Wednesday, February 22, 2012 17:26

Tiger Woods survives opening round of Match Play

Tiger Woods had to go the distance to get to the second round of the Match Play Championship.

Woods took too many journeys through the desert and was trailing Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano until he drove the 15th green for a birdie to square the match, then took advantage of the Spaniard's struggles with the putter.

It was the fourth time Woods was taken to the 18th hole in the opening round of this fickle event. He next plays Nick Watney, who had no trouble beating British Open champion Darren Clarke.

The top seeds teed off late, with top-ranked Luke Donald trailing Ernie Els at the turn.

Dustin Johnson made the greatest escape, beating Jim Furyk in 20 holes. Ryo Ishikawa also rallied late to beat Riviera winner Bill Haas.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 15:13

Video: Which ACC players can go high in the NBA Draft

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 12:33

Video: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine: Who has the most to win or lose?

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 12:28

Video: What to expect at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 10:36

Newton up all night (with video)

Cam Newton pulled an all-nighter earlier this month that was captured by cameras in Charlotte.

TV viewers -- at least those other than Time-Warner customers in Charlotte -- can see the end result tonight when the 60-second, Under Armour spot airs on the NFL Network.

Entitled "Cam's Night Out," the commercial plays on Newton's offseason training, and depicts him working out under the lights at Bank of America Stadium --in his Under Armour gear and UA Highlight cleats.

Well-known producer/DJ AraabMuzik handles the soundtrack for the spot on an MPC.

An Under Armour spokesman said the commercial was shot at BofA Stadium. Most of the filming took place after 7 p.m., and the shoot lasted through the night.

The receivers are not Panthers' players, but paid actors.

The spot will begin airing regularly Thursday.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 2:46

UNC's Marshall sheds some labels in win over N.C. State

His postgame news conference over following his team's 86-74 victory against N.C. State on Tuesday night, North Carolina coach Roy Williams walked back inside the Tar Heels' locker room and stopped in front of Kendall Marshall's stall.

Marshall, who led the Heels with a career-high 22 points and 13 assists, already was surrounded by TV cameras and microphones. Williams stuck his head in through the crowd, and he told Marshall: "Somebody who kept the stats liked you. But it was a phenomenal game, son."

Williams was referring to Marshall's lack of turnovers. The official record said Marshall didn't have any of those to go along with his 13 assists and 22 points, but Williams counted two turnovers that should have been credited to Marshall.

It was about the only flaw he could find in Marshall's game. Marshall carries a reputation of being a point guard who doesn't look to score - who maybe can't score. His doubters criticize his speed, and his lack of a dominant jump shot.

Yet Marshall possessed enough speed on Tuesday to routinely break down the Wolfpack's defense, and he possessed enough of a shooting touch to make a career-high four 3-pointers. He missed only one of his 3-point attempts on Tuesday, and he had never made more than two in a game.

"I thought I was watching Jeremy Lin out there," said teammate Harrison Barnes, referencing the New York Knicks point guard who has made headlines because of his improbable path to stardom.

Barnes finished with 20 points, and made two his five 3-point attempts. Williams described UNC's shooting performance as its best of the season.

The No. 7 Tar Heels (24-4, 11-2) made 10 of their 19 attempts from behind the 3-point line and all five starters scored in double figures for the first time this season. It was the kind of breakout shooting performance Williams had long been waiting to see. His team entered shooting 29.5 percent from 3-point range in ACC play.

But on Tuesday night, Barnes made the team's first 3-point attempt, and then Marshall followed with another a few moments later. The Heels needed just four minutes to build a double-digit lead, and then after N.C. State (18-10, 7-6) rallied in the middle of the first half, UNC used its shooting to expand the lead back out during the second half.

Marshall, meanwhile, said he gained confidence early. He never lost it, either.

"I think that was big for me," he said. "I think to hit the first two - you know, going into games if I miss the first one or two, I'm like all right, that's it. But tonight, being able to see those first two go in, I think it really pulled the defense out, it opened up for Barnes, (John) Henson and (Tyler) Zeller on the inside."

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 1:01

Charlotte Christian ousts Charlotte Country Day from NCISAA 3A playoffs

Charlotte Christian took an impressive first step on its postseason journey.

The Knights broke open a close game in the second half and rolled past Charlotte Country Day 79-51 in the first round of the NCISAA 3A playoff Tuesday at Lamb-Johnson Gymnasium. Charlotte Christian, the No. 6 seed, outscored the No. 11 Buccaneers 28-13 in the second to transform a 15-14 lead into a 16-point advantage at the break.

"We told our guys were on a mission to compete for a state championship, and if you're going to try to do that you have to play well and play well consistently," Knights coach Shonn Brown said. "It starts with our defense and our transition game. We're at our best when we can defend, which doesn't mean we're stealing the ball but are very active defensively."

Charlotte Christian (24-7) jumped into gear by turning defense into offense in the second. The Knights often limited Country Day (11-16) to a single shot or turnover per possession and quickly went into transition for easy offensive opportunities. Seven Charlotte Christian players scored in that eight-minute span, with Patrick Rooks knocking down 11 of his 15 points in the quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers.

"Christian is a very good team and very well coached," Country Day coach Dwayne Cherry said. "We told our guys when you're playing a team of this caliber, there are certain mistakes you can't make. In the second quarter, we made too many mistakes to start the quarter. They're a good team, so they capitalized on it."

The Knights went over and around the Bucs to get access to the basket - especially 6-foot-7 center Ryan Potocnik, who pumped in a game-high 20 points. When Country Day collapsed to contest the lane, Potocnik passed to the perimeter for open teammates to knock down jump shots.

"We've been a little up and down with that," Brown said. "We're always instilling in our guys we have good shooters but we're still an inside-outside team, so we always want to take that look."

Charlotte Christian maintained its momentum in the third quarter with Potocnik leading the way with eight points as the Knights' lead mushroomed to 31. Everything the Knights did came up positive.

"Our press generated some really good offense for us," Brown said. "We went into a little diamond-and-one press and they got a little flustered and started throwing the ball away and we started building some momentum. It was a big snowball that kind of ran over Country Day."

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 1:00

Briefs: Former bowl executive pleads guilty

The Fiesta Bowl's former top executive pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge to settle allegations stemming from a political donations scandal.

John Junker entered the plea in Phoenix for his role in soliciting political contributions from Fiesta Bowl employees. The bowl later reimbursed employees for about $48,000 over a nine-year period.

The plea is part of an agreement with Arizona prosecutors in connection with the scandal that led to the firing last year of Junker, the bowl's longtime leader, and the resignation of chief operating officer Natalie Wisneski.

The scandal nearly jeopardized the Fiesta Bowl's role as one of the four top-tier national bowl groups. The organization was spared the worst sanctions - the loss of the championship game and its NCAA license.

• Georgia State is studying a possible move to the Football Bowl Subdivision, just two seasons after launching its program.

The Panthers currently compete in the Football Championship Subdivision as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.

• Sean Wilson went 4-for-4 with three runs and led High Point (3-1) to a 12-5 home baseball victory against Charlotte (3-1).

• Western Carolina (4-0) scored 10 runs through the first four innings and cruised to a 13-3 baseball victory at Winthrop (0-4), holding the Eagles to three hits.

NFL

Tackle reworks deal: Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins agreed to restructure his contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He signed a $25 million, five-year deal last offseason and had 5.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 61 total tackles.

• Detroit defensive end Cliff Avril said he might hold out if the Lions use the franchise tag on him.

Tennis

Querrey gets win: Sam Querrey advanced to the second round of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, Tenn., with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory against Alejandro Falla of Colombia. Querrey had right elbow surgery in June and won for only the second time this year in five matches.

In another men's first-round match, James Blake, participating in his first ATP Tour match since encountering knee problems late last fall, dropped a 6-0, 6-2 decision to fellow American Ryan Sweeting.

Skiing

Mancuso wins: Julia Mancuso of the United States and Alexis Pinturault of France dominated the parallel slalom World Cup races on a giant ramp in Moscow. Overall World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn, who lost to Mancuso in the semifinals, finished third.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 0:47

N.C. Western Region Basketball Scores, Pairings

Boys

4A West: Olympic 76, S. Caldwell 41; E. Gaston 58, Watauga 50; McDowell 67, W. Mecklenburg 59; Alexander Central 62, E. Meck 60; W.Charlotte 77, Mooresville 52; N. Mecklenburg 63, Myers Park 50; Mallard Creek 50, Roberson 24; South Meck 62, Vance 38

Today's second round: E. Gaston at Olympic, 7; McDowell at Alexander Central; North Meck at W. Charlotte, 7; Mallard Creek at South Meck, 7

4A Midwest: HP Central 55, Sun Valley 51 (OT); Richmond Sr. 83, Butler 78 (OT); Davie Co. 88, Smith 77; NW Guilford 72, East Forsyth 64; Mount Tabor 73, W-S Reynolds 63; SW Guilford 72, Glenn 62; Dudley 60, Reagan 58; Page 96, Rocky River 64

Today's second round: High Point Central at Richmond Senior; Davie County at NW Guilford; Glenn at Mount Tabor; Dudley at Page

3A Midwest: Concord 100, McMichael 53; W. Rowan 69, Weddington 66 (OT); Anson Sr. 69, Marvin Ridge 66; Charlotte Catholic 71, Central Cabarrus 41; Statesville 49, S. Rowan 35; Robinson 66, E. Rowan 40; Harding 81, A.L. Brown 55; N. Forsyth 82, Hickory Ridge 69

Today's second round: West Rowan at Concord; Anson at Charlotte Catholic, 7; Robinson at Statesville; Harding at North Forsyth, 7

3A West: Freedom 86, South Point 48; Hunter Huss 70, St. Stephens 56; Enka 68, Fred T. Foard 56; Tuscola 74, Erwin 56; R-S Central 70, Forestview 68; Ashbrook 76, Asheville 67; Burns 57, Franklin 53; Hickory 85, E. Henderson 44

Today's second round: Hunter Huss at Freedom; Enka at Tuscola; R-S Central at Ashbrook; Burns at Hickory

2A Midwest: Cuthbertson 98, North Surry 50; Starmount 63, Central Davidson 58; Surry Central 51, Carver 46; Wheatmore 70, Forest Hills 63; Lexington 84, Thomasville 79; E. Lincoln 66, Piedmont 60; Salisbury 63, N. Lincoln 47; West Stokes 63, Bunker Hill 49

Today's second round: Starmount at Cuthbertson; Wheatmore at Surry Central; E. Lincoln at Lexington; Salisbury at West Stokes

2A West: Ashe Co. 70, Maiden 37; Shelby 74, Pisgah 62; W. Caldwell 70, Newton-Conover 51; Lincolnton 63, N. Henderson 52; Smoky Mountain 80, Owen 66; Mountain Heritage 67, Polk County 52; Wilkes Central 55, E. Burke 52; E. Rutherford 85, Draughn 59

Today's second round: Shelby at Ashe Co.; W. Caldwell at Lincolnton; Mountain Heritage at Smoky Mountain; Wilkes Central at East Rutherford

1A Midwest: Winston-Salem Prep 62, Mount Airy 50; Elkin 63, River Mill 59; S. Stokes 69, N. Wilkes 53; S. Davidson 67, Bishop-McGuinness 62; Monroe 83, E. Montgomery 35; E. Surry 51, Union Academy 49; Lake Norman Charter 55, Albemarle 48; North Rowan 89, W. Montgomery 34

Today's second round: Elkin at Winston-Salem Prep; South Stokes at South Davidson; East Surry at Monroe; Lake Norman Charter at North Rowan

1A West: Hayesville 73, Murphy 46; Thomas Jefferson 86, Hiwassee Dam 59; Highlands 50, Blue Ridge 39; Cherokee 55, Alleghany 49; Highland Tech 70, Rosman 32; Mitchell 66, Cherryville 61; Swain Co. 66, Robbinsville 44; Hendersonville 84, Bessemer City 71

Today's second round: Jefferson at Hayesville; Cherokee at Highlands; Mitchell at Highland Tech; Swain at Hendersonville

NCISAA 1A (Tuesday's first round): Elon at Greenfield; Burlington Christian at Northwood Temple; Hobgood at Community Christian; Durham Trinity at Oakwood; Waccamaw at Word of God; Wayne Country Day at Trinity Christian; Grace at North Hills; Ridgecroft at Flora MacDonald

NCISAA 2A (Tuesday's first round): Davidson Day 98, Grace Christian 36; Caldwell at Westchester; Gaston Day 86, Carolina Day 85; Coastal Christian at Victory Christian; Rocky Mount at Asheville; Carolina Friends at Fayetteville Christian; Cape Fear at First Assembly; St. David at Northside

NCISAA 3A (Tuesday's first round): Village Christian at HP Christian; Forsyth 75, Hickory Grove 66; Wesleyan Christian 63, Providence Day 55; Metrolina Christian at Greensboro Day; Covenant Day at Christ School; Charlotte Christian 79, Country Day 51; Charlotte Latin 46, Rabun Gap 45; N. Raleigh Christian at Ravenscroft

Girls

4A Midwest: Mt. Tabor 52, SE Guilford 40; Page 66, Sun Valley 47; W.Forsyth 49, Smith 33; Dudley 50, Reynolds 40; SW Guilford 52, HP Central 21; N. Davidson 54, Richmond Sr. 43; NW Guilford 42, E. Forsyth 32; Porter Ridge 60, Rocky River 41

Today's second round pairings: Page at Mt. Tabor; W. Forsyth at Dudley; N. Davidson at SW Guilford; NW Guilford at Porter Ridge, 6

4A West: Myers Park 72, Independence 19; Hough 39, South Caldwell 33; Butler 54, West Meck 51; Hopewell 48, Olympic 31; Alexander Central 90, West Charlotte 62; Roberson 69, Mallard Creek 53; Ardrey Kell 83,E. Gaston 28; McDowell 75, North Mecklenburg 54

Today's second round: Hough at Myers Park, 7; Butler at Hopewell, 7; Roberson at Alexander Central; Ardrey Kell at McDowell

3A Midwest: Berry 54, Charlotte Catholic 38; Parkwood 63, Hickory Ridge 43; Robinson 74, W. Rowan 42; Anson 55, NW Cabarrus 27; N. Iredell 43, E. Rowan 28; Concord 68, Carson 59; Harding 52, Marvin Ridge 43; Ledford 56, A.L. Brown 20

Today's second round: Parkwood at Berry, 7; Robinson at Anson; Concord at N. Iredell; Harding at Ledford, 7

3A West: Hickory 74, South Point 48; Freedom 53, Fred T. Foard 49; Erwin 59, Patton 51; Tuscola 64, West Henderson 28; Forestview 60, Enka 35; Ashbrook 58, Franklin 55; Crest 56, N. Buncombe 40; R-S Central 56, Hibriten 40

Today's second round: Freedom at Hickory; Erwin at Tuscola; Ashbrook at Forestview; Crest at R-S Central

2A Midwest: N. Stanly 60, E. Davidson 30; Carver 66, Starmount 59; Thomasville 50, Cuthbertson 30; Bandys 97, Central Davidson 46; Salisbury 81, S. Iredell 45; W. Stokes 81, Forbush 62; Forest Hills 61, Lexington 57; N. Surry 62, Wheatmore 35

Today's second round: Carver at N. Stanly; Thomasville at Bandys; W. Stokes at Salisbury; Forest Hills at N. Surry

2A West: Wilkes Central 62, Surry Central 43; Lincolnton 54, Madison 45; N. Lincoln 80, Owen 50; Pisgah 51, N. Henderson 34; Newton-Conover 82, W. Lincoln 25; E. Burke 63, Shelby 47; East Rutherford 58, Smoky Mountain 51; Mountain Heritage 73, W. Caldwell 46

Today's second round: Lincolnton at Wilkes Central; N. Lincoln at Pisgah; E. Burke at Newton-Conover; E. Rutherford at Mountain Heritage

1A Midwest: River Mill 88, Gray Stone Day 48; W. Montgomery 66, Monroe Central 42; Monroe 65, S. Stokes 41; Lake Norman Charter 46, North Rowan 33; S. Davidson 49, South Stanly 31; East Wilkes 66, N. Moore 52; Bishop McGuinness 57, North Surry 34; Mount Airy 77, Elkin 31

Today's second round: W. Montgomery at River Mill; Monroe at Lake Norman Charter; E Wilkes at South Davidson; Bishop McGuinness at Elkin

1A West: Robbinsville 66, Andrews 24; Cherryville 90, Highlands 51; N. Wilkes 58, Blue Ridge 27; Cherokee 90, Hendersonville 51; Hayesville 65, Hiwassee Dam 51; Murphy 60, Mitchell 48; W Wilkes 49, Highland Tech 42; Avery 63, Rosman 36

Today's second round: Highland at Robbinsville; N. Wilkes at Cherokee; Hayesville at Murphy; W. Wilkes at Avery

NCISAA 1A (Tuesday's first round): Community Christian at Trinity Christian; Grace Christian at Hickory Christian; Durham Trinity at Ridgecroft; Burlington Christian at Oakwood; Greenfield at Crescent Christian; Raleigh Trinity at Wayne County; Cape Fear at Statesville Christian; Crossroads at Hobgood

NCISAA 2A (Tuesday's first round): Westchester at Carolina Day; St. David's at Fayetteville Academy; Arendall Parrot at Cary Christian; Rocky Mount Academy at Gaston Day; Harrells Christian at Fayetteville Christian; Cape Fear Academy at First Assembly; Asheville Christian at Victory Christian; Caldwell Academy at Carolina Friends

NCISAA 3A (Tuesday's first round): Providence Day 66, Wesleyan Christian 27; Charlotte Latin 68, Calvary Baptist 53; Cary Academy 57, Covenant Day 57; Hickory Grove at Rabun Gap; Charlotte Christian 62, Country Day 41; SouthLake at High Point Christian; Ravenscroft 59, Forsyth Country Day 48; Village Christian at Greensboro Day

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 0:29

Charlotte Area High School Sports Update

Elevator

Double-dipping swimmers: Charlotte Latin's Hayes McCullagh and Cannon's Maija Roses won dual championships at the N.C. Independent 3A finals Tuesday in Greensboro. UP

Charlotte Latin's girls' basketball team: Beat Calvary Baptist 68-53 and reached the N.C. Independent Schools quarterfinals for the first time in eight years. UP

Leroy Holden, North Mecklenburg: Longtime Vikings athletics director and boys' basketball coach will be inducted into the N.C. High School Athletic Directors hall of fame this spring. UP

Jada Huntley, Porter Ridge girls' basketball: 19 points, 14 rebounds, 11 steals against Rocky River on Monday. UP

Tuesday night's headlines

Charlotte Christian blows past Country Day in first round of NCISAA playoffs

Charlotte Christian won its N.C. Independent Schools first-round playoff game with a 79-51 win against Charlotte Country Day.

Ryan Potocnik led the Knights with 20 points and 15 from Patrick Rooks. Country Day's Ben Simons had 20 points.

Charlotte Christian will play Christ School or Covenant Day in Thursday's quarterfinal.

Charlotte Latin holds off Rabun Gap in NCISAAs

Charlotte Latin got 18 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists from Rusty Reigel and beat Rabun Gap 46-45 in an NCISAA first-round playoff game.

Latin got 10 points, six rebounds and five assists from Matt Tome.

Latin will play North Raleigh Christian or Raleigh Ravenscroft in Thursday's quarterfinals.

Charlotte Latin runner-up in boys and girls swimming

Charlotte Latin's boys and girls finished runner-up in the NCISAA 3A championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.

Charlotte Latin's girls finished with 247 points, just four behind winner Forsyth Country Day. Charlotte Country Day was fourth (216) and Providence Day fifth (201).

The Latin boys (247) finished behind winner Greensboro Day (275). Country Day was third (202) and Providence Day sixth (152).

Latin got individual state championships from its boys' 200 medley relay team, its girls' 400 freestyle relay team, Hayes McCullagh (200 free, 100 butterfly), Michael Chadwick (200 IM) and Hope Dragelin (girls 100 butterfly).

Mecklenburg County individual winners included Providence Day's Bailey Burt (500 free), SouthLake Christian's Austin Meletio (boys 100 breast), Cannon's Maija Roses (girls' 200 IM and girls' 100 breast) and Covenant Day's Kate Carter (500 free).

Tuesday's top performers

Garland Austin, Charlotte Latin girls: 22 points, five assists and three rebounds in a 68-53 win against Calvary Baptist in the NCISAA playoffs. Teammate Becca Jones had 19 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and three assists. Brooke Brown had 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Logan Carter, Gaston Day girls: 29 points, five rebounds, four assists against Rocky Mount Academy in NCISAA playoffs. Jordan Whitesides had 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals, and Morgan Whitesides had 18 points and 13 assists for Gaston Day.

Keyshawn Woods, Gaston Day boys: 20 points, 14 rebounds, three assists in 86-85 win against Carolina Day in the first round of the NCISAA playoffs. Teammate Ray Chen had 26 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Tonight's Top Playoff Matchups

No. 7 North Mecklenburg at No. 2 West Charlotte boys, 7 p.m.: The Vikings get a third shot at West Charlotte this season and this is probably the most important. The Lions won two regular-season meetings, which helped settle the I-Meck 4A championship. Tonight's winner, though, will be in Friday's sectional championship game.

Mallard Creek at No. 4 South Mecklenburg boys, 7 p.m.: The Sabres dispatched one I-Meck 4A team in Monday's opener, beating Vance 62-38. Now the Sabres try to keep their postseason magic going against another. Mallard Creek beat Skyland Roberson 50-24 Monday.

East Gaston at No. 1 Olympic boys, 7 p.m.: The Trojans were impressive in an easy first-round win against South Caldwell. East Gaston beat Watauga 58-50 in its playoff opener.

No. 3 Harding at North Forsyth boys, 7 p.m.: Harding (23-4) has an awfully tough second-round assignment at a No. 2 playoff seed North Forsyth (22-4). Harding's a No. 7 seed.

Hough at No. 1 Myers Park girls, 7 p.m.: Hough is the I-Meck 4A tournament champ. Myers Park, the regular-season and tournament champ from the Southwestern 4A, is still chasing a perfect season.