SPARTANBURG, S.C. – For the first time, Young Harris College won Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Championship title. The Mountain Lions held on to defeat Chowan University on Sunday at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.
Chowan got off to a hot start, taking a 17-10 lead in the opening six minutes. However, Young Harris used an 11-0 run to take a 24-19 lead following back-to-back Carl Cleveland three-point baskets. The Mountain Lions again went on an 11-0 spurt to take a 35-26 advantage. Young Harris then led 46-35 at the break.
Young Harris grabbed their largest lead at 50-37 early in the second half before Chowan started to chip away. An Eric Gordon Jr., layup pulled the Hawks within 55-50 five minutes in, but Young Harris answered to extend the lead. Chowan tried to come back and pulled within three on multiple occasions, but the Mountain Lions had an answer each time. The Mountain Lion lead was cut to 76-75 with four minutes remaining, but Young Harris scored the next four points. The Mountain Lions led 82-79 with nine seconds remaining, but Chowan couldn’t get off a shot attempt, giving Young Harris the title.
Carl Cleveland led all scorers with 34 points while Cameron Bleshoy added 11 points and 10 rebounds. Joseph Lezeau II led Chowan with 18 points and seven rebounds.
Young Harris wins their first ever Conference Carolinas tournament title.
Young Harris earns the automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship. The selection show will be on NCAA.com at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday.
2026 Conference Carolinas Men's Basketball Championship
All-Tournament Team
Tournament MVP: Carl Cleveland, Young Harris
Justin Payne, Young Harris
Cameron Bleshoy, Young Harris
Eric Gordon, Jr., Chowan
Damien Robinson, Chowan
Javonte Waverly, UNC Pembroke
Devin Story, Emmanuel
TOURNAMENT PAGE | BRACKET
2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship
First Round – Sunday, March 1 at No. 4-5-6 Seeds
No. 9 King def. No. 10 Mount Olive, 95-94
BOX SCORE
No. 8 Southern Wesleyan def. No. 11 Francis Marion, 96-93
BOX SCORE
No. 7 Barton def. No. 12 Shorter, 93-68
BOX SCORE
Second Round – Monday, March 2 at No. 4-5-6 Seeds
No. 9 King def. No. 4 North Greenville, 96-93
BOX SCORE
No. 5 Chowan def. No. 8 Southern Wesleyan, 104-95
BOX SCORE
No. 6 Emmanuel def. No. 7 Barton, 81-77 (OT)
BOX SCORE
Quarterfinals – Friday, March 7 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
No. 5 Chowan def. No. 9 King, 79-76
BOX SCORE | CHOWAN PRESS CONFERENCE | KING PRESS CONFERENCE
No. 6 Emmanuel def. No. 3 Ferrum, 73-67
BOX SCORE | EMMANUEL PRESS CONFERENCE | FERRUM PRESS CONFERENCE
Semifinals – Saturday, March 7 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
No. 5 Chowan def. No. 1 UNC Pembroke, 93-87
BOX SCORE | CHOWAN PRESS CONFERENCE
No. 2 Young Harris def. No. 6 Emmanuel, 71-68
BOX SCORE | YOUNG HARRIS PRESS CONFERENCE
Final – Sunday, March 8 (at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium – Spartanburg, S.C.)
No. 2 Young Harris def. No. 5 Chowan, 82-79
BOX SCORE | YOUNG HARRIS PRESS CONFERENCE