Gastonia, Shelby high school top performers: Bessemer City's Pettus earns quadruple-double
Here is a daily list of the top performers from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties during the week of Jan. 22-27, 2024.
Our weekly top performers list and athlete of the week nominees are compiled courtesy of information provided to The Gaston Gazette and Shelby Star by coaches, athletic directors or team statisticians through emails, MaxPreps or mentioning @JoeLHughesII in game results and highlights posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.
If a top performer’s name doesn’t appear on the list, encourage their coach to email submissions to jhughes@gastongazette.com or sports@gastongazette.com.
DOING THE DIRTY WORK: South Point girls basketball following Amya Graham's lead, one double-double at a time
IT'S RIVALRY WEEK: Here are the Gastonia, Shelby area's top high school basketball games
Friday, Jan. 26
Boys basketball
Isaac Byers Jr., Crest: Scored a team-high 31 points in a 78-64 win over South Point. The Green Wave are 16-2 overall, 7-1 in Big South 3A.
Jamari Smith, Ashbrook: Scored 17 points.
A.J. Adams, Crest: Had 18 points, six rebounds and six assists in an 81-60 win over Forestview. The Chargers are 13-1 overall, 8-0 in Big South 3A.
Lyrik Pettis, Crest: Earned a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds).
King Rhodes, Crest: Earned a double-double (22 points, 11 rebounds).
D’Various Surratt, Crest: Scored 14 points and had six assists.
Jabari Thurman, Crest: Had 10 points.
Jayce Rowe, East Gaston: Scored 16 points in the Warriors’ 61-54 overtime loss to Highland Tech.
Trent Sherrill, East Gaston: Scored 19 points. The Warriors are 12-7 overall, 5-2 in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A.
Jackson Fannon, East Lincoln: Had 15 points in a 75-61 loss to Hickory. The Mustangs are 10-8 overall, 4-4 in Western Foothills 3A.
Davis Hill, East Lincoln: Led the Mustangs with 20 points.
Nico Aguilar, Forestview: Scored 11 points in an 81-60 loss to Crest. The Jagaurs are 7-11, 2-6 in Big South 3A.
Alex Helton, Forestview: Had 19 points
Dashawn Patton, Forestview: Scored 11 points.
Makoi Mabor Marier, Gaston Christian: Scored 16 points in a 75-64 win over Westminster Catawba. The Eagles are 15-13 overall, 9-3 in NCISAA Metrolina Athletic (MAC).
Brayden Miler, Gaston Christian: Scored 12 points.
Cam Newman, Gaston Christian: Scored a game-high 29 points.
Joe Rhyne, Gaston Christian: Scored 10 points.
Deshawn Coulter, Gaston Day: Scored 14 points in a 61-60 win over SouthLake Christian. The Spartans are 16-9 overall, 8-4 in NCISAA Metrolina Athletic (MAC).
Kurt Hunter, Gaston Day: Scored a team-high 17 points.
Braylen Todd, Gaston Day: Scored 10 points.
Yoel Mussie, Highland Tech: Had 19 points and nine rebounds in a 61-54 overtime win at East Gaston. The Rams are 7-12 overall, 4-3 in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A.
Elijah Sherrill, Highland Tech: Had 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Elijah Whitted, Highland Tech: Had a team-high 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Landon Lyerly, Lincolnton: Earned a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds in a 71-70 loss to Bunker Hill. The Wolves are 15-3 overall, 5-2 in Catawba Valley 2A.
Tyler McClain, Lincolnton: Scored 20 points to go with nine rebounds.
Ben Heavner, North Lincoln: Scored 13 ppomys om a 94-83 win over Statesville. The Knights are 15-3 overall, 7-1 in Western Foothills 3A.
Kellen Karr, North Lincoln: Scored a team-high 29 points.
Caleb Kidd, North Lincoln: Scored 11 points.
Tanner Lineberger, North Lincoln: Scored 14 points.
Ty Sanders, North Lincoln: Had 19 points.
John Carmichael, Piedmont Community Charter: Scored 12 points in an 83-59 win over Sugar Creek. The Patriots are 13-4 overall, 5-1 in Metro-8 1A.
Bobby Erwin, Piedmont Community Charter: Had 20 points and eight assists.
Kellen Littlejohn, Piedmont Community Charter: Had 10 points and five rebounds.
Victor Plessmoses, Piedmont Community Charter: Had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Xavier Wilcher, Piedmont Community Charter: Had 14 points, five rebounds and three steals.
Dominique Downs, Shelby: Scored a team-high 18 points in the Golden Lions’ 69-57 win over Burns. The Golden Lions are 10-6 overall, 6-0 in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A.
Drew Hollifield, Shelby: Scored 10 points.
Jaden Pierce, Shelby: Had 10 points.
Girls basketball
Duraejah Hardin, Ashbrook: Had a team-high 14 points in a 55-31 loss to South Point. The Green Wave are 4-13 overall, 2-6 in Big South 3A.
Nevaeh Blackwell, Crest: Had 11 points in a 58-44 win over Forestview. The Chargers are 10-4 overall, 5-3 in Big South 3A.
De’kaylia Davis, Crest: Scored a team-high 13 points.
Nautica Freeman, Crest: Scored 12 points.
Bailey Maiers, Highland Tech: Scored 12 points in the Lady Rams’ 42-34 win over East Gaston. The Lady Rams are 13-5 overall, 3-4 in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A.
Addie McCraw, Highland Tech: Earned a doublepdouble with 11 points and 16 rebounds.
Reese Thomas, Highland Tech: Earned a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Kiara Anderson, East Lincoln: Had 18 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals in a 70-46 win over Hickory. The Lady Mustangs are 17-1 overall, 8-0 in Western Foothills 3A.
Abbie Hege, East Lincoln: Had two points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, six steals and two blocks.
Emma Montanari, East Lincoln: Scored a team-high 31 points to go with six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Megan Baker, Forestview: Had a team-high 11 points in a 58-44 loss to Crest. The Lady Jaguars are 12-6 overall, 4-4 in Big South 3A.
Ashlyn Black, North Lincoln: Had 13 points in a 60-15 win over Statesville. The Lady Knights are 12-6 overall, 4-4 in Western Foothills 3A.
Hailey Hagler, North Lincoln: Scored 12 points.
Reagan Karr, North Lincoln: Scored 10 points.
Ally Smith, North Lincoln: Had 14 points, four assists and three steals.
Bree Phillips, Piedmont Community Charter: Led her team with 12 points in a 57-11 win over Sugar Creek. The Patriots are 7-7 overall, 4-0 in Metro-8 1A.
Amya Graham, South Point: Finished with a double-double (19 points, 11 rebounds) along with four steals in a 55-31 win over Ashbrook. The Lady Raiders are 12-6 overall, 7-1 in Big South 3A.
Thursday, Jan. 25
Boys basketball
Bradley Floyd, Kings Mountain: Recorded a double-double (23 points, 13 rebounds) in a 68-39 win over Stuart Cramer. The Mountaineers are 12-5 overall, 5-3 in Big South 3A.
Caleb Nixon, Kings Mountain: Had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Tucker Robinette, Kings Mountain: Scored 10 points.
Girls basketball
Oshauna Holland, Stuart Cramer: Earned a double-double with a career-high 47 points and 14 rebounds, along with five steals and three assists in a 76-19 win over Kings Mountain. The Storm are 14-4 overall, 8-0 in Big South 3A.
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Boys basketball
Yoel Mussie, Highland Tech: Had 10 points, five rebounds and six assists in a 63-60 loss to Sugar Creek. The Rams fall to 6-12 overall.
Elijah Sherrill, Highland Tech: Scored a team-high 30 points to go with six rebounds.
Elijah Whitted, Highland Tech: Had 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Girls basketball
Bailey Maiers, Highland Tech: Had 12 points, all on 3-pointers, along with four steals in a 55-16 win over Sugar Creek. The Lady Rams improve to 12-5 overall.
Addie McCraw, Highland Tech: Earned a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, along with eight assists. She scored her 1,000th point in the game.
Tuesday, Jan. 23
Boys basketball
Isaac Byers Jr., Ashbrook: Had 13 points in the Green Wave’s 72-70 come-from-behind win over Hunter Huss. Ashbrook rallied from a 24-point halftime deficit to earn the victory.
Ayron Jackson, Ashbrook: Scored 10 points.
Jamari Smith, Ashbrook: Scored 23 points.
A.J. Adams, Crest: Scored 14 points to go with six rebounds and six assists in his team’s 79-78 win at Kings Mountain. The Chargers are 13-1 overall, 7-0 in Big South 3A.
Lyrik Pettis, Crest: Scored 17 points.
King Rhodes, Crest: Recorded a double-double (25 points, 13 rebounds).
D’Various Surratt, Crest: Had 13 points and six rebounds.
Trent Sherrill, East Gaston: Scored 37 points in the Warriors’ 66-55 win over Bessemer City. East Gaston is 12-6 overall, 5-1 in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A.
Jackson Fannon, East Lincoln: Recorded a double-double (24 points, 10 rebounds) in the Mustangs’ 69-66 loss to North Lincoln. The Mustangs are 10-7 overall, 4-3 in Western Foothills 3A.
Houston Hartsell, East Lincoln: Recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists.
Grant Lawless, East Lincoln: Scored 18 points to go with seven rebounds.
Makoi Mabor Marier, Gaston Christian: Had 13 points, eight rebounds and five blocks in a 75-57 win over SouthLake Christian. The Eagles are 14-13 overall, 8-3 in the NCISAA Metrolina Athletic Conference (MAC)
Brayden Milner, Gaston Christian: Had 12 points.
Cam Newman, Gaston Christian: Recorded a double-double (14 points, 10 assisi) to go with five rebounds.
Joe Rhyne, Gaston Christian: Had 14 points, six assists and three rebounds.
Deshawn Coulter, Gaston Day: Scored 13 points in the Spartans’ 68-48 win over Metrolina Christian. Gaston Day improves to 15-9 overall, 7-4 in the NCISAA MAC.
Gavin Fields, Gaston Day: Scored 11 points.
Griffen Simpson, Gaston Day: Scored 11 points.
Braylen Todd, Gaston Day: Scored 13 points.
Yoel Mussie, Highland Tech: Had 12 points and five assists in a 48-44 win over Thomas Jefferson. The Rams improve to 6-11, 3-3 in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A.
Elijah Sherrill, Highland Tech: Had 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Elijah Whitted, Highland Tech: Had 16 points, six rebounds and seven steals.
Damontia Duff, Hunter Huss: Had 10 points and seven rebounds in a 72-70 loss to Ashbrook. The Huskies are 5-10 overall, 4-3 in Big South 3A.
Trimell Dunlap, Hunter Huss: Recorded a double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds).
Satchelle Pettis, Hunter Huss: Had 21 points.
Bradley Floyd, Kings Mountain: Scored a team-high 24 points in a 79-78 loss to Crest. The Mountaineers are 11-5 overall, 4-3 in Big South 3A.
Kee’don Linney, Kings Mountain: Scored 13 points.
Caleb Nixon, Kings Mountain: Had 15 points.
Tucker Robinette, Kings Mountain: Scored 15 points.
Landon Lyerly, Lincolnton: Finished with a double-double (16 points, 17 rebounds) to go with six blocks and two steals in a 61-38 win over West Lincoln. The Wolves are 15-2 overall, 6-1 in Catawba Valley 2A.
Tyler McClain, Lincolnton: Had 13 points and five rebounds.
Kelan Flowers, Lincoln Charter: Had 16 points in a 63-60 loss to Corvian Community. The Eagles are 12-7 overall, 6-1 in Catawba Shores 1A/2A.
Cairo Morales, Lincoln Charter: Had 10 points.
David Reed IV, Lincoln Charter: Scored a team-high 19 points.
Kellen Karr, North Lincoln: Recorded a double-double (13 points, 12 rebounds) along with five steals and three assists in a 69-66 win over East Lincoln. The Knights are 14-3 overall, 6-1 in Western Foothills 3A.
Tanner Lineberger, North Lincoln: Had 10 points and five rebounds.
Ty Sanders, North Lincoln: Scored a team-high 24 points to go with assists and four steals.
Greyson Kines, South Point: Scored 15 points to go with five rebounds, three assists and three steals in an 83-63 win over North Gaston. The Red Raiders are 9-7 overall, 4-3 in Big South 3A.
Graham Williams, South Point: Recorded a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds).
Jaishawn Woods, South Point: Had 17 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Amari Littlejohn, Stuart Cramer: Had 18 points in the Storm’s 59-48 loss to Forestview.
Gideon Allen, West Lincoln: Scored a team-high 16 points in a 61-38 loss to Lincolnton. The Rebels are 3-14 overall, 1-6 in Catawba Valley 2A.
Girls basketball
Kionna Pettus, Bessemer City: Finished with a quadruple-double (27 points, 15 rebounds, 13 assists and 10 steals) along with six blocks in a 73-33 win over East Gaston. The Yellow Jackets are 9-10 overall, 6-1 in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A.
Tionna Pettus, Bessemer City: Earned a double-double with 29 points and 13 rebounds, along with eight steals and three assists.
Maggie Earl, Burns: Earned a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds in a 65-53 win over Cherryville. The Lady Bulldogs are 8-9 overall, 4-2 in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A.
Kaylee Greene, Burns: Scored 28 points, nine rebounds and eight steals.
Emily Allenn, Cherryville: Scored a team-high 17 points in a 63-51 loss to Burns. The Lady Ironmen are 5-11, 1-5 in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A.
Krista Davis, Cherryville: Had 11 points, six assists and four rebounds.
Raylei Gidney, Cherryville: Recorded a double-double (13 points, 17 rebounds).
Nevaeh Blackwell, Crest: Scored a game-high 24 points in a 57-21 win over Kings Mountain. The Chargers are 9-4 overall, 4-3 in Big South 3A.
De’kaylia Davis, Crest: Had 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Kiara Hayes, Crest: Earned a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds).
Kiara Anderson, East Lincoln: Recorded a double-double with 33 points and 11 rebounds, along with five assists and two steals in an 88-68 win over North Lincoln. The Lady Mustangs are 16-1 overall, 7-0 in Western Foothills 3A.
Emma Montanari, East Lincoln: Had 30 points, eight rebounds and seven steals.
Tralyn Phillips, Forestview: Had 16 points, five steals and two assists in a 65-59 loss to Stuart Cramer. The Lady Jaguars are 12-5 overall, 4-3 in Big South 3A.
Miangel Thompson, Forestview: Scored 15 points to go with five rebounds and three assists.
Happy Arune, Gaston Christian: Finished with a double-double (20 points, 22 rebounds) along with five blocks and five steals in a 54-38 win over SouthLake Christian. The Eagles are 2-9 overall, 2-7 in NCISAA MAC.
Jessica Williams, Gaston Christian: Had 22 points and seven rebounds.
Addie McCraw, Highland Tech: Earned a double-double (17 points, 16 rebounds) in her team’s 43-30 loss to Thomas Jefferson. Highland Tech is 11-5 overall, 2-4 in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A.
Savanni Harris, Hunter Huss: Recorded a triple-double (10 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) in the Huskies’ 59-23 win over Ashbrook. The Huskies are 8-9 overall, 4-3 in Big South 3A.
Myla Hoover, Hunter Huss: Scored 10 points.
Brooklyn Swann, Hunter Huss: Scored a team-high 27 points.
Matha Guinle, Lincoln Charter: Scored 16 points in a 64-30 win over Corvian Community. The Lady Eagles are 12-4 overall, 5-1 in Catawba Shores 1A/2A.
Symphanie Stevens, Lincoln Charter: Had 16 points.
Jaleila Littlejohn, North Gaston: Scored 18 points in her team’s 64-24 loss to South Point. The Lady Wildcats are 4-12 overall, 1-5 in Big South 3A.
Ashlyn Black, North Lincoln: Scored 17 points in an 88-68 loss to East Lincoln. The Knights are 11-6 overall, 3-4 in Western Foothills 3A.
Addison Grice, North Lincoln: Scored 13 points.
Hailey Hagler, North Lincoln: Contributed 16 points.
Ally Smith, North Lincoln: Scored 13 points.
Lyric Brown, Piedmont Community Charter: Led all scorers with 22 points in a 68-22 win over Carolina International. The Patriots are 7-7 overall, 4-0 in Metro-8 1A.
Bree Phillips, Piedmont Community Charter: Scored 21 points.
Amya Graham, South Point: Earned a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds in a 64-24 win over North Gaston. The Lady Raiders are 11-6 overall, 6-1 in Big South 3A.
Oshauna Holland, Stuart Cramer: Finished with 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds and five steals in the Storm’s 65-56 win over Forestview. Cramer is 13-4 overall, 7-0 in Big South 3A.
Lauren Humphrey, Stuart Cramer: Earned a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Hadley Womack, Stuart Cramer: Had 10 points and seven rebounds.
Monday, Jan. 22
Boys basketball
Makoi Mabor Marier, Gaston Christian: Scored 18 points in his team’s 78-73 overtime win at Gaston Day. The Eagles are 13-13 overall, 7-3 in NCISAA Metrolina Athletic play.
Cam Newman, Gaston Christian: Scored 28 points.
Joe Rhyne, Gaston Christian: Scored 19 points.
Deshawn Coulter, Gaston Day: Scored 20 points in a 78-73 loss to Gaston Christian. The Spartans are 14-9 overall (6-4 NCISAA MAC).
Chase Owens, Gaston Day: Led his team with 28 points.
Saturday, Jan. 20
Wrestling
A host of area high school wrestling teams competed in their respective conference tournaments this past weekend. Here’s a list of those who earned gold.
Big South 3A
106 pounds: Luis Davis, Kings Mountain
113 pounds: Louis Scott, North Gaston
120 pounds: Kaiden Deaton, Crest
126 pounds: Graham Martin, South Point
132 pounds: Bentley Sly, Stuart Cramer
138 pounds: Trevon Bowers, Forestview
144 pounds: Will Varner, Kings Mountain
150 pounds: James Weaver, North Gaston
157 pounds: Jaelen Culp, Kings Mountain
165 pounds: Lucas Conger, South Point
175 pounds: Khadin Boone, Ashbrook
190 pounds: Ashton Knauf, South Point
215 pounds: Dewayne Davis, North Gaston
285 pounds: Javier Currie, Kings Mountain
Western Foothills 2A
120 pounds: Kaden Helms, North Lincoln
132 pounds: Till Helms, North Lincoln
138 pounds: Gage Helms, North Lincoln
144 pounds: Aaron Keville, North Lincoln; voted tournament’s most outstanding wrestler
Catawba Shores 1A/2A
106 pounds: Ryan Johnson, Mountain Island Charter
113 pounds: Josue Welsh, Mountain Island Charter
120 pounds: Tanner Berg, Lincoln Charter
150 pounds: Christopher Aparicio, Lincoln Charter
165 pounds: Jack Casey, Lincoln Charter
175 pounds: Garrett White, Lincoln Charter
190 pounds: Luke Zrnich, Mountain Island Charter
215 pounds: Jamarcus Boyd, Mountain Island Charter
Southern Piedmont 1A/2A
Burns claimed the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A title after defeating Shelby (47-30) and East Gaston (37-32) on Saturday. Kaden Shoup (120 pounds), Drew Patterson (138 pounds) and Kale Oates (113 pounds) each had two victories at the weekend event. Elijah Howington also earned a win at 215 pounds.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NC high school winter sports: Gastonia, Shelby Week 10 top performers
