By Steve Huffman

Salisbury Post

LEXINGTON — Central Davidson stayed within striking distance of North Rowan for most of the night Friday, trailing just 18-16 in the closing minutes of the first half and 31-26 with five minutes to go in the third quarter.

That’s when the Cavaliers kicked their game into high gear, taking a 56-35 victory.

“We just moved our feet and talked on defense more there at the end,” said North’s Quon Cuthbertson, who led all scorers with 20 points, including 12 of her team’s final 17.

The heat inside the Central Davidson gym might have been the biggest obstacle facing the Cavaliers (10-3, 3-1 CCC).

Outside, the temperature was close to 70 degrees, and inside it must have been pushing 80. School officials said the gym’s thermostat is controlled by administrators at Davidson County Schools Central Office, who must not have been expecting a relative heat wave in January.

North’s Sierra Ingram, who appeared overcome by the heat, was stretched out on the bench in the game’s closing minutes with teammates and coaches fanning her. Paramedics also came to check on Ingram, though she left the gym under her own power a few minutes following the game.

“It’s just hot,” Cuthbertson said.

Once North got rolling, Central managed little resistance.

By the end of the third quarter, following baskets by JaQuanta Wilks, Shavonna Casey, Ingram and Shemieka Brown, the Cavaliers held a 42-29 lead.

North coach Mike White substituted liberally, but it did little to slow the Cavalier express.

Central coach Kevin Hudson admitted his team (1-12, 0-3) didn’t have an answer for North’s inside power game. The Cavaliers repeatedly had second and third shots against the smaller Spartans.

“There at the end of the third quarter, one minute they had 32 points and the next minute they had 42,” Hudson said. “That was the difference. We just weren’t aggressive enough.”

In addition to Cuthbertson’s 20 points, Brown with 14 and Ingram with 11 also cracked double figures for the Cavaliers.

north rowan (56) — Cuthbertson 20, Brown 14, Ingram 11, Casey 6, Wilks 5, Parker, Turner, Parson, Rice, Propst.

Central davidson (35) — Carrick 17,

Ca. Tysinger 8, Fritts 4, Ch. Tysinger 2, Buie 2, Fulbright 2, Aldridge, Leonard, Thore, Hanes, Jernigan.

N. Rowan 14 15 13 14 — 56

C. Davidson 12 12 7 6 — 35

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Contact Steve Huffman at 704-797-4222 or shuffman@salisburypost.com.