West’s Wansley rebounds

BY RONNIE GALLAGHER
SALISBURY POST

But in the Falcons’ easy 58-37 South Piedmont Conference win over Sun Valley Tuesday night, the name Wansley was on everyone’s lips.

That’s Shameeka Wansley, rebounder extraordinaire.

If there was any question about a letdown by Angie Waddell’s first-place Falcons (17-5, 12-3), Wansley ended those doubts. Her six points and two blocks were routine but it was that whopping total of 17 rebounds that put a smile on Waddell’s face.

“Shameeka does a great job of crashing the boards,” she said. “She has those long arms and she’ll get off the floor. And she has improved offensively. We’ve been riding her case pretty hard.

Tuesday, they rode on her shoulders. Wansley ripped off eight rebounds in the first half and then added nine more after halftime, owning the inside.

This game was practically over by halftime thanks to some big-time intensity.

“They knew what was on the line,” said Waddell of her players. “Ithought we had a very intense practice last night and were ready to play.”

From Sara Pieper’s 15-footer to open the scoring to Kate Goodman’s three-point play with 1:46 left in the first quarter, West dominated. Goodman had eight first period points, leading the Falcons to a quick 16-1 lead.

Defense was the key. The Spartans either threw the ball out of bounds or had their pockets picked by the quick hands of Kari Schenk and Kristen McNeely. In fact, at halftime, Sun Valley had taken just 15 shots, making four.

Both teams scored just eight points in the second quarter in front of a sleepy crowd. Sun Valley actually pulled to within 21-13 before Schenk’s three-pointer and a rebound basket by Wansley put West up 26-13 at intermission.

“Idon’t think Sun Valley (1-12, 2-16) is a terrible team,” Waddell said. “This is just a hard league to play in. It’s great competition all the way through.”

Dave Davis’ Spartans found that out as soon as the third quarter began. West ran them ragged, outscoring Sun Valley 21-8. Goodman again scored eight points in the quarter, six coming on free throws.

Goodman did a little of everything. She finished with a game-high 16 points, grabbed six rebounds and had four steals.

“Kate played well,” Waddell said. “When she gets a steal, you either have to play her or she is taking it to the hole. She creates things.”

West led 40-21 when Danielle Scearce, Pieper, Goodman and Jenny Sloop finished the quarter with points for a 41-21 lead.

The Falcons then scored the first 15 points of the fourth quarter for a whopping 56-21 advantage.

Waddell subbed with 5:28 left and Ashley Shaver and Allison Moore quickly scored. Sun Valley then woke up, going on a 16-2 run to end the game. West’s only points in the final four minutes came on two Shaver free throws.

Now, West travels to Central Cabarrus (7-7, 10-8) for the regular season finale Friday. A win can make it a championship sweep for West. The boys took care of business in Tuesday’s nightcap.

“I think we’ll be focused and intense for Central,” said Waddell. “We’re going to have two solid practices.”

Central will no doubt prepare for West’s three marquee players — Schenk, Pieper and Goodman.

But here’s some advice for the Vikings: Don’t forget the name Wansley.

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NOTES: Speaking of unsung heroes, McNeely had another one of her pesky performances. The super gnat harassed Sun Valley throughout, finishing with five rebounds, four steals and even took a charge. ... Pieper scored 14 points. ... Schenk was held to seven. ... Shaver, a senior, had four points and four rebounds in limited action. ... West was 9-of-12 from the foul line in the third quarter and 15-of-26 overall. ... Six of Wansley’s rebounds came in the fourth quarter.

WESTROWAN (58) — Goodman 16, Pieper 14, Schenk 7, Wansley 6, Sloop 4, Shaver 4, Scearce 3, McNeely 2, Moore 2, Honeycutt, Rabon, Jones.

SUNVALLEY (37) — Stokes 15, Speller 7, Jackym 4, Blacnhard 4, Hey 3, McSheehan 2, Burch 2.

West Rowan 18 8 21 11 — 58

Sun Valley 5 8 8 16 — 37