Prep Basketball: South Rowan girls 82, Statesville 54

By David Shaw

sports@salisburypost.com

LANDIS — The future of South Rowan girls basketball has been on display all season.

Senior Night was no exception.

The Raiders honored four soon-to-be graduates following Wednesday’s 82-54 win against visiting Statesville. But it was apple-cheeked freshman Avery Locklear who stole the show.

“What’s funny is you never know how many points Avery has because she does it in so many ways,” SR coach Jarrod Smith said after Locklear poured in 29 points in the NPC regular-season finale. “She shoots from outside, she drives, she goes to the line for free throws.”

The victory helped South (9-15, 5-7) curb a four-game losing streak, including three in a row against NPC foes. It will enter next week’s league tournament as a fifth-place seed.

“We needed a little momentum,” noted senior Kayla Corriher, one of four South scorers in double figures. “Now we need to focus on playing the way we’re supposed to play.”

Locklear and teammate Lauren “Goose” Miller (20 points) sparked the Raiders in the second quarter. Each converted a pair of 3-pointers and sophomore Lynsey Corriher added another as South turned a close game into a 38-16 halftime lead. South’s defense forced 10 turnovers and yielded only one basket in the period.

“Our defense got really lazy,” said SHS coach Adrienne Long. “We were just walking around. If you don’t play defense you won’t win ballgames.”

Locklear, a 14-year old who dropped a career-best 31 on West Iredell earlier this winter, said she simply “took open shots when I could. Hopefully we can all keep this going.”

Miller chuckled about the 44 personal fouls called by officials, 22 per side. “They got a little whistle-happy,” she said.

She also found room to acknowledge Locklear’s importance to the team. “Oh, she’s a beast — an all-around great basketball player,” Miller said. “It’s been a wonderful journey being on this with her, watching her get better and better.”

Smith insisted Locklear has gotten plenty of help.

“Avery can’t do it alone,” he said. “A lot of people are giving her assists and forcing turnovers that lead to her baskets. What she is is a great finisher.”

Last night was no exception.

STATESVILLE (54) — Wright 22, Hairston 17, Elliott 10, Hardig 5.

SOUTH ROWAN (82) — Locklear 29, Miller 20, L.Corriher 11, K.Corriher 10, Stamey 8, Honeycutt 2, Register 2, McConneaughey, Deal, Allison, McCoy.

Statesville 9 7 16 22 — 54

S. Rowan 13 25 19 25 — 82