Carson’s CP Perry

By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The Rowan County boys basketball season was ruled by a Salisbury team led by Jayden “Juke” Harris that won the Christmas tournament, won 20 games in a row, won Central Carolina Conference regular-season and tournament championships and won four playoff games.

That’s a lot of winning.

Rowan’s four teams in the 3A South Piedmont Conference all played in the giant shadow cast by undefeated 3A state champion Central Cabarrus, but they all had good players. An exciting young Carson team showed it has a bright future.

A committee of former players announced on Friday evening that the Scooter Sherrill Award for the Rowan County Player of the Year will go to Harris for the second time.

All-County

First team

• Jayden “Juke” Harris, Salisbury, Sr. — Wake Forest recruit Harris broke every county and school scoring record, with 31.6 points per game and a 2,601-point career. Scored 40-plus four times as a senior. District Player of the Year and All-State, he also had plenty of rebounds, steals, blocked shots and assists.

• CP Perry, Carson, Fr. — The son of Carson’s coach (Brian) displayed terrific athletic ability to go with the basketball IQ you’d expect from a coach’s kid. Averaged 18.0 points and he’s probably a better passer and rebounder than he is a scorer. There are a lot of triple-doubles in his future.

• Will Givens, West, Sr. — A pure shooter with very good quickness, the Johnson & Wales recruit averaged 19.1 points and scored 1,206 points in his career.

• George Maxwell, North, Sr. — A consistent scorer on the drive and the 3-point line, he averaged 14.9 points and scored 927 points in his career.

• Mike Geter, Salisbury, Sr. — Geter averaged 9.9 points, about the same as he did every season, but his value went way beyond points for the county’s dominant team. He was a glue guy who made all the Hornets better. He scored 809 career points.

Second team

• Jacob Mills, Carson, Fr. — A terrific 3-point shooter and a surprising rebounder, he averaged 14.8 points playing in a 3A league that had one super team and six more good ones.

• Amir Alexander, North, Sr. — A 6-foot-4 Chowan football recruit, he played above the rim when he was on, and he was on the majority of the time. He averaged 14.3 points as a senior and scored 788 points for the Cavaliers.

• Jonah Drye, Carson, Jr. — Blended in well with Carson’s talented freshmen crew, passing more, but he gave the Cougars another excellent 3-point threat and a clutch free-throw shooter. He averaged 11.5 points and will have a chance to reach 1,000 milestone next season.

• Dalton Young, South, Sr. — He was as entertaining as anyone in the county and there were nights when he was about as good as anyone. He was a creative scorer, to say the least, and averaged 15.0 points per game despite being the assignment for every team’s best defensive player.

Elijah Holmes, West, Sr. — Tough defender and a steady scorer who gave the Falcons 10.3 points per game.

Third team

• Bryce Dalton, Salisbury, Jr. — A solid ball-handler and good defender, He had some deadly 3-point nights. Scored 17 against Reidsville in the Final Four. Averaged 9.0 points.

• Drake Jones, East, Jr. — A pure shooter, he had to handle the ball quite a bit after the injury to Ti’Jon Everhart. He had a 33-point game early before teams figured out what he could do. He averaged 12.5 points.

• Jayden Polk, North, Jr. — One of the county’s most gifted players, he was special on his good nights. He averaged 10.5 points.

• Jonathan Wembolua, East, Sr. — Averaged 12.2 points and posted quite a few double-doubles for the Mustangs.

• Braylon Taylor, Salisbury So. — A smooth and skilled scorer, he averaged 10.5 points per game.

• Deuce Walker, Salisbury, Sr. — A winner, his rebounding and defense were huge for the Hornets.

• Unsung heroes — Carson’s Colin Ball and Drew Neve

• Best defender  — Salisbury’s Dalton

• Best scorer — Salisbury’s Harris

• Best passer — Carson’s Perry

• Best rebounder — Salisbury’s Walker

• Best glue player — Salisbury’s Geter

• Best shooter — West’s Givens

• Best shot-blocker — Salisbury’s Harris

• Best junior — Carson’s Drye

• Best sophomore — Salisbury’s Taylor

• Best freshman — Carson’s Perry

• Best comeback — West’s Kayvone Norman from a torn ACL

• Coach of the Year – Salisbury’s Albert Perkins