By Dennis Davidson

dennis.davidson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Unfortunately for South Rowan’s boys, they were up next for Carson.

The Cougars were angry after Monday’s one-point loss to Mooresville, 58-57, and played with a purpose in Tuesday’s 68-23 thrashing of the winless Raiders in the consolation bracket of the Dale’s/Sam Moir Christmas Classic.

Carson’s first two possessions of the game were identical — senior center Ryan Bearden aggressively grabbing an offensive rebound and putting in a follow shot. Next time down the court, Cameron Prugh drilled a 3-pointer for a 7-2 lead and Carson really never looked back.

The score was 18-8 after one quarter and then the Cougars really got it rolling. Forward Owen White pumped in three straight 3-pointers, sandwiched around an old-fashioned three-point play from Brenden Westbrook, to ignite a 29-point second period.

Prugh added a three-point play during the decisive second quarter, and Cole Perry and Jailen Williams knocked down treys of their own and by halftime, the Cougars led, 47-20.

“Owen hit those 3s, and once we got that separation, we got a few steals in the press, leading to some easy baskets and that gave us a big lead at halftime,” said Carson coach Brian Perry. “Then, in the third quarter, South just went really, really cold and allowed us to get a lead that enabled us to get everybody into the game. We went two minutes at a time with everybody and hopefully, we’ll be prepared for West Rowan tomorrow.”

As Perry mentioned, things did go from bad to worse for the Raiders. South’s leading scorer for the game, Tre Littlejohn, scored all 11 of his points in the first half.

Neither Littlejohn nor anyone else could score in the third period, as Carson threw a shutout for the quarter, 13-0. Then, the only drama that mounted in Goodman Gym, was to see if South would score in the fourth quarter.

With 2:55 left in the game, South’s Dylan Kluttz sank a layup to end the suspense and make the score 65-22. Tyler Peacock added a free throw for South with 13 seconds left and Carson’s Grayson Whicker drilled a 3-pointer to account for the final score.

“That was a tough loss last night (Monday), so this was really good for us,” said Perry.

Prugh and Jamarius Hairston led Carson with 11 points each, followed by 10 from Williams. White finished with nine points and Westbrook had eight.

Bearden led the Cougars’ rebounding with eight boards, six of which came in the first half. Littlejohn had seven rebounds for South.

South first-year coach Andre McCain said after Monday’s loss to Salisbury that turnovers were the Raiders’ “achilles heel.” That stat showed up again against Carson, as South turned the ball over 24 times.

Perry feels for McCain, his former assistant coach.

Coach McCain is going to do a great job,” added Perry. “He was a great assistant coach for us, but it’s a process,” added Perry. “They lost three of their best guys from last year, I think, so they’re trying to rebuild. It’s tough, but he’ll get it done and they’ll continue to get better.”

Carson (7-5) takes on West Rowan at 1:30 today in the fifth-place game. South (0-12) and East battle for 7th place today in the 10:30 a.m. contest.

 

SOUTH ROWAN (23) — Littlejohn 11, Hester 4, Butler 3, Bradshaw, Rhyne, Greer, Barringer, Childers, Shaver, Harrington 2, Kluttz 2, Peacock 1.

CARSON (68) — Hairston 11, White 9, Bearden 6, Prugh 11, Herron-Cuthbertson 5, Williams 10, Westbrook 8, Hogue 2, Whicker 3, Perry 3, Banks.

South Rowan    8    12    0   3 — 23

Carson              18   29   13   8 — 68