By Charles Curcio

Stanly News & Press

NORWOOD — The North Rowan Cavaliers surged ahead in the final minutes for a 61-57 Yadkin Valley Conference win here at South Stanly on Thursday night.

Dayjuwon Cooke scored 11 of his game-high 20 points in the second quarter for the Cavaliers (4-0, 2-0 YVC) and hit free throws down the stretch to put the game just out of reach.

Brevin Goodlett added 15 points, including seven in the first quarter and had a 6-for-8 performance at the foul line.

Bench points made a big difference in the game for the Cavaliers. North Rowan’s bench outscored South Stanly, 16-0, in the game, with the Bulls having just nine players dressed for the game.

“South Stanly is a good team with three really good players,” North coach Jason Causby said. “We haven’t come close to meshing yet and not being able to practice since last Friday and then going on the road sure made things tough.”

North played the game at a deliberate pace, which limited the South’s fast break opportunities and chances to score. The Bulls entered the game averaging 67.3 points per game, including 90 in South’s last game, a home win over West Montgomery.

The two teams battled through a close ,tactical first half with North Rowan grabbing the momentum in the final four seconds with Cooke”s four-point play. The Cavs led at halftime, 32-29.

North continued to push the lead out in the third quarter, hitting 6-of-13 from the field and leading after three quarters by 10 points.

Cooke’s bucket with 5:21 left in the game gave North its biggest lead, 56-44, but the Bulls answered with a 12-0 run over the next three minutes.

With the game tied at 56-all, Denerio Robinson used his size advantage in the paint to get a one-handed shot to roll around the rim and fall, putting the Cavs up by two points.

North shut down South on its next possession, but came down and committed a loose ball foul on a shot on the other end. Tori Colson made one free throw to get South within a point.

In the final minutes, Cooke hit 3-of-4 free throws and the Cavaliers’ defense came up with a steal in between trips to the line, sealing the win.

“Down the stretch, in the fourth quarter, we kept things in front of us instead of shooting gaps and over-running plays, which hasn’t worked out well,”  Causby said. “Guys stayed home and took driving lanes away.”

Causby also talked about North’s win, saying the team and coaching staff “talk a lot about not playing for the spectacular … it will come to you.” He added the win is “one more rung on the ladder. The guys stepped up and answered the call.”

North Rowan travels to Uwharrie Charter for a league game tonight.

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NOTE: North point guard Derrick Page was able to play, but was limited by an ankle injury.

 

NORTH ROWAN (61) —  D. Cooke 20,  Goodlett 15, Robinson 8, Broaddus 6, Goodes 4, Page 3, Stoner 3, Wilson 2.

SOUTH STANLY (57) —  LeGrand 17, J.  Cooke 15,  Gaddy 13, Tarlton 8, Colson 4.

North Rowan  13  19  17  12 — 61
South Stanly   13  16  10  18 — 57