By Marny Hendrick

sports@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — South Rowan sprinted out to a 20-3 lead and were never seriously threatened, in a 47-30 win over Davie County’s girls Friday afternoon at Goodman Gym. The win secured fifth place in the 45th annual Dale Sporting Goods/Sam Moir Christmas Classic for South, as well as posting a couple of impressive wins in the event.

Tazah Hardin sparked the winners with 14 points, especially in the third quarter when South (7-6) expanded their lead. Janiya Downs overcame foul troubles to score 12 points for the Raiders.

Davie (2-9) was never able to get their offense untracked, especially from beyond the three- point arc. Liz Crenshaw and Maddie Bohannon had seven points each for the War Eagles while their top scorer Emma Slabach was held to just six.

Raiders’ coach John Davis credited his defense with slowing down the sharp shooting Davie team: “We were able to put pressure on them on the perimeter and make the adjustments,” Davis said.

The opening period was decisive for South as they led 9-3 after one and got a big three pointer from Downs to get them to 20-3. Davie closed it to 20-12 at the half on a Crenshaw 3-pointer but that was as close as the War Eagles would get.

DAVIE COUNTY (30) — Crenshaw 7, Bohannon 7, Slabach 6, Lewis 6, Martinez 2, Carter 2, Hayes, Hartsell.

SOUTH ROWAN (47) — Hardin 14, Downs 12, Corriher 7, Crenshaw 7, Carsin Carlton 5, Arnott 2, McClary, Rollins, Spratt, Cam Carlton, Shell.

Davie County    3   9  8  10 — 30

South Rowan    9  11  12 15 — 47