Carson’s boys finished eighth in the eight-team Sam Moir Christmas Classic and had lost six straight games going into Friday’s home contest with Cox Mill, one of the South Piedmont Conference’s top teams.

There was no reason to predict it, but the Cougars, who had been consistently scoring in the 40s, got off the mat and surprised the Chargers with a great offensive performance in a 75-70 victory.

Carson seniors Marquez McCain, Jonathan Rucker, Jacob Raper and Darren Isom combined for 58 points in the win. McCain scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Cougars (6-9).

McCain’s previous high was a 20-point outing against Northwest Cabarrus as a junior. McCain is averaging 11.3 points per game this season. He scored 13 in Carson’s 57-44 loss to SPC leader Hickory Ridge last Tuesday.