MOUNT ULLA — During one break in the action late in Friday night’s game, West Rowan coach Mike Gurley screamed at his team that every single defensive possession had to be a masterpiece.
Gurley’s Falcons delivered the classic sort of “D” that wouldn’t be out of place in a museum. And they needed it all to survive nemesis Central Cabarrus 57-51 and secure their second consecutive unbeaten conference season.
Gurley is 62-2 over the last four years in 3A South Piedmont Conference games and that includes a remarkable 32-0 at home.
“We’re in a new conference next year,” said Gurley. “But our kids have won 39 straight regular-season conference games and they didn’t lose in their house in four years. That’s a nice stat — and it’s a stat no one can take away.”
Here’s another nice stat. West has won 26 of 28 games against the Vikings in the history of the series.
But lately, most of those games have been classics. Central is always right there.
Last season, Scooter Sherrill’s shot of the century saved West’s home winning streak.
Last night, it was junior Donte Minter and sophomore Junior Hairston, who kept Senior Night from becoming a sad occasion.
Hairston blocked a 3-point shot by Jeremiah Buck — and what West fan has forgotten Buck’s game-winning shot over Minter in last year’s regionals — with West clinging to a three-point lead with 17 seconds left, Hairston put in the clinching free throws.
“Junior is just so productive,” said Gurley.
And speaking of production, Minter defied description. On a night when everyone was finding it tough to score, Minter shredded the nets for 29 points, with only a handful coming in the paint. He made spinning 15-footers and he made 3s. He brought the house down with a pullup 3-pointer in transition.
“We did all you can do on Donte,” shrugged Central coach Scott Brewer. “When a 6-8 kid is making 3s, what do you do?”
“Donte’s getting better and better,” said Gurley, “and I hope people are seeing he’s not just a post. He may have the best stroke on the team.”
He certainly did in this one, although Horatio Everhart did chip in with a couple of big 3-pointers.
CENTRAL CABARRUS (51) — Cranford 13, Buck 14, Stafford 9, Thomas 2, Bagnasco 2, Harris 6, Knorr 2, Roberts, Williams 3.
WEST ROWAN (57) — P. Williams 2, J. Williams 2, Sifford 4, Hairston 9, Mauldin 5, Everhart 6, Minter 29, Barringer, Diggs, Trosper, Gaither, Goodnight, Pritchard.
C.Cabarrus 10 12 9 20 — 51
W. Rowan 14 17 8 18 — 57
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