From staff reports

Boys roundup …

CHINA GROVE — Carson’s boys basketball team came in undefeated and Central Cabarrus entered Friday’s South Piedmont Conference game winless, but the Vikings surprised the Cougars, 64-56.

“We shot bad and got in foul trouble, and Central Cabarrus is better than people realize,” Carson head coach Brian Perry said. “All you hear is how they lost those guys from their championship teams and how down they were, and I think our guys got caught up in looking at what their  record was and listening to all that stuff. Hey, Central is still solid.”

Central got off to a dynamite start and led 24-11. Carson dominated the second quarter to get back to 34-all at halftime, but the Vikings finished stronger.

Central (1-3, 1-1) pulled down 47 rebounds, made only nine turnovers and shot a respectable 40 percent.

Kevonta’ Martin scored 22 points to lead the Vikings, while Cayden Smith had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Carson (4-1, 1-1) is heavily reliant on the 3-point shot and made nine, but it wasn’t enough.

Drew Neve and Jacob Mills scored 16 each for the Cougars. CP Perry scored 12.

Carson will look to bounce back on Tuesday at West Rowan.

Central Cabarrus    24    7   13    20   — 64

Carson                      11    22  11    12     — 56

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MOUNT ULLA — West Rowan lost 63-58 to Lake Norman Charter on Friday in South Piedmont Conference action.

That’s one the Falcons needed if they’re going to be a factor in the SPC, but they’ve got some time to bounce back.

“We just need some practice time more than anything,” West coach Dadrian Cuthbertson said. “We’ll have everyone at  practice on Monday for the first time this season.”

West had balanced scoring in a game that was tight throughout. West struggled some in the fourth quarter and scored only eight points.

Josiah Young, who missed the game at South Rowan, returned to action and led the Falcons with 12 points. Ja’mih Tucker scored 11, Brant Graham had 10, and Evan Kennedy scored nine.

Graham and Jalen Moten made two 3-pointers apiece.

LN Charter   14    20   18   11   — 63

West Rowan  15   19    16    8   — 58

WEST scoring — Young 12, Tucker 11, Graham 10, Kennedy 9, Moten 8, Ford 4, Donaldson 4.

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GRANITE QUARRY — Playing for the third night in a row on Friday, East Rowan’s boys struggled against South Piedmont Conference opponent Northwest Cabarrus.

The Trojans (4-2, 2-0) rolled 53-28.

“We played hard on defense and when you hold a good team to 53, you should be in the game, but we really weren’t,” East head coach Trey Ledbetter said. “We got the shots we wanted, but we couldn’t throw it in the ocean. We shot like 11 percent.”

In the second quarter, East (0-3, 0-2) scored only three points. The Mustangs had 13 at the half.

Logan Bradley made five 3-pointers and scored 17 for East.

EAST scoring — Bradley 17, Thomas 5, Lino 3, Krider 2, Shive 1.

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CONCORD — South Rowan got buzz-sawed at Robinson, a team that probably is the favorite in the South Piedmont Conference.

Robinson’s quickness and pressure defense blew out the Raiders, 79-27.

Carter Rohletter made three tough shots for South’s first seven points, and the Raiders were only down 13-7, but the Bulldogs finished the quarter with a 15-0 run to lead 28-7.

Robinson’s run continued in the second quarter. South’s first non-Rohletter points came on a follow shot by Brooks Overcash to make it a 34-9 game. Rohletter made a 3-pointer for 43-12, and the Bulldogs led 45-15 at the break.

It got worse, not better, in the third quarter for South, as the Raiders were outscored 24-2 in the period. South’s only points were on a Cannon Blevins layup.

Robinson got the running clock it was looking for about three minutes into the second half when the Bulldogs led 55-15.

Jadon Moore had a strong finish, as South traded buckets in the fourth quarter. James Ritchie was fouled with just seconds left on the clock, and officials permitted him to finish making his free throws after time expired.

It was the 50th straight loss for South (0-5, 0-2).

South           7       8    2    10   — 27

Robinson    28  17     24  10   — 79

SOUTH scoring — Rohletter 13, Moore 8, Blevins 2, Ritchie 2, Overcash 2.