Featured Top Story Editor's Pick ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: Mount Pleasant wingback Ayden Smith C. JEMAL HORTON Nov 21, 2024 Nov 21, 2024 Updated Nov 21, 2024 0 1 of 2 Mount Pleasant senior wingback Ayden Smith said he has a single motivation every time he attempts to do something: his late mother, Christy Smith. EARL BRADSHAW, SPECIAL TO THE INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE Mount Pleasant's Ayden Smith (11) finds room to run. Earl Bradshaw/Special to the Independent Tribune Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save C. JEMAL HORTON Ayden Smith has long ago had his motivation for Friday’s second-round playoff game against the Community School of Davidson.kAm$FC6[ $>:E9 H2?ED E@ H:? 7@C |@F?E !=62D2?E[ E96 E62> 96 =@G65 367@C6 96 6G6C DF:E65 FA E96 %:86CD] p?5[ J6D[ 96’== 36 A=2J:?8 7@C 9:D E62>>2E6D 2?5 4@2496D[ 2?5 6G6? 9:>D6=7[ 2D 25G2?4:?8 E@ E96 E9:C5 C@F?5 H@F=5 36 2 5C62> 4@>6 ECF6]k^AmkAmqFE >@DE @7 2==[ $>:E9 H:== 36 A=2J:?8 7@C @?6 C62D@?[ @?6 A6CD@?[ 9:D “H9J”i 9:D >@E96C[ r9C:DEJ $>:E9[ H9@ A2DD65 2H2J ?62C=J 7:G6 J62CD 28@]k^Am kAm“x 5@ 6G6CJE9:?8 7@C 96C :? 2?J A2CED @7 >J =:76[” $>:E9 D2:5] “x 2=H2JD 92G6 E96 52E6 @7 96C A2DD:?8 @? 2?J @7 >J 4=62ED]”k^Am People are also reading… Charlotte teen charged in Concord homicide, police say Friday Five: Dash In, Kellswater Lowe's Foods opening Former Hartsell School educators reunite to share memories Tucker Gardens Tour to benefit CVAN Saturday Friday Five: Luxury apartments, skyrocketing home prices, shagging a restaurant and summer kids program Cook Out Summer Shootout returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway for 33rd season Reed Gold Mine to open Sundays this summer under pilot program Concord manager proposes $402.4 million budget with no property tax increase Arrest made in Sundrop murders case - suspect in Washington state Cannon Ballers go back in time as the Kannapolis Towelers White Point partners with Liles family to recapitalize Gibson Mill in Concord Celebrating the Class of 2026 - Northwest Cabarrus and Mount Pleasant 2026 historic district awards of excellence presented Chicago Bears to leave Illinois for Indiana Sun Drop murders suspect contacted by police nearly 300 times in last 15 years kAm%92E 52E6 :D y2?] `c[ a_a_] xE’D 6E4965 :? 9:D >6>@CJ]k^AmkAm$F77:46 :E E@ D2J E92E $>:E9 92D >256 9:D >@E96C AC@F5 E9:D D62D@?[ 2D 96 92D 366? 2 >2:?DE2J 7@C E96 %:86CD @? 3@E9 D:56D @7 E96 32==]k^AmkAmpD 2 ;F?:@C H:?8324<[ $>:E9 92D E@E2=65 fdf J2C5D 2?5 E9C66 E@F495@H?D H9:=6 @7E6? 5@:?8 E96 “5:CEJ H@C<” @7 3=@4<:?8] ~? 5676?D6[ 96 92D 4@==64E65 aa E24<=6D[ 2 D24< 2?5 2 BF2CE6C324< AC6DDFC6]k^Am kAmp== D@=:5 ?F>36CD E92E 92G6 96=A65 E96 %:86CD C68:DE6C 2 h\a C64@C5 6?E6C:?8 uC:52J]k^Am kAmx? 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EARL BRADSHAW, SPECIAL TO THE INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE kAmkDEC@?8m$@>6@?6 J@F 25>:C6[ 2?5 H9Jnk^DEC@?8mk^AmkAm|J >@> :D D@>6@?6 x H:== 2=H2JD 25>:C6] $96 H2D DF49 2 DEC@?8[ <:?5\962CE65 H@>2? 2?5 6G6CJE9:?8 J@F 4@F=5’G6 2D<65 7@C :? 2 >@>]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mx7 J@F 4@F=5 92G6 @?6 DFA6CA@H6C[ H92E H@F=5 :E 36nk^DEC@?8mk^AmkAm$FA6C DEC6?8E9] x’5 =@G6 E@ 36 :?D2?6=J DEC@?8]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mu2G@C:E6 DA@CED E62>nk^DEC@?8mk^AmkAms2==2D r@H3@JD]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8ms@ J@F 92G6 2?J AC6\82>6 C:EF2=Dnk^DEC@?8mk^AmkAmx AC2J[ =:DE6? E@ >J >FD:4[ 2?5 E2<6 2 AC682>6 ?2A]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mu2G@C:E6 >@G:6nk^DEC@?8mk^Am kAm“%96 {@?86DE *2C5]”k^AmkAmkDEC@?8m)3@I @C !=2J$E2E:@?nk^DEC@?8mk^AmkAm!=2J$E2E:@?]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mx? >J DA2C6 E:>6 x =:<6 E@ …k^DEC@?8mk^AmkAmwF?E[ D=66A[ 92?8 @FE H:E9 7C:6?5D[ 2?5 62E]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8m|J 72G@C:E6 >6>@CJ D@ 72C A=2J:?8 >J DA@CE :D …k^DEC@?8mk^AmkAm(96? 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