Top Story Spotlight HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS How will the NCHSAA high school playoffs change under North Carolina's new 8 classification system? jason.koon Oct 9, 2025 Oct 9, 2025 Updated Oct 10, 2025 0 The 2024 Hickory boys soccer team celebrates winning the 2022 3A West Regional championship over Asheboro on Nov. 16, 2022. Mark Parker, Record file Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save jason.koon High school playoffs in North Carolina will run a little bit different this year than in years past.kAmx? a_ab[ E96 }@CE9 r2C@=:?2 pE9=6E:4 pDD@4:2E:@? G@E65 E@ 6IA2?5 E96 DE2E6’D 2E9=6E:4 4=2DD:7:42E:@? DJDE6> 7C@> 7@FC 4=2DD6D E@ 6:89E[ 368:??:?8 H:E9 E96 a_ad\ae D49@@= J62C] p=@?8 H:E9 E96 492?86D 42>6 2 4@?76C6?46 C62=:8?>6?E 2?5 ?6H A=2J@77 7@C>2ED E@ 244@>>@52E6 E96 D>2==6C 4=2DD6D]k^Amk9am$>2==6C 3C24<6ED[ 3FE >@C6 E62>Dk^9amkAmp44@C5:?8 E@ E96 a_ad }rw$pp 92?53@@<[ E96 E62> A=2J@77 3C24<6ED 92G6 366? 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Highway 226 North closed Monday afternoon due to overturned tractor-trailer Marion to hold Fourth of July parade, downtown celebration The Madness holds soft opening of the new Marion restaurant City of Marion reminds water customers: Drought restrictions remain in effect Marion, Old Fort elections moving to even-numbered years after passage of state bill See McDowell County area government offices, trash collection schedule for July 4 What was happening in McDowell County in July 250 years ago? Historian tells us Carolina Panthers get absolutely shafted in NFL uniform rankings Poster series highlights McDowell America 250 commemoration. Here's where you can see it. Four sleepers to watch for the Carolina Panthers offense in the 2026 NFL season kAm%9:D >62?D E96 E@A `e E62>D :? 4=2DD6D `p E9C@F89 fp H:== C646:G6 7:CDE\C@F?5 3J6D E9:D J62C] p44@C5:?8 E@ :?7@C>2E:@? AC@G:565 3J E96 }rw$pp[ E96 :562 :D E@ 8:G6 >@C6 E62>D 2? @AA@CEF?:EJ E@ 4@>A6E6 :? E96 A=2J@77D]k^AmkAmx? 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Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. jason.koon Author email Follow jason.koon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Most Popular Love and ball: Meet the South Caldwell couple that experienced a rare dual achievement together They played T-ball together at 6. This year, the softball player and baseball player celebrated making it to states together. Meet Hickory's Grayson Baucom, the world's top Class of 2028 golfer, according to AJGA He was already having a big year before the contacts and offers started pouring in. South Caldwell slugger up for Sports Illustrated North Carolina Softball Player of the Year  As of Monday at noon, Harrington holds 40.79% of the vote, leading the 16-player field. NCAA Division I, II players help form all-star Catawba County American Legion softball team "So, Raegan (Rembert) was like, 'you want to play legion ball this summer?' I'm like, 'yeah, sign me up. I'm ready. Let's go. When do we start?'" Basketball standouts from Maiden, Hickory, McDowell to play in East-West all-star games Culliver was the Catawba County Girls Player of the Year after leading Maiden on an undefeated state championship run last winter. Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Deciding Who Has Played The Best Through June | 1146 Moment: USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino throws out ceremonial first pitch before Mariners game Moment: USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino throws out ceremonial first pitch before Mariners game Chris Johnson’s daughter brings back Ice Bucket Challenge Chris Johnson’s daughter brings back Ice Bucket Challenge 'Never a red card. Never.' - Mauricio Pochettino left frustrated by Folarin Balogun's dismissal during USA's 2-0 victory 'Never a red card. Never.' - Mauricio Pochettino left frustrated by Folarin Balogun's dismissal during USA's 2-0 victory
jason.koon Author email Follow jason.koon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Love and ball: Meet the South Caldwell couple that experienced a rare dual achievement together They played T-ball together at 6. This year, the softball player and baseball player celebrated making it to states together.
Meet Hickory's Grayson Baucom, the world's top Class of 2028 golfer, according to AJGA He was already having a big year before the contacts and offers started pouring in.
South Caldwell slugger up for Sports Illustrated North Carolina Softball Player of the Year  As of Monday at noon, Harrington holds 40.79% of the vote, leading the 16-player field.
NCAA Division I, II players help form all-star Catawba County American Legion softball team "So, Raegan (Rembert) was like, 'you want to play legion ball this summer?' I'm like, 'yeah, sign me up. I'm ready. Let's go. When do we start?'"Â
Basketball standouts from Maiden, Hickory, McDowell to play in East-West all-star games Culliver was the Catawba County Girls Player of the Year after leading Maiden on an undefeated state championship run last winter.
'Never a red card. Never.' - Mauricio Pochettino left frustrated by Folarin Balogun's dismissal during USA's 2-0 victory
'Never a red card. Never.' - Mauricio Pochettino left frustrated by Folarin Balogun's dismissal during USA's 2-0 victory