By Jordan Honeycutt
rbisesi@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE ó Not very many plays like the one witnessed at Jesse Carson High School Monday, are often seen at the high school level.
Statesvilleís Jaquan Warren drew ěoohs and ahhsî from the Carson Crazies, late in the fourth quarter when he received a fast break pass and elevated for a 360 slam in the Houndsí 80-50 dismantling of the Cougars.
ěI got a chance at the fast break and wanted to do something spectacular for coach,î Warren said.
Carson was also doomed by lackluster defense and a six-point first quarter.
ěIíll take the heat for this one,î Perry said. ěIíve got to find some way to get these kids to raise their energy/intensity levels and do a better job preparing them to play.î
Carson tried to mount a few comebacks but every one was thwarted by the athleticism and defense of the Greyhounds.
Tre Williams paced the Cougar attack with 13 points and big man Colton Laws added 10, but not much scoring assistance came from elsewhere.
Another sight that had to be engraven into the Cougars minds was that of Statesville star Nick Schofield swishing threes and leaving his arm up for display.
He scored 16 in the opening frame, but never really hurt the Cougars again, finishing with 25.
Those who inflicted the most damage to Carson on this night, were clad in Orange and Blue.
Countless careless passes and inabiltity to break Statesvilleís trap and press defense, led to numerous ěbunniesî for the hounds.
ěWe had bad shooting tonight and the turnovers were terrible, but I mean you have those nights, but our defense has to step up and not let Statesville get 20 plus every quarter,î Perry said.
Statesville took advantage of almost every opportunity given to them by Carson to stretch the lead a little bit quarter-by-quarter.
ěWe all want to play like stars on this team,î Warren said. ěAny one of us can kill you on any given night.î
The hounds were playing with some added inspiration, as head coach Sonny Schofield was hospitalized over the weekend and Greg Stewart took over the coaching duties.
ěWe had balance tonight and I think our guys are finally buying into the system and we are seeing what we want from them now,î Stewart said.
The Cougars will no doubt have to swallow this bitter pill and digest it quickly as they travel down to take on John Davisís Raiders of South Rowan Wednesday evening.
ěSouth is going to be ready to play, no doubt and hopefully our guys will be ready and able to match their intensity,î Perry said.
STATESVILLE (80) ó Schofield 25, Knox 13, Gill 8, Warren 7, Willis 7, Tucker 6, Gaither 5, Thompson 5, Lowery 3, Williams 1, Daniels, Savoy.
CARSON (50) ó Williams 13, Laws 10, Love 6, Raper 6, Abbitt 5, Stout 4, Gilbert 4, Howard 2, Broome, Bigalow.
Statesville 23 22 20 15 ó 80
Carson 06 16 13 15 ó 50