From staff reports
Catawba’s men’s basketball team received one first-place vote but was picked sixth in a preseason poll of league coaches announced on Wednesday.
Lincoln Memorial, ranked fifth nationally, was a narrow choice to win the league.
Lincoln Memorial received six first-place nods and 96 points. Wingate attracted three first-place ballots and 92 points.
The rest of the voting: Anderson (68), Newberry (60), Carson-Newman (50), Catawba (49), Tusculum (48), Lenoir-Rhyne (46), Mars Hill (29) and Brevard (12).
Catawba sophomore Keon Moore was named to the preseason All-SAC first team.
Catawba’s women’s team received one first-place vote and was picked for fifth place in the SAC preseason poll of league coaches that was announced on Wednesday.
Wingate is the league favorite.
Catawba’s Dana Hicks is on the preseason All-SAC first team.
Prep volleyball
The NCHSAA volleyball championships are set for Saturday at Raleigh’s Reynolds Coliseum. North Iredell plays Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons for the 3A title at noon in a rematch.
College soccer
Catawba’s women’s soccer season ended with a 4-1 SAC tournament quarterfinal loss to Wingate on Wednesday.
Julia Conte scored for the Indians (6-11). Jade Montgomery had a hat trick for the Bulldogs.
Prep football
Concord QB B.J. Beecher was voted the “Big 22” Player of the Year in voting conducted by WSOC-TV. Concord gets $5,000.
Local golf
Patty Mason, who made two holes-in-one this season, was named Most Improved Golfer by the Country Club of Salisbury Women’s Golf Association.
n College volleyball
Livingstone junior Phylicia Egbuna was named All-CIAA.
n Prep soccer
East Rowan lost 12-1 to Marvin Ridge in the first round of the 3A playoffs on Wednesday.