• East Lincoln girls – The rebuilding Mustangs are 0-9, including 0-3 in the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A conference. But they’re making progress. East Lincoln had a huge fourth-quarter rally, but fell short in a 44-42 loss to Bessemer City on Jan. 4. The Mustangs scored 19 points in the fourth quarter, after scoring 23 in the first three quarters. East Lincoln finished eighth in the East Lincoln Winter Jam tournament during the holiday break.

• North Lincoln boys – The Knights (7-6) finished third in the Peoples Bank Holiday Clash with a 45-36 victory against West Lincoln during the winter break. Hunter Caldwell scored 17 points and Christian Ramos added 10.

North Lincoln slipped to 0-3 in the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A conference with an 83-74 home loss to Cherryville on Jan. 4. The Knights trailed by 20 at halftime before a brief second-half rally.

• North Lincoln girls – The Knights (8-5) finished third in the Peoples Bank Holiday Clash by beating West Lincoln 65-50. Antaijah Easter scored 20 points and was named to the all-tournament team. Sidney Russell added 19 points and Payton Bruce scored 17 for North Lincoln, which improved to 7-5.

The Knights are 2-1 in Southern Conference 1A/2A after a 75-44 rout against Cherryville on Jan. 4. Easter had 27 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Bruce had 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

• Lincoln Charter boys – The Eagles (6-3) extended their winning streak to three with a 64-57 victory against Piedmont Charter on Jan. 4. Andrew Howard had 16 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and six blocks. Christian Hilty had 14 points and four assists, and Miles Boone scored 16 points. Lincoln Charter isn’t too far from being unbeaten; the team’s losses have been by three, three and eight points.

• Lincoln Charter girls – The Eagles (6-3) lost two straight before the winter break, but rebounded with a 62-8 romp against Piedmont Charter on Jan. 4. Mary Canipe scored a game-high 14 points and Caitlin Miller scored nine. Twelve Eagles scored in the lopsided victory.

Canipe leads the team in scoring with an 11-point average, followed by Kirsten Camp (nine points). Victoria Cobb leads the team in blocked shots (13) and rebounds (23).

Register for Valentine’s race

DENVER – A Valentine’s 5K race and couples’ fun run will be held Feb. 16 at the Cowan’s Ford Country Club 761 Club Road (off N.C. 73). The 5K will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the couples’ run at 10:15 a.m.

The 5K course will be slightly hilly, begin near the clubhouse, wind through the neighborhood and golf course and finish at the CFCC tennis courts. The fun run will be a one-mile loop along the banks of Lake Norman.

Age groups for both races are 10 and younger, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80 and older.

Overall male and female winners will win trophies. First and second place in each category will receive medals. Registration costs $20 for individuals, $35 for couples, if postmarked before Feb. 4. After Feb. 4, it will cost $25 for individuals and $45 for couples. The fun run registration costs $10 per person.

Make checks payable to East Lincoln Cross Country Team. Mail to: Coach Melvin Morrison, East Lincoln High School, 6471 Hwy. 73, Denver NC 28037. Advance registration will be available 4:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Omega Sports in Huntersville, and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at Cowan’s Ford Country Club.

Davidson Day’s Grier named to All-America football team

DAVIDSON – Postseason honors continue to pile up for Will Grier.

Grier, a junior quarterback at Davidson Day, on Jan. 7 was named to the MaxPreps Junior All-America team. Grier, who set several records leading the Patriots to a second straight state championship, last month was named the N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. He also was named to two all-state teams.

Grier set state records for passing yards in a season (5,785) and touchdown passes (69). He completed 324 of 414 passes (78 percent) and threw 11 two-point conversions. Grier also led the Patriots in rushing (813 yards) and scored eight touchdowns.

Grier, who led the nation in passing yards and touchdowns this season, last month committed to play college football at Florida.

Davidson’s Brooks reaches milestone in lopsided victory

DAVIDSON – Jake Cohen scored a game-high 20 points and frontcourt mate De’Mon Brooks scored his 1,000th career point to lead five double-figure scorers in Davidson’s 85-53 victory against UNC Greensboro in a Southern Conference basketball game Jan. 7 at Belk Arena.

Brooks, a Hopewell High alum, became the 43rd player in Davidson history to reach the 1,000-point plateau when he sank two free throws late in the second half.

Chris Czerapowicz led Davidson (8-6, 3-0 in Southern Conference) with 10 rebounds. Nik Cochran added 12 points, Tyler Kalinoski scored 11 and J.P. Kuhlman had 10.

Davidson will next play at 4 p.m. Jan. 12 in a road game at Furman.

– compiled by Cliff Mehrtens