RESULTS: Hunter Huss, Kings Mountain standouts claim Week 1 Player of the Week honors

Here are the Gastonia and Shelby area’s top high school football players following Week 1 of the 2023 season.

Our weekly top performers list and athlete of the week nominees are compiled from 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 social media.

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.

CREST, WEST LINCOLN WIN NAIL-BITERS: North Carolina high school football scores for Week 1 in Gastonia, Shelby area

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Cleveland County Player of the Week

Jason Melton II, Kings Mountain

The Mountaineers’ senior linebacker received 43.9% of last week’s vote, outpacing fellow candidates in Burns’ Ben Mauney, Ny’Tavious Huskey of Crest and Shelby’s Tristan Tate.

During a Week 1 win over rival Shelby, he led Kings Mountain with nine tackles in addition to an interception in a 34-17 win.

Gaston and Lincoln Player of the Week

Gene Neely, Hunter Huss

Neely received 33.5% of last week’s vote, giving him the nod over Ryan Bassani of North Lincoln, East Lincoln’s Jackson Beam, Caden Smith of West Lincoln and several other candidates.

In a Week 1 win over Draughn, Neely finished with 12 tackles and had an interception. He also caught a touchdown reception and returned a kickoff for a TD in the Huskies’ 44-21 win.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NCHSAA football: Gastonia, Shelby Week 1 Player of the Week honorees