Staff report

CHINA GROVE — Carson’s boys graduated four starters from a record-setting 26-3 basketball team.

The fifth starter, senior guard Cole Perry, is recovering from ACL surgery and isn’t expected to be cleared for action until mid-December.

“Hopefully, we’ll have Cole back for some minutes in the Christmas tournament and he’ll be ready to go when we start conference play,” Carson head coach Brian Perry said.

That means there are going to be some growing pains for the Cougars. Inexperience was evident in Monday’s opener against J.M. Robinson, and the Cougars lost, 74-60.

“We’re really inexperienced and guys are still learning,” Coach Perry said. “We were just kind of running around out there. We saw some good things and we’ll get better. We’ve just got to get everyone in the right spots.”

Cole Hales is Carson’s most experienced returner. A Coker baseball signee, the senior guard scored 13 points. Sophomore guard Devon Shaver scored 11. Junior forward E.J. Clark scored 10.

Justin Boateng led Robinson with 15 points. Daniel Johnson added 10.

Robinson led after a quarter, 14-6, and stretched its lead to 35-23 at halftime.

“We had some scrimmages, but we hadn’t seen anyone nearly as athletic or as aggressive as Robinson,” Coach Perry. “It was eye-opening for our guys. We know we’ve got to get better.”

Carson has some transfers who are going to help, but they’re still learning Carson’s system. Javon Smith (North Rowan), A.J. Mauldin (West Rowan) and Mark Spry (East Rowan) scored four points each.

Carson plays Saturday morning in the Headliners Challenge against North Wilkes. That game will be played at High Point Central at 11:30 a.m.

 

ROBINSON (74) — Boateng 15, Johnson 10, Dev. Patterson 9, Raper 9, Dea. Patterson 8, Dunn 7, Hall 7, Caldwell 5, Hightower 2, Reed 2.

CARSON (60) — Hales 13, Shaver 11, Clark 10, Allen 5, Harris 5, Mauldin 4, Spry 4, Smith 4, Washington 2, Still.

Robinson   14  21   22   17  — 74

Carson         6   17   14   23  — 60