Collegiate Basketball: Non-Conference Finales
Local colleges are wrapping up their non-conference schedules this week as they prepare for the grind of conference play in the new year.
UNC Asheville (UNCA): The Bulldogs’ women’s team returns to Kimmel Arena today (Dec. 29) to host Brevard College at 6:00 PM. The men’s team, currently sitting at 6-8, looks to rebound on New Year’s Eve at home against High Point after a tough road loss to UAB.
Western Carolina University (WCU): The Catamounts are also busy. The women’s team faces Montreat on Dec. 30 (2:00 PM), while the men’s team opens Southern Conference (SoCon) play on New Year's Eve in Cullowhee, hosting defending tournament champion Wofford.
Appalachian State: The Mountaineers are closing their 2025 calendar today at the Holmes Center in Boone, facing off against Carolina University to finalize their non-conference slate.
High School Highlights: Champions and Rivalries
The winter season has been defined by the transition from a historic football season to a fast-paced basketball schedule.
Football Milestones: Earlier this month, the Brevard Blue Devils made waves by advancing to their first football state championship game in 43 years after a dominant 30-13 victory over Maiden in the 4A West regional final.
On the Hardwood: Local rivalries are peaking. Recent scores show Franklin narrowly edging out Pisgah (79-68) in a high-energy matchup. Meanwhile, AC Reynolds and Asheville Christian Academy continue to navigate a competitive December schedule as they head into the 2026 conference stretch.
The $59 Million Transformation: Asheville’s New Stadium
The biggest headline for the future of WNC sports is the UNC Asheville Millennial Campus project. In late 2025, the UNC Board of Governors authorized the university to move forward with a transformative $59 million, 5,000-seat multi-purpose stadium.
This facility is slated to become the permanent home for Asheville City Soccer Club and UNCA’s Division I soccer programs. Beyond sports, the development—estimated at over $200 million in total—will include retail and housing, aiming to boost the regional economy and solidify Asheville as a premier sports destination in the Southeast.
Upcoming Events to Watch
Jan. 17–19: The She Can Fly Invitational returns to Asheville, featuring world champion gymnast Shilese Jones.
Feb. 2: Tennis icons Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick will face off in the Stars Servin’ Up Love exhibition at Harrah’s Cherokee Center, with proceeds supporting WNC recovery efforts.
WNCTimes