Langston Wertz Jr.

It's always been refreshing to have Charles Barkley in the sports world as an outspoken, yet respected, voice of reason.

In three games at the Bojangles' Shootout this week, Hopewell High's Brandyn Curry made 13 of 38 shots.

This is me, playing Nostradamus: The Panthers, playing inspired football for their ailing owner, win the franchise's first Super Bowl in early February.

As I watched Burlington Cummings High junior J.T. Terrell score 52 points Monday against Concord at the Bojangles' Shootout, I couldn't help comparing him to North Carolina guard Wayne Ellington.

Langston Wertz Jr.: Barbara Walters has her list and I have mine. Here's your top 10 most fascinating Carolinas sports personalities.

South Mecklenburg football coach James Martin called me from the bus on his way back from the mountains Friday night. The Sabres had just driven the length of the field in the final minutes to upset East Burke and win a first round N.C. 4A playoff game.

The last time Garinger High was in the N.C. football playoffs, in 1990:

Que Tucker is deputy executive director of the N.C. High School Athletic Association. Every year about this time – after the NCHSAA releases its football playoff pairings – her phone starts ringing constantly and her e-mail fills up.

Friday night, West Charlotte will play for the ME-CA 7 championship. In June and July, people who know high school football would've laughed if you told them the Lions would be in this spot.

For the past two years, I've watched Independence quarterback Anthony Carrothers and just had questions. I wondered if he was tall enough. Carrothers is maybe 5-foot-7. I wondered if his arm was strong enough. I wondered if he could make all the throws.