By Ronnie Gallagher

Salisbury Post

Tonight’s the night.

East Rowan visits West Rowan for the first of two East-West doubleheaders within the next five days.

The boys game is the Duke-Carolina of Rowan County basketball. Every year, it seems to get better.

Both teams are 3-0, but West coach Mike Gurley knows who’s the underdog.

“Based on experience, time on the floor together, career points and scores against comparable opponents, East’s the favorite,” announced Gurley. “We’re a bunch of pups.”

Gurley starts two freshmen and a sophomore, while East coach Greg McKenzie can boast a veteran crew, led by Justin Vanderford, Kenan McKenzie, Kurt Misenheimer, Brian Ingold and Shawn Eagle.

“I told my guys, ‘Competition brings out the best in you,’ ” said McKenzie.

And he knows he’ll get it. Gurley can talk all he wants about his youth, but as McKenzie said, “They have (Jamel) Carpenter.”

McKenzie also likes the point guard matchup between West freshman K.P. Parks and his main man Spenser Davis.

“(Parks is) a Spenser Davis clone,” said McKenzie, adding they’re built alike and neither is fancy. They just get the job done.

And will there be a playoff atmosphere in the Gurley Dome tonight?

“I would bet it will be,” McKenzie said.

The game will be broadcast on WSTP 1490-AM.

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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4287 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com.