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

Carolina Panthers

Tre Boston, who was released this weekCredit: myfox8.com — Tre Boston, who was released this week
Credit: myfox8.com

The focus this offseason after the Panthers found their new GM has been on who the Panthers are going to add to the roster. This past week it has been all about who the Panthers have been releasing from their roster. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short was released on Wednesday and two days later defensive tackle Stephen Weatherly, safety Tre Boston, and Michael Palardy were added to that list. With releasing these players, the team freed up nearly $20 million in cap space, increasing their total to over $28 million heading into upcoming free agency.

These flurry of moves only increase speculation that the Panthers are really going to go hard after quarterback Deshaun Watson. It definitely means they are prepared to go on a shopping spree. It will be interesting to watch going forward as it definitely seems at this point that a new quarterback will be under center in Carolina next season. Stay tuned!

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets have had a slow week this week. Upon last Sunday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, it was learned that four Spurs players tested positive for Covid, leading to this week’s games against the Bulls and Nuggets to be postponed. The lack of action however, was made up for last night with a game against the Golden State Warriors in the Spectrum Center. The Warriors were without Steph Curry, but it looked as if that wouldn’t matter when they were up by two with just 13 seconds left. But after a jump ball fell into the hands of Gordon Hayward, the Hornets got a timeout call and a chance to tie or win the game. The timeout in question though, is what led to a wild finish. Warriors’ Draymond Green wrestled for the ball with Hayward and was expecting a jump ball call from the referee when he blew his whistle for a Hornets’ timeout instead. Fired up as you can imagine, Green argued with the referee and received a technical. But instead of stopping there, he continued his tirade and received another technical, getting tossed from the game and giving the Hornets two shots and the ball.

Terry Rozier took it from there. He sank the two free throws and proceeded to hit a buzzer-beating jumper from the baseline to give the Hornets the 104-102 win. It was a crazy finish and an exciting win for an exciting Charlotte Hornets team. And before you let anyone tell you otherwise, the “controversial” timeout call was indeed the right call. If you watch the replay, you can clearly see PJ Washington signaling for a timeout when the ball was 100% in Gordon Hayward’s hands. Though Draymond Green thought he had a good case, he didn’t and proceeded to go off the deep end, making it easier for the Hornets to get the win. Thank you Draymond for the gift.

College Basketball

Charlotte 49ers

This week’s weekend series against the University of Texas at San Antonio was canceled due to the severe winter weather in Texas preventing the team getting to Charlotte. The 49ers record stands at 9-11 (5-7) and they are scheduled to face the University of Texas at El Paso next weekend in the Lone Star state.

Davidson Wildcats

After a couple weeks off due to Covid-related issues, Davidson resumed play on Friday by picking up a game, and a big win, against Southern Virginia. The final score was 101-51, an easy tune-up to get them ready for their first conference game in nearly a month. That game is taking place today at St. Bonaventure in New York. Then they will square off for a rematch on Wednesday in Davidson.

Appalachian State Mountaineers

Like Davidson, App State finally saw action again on Friday after a Covid-related pause that lasted a few weeks. Maybe it was the rust, or maybe South Alabama was the better team, but the Mountaineers dropped both games this weekend. The thing that hurts though, is that both losses were by just two points apiece. 65-63 was the final on Friday and a low-scoring 56-54 final was the verdict on Saturday. Out of four games this season against the Jaguars, the Mountaineers are just 1-4. Their overall record now stands at 12-9 while they are 6-6 in conference play.

College Baseball

Appalachian State Baseball Stadiumappstatesports.com — Appalachian State Baseball Stadium
appstatesports.com

Opening Weekend Final Scores:

Charlotte 49ers

Friday: Morehead State 4, Charlotte 12

Saturday: Morehead State 3, Charlotte 18

Sunday: Morehead State 2, Charlotte 4

Davidson Wildcats

Original series against Mount St. Mary’s canceled

Saturday: Morehead State 8, Davidson 14

Sunday (Gm 1): Davidson 3, NC State 13

Sunday (Gm 2): In Progress

Appalachian State Mountaineers

Saturday (Gm 1): App State 4, Winthrop 1

Saturday (Gm 2): App State 4, Winthrop 0

Sunday: App State 9, Winthrop 10

High School

Check out some of this week’s varsity boys basketball scores:

Tuesday, February 16

Myers Park Mustangs 78

Porter Ridge Pirates 61

Weddington Warriors 62

Piedmont Panthers 14

North Mecklenburg Vikings 85

Mallard Creek Mavericks 55

Lake Norman Wildcats 53

Vance Cougars 55

South Point Red Raiders 72

Shelby Golden Lions 99

North Davidson Black Knights 52

Salisbury Hornets 45

Charlotte Country Day Buccaneers 60

Metrolina Christian Warriors 70

Patton Panthers 71

Hibriten Panthers 58

Hopewell Titans 77

Mooresville Blue Devils 82

West Charlotte Lions 44

Hough Huskies 47

Independence Patriots 59

Rocky River Ravens 54

Garinger Wildcats 39

Butler Bulldogs 70

Wednesday, February 17

West Iredell Warriors 48

Draughn Wildcats 53

South Iredell Vikings 48

North Iredell Raiders 72

Thursday, February 18

Weddington Warriors 64

Cuthbertson Cavaliers 36

Vance Cougars 60

North Mecklenburg Vikings 81

Providence Day Chargers 47

Charlotte Christian Knights 54

East Mecklenburg Eagles 41

Butler Bulldogs 56

Friday, February 19

Myers Park Mustangs 54

Independence Patriots 48

Vance Cougars 46

Hough Huskies 51

North Mecklenburg Vikings 96

Lake Norman Wildcats 66

Hopewell Titans 78

West Charlotte Lions 68

Kings Mountain Mountaineers 50

Crest Chargers 66

West Rowan Falcons 64

North Iredell Raiders 52

Saturday, February 20

Charlotte Christian Knights 45

Carmel Christian Cougars 75

Cannon Cougars 75

Charlotte Latin Hawks 61

Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 (Updated Tuesday, February 16th)

16-Tied. Shelby (2A)

16-Tied. West Rowan (3A)

15. North Iredell (3A)

14. Central Cabarrus (3A)

13. R-S Central (2A)

12. United Faith (IND)

11. Charlotte Latin (IND)

10. Rocky River (4A)

9. Independence (4A)

8. Westminster Catawba (IND)

7. Victory Christian (IND)

6. Ardrey Kell (4A)

5. Weddington (3A)

4. Davidson Day (IND)

3. Cannon School (IND)

2. North Mecklenburg (4A)

1. Carmel Christian (IND)

Garett

704 Weekly Sports Report