LANDIS — Hickory Ridge could do no wrong in the fourth quarter Friday — and Lavon Hill couldn’t make it right.

The lanky South Rowan senior scored 15 of his game-high 26 points in the second half of a 74-64 SPC loss — and coach Bryan Withers was not happy.

“I don’t think he played like he can,” Withers said after the Raiders (2-7, 2-5) were outscored 29-14 in the final period. “That was not a typical Lavon game. We don’t lower our expectations and we expect more from him. Lavon is a great player. And Lavon let a lot get away from him today.”

Hill gave South a 47-38 lead when he scored on an over-and-under layup, was fouled and hit a free throw with 2:23 remaining in the third quarter. The Raiders still led 54-50 with six minutes to play, but unraveled down the stretch. Avery Metcalf (24 points) and Jalen Stowe (20) paced league-leading Hickory Ridge (9-1, 6-0). Stowe had 11 points in the final quarter.

“The game was played physical,” Withers said. “And we backed down a little in the fourth quarter. We can’t do that.”

 

Hickory Ridge (74): Av.Metcalf 24, Stowe 20, Babson 9, Smith 8, Garner 7, Putnam 4, An.Metcalf 2.

South Rowan (64): L.Hill 26, Rhyne 15, Wilder 13, D.Hill 6, Childers 3, Stewart 1, Penninger, Parks, Finger, Garcia.

Hickory 22  9  14  29 — 74

South Rowan 9  18  23  14 — 64