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
Carolina Panthers
abc11.com
The always-anticipated NFL Draft begins this coming Thursday night and the Panthers hold the #8 overall pick. But that could change. New general manager Scott Fitterer has said he is very open to trading back in the draft. That #8 pick could be used to grab multiple later picks, something Fitterer was accustomed to seeing in Seattle to help build those talented teams.
I’ve already stated on a recent article that the Panthers should NOT use that eighth pick to draft a quarterback. Other than Lawrence, I just don’t see much in the other quarterbacks that will get drafted pretty high in the draft. I think Carolina should use that pick to draft a high quality offensive lineman to protect new quarterback Darnold and help open up holes for star Christian McCaffrey. It doesn’t matter what type of offensive weapons you have, a terrible offensive line will not get them very far. Comment down below what you think the Panthers should do on Thursday night, I’m very interested in hearing.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are hanging tough despite all of their injuries, currently clinging on to that #8 spot in the Eastern Conference. If the playoffs began today, Charlotte would be in. But there’s still plenty of work to do. The Hornets are currently playing a game right now as I’m writing this, against the Boston Celtics, who are in 6th place in the East, 2.5 games ahead of Charlotte. It’s definitely a big game.
atthehive.com
After losing four straight, last Sunday’s win against the Trailblazers was a big one. Not only did it get them off the losing streak, but it was a win against a quality opponent. But then they followed that game up with a pair of losses this week, the first coming against the Knicks and the second against the Bulls. The Knicks are enjoying more success this year than they have in a while, being seven games above .500. The Bulls game, though, was one that Charlotte fans would’ve liked to have won. The Bulls are just 25-35 on the season, so the Hornets’ 108-91 loss on Thursday night wasn’t a good one.
But, as the Hornets have been doing all year, they bounced back with a win against the struggling Cavaliers Friday night in the Spectrum Center. Miles Bridges led all Charlotte scorers with 25 points and Devonte Graham added 10 asssits.
Semi-Professional
Charlotte Knights
Countdown to the Knights Opening Day: 9 days!
College Baseball
Credit: Twitter/via @tommy_bullock2
This week’s final scores:
Charlotte 49ers (28-11)
Tuesday: Charlotte 11, App State 8
Friday (Gm 1): Old Dominion 4, Charlotte 5
Friday (Gm 2): Old Dominion 9, Charlotte 5
Sunday (Gm 1): Old Dominion 3, Charlotte 8
Sunday (Gm 2): In Progress
Davidson Wildcats (19-17)
Friday (Gm 1): George Washington 4, Davidson 2
Friday (Gm 2): George Washington 10, Davidson 2
Sunday (Gm 1): George Washington 8, Davidson 1
Sunday (Gm 2): In Progress
Appalachian State Mountaineers (15-19)
Tuesday: Charlotte 11, App State 8
Friday: App State 0, Troy 2
Sunday (Gm 1): App State 4, Troy 9
Sunday (Gm 2): In Progress
High School
Football
Butler vs. Providence, 2nd Round NCHSAA State Playoffs
Credit: Jeff Siner/The Charlotte Observer
Here are the final scores in our area from the 1st Round of the State Playoffs:
Vance Cougars 24
Hough Huskies 10
Panther Creek Catamounts 21
Myers Park Mustangs 27
Hillside Hornets 7
Grimsley Whirlies 42
Butler Bulldogs 35
Providence Panthers 0
T.C. Roberson Rams 33
Dudley Panthers 77
Weddington Warriors 10
Mount Tabor Spartans 21
Charlotte Catholic Cougars 27
A.C. Reynolds Rockets 0
Monroe Redhawks 35
Kings Mountain Mountaineers 21
Oak Grove Grizzlies 23
North Davidson Black Knights 34
Salisbury Hornets 10
Burns Bulldogs 7
Shelby Golden Lions 31
Hendersonville Bearcats 33
Mount Pleasant Tigers 15
Mountain Heritage Cougars 26
Garett