By Ryan Bisesi
rbisesi@salisburypost.com
SPENCER — South Davidson’s girls basketball team scored 16 of the game’s first 21 points and held off a fourth-quarter run from North Rowan in a 69-56 win on Saturday night.
After trailing by double digits for much of the contest, North pulled to within 62-56 with 1:52 to play, but couldn’t score again.
“We got too far behind in the first half,” North coach Tony Hillian said. “There was not enough effort in the first quarter or second quarter.”
Roneshea Bradley gave North (4-10, 3-4 YVC) a 5-4 lead 1:44 into the action, but Hunter Sigmon handed South the edge for keeps two possessions later with a trey and started a 12-0 run that set the tone. The Cavs made just two field goals in the opening quarter.
Larsen Sigmon led South (6-7, 4-5 YVC) with 20 points, while Teaunna Cuthberson also pitched in a season-best 20 for the Cavaliers.
“I was very pleased with how we came out playing,” South coach Fonda Jackson said. “They knew they were behind and they started taking some chances. I was glad we finally composed ourself and hung on for the win, but we’ve got to learn to hold on to that lead.”
Down 62-48 with 3:50 left, North started a 8-0 spurt that ended on a turnaround jumper from Cuthbertson. South nailed 6 of 10 free throws and held North off the scoreboard for the rest of the way. Madi Beeson’s 3-pointer made it 66-56 with a shade under a minute left.
“We’ve just got to put it together for four quarters,” Hillian said. “I know we shut them down in the third and the fourth. I really liked our effort in the third and fourth quarter.”
After Sigmon’s trey to cap the first quarter, the Wildcats owned a 23-6 lead after one quarter. After North trailed 43-23 at halftime, South posted a 8-0 run to tighten their grasp further.
Holly Wall scored 18 points and Abbie Hendrick notched 11 for the Wildcats.
“If we put it together for all four quarters, the YVC will be surprised at the Lady Cavaliers,” Hillian said. “I think we’re on our way.”
SOUTH DAVIDSON (69)— L. Sigmon 20, Wall 18, Hedrick 11, H. Sigmon 10, Beeson 8, M. Sigmon 2, Strather.
NORTH ROWAN (56) —Cuthbertson 20, Bradley 11, Brown 10, Dickerson 10, Carby 8, Vonn 4, Bush 2, Sells 1.
S. Dav. 23 20 13 13 — 69
N Rowan 6 17 17 16 — 56