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MOUNT ULLA — West Rowan’s girls basketball victory over SPC rival Concord Friday night began and ended with defense.
The Lady Falcons played like Dobermans in their 61-32 rout.
“Defense is going to be our main offense this year,” point-guard Kristen McNeely said after West improved to 3-1 in the league and 7-2 overall. “We look to our press to create a lot of points and turnovers.”
It created both against the overmatched Lady Spiders (1-5, 1-8 overall). West used a 21-0 spurt that bridged the first and second quarters to mount a 36-10 lead. What’s more, it denied Concord a field goal for more than 12 minutes between the first and third periods.
“Their defense was tough,” said first-year Concord coach Greg Byrd. “It forced us into making a lot of bad passes, mostly because we telegraphed our intentions. Our passes went where they were supposed to go. It’s just that they took so long to get there.”
West coach Angie Waddell wasn’t complaining. “Generally, when we make the plays on defense we try to cash something in,” she said. “I thought we did that. We got after the ball and got some open looks.”
Perhaps none looked better than the ones Jenny Sloop was getting. The senior guard converted her first three field goal attempts and scored all eight of her points in the opening quarter, when West grabbed a nine-point lead.
“She brings a high performance every single game as far as getting in there and doing the dirty work,” said Waddell. “ Her middle name is ‘Hard Work.’ She picks up everybody’s slack.”
Teammate Danielle Scearce took her turn in the third period. The senior forward repeatedly gained inside position and was fouled by Concord defenders. She responded with four free throws and a nifty, baseline drive for a layup that gave the Falcons a 46-17 lead late in the quarter.
“Their big girls (Scearce and Sara Pieper) were too much for us,” said Byrd, who wasn’t named coach until Aug. 1. “West Rowan is a very good team and we’re still very, very young. We’re struggling to put it together.”
The Falcons, on the other hand, got back on track after suffering a 50-43 overtime loss at North Rowan on Thursday.
“I was kind of worried about that at the start of the game,” said Waddell. “I figured getting a lot of fresh bodies in there, getting everybody involved, would help us get refocused. That seemed to bring more energy to the game.”
Providing second-half energy were junior Allison Moore — who had a team-high 13 points — and freshman Ashley Dowdy, who provided instant offense off the bench and totaled 10 points.
“Everyone got to play and everyone played well,” said Waddell. “I hope we can keep this going.”
NOTES: West senior Shameeka Wansley remained sidelined with a separated right shoulder. Waddell hopes the 5-11 forward can return for the upcoming Christmas tournament at Catawba College. ... Concord’s Latoya Lynch topped all scorers with 14 points.
CONCORD (32) — Lynch 14, Edwards 6, Earls 4, Venable 2, Gilbert 2, Shaw 2, Cunningham 1.
WEST ROWAN (61)— Moore 13, Scearce 12, Dowdy 10, Sloop 8, Pieper 6, Massey 5, Jones 3, McNeely 2, Hampton 2, Peebles, Izze.
Concord 10 2 7 13 — 32
West Rowan 19 19 11 12 — 61
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