By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
OLIN ó Mike Gurley cheered on the West Rowan football team as it won and won and won. And it seemed after every title, there was a different t-shirt made up for the players. One of the shirts read something about winning five North Piedmont Conference championships in a row.
“I wanted a shirt that said ‘1 in a row,’ ” Gurley laughed.
He’s got it.
West was totally dominating on defense Friday night in Olin, ripping apart last-place North Iredell 72-36. It put West (21-2, 17-1) in first place, tied with Lake Norman. Therefore, a championship.
“I don’t care if we share it with Lake Norman,” Gurley said. “I’m proud of the Class of ’09 for being NPC champs.”
That class ó K.J. Sherrill, Brett Huffman, Kaleb Kimber, Jason Grant and Myles Moore ó are a big part of a Falcon club that has joined one of the many title teams that have gone through Mount Ulla since Gurley set up shop 12 years ago. It is his ninth conference championship and third in the last four years.
“There was a time when this wasn’t enough,” Gurley said of the title. “I would be looking ahead. But we’re going to stop and enjoy this conference championship.”
Gurley wasn’t particularly enjoying himself in the first quarter, even though West led North Iredell 14-8. He didn’t like how the Raiders (3-18, 2-16) were getting inside shots.
“Four points, possibly six, came on second shots,” Gurley said. “All I did was emphasize that. The group we started in the second quarter picked us up. (Jon) Crucitti and (Chris) Smith did some good things that got us points.”
The newfound intensity led to a 25-7 second quarter that blew the game open.
The lead was 39-15 at halftime and it ballooned to 63-24 in the fourth period.
West’s depth was a dizzying experience for the Raiders.
“My goodness,” North Iredell coach Tony Davenport exclaimed. “(Gurley) played everybody. I’ve never seen his team like that. Their young guards were tough.”
Davenport said K.P. Parks made a big difference.
“K.P. broke us down,” he said.
Kimber got West off to a quick start by hitting a jumper six seconds into the game and finshed with 11, two behind K.J. Sherrill’s 13.
In all, 12 Falcons scored, including Brett Huffman who scored inside and hit a three. Maxx Gore swished two threes.
West didn’t need their big man to dominate so Sherrill did other things.
“K.J. became a good passer,” Gurley said. “He did a lot to set up Kaleb.”
It was nice effort because West had to be a tired team. It was the Falcons’ fourth game in six days. But Gurley knew his guys could forget the fatigue for at least one night. They had something to play for.
“We’re going home NPC champions,” Gurley said.
west rowan (72) ó K.J. Sherril 13, K.Kimber 11, Noble 8, Ke. Sherrill 8, Gore 7, J. Kimber 6, Parks 5, Huffman 5, PSmith 4 Crucitti 2, Grant 2, B.J. Sherrill 1, Moore, Phifer.
north iredell (36) ó R. Sharpe 11, Laney 5, Stuckey 4, K. Sharpe 4, Cooper 3, Slaon 3, Bouchard 2, Mitchell 2, Pharr 2.
W. Rowan 14 25 17 16 ó 72
N. Iredell 8 7 9 12 ó 36