From staff reports

Francis Marion   men’s tennis coach Garth Thomson announced the signing of Carson’s Hayden Faulkenbury  and Andy Mashhadi of Torrance, Calif., to national letters of intent during the recent early signing period.

Faulkenbury is 6-foot-4 senior. He’s currently ranked in the top 20 in North Carolina andthe top 125 in the Southeast Region.

He recently reached the quarterfinals of the CTA Charlotte Junior Classic.

“Hayden is a big strong player who’s game has taken off recently,” said Thomson.  “He is a blue-collar kid who works hard for everything. He has a dedication for the game as evidenced by long commutes to and from practice.  He has beaten some high star recruits recently.  His doubles game is very good and I hope that his singles game will place him among our top six when he steps on campus next fall.”

Prep hoops

South Rowan’s girls opened with a 67-19 SPC win at Northwest Cabarrus on Monday.

Avery Locklear had 25 points, eight steals and seven rebounds to lead the Raiders.

Cassidy Chipman hit three 3-pointers, scored 15 points and pulled down eight rebounds.

Sylvetta Bost matched her career high with 11 points and added four assists.

Hurley YMCA

The  J.F. Hurley YMCA is registering for Mighty Kickers indoor soccer (boys and girls, ages 3-4) through Nov. 29, with late registration ending Dec. 6.

Winter indoor soccer (boys and girls, ages 5-14) has the same registration dates.

Volunteer coaches are needed.

Register at the J.F. Hurley YMCA or online at www.rowanymca.org.  Contact Jesse Byrd at 704-636-0111 or Jbyrd@rowanymca.org.

East Rowan YMCA

The East Rowan YMCA is taking registration through   Dec. 20 for boys basketball leagues for grades 2-8 (ages 7-14).  Practice starts Jan. 8.  The season begins Jan. 24.

Register at the East Rowan YMCA or online at www.rowanymca.org. Contact Joe Finney at 704-279-1742 or jfinney@rowanymca.org.

8th-grade hoops

Erwin’s boys won 40-34  against Southeast.

Mark Spry, Bryson Wagner, Landon Ketchie and Cole Mabry led Erwin.

Josh Lee had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Southeast. Malik Robinson and Bryson Moss scored six points each for the Patriots.

Erwin travels to Mooresville on Dec. 2.

PAL 49ers

The Salisbury Police Athletic League 49ers will be playing for a 6-under state championship on Saturday.

The 49ers (9-1)  team beat the Sumner Storm 19-0 to advance to the title game.

The championship game will be played at Greensboro Grimsley High at 9 a.m.

North Hills

The North Hills varsity boys defeated the Cabarrus Stallions 74-61.

Chris Taylor led with 21 points. Leonard Murdock scored  20.  Austin Patterson had 12 points and 12 rebounds.