North Lincoln’s girls’ basketball team is going to the playoffs after all.
Just days after having to forfeit 17 games due to an ineligible player, the Knights were able to slip inside the NCHSAA’s 48-team field for the 5A playoffs when the pairings were released Saturday.
After the forfeits this season, the Knights were 2-21 before Thursday’s game with Bandys and ranked No. 49 in the NCHSAA’s computer-based rankings to determine playoff eligibility.
North Lincoln beat Bandys, 68-52, however, and rose to No. 43 in the rankings.
When the 5A girls’ playoff pairings were announced Saturday, North Lincoln was the No. 23 seed in the western half of the bracket, which includes 24 teams.
North Lincoln will start the playoffs Tuesday at Enka High School (15-10).
According to a Charlotte Observer source, the forfeits are a result of using an ineligible player, who was reportedly competing in a fifth season of high school basketball, a violation of NCHSAA rules.
Lincoln County Schools spokesperson Shanti Clancy on Friday confirmed the district had concluded an investigation into the situation and confirmed that North Lincoln had used an ineligible player.
“While this is a disappointing outcome, we respect the rules that govern interscholastic athletics and accept the decision,” Clancy wrote via email in response an Observer inquiry. “Despite the forfeitures, the team has qualified for the state playoffs and will continue to compete with determination and pride.”
Charlotte Catholic’s swim team won the NCHSAA 6A state title on Friday, February 13, 2026.
NCHSAA
Charlotte Catholic and East Chapel Hill split the state championship honors on Friday in the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Class 6A swimming and diving championships.
The Charlotte Catholic girls beat East Chapel Hill 394-286 for the state title — the 19th in school history.
But the Wildcats ran away with the 6A boys’ title, piling up a 506-271.5 margin over runner-up Charlotte Catholic.
Earlier Friday at the Cary Aquatic Center, South Brunswick swept the boys’ and girls’ 5A swim and diving state titles.
The NCHSAA championships conclude Saturday, with the 1A/2A/3A meet in the morning, followed by the Class 8A meet.
Charlotte Catholic’s girls won six events, with Kathryn Kern (50-yard freestyle), Madi Hertzig (100 butterfly), C.J. Bernardo (100 freestyle) and Reagan Leckner (diving) joining the victorious 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay teams.
While the Cougar girls have a long history of domination in the sport, this was the program’s first state championship in five years.
East Chapel Hill’s boys snapped an even longer streak, winning a state title for the first time in 21 years. The Wildcats have nine boys’ state championships all-time.
Colton Chaires of East Chapel Hill was named Outstanding Performer in the boys’ meet. He won the two most grueling events — the 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle. Chaires also swam on two victorious relay teams.
East Chapel Hill also had the Outstanding Performer in the girls’ meet, in Isabel Wolk. She won the 200 and 500 freestyle events.
Class 6A meet
BOYS
TEAM STANDINGS
1. East Chapel Hill 506; 2. Charlotte Catholic 271.5; 3. Northern Guilford 213.5; 4. T.C. Roberson 127; 5. Middle Creek 122.
18. Central Cabarrus; 19. Berry Academy.
EVENT WINNERS
(with top-five finishers from Charlotte and Raleigh areas)
200 Medley Relay
1. East Chapel Hill (Chuanqi John Zhuang, Mike Wolk, Cody Shannon, Alex nelson), 1 minute, 33.14 seconds; 2. Charlotte Catholic; 4. Middle Creek.
200 Freestyle
1. Max Halpern (East Chapel Hill), 1:40.70; 2. Chuanxi William Zhuang (East Chapel Hill); 3. Julian Malecki (Charlotte Catholic).
200 Individual Medley
1. Colton Chaires (East Chapel Hill), 1:00.04; 2. Chuanqi John Zhuang (East Chapel Hill); 3. Scott Williams (Charlotte Catholic).
50 Freestyle
1. Logan Kelly (St. Stephens), 20.72; 2. Alex Nelson (East Chapel Hill); 3. Max Wolk (East Chapel Hill).
100 Butterfly
1. Alex Nelson (East Chapel Hill), 49.50; 4. Jake Dunaway (Middle Creek).
Nine Charlotte-area swimmers and teams and two from the Raleigh area won events, but South Brunswick swept the team championships in the Class 5A meet.
In the boys’ competition, South Brunswick scored 254 points, with Concord (202) and North Lincoln (178) right behind.
The South Brunswick girls outdistanced runner-up Seaforth 232-170.
Two Charlotte-area swimmers won Outstanding Performer awards.
Concord’s Lily Herman won the 50 and 100 freestyle and was named girls’ Outstanding Performer.
North Lincoln’s Jackson Kroh won the award for the boys, after winning the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.
CLASS 5A
BOYS
TEAM STANDINGS
1. South Brunswick 254; 2. Concord 202; 3. North Lincoln 178; 4. Seaforth 154; 5. West Carteret 133.
7. Jay M. Robinson; 8. Cedar Ridge; 9. Northwest Cabarrus; 12. Forestview; 18. Orange; 20. Durham School of Arts.
EVENT WINNERS
(with top-five finishers from Charlotte and Raleigh areas)
200 Medley Relay
1. North Lincoln (Jackson Kroh, Aiden Deluca, Trentyn Shanahan, Danny DePasquale), 1:39.68; 3. Concord; 5. Forestview.
200 Freestyle
1. Sam Johnson (West Carteret), 1:42.01; 4. Eddie Lawson (Concord); 5. J.E. Sandor (Cedar Ridge).
200 Individual Medley
1. Aiden Deluca (North Lincoln), 1:54.17; 5. Andrew Velazquez (Concord).
50 Freestyle
1. Vincent Battaglini (Durham School of Arts), 21.68; 3. Michael Spokas (Jay M. Robinson).
100 Butterfly
1. Jackson Kroh (North Lincoln), 48.70; 4. Andrew Willis (Concord).
500 Freestyle
1. Colton Roberts (Seaforth), 4:44.27; 3. J.E. Sandor (Cedar Ridge); 4. Jason Spey (Orange).
100 Freestyle
1. Vincent Battaglini (Durham School of Arts), 47.14; 3. Christopher Seawell (Cedar Ridge); 4. Eddie Lawson (Concord).
200 Freestyle Relay
1. South Brunswick, 1:29.98; 5. South Point.
100 Backstroke
1. Jackson Kroh (North Lincoln), 58.46; 4. Christopher Seawell (Cedar Ridge); 5. Andrew Velazquez (Concord).
100 Breaststroke
1. Aiden Deluca (North Lincoln), 58.84; 2. Michael Spokas (Jay M. Robinson); 5. Kirkland Niebor (Forestview).
400 Freestyle Relay
1. North Lincoln (Jackson Kroh, Trentlyn Shanahan, Danny DePasquale, Aiden Deluca), 3:22.58; 2. Concord; 4. Northwest Cabarrus.
Diving
1. Jonah Brant (Franklin), 295.50.
GIRLS
TEAM STANDINGS
1. South Brunswick 232; 2. Atkins 170; 3. Seaforth 155; 4. Cedar Ridge 150; 5. Orange 129.
6. Concord; 8. Jay M. Robinson; 9. South Point; 10. Durham School of Arts; 11. North Lincoln; 17. East Lincoln 18. Northwest Cabarrus.
EVENT WINNERS
(with top-five finishers from Charlotte and Raleigh areas)
200 Medley Relay
1. Jay M. Robinson (Peyton Letteck, Reagan Sherwood, Kara King, Callie Copeland), 1:57.39; 3. Concord; 5. Orange.
200 Freestyle
1. Peyton Stegman (South Brunswick), 1:55.59; 2. Piper White (Orange); 3. Caylee Hollar (North Lincoln); 4. Margaret Payton (Cedar Ridge).
200 Individual Medley
1. Sydney Burleigh (Seaforth), 2:05.74; 5. Jocelyn Ritchey (Durham School of Arts).
50 Freestyle
1. Lily Herman (Concord), 23.69; 2. Ila Turner (South Point); 3. Piper White (Orange); 4. Kara King (Jay M. Robinson); 5. Wren Brand (Cedar Ridge).
100 Butterfly
1. Sydney Burleigh (Seaforth), 56.15; 2. Wren Brand (Cedar Ridge); 3. Kara King (Jay M. Robinson).
500 Freestyle
1. Ella Lechene (Croatan), 5:18.56; 3. Mare Payton (Cedar Ridge).
100 Freestyle
1. Lily Herman (Concord), 51.47; 5. Callie Copeland (Jay M. Robinson).
200 Freestyle Relay
1. South Brunswick, 1:44.30; 2. Cedar Ridge; 3. Concord; 4. Orange.
100 Backstroke
1. Lily Shelley (North Buncombe), 1:02.19.
100 Breaststroke
1. Ray Chambers Stevens (Atkins), 1:03.82; 2. Caylee Hollar (North Lincoln); 4. Callie Corland (Jay M. Robinson); 5. Tommi Poland (Concord).
Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz — a West Charlotte High and UNC grad — is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.” Support my work with a digital subscription
There are four new teams in this week’s N.C. high school boys’ basketball rankings, and a new No. 1 in the 8A poll.
The rankings are sponsored by The Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh. They are compiled by longtime N.C. high school basketball expert Rick Lewis, a regular on The Charlotte Observer’s streaming “Talking Preps” show.
This week, there are two new teams in the 3A poll: East Surry (14-3) and Shelby (13-3). And Mount Tabor (14-4, 6A) and Panther Creek (14-7, 8A) also join the rankings.
In eight of the nine polls, the top team remained the same, but in the 8A poll, West Forsyth (18-0) replaced West Charlotte (15-3).
The Lions fell to No. 2 after losing, 69-64, at home to North Mecklenburg last week. The Vikings, who have won the past two 4A state titles, are currently No. 2 in the 7A rankings.
Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz — a West Charlotte High and UNC grad — is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.” Support my work with a digital subscription
There are 15 new girls’ basketball teams ranked in the latest N.C. statewide rankings.
The poll was on hiatus during the holidays, which included pre- and post-Christmas tournaments, and there are lots of changes as the rankings resume.
Aside from all the new teams, two of the nine polls got new No. 1 teams.
College Prep & Leadership Academy jumped two spots to No. 1 in the 1A rankings.
Surry Central jumped three spots to No. 1 in 3A.
College Prep & Leadership, from Jamestown, is 13-1 heading into Friday’s game with state power Bishop McGuinness (8-2), which is No. 6 in the 2A poll. The Royals are led by junior Mackenzie Dumbaya, who is averaging 17.3 points on 59% shooting.
Surry Central, from Dobson, was 11-1 before Tuesday’s game at Winston-Salem’s Atkins High (2-8). The Eagles, who have won two straight games, don’t have a double-figure scorer, but average nearly 34 rebounds and 22 steals per game.
The rankings are sponsored by The Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh. They are compiled by longtime N.C. girls’ basketball expert Randall Clark, a co-host of The Observer’s Talking Preps streaming show.
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Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz — a West Charlotte High and UNC grad — is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.” Support my work with a digital subscription
Evan Burroughs put on a memorable state championship game performance Friday night.
Burroughs, a jack-of-all-trades for Watauga High School of Boone, scored five touchdowns as the Pioneers ran past Middle Creek of Apex, 47-25, for the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 6A championship.
Burroughs scored three times on runs, once on a pass, and once on an interception return. His performance helped the Pioneers (15-0) cap a perfect season and win their first state title since 1978. He finished with 14 receptions for 149 yards.
Quarterback Cade Keller, who completed his first 13 passes, finished 22 of 26 for 277 yards.
Middle Creek, making its first state final appearance, finished 11-3.
Burroughs began making his mark early in the game.
After Middle Creek drove for a touchdown on its opening possession and led 7-0, Watauga scored on its second offensive play — a 68-yard pass from Keller to Burroughs. The conversion kick failed, but Watauga didn’t trail for long.
On Middle Creek’s next possession, Burroughs picked off a Mustang pass near midfield and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown.
Middle Creek steadied itself, driving for a 26-yard Ben Ladue field goal with 2:17 left in the first quarter, cutting Watauga’s lead to 12-10.
But the Pioneers struck again before the quarter ended, on a 1-yard run by Matthew Leon. That was set up by a 52-yard pass from Keller to Nyle Peays.
Up 19-10, Watauga tried to pad its lead by successfully converting an onside kick, but one of the Pioneers’ few mistakes ended that possession — Middle Creek picked off a trick halfback pass.
The Mustangs were forced to punt, however, and Watauga started driving again. The drive ended on Burroughs’ 3-yard TD run with 9:38 left in the half.
The Pioneers made it 33-10 with 3:31 left in the second quarter on a 23-yard run by Burroughs, and to close out the half, Burroughs picked off a Middle Creek pass shortly before intermission.
Burroughs’ fifth touchdown came midway in the third quarter, on a 7-yard run. At that point, Watauga was up 41-10 and in position to trigger the running clock, which is used when a team builds a lead of 35 points or more.
That’s when things got interesting. The Mustangs cut the deficit to 41-17 on Ezra Jobe’s 10-yard run late in the third quarter, then got within 41-25 when Lex Sevilla and Nicolas Bocciardi connected on a 10-yard pass with 10:26 remaining.
Watauga fumbled the ball away on its next possession, too, with Middle Creek’s Cullen Hunt recovering at the Watauga 25. The Mustangs drove inside the Pioneers’ 10, but on fourth down, Watauga’s Leon broke up a Middle Creek pass to end the threat.
Watauga added a late touchdown on a 51-yard pass from Keller to Peays.
.jpeg "Charlotte Catholic’s swim team won the NCHSAA 6A state title on Friday, February 13, 2026.")