Prep Basketball: Carson girls 68, West Iredell 42

By Sean Rinhart

sports@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — From start to finish, there was little doubt that Brooke Misenheimer’s Carson Cougars had the permanent green light. Carson put up a lot of points, but their defense was even more impressive as they stifled the West Iredell Warriors all night en route to a 68-42 NPC victory.

Carson looked poised in the first quarter, leading 17-0 run with 3:30 still left to play.

“We got off to a good start,” said Misenheimer. “I felt that the first and third quarters were our brightest moments.”

The Cougars’ man-to-man defense was tenacious and shut down any and all opportunities for perimeter shots or drives to the basket. West was held to only 10 points during the second half, and did not score another basket until there was 5:26 left in the third quarter. By that point, Carson already held a commanding 46-12 lead.

The key wasn’t necessary in jumping out to a huge lead in the first half as Carson took every perimeter shot opportunity that was given. The Cougars went 6-of-16 from the 3-point line in the first half; they switched gears quickly in the second half and dominated down low.

“Carson is tough,” said West Iredell coach Phil Fox. “They are truly No. 3 in the state in 3A for a reason. They can hit from everywhere.”

Yes they can, and they definitely had their chances.

The Cougars were 27-of-58 from the field, and benefited largely from costly West Iredell turnovers.

Early in the second half, the Warriors looked defeated, as they were missing easy layups, making careless passes, and lacking hustle. After an early time out in the third quarter to rally his ladies, Fox’s Warriors started to show some life and battle back.

“In the second half we played hard, and we hustled,” said Fox. “We were scrappy, and I was proud of the effort.”

The Cougars were led by the strong play of Kelly Dulkoski, who nailed a big 3-pointer to kick off the game and contributed a total of 15 points for the evening.

Another Cougar who played a key role in tonight’s victory was Sarah Holman. She had 13 points, and both she and Dulkoski helped keep momentum on Carson’s side with strong play on both sides of the court.

The leading scorer for the Warriors was Elizabeth Webb, who spent most of the evening trying to drive to the rim and help her team fight their way back. While she struggled from the field going 4-for-18, she performed well at the free throw line, hitting 8-of-10. Chelsea Ellis put in a strong performance with 14 points and 6 rebounds.

WEST IREDELL (42) — Webb 18, Ellis 14, Bolick 4, Cole,an 2, Dagenhart 2, Frye 2.

CARSON (68) — Dulkoski 15, Holman 13, Blackwell 9, Phillips 8, Monroe 8, Allen 7, Stirewalt 4, Parks 2, Cole 2, Barringer.

W. Iredell 3 7 12 20 — 42

Carson 22 14 21 11 — 68