By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

12th in a series of reports on local basketball teams …

SPENCER — North Rowan’s Jason Causby has 273 wins in Rowan County, one fewer than Bob Hundley, so Causby will be second only to Mike Gurley (450) in county boys basketball history after the Cavaliers’ first two victories of the 2024-25 season.

There’s a chance that Causby, who also has coached at Salisbury High and North Hills Christian School, will make it to 300 wins before this season is over because the Cavaliers are expected to be dynamite after a powerful summer showing in which they left some strong 4A schools shaking their heads in disbelief.

“What you did in the summer isn’t going to matter all that much in December, but I do feel really good about this team and our very strong senior class,” Causby said. “I’m as confident as I’ve been in a long time. We know we can be good, and we’re going to work very hard to be as good as we can be.”

North was not awesome last season, pretty average by North’s high standards, 15-13 overall, 7-5 for fourth place in the 1A/2A Central Carolina Conference, and with early exits in the semifinals of the CCC Tournament and the second round of the 1A state playoffs. North was talented, had no shortage of guys who could play, but never quite put a combination together.

North has subtracted 1,700 career points with the loss of George Maxwell and Amir Alexander, but points figure to be the least of the Cavaliers’ worries. Jayden “JP” Polk (10.5 points per game) can score inside and out, as can Dyzarious Carpenter (8.8), who is ready for a jump into the county’s elite.

“We expect more consistency from Jayden, who always has had talent,” Causby said. “He’s got a strong, rugged body, and he jumps well. His history has been up and down, but he should be mostly up as a senior. He’s defending better than he ever has.”

Carpenter has grown to 6-foot-4. He hasn’t had a full season since he was a freshman, as he had one season interrupted by a broken thumb and one shortened by eligibility issues.

“I’m really excited by what Dyzarious will do for us,” Causby said. “He’s done everything he’s supposed to do on and off the court. He’s a long, explosive, dynamic athlete. He leaps well enough that there’s definitely some wow factor to his game.”

Polk and Carpenter have been joined by another senior who may be the team’s glue, even though he probably won’t score as much as Polk or Carpenter. Emari Russell is a transfer from Central Cabarrus, where he was a major contributor to two 3A state championship teams.

“Emari is a great athlete, a really special athlete, with a true feel for the game of basketball,” Causby said. “He brings a unique level of winning experience to our program, and I don’t think I’ve ever coached a point guard quite like him. He’s vocal. He’s a superior defender. He rebounds. He gets the ball where it needs to go. We’ve only got him for one season, but I honestly believe he’s going to leave his fingerprints all over this program.”

Dillon Mosely is a senior guard who will play off the ball. While he averaged only 2.8 points last season, Mosely was trying to fit in as a point guard after transferring to North. This season he’ll be able to concentrate on shooting the ball, and he should get plenty of open shots, operating with Polk, Carpenter and Russell.

North seniors KaMahri Feamster and Jeremiah Alford will provide muscle and rebounds. Feamster, a football lineman, has the team’s largest body. Alford, the record-setting quarterback, is the ideal fifth guy on the floor because he’s only worried about the scoreboard, not about how many shots he’s getting or not getting.

“Jeremiah is a great high school student-athlete,” Causby said. “He brings all the right intangibles to a basketball team.”

Jah Sullivan is a senior wing who has earned a reserve role as a slasher and high-energy player.

Junior JoJo Tarver, the quick football running back, averaged 4.1 points per game and will be a key player as a combo guard.

“He’s a great defender,” Causby said. “When we play Emari and JoJo together in the backcourt, they should be able to bring pressure and cause problems with their defense.”

Junior Tristen Brown is a long, 6-foot-2 wing. He’s a streaky shooter and a solid defender.

Junior guards Jonathan Goad and Greg Jefferies are hard-working players who will provide depth.

Sophomore Carter Williams is a 6-foot-4 athlete with a long, strong body and a willingness to get after it on defense. His shot is still a work in progress and he wasn’t quite ready to shine as a varsity freshman, but he could be a future star.

Zyquise “KeKe” Carpenter, Dyzarious’ younger brother, will split time between the varsity and jayvees. He’ll have a chance to run the show for the jayvees, while he also gains varsity experience. North has a strong sophomore class.

As far as the varsity, this is a stout team. At the very least, the Cavaliers will be good, better than last year. If things roll their way, they could be great.