Former UNC star Ed Cota says his son, now playing in Charlotte, could be better than him
Olympic High’s boys’ basketball team won its sixth straight game on Tuesday night.
And a big contributor to the Trojans’ fast start, which included Tuesday’s 74-47 win against visiting A.L. Brown, has a name familiar to ACC basketball fans.
Freshman guard Eddie Cota had four points and six assists in Olympic’s victory. He’s the son of former Tar Heels point guard Ed Cota.
“He instilled a love for the game and I’ve been around basketball my whole life,” Eddie Cota said of his father’s influence. “It’s been a natural thing for me to play this sport.”
Ed Cota, who played at UNC from 1996-2000, remains the Tar Heels’ all-time assist leader (1,030) and was the point guard for three Final Four teams while playing aside legendary UNC players like Providence’s Antawn Jamison, Gastonia Hunter Huss’ Kris Lang and Greensboro Dudley’s Brendan Haywood, Vince Carter and Jason Capel.
Eddie Cota has heard about his father’s success and knows his father played in a star-studded 1996 McDonald’s All-Star Game that included Kobe Bryant.
“I hear a lot,” Eddie Cota said. “I know he was a great player. ... He’s UNC’s all-time assist leader so I’m just trying to carry on that legacy.”
Ed Cota thinks his son is developing at a faster pace than he did when he grew up on New York playgrounds and at Brooklyn’s Tilden High School and St. Thomas More High School in Connecticut.
“I don’t want to put a bar on it,” Ed Cota said of how talented his son can be. “I definitely think he’s going to be better than his dad. I’ll say that. And his dad was pretty good.
“He’s a lot more skilled that I was at this age. He’s still young and has a lot of growth left to do.”
Olympic coach Jeffrey Bishop says the return of senior guard J.D. Terrell and the addition of Eddie Cota has given his team two talented facilitators for his up-tempo offense. Terrell played at Olympic as a freshman and sophomore, then transferred to Chambers last season before returning to Olympic this year.
“With J.D. coming back and Cota coming in, it’s given us experience and pedigree,” said Bishop, whose team has already improved on last year’s 5-20 record.
Bishop says he sees a lot of Ed Cota’s play in Eddie Cota.
“Their both fiery kind of guys,” Bishop said. “And like his father, Eddie has a great basketball IQ.”
In Tuesday’s victory, senior sharpshooter Randy Johnson (17 points, five 3-pointers), Jaden Hartnett (14 points) and Maurice Sabb (11 points) led Olympic to the victory.
After leading 20-18 at the end of the first quarter, Eddie Cota had five assists in the second quarter when Olympic outscored the visiting Wonders 24-4 to take a 44-22 halftime lead.
Tuesday’s #BIG5 top performers
Jayen Reeves, Palisades: Reeves, a junior point guard, had a game-high 22 points as Palisades (4-3) upset previously unbeaten Independence 50-45. The Patriots are No. 10 in the Sweet 16.
Chris Rivens, Covenant Day: Rivens had a game-high 22 points in a 74-60 win over Gaston Day. After an 1-3 start, Covenant Day has won seven games in a row.
Elijah Sherrill, Highland Tech: Sherrill was fouled attempting a 3-point shots with 1.8 seconds left against Highland Tech. He made 2 of 3 free throws to give his team a 38-37 win.
LJ Smith, Lincolnton: Smith had a game-high 40 points in an 87-65 win over Shelby.
KJ Younger, Weddington: The UNC Greensboro recruit had 26 points and 10 rebounds in a 56-50 win over No. 12 Butler in a matchup of two teams ranked in The Observer’s Sweet 16. Weddington is No. 16.
Wednesday’s key game
(boys) Gaston Day (8-2) at Christ School (8-0), 6:30 p.m. — Just 24 hours after facing a tough foe in Covenant Day, Gaston Day turns around and heads to the mountains to face powerful Christ School. N.C. State commit Zymicah Wilkins (13.8 ppg) is among four Christ School players averaging in double figures.
Tuesday’s boys’ box scores
(Includes Observer Sweet 16 rankings)
NO. 2 CONCORD ACADEMY 76, SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN 40
Concord Academy 24 23 14 15 — 76
Southlake Christian 12 13 12 3 — 40
CONCORD ACADEMY 76 — James Minlend 17, Lincoln Raper 13, Gray Madeira 11, Jake Benham 11, Alek Kornacki 10, Brylee Austin 8, Icare Bakadisula 4, MJ Lewis 2
SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN 40 — Maxi Morillas 12, Dillion Mason 11, Pierre Gardner 6, Stone Myers 6, Jackson Robateau 3, Archie Boone 2
Records: Concord Academy (13-0) next game 12/13 vs Coastal Christian; Southlake Christian (2-8) next game 12/13 vs Hickory Grove
NO. 3 PROVIDENCE DAY 70, LINCOLN CHARTER 66
Providence Day 13 14 17 26 — 70
Lincoln Charter 15 14 25 12 — 66
PROVIDENCE DAY 70 — Nick Hailey 17, Sean Dunn 13, Zeke Battier 13, Deuce Haynes 10, Braxton Winston 10, Lawrence 5, Johnson 2
LINCOLN CHARTER 66 — Reed 17, Flowers 16, Coleman 11, Showers 11, Norris 5, Perryman 4, Walden 2
Records: Providence Day 9-2; Lincoln Charter 2-4
Notable: PDS is at Sweet 16 No. 5 Davidson Day Thursday.
NO. 16 WEDDINGTON 56, BUTLER 50
Weddington 11 11 15 18 — 56
Butler 9 4 16 21 — 50
WEDDINGTON 56 — KJ Younger 26, Mason Zepp 11, Ford 8, Vick 6, Vaughn 3, Muteb 1
Butler 50 — Terrance Badio 12, Reece Starnes, Grier 9, Milligan 6, Branch 6, Currance 5, White 2
Records: Weddington 6-2 Butler 4-2
Notable: Weddington’s KJ Younger, a UNC-Greensboro recruit, had 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead his team to a road win. The Warriors will travel to play a neutral site game vs Raleigh Millbrook in the Dexter Cooley Showcase at Wakefield High School at Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
CHARLOTTE LATIN 79 WEST STANLY 51
West Stanly 13 8 9 21 — 51
Charlotte Latin 15 20 26 18 — 79
WEST STANLY 51 — Drew Hatley 12, Rickey Torrance 10, Carelock 7, Hinson 5, Efrid 4, Eddy 4, Yow 3, Deme 2, Crisco 2, Atkinson 2
CHARLOTTE LATIN 79 — James Jones 17, King 9, Dauska 8, Casey 8, Ivory 6, Diaz 6, Warren 5, Hutchinson 4, Smith 4, Miles 3, Chaney 3, Brunnemer 3, McGirt 2, Wilson 1
Records: West Stanly 2-5, Latin 5-2
CONCORD 84, SOUTH ROWAN 37
Concord 16 17 27 24 – 84
South Rowan 10 10 13 4 – 37
CONCORD 84 – Jayden Beyan 16, Jaden Reid 15, Tyrel Weatherspoon 12, Carter Starnes 11, Ty Rushmeyer 9, Jabari Byrd 7, Kyzen Coleman 6, Lawson Childress 4, PT Dickerson 2, Daeshon Glanton 2
SOUTH ROWAN 37 – Jadon Moore 16, Brooks Overcash 12, Carter Rochletter 3, Corbin Goodman 2, Mason Long 2, James Ritchie 2
Records: Concord 5-1 (2-0 SPC); South Rowan 0-6 (0-3 SPC)
Notable: Concord’s Jaden Reid pulled down a team high rebounds and Jayden Beyan, Jabari Byrd and Ty Rushmeyer all recorded five or more steals for the Spiders, who host Forest Hills Wednesday.
COVENANT DAY 74, GASTON DAY 60
Gaston Day 20 14 15 11 — 60
Covenant Day 16 17 19 22 — 74
GASTON DAY 60 — Dylan Bradley 14, Deshawn Coulter 13, Braylen Todd 12.
COVENANT DAY 74 — Rivens 22; Haggarty 17; Huffman 12; White 11; Montgomery 7; Wilder 3; Thurman 2
Notable: Gaston Day (8-3) will play at nationally-ranked Christ School Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
CUTHBERTSON 58, WEST MECK 45
Cuthbertson 20 14 10 14 — 58
West Meck 10 9 15 11 — 45
CUTHBERTSON 58—Luke Nelson 14, Gena Nkawh 12, Chandler Heyward 10, Webb 9, Cheek 6, E. Nelson 4, Malone 3
WEST MECK 45 — Chase McDonald 24, Josiah Pratt 11, Linton 5, Morris 2, Mcleod 2
Records: Cuthbertson 4-1; West Meck 0-6
EAST LINCOLN 63, EAST GASTON 46
East Lincoln 14 16 16 17 — 63
East Gaston 7 5 17 17 — 46
EAST LINCON 63 — Davis Hill 6, Landon Aungst 4, Brayden Miller 2, Jaxon Dollar 11, Jamison Frye 0, Christian Atkins 9, Grant Lawless 11, Gaige Ikard 5, Gavin Heaberlin 0, Brooks Reel 0, Jackson Fannon 15
EAST GASTON 46 — Sajuka Riley 7, Ramon De La Oz 15, Matt Pierre 18, KJ Smith 1, Donovan Reid 5
Records: East Lincoln 3-2; East Gaston 0-7
Notable: The Mustangs led 30-12 in the first half and had three players in double figures, led by senior Jackson Fannon, who had a team 15 points. Senior Matt Pierre led East Gaston with 18 points...East LIncoln will visit Stuart Cramer Wednesday.
JM ROBINSON 74, LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 57
Lake Norman Charter 18 14 16 9 — 57
Robinson 18 15 19 22 — 74
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER 57 — Braden Wilkie 21, Jay Morgan 12, Dean Duthstrom 8, Collin McConneyhead 5, Isaiah Smith 5, Kaison Propst 4, Langston Holder 4
JM ROBINSON 74 — B. Rowe 16, D. Frazier 15, D. Harlee 13, J. Reid 9, R. Walton 7, J. Reid 5, M. Hudson 2
Record: Lake Norman Charter 2-5.
LINCOLNTON 87, SHELBY 65
Lincolnton 26 13 28 20 — 87
Shelby 10 13 14 28 — 65
LINCOLNTON 87 — LJ Smith 40, ,Tucker Robinette 12,Nehemiah Thompson 12, Cameron Smith 8, Evan Jefferies 5,Tyler McClain 4, Antonio Wilson 3, Charlie Foster 2, Dominic Sanchez 1
Records: Lincolnton (4-1); Shelby (0-1)
NORTH GASTON 38, HIGHLAND TECH 37
North Gaston 10 6 10 12 — 38
Highland Tech 5 11 7 14 — 37
NORTH GASTON 38 — Jalen Howard 10, Guerrero 8, Mason 6, Rivera 4, Medlin 2, Liriano 3
HIGHLAND TECH 37 — Elijah Sherrill 23, Schafer 5, Spake 2, McGraw 4, Rice 3
Notable: North Gaston senior guard Ranfiel Guerrero hit a go-ahead 3-point shot with a minute to play to put North Gaston up by 3. That turned out to be the game-winning shot.
Records: North Gaston 4-3
OLYMPIC 74, AL BROWN 47
Olympic 20 24 16 14 — 74
AL Brown 18 4 14 11 — 47
OLYMPIC 74 — Randy Johnson 17 Jaden Hardnett 14, Maurice Sabb 13, De’Angelo Hall 7, Elliot Jenkins 5, Eddie Cota 4, David Mcadams 4, Evan Mims 3, Jordan Small 3, Terrance Southerland 2, Glance Ross 2
A.L. BROWN 47 — T.R. Brewer 12, Caleb Ford 11, Carter Henly 8, BJ Ford 6, Tristan Sifford 4, Sincere Bunch 2, Zavian Buford 2, Siah Bennerman 2
Notable: Olympic senior guard Randy Johnson led all scorers with 17 points followed by sophomore guard Jaden Hardnett with 14 points and senior guard Maurice Sabb with 13 as Olympic improved to 6-0. AL Brown dropped to 2-6.
PALISADES 51, NO. 10 INDEPENDENCE 45
Palisades 4 14 20 13 — 51
Independence 12 14 9 10 — 45
PALISADES 51 — Jayen Reeves 22, Dillard 8, Simpkins 6, Fenn 6, Lester 5, Harris 2, Jackson
INDEPENDENCE 45 — Daniel Waritay 20, Neely 8, Macharia 6, McFarland 4, Davis 4
Records: Palisades 4-3; Independence 6-1
Monday’s boys’ box scores
BERRY 49, WEST CHARLOTTE 47
West Charlotte: 13 10 10 14 — 47
Berry 7 12 14 16 — 49
WEST CHARLOTTE 47 — Williams 8 Womack 7 Kone 6 Jeter 6 Grier 4 Bryson 4 RA Pressley 4 AC Pressley 4 Faison 2
BERRY 49 — CJ Merriweather 14 James Wade 11 Goodman 9 Tyler 7 Ellis 2 Taylor 2 Williams 2 Rushing 2
NATION FORD 64, BALLANTYNE RIDGE 42
Ballantyne Ridge 2 13 11 16 — 42
Nation Ford 24 15 15 10 — 64
BALLANTYNE RIDGE 42 — Shlok Dave 10, Sapon 8
NATION FORD 64 — Ben Chuttey 12, Johnson 11
Records: Ballantyne Ridge 2-4; Nation Ford 2-2
SOCRATES ACADEMY 41, UNION DAY 39
Socrates 15 15 6 5 — 41
Union Day 9 7 15 8 — 39
SOCRATES ACADEMY 41 — Kade 10, Dom 7, Niko 8, Jedial 7
UNION DAY 39 — Malcolm Cross 12, Jazon Reynolds 21
Records: Union Day 0-3
Upcoming schedule
(Unless otherwise noted, all matchups are girls-boys doubleheaders, with girls’ games at 6 p.m. and boys’ games following)
Wednesday
Mecklenburg nonconference
Ballantyne Ridge at Pageland Central
Central Cabarrus at East Mecklenburg
Chambers at Sun Valley (girls), 6
Charlotte Elite at Winston-Salem Christian (boys), 7
Community School of Davidson at Salisbury
Elevation Prep at Oak City Prep (boys)
Gray Stone Day at Jackson Day (boys), 7
North Mecklenburg at Rocky River
South Mecklenburg at Pinecrest
Other nonconference
A.L. Brown at Lincolnton (girls), 6:15
Albemarle at Ashbrook
Cox Mill at Indian Land (girls), 6:15
East Lincoln at Stuart Cramer
Forest Hills at Concord
Gaston Day at Christ School (boys), 6:30
Highland Tech at Langtree Charter
Hickory at Hunter Huss
Mount Pleasant at South Rowan
Mountain Island Charter at Cherryville
S.C. nonconference
A.C. Flora at Northwestern
Clear Dot Charter at Indian Land (boys), 7:30
Cox Mill at Indian Land (girls), 6
Fort Mill at Gaffney
Ware Shoals at Chester
Thursday
Mecklenburg nonconference
Bonnie Cone Leadership at Combine Academy (boys), 7
Cabarrus Stallions at Corvian Community (girls), 6
Charlotte Catholic at Charlotte Latin (boys), 7
Corvian Community at Cabarrus Stallions (girls)
Fayetteville Academy at Ambassador Christian
Hough at Cuthbertson
Marvin Ridge at Independence (girls), 6:30
Providence Day at Davidson Day (boys), 6
Richmond Senior at South Mecklenburg
1 of 1 Prep at Lab Univ. Prep (boys), 7
Other nonconference
Lake Norman Christian at Mount Zion Christian (boys)
Lee Park Prep at Gray Stone Day
Millers Creek Christian at Statesville Christian (boys), 5:30
Piedmont at Pageland Central
S.C. Region 2 1A
McBee at Governor’s School (boys), 7
S.C. nonconference
High Point Academy at Clover, 6:30
Lancaster at Keenan (girls), 7
York at Rock Hill
Friday
Greater Metro 4 4A
Cox Mill at Mooresville
South Iredell at West Cabarrus
Big South 3A
Ashbrook at Stuart Cramer
Forestview at Hunter Huss
North Gaston at Crest
South Point at Kings Mountain
South Piedmont 3A
Concord at Lake Norman Charter
Jay M. Robinson at West Rowan
Jesse Carson at East Rowan
Northwest Cabarrus at South Rowan
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Hickory Grove Christian at SouthLake Christian
Catawba Ridge 2A
East Burke at Maiden
Lincolnton at Bunker Hill
Newton-Conover at West Caldwell
West Lincoln at Bandys, 6:30
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Community School of Davidson at Mountain Island Charter
Langtree Charter at Bradford Prep
Metro 1A
Queens Grant Charter at Jackson Day, 5:30
Valor Prep at Sugar Creek Charter, 5:30
Ish Smith Showcase
(at Hickory Ridge High)
(boys) Central Cabarrus vs. Marvin Ridge, 5:30
(girls) North Mecklenburg vs. Hickory Ridge, 7
(boys) Hickory Ridge vs. Hopewell, 8:30
Mecklenburg nonconference
Ambassador Christian at Gaston Day (girls), 5:30
Ballantyne Ridge at Sun Valley
Bonnie Cone Leadership at East Gaston
Butler at Chambers
Carmel Christian at Covenant Day (boys), 7
Cary Academy at Charlotte Latin, 5:30
Charlotte Country Day at Charlotte Catholic
Corvian Community at Lincoln Charter
Covenant Day at Lab Univ. Prep (girls), 5:30
Fort Mill at Providence
Hopewell at A.L. Brown (girls), 6:30
Lab Univ. Prep at Covenant Day (girls)
Liberty Prep at Christ the King, 5:30
New Garden Friends at Victory Christian (boys), 6:30
Porter Ridge at Ardrey Kell
Rabun Gap School (GA) at Charlotte Christian (boys), 5
South Charlotte Thunder at Forsyth Home Educators, 6:30
West Mecklenburg at Berry Academy
Other nonconference
Cannon School vs. Daytona Beach (FL) DME Academy, in She Got Game Classic in Washington (girls), 7:20
Coastal Christian at Concord Academy (boys), 6:30
Cornerstone Christian at Statesville Christian, 4
Enka at Pine Lake Prep
Gaston Christian at Asheville School, 5:30
Guilford Homeschool at Cabarrus Stallions
Lake Norman at Statesville
Lake Norman Christian at Arborbrook Christian
Metrolina Christian vs. Cape Fear Academy, in Wake Christian Bulldog Classic (girls), 4
Metrolina Christian vs. Cape Fear Academy, in Wake Christian Bulldog Classic (boys), 5:30
Montgomery Central at Forest Hills
Mountain View Prep (SC) at Gaston Day (boys), 7
N.C. Heat at Cabarrus Stallions (boys), 7
Parkwood at Cuthbertson
Piedmont Community Charter at Bessemer City, 5:30
Region 2 1A
Lamar at Lewisville
Riverwalk STEM Charter at Lee Central (boys), 7
S.C. nonconference
Andrew Jackson at Indian Land
Buford at Chester
Fort Mill at Providence
Greenwood at Catawba Ridge (girls), 6
Hampton Park Christian at Lake Pointe Academy
J.L. Mann at Catawba Ridge (boys), 7:45
Nation Ford at Wren
Rock Hill at South Pointe
Westminster Catawba at Hickory Christian
York Prep at Legion Collegiate
Saturday
Nonconference
Bonnie Cone Leadership at Valor Prep, 1
Cary Academy at Charlotte Country Day, 11 a.m.
Chambers vs. Dynamic Prep (TX), in The Bash at Ridge View, in Columbia (boys), 4:30
Coastal Christian at Hickory Grove Christian, 11 a.m.
Davidson Day at Christ School (boys), 2
Metrolina Christian vs. Harrells Christian, in Wake Christian Bulldog Classic (girls at 9:30 a.m.; boys at 11 a.m.)
S.C. nonconference
Clover at York, 4:15
Northwestern at Blythewood, noon
Ish Smith Showcase
(at Hickory Ridge High)
(boys) McCallie School (TN) vs. Indian Land, noon
(boys) Cannon School vs. Corvian Community, 1:30
(girls) North Mecklenburg vs. Rock Hill, 3
(boys) Queens Grant Charter vs. Berean Baptist, 4:30
(boys) Central Cabarrus vs. Mooresville, 6
(boys) Hickory Ridge vs. Jesse Carson, 7:30
Barefoot Classic
(at Providence Day)
(girls) Concord Academy vs. Myers Park, 1
(boys) Calvary Day vs. Raleigh GRACE Christian, 2:30
(girls) Charlotte Catholic vs. Providence Day, 4
(boys) Concord Academy vs. Providence Day, 5:30
Wendell Moore Invitational
(at Harding)
(girls) Harding vs. Legion Collegiate, 3
(girls) Weddington vs. Olympic, 4:30
(boys) Westminster Catawba vs. Mount Zion Christian, 6
(boys) Harding vs. Olympic, 7:30
Wendell Moore Classic
(at Cox Mill)
(girls) Rocky River vs. Jay M. Robinson, 3
(girls) Cox Mill vs. Lancaster, 4:30
(boys) Lake Norman Christian vs. Jay M. Robinson, 6
(boys) Cox Mill vs. Palisades, 7:30
828 Showcase
(at Maiden High)
(girls) Queens Grant Charter vs. East Rutherford, noon
(girls) Watauga vs. East Lincoln, 1:30
(boys) East Lincoln vs. Hunter Huss, 3
(boys) Bandys vs. Kings Mountain, 4:30
(boys) Lincolnton vs. East Rutherford, 6
(boys) Maiden vs. Watauga, 7:30
Dexter Cooley Showcase
(at Wakefield High, Raleigh)
(girls) Carrboro vs. Millbrook, 10 a.m.
(boys) Wake Prep vs. Bunn, 11:30 a.m.
(boys) White Oak vs. Cardinal Gibbons, 1
(boys) Independence vs. Wakefield, 2:30
(boys) New Hanover vs. Clayton, 4
(boys) Weddington vs. Millbrook, 5:30
(girls) Wakefield vs. Seaforth, 7
I-85 Showcase (boys)
(at Franklin County High, GA)
Myers Park vs. Wren
North Mecklenburg vs. Franklin County (GA)
Tourney Town Showcase (boys)
(at Greensboro Smith High)
Page vs. Forsyth Country Day, 11:30 a.m.
Carolina International vs. Dudley, 1
High Point Christian vs. Hoke County, 2:30
Ambassador Christian vs. Greensboro Day, 4
Grimsley vs. Central Davidson, 5:30
Caldwell Academy vs. Oak Hill (VA) Regional, 7
Ben Smith vs. Trinity Christian, 8:30
This story was originally published December 10, 2024 at 11:34 PM with the headline "Former UNC star Ed Cota says his son, now playing in Charlotte, could be better than him."
