From staff reports
Fifth-seeded Carson lost to No. 4 seed Hickory Ridge, 85-62, in the first round of the SPC tournament on Tuesday.
The game was played as part of a doubleheader at Robinson.
Carson sophomore Owen White was unbelievable for a while, making five 3-pointers in the third quarter alone.
“Owen got on fire,” Carson coach Brian Perry said. “We were in the game for three quarters, but they started faceguarding him, and then we ran out of gas. They pulled away in the fourth quarter.”
Carson trailed 22-9 after a quarter but outplayed the Ragin’ Bulls (18-6) in the second and third quarters to pull within 57-53.
Carson (13-12) was outscored 28-9 in the final period. Andrew Metcalf and Javon Smith combined for 19 points in the final eight minutes.
“We lost Jamarius Hairston to a twisted ankle and we were a little short-handed to start with,” Perry said. “Then those two guys kind of kicked our butts in the fourth quarter.”
Brenden Westbrook had 12 points for the Cougars.
For Robinson, Smith had 24 points, Andrew Metcalf had 23, and Avery Metcalf scored 13.
Carson is certain to be in the 3A state playoffs. They’ll be on the road in the first round.
“We believe we can make a good showing, maybe upset some people,” Perry said. “After playing Robinson, Concord, Hickory Ridge and Cox Mill, it’s not like we’re going to be seeing anyone who’s better than that in the playoffs.”

CARSON (62) — White 18, Westbrook 12, Perry 7, Williams 6, Bearden 6, Prugh 4, Hairston 4, Whicker 3, Wertz 2.
HICKORY RIDGE (85) — Smith 24, Andrew Metcalf 23, Avery Metcalf 13, Walker 7, Cottingham 6, Wimbush 5, Heidtke 4, Ruggerio 3.

Carson 9 21 23 9 — 62
Hickory Ridge 22 15 20 28 — 85

East girls
East Rowan’s seventh-seeded girls lost to No. 2 seed Hickory Ridge, 54-39, on Tuesday in SPC first-round action.
The game was played at Hickory Ridge.
Shenell Pharr scored 15 points for the Mustangs (12-13). Shenique Pharr had 10.
Jiera Shears scored 11 for ninth-ranked Hickory Ridge (21-3), while Stacia Means had 10.
The Mustangs shot only 22.2 percent. Brittany Small, Lauren Weisensel and Jocelyn Lowe had seven rebounds each.
Hickory Ridge advanced to a 7:30 p.m. semifinal at Cox Mill tonight against Carson.

EAST ROWAN (39) — Shenell Pharr 15, Shenique Pharr 10, Small 6, J. Lowe 6, Weisensel 2.
HICKORY RIDGE (54) — Shears 11, Means 10, Miller 7, Neal 6, Smith 6, Daniel 4, McManimen 4, Jones 2, Scott 2, Benjamin 1, Fitzsimmons 1.

East Rowan 9 7 6 17 — 39
Hickory Ridge 16 16 13 9 — 54

Prep hoops
Rashon Gray scored 18 points as top-seeded Robinson beat No. 8 seed West Rowan 78-62 in an SPC first-round game on Tuesday.
Jordan McKenzie had 11 points and 10 assists for the Bulldogs, and Daniel Spencer scored 15 points.
In other SPC boys games, No. 2 seed Concord won 85-72 against No. 7 seed Northwest Cabarrus.
No. 3 seed Cox Mill nipped No. 6 Central Cabarrus 62-60 behind 18 points by Messiah Baptiste.
In Thursday’s semifinals at Cox Mill, Robinson will play Hickory Ridge and Concord will take on Cox Mill.
•••
Davie’s fifth-seeded boys won 74-65 at No. 4 seed Reagan in a first-round CPC game on Tuesday.
Davie jumped off to an 11-0 lead with Heath Slabach making two early 3-pointers.
Davie led 39-27 at halftime.
Justin McCluney led the Raiders with 16 points,
LP Mua led the War Eagles with 14 points. Slabach and Cooper Wall scored 13 each, and Jordan McDaniel had 11.
•••
Davie’s girls beat Mount Tabor 51-34 in a CPC first-round game on Tuesday.
Madison Zaferatos scored 21 points to lead the War Eagles.
•••
A.L. Brown senior Jaylon Neal scored his 1,000th career point in Friday’s 52-46 win against Hopewell.
The Wonders lost 71-60 to Hough in the first round of the MECKA tournament on Tuesday.

College basketball
Catawba hosts Queens for a SAC doubleheader tonight, starting at 6 p.m.
•••
Livingstone is on the road tonight for a CIAA doubleheader that begins at 5:30 p.m.
Davidson County Community College’s Tre Williams (Carson) will sign with Claflin on Monday.

Local golf
After a night of freezing rain, 10 avid golfers played at balmy Warrior.
Low A golfer was Gary Schenk with a net of 67.85.
Low B golfer was Tony Labarbera with a net of 69.18.
Low C golfer was John Cress with a net of 70.84.
Low D golfer was Andy Griffin with a net of 72.61.