Combine Academy, Kansas signee Rakease Passmore upset top-ranked Myers Park boys
There won’t be too many high school basketball games in North Carolina this season that will have as much talent as the showcase game at the George Lynch Invitational at Myers Park on Saturday night.
Myers Park, ranked No. 8 nationally by MaxPreps and No. 1 in The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll, hosted Combine Academy from Lincolnton. The game featured four of the top 10 senior players in North Carolina, plus the top junior.
The Mustangs, the reigning NCHSAA 4A state champion, had control of the game early, but Combine Academy’s pressure defense began to have an effect on the game late. Kansas signee Rakease Passmore had a series of layups, on drives and fast breaks, to lead his team on a late push that led to a 51-48 win.
“This was a great win,” Combine head coach Mike Wright said. “It was a tough win. Hats off to our guys, but hats off to Myers Park. They controlled the pace all night long and they are one of the most patient teams on offense I’ve ever coached against.”
After Combine missed four straight free throws, the Mustangs had a chance to tie, but Myers Park turned the ball over on the inbounds pass on its final possession.
Myers Park (0-1) was missing starter Sir Mohammed (shoulder), a preseason all-state pick signed to Notre Dame. Another key Mustangs player, junior Ashton King, missed long stretches of the game with an apparent leg problem.
Combine (5-0) was led by point guard Jahseem Felton and Passmore. Felton has signed with Seton Hall.
Wright was happy with the way Passmore turned things around after a slow start.
“Rakease is always going to be resilient,” Wright said. “His game isn’t pretty at all but he is going to fight and be tough. He is going to defend and let his defense dictate his offense.”
247 Sports ranks Felton the No. 10 in-state recruit in the class of 2024 and Passmore No. 4. Myers Park’s Mohammed is No. 6 and Mustangs point guard Bishop Boswell is No. 8. Myers Park 6-8 forward Sadiq White is No. 1 in the N.C. junior class.
Three who made a difference
Rakease Passmore, Combine: The Kansas commit got off to a slow start but finished with 21 points and four rebounds. He showed why he was a top five recruit in the state.
Sadiq White, Myers Park: White finished with 19 points and really got anything he wanted in the first half. His length on defense also helped alter a lot of Combine’s shots.
Jahseem Felton, Combine: Felton was a pest defensively to the Myers Park ball handlers and was the primary cause of a several of the Mustangs’ turnovers. He finished the game with 17 points.
What’s next
Myers Park (0-1) will host Richmond Senior on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. That will be a rematch of the 2023 state championship game. Combine Academy (5-0) will face Victory Christian Center on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
▪ Find a complete Charlotte-area schedule for next week and photos from Saturday’s event below.
George Lynch Invitational recaps
Christ School 74, No. 4 Chambers 65: The reigning NC Independent Schools 4A champions from Arden, NC, pulled away from Chambers late. Chambers is a favorite to win a NC 4A public school state championship. Christ School got 24 points and five rebounds from 5-foot-11 senior guard Keenan Wilkins and 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists from 6-9 junior transfer Zymicah Wilkins. Wilkins, a transfer from R-S Central, was a preseason all-state pick in North Carolina.
Chambers got 22 points, five rebounds and four steals from 6-5 sophomore guard Markus Kerr and 22 points, eight rebounds from 6-7 senior forward Maurio Hanson.
Both teams were nationally ranked by MaxPreps in preseason. Christ School was No. 59. Chambers was No. 83.
No. 6 Lake Norman 83, No. 5 Cannon School 72: Myers Park transfer Santana Lynch had a monster game in his old gym, putting up 23 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block.
Lynch and Lake Norman took a 24-12 first quarter lead and expanded it to 16 points at the end of the third quarter.
The Wildcats also got big games from Trey McKinnon (16 points) and preseason All-Observer center Trent Steinour (18 points, four rebounds, three blocks). Cannon got 22 points, six rebounds and six assists from Miami-bound preseason All-Observer guard Austin Swartz, plus 21 points, five rebounds from wing Isaiah Henry.
Santana Lynch is the son of tournament sponsor George Lynch, the former UNC and NBA player.
No. 16 United Faith 64, No. 8 Gaston Christian 54: United Faith took a 34-20 halftime lead and then held off a late fourth quarter push from Gaston Christian. United Faith’s Dylan Deluca and DJ Boyce combined for 30 points. Boyce has now made 17 3-point shots in three games.
No. 9 Northside Christian 52, No. 10 Carmel Christian 46: Northside Christian fell behind 13-3 after the first quarter but rallied behind 18 points, four rebounds and two steals from Kyrell Shaw in a battle of two top 10 Charlotte Observer preseason Sweet 16 teams. Kam Taylor had 24 points, five rebounds for Carmel.
No. 12 Davidson Day 49, No. 11 Concord Academy 45: Davidson Day is off to a 3-1 start after Saturday’s win. The Patriots have beaten two teams ranked in The Observer’s preseason Sweet 16 The Patriots have been Concord Academy at a neutral sight and they beat No. 5 Cannon School on the road. Their only loss was by three points to reigning private school state champion Christ School.
Saturday, Davidson Day pulled out a tight game that was tied after three quarters. Will Stevens (15 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks) and Isaiah Denis (14 points, four rebounds, three assists) led the Patriots. Concord Academy got 14 points from Cannon School transfer Sean Birmingham.
George Lynch Invitational scores
Christ School 74, Chambers 65
Combine Academy 51, Myers Park 48
Davidson Day 49, Concord Academy 45
Lake Norman 83, Cannon School 72
Northside Christian 52, Carmel Christian 46
United Faith Christian 64, Gaston Christian 54
Winston-Salem Christian 81, 1-of-1 Academy 75
Quality Education 81, N.C. Good-Better-Best 42
Saturday’s #BIG5 top performers
Santana Lynch, Lake Norman: The former Myers Park player, and son of the tournament host, put on a show in his old gym. Lynch had 23 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block in a 83-72 win over Cannon School.
Rakease Passmore, Combine Academy: The Kansas signee took over Saturday’s game with Myers Park late, finishing with 21 points, four rebounds and a steal. He did not make a 3-point shot.
Kyrell Shaw, Northside Christian: The 6-2 senior guard had 18 points, four rebounds and two steals to lead his team to a 52-46 come-from-behind win over Carmel Christian.
Will Stevens, Davidson Day: The Patriots’ 6-10 sophomore center had 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in a 49-45 win over Concord Academy.
Keenan Wilkins, Christ School: The 5-11 point guard had a game-high 24 points, five rebounds in a 74-65 win over Chambers in a battle of nationally ranked teams.
Saturday’s boys’ box scores
▪ Includes Sweet 16 preseason rankings
COMBINE ACADEMY 51, NO. 1 MYERS PARK 48
Combine 10 11 15 15 — 51
Myers Park 15 11 10 12 — 48
COMBINE 51 — Jahseem Felton 17, Jones 3, Walker 4, Rakease Passmore 21, Okitando 6
MYERS PARK 48 — Sadiq White 19, Paraison 3, Bishop Boswell 11, Jamison 3, Ashton King 10, Barnes 2
CHRIST SCHOOL 74, NO. 4 CHAMBERS 65
Christ School 24 12 23 15 — 74
Chambers 12 16 20 17 — 65
CHRIST SCHOOL 74 — Keenan Wilkins 24, Llayton Thomas 10, Oakley 6, Madden Collins 3, Jamari Briggs 10, Zymicah Wilkins 19, Mason Collins 2
CHAMBERS 65 — Cooke 4, Markus Kerr 22, Jordan Patton 12, Terrell 3, Maurio Hanson 22, Thompson 2
NO. 6 LAKE NORMAN 83, NO. 5 CANNON SCHOOL 72
Lake Norman 24 14 27 17 — 83
Cannon School 12 23 14 23 — 72
LAKE NORMAN 83 — Googins 3, Josh Yates 13, Hales 2, Santana Lynch 23, Trey McKinnon 16, Arnold 6, Trent Steinour 18
CANNON SCHOOL 72 — Austin Swartz 22, Martn 5, Claggett 5, Isaiah Henry 21, Vinson 5, Murash 8, Dixon 5, Ingram 2
NO. 7 PROVIDENCE DAY 55, CARY ACADEMY 36
Providence Day7 16 17 15 — 55
Cary Academy 5 12 13 6 — 36
Notable: Providence Day led by Jordan Appling (15 points) and Jonah Lawrence (19). Providence Day plays Mallard Creek at the Charlotte Hoops Challenge Friday
Records: Providence Day 2-1, Cary Academy 3-1
NO. 16 UNITED FAITH 64, NO. 8 GASTON CHRISTIAN 54
United Faith 18 16 17 13 — 64
Gaston Christian 11 9 15 19 — 54
UNITED FAITH 64 — Dylan Deluca 15, DJ Boyce 15, JD Bowden 14, Isaiah Sutherland 6, Will Brown 5, Logan Johnson 4, Julien Evering 3, Jayden Bass 2
GASTON CHRISTIAN 54 — Rhyne 15, Newman 12, Makoi 10, Freeman 10, Milner 7
Notable: United Faith’s DJ Boyce has made 17 3-point shots in his first three games.
NO. 9 NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 52, NO. 10 CARMEL CHRISTIAN 46
Northside 3 17 20 12 — 52
Carmel 13 12 10 9 — 46
NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 52 — Jones 8, Johnson-Freeman 9, Ky Shaw 18, Smith 3, Shouse 3, Bullock 3, Lowen 6
CARMEL CHRISTIAN 46 — Kennedy 6, Slay 7, Kam Taylor 24, Bowman 2, Montgomery 4, Peck 5
NO. 12 DAVIDSON DAY 49, NO. 11 CONCORD ACADEMY 45
Davidson Day 13 16 13 7 — 49
Concord Academy 13 13 12 7 — 45
DAVIDSON DAY 49 — Isaiah Denis 14, Jacobs 6, Rodgers 3, Smith 9, Will Stevens 15
CONCORD ACADEMY 45 — Howard 6, Roper 2, Madiera 7, Jake Benham 12, Sean Birmingham 14, Minland 2, Rudy 2
COVENANT DAY 66, NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN 49
Covenant Day 21 10 21 14 — 66
North Raleigh 12 11 13 13 — 49
COVENANT DAY 66 — Green 5, Shipp 2, Rivens 15, White 6, Weaver 4, Penosky 12, Haggarty 3, Olshefski 8, Anders 2, Marcus Jr. 9
NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN 49 — Dickerson 23, Jenkins 9, Jefferson 7, Buckley 7, Thompson 3
WINSTON-SALEM CHRISTIAN 81, 1-of-1 ACADEMY 75
WS CHRISTIAN 81 — Jordan Lowery 16, McGlashen 3, Bailey 7, Isaiah Washington 19, Patino 3, Machot 6, Lewis Walker 25
1-of-1 ACADEMY 75 — Jackson 9, Connor 8, Rush 7, Sebastian Atkins 14, Tayeshaun Smith 15, Obe 2, Christian Wilkins 12, Mor Mboud 11
Saturday’s girls’ box scores
▪ Includes Sweet 16 preseason rankings
NO. 12 NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 60, CRESSET CHRISTIAN 51
Northside 8 8 17 27 — 60
Cresset 17 11 11 12 — 51
NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 60 — Briana Carelock 17, Layla Toscano 15, Amani Womack 15, Gaskin 9, Ashford 3
Notable: Carelock (17 points, four assists, two steals, two rebounds), Toscano (15 points, eight rebounds) and Amani Womack (15 points, four assists, three steals, two rebounds) led Northside to its first win of the season.
Live NC scores
Live SC scores
Upcoming schedule
Monday
Mecklenburg nonconference
Carmel Christian at Concord Academy (boys)
Christ the King at Union Academy
Comenius School at Elevation Prep (boys)
High Point Christian at Hickory Grove Christian
Liberty Prep at Lab Univ. Prep (boys)
Mooresville at Garinger
Northside Christian vs. Jacksonville (FL) San Jose Prep, in Orlando (girls)
Olympic vs. Colliersville (TN), in Bluff City (TN) Thanksgiving Classic (boys)
Palisades at Harding
Rocky River at Cuthbertson
South Charlotte Thunder at Charlotte Elite Academy (boys)
Victory Christian at Combine Academy (boys)
West Mecklenburg at Sugar Creek Charter
Area nonconference
Bessemer City at Ashbrook
Central Academy at Sun Valley
East Gaston at Forestview
Gaston Day vs. Chapin (SC), 7:30, in Tipoff at the Dam, at River Bluff (SC) High (boys)
Gray Stone Day at Monroe (girls)
Statesville at Lincolnton
Valor Prep at Lake Norman Christian (boys)
Turkey Shootout (boys)
(at West Florence High)
Mullins vs. Marlboro County, 4
Catawba Ridge vs. Camden, 5:30
Darlington vs. Lee Central, 7
Cheraw vs. West Florence, 8:30
S.C. nonconference
Clover vs. Union County, 6, in Bob Dillon Invitational at Spartanburg (girls)
York vs.Clinton, 7:30, in Red Devil Tipoff at Clinton High (girls)
Tuesday
Mecklenburg nonconference
Central Cabarrus at Chambers (girls)
Charlotte Christian at Bessemer City
Charlotte Country Day at Metrolina Christian
Charlotte Latin at Charlotte Catholic
Community School of Davidson at Lake Norman Charter
Corvian Community at SouthLake Christian (boys)
Covenant Day at Olympic (girls)
Covenant Day at Greensboro Day (boys)
East Mecklenburg at Palisades
Garinger at Berry Academy
Hickory Grove Christian at Hickory Christian
Hopewell at Butler
Hough at Independence (boys)
Independence at Cuthbertson (girls)
Northside Christian vs. Venice (FL) Academy, in Orlando (girls)
Olympic vs. Millington (TN) Central, 3:30, in Bluff City (TN) Thanksgiving Classic (boys)
Quality Education at Victory Christian
Queen’s Grant Charter at Piedmont
Providence Day at Melbourne (FL) Holy Trinity Espitcopal, 5 (girls)
Richmond Senior at Myers Park
South Charlotte Thunder at Lake Norman Christian (boys)
South Mecklenburg at Providence
United Faith Christian at The Burlington School (boys)
Weddington at Ardrey Kell
Area nonconference
A.C. Reynolds at West Cabarrus
A.L. Brown at Concord
Bandys at Forestview
Calvary Day at Concord Academy
Carolina Bearcats at Greater Cabarrus Stallions
Carolina International at Hickory Ridge
Chase at Cherryville
Hickory Hawks at Greater Cabarrus Stallions (boys)
Lincoln Charter at Combine Academy (boys)
Monroe at Anson County (girls)
Mount Pleasant at East Rowan
North Gaston at East Gaston
North Iredell at Alexander Central
North Lincoln at Ashbrook
South Point at Cuthbertson (boys)
Stuart Cramer at East Rutherford
Sun Valley at Parkwood
T.C. Roberson at Cox Mill
Union Academy at Porter Ridge
Valor Prep at Greater Cabarrus Stallions (girls)
West Lincoln at East Lincoln
S.C. nonconference
Catawba Ridge in Turkey Shootout at West Florence (boys)
Clover in Bob Dillon Invitational at Spartanburg (girls)
York in Red Devil Tipoff at Clinton High (girls)
Wednesday
Mecklenburg nonconference
Mallard Creek vs. Forsyth Country Day, 5:30, at Glenn High (boys)
Providence Day vs. Shabach Christian, in Landover (MD) (girls)
Area nonconference
A.C. Reynolds at Cox Mill (girls, 2 p.m.; boys, 3:30)
North Stanly at Carolina International
S.C. nonconference
Catawba Ridge in Running Rebels Classic at Byrnes (girls)
Clover in Bob Dillon Invitational at Spartanburg (girls)
York in Red Devil Tipoff Classic at Clinton High (girls)
Indian Land vs. South Florence, 4:30, in Holiday Hoopsfest at Dreher High (boys)
South Pointe vs. James Island, 3, in Holiday Hoopsfest at Dreher High (boys)
Friday
Charlotte Hoops Challenge
(at Harding High)
(main gym)
Harding vs. Charlotte Latin, 11 am
Jay M. Robinson vs. Charlotte Catholic, 12:30 (girls)
West Charlotte vs. Charlotte Country Day, 2
Our Lady of Mount Carmel vs. Cannon School, 3:30
Independence vs. Northside Christian, 5
Independence vs. Mallard Creek, 6:30 (girls)
Providence Day vs. Mallard Creek, 8
(auxiliary gym)
South Mecklenburg vs. West Cabarrus, 11:30 am (girls)
United Faith Christian vs. West Cabarrus, 1
Jay M. Robinson vs. Olympic, 2:30
Northwestern vs. Westminster Catawba, 4
Charlotte Christian vs. Victory Christian, 5:30
Phenom Hoops Lakesgiving Classic
(at Lake Norman High)
Hickory Ridge vs. United Faith Christian, 11 a.m. (girls)
Northwest Cabarrus vs. Lincoln Charter, 12:30
Davidson Day vs. Chapel Hill, 2
Gaston Christian vs. Hopewell, 3:30
Lake Norman vs. Lincoln Charter, 4 (girls)
Rocky River vs. Carmel Christian, 5:30
Lake Norman vs. Caldwell Academy, 7
Leroy Holden Thanksgiving Classic
(at North Mecklenburg High)
Mooresville vs. East Mecklenburg, noon (girls)
Mooresville vs. East Mecklenburg, 1:30 (boys)
North Mecklenburg vs. Porter Ridge, 3 (girls)
North Mecklenburg vs. Porter Ridge, 4:30 (boys)
S.C. nonconference
Indian Land and South Pointe in Holiday Hoopsfest at Dreher High (boys)
Indian Land vs. Irmo, 8:30, in She Got Next Classic at White Knoll High (girls)
South Pointe vs. Lower Richland, 7, in She Got Next Classic at White Knoll High (girls)
Saturday
Charlotte Hoops Challenge
(at Harding High)
(main gym)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel vs. Northside Christian, 12:30
Fayetteville Academy vs. Cannon School, 2
Christ School vs. Concord Academy, 3:30
Northwestern-Westminster Catawba winner vs. Charlotte Christian-Victory Christian winner, 5
Watauga vs. Cannon School, 6:30 (girls)
Chambers vs. Covenant Day, 8
(auxiliary gym)
Providence Day vs. Ardrey Kell, 12 (girls)
Providence Day vs. Charlotte Catholic, 1:30
Northwestern-Westminster Catawba loser vs. Charlotte Christian-Victory Christian loser, 3
Butler vs. United Faith Christian, 4:30
Ardrey Kell vs. Gaston Day, 6
Phenom Hoops Lakesgiving Classic
(at Lake Norman High)
Pine Lake Prep vs. South Mecklenburg, 12
Hough vs. Hickory Ridge, 1:30
Rocky River vs. Gaston Christian, 3
Lake Norman vs. N.C. GBB, 4:30 (girls)
Carmel Christian vs. Central Cabarrus, 6
Lake Norman vs. Davidson Day, 7:30
Leroy Holden Thanksgiving Classic
(at North Mecklenburg High)
Girls’ third-place game: Friday’s losers meet, 12
Boys’ third-place game: Friday’s losers meet, 1:30
Girls’ championship: Friday’s winners meet, 3
Boys’ championship: Friday’s winners meet, 4:30
Mallard Creek Thanksgiving Classic (girls)
Chambers vs. United Faith Christian
Charlotte Country Day vs. Mallard Creek
Other nonconference
Combine Academy/Regional in Hoops & Dreams Classic, in Raleigh
Myers Park vs. Millbrook, at Southeast Raleigh, 2 (girls)
Northside Christian at Greensboro Day, 11:30 a.m. (girls)
Victory Faith Christian vs. Norcross (GA), in Hoops4Hunter Classic in Atlanta (boys)
S.C. nonconference
Indian Land and South Pointe in She Got Next Classic at White Knoll High (girls)
PHOTOS: George Lynch Invitational
