J. Mike Blake

1 week ago | highschoolot.com | J. Mike Blake |Nick Stevens

MATTHEWS — Western Alamance: soccer school. With a 1-0 victory over South Point, the Warriors won the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A girls soccer championship on Friday at the Mecklenburg County SportsPlex, giving the school both the boys and girls titles in the same athletic season. To win its first title in program history, Western Alamance (24-0-1) scored the game's only goal in the 51st minute.

1 week ago | highschoolot.com | J. Mike Blake

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — The theme all year for Lake Norman's boys lacrosse team has been "biurn the boats," right down to the "BTB" written with sharpie on the chinstraps of players. The Hernan Cortez-inspired slogan is a simple reminder to not look back, to put everything into the current mission. In adopting this, ironically Lake Norman has gone back — to the state championship game.

1 week ago | highschoolot.com | J. Mike Blake

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — All year long, Pine Lake Prep has been eager to go back to the girls soccer state championship. On Tuesday, they couldn't even wait the entire game to punch their ticket. The Pride throttled previously undefeated Shelby in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A girls soccer West regional final by a 9-0 score, ending the game by mercy rule with 35 minutes and 16 seconds still left in regulation.

1 week ago | highschoolot.com | J. Mike Blake

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — I felt a little sorry for Sir Purr. It was a scorching hot Sunday afternoon at Bank of American Stadium, and the Carolina Panthers mascot did his traditional running out of the inflatable tunnel with a girls flag football team, something he's done at a number of events over a number of years — anywhere where the franchise has helped get the sport off the ground. He ran out with Palisades, then turned around and did the same with Butler. Or maybe the order was reverse?

1 week ago | highschoolot.com | J. Mike Blake

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The sounds at Queens University of Charlotte's Curry Arena were familiar enough, even if the sight was not. Who in North Carolina can't immediately hear the sneakers squeaking and the bellows from the stands and not think of basketball? Sure, the players jumped high, celebrated big moments, huddled for timeouts — but there were no hoops in store on this day.