virginia Tech 90, NC A&T 60 Chicago 4 6 0 .400 214 251 flood the lane, put everybody — basically — Signed LB Danny W. Carolina 88, Hiwassee 63 Georgia 75, Georgia Southern 28 Mason and QB Justin Worley to the practice Georgia Tech 80, Alabama St. 54 Detroit 3 7 0 .300 185 274 Winthrop 79, SC-Upstate 78 West the sink— and clog it up and not let him get squad. EAST Jacksonville 87, Thomas (Ga.) 50 TRANSACTIONS — Signed C Dalton W L T Pct PF PA going with his penetration,” North Carolina Binghamton 81, CCSU 75 Lipscomb 93, Murray St. 85 Tuesday’s transactions Freeman and LB Gerald Rivers to the Longwood 60, NC Central 49 Arizona 8 2 0 .800 336 216 Columbia 70, Wofford 59 Seattle 5 5 0 .500 228 192 State coach Mark Gottfried said. BASEBALL practice squad. Released QB Zac Dysert Delaware 73, Fairleigh Dickinson 72 Mississippi St. 109, MVSU 37 American League from the practice squad. Oakland 83, Norfolk St. 73 St. Louis 4 6 0 .400 179 199 Simmons missed his first five shots against George Washington 94, Gardner-Webb 65 San Francisco 3 7 0 .300 139 252 CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Traded RHP — Claimed LB Quinton Hartford 77, Niagara 73 Samford 50, Jacksonville St. 39 Yency Almonte to Colorado for RHP Tommy Coples off waivers from the N.Y. Jets. UCF 77, South Alabama 36 Monday’s late score the Wolfpack’s defense before hitting a layup Mass.-Lowell 104, Wheelock 76 HNew England 20, Buffalo 13 Kahnle. Waived CB Zack Bowman. New Hampshire 88, Brown 77 UNC Asheville 67, W. Carolina 45 with 38 seconds remaining, which forged a LOS ANGELS ANGELS — Promoted Bud NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Waived LB Jo- VCU 57, Campbell 34 Thursday’s games Quinnipiac 69, NC Central 59 Philadelphia at Detroit, 12:30 Black to special assistant to the general Lonn Dunbar. Signed DE Phillip Hunt. Radford 86, Penn St. 74 65-65 deadlock. He missed a chance to give manager, Mike Gallego to director of NEW YORK JETS — Signed LB Josh Martin Carolina at Dallas, 4:30 Siena 83, Bucknell 81, OT Chicago at Green Bay, 8:30 LSU the lead by missing a and the baseball development, Justin Hollander to from Indianapolis’ practice squad. St. Bonaventure 77, Canisius 73 director of player personnel, Mike LaCassa OAKLAND RAIDERS — Waived LB Ray-Ray PRO HOCKEY Sunday’s games Wolfpack controlled overtime. Stony Brook 76, Loyola (Md.) 63 National Hockey League New Orleans at Houston, 1 to director of minor league operations, Steve Armstrong. MIDWEST Martone to assistant general manager, — Signed WR Monday’s late score Buffalo at Kansas City, 1 TIP-INS: Cincinnati 64, SE Louisiana 49 Philadelphia 3, Carolina 2, OT Oakland at Tennessee, 1 Bobby Scales to special assistant to the Jonathan Krause from the practice squad. IPFW 57, Miami (Ohio) 53 North Carolina State: Tuesday was a re- general manager and Jonathan Strangio to Released LB Emmanuel Acho. Tuesday’s scores St. Louis at Cincinnati, 1 Ill.-Chicago 96, Roosevelt 58 Ottawa at Dallas, late Minnesota at Atlanta, 1 assistant general manager. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Waived DT A.J. Indiana 83, St. John’s 73 match of last year’s NCAA second-round SEATTLE MARINERS — Designated C John Francis. Re-signed RB Bryce Brown. Placed Calgary at Anaheim, late N.Y. Giants at Washington, 1 Saint Louis 70, North Florida 57 Tonight’s games Tampa Bay at Indianapolis, 1 tournament game, which the Wolfpack won Hicks for assignment. Agreed to terms with LB Nick Moody on injured reserve. Signed South Dakota 83, S. Dakota Mines 63 C Chris Iannetta on a one-year contract. WR B.J. Daniels from the practice squad. Nashville at Buffalo, 7 San Diego at Jacksonville, 1 Wright St. 66, Mount St. Joseph 52 Columbus at New Jersey, 7 Miami at N.Y. Jets, 1 by a 66-65 margin. ... Caleb Martin was shak- TAMPA BAY RAYS — Released C J.P. Placed OT Terry Poole on practice squad/in- SOUTHWEST Arencibia. jured reserve. Signed RB DuJuan Harris and Montreal at N.Y. Rangers, 7 Arizona at San Francisco, 4:05 en up briefly with about six minutes remain- Idaho 69, Troy 63 St. Louis at Pittsburgh, 7 Pittsburgh at Seattle, 4:25 National League WR Tyler Slavin to the practice squad. Oklahoma 96, Incarnate Word 63 ing in the first half when he took an elbow to ATLANTA BRAVES — Agreed to terms with TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Waived Winnipeg at Washington, 7 New England at Denver, 8:30 FAR WEST Edmonton at Carolina, 7 Monday night’s game RHPs David Carpenter, Chris Volstad and DE Lawrence Sidbury. Claimed DE Kourtnei UNLV 93, Chaminade 73 the face by LSU Elbert Robinson III. Madison Younginer; Cs Willians Astudillo, Brown off waivers from Houston. Vancouver at Minnesota, 7 Baltimore at Cleveland, 8:30 Martin stayed in the game and hit a 3-point- er a few possessions later. College Football | Latest College Football Playoff rankings NBA | Scores, standings PHENOMENAL BARBER: Anthony Barber had a trip to remember to New York as he EASTERN CONFERENCE scored 42 points and made 21 of 23 free W L Pct GB throws in the two games. Barber wound Cleveland 11 3 .786 — Miami 9 4 .692 1½ playing all 43 minutes Tuesday after sitting Sooners take jump, Irish fall Chicago 8 4 .667 2 for only three minutes Monday and coach Indiana 9 5 .643 2 Mark Gottfried described the performance LATEST PLAYOFF RANKINGS RALPH D. RUSSO Unbeaten Iowa (11-0) and Atlanta 10 6 .625 2 by his junior guard as “phenomenal” AP College Football Writer No. 5 Michigan State (10-1) can Toronto 9 6 .600 2½ Charlotte 8 6 .571 3 UP NEXT Record setup a possible playoff play-in 1. Clemson ...... 11-0 Oklahoma moved into third Washington 6 5 .545 3½ North Carolina State: Winthrop on Friday game in the Big Ten champion- New York 8 7 .533 3½ 2. Alabama ...... 10-1 and Iowa was fourth in the new College Football Playoff rankings ship if both win this weekend. Boston 7 7 .500 4 3. Oklahoma ...... 10-1 What else you need to know Detroit 7 7 .500 4 4. Iowa ...... 11-0 as Notre Dame slipped to No. 6. Milwaukee 6 8 .429 5 Day after upsetting Indiana in about the latest rankings as the 5. Michigan St...... 10-1 Clemson and Alabama re- Orlando 6 8 .429 5 Hawaii, Deacons lose to Vandy 6. Notre Dame ...... 10-1 mained the top two teams in season hits the final two weeks: Brooklyn 3 11 .214 8 LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Wade Baldwin 7. Baylor ...... 9-1 the third-to-last committee Philadelphia 0 15 .000 11½ IV and Damian Jones both scored 17 points, 8. Ohio St...... 10-1 rankings. BIG TEN VS. NOTRE DAME WESTERN CONFERENCE and No. 19 Vanderbilt easily handled Wake 9. Stanford ...... 9-2 The Sooners (10-1) seem to When Ohio State was unbeat- W L Pct GB Forest 86-64 on Tuesday night in the semifi- 10. Michigan ...... 9-2 be in solid shape with only one en, it looked as if the final spot Golden State 15 0 1.000 — nals of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. 11. Oklahoma St...... 10-1 game left in their season. Okla- would come down to Notre San Antonio 11 3 .786 3½ 12. Florida ...... 10-1 Oklahoma City 9 6 .600 6 The Commodores (5-0) will play the win- homa will play at Oklahoma Dame or the Big 12 champion. Dallas 9 6 .600 6 ner of the game between No. 5 Kansas and 14. Florida St...... 9-2 State on Saturday with a chance Now it looks as if the Irish’s Memphis 8 7 .533 7 UCLA for the championship on Wednesday. 14. North Carolina ...... 10-1 to win the Big 12. The Cowboys path to the playoff goes through Phoenix 7 7 .500 7½ Jones, who grabbed 10 rebounds, was 6 for 15. Navy ...... 9-1 dropped to 11th after losing its the Big Ten. The Irish could be L.A. Clippers 6 7 .462 8 10 from the field and Baldwin was ever bet- 16. Northwestern ...... 9-2 Utah 6 7 .462 8 first game of the season. The blocked without an upset or two Minnesota 6 8 .429 8½ ter at 6 for 8. The Commodores were never 17. Oregon ...... 8-3 committee does not seem to be 18. Mississippi ...... 8-3 in the Big Ten over the next cou- Denver 6 8 .429 8½ threatened in the second half and led by as hung up on the Sooners’ Octo- Portland 6 9 .400 9 19. TCU ...... 9-2 ple weeks. many as 24 points. ber loss to Texas. Houston 5 9 .357 9½ 20. Washington St...... 8-3 Michigan State plays Penn State Freshman point guard Bryant Crawford, Sacramento 5 10 .333 10 21. Mississippi St...... 8-3 “They have performed at a on Saturday and Iowa is at Ne- New Orleans 3 11 .214 11½ who had the winning basket in the closing 22. UCLA ...... 8-3 high level since then, so they’ve braska. If both win, that sets up a L.A. Lakers 2 11 .154 12 seconds of the first-round win over No. 13 23. Utah ...... 8-3 overcome that loss with their Big Ten championship game with Indiana, led the Demon Deacons (3-2) with 24. Toledo ...... 9-1 play on the field and the success unbeaten Iowa against Michigan Monday’s late score 15 points. John Collins scored 14 and Devin they’ve had and the wins they’ve Oklahoma City 111, Utah 89 25. Temple ...... 9-2 State at 11-1. Again, unless Notre Tuesday’s scores Thomas added 13. accumulated, with now six wins Dame posts some type of mon- Indiana 123, Washington 106 TIP-INS The College Football over teams with .500 or better strous blowout of Stanford, jump- Memphis 110, Dallas 96 Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons came Playoff Selection Committee records,” committee chairman ing ahead of the Big Ten champ Atlanta 121, Boston 97 into the game with five players averaging will issue weekly rankings Jeff Long said. looks very difficult. L.A. Clippers at Denver, late each Tuesday, with the fi nal Chicago at Portland, late in double figures. They have five players in Long said the committee took The Irish might be able to get L.A. Lakers at Golden State, late double figures in the last two games... The rankings being announced into account that Oklahoma some help from their rivals. If Tonight’s games win over No. 13 Indiana was Wake Forest’s noon Sunday, Dec. 6. The quarterback Baker Mayfield sat USC can beat UCLA on Satur- New York at Orlando, 7 p.m. playoff semifi nals will match first over a ranked team since March 5, 2014, out the second half against TCU. day to win the Pac-12 South, the Washington at Charlotte, 7 p.m. against No. 4 Duke, and its first outside Win- the No. 1 seed vs. the No. Cleveland at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. When Mayfield was playing, Trojans would play Stanford for Miami at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. ston-Salem since beating No. 4 North Caro- 4 seed, and No. 2 will face Oklahoma was in control of the No. 3. The semifi nals will be the Pac-12 title. Also, Navy can Philadelphia at Boston, 7:30 p.m. lina on Jan. 20, 2010. game, Long said. Atlanta at Minnesota, 8 p.m. hosted at the Orange Bowl play for the American Athletic UP NEXT Sacramento at Milwaukee, 8 p.m. and Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31. Notre Dame (10-1) also plays Conference championship if it Vanderbilt plays the winner of No. 5 Kan- Memphis at Houston, 8 p.m. The championship game its last game of the season Satur- beats Houston on Saturday. The Brooklyn at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. sas-UCLA for the title on Wednesday. will be on Jan. 11, 2016, at day, a possible resume-builder success of Trojans and Midship- Dallas at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. Wake Forest plays the loser of No. 5 Kan- Glendale, Ariz. against Stanford, which is ninth men would enhance two of No- New Orleans at Phoenix, 9 p.m. sas-UCLA for third place on Wednesday. — Associated Press in the rankings. tre Dame’s best wins. Utah at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Page edited by Dan Moberger ! e Gazette | GastonGazette.com Wednesday, November 25, 2015 3C LOCAL SPORTS

Prep basketball | Team previews

ASHBROOK SOUTH POINT LAST YEAR: 23-4, 12-2 Big South 2A/3A LAST YEAR: 10-13, 7-7 Big South 2A/3A (tied for fi rst place) (tied for fourth place) COACH: Richard Carsner, fi rst season Big South boys COACH: Kody Kubbs, sixth season ASSISTANTS: Von Heavner, Ken Lind- ASSISTANTS: Devares Friday, Jasotn Tant, holm, James Prince, Zack Watts Jonathan Graham, Robert Robinson RETURNING STARTERS: Malik Gingles, Sr. Sr.,G; Ben Henderson, Sr., G ASSISTANTS: Travis Dancy, Chet Korznski, RETURNING STARTERS: Blake Zieske, SF/SG; Jeff Glenn, Sr. PG/SG; Z’Andre OTHER RETURNERS: Seniors — Marquez Pat Lilly Soph., G; J.T. Starr, Sr., F; Diontrea King, Givens Sr., PG/SG Grey, Adrian Coxum, Devajae Dawkins; RETURNING STARTERS: Nick Worthy, Sr., Sr., G OTHER RETURNERS: Seniors — Damari Sophomore — Saveon Falls G; Troy Cracknell, Jr., G; Grayson Hickert, OTHER RETURNERS: Seniors — Nick Grillo, Hopper, DeCarolis Jefferson; Sophomore — NEWCOMERS: Juniors — Logan Stone, Jr., F Trey Freeman; Juniors — Nick Muse, Niren Byron Sanders Justin Fulcomer, Tremayne Booker, Malik OTHER RETURNERS: Seniors — Jalen Johal NEWCOMERS: Seniors — Jquavius Stowe; Hatten; Sophomores — Nick Gibson, John Hancock, Matt Penner, Thomas Fabian, NEWCOMERS: Juniors — KJ Rounds, Juniors — Chris Moore, Emmanuel Rhyne, Gibbs Josh Queen, Tre Reynolds Neeral Patel; Sophomores — Charles Jaqualin Brown, Nic Heavner; Sophomores OUTLOOK: Henderson and McCaskill NEWCOMERS: Seniors — David Gonzalez, Cason, Zach Baker, Moses Neuman — Elijah Fife, Jaquail Brown both averaged double fi gures last year in Spencer Ashford; Sophomores — Michael OUTLOOK: Zieske and Starr will look OUTLOOK: The Green Wave return three scoring, so their leadership will be key for Ashford, Landon Calton, Connor Reed to lead the backcourt after the loss of starters from last year’s state runner-up. the Jaguars as the team looks to rebound OUTLOOK: The Knights split the Big Ryan Williams (graduation) Brandon With Glenn, Givens and Gingles leading from a diffi cult 8-16 season. South title with Ashbrook last year, and Reeves (transfer to Gaston Day). That pair the team, Ashbrook will rely on its athleti- with three returning starters will look accounted for 26.6 points per game last cism, speed and defensive pressure from HUNTER HUSS to be near the top of the conference year. With the combination of youth and the backcourt in an attempt to make LAST YEAR: 16-8, 11-3 Big South 2A/3A again. Barrett Hancock and Malik the football season overlap, it may take another deep run in the tournament. (third place) Mccormick (combined 30.3 points a little while for South Point’s players to COACH: Walter Wallace, fi fth season per game) are key losses, but there is adjust to new roles. EAST GASTON RETURNING STARTERS: Dra Potts, Sr., plenty of experience and talent to step LAST YEAR: 7-17, 5-9 Big South 2A/3A G/F; Marion Whitely, Sr., PG; Cress Wor- up in their place. STUART CRAMER (sixth place) thy, Jr., G/F; Antwanez Barnett, Jr, F/G LAST YEAR: 7-16, 1-13 Big South 2A/3A COACH: Eugene Farrar, fourth season OTHER RETURNERS: Senior — Jordan NORTH GASTON (tied for seventh place) RETURNERS: Seniors — J.C. Abernethy, Taylor; Junior — Kwayvion Griggs; Sopho- LAST YEAR: 1-22, 1-13 Big South 2A/3A COACH: Brad Sloan, third season Jacob Colard, Alex Adams, Nash Jamison, mores — Blake Wilson, Jahleer Black (tied for seventh place) ASSISTANTS: Demetri Koutsoupias, Chaz Johnson; Junior — Sam Brown NEWCOMERS: Senior — CJ Gill; Juniors — COACH: Hal White, fi rst season since Shawn Watson NEWCOMERS: Juniors — Tyrone Brown, Akiethio Carson, Cliff Baldwin, Queves 2005 RETURNING STARTERS (multiple lineups): Justin Gomez, Zack Hager; Sophomores — Graham; Sophomore — Suany Jiminez; ASSISTANTS: Brian Rogers, Jeff Johnson, Corey Stowe, Jr. G; Kobe Sithisaribouth, Caleb Bridgewater, Cody Johnson, Ryan Freshman — Marcus Mauney. Stewart Rice Jr. G; Duncan Hopkins, Jr., G; Wade Grice OUTLOOK: There are many parallels RETURNING STARTERS: Cameron Adams, McLain, Sr., F; Isaiah Foust, Jr., F; Jordan OUTLOOK: Abernethy is a quick guard between the Huskies and the team many Jr., SG; Rakeem Brown, Sr., PG; Austin Sherrill, Sr., C; Scott Moore, Sr. PF who can get to the rim and operates well see as their toughest competition in the Primm, Soph., PF/C OTHER RETURNERS: Junior — Kierian in the lane. The development of Brown, conference — Ashbrook. Both lost a fi rst- OTHER RETURNERS: Senior — Brian Digsby who played limited varsity minutes last team All-Gazette player, (Isaiah Whaley Mobley; Junior — Tommy Mcneal NEWCOMERS: Seniors — Ethan Quinlan, year, and Johnson, who averaged 8.6 for Ashbrook, Gaston Day transfer Quan NEWCOMERS: Seniors — Wriston West, Nick Smith; Juniors — Cameron Lewis, rebounds per game, will be key for the McCluney for the Huskies). However, even Tyler Swing, Tay Thomas; Juniors — Don- Will Willburn; Sophomores — Dylan Collins, Warriors in the post. without McCluney, this is a Huss team tereus Roberts, Clay Thompson, Dylan Dezure Mouldin that will expect to compete for a top spot Betts, Kade Christian OUTLOOK: The Storm feature seniors on FORESTVIEW in the conference with four returning OUTLOOK: White, the longtime Wildcats the roster for the fi rst time, and according LAST YEAR: 8-16, 7-7 Big South 2A/3A starters and good depth. coach from 1976 to 1997 and again to coach Brad Sloan, will be looking (tied for fourth place) from 2003 to 2005, returns this season. forward to seeing where it stacks up COACH: Chris Rayfi eld, fi rst season LAKE NORMAN CHARTER He has won 318 games as North Gaston against the rest of the conference. The ASSISTANTS: Eric Neely, Brandon LAST YEAR: 18-7, 12-2 Big South 2A/3A coach and will hope to rebuild a program 6-foot-9 Sherrill and 6-foot-4 Moore will Blackley (head JV), Matt Avioli (tied for fi rst place) that has not had a winning season since give Cramer a size advantage against RETURNING STARTERS: Trell McCaskill, COACH: Aaron Reeves, fi fth season 2005. many teams. Local roundup << Wildcats From staff reports Cherryville (2-0), which plays at Bayleigh Henley (eight points) and Jenna Ramsey, Kyan Crocker, Continued from Page 1C WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL West Lincoln on Tuesday. Bre Tuft (10 points) also led the M.C. Lowrance (offensive leaders) Ashbrook 73, Crest 67 — Malik way for Cherryville (1-1), which and Ashlynn Marr (defensive Belmont Abbey 87, North Green- Tuesday night, North ville 81, OT — The Crusaders Gingles (26 points, eight plays Tuesday at West Lincoln. leader) led Kings Mountain (3-2). Victory Christian 40, Christian Gaston jumped out to a went on a 19-6 run in the fourth rebounds, four steals) and Nic Family 31 MIDDLE SCHOOL WRESTLING 10-2 lead and stayed in quarter to force overtime and Heavner (12 points) led in scoring — Jade Moore (22 York Chester 51, Mount Holly front through much of the pulled out the win in the extra and Z’Andre Givens and Jeff points, seven steals) and 42 first half before Bessemer fi ve minutes. Taylor Johnson (21 Glenn combined for 14 assists Xiomara Moore (15 points, seven — Aquarius Miles, Jaylen City went on an 11-2 run points), Gabrielle Bethel (12 for Ashbrook (1-1), which hosts rebounds) led Victory Christian Rollinson, Noah Shook, Bernard at the end of the second rebounds) and Briana Grier (six Hickory on Dec. 2. Jaylon Wray (3-1). James, James Seigle, Jahaad quarter to tie the game at assists) led Belmont Abbey (1-3, led Crest with 24 points. Piedmont Community Charter 56, Wilson, Derrick Duff, Angel 29 heading into the break. 1-0), which plays at Lees-McRae Davidson Day 64, Gaston Day 59 — Community Christian 16 (Monday) Hernandez and Elijah Neal won North Gaston junior guard on Dec. 2. Quan McCluney (28 points) and — Gabby Long (14 points), Katie for York Chester (4-3), which Cameron Adams was hot M.J. Armstrong (22 points) led Guitirezz (12 points, fi ve steals), hosts Stanley next Wednesday. in the first half, scoring MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Gaston Day (2-1) in the loss. Courtney Williams (nine points), Jake Underhill, Conner Cobb, 10 of his 16 points in the North Greenville 77, Belmont Ab- Christian Family 65, Victory Cydney Williams (eight points) Josh Green, Tyreece Morris, Brock first quarter. In the third, bey 58 — Nick Hough (14 points), Christian 36 — Deontae Sanders and Damoniya Cole (eight steals) Wilken, Caleb Mace and Atraiyu senior power forward Tyler Horn (eight rebounds) had a team-high 14 points for led Piedmont. Yeldell won for Mount Holly Tay Thomas got into the and Ray Chen (four assists) led Victory Christian (2-2). Victory Christian 46, Carolina (1-6), which hosts Holbrook next middle of the Bessemer City zone, doing damage Belmont Abbey (2-3, 0-1) in the East Rutherford 65, Stuart Cramer Christian 23 (Monday) — Jada Wednesday. from the foul line area to loss. 50 (Monday) — Dezure Mouldin Moore (20 points, six steals) and Cramerton 60, Stanley 42 — Hunt- led the Storm with 15 points. Xiomara Moore (12 points, fi ve er Miller, Cameron Dyer, Corbin keep the Wildcats in front Piedmont Community Charter 66, rebounds, fi ve steals) led Victory Allen, Bryan Metcalf, Carter Price, on his way to a 19-point VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL game. South Point 62, Highland Tech Community Christian 40 (Monday) Christian. Landon Sprinkles, Andrew Shell, — Adrian Delph (13 points, seven Nick Reaves, Clark Styers and But late in the game, 39 — Blake Zieske scored 22 turnovers hurt North assists) and GeJuan Williams JV BOYS BASKETBALL Jackson Concannon earned wins to lead the Red Raiders (1-0), Gaston. The Yellow Jack- South Point 42, Highland Tech 32 while Charles Cason added 10 (12 points, six rebounds) led for Cramerton (4-3), which hosts ets were able to create points and nine rebounds. Jason Piedmont (5-1). — Tay Battle (13 points) and John Bessemer City next Wednesday. steals and get easy buck- Osemeka led the Rams (0-4) Victory Christian 43, Carolina Gross (seven points) were South Stanley (4-3) visits York Chester ets or free throws on the with 10 points. South Point will Christian 37 (Monday) — Dustin Point’s (1-0) leading scorers. next Wednesday. other end, as junior guard take on Bessemer City in its next Crawford (12 points, seven Addison Beam (11 points) and Holbrook 48, Grier 36 — Wes Ja’hari Guthrie knocked game on Dec. 1. Highland Tech rebounds, three steals) led Devin Bradley (six points) led Parker, Angel Velazquez, Nick down 6 of 8 from the faces Mountain Island Charter on Victory Christian. Highland Tech (1-3), which plays Groves, Matthew West, Lane Rob- line in the fourth on his Monday. Monday at Mountain Island inson, Keshawn Harris, Braden way to a 20-point game. East Gaston 62 Burns 60 — Chaz VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL Charter. Williams and Garet McGinnis won North Gaston led, 50-47, Johnson scored 29 points with Hunter Huss 69, Piedmont Ashbrook 54, Crest 28 — Justin for Holbrook (2-5), which visits with 7:21 to go in the 11 rebounds to lead the Warriors Charter 41 — Nykeria Chambers Lucas (16 points), Camron June Mount Holly next Wednesday. game, but Bessemer City (2-1) to a victory. Jacob Colvert (16 points, six steals), Nautica (12 points), Jaquese Hemphill Brandon Sain, Ray Mackey, Chris dominated the final few added 12 points, fi ve rebounds Falls (20 points, fi ve steals) and (nine points), Jaquan Hemphill Wells, Tyler Derr, David Ortiza, minutes to win by double and fi ve assists, while J.C. Gia Perez (14 points, seven (six points) and V. Cherry (three Jordan Mackins and Isaiah Beard figures, 69-57. The previous night, a Abernethy scored eight points rebounds) led Hunter Huss (1-0), points) led the way for Ashbrook won for Grier (1-6), which hosts close game against Cher- with four assists. The Warriors will which hosts Vance on Dec. 2. (2-0). W.C. Friday next Wednesday. Demoniya Cole (11 points), Christian Family 28, Victory Southwest 90, Bessemer City 12 — ryville from wire-to-wire take on Crest on Dec. 2 in their was decided when Jaid- Gabby Long (seven points) and Christian 18 — Luke Whitted led Southwest (5-2) hosts Chavis next next game. Burns (2-1) will face en Hunt of the Ironmen Chase on Dec. 1. Jordan Duckett (fi ve points) led Victory Christian (0-3) with eight Wednesday. Bessemer City (0-7) knocked down a shot Hunter Huss 71, Piedmont the way for Piedmont (3-3). points and fi ve steals in the loss. visits Cramerton next Wednesday. to win with 2.4 seconds Community Charter 54 — Antwanez Ashbrook 70, Crest 37 — Trinity Stuart Cramer 70, East Rutherford Belmont 64, W.C. Friday 30 — remaining. Barnett scored 22 points to go Jones (22 points, three assists), 67 (Monday) — Zytavious Murrell Houghton, Jaquay Warren, Will North Gaston does with 14 rebounds and six assists. Evonna McGill (12 points, 11 (22 points) and Zach Glenn (21 Bowman, Dylan Neagle, Ridge not have a win to show Jahleer Black added 11 points rebounds, fi ve blocks) and Sherry points) led the Storm in the win. Pate, Omari Hunt, DeAngelo for two straight solid ef- and Dra Potts scored 10 as the Johnson (eight points, 10 re- Piedmont Community Charter def. Bruton, Andrew Warren, Isai forts to start the year, but Huskies (1-0) started off their bounds, seven steals, fi ve blocks) Community Christian (Monday) — Pena, Carter Merrill, Kendall White is confident the season with a victory. Adrian led Ashbrook (2-0), which hosts Matt Chambers had 21 points for Karr and Hunter Mason won for team will learn to close Delph led Piedmont Community Hickory on Dec. 2. Piedmont. Belmont. Whitesides, Wallace, games better as the sea- Charter (5-2) with 16 in a losing North Gaston 69, Bessemer City Carolina Christian 34, Victory Paysour, Murphy and Dunovant son goes on. effort, while Christian Walker 35 — Kendal Cloninger (15 points, Christian 14 (Monday) — Luke Whit- won for W.C. Friday. “That’s part of the pro- scored 14 and Gejuan Williams fi ve steals), Spencer Britton (10 ted (eight points, three steals) led Belmont vs. Chavis/W.C. Friday vs. cess. We’re getting better added 12. Huss will face Vance points, 10 assists, six steals), Sar- Victory Christian. Chavis, not reported each night. We had fewer on the road Dec. 1, while Pied- ah Grace Hayes, Raven McCombs Burns 60, Kings Mountain 33 turnovers, we’re work- mont Community Charter will and Kassie McTaggart (eight JV GIRLS BASKETBALL (Monday) — Ryne Smith, Calem ing on it, but we have so much more to learn and travel to Challenger on Monday. points each) led North Gaston Ashbrook 11, Crest 9, OT — Cassi- Messick, Zach Crawford, Jere- Forestview 62, Lake Norman 47 (2-0), which hosts Cherryville dy sanders (four points), joy barge miah Brown, Kobe Rikard, Jalen so much more to do, but — we’re going to get there,” on Monday. Ierra Dameron (18 (four points) and megan farris Roberts and Trey Crawford won Ben Henderson (14 points), Trell he said. McCaskill (12 points) and Adrian points) led Bessemer City. (nine rebounds) (1-0) host hickory for Kings Mountain. North Gaston will have Coxum (eight points) led Forest- South Point 53, Highland Tech on Dec. 2. a break of longer than a view. Brian Dow had 13 points for 34 — Casey Almond (17 points) MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER week before running it Lake Norman. and Sonia Okoroji (eight points) MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL Holbrook at Grier, not reported — back against the same Cherryville 82, Sugar Creek led Highland Tech (1-4), which Holbrook at Grier, not reported — Holbrook (6-0*) hosts Southwest two opponents it faced 42 — Christian Jones (16 points), plays at Mountain Island Charter Holbrook (1-5*) hosts Southwest next Tuesday. Grier (3-2*) hosts to start the season. The Jaiden Hunt (12 points), Taveon on Monday. next Tuesday. Grier (1-4*) hosts Stanley next Tuesday. Wildcats will take on Hardin (12 points), Tre Lockhart Cherryville 40, Sugar Creek 22 — Stanley next Tuesday. Cherryville on Dec. 2 and (10 points) and Landon Hudson Cita Banks had a double-double Kings Mountain 3, Burns 0 (Mon- *-indicates record before Bessemer City on Dec. 9, (10 points) led the way for (10 points, 10 rebounds), and day) — Abbie Harris (six aces), Tuesday’s games. both at home in Dallas. 4C Wednesday, November 25, 2015 ! e Gazette | GastonGazette.com Page edited by Dan Moberger PRO FOOTBALL / PRO BASKETBALL

NFL | Week 12: Carolina at Dallas, 4:30 p.m. Thursday, CBS NFL notebook PANTHERS DE ALEXANDER SUSPENDED FOR 1 YEAR Very superstitious CHARLOTTE (AP) — The NFL has suspended Carolina Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander without pay for a minimum of one Panthers coach Rivera’s rituals seem to be paying off year for violating the Policy and Program for Substances CHARLOTTE (AP) — It is much worse as a player,” Ri- of Abuse for a third time. Sunday morning at Ron Rive- vera concedes. Alexander, who is on injured ra’s house and the Carolina Rivera played nine seasons reserve, was suspended Panthers coach sits down to at linebacker with the Chica- Alexander twice last season for a total eat a familiar breakfast of cin- go Bears. He was part of the of 14 games by the NFL for namon french toast and ham dynamic 1985 championship substance abuse violations. Alexander’s latest suspension could force the steak prepared by his wife. team that started 12-0 and Panthers to cut ties with the former fi fth-round It’s the same thing he eats came within one victory of a pick. He tore his Achilles in training camp and before every Panthers Sun- perfect season, losing only to was lost for the season. He was waived-injured day home game — at the Dan Marino and the Miami and reverted back to the team. same time. Dolphins on a Monday night. On Monday, Panthers defensive end Wes He talks with Stephanie Rivera wore only two Horton was suspended four games for violat- over coffee. At precisely 8:30 helmets during his career, ing the NFL policy on performance-enhancing a.m. Eastern Time — ex- forced to go to a backup after substances. And injured wide receiver actly 4 ½ hours before a 1 his original cracked. Stephen Hill was suspended one game for p.m. kickoff — the fifth-year He wore the same wrist- violating the NFL’s policy and program for coach’s ride arrives to take bands. He wore the same substances of abuse. him to the stadium. socks. He went through the Once there, Rivera has a same rituals before every whole new, lengthy set of game, such as organizing his A LOOK AT THE NFL’S UNBEATENS superstitions, culminating a stretches in a certain order. CAROLINA PANTHERS (10-0) week full of rigid rituals. Associated Press But Rivera claims he never He dons a black shirt — took it too far, like some of This week: at Dallas Cowboys (3-7), 4:30 p.m. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera gives an ‘I love you’ sign to his wife Thursday “Not for any specific reason as he takes the fi eld before Sunday’s game against the Redskins his teammates who refused other than the last time I to wash certain articles of Carolina will win if: Cam Newton passes as at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Rivera makes no qualms well as he did last week, when he threw for a wore it we started winning, about it, he’s superstitious. If it’s not eating the same meal before clothing for fear of breaking career-high fi ve TDs — to fi ve receivers. so I keep doing it,” he says — every game or wearing the same colors, it’s fl ashing the ‘I love you’ the winning streak. Carolina will lose if: Tony Romo and Dez Bryant and puts on the same set of sign to his wife during warmups from the same spot on the fi eld. “Oh yeah, I washed. Trust get on a roll. Remember: Dallas is unbeaten, black Nike shoes he has worn me,” Rivera said with a long too ... when Romo plays, going 3-0 in his for three years. They are re- laugh. “We had a couple of appearances. served just for game day. 14 straight regular-season alongside reporters in press guys that didn’t wash certain Noteworthy: First team in the half-century He eats a peanut butter games overall, which only row and chats for about five things and their lockers got Super Bowl era to start 10-0 after being below and oatmeal cookie his wife increases his superstition. or 10 minutes before step- pretty ripe.” .500 the season before (7-8-1). has made for him. “Unfortunately, winning ping behind the podium. It’s Most players had some Quoteworthy: “We know we’re good at a lot of He walks out of the stadi- sort of does that,” Rivera says something he started earlier kind of superstition or ritual, things. We know we’ve got to improve on a lot more things.” — Newton. um tunnel careful to avoid with a laugh. this season and has contin- and some were good for a Week 13: at New Orleans Saints going through the large Pan- Rivera’s players have no- ued every week as the win laugh, Rivera said. Steve Mc- thers inflatable on the field. ticed some of his supersti- streak continues. Michael, a Bears defensive NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-0) This week: at (8-2), 8:30 p.m. “That’s for players only,” tions. Tight Greg Olsen says Rivera has other supersti- tackle who eventually be- Sunday he says. it’s nothing unusual. tions, some of which he just came a professional wrestler, New England will win if: Coach Bill Belichick After sidestepping the inflat- “I think everybody in the refers to as just “routines,” needed help from Rivera to devises ways to fl uster in the able, Rivera jogs out to the 20- football world is supersti- like making sure power points complete his routine. QB’s second start of his NFL career. yard line, turns to the crowd to tious,” Olsen says. “As play- during game week are in the “First of all, he really loved New England will lose if: All those injuries to skill find where Stephanie is seated ers, we order out from the same order. He doesn’t deny his looks,” Rivera says. “So players and offensive linemen fi nally catch up to and signals “I love you” to her same restaurant on Thurs- he’s superstitious by nature. he’d get dressed and ready to Tom Brady and Co. against an elite defense. with his left hand. days and we’ve sat in the He wears the same col- go, and then he’d come stand Noteworthy: Patriots would clinch an NFL “Then, I’m ready for the same seats to eat it for 10 ored clothes to practice in front of my locker and look record-tying seventh division title in a row with game,” he says. straight weeks. ... We try to do depending on the day. And at me, and I’d say, ‘Yes, you a victory. Quoteworthy: “At the end of the day, they fi nd Rivera’s superstitious ritu- the same things.” he makes certain to wear a are the best-looking defen- ways to win,” Buffalo coach Rex Ryan, after als seem to be working. Quarterback Cam Newton different outfit to every press sive tackle in the league.’ And the Bills’ 20-13 loss to the Patriots on Monday The Panthers are 10-0 arrives for his Wednesday conference. then he’d say, ‘All right, I’m night. this season and have won press conference and sits “I’m bad now, but I was ready to go.’” Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Nicolas Batum, left, and Jeremy Lin, both new to the Hornets in 2015, celebrate after Batum hit a 3-pointer against the Trail Blazers in Charlotte on Nov. 15. The team played the French national anthem before the game, two days after attacks on the country’s capital. Associated Press

different ways.” << Batum Batum’s all-around performances are Continued from Page 1C starting to become more regular while he and his new teammates have learned “When I got traded, Boris Diaw was to play with each other during the young the first guy I called,” Batum said. “I said, season. In Monday night’s come-from- ‘Talk to me about the city and the peo- behind, 127-122 win in overtime against ple.’ He said, ‘Oh, you’re going to love it. Sacramento, Batum was two assists shy Trust me.’ of a triple-double, with 18 points, 10 re- “I love it. I went from the Northwest bounds and eight assists. to the Southeast, so it’s totally different “Four of his last five games, he’s been at from where I was in Oregon. But the an elite level, an All-Star level,” Hornets weather is nice, the people are great and coach Steve Clifford said prior to Char- all of the teammates, I like.” lotte’s blowout win over Philadelphia last Friday. “He has size. He has skill. He has CAPITALIZING ON AN OPPORTUNITY Local news. great feel for the game. He’s a good com- Batum’s presence on the court is al- petitor. If he can do that, it puts our team ready giving Charlotte fans a reason to be in a really good spot.” optimistic. Batum agreed. He’s averaging a career-high 16.9 “If I can try to do everything, like score Nobody delivers points per game, topping 20 points four and involve my teammates, I’m going to times in the past seven games, and is do it,” he said. “With this team, I have shooting 44.3 percent overall and 42.7 like we do. percent from three-point range. He’s more opportunities to show what I can getting to the line 4.1 times per game, a do, especially scoring-wise.” There’s a lot going on in Gaston County and there’s career high, and knocking down 89.5 per- Batum was named Eastern Conference no better place to !nd out about it than The Gazette. cent of those attempts, also a career high. Player of the Week for his on-court feats But it’s not just his scoring that has in the days following Nov. 13. And the Batum drawing acclaim from teammates timing of the honor was not of little sig- Gaston County has turned to The Gazette for 136 years for nificance to him. and coaches. Though he’s a guard, his news of our community and its people. Our readers know “Being recognized, even just for a 6.1 rebounds per game are third on the they can !nd information in The Gazette that can’t be found team. He’s second on the team in steals week, is still nice, especially for the week per game, using the long reach of his we had in France,” he said. “That’s going at any other source. 6-foot-8 frame to disrupt passing lanes. to show what we can do for our country, too. To be named Player of the Week And his unselfishness with the ball has The Gazette also connects readers with their friends and him second on the team in assists with during that week was a big thing for us.” 4.1 per contest. After starting 0-3, the Hornets have a neighbors, informs us about interesting people in the “Nic was just being Nic — you know, Mr. chance to improve to 9-6 with a fourth community and reminds us what makes Gaston County straight win in tonight’s 7 o’clock tip off Do-It-All,” point guard Kemba Walker said agreatplacetolive. after Batum put up an efficient 24 points on their home court against Washing- and handed out eight creative assists in a ton. If Charlotte hopes to continue its 116-111 home win over the improvement, Batum, with his versatile We don’t just deliver news, we deliver a connection game and resilient attitude, will be a key on Nov. 18. “He does it all for us, and it’s re- to the community. ally exciting to have him around. We need component. him at that level for us to win.” “He’s a terrific guy,” Clifford said. “I “He can do everything — a jack-of-all- mean, he’s absolutely team-first, wants trades,” fellow Hornet newcomer Jeremy to do the right thing, cares about his Lin said. “Being able to play with him is teammates and he cares about winning.” A Halifax Media Group Company a tremendous opportunity. He can find Dan Moberger: 704-869-1849; Twitter you. He can cut. He can score in a lot of @Dan Moberger 80286