There had to be at least seven — maybe eight — Trojans out there. Because there were always three men guarding whichever Mustang had the ball.

But like magic, each time the whistle blew and the bodies out on the floor slowed down enough to be counted, the Trojans stood right at the legal limit of five.

The scrapping, trapping and occasionally slapping Trojans came at East Rowan in waves of defensive pressure on Friday night at the Northwest gym and sprinted to a convincing 78-47 victory.

“They just wore us down with their traps,” said East coach Mark Flynn. “They always had a couple of guys on the ball and everyone else was always in the right spot. That’s just a credit to good coaching. Coach McKenzie’s kids have bought into his system and it’s paying off for them.”

Not that East didn’t show up without a pretty good idea what was going to happen. The book on Northwest is a best seller. It says the Trojans are short on height, but compensate with quickness and depth. And everyone knows the Trojans trap more than your average mountain man.

“East is very well coached and was very well prepared for what we do when the game started,” said McKenzie.

The Mustangs (2-7, 1-4 SPC) were indeed ready. They led 13-9 after one quarter, but bad things happened to both of their fine junior guards early in the game.

Adam Cornelius had three fouls just six minutes into the physical contest and was never a factor. Justin Miller left the game a minute earlier than his running mate, when he hit the floor hard when he was fouled on a layup attempt and injured his wrist. Miller played sparingly after going down. He came out to start the second half with his wrist heavily taped, but just couldn’t go.

“I didn’t feel comfortable playing him until we can check the wrist out,” said Flynn. “It would be difficult for this team if it loses him.”

In the second quarter, things went to pieces for the Mustangs. The Trojans took the lead just a minute into the period at 14-13 after Northwest guard Matt Hubbard scored five quick points on a 3-pointer and a layup. And that was just an appetizer. The Trojans (5-3, 2-3) forced 13 East turnovers in the quarter and turned almost all of those steals into easy points.

“That’s where we improved as a team tonight,” aid McKenzie. “We’ve forced turnovers every game this year, but we haven’t been converting our chances like we did against East.”

Northwest punished East 33-12 in the decisive quarter, as the Mustangs got off only five shots from the field. Hubbard had 15 of his 21 points in the period. Ben Burgess sank a long 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the Trojans to the locker room with a secure 42-25 lead.

East played Northwest on even terms in the third quarter, but in the fourth, with McKenzie bringing one capable player after another off the bench against the weary Mustangs, things got out of hand.

“They always seemed to have fresh guys,” said Flynn. “McKenzie can play 10 people.”

Northwest led by as many as 34 points late and held East without a field goal in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs scored only five points over the final eight minutes, four of them on free throws by reserve Trey Ledbetter.

The night wasn’t a total loss for East, as sophomore Julian Sides, pressed into extended minutes by the injury to Miller, did well. He scored nine points.

“Sides was the bright spot,” said Flynn. “He turned it over some, but all he needs is varsity experience against that kind of pressure defense.”

East’s Cedric Gill, who scored 16 points and led his teams with 10 rebounds, also won over a new fan —

“Gill’s good,” he said. “He did some great things out there.”

But most of the great things were done by the Trojans, who made eight 3-pointers, and got them from seven different players.

“Northwest should be in every game it plays,” said Flynn. “People said they’d be down, but they’re definitely one of the top teams. A long as they keep playing that defense.”

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NOTES: Ten of Gill’s points came at the foul line, as did 10 of Hubbard’s. ... Taylor Weber also played well for the Mustangs with nine points and seven rebounds. ... McKenzie got good play from guards Lamont McKnight (10 points) and Shelton Roseboro (10 quick points) and was especially glad to see Hubbard snap a slump. “Hubbard played like he can play,” said McKenzie. “He just needs to get all his confidence back.” ... East had only two more shots (34) than turnovers (32) against the swarming Trojans. ... East’s Adam Horton, last year’s Shrine Bowl defensive player of the game, made an appearance and will be on hand at Memorial Stadium today to watch ex-teammate Danny Misenheimer in action. ... Northwest plays in Davie’s pre-Christmas tournament. Someone may score 100. Davie scored 94 on Friday night, while Northwest scored 96 last Tuesday.

EAST (47) — Weber 9, Miller 3, Cornelius 3, Gill 16, Rusher, Shepherd, Misenheimer 3, Sides 9, Hollifield, Martinez, Ledbetter 4.

NW CABARRUS (78) — Ferguson 6, Reel 7, Leister 4, McKnight 10, Hubbard 21, Smith 4, Burgess 3, Heist 3, Friend, Raburn 5, Lindsey 5, Roseboro 10, Carmichael, Lyerly.

East 13 12 17 5 — 47