No matter where you go, all high school basketball gymnasiums have at least a few things in common. However, only a few possess a certain charm which creates experiences hoops enthusiasts can savor.
Cleveland and Gaston counties are blessed with their share of great high school gymnasiums, renowned for their raucous crowds, the winning traditions cultivated within them, and provided the appropriate setting for prominent coaches and talented players to become household names.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile each of them have unique qualities, a few stand out from among the rest. Here are seven which every local basketball enthusiast should take the time to visit as the 2025-26 high school basketball season kicks into high gear.
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Larry Rhodes Gymnasium, Ashbrook
Named for the first coach in Ashbrook boys hoops history, a bevy of banners adorn the 56-year old venue’s walls, shedding light on past Green Wave successes.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe venue brims with history, once host to the exploits of a young James Worthy prior to his time at the University of North Carolina or with the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s. Former NBA star Darrell Armstrong and Deanna Tate, the first Gaston County woman to play professional basketball, also honed their craft at Rhodes Gymnasium, banners recognizing them as well as Worthy hanging in the venue.
Ashbrook’s boys and girls basketball teams have experienced spates of success, combining for 23 league championships.
Nixon Gym, Cherryville
Nixon Gym at Cherryville High School in North Carolina.Reminding all they are entering “Ironmen Country,” Nixon Gym is aestethically one of the more iconic gyms the area has to offer.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFirst opened in 1957, its initial purpose was to serve as the physical education building for the now-defunct Cherryville City School system. Much of the old school charm remains, from the creak of decades-old doors swinging open to locker rooms which are a throwback to a bygone era.
Beams run along the ceiling from one end of the gym to the other, parallel to the court, a few with banners hanging from them recognizing past Cherryville basketball accomplishments, the 1985 NCHSAA 2A state championship banner serving as its centerpiece.
Ed Peeler Gymnasium, Crest
Ed Peeler Gymnasium at Crest High School in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.Crest basketball puts its basketball tradition front and center, entrants getting a glance of Charger hoops history shortly after their admission.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNamed for legendary coach Ed Peeler, who led Crest to 406 wins and two WNCHSAA titles in (1972-73), trophies and mementos from his time as coach are featured prominently, including those from time with his most celebrated pupil, “Skywalker” David Thompson.
Opponents have found it difficult to leave with victories Peeler Gymnasium victorious of late. Over the past six seasons, Crest has won 82% of its home games.
James Heyward Henry Student Activity Center, Gaston Day
James Heyward Henry Student Activity Center at Gaston Day School in Gastonia.The gym is one-of-a-kind on a local level, providing spectators multiple options with which to view the action. Gaston Day’s Henry Center features two levels; the lower one with ample seating for supporters of both teams, in addition to an upper deck which is utilized as an observation deck and indoor running/walking track.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGames played during the day receive the added benefit of natural lighting, the sun shining through several narrow windows.
Sylvia Hatchell Court, Hunter Huss
The gym floor is named for Huss product and legendary North Carolina women’s basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer who won 1,023 games and led UNC to the 1994 NCAA title.
Hunter Huss’ home floor is an acquired taste, one only a basketball enthusiast can love and appreciate.
The gym’s largely been preserved from the day it opened, relics such as a Pepsi sign dating back to the 1970s still firmly attached to the venue’s wall. It also still has wooden bleachers, which come in handy during big games — particularly if the Huskies are in the midst of a run or rally.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDonald L. Parker Gymnasium, Kings Mountain
A summer incident caused significant damage to the venerable gymnasium, putting the longtime home of the Mountaineers on the sidelines for the 2025-26 season. As a result, they will play home games at Kings Mountain Middle and Turning Point Academy.
Compact and tight, it isn’t a rarity for an errant ball to wind up among the “paying public.” The gym also has the reputation for being among the area’s loudest, a low ceiling and the roar of a capacity crowd generating noise at deafening levels.
Lloyd Little Gymnasium, Shelby
Named for the longtime Golden Lion coach who served two stints between 1941-70 and won 499 games, the gymnasium has long served as home of the Golden Lions.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNorth Carolina wall maps line the walls, paying homage to Shelby High’s prowess in athletics through the decades, including three WNCHSAA and two NCHSAA state titles. Also posted prominently are the school’s 1,000-point scorers, among them North Carolina women’s basketball legend Charlotte Smith and more recently former Shelby boys hoops standout and Clemson sharpshooter Gabe DeVoe.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia, Shelby area's top 7 high school basketball gymnasiums
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