From staff reports

Salisbury’s boys soccer team  continued an improbable run at the Central Carolina Conference championship on Monday.

The Hornets’ magic number is now officially at zero. They clinched the title with a 2-1 win at second-place North Davidson.

Senior Bryan Garcia Cortes scored his first goal of the season unassisted to give the Hornets the lead 10 minutes into the match.

Eriq Argrett scored on corner kick to make it 2-0.

North Davidson kept fighting and had multiple attempts to equalize after cutting the deficit to 2-1 in the middle of the second half.  Josh Faulkner made three-point blank saves to turn the Black Knights away and had nine overall.

The man of the match for SHS was Spencer Blackwell, who converted his second start into the match of his life.

“He was smart and sound and did as he was asked,” Salisbury coach Matt Parrish said. “He did his job.”

After winning 13 straight league titles, Salisbury stumbled to fourth place in a deeper and tougher CCC last fall.

“I’m not sure many people beyond Lincolnton Road gave us much of a shot this year,” Parrish said. “But these 22 guys, particularly the seniors, were determined not to let that happen again. I am unbelievably proud of this group.”

Parrish said this conference title is as meaningful as any the Hornets have ever won.

“For all our great accomplishments over the last two decades, none have been greater than this,” Parrish said. “I happen to think that our conference is the best in the state from top to bottom and for these guys to do what they have done shows a ton of guts and heart. We haven’t always been the best team on the field — we could easily have been beaten  5-2 tonight — but these kids have persevered through all kinds of setbacks and  earned this championship. It is absolutely deserved. Salisbury is officially back at the top of the CCC.”

Salisbury has a shot at a No. 2 seed in the 2A West bracket. That’s the next goal. It’s a tight race among East Lincoln, Surry Central and Salisbury for No. 2 in the MaxPreps rankings.

Hibriten appears certain to be No. 1.

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West Rowan beat Carson in North Piedmont Conference soccer, 3-0, on Monday.

Jose Guerrero, Esteban Trujillo and Edwin Ramon scored for the Falcons.

Elmer Figueroa, Alen Muskic and Trujillo had assists.

Keeper Jose Elizalde had the shutout.

• West also took the jayvee matchup, beating the Cougars, 1-0, on a goal by Johnny Hernandez.

Salvador Bautista had the assist. Cruz Guerrero had the shutout.

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In a CCC match, Central Davidson beat South Rowan, 3-1. The Raiders play at Salisbury on Wednesday.

SC Panthers win

  The South Charlotte Panthers 2022 baseball team won the  Perfect Game Wood Bat World Championship in West Palm Beach, Fla., by beating the  Five Star Nationals, 6-0, in the championship game.

East Rowan freshman Cameron Padgett was voted the most valuable pitcher in the event. He was 2-0 and won the championship game. He struck out 11 while allowing one earned run.

South Rowan freshman Nathan Chrismon played several positions for the Panthers, including pitcher, and served as the team’s leadoff man. He had a save in the tournament.

College football

Catawba had two of the three players of the week in the South Atlantic Conference, with Jeremy Addison getting defensive honors and Kenyatta Greene recognized for special teams.

Addison had a fumble return TD and an interception in Saturday’s win against Tusculum, while Greene scored on a punt return.

  Carson-Newman running back Antonio Wimbush was the player of the week for offense.

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The top three teams remained the same in the BOXTOROW HBCU media and coaches polls.

Florida A&M is still on top.

High school tennis

Salisbury’s doubles team of Skye Mowery/Margaret Thurman won the  2A Midwest Regional and qualified for this weekend’s  state tournament in Cary.

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West Rowan’s Payton Holt was fourth in the 3A Midwest Regional in Concord and qualified for the state tournament in Burlington this weekend.

Jayvee football

Ledford beat Salisbury, 26-6, on Monday.

Ledford is undefeated. It was the first loss for the Hornets.

College golf

Catawba is in a tie for 11th after the first round of the Flagler Fall Slam Women’s Golf Tournament on Monday. The tournament will conclude on Tuesday at the 6,062-yard, par-72 Marsh Creek Country Club.

The Catawba Indians opened with a 315, led by Sandra Brink, who had a 74, and Kaley Barts, who carded a 75. Brink is in 10th place, while Barts sits in 14th.

Limestone and Lenoir-Rhyne share the lead at 297.

College men’s soccer

Anderson blanked Catawba 2-0 in a physical match on Catawba’s Senior Day at Frock Field.

Mid. school football

Erwin defeated China Grove, 28-18, in a shootout.

Scoring for the Eagles were Evan Porter and Josh Roman-Soto. Defensive standouts were Christian Chalk, Tucker Tomlinson, Tommy Wingler and Austin Frick.

The Eagles will host North Rowan on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Local golf

The McCanless Couples played a Captains Choice on Sunday.

First place went to Ty & Beverly Cobb  and Gene & Mary Seaford.

Harry Owen, Walt Kincaid and Terrol Kendall took second place.

Timber sports

Rockwell lumberjack Matt Slingerland  was part of the American team that competed in the STIHL Timbersports World Championships in England on Oct. 19.

Team USA finished in second place out of 16 teams in the competition.

  Fishing

Lexington boater Robert Walser  caught a three-day cumulative total of 15 bass, weighing 35 pounds, 8 ounces, to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League regional championship on Lake Norman.

Walser earned $66,000 for his efforts, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and automatic entry into the 2019 BFL All-American Championship.