By Bret Strelow
bstrelow@salisburypost.com
MOUNT ULLA ó West Rowan’s girls played their final home game of the regular season Monday, and a 73-47 victory against Northwest Cabarrus provided the Falcons with an upbeat beginning to their important week.Ayana Avery poured in 29 points, Peyton Sawyer added a season-high 16 and Mila Simmons had 11 for West (10-12, 7-10 NPC). The conference is guaranteed at least six playoff berths, and the Falcons remained tied for sixth with Mooresville (a 48-35 winner over eighth-place North Iredell).”Not only was this a big night for the seniors, but it was a big night for keeping us in the playoff hunt,” West coach Erich Epps said.
“I thought every senior did a good job, and I’m really excited about tonight’s game.”
West travels to North Iredell on Wednesday, and Mooresville plays host to last-place Carson.
“We’ve got to beat North Iredell, and we know that,” Epps said.
Sawyer, Simmons, Gabby Calloway, Megan Moose and Kearra Gillespie started on senior night for the Falcons. Avery eventually stole the show.She hit four 3-pointers ó most came from the right corner ó and scored 18 points as West established a 30-13 lead in the first 12 minutes against the Trojans (4-19, 2-15).
Avery added another 3-pointer in the third quarter and went to the fourth with 27 points.
“The corner is my easiest shot because I’m used to shooting from there more than anything,” Avery said. “It’s easier for me.”
NW CABARRUS (47) ó Broome 15, Williams 8, Marburger 8, Hahn 5, Allen 4, Pethel 4, Nazer 2, Johnson 1, Blakely, Herring, Arrington.
WEST ROWAN (73) ó Avery 29, Sawyer 16, Simmons 11, Cross 6, Calloway 3, Baucom 2, Moose 2, Turner 2, Watkins 1, Dutton 1, Gillespie, Watson, Parker, Holloway.
NW Cabarrus 11 6 21 9 ó 47
West Rowan 21 18 19 15 ó 73