Langston Wertz Jr.
@langstonwertzjr.bsky.social
Christian, Believer, writer, technology lover, sports nut, husband, father. Sports columnist at http://charlotteobserver.com
Charlotte Latin's Jack Lilly is The Observer's boys' high school athlete of the week.
Lilly is a sophomore midfielder for the Hawks’ soccer team. He had one goal and one assist in 2-0 second round victory over Providence Day on Oct. 14.
Lilly is a sophomore midfielder for the Hawks’ soccer team. He had one goal and one assist in 2-0 second round victory over Providence Day on Oct. 14.
October 26, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Charlotte Latin's Jack Lilly is The Observer's boys' high school athlete of the week.
Lilly is a sophomore midfielder for the Hawks’ soccer team. He had one goal and one assist in 2-0 second round victory over Providence Day on Oct. 14.
Lilly is a sophomore midfielder for the Hawks’ soccer team. He had one goal and one assist in 2-0 second round victory over Providence Day on Oct. 14.
Metrolina Christian’s Hadley Martin is The Charlotte Observer girls’ high school athlete of the week.
Martin, a cross-country star and a senior, ran a time of 19 minutes, 43.16 seconds to win the Metrolina Athletic conference championship at McAlpine Creek Park on Oct. 13.
Martin, a cross-country star and a senior, ran a time of 19 minutes, 43.16 seconds to win the Metrolina Athletic conference championship at McAlpine Creek Park on Oct. 13.
October 26, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Metrolina Christian’s Hadley Martin is The Charlotte Observer girls’ high school athlete of the week.
Martin, a cross-country star and a senior, ran a time of 19 minutes, 43.16 seconds to win the Metrolina Athletic conference championship at McAlpine Creek Park on Oct. 13.
Martin, a cross-country star and a senior, ran a time of 19 minutes, 43.16 seconds to win the Metrolina Athletic conference championship at McAlpine Creek Park on Oct. 13.
Marvin Ridge volleyball rolls into NCHSAA 7A semifinals.
Plus, we're tracking Saturday's volleyball playoff results at link below
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Plus, we're tracking Saturday's volleyball playoff results at link below
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
October 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Marvin Ridge volleyball rolls into NCHSAA 7A semifinals.
Plus, we're tracking Saturday's volleyball playoff results at link below
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Plus, we're tracking Saturday's volleyball playoff results at link below
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Observer-area runners had big days at various NCHSAA Western Regional cross-country events Saturday, including Myers Park, which won 8A boys' and girls' state title
Story, results
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Story, results
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
October 25, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Observer-area runners had big days at various NCHSAA Western Regional cross-country events Saturday, including Myers Park, which won 8A boys' and girls' state title
Story, results
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Story, results
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
North Raleigh Christian gained revenge for a regular-season loss to Charlotte Latin and won the NCISAA state volleyball title, again asserting its dominance in the sport
Story, photos
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Story, photos
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
October 25, 2025 at 10:29 PM
North Raleigh Christian gained revenge for a regular-season loss to Charlotte Latin and won the NCISAA state volleyball title, again asserting its dominance in the sport
Story, photos
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Story, photos
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Once upon a time, Johnson C. Smith used to really struggle against rival Winston-Salem State. Saturday, Smith blew out the Rams as they make a push for the CIAA championship.
✍️ @shane_connuck
📸 @mmelvinphoto
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/colle...
✍️ @shane_connuck
📸 @mmelvinphoto
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/colle...
October 25, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Once upon a time, Johnson C. Smith used to really struggle against rival Winston-Salem State. Saturday, Smith blew out the Rams as they make a push for the CIAA championship.
✍️ @shane_connuck
📸 @mmelvinphoto
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/colle...
✍️ @shane_connuck
📸 @mmelvinphoto
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/colle...
Christ School beat top-seeded Covenant Day Saturday to win the NCISAA boys' soccer state championship
Story, photos
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Story, photos
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
October 25, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Christ School beat top-seeded Covenant Day Saturday to win the NCISAA boys' soccer state championship
Story, photos
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Story, photos
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
A few announcements about Talking Preps. We've got a new schedule.
October 20, 2025 at 12:52 AM
A few announcements about Talking Preps. We've got a new schedule.
Brand new Talking Preps tonight at 8. We preview Week 9, celebrate the best of Week 8 from around the state.
We'll also break down Queen City Senior Bowl rosters, the NC playoff projections and Cam has a very special version of #CamInTheStreet
youtu.be/GRG3A7LU0ys
We'll also break down Queen City Senior Bowl rosters, the NC playoff projections and Cam has a very special version of #CamInTheStreet
youtu.be/GRG3A7LU0ys
October 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Brand new Talking Preps tonight at 8. We preview Week 9, celebrate the best of Week 8 from around the state.
We'll also break down Queen City Senior Bowl rosters, the NC playoff projections and Cam has a very special version of #CamInTheStreet
youtu.be/GRG3A7LU0ys
We'll also break down Queen City Senior Bowl rosters, the NC playoff projections and Cam has a very special version of #CamInTheStreet
youtu.be/GRG3A7LU0ys
So we've got photo galleries from Friday's North Meck at Butler game from @observer_photog and shots from Cannon School at Charlotte Latin from @JKellyWalker
Tap in
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Tap in
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
October 11, 2025 at 7:49 PM
So we've got photo galleries from Friday's North Meck at Butler game from @observer_photog and shots from Cannon School at Charlotte Latin from @JKellyWalker
Tap in
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Tap in
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Tonight at 8 p.m., we'll have perhaps the most impactful Talking Preps episode of the season so far.
Tune in to watch at link below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkmh...
Tune in to watch at link below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkmh...
October 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Tonight at 8 p.m., we'll have perhaps the most impactful Talking Preps episode of the season so far.
Tune in to watch at link below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkmh...
Tune in to watch at link below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkmh...
A new Talking Preps debuts tonight at 8. On tap, celebrating the top players from Week 7, discussing the top games for Week 8 and an expanded debate around a new CMS ticketing policy that limits attendance for some games.
Tap here: youtu.be/bkmhTK51FvU?...
Tap here: youtu.be/bkmhTK51FvU?...
October 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
A new Talking Preps debuts tonight at 8. On tap, celebrating the top players from Week 7, discussing the top games for Week 8 and an expanded debate around a new CMS ticketing policy that limits attendance for some games.
Tap here: youtu.be/bkmhTK51FvU?...
Tap here: youtu.be/bkmhTK51FvU?...
A special Talking Preps coming Tuesday at 8 p.m. The guys discuss a new CMS decision to limit attendance at high-profile games.
Come join us
Tap below to bookmark
youtu.be/bkmhTK51FvU
Come join us
Tap below to bookmark
youtu.be/bkmhTK51FvU
October 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
A special Talking Preps coming Tuesday at 8 p.m. The guys discuss a new CMS decision to limit attendance at high-profile games.
Come join us
Tap below to bookmark
youtu.be/bkmhTK51FvU
Come join us
Tap below to bookmark
youtu.be/bkmhTK51FvU
Appearing on Talking Preps, Cardinal Gibbons coach Steven Wright expressed displeasure with an NCHSAA plan to release football playoff pairings later than normal.
'They're robbing us of almost 48 hours of prep work'
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
'They're robbing us of almost 48 hours of prep work'
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
October 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Appearing on Talking Preps, Cardinal Gibbons coach Steven Wright expressed displeasure with an NCHSAA plan to release football playoff pairings later than normal.
'They're robbing us of almost 48 hours of prep work'
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
'They're robbing us of almost 48 hours of prep work'
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Eric Collins is getting a rare Sunday at home. The Charlotte Hornets’ electric play-by-play broadcaster is set to call the Carolina Panthers’ Week 5 contest at Bank of America Stadium against the Miami Dolphins.
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...
September 30, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Eric Collins is getting a rare Sunday at home. The Charlotte Hornets’ electric play-by-play broadcaster is set to call the Carolina Panthers’ Week 5 contest at Bank of America Stadium against the Miami Dolphins.
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...
A new episode of North Carolina's No. 1 high school football show, Talking Preps, airs tonight at 8 p.m.
Come join the fun and watch at charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school
Come join the fun and watch at charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school
September 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
A new episode of North Carolina's No. 1 high school football show, Talking Preps, airs tonight at 8 p.m.
Come join the fun and watch at charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school
Come join the fun and watch at charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school
When Harding High defensive lineman Bralen Banks isn't sacking opponents on Friday nights, he watches the state's No. 1 high school football show.
Talking Preps returns Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Watch at charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school
Talking Preps returns Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Watch at charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school
September 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM
When Harding High defensive lineman Bralen Banks isn't sacking opponents on Friday nights, he watches the state's No. 1 high school football show.
Talking Preps returns Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Watch at charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school
Talking Preps returns Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Watch at charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school
12 Charlotte-area athletes named to the 2025 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star team
See full NC and SC rosters
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
See full NC and SC rosters
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
September 28, 2025 at 5:47 PM
12 Charlotte-area athletes named to the 2025 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star team
See full NC and SC rosters
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
See full NC and SC rosters
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Don't miss tonight's Talking Preps, when the No. 1 high school football show in North Carolina returns for a Week 6 preview.
The show includes a rigorous debate around NC football coaches pay you don't want to miss
Bookmark link below:
charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
The show includes a rigorous debate around NC football coaches pay you don't want to miss
Bookmark link below:
charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
September 23, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Don't miss tonight's Talking Preps, when the No. 1 high school football show in North Carolina returns for a Week 6 preview.
The show includes a rigorous debate around NC football coaches pay you don't want to miss
Bookmark link below:
charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
The show includes a rigorous debate around NC football coaches pay you don't want to miss
Bookmark link below:
charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Come get caught up on all of Friday's football action. We've updated scores, compiled all the coverage and you can hear from the coaches and players from last night's biggest games on our Talking Preps postgame podcast.
Tap link below and dive in
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Tap link below and dive in
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
September 20, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Come get caught up on all of Friday's football action. We've updated scores, compiled all the coverage and you can hear from the coaches and players from last night's biggest games on our Talking Preps postgame podcast.
Tap link below and dive in
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Tap link below and dive in
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
A very busy Talking Preps launches Tuesday at 8 p.m. with replays after
Tap link below (show starts at 8 Tuesday)
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Tap link below (show starts at 8 Tuesday)
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
September 16, 2025 at 9:38 PM
A very busy Talking Preps launches Tuesday at 8 p.m. with replays after
Tap link below (show starts at 8 Tuesday)
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Tap link below (show starts at 8 Tuesday)
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Sweet 16 No. 3 Mallard Creek may not have starting QB Perry Justice right now, but the Mavericks have a ferocious defense and are 2-0 after taking down a Virginia power on the road Saturday
Story at link below
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Story at link below
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
August 30, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Sweet 16 No. 3 Mallard Creek may not have starting QB Perry Justice right now, but the Mavericks have a ferocious defense and are 2-0 after taking down a Virginia power on the road Saturday
Story at link below
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Story at link below
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-...
Well, Mooresville QB Brody Norman makes sure to watch the No. 1 high school football show in North Carolina. A new episode of Talking Preps, powered by The Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh, airs Tuesday at 8 p.m.
August 26, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Well, Mooresville QB Brody Norman makes sure to watch the No. 1 high school football show in North Carolina. A new episode of Talking Preps, powered by The Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh, airs Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Ambassador Christian soccer player Jason Thankachan is the first Charlotte Observer boys’ high school athlete of the week for the 2025-26 school year.
The Lions’ senior forward scored six goals and had five assists as Ambassador Christian went 4-0-1 in the Ivey Cup Jamboree in Kernersville
The Lions’ senior forward scored six goals and had five assists as Ambassador Christian went 4-0-1 in the Ivey Cup Jamboree in Kernersville
August 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Ambassador Christian soccer player Jason Thankachan is the first Charlotte Observer boys’ high school athlete of the week for the 2025-26 school year.
The Lions’ senior forward scored six goals and had five assists as Ambassador Christian went 4-0-1 in the Ivey Cup Jamboree in Kernersville
The Lions’ senior forward scored six goals and had five assists as Ambassador Christian went 4-0-1 in the Ivey Cup Jamboree in Kernersville
Mooresville High School volleyball player Gia Lowe is the first Charlotte Observer girls’ high school athlete of the week for the 2025-26 school year.
She had 33 kills, 17 digs, three blocks and two aces in two games combined as Mooresville won 3-0 at North Mecklenburg on Aug. 13
She had 33 kills, 17 digs, three blocks and two aces in two games combined as Mooresville won 3-0 at North Mecklenburg on Aug. 13
August 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Mooresville High School volleyball player Gia Lowe is the first Charlotte Observer girls’ high school athlete of the week for the 2025-26 school year.
She had 33 kills, 17 digs, three blocks and two aces in two games combined as Mooresville won 3-0 at North Mecklenburg on Aug. 13
She had 33 kills, 17 digs, three blocks and two aces in two games combined as Mooresville won 3-0 at North Mecklenburg on Aug. 13