CHINA GROVE — Carson’s Marquez McCain enjoyed a sensational senior night, scoring a career-high 23 points, but it was still far from enough.

Hickory Ridge is not the ideal senior night opponent, and the Ragin’ Bulls pounded the Cougars 64-51 in South Piedmont Conference action to stay tied for first place with Cox Mill. Hickory Ridge (18-4, 13-2)  finishes at home against West Rowan on Friday, while Cox Mill will welcome Carson.

Carson (10-13, 7-8) sits in fifth place in the middle of the nine-team league and has dropped three straight.

McCain slashed his way to nine points in the first quarter as the Cougars climbed back into the game after trailing 12-3 early. McCain, who bumped his career points total to 728 — fifth on the Cougars’ all-time list — had 15 by halftime.

Carson wasn’t in bad shape at the half — down 32-26 — but Avery Metcalf produced a 10-point third quarter for the Ragin’ Bulls that gave them separation. Even with back-to-back buckets by Armoni Hogue, Carson trailed by 10 heading to the fourth quarter.

Bobby Babson and Jaylen Stowe scored inside buckets early in the fourth quarter, as Hickory Ridge stretched its lead to 17 with five minutes left. Carson wasn’t able to make a run.

Metcalf scored 24 points. Stowe, a Mercer signee, had 19.

Carson’s other three seniors are Jacob Raper, Jonathan Rucker and Darren Isom. Raper, a four-year varsity player has scored 626 points. Rucker, who played two years at Carson after transferring from Northwest Cabarrus, has scored 379.

 

HICKORY RIDGE  (64): Av. Metcalf 24, Stowe 19, Babson 8, An. Metcalf 6, Meertins 2, Garner 2, Smith 2, Heidekte 1, Putnam.

CARSON (51): McCain 23, Rucker 5, Westbrook 4, Bearden 4, Hogue 4, Collins 3, White 2, Raper 2, Isom 2, Williams 2,

Hick. Ridge                     18    14     16   16 — 64         

Carson                             11     15       12   13 — 51