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

Not much has been going on in Panthers news lately, but the focus continues to be on the quarterback situation. Until that question is answered, it will continue to generate more discussion than anything else. Will Teddy Bridgewater be back under center? Will the Panthers try to trade for Deshaun Watson? Or perhaps attempt a trade for another quarterback? Will they draft one in the upcoming NFL draft? According to the Texans, they are not seeking to trade Watson, even though he made it publicly known he wants out of Houston. But we know that doesn’t mean anything at all.

After Matthew Stafford was traded to the Rams, the quarterback trade market remains a hot one. The Eagles are expected to trade Carson Wentz very soon, and although the Panthers name hasn’t been mentioned, it’s possible they could make an offer. The same goes with Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. It has recently been made known that multiple teams have interest in him, although we don’t know the Jets’ level of interest in parting ways with him. This, potentially, could be another target for Carolina. We will have to continue to wait and see how things unfold.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets played three games this week and come away from them with a 1-2 record. They began the week on Monday with a nice overtime win in Miami against the Heat, scoring 129 points to the Heat’s 121. Malik Monk had a huge night in that one, going off for 36 points. I think all Hornets fans can agree it was nice to see that for Monk, who hasn’t received the playing time he deserves.

Coming back home to Charlotte wouldn’t bring success, however. Wednesday’s game was against the top team in the East, the 76ers. And give the Hornets credit because they battled them tough. Gordon Hayward and Lamelo Ball had 22 points apiece, but it wasn’t quite enough as Charlotte fell 118-111. The game, like several other games this season, showed the Hornets can absolutely compete with the top teams in the East, but they just aren’t quite there yet to make any serious noise.

On Friday it was the Utah Jazz who came to town. This one showcased offense all night long from both sides. While it was nice to see the Hornets put up 121 points, giving up 138 is just not good and that’s exactly what they did. Ball had another good offensive night with 34 points and 8 rebounds, really taking advantage of his recent starting role. Gordon Hayward had 25 against his former team. The Hornets are now 10-13 overall and tied with Toronto for the 8th spot in the East.

College Basketball

Charlotte 49ers

The knock on Charlotte pretty much all season is that they would win a game, then turn around and lose the next one. Every weekend they seemed to split the series against their opponent, maintaining a .500 average. That streak was finally snapped last weekend when the 49ers won both games against Florida International, pushing them above .500. Well, they are right back there now with two losses this weekend, both coming at the hands of Middle Tennessee. Friday’s game was a devastating one-point loss, 66-65. Four players scored in double-digits for Charlotte, but the Blue Raiders did just enough to walk away with the win.

Trying to avenge the loss yesterday, Charlotte was sent home from Murfreesboro, Tennessee with a 13-point loss and a series sweep. The bad thing about being swept is the fact that Middle Tennessee isn’t having a very good season. Coming into this weekend’s series, they had just one conference win and three wins on the season. These were two games that Charlotte needed to win, at the very least split, and they didn’t. They will now try to bounce back on Wednesday against Old Dominion at home. They will then play Old Dominion again on Saturday, but on the road in Norfolk. The 49ers are 9-9 (5-5) and 8th in Conference USA.

Davidson Wildcats

Due to Covid, Davidson basketball is still on pause. Last Saturday’s game against St. Bonaventure was postponed, as well as yesterday’s game against Fordham. They have VCU on the schedule for this coming Wednesday, but I doubt that game will be played either. We will continue to keep you updated.

Appalachian State Mountaineers

Unfortunately, App State basketball is in the same situation as Davidson right now. There have been four positive cases within the Mountaineers basketball program, causing their season to be put on pause as well. They were supposed to travel down to Atlanta this weekend for two games against Georgia State. Next on the schedule is two games against Coastal Carolina this week, but until further notice, expect more postponements. The Mountaineers still stand in 2nd place in the Sun Belt.

High School

Check out some of the final scores from this week’s high school boys varsity basketball action. Remember that CMS teams still did not play this week due to the Covid pause, but should resume next week.

Tuesday, February 2

R-S Central Hilltoppers 84

Shelby Golden Lions 78

South Point Red Raiders 76

East Gaston Warriors 54

Charlotte Christian Knights 66

Cannon Cougars 85

United Faith Christian Falcons 59

Lake Norman Christian Ospreys 57

West Caldwell Warriors 52

Patton Panthers 70

North Iredell Raiders 52

Statesville Greyhounds 49

South Iredell Vikings 66

West Rowan Falcons 75

Jesse Carson Cougars 49

East Rowan Mustangs 65

Wednesday, February 3

Mooresville Blue Devils 44

A.L. Brown Wonders 68

Davie War Eagles 65

Glenn Bobcats 60

Thursday, February 4

Central Cabarrus Vikings 86

Cox Mill Chargers 53

Lake Norman Wildcats 47

Hickory Ridge Ragin’ Bulls 64

Weddington Warriors 63

Sun Valley Spartans 46

Cuthbertson Cavaliers 67

Marvin Ridge Mavericks 56

Friday, February 5

Hunter Huss Huskies 73

Kings Mountain Mountaineers 62

Covenant Day Lions 67

Cannon Cougars 74

East Rowan Mustangs 45

South Iredell Vikings 60

West Rowan Falcons 67

North Iredell Raiders 81

Draughn Wildcats 64

Fred T. Foard Tigers 61

Saturday, February 6

A.L. Brown Wonders 62

Cox Mill Chargers 64

Here’s a look at the latest Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 Poll (released Monday, Feb. 1):

16. Lincoln Charter (1A)

15. Kings Mountain (3A)

14. United Faith (IND)

13. Charlotte Catholic (3A)

12. Concord Academy (IND)

11. Charlotte Latin (IND)

10. West Rowan (3A)

9. Northside Christian (IND)

8. Victory Christian (IND)

7. Shelby (2A)

6. Cox Mill (3A)

5. Weddington (3A)

4. Davidson Day (IND)

3. Westminster Catawba (IND)

2. Cannon School (IND)

1. Carmel Christian (IND)

Garett

704 Weekly Sports Report