GRANITE QUARRY — North Rowan’s boys found the going a little tougher this time,
but the Cavaliers still held off upset-minded East Rowan 50-42 in a non-conference high
school basketball game Monday night.Coach
Kelly Everhart’s North team had rolled past the Mustangs 93-37 at North on Nov. 23.
“I thought it was pretty ugly on our
part,” said Everhart, whose team improved to 5-2. “I thought East did a real
good job being patient and running their offense. I just didn’t think we played very
well.”
The Cavaliers, ahead only four points at 43-39
with 4:33 to play, were led in scoring by point guard Dre Byrd and forward Marcus Lawing
with 11 points apiece. Lawing added 14 rebounds for a double-double.
“The opening game for us was a real lopsided
win,” said Everhart. “I cautioned the guys about coming in here, being
overconfident and playing these guys. Traditionally, we haven’t played real well down
here in this gym, and didn’t play real well tonight either.”
East dropped to 2-8, but coach Mark Flynn was
pleased with the way his Mustangs played.
“That was a lot better than the first time.
We played at the tempo that we need to play against a team like North Rowan. We handled
the ball a lot better against their pressure,” he said.
East, playing without injured starting guard
Justin Miller, was led by center Cedric Gill and forward Taylor Weber. Gill had a
double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Weber just missed it with 10 points
and nine boards.
“We want to win, but I’m pleased with
this effort tonight,” said Flynn.
East never led but the Mustangs kept it close
throughout the first half, trailing only 23-22 at intermission.
“I told the team before the game that East
Rowan is the type of team that, if you let them hang around, that confidence builds, and
we could be in a real dogfight down the stretch,” said Everhart.
“At halftime, I came in and said, ‘There
was one that I didn’t want to happen that’s coming true.”
Lawing (six points) and Mario Sturdivant (five
points) led the way in the third quarter as the Cavaliers threatened to break it open. It
was a 14-point game at 41-27 after a Sturdivant 3-pointer.
However, guards Byrd and Chris Phillips got in
foul trouble, and East started coming back behind Gill and Weber. The Mustangs rallied to
within four before Byrd and Phillips returned to the lineup for the final 4:33.
Byrd quickly made a short jumper and added a
couple of free throws in the final minute as the Cavaliers held off the home team.
“They’re the ones that can ignite us and
make things happen in a hurry,” said Everhart of his starting guards. “With
those guys sitting on the bench, we were just kind of floundering around out there for a
while. ... I thought we did well handling the ball at the end of the game, which was good
to see.”
North shot only 30 percent (18-for-60) on field
goals.
“I think a lot of times we weren’t real
patient on offense. If we had been a little more patient and worked the ball around a
little bit, I believe we would have shot better,” said Everhart.
Flynn said, “We played good in the zone
defense and rebounded well (40-34 advantage), until a spell there in the second half. That
could have been a key to the game when they started getting some putbacks. ... Cedric did
a good job on the boards, and Taylor Weber did an excellent job on the boards.”
Miller, one of East’s 3-point threats who is
averaging 11.4 points, was injured on Friday at Northwest Cabarrus.
“He’s got a cracked bone in his wrist or
thumb on his left hand,” said the East coach. “He’s supposed to be out for
10 days. Hopefully, we will get him back for the Christmas tournament.”
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