By Nick Bowton

Salisbury Post

WALLBURG — North Rowan coach Mike White has admittedly been in “question mode” the past couple of weeks because he can’t figure out why his girls aren’t improving as the season goes on.

Tuesday just brought more questions.

The Cavaliers played one of their worst games of the season in a 46-36 loss to Ledford. North scored only three points in the first quarter and 11 in the first half, and it fell into a tie with Ledford for third place in the CCC.

“I’m speechless,” White said. “First quarter: terrible. Second quarter: got a little bit of life. Third quarter: iffy. I wasn’t pleased with our effort.”

White wasn’t pleased with much of anything he saw in Wallburg. The Cavaliers (12-5, 5-3) didn’t shoot the ball well, didn’t capitalize on their size advantage and didn’t look very interested.

“We just didn’t give it our all,” North senior Shemieka Brown said. “We didn’t play with enough heart, enough confidence. We just didn’t play to the best of our abilities.

“We need to have more faith in ourselves and have a desire to give it our all and have more trust in our team.”

The Cavs usually put their trust in both Brown and fellow senior Sierra Ingram. Brown came in averaging 17.8 points per game, and Ingram produces a double-double in points and rebounds most games.

Against the Panthers (12-8, 5-3), Brown didn’t score in the first half and finished with 13 points. Ingram had one of her worst games of the season with seven points and six rebounds.

“We didn’t let ’em just push us in and get second chance after second chance after second chance,” said Ledford coach John Ralls, whose team lost 45-31 in Spencer earlier this season. “We battled a little bit better than we did the first time. And they’re a load.”

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NOTES: White’s displeasure wasn’t limited to his players — he wasn’t happy with the officials either. Ledford shot 13 of 16 from the free-throw line in the final quarter, and North was whistled for 16 fouls to Ledford’s four in the second half. … Erin Hanner led Ledford with 22 points.

north rowan (36) — Brown 13, Ingram 7, Casey 6, Cuthbertson 4, Wilks 4, Turner 2, Rice, Parker, Parsons, Bethea.

Ledford (46) — Hanner 22, Young 12, Saintsing 6, Morgan 3, Pope 2, Caldwell 1, Horne, Smith, Sarvis, Hughes, Ballard.

N. Rowan 3 8 14 11 — 36

Ledford 12 7 10 17 — 46

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Contact Nick Bowton at 704-797-4256 or nbowton@salisburypost.com.