Three Charlotte queens: Mallard, Catholic, South win titles

CORNELIUS

After losing twice to North Mecklenburg this season, Mallard Creek girls basketball coach Karlyn Dixon really thought her team could finally topple the Vikings in Friday’s Queen City 3A/4A conference championship.

North Mecklenburg, No. 2 in The Sweet 16, had beaten the Mavericks by six and by five points in two earlier meetings. The difference, Dixon thought, was that her team needed to be just a little tougher.

Friday night, Mallard Creek was a whole lot tougher.

The Mavericks, No. 7 in The Observer’s poll, won 69-53 and ended North Mecklenburg’s 19-game win streak. Dixon said this win, her team’s seventh in a row, is exactly what the Mavericks needed heading into next week’s N.C. 4A playoffs.

Dixon starts two sophomores and a freshman with two seniors. Sophomore Elle Stone had 30 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

“Honestly,” Dixon said, “I think our aggression was key. We came out so aggressive from the start and they were just comfortable. They were sure of themselves. We had talked about and they finally came into their own. They grew up tonight.”

Mallard Creek (23-4) led by 11 at halftime and was up 20 in the second half against the Vikings (24-2), who had only lost to unbeaten and No. 1 Lake Norman.

“I think it’s a huge confidence builder for every girl on the team,” Dixon said. “We’ve been telling them that they have the talent and the ability and now we’ve just got to put it all together and we’ve got to learn how to win and finish games. Now they’ll have confidence in themselves.”

Southwestern 4A: Catholic rules again

For the second straight year, Charlotte Catholic is the Southwestern 4A conference tournament champion.

The Cougars, No. 10 in The Sweet 16, jumped out to a big lead at Independence and beat the Patriots 53-35 on Independence’s home floor.

Catholic (21-6) avenged two regular-season losses to Independence. Independence won 62-61 Dec. 13 and 44-40 Jan. 24. That allowed Independence (23-3) to finish unbeaten in the conference and win the regular-season title.

SoMECK: South Meck repeats as league champs

South Mecklenburg lost a legendary coach this season but the Sabres have kept on winning.

Justin Clarke replaced longtime coach Cristie Mitchell and has led the Sabres to back-to-back conference tournament championships.

South, No. 9 in The Sweet 16, beat No. 12 Myers Park 47-43 Friday in the SoMECK finals

Maggie Houpt had 22 for the Sabres who got 12 more from tournament MVP Betsy Burnett. Jerin Truesdale had 13 for No. 12 Myers Park (20-6).

PHOTOS: North Meck-Mallard Creek girls