Staff report

MOUNT ULLA — North Rowan quarterback Jeremiah Alford made quite a few 2-point conversions during his football career, and he got another big 2 on Wednesday to decide a basketball thriller.

North Rowan beat West Rowan 62-60 in front of packed gym in Mount Ulla. They’re rivals. It was not your typical non-conference game

“Lots of excitement,” North head coach Jason Causby said. “The gym was full and the gym was loud. Saw the great (former West star) Snip Keaton. (Former West coach) Mike Gurley even made an appearance. Almost like old times.”

North (15-8) held the Falcons (8-15) to four points during a cold second quarter for both teams and took a 25-17 lead to the halftime break. The Cavaliers maintained their advantage and led 39-30 after three quarters, but then all heck broke loose in the fourth. West made seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, scored 30 points, and made a strong run.

North led 60-56 with 33 seconds left when West senior Evan Kennedy made his fourth 3-pointer of the quarter — as he was fouled. Kennedy added the free throw, and it was 60-all.

North’s Emari Russell drove, but he had his shot blocked out of bounds.

North executed the way it wanted to on the inbounds action, but the Falcons did a good job of making it a tough jump shot for Dyzarious Carpenter. He missed, and JP Polk’s tip-in try went over the rim. But waiting there was Alford. He rebounded and stuck it in to give the Cavaliers a 62-60 lead with nine seconds left.

West advanced the ball to halfcourt and called timeout with 4.4 seconds left to set up a final shot. Kennedy was the guy West wanted to take it, and he took it.

“They were inbounding from the side and we did a nice job of making Kennedy have to catch the ball moving away from the basket,” Causby said. “He still got the shot off, but it hit the front of the rim. It was a good road win for us against a good team.”

Carpenter led the Cavaliers with 21 points. Carpenter scored 15. Polk had nine points and 11 rebounds. Carter Williams scored eight. Alford had five rebounds.

Kennedy had 19 for the Falcons. Josiah Young scored 12. Brant Graham had eight. Jalen Moten made two 3-pointers during the Falcons’ fourth-quarter run.

North plays at Salisbury on Friday. That could mean more excitement.

West will get ready for the South Piedmont Conference Tournament.

West Rowan      13    4   13    30   — 60

North Rowan    15   10   14   23     — 62

North — Russell 21, D. Carpenter 15, Polk 9, Williams 8, J. Alford 5,Tarver 2, Feamster 2.

West — Kennedy 19, Young 12, Graham 8, Moten 6, Tucker 6, Neely 4, Donaldson 3, Ford 2.