By Nick Bowton

Salisbury Post

SPENCER — The first time North Rowan played West Davidson this season, the Cavaliers squandered almost all of a

14-point lead in the fourth quarter before winning.

Tuesday night, the Cavs made sure their lead was big enough that they had nothing to worry about. North put the game out of reach in the third quarter and won 53-39.

“Third quarter we just came out of the blocks and hit a couple of quick shots and jumped in our press, and the guys got excited when we got a turnover or two,” North coach Kelly Everhart said. “Then we had an opportunity to make a layup, and Bryson (Gaymon) didn’t realize how open he was and threw it out to Spencer (Sheets) in the corner and Spencer nailed that 3.

“From that point on, it just kind of snowballed. Guys were just having a lot of fun, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Sheets’ 3 from the right corner came just 50 seconds into the third quarter and was part of a 19-2 run to start the second half. Bryson Walker started the half with a 3, Sheets made two and Gaymon made one as North (7-13, 7-4 CCC) held the Green Dragons (4-18, 2-9) scoreless through the first three minutes of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter didn’t start much better for West Davidson, as North scored the first six points of the quarter for a 48-22 lead. The Green Dragons ended the game on a 17-5 run, but North had mostly subs in the game by then and was content to enjoy the rest of Senior Night regardless of the score.

“We’re just playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Everhart said. “Even though they hit a couple of shots and kind of cut into the lead, I just think we’re playing with that confidence that we had a feeling we weren’t gonna let them back into the game.”

The Cavs had to feel confident with guys like Dwon Still not only seeing rare extended playing time but thriving in it as well.

One of seven seniors, Still scored a career-high 12 points and added six rebounds.

“Dwon Still had one of his best games of the year,” Everhart said. “He looked very relaxed tonight. That’s good for us. That’s only gonna help us down the stretch.”

The final stretch includes a big game Friday at rival Salisbury.

North senior Daniel Griffith, who had eight points and seven rebounds last night, said the Cavs’ third-quarter surge Tuesday had at least a little to do with Friday’s regular-season finale. North can’t overtake Salisbury for the CCC title but wants to prove it belongs in the conversation.

“We talked about at halftime coming out and making a statement,” Griffith said. “I’m not gonna lie — it was for Friday. We wanted to make a statement for Friday.

“It’s gonna be a big game. I’m sure they’ll be ready, and we’ll be ready.”

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NOTE: Joe Kesler, Chadd Lewallen, Derrick Burnett, Luke Smith, Griffith, Sheets and Still all played their final regular-season home game.

West davidson (39) — Steph 11, Meadley 8, Jarvis 5, Hoag 4, Wilder 4, King 4, Salem 3, Michael, Dougan, Hudson.

north rowan (53) — Sheets 14, Still 12, Griffith 8, Walker 5, Cherry 4, Gaymon 4, Burnett 2, Lewallen 2, Kesler 2, L.Smith, N.Smith.

W. Davidson 7 9 6 17 — 39

N. Rowan 12 9 21 11 — 53

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