South will score less — but win more?

LANDIS — To say South Rowan boys basketball coach John Davis has his work cut out for him is like saying the Great Depression was a slight economic downturn.

It’s hard to imagine any team in the state — except maybe North Rowan — that lost more than Davis. The former St. Andrews College star said adios to his top seven players, including double-figure scorers Doug Daugherty, Maurice Torrence, Marcus Rucker, Toré Girty and Scott Beck. That quintet accounted for 1,385 points last season.

“Someone asked me if we were going to have a kid score 40 in a game like Daugherty (Louisburg Junior College) did last season or like Damien Argrett (Pfeiffer University) did the year before that,” said Davis. “I told them that 40 (the school record) is probably safe.”

No doubt.

Davis’ top returning scorers are Joel Patterson and Tre Hornbeak. Patterson scored 56 and Hornbeak 51, but those are their career point totals, not one-night stands. Patterson and Hornbeak have enjoyed one double-figure game apiece. Patterson surprised West Forsyth mountain Tim Crews with 10 last season, while Hornbeak put in 10 in a rout of Salisbury.

Davis’ other veterans are Jerrel Mack, Gerry Propst and Matt Biles, all of whom averaged less than a point a game.

And that Raider schedule? Ugh. Who else in the universe gets to take on 4A state champ R.J. Reynolds, 3A bully West Rowan and perennial powerhouse West Forsyth two times apiece? Answer: no one.

Still, when you visit South you’ll find Davis working in the gym. He’s not out on a ledge somewhere.

“We expect not just to compete, but to win ballgames,” said the always confident coach.

Don’t laugh. Davis’ teams have pulled off some surprises in his first two seasons, so who’s to say he can’t find a way to do it again. His records haven’t been earth-shaking (7-17 and 11-13 with three 4A Central Piedmont Conference wins in 16 games), but considering the level of play in the CPC and the height he’s had, that’s over-achieving.

Last year, South knocked off West — yep, that West — Mount Tabor and Davie County. It beat Mooresville, a team that made the 3A regionals, twice. And when the Raiders played mortals like East Rowan, Salisbury, Northwest Cabarrus and A.L. Brown, they looked like world-beaters.

But last year’s Raiders had so many scorers they hit the 100-mark twice and averaged 71 points a game. Where are the points coming from this time?

Davis admits that’s a pretty good question. But he’s confident his new team has different strengths. The 2001-02 Raiders figure to be deeper, taller and more physical than last season.

“Things are more competitive at practice,” said Davis. “Last year there was a dropoff between our first and second groups. Now guys are pushing each other hard. That makes everyone better.”

Davis says fans won’t recognize the 6-foot-2 Hornbeak unless they remember his uniform number.

“He’s slimmed down and is more athletic,” said Davis. “He’s jumping higher.”

Mack is still growing and fast approaching 6-7.

“He’s a different player, too,” said Davis. “More athletic, much stronger. He’s upped his bench press 50 pounds in weightlifting class. Last season was his first of organized ball. Now he’s setting good picks and making that elbow (the corner of the foul line) jumper.”

Patterson, a 6-4, 210-pound football star, will be counted upon to bang and score in the lane.

“Joel gives us a nice physical presence,” said Davis.

Davis says in Patterson and juniors Graham Corriher (6-4) and Zach Overcash (6-3), he has three guys who bench press more than 250 pounds. More muscle will be supplied by senior newcomer Anthony Rhyne. Rhyne, a football linebacker, is only 6-0, but will play inside.

“Rhyne will cause matchup problems,” said Davis. “He’ll be faster than big guys, stronger than guards.”

Propst, the lone returning backcourter, has sprouted to 5-10.

“He’s always been small, but now he’s catching up to everyone,” said Davis. “He’ll have a good year.”

So could Biles. He’s had some knee problems but offers a 3-point threat.

Two juniors who were jayvee stars will be counted on to replace a good chunk of the vanished point production.

Pure point guard David Lane wowed observers at summer camps, even though he’s a slightly built 5-8.

“Lane’s a floor general with a nice shot,” said Davis. “He makes good decisions. He reminds me of Matt Hubbard (a recent Northwest Cabarrus star). If David shaved his head, you’d think he was Hubbard.”

The only negative for Lane is he’s been nursing a dislocated thumb.

Lane’s backcourt mate could be 6-0 lefty Andrew Morgan, whose athletic endeavors are well known to Raider fans. Morgan’s already starred as a baseball pitcher and football quarterback and could be the team’s best shooter.

“Andrew can just light it up,” said Davis.

Athletic junior Ted Thomas, a football running back who missed last basketball season with a knee injury, might emerge as the team’s defensive stopper. Three more juniors, 6-3 shooter Brandon Barnhardt, 5-11 guard Kris Caudle and 6-0 guard Ryan Robbins, provide depth.

One last name to remember is 6-2 soph Ryan Keener. When South plays a sophomore on varsity, it usually means he’s special. “Keener’s hard-nosed,” said Davis. “He’ll definitely contribute.”

Two more bits of good news for the Raiders:

Their revamped league is minus always stout Mount Tabor and has added North Davidson and South Iredell, teams that won’t be easy marks, but are schools the Raiders can beat.

The other thing is the future’s looking rosy. South’s ninth-grade class contains three (yes, three) sets of athletic twins and another kid who’s already 6-7.

“I look at that bunch shoot the ball and see how athletic they are and I just have to smile and be happy,” said Davis.

It won’t be easy, but this year’s team is going to make Davis happy a few times, too. Some of those times will come when no one’s expecting it.

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Contact Mike London at 704-797-4259 or mlondon@salisburypost.com .