Staff report

SPENCER — East Rowan’s boys basketball team hung with North Rowan for a half, but the Cavaliers’ superior depth became a factor as the game went on.

North made its season debut with a 92-70 victory, while sending the Mustangs to their third straight defeat.

The Cavaliers only led 41-36 at the break, but they were up by 15 after three quarters and were widening the margin as the game ended.

“We competed, played hard, gave our best effort,” East coach Andrew Porter said. “They got a lot of points off turnovers and lot of second-chance points with their rebounding. They’ve got some athletes, for sure.”

East beat North in an early-season encounter last season, but the Mustangs are rebuilding after graduating Tee Harris and Dylan Valley. North, on the other hand, has a lot of experienced players back. George Maxwell and Amir Alexander are returning double-digit scorers, and they led the Cavaliers. Alexander scored 19, while Maxwell had 15.

North coach Jason Causby also got 12 points each from Jerricho Charleston and freshman Carter Williams.

Ten Cavaliers got in the scorebook. North shot the ball well, making 10 3-pointers as well as a solid percentage from the foul line.

East got four 3-pointers and 24 points from Drake Jones, a transfer from Rockwell Christian. Jonathan Wembolua had his third straight double-double for East. The senior had a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds.

The Mustangs played without starting point guard Ti’Jon Everhart. He injured an ankle in the opener.

East Rowan    16     20   11   23   — 70

North Rowan  20   21    21   30    — 92

EAST — D. Jones 24, Wembolua 22, Reid 8, McIntyre 7, Gibson 4, Butler 2, Chesney 2, J, Jones 1.

NORTH — Alexander 19, Maxwell 15, Charleston 12, Williams 12, Morrow 9, Tarver 8, Mosley 7, Polk 4, Alford 4, Feamster 2.