By Ryan Bisesi
rbisesi@salisburypost.com
STATESVILLE ó East Rowanís girls didnít need Karleigh Wikeís best game to beat West Iredell, making the sophomoreís effort all the more endearing.
Wike collected a double-double, scoring a career-high 26 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking eight shots in the Mustangsí first win of the season, a 67-35 triumph at West Iredell.
ěWhere Karleigh goes, we go,î East coach Danielle Porter said. ěWe desperately needed a leader on the floor and she said she was going to take it upon herself to get that role.î
An all-conference performer in her freshman year, Wike surpassed her previous best of 16 points. She did it all despite collecting two fouls in the opening quarter.
ěI realized I have to step up and be a leader even though Iím a sophomore,î Wike said.
It was the first victory for East Rowan ( 1-8, 1-1) in nine tries.
The Mustangs were whistled for eight fouls in the first quarter, as Lauren Thomas had three fouls and Wike and Sydney Poole each had two eight minutes in. Freshman Kelli Fisher hit a jumper from the wing at the first-quarter buzzer to hand the Mustangs a 16-10 lead.
ěThatís her second time hitting a buzzer beater this year,î Porter said. ěFor her to be a freshman, sheís a confident young player.î
West (0-7, 0-2) didnít have the size to compete with its guest.
ěWe let the two big girls inside intimidate us,î West coach Phil Fox said. ěWe canít match up with their height and they were good inside so we canít stop them.î
Caroline Fry hit a 3 to start the second quarter and Wike connected on one of two free throws to push the lead to double digits, where it would stay for the remainder of action. The Mustangs held West to just four field goals in the first half and led 34-13 at halftime.
EAST ROWAN (67) ó Wike 26, Fisher 8, Fry 7, Lowe 6, Thomas 5, Brown 4, Gullett 4, Poole 4, Gobble 3, Rummage, Sides.
WEST IREDELL (35) ó Webb 11, Ellis 7, Gaines 7, Frye 4, Dagenhart 2, Feimster 2, Snouse 2, Bolick, Rambo, Coleman.
E. Rowan 16 18 11 22 ó 67
W. Iredell 10 3 12 10 ó 35