Queen City Sports Report
Welcome to the weekly sports roundup in the greater Charlotte area presented by The Sports Chief. Every Sunday, let The Chief be the one to catch you up on all the latest sports happenings in and around the Charlotte, NC area. We take a look at professional sports, as well as semi-professional, college, and high school. If you like what we’re doing, make sure you give us a follow on Twitter at @thesportschief where you’ll be notified of all our latest postings, and visit our website at www.thesportschief.com.
Professional
Charlotte Hornets
After losing the NBA Eastern Conference play-in game to the Indiana Pacers by a 144-117 thrashing, the Hornets head into the offseason with a lot of promise going forward. I don’t think anyone would argue that the Hornets didn’t outperform expectations this season. With a roster full of young talent, the future is bright for the team and the fans should be excited.
si.com
Coach James Borrego has received a good bit of praise for the job he did this season with the youngsters as well, with GM Mitch Kupchak saying Borrego did a great job. For that reason, Charlotte decided to pick up the option on Borrego’s contract for next season, bringing the coach back for at least another year.
Semi-Professional
Charlotte Knights
This week’s final scores:
Tuesday: L, 5-4 @Norfolk Tides
Wednesday: L, 9-2 @Norfolk Tides
Thursday: L, 10-7 @Norfolk Tides
Friday: W, 17-5 @Norfolk Tides
Saturday: Postponed @Norfolk Tides (Sept. 1)
Sunday: L, 4-1 @Norfolk Tides
RHP Ryan Burr
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Two Knight players will be making their way to the Southside of Chicago to put on the White Sox jersey: RHP Zack Burdi and RHP Ryan Burr. Burdi is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in 6.1 innings pitched this season in Charlotte, and Burr is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA and two saves. Burr and Burdi join Danny Mendick and Alex McRae as the Charlotte Knight players to get the call so far this season.
Charlotte Checkers
The Checkers were one of three AHL teams to not play this season, due to Covid, so players and fans alike are both eager for next season to get back to action. The Checkers, as expected, announced they will be back next season and their opening weekend will take place Friday, October 22nd and Saturday, October 23rd. I know I speak for the rest of Checkers fans when I say I can’t wait to get back to Bojangles Coliseum this fall.
College Baseball
Charlotte 49ers (39-19)
After a spectacular regular season that saw the 49ers be a mainstay in the top 25 ranking, Charlotte dropped two games this week in the Conference USA Tournament, eliminating hopes of hosting a regional. Regionals are next, however, as the 49ers and everyone else await their matchups that begin Friday, June 4th.
charlotte49ers.com
Davidson Wildcats (27-24)
The Wildcats season is now over, with a final record of 27-24. The season saw its share of ups and downs, but at least it ended on a high note with two wins in a row against Saint Louis, and three of their final four games.
Appalachian State Mountaineers (21-31)
It was a season to forget for the Mountaineers, as the team just could never quite get on a roll. In the Sun Belt Tournament, the Mountaineers beat Texas State 1-0 before losing to Louisiana 7-2.
High School
High school football season is over and the champions have been crowned, but let’s re-visit this past season and take a look at the best players in the Charlotte region. Here is the 2021 Charlotte Observer’s “All-Observer Football Team,” via charlotteobserver.com:
Butler High’s RB/PR Jake Snapp
Credit: Jeff Siner/The Charlotte Observer
First Team Offense
QB: Austin Grier, Sr, Vance
RB: Daylan Smothers, Soph, Vance
RB: Davion Nelson, Sr, Butler
WR: Shaleak Knotts, Jr, Monroe
WR: KC Concepcion, Soph, Vance
TE: Bryson Nesbit, Sr, South Mecklenburg
OL: Jaleel Davis, Sr, Richmond Senior
OL: Will Hart, Jr, Porter Ridge
OL: Jackson Lewis, Sr, Hibriten
OL: Blake Davis, Sr, Kings Mountain
OL: Leo Arredondo, Sr, Butler
K: Nolan Hauser, Fr, Hough
KR: Jadon Robinson, Sr, Mountain Island Charter
ATH: Vance Honeycutt, Sr, Salisbury
SPEC: Paul Neel, Sr, Charlotte Catholic
First Team Defense
DL: Javari Rice-Wilson, Sr, Kings Mountain
DL: Zeek Biggers, Sr, West Rowan
DL: Curtis Neal, Jr, Hough
DL: Eli Hall, Jr, Crest
LB/DL: Malaki Hamrick, Jr, Shelby
LB: Jalon Walker, Jr, Salisbury
LB: Torren Wright, Jr, AL Brown
DB: Omari Philyaw, Jr, Myers Park
DB: Zay Davis, Sr, North Rowan
DB: Elijah Horton, Sr, Central Cabarrus
DB: Isaiah Brown-Murray, Jr, Hough
P: Eddie Czaplicki, Sr, Providence
PR: Jake Snapp, Sr, Butler
Garett