By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
Going into halftime of a 51-42 win, North Rowan’s girls had shot 7-for-35 from the field and committed 15 turnovers.Coach Tony Hillian wasn’t discouraged one bit. His team was still leading 18-16.
“I kept telling them defense wins games,” Hillian said. “Play defense and the offense will come.”
It did in a big way.
Up just 26-24, North (2-7) erupted for 14 points in the final 2:38 of the third quarter.
The final margin could’ve been larger, but North floundered at the foul line early, missing 16 of its first 18 tries. It hit 12 of its final 18.
Senior Abril Ellis, who had a nice all-around game with eight points, seven steals and three assists, hit four straight late in the fourth quarter after Carson had cut its deficit to six.
“I was very pleased with our effort in the second half,” Hillian said.
Freshman Teaunna Cuthbertson scored eight of her 15 points in the decisive third quarter. She also finished with 15 rebounds and six steals.
“She showed great athleticism,” Hillian said. “She’s finishing at the basket and having confidence in herself. She’ll be a great player for us.”
Quon Cuthbertson had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
For Carson coach Brooke Misenheimer, it was more frustration as the Cougars fell to 1-10. They shot only 14 times in the first half.
“From the get-go we’ve emphasized attacking the basket,” she said. “But we’re not giving ourselves opportunities to score.”
Freshman Chloe Monroe tried in her second varsity appearance, scoring 10 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter. Breckin Settlemyer had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The good work was all offset by a whopping 43 turnovers.
“You’re not going to win any ballgames when you have more turnovers than points,” Misenheimer said. “There’s not many positives I can take from this game.”
Hillian can.
“It gives them momentum,” he said of his girls. “It lets them know they can win any ballgame they want to.”
carson (42) ó Monroe 14, Settlemyer 10, Marshall 5, K.Livengood 5, Heggins 5, Meismer 2, Holman 1, M.Livengood, Hough, Ciscel, Brown, Khan, Sellers, Clark.
north rowan (51) ó T. Cuthbertson 15, Q.Cuthbertson 11, Ellis 8, Torrence 6, Miller 5, Gregory 4, Brown 2, Bethea, Rhinehart, Bush, Fortson.Carson 7 9 10 16 ó 42
N. Rowan 5 13 22 11 ó 51