Here are 7 Gastonia, Shelby basketball games to watch in the regular season's final week
Time is running out for high school basketball teams in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties to pad their resumes in hope of qualifying for the upcoming NCHSAA state playoffs.
Among those regularly keeping tabs on the state RPI rankings is Hunter Huss girls basketball coach Bobby Lipscomb, whose team begins the week 11-11 overall (7-5 Big South 3A). The Huskies are 31st in the latest NCHSAA 3A girls RPI rankings, placing them perilously close to the playoff cutline.
“This is a position we’ve put ourselves in,” Lipscomb said last week following a win at South Point. “It’s pretty simple for us at this point: win games and make the playoffs or find ourselves watching the tournament from home.”
TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL: February signing period: Here's where Gastonia, Shelby athletes will play college sports
SIMPLY GOLDEN: Gastonia, Shelby high school top performers: See what area swimmers claimed state gold
While a matchup with rival Ashbrook looms at week’s end, Huss’ season could very well hinge on the result of Tuesday’s visit to Forestview. The Jaguars (15-7, 7-5) have postseason hopes of their own, ranked No. 29 in 3A West according to NCHSAA RPI figures.
Last month, Forestview outscored Huss 18-7 in the fourth, propelling it to a 67-54 victory. Blair Riley proved to be the difference, earning a double-double (21 points, 17 rebounds) in the Jaguars’ win.
There are several other games of interest this week in the tri-county area. Here are a few for which to be on the lookout, followed by a complete schedule of local games:
Burns at East Gaston boys (Feb. 13)
Burns still has an outside shot at a share of the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A title. None of it matters, however, without a win at East Gaston.
Tuesday’s result may rely on the ability of East Gaston senior standout Trent Sherrill to score — or the inability thereof. Sherrill has scored at least 20 points in eight of his last nine games, including a career-high 40 points in a 74-64 win at Burns last month.
Bessemer City at Highland Tech girls (Feb. 13)
This season, Highland Tech has more wins (15) than it earned over the previous four seasons combined (13). A win over Bessemer City could add another notch to the Lady Rams’ belt, potentially increasing the likelihood of them hosting a NCHSAA 1A West first-round home playoff game.
Kionna and Tionna Pettus have other ideas, though, the sisters combining for 48 points last month in a 56-18 Bessemer City win over Highland Tech.
South Point at Kings Mountain boys (Feb. 13)
Kings Mountain is undoubtedly one of the area’s hottest teams, winners in seven of their last eight games. The Mountaineers topped the 100-point mark for the first time this season Friday in a rout of Forestview.
On the other hand, South Point’s spent the past few weeks riding a proverbial roller-coaster. Since a Jan. 19 win over the Mountaineers, the Red Raiders have split their last six games — including losses to Huss and Crest their past two games.
Friday games which may pique one’s interest…
Kings Mountain at Crest boys: Crest scored five points in the game’s final minute to snatch victory from Kings Mountain’s grasp. While it isn’t likely a Big South 3A title will be at stake, expect a spirited matchup between Cleveland County rivals.
Hunter Huss at Ashbrook boys: Ashbrook overcame a 24-point halftime deficit to defeat Huss on its home floor last month. Can the Huskies flip the script when it travels across town for a rematch?
North Lincoln at East Lincoln boys: East Lincoln is 24th according to the NCHSAA’s RPI figures for 3A West. While the Mustangs are seeking to improve their playoff positioning, rival North Lincoln hopes to earn a first-round home date despite qualifying as an at-large team.
On tap
Unless otherwise noted, girls games start at 6 p.m. Boys tip at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 12
Catawba Shores 1A/2A
Lincoln Charter at Bradford Prep
Tuesday, Feb. 13
Big South 3A
Ashbrook at Stuart Cramer
Crest at North Gaston
Hunter Huss at Forestview
South Point at Kings Mountain
Southern Piedmont 1A/2A
Bessemer City at Highland Tech
Burns at East Gaston
Thomas Jefferson at Shelby
Western Foothills 3A
North Iredell at East Lincoln
West Iredell at North Lincoln
Catawba Valley 2A
Maiden at Lincolnton
West Lincoln at East Burke
Catawba Shores 1A/2A
Pine Lake Prep at Mountain Island Charter
Metro 8 1A
Queen’s Grant at Piedmont Community Charter (Girls, 5:30 p.m.; boys, 7 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 14
Cherryville at NCSSM: Morganton
Piedmont Community Charter at Bradford Prep
Friday, Feb. 16
Big South 3A
Forestview at Stuart Cramer
Hunter Huss at Ashbrook
Kings Mountain at Crest
North Gaston at South Point
Southern Piedmont 1A/2A
East Gaston at Highland Tech
Shelby at Burns
Thomas Jefferson at Cherryville
Western Foothills 3A
North Lincoln at East Lincoln
Catawba Shores 1A/2A
Mountain Island Charter at Lincoln Charter
Metro 8 1A
West Lincoln at Lincolnton
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NCHSAA basketball: 7 games to watch in regular season's final week
