By Jordan Honeycutt
jhoneycutt@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ó Turnovers. While they are welcomed and delicious in the field of culinary arts, they are equally as disgusting and destructive in the world of sports.
South Rowan and Carson provided a smorgasbord of giveaways to the Moir classic crowd Wednesday. Carson was able to out-ugly the Raiders 67-52 for a consolation bracket victory.
The two teams combined for an unheard-of 62 turnovers, with Carson producing 33 and South 29.
ěIt was ugly man, real ugly,î Carson coach Brian Perry said. ěWe had terrible ball-handling, especially in the second half and helped them out way too much. We have got to get smarter in the clutch.î
In a game between two teams that do not particularly blow out light bulbs in the scoreboard, you would expect a slow pace.
But not at the Moir.
Due to the heightened frequency of turnovers, which also means steals and fast breaks, possession switched hands at a breakneck pace.
The Cougars nursed a 44-29 lead after three quarters in the fourth while Southís Josh Medlin poured in 15 second half points, but this was no superhero movie and there was no Robin to his Batman.
Sophomore big man Colton Laws was huge for Carson, scoring 24 points, including a pair of long range bombs from the right corner.
ěWe just arenít communicating very well right now and not playing as a team,î Medlin said. ěEveryone isnít looking for passing lanes and just worried about stats and points. We gotta move the ball and get better shots.î
Both squads generated 23-point fourth quarters and South even slashed the Cougar lead to eight, but were ultimately doomed by sloppiness.
ěIt is just extremely frustrating,î said South Rowan coach John Davis. ěI mean, every time we would do something good and force a turnover, we would give it right back to them and you arenít going to beat anybody doing that.î
ěNot to mention our 17-for-54 shooting. That ainít going to beat anybody either.î
Carson also helped its cause by going 28 for 37 from the foul line, much to the pleasure of Perry.
ěWith us being such a young team, we have to do those things well. We must shoot free throws well and Colton has got to play like this every night for us,î Perry said.
Where Medlin had little help outside of Qua Neal (14 points) on this day, Laws enjoyed a trio of helpers.
Dontae Gilbert, Tre Williams and D.J. Love all scored in double figures with 13, 12 and 11 respectively.
Carsonís largest opponent in county battles this season may be youth and inexperience ce, as talent and athleticism are there.
ěOur guys are definitely young but at some point that isnít an excuse anymore,î Perry said. ěIt is all a process of growing as a player and growing up as a team, but we are at a point where we need to take that next step and play to our potential.î
SOUTH ROWAN (52) ó Medlin 18, Neal 14, Spry 6, Allen 4, Goodman 3, Tyler 3, Lambert 2, Sherrill 2, Buchanan, Garlin, Glenn, Ouellette, Parker, Washington.
CARSON (67) ó Laws 24, Gilbert 13, Williams 12, Love 11, Stout 4, Howard 3, Abbitt, Bigalow, Raper.
S. Rowan 09 11 09 23 ó 52
Carson 14 17 13 23 ó 67