Boys capsules

Saturday’s first-round games

Mooresville vs. Davie, 10:30

North Rowan vs. East Rowan, 1:30

Salisbury vs. South Rowan, 4:30

Carson vs. West Rowan, 7:30

 

No. 1 Salisbury (8-2)

 

Season record vs. Moir teams: 3-1 (lost at Carson)

Championships: 14 (last was in 2010)

Runner-up: 6 (most recent was 2006)

All-time record in Moir: 62-40

Coach: Jason Causby (10th year, 150-103), 3 Moir titles

Top players: Junior guard Deshawn Troutman (15.5 ppg.) has scored in double figures nine times. So has rugged small forward DJ Alexander (14.4 ppg.), another junior.

Outlook: Salisbury has the combination of size, speed and experience to win the tournament.

 

No. 2 North Rowan  (6-2)

Season record vs. Moir teams: 1-0 (won at South Rowan)

All-time record in Moir: 54-47

Championships: 8 (defending champs)

Runner-up: 6 (most recent was 2012)

Coach: Andrew Mitchell (5th year, 106-21), 2 Moir boys championships

Top players: Junior guard Jalen Sanders (19.1 ppg.) has scored 20-plus four times. With Josh Handy battling an injury, sophomore Joseph Scott (12.0 ppg.) has stepped forward as a reliable scorer. Handy  may be back for the tournament.

Outlook: North Rowan has played  some tough teams, including two 4As,  and is  the co-favorite with the Hornets.

 

No. 3 Mooresville (5-3)

Season record vs. Moir teams: 1-0 (won vs. West Rowan)

Coach:  Michael Micklow

Top players: Junior guard Corban Usry  averages 13.4 points and junior forward Christian Holbrook averages 10.0 points. Usry was a Salisbury Hornet last season, while Holbrook played for South Rowan.  Jay Davis, a 6-5 soph, averages 9.9 points and 2.8 blocks. Davis scored 18 against North Meck.

Outlook: Mooresville has shown an ability to win tight games — all five victories  by five or fewer points — so the young Blue Devils have to be taken seriously.

No. 4 Carson  (5-5)

Season record vs. Moir teams: 4-2 (Cougars have beaten four different teams)

All-time record in Moir: 11-11

Championships: 0

Runner-up: 1 (2013)

Coach: Brian Perry (9th year, 96-121)

Top players: Senior guard Jonathan Rucker is coming off .a 23-point outing against Salisbury (15 in the fourth quarter) and made the difference in a win against West Rowan Senior guard Marquez McCain and freshman forward Jamarius Hairston have been in double figures six times each.

Outlook: Carson has been inconsistent, but it has exceptional athletes and is capable of making noise.

No. 5 West Rowan (5-5)

Season record vs. Moir teams: 2-3

All-time record in Moir:  55-43

Championships: 10  (last was in 2005)

Runner-up: 5 (most recent was 2008)

Coach: Mike Gurley (18th year at West, 358-131)

Top players: Senior guard Celexus Long and freshman guard Martavio Rankin have produced 20-point games. Freshman post Caleb Mauldin has scored in double figures five straight games.

Outlook: West Rowan is really young. Are the freshmen and sophomore Kortez Weeks ready for the big stage? Long is the only Falcon who could be described as seasoned

 

No. 6 Davie (3-5)

Season record vs. Moir teams: 0-1 (lost to Carson)

All-time record in Moir vs. Rowan : 40-44

Championships: 5 (last was 2012)

Runner-up: 4 (most recent was 2011)

Coach: Mike Absher (13th year, 3 Moir championships)

Top players: Jordan McDaniel and Nic Starnes are steady scorers, and freshman Cooper Wall is a player to watch.

Outlook: Davie lost 62-59 to Carson and will be competitive.

 

No. 7 East Rowan (3-6)

Season record vs. Moir teams: 1-3 (two losses to Salisbury)

All-time record in Moir: 38-61

Championships: 2 (last was 2006)

Runner-up: 7 (last was 2005)

Coach: Trey Ledbetter (5th year, 27-73)

Top players: Five different guys have been the scoring leader in a game. Austin Love (10.6 ppg.) is the leading scorer. Logan Shuping (8.6) is as good a shooter as there is in the county. Ian Bradshaw (7.3 ppg.) can also stroke it. The Mustangs hope to have point guard Bravon Goodlett back from a concussion.

Outlook: There’s a lot of talent on hand.  It’s going to mesh sooner or later.

No. 8 South Rowan (2-7)

Season record vs. Moir teams: 0-3

All-time record in Moir: 45-59

Championships: 1 (1995)

Coach: Bryan Withers (3rd year, 22-36)

Top players: Senior Lavon Hill has been sensational with six outings of 20-plus points and a high of 33. Guard Qwan Rhyne has been back for the last three games and makes the Raiders a more dangerous team than their record indicates.

Outlook: The Raiders are capable of  a tournament upset.