Staff report

CHINA GROVE —  Senior Cole Perry, who has scored more than 500 career points, made his season debut for Carson’s boys on Wednesday, heading to the scorer’s table about three minutes into the game.

“The crowd reaction was great and it was great when he scored for the first time,” said Carson head coach Brian Perry, who is Cole’s uncle. “He’s worked his butt off to get back, and for his first game, he played really well.”

Cole Perry tore an ACL in AAU play during the summer, but has made an amazingly quick recovery. He was cleared earlier this week and scored 13 in Carson’s 76-49 win against rival South Rowan.

“It meant more than the 13 points,” Brian Perry said. “He made quick passes and got the ball where it needed to go. He makes everyone else better with his basketball IQ, and we’re excited about what we can do going forward.”

Carson (2-3) has played a challenging early schedule with zero returning starters. But now it has one and stopped a two-game slide.

“We really needed a win at home tonight and we got it,” Brian Perry said. “A lot of guys had good games.”

EJ Clark scored 15 to lead the Cougars. Javon Smith had his best game of the season with 14 points. AJ Mauldin scored 13, while Cole Hales had 11.

Carson was in command by halftime, leading 44-21.

Brenden Finger scored a career-best 17 for South Rowan (1-2). Jarron Hines added 15.

Carson has won 13 straight against South. The Raiders beat Carson late in the 2011-12 season.

Carson plays at A.L. Brown on Friday. South Rowan’s game at North Davidson has been postponed due to the Black Knights’ run in the football playoffs.

SOUTH (49) —  Finger 17, Hines 15, Graham 5, Jones 4, Stanley 2, E. Gaskin 2, Dextraze 2, Peacock 2,

CARSON (76) — Clark 15, Smith 14, Perry 13, Mauldin 13, Hales 11, Spry 6, Jackson 2, Zuniga 2, Washington, Allen, Harris.

South      13     8     16    12    — 49

Carson    21   23     16    16    — 76