By Marny Hendrick
sports@salisburypost.com
NORWOOD ó Like a tsunami, the North Rowan Cavaliers sent wave after wave of talent at host South Stanly Friday night and cruised to a 71-34 win, their 17th straight over two seasons. Thirteen Cavs dressed for the game, 12 of them scored and all contributed positively to a rout that was basically over after one period.
Rowdy Rebel Bull Coach Sean Whitley guides both the boys and girls varsity teams and could only shake his head in admiration after his two squads were overwhelmed in the YVC doubleheader.
ěWe knew coming in that we were undermanned and it showed,î he said. ěWe really played as well tonight as we have played all season and an effort like that would have beat a lot of teams in this league…but not North Rowan.î
The Cavaliers employed relentless pressure throughout the game and used superior above the rim offense and defense to improve to 6-0, 5-0 in the YVC for the season.
Big men Tydler Watlington (10 points), Daniel Chambers (8 points) and Malik Ford (8 points) led the balanced onslaught for North while guards Rhaheem Kelly, Tyrese Barber and Pierre Givens kept the heat on in shutting down the opposition.
Coach Andrew Mitchell went to his deep bench early and often, even using an entirely different lineup to start the second half, up 34-19. Travis Holshouser, Joe Robinson, Devon Tate along with Kelly and Conner sparked the Cavs to a 20-7 third period advantage and a 54-26 led. Ford, the 6-foot-7 leaper put the exclamation point on the run as he ended the third period with an alley-oop slam dunk then stuffed another to start the final quarter.
ěI was really proud of the guys who started the second half, they played well and actually expanded the lead,î Mitchell observed. ěThey deserve the chance to contribute in real game situations and they came through.î
Mitchell noted he was also glad to be able to go to his bench frequently since a rematch with county rival Salisbury High looms Saturday night at Catawba College.
South Stanly (2-5, 1-4) actually hung in with North in the early going thanks to strong inside play by Corey Craig and 6-4 post player Jordan Starnes. South tied the score at 8-8 late in the first period as North struggled a bit against their zone defense. But Chambers and Watlington led a surge with steals and lay-ups that put North ahead to stay 21-10.
Forward Oshon West also had a strong night with 9 rebounds to go along with his 4 points. North was also effective from the foul line, hitting 8 of 11 in a game that featured very few fouls on both sides.
Craig led South Stanly with 11 while Starnes added 8 including a couple of impressive dunks.
NORTH ROWAN (71) ó Watlington 10, Chambers 8, Ford 8, Kelly 7, Bowman 6, Ellis 6, Robinson 6, Connor 5, Barber 5, Tate 4, West 4, Givens 2, Holshouser.
SOUTH STANLY (34) ó Craig 11, Starnes 8, Richardson 6, Weathers 4, Smith 3, Pope 2, Patterson, Granados, Poplin, Johnson, Blackmon.
N. Rowan 21 13 20 17 ó 71
S. Stanly 10 9 7 8 ó 34