Roaming the county getting ready for tonight …
At the halfway point of the high school season, what are we to make of Rowan County basketball?
There are a few A’s and a lot of C’s.
We know North Rowan loves to win championships. The Cavalier boys have won two in a row, with last year’s 1A state title and now one in the Moir Christmas Classic.
Give the 10-2 Cavaliers an A.
Salisbury and Carson’s girls move to the head of the class as well with straight As
There were questions about the young Salisbury Hornets until they beat Carson in the Moir championship to improve to 11-2. The team is still quicker than most people and still play that patented harassing defense.
Don’t really see anyone challenging Salisbury in the CCC.
The Carson girls (13-1) passed all of their tests except one, the Moir championship loss to Salisbury, with flying colors.
East Rowan’s boys, the surprise team of the year, were on Cloud Nine until Wednesday night when they were upended at South Rowan. Now, it’s the East Rowan girls they’re talking about in Granite Quarry.
Did you know Danielle’s Porter’s club has won three straight games? How about that?
West Rowan’s boys just needed to get out of the Moir and back into the NPC to feel better about themselves. The Falcons are tied for the top in the loss column with East and Statesville. They are 7-6 overall and Mike Gurley knows it could be better.
South Rowan’s boys team has been the enigma, but maybe no longer. The Raiders were the most snakebit team in the county, losing close game after close game.
Until they celebrated Wednesday. Kudos to coach John Davis.
Carson’s boys are an up-and-down team, which is expected with so many young starters. The Cougars won two straight games in the Moir, but they fell flat in a loss to West Iredell.
There was no Christmas presence for the Salisbury boys. The Hornets lost two straight games in the Moir and they have now taken over the “biggest enigma” title.
But coach Jason Causby remains undaunted. He texted after a Moir loss to Carson: “Down but not out. The Hornets will rise again in 2012.”
Salisbury, a West Regional participant last season, is 4-7. Wow. Who woulda thunk that?
•
The Hornets begin their quest to get it back together tonight when they play host to 2-8 West Davidson. It’s one of four doubleheaders, all in Rowan County.
Carson goes to West. The newly engaged Gurley (that story’s coming Sunday) will be shooting from the Hipp (again, you’ll have to read Sunday’s story) as he goes against his former assistant Brian Perry.
Carson’s girls should get a test from 6-foot-2 Shay Steele, but she probably isn’t going outside to block many 3-pointers, and that’s where the Cougars will kill you.
An interesting game to watch is East’s boys game at home against Statesville. Those two and West are fighting for first place.
East Rowan beat West Rowan. West Rowan beat Statesville. Will Statesville beat East? If the Mustangs can keep the pace slow, the fast-paced Greyhounds could get frustrated.
Break up those East girls. They will be heavy favorites against Statesville to win their fourth straight game.
And lastly, Gray Stone’s boys visit the third-ranked team in the state.
That would be Andrew Mitchell’s North Rowan Cavaliers. The team that has a very high grade of A.
As in Awesome with a capital A.
•
On the air tonight …
Hall of Famer Howard Platt will call the Salisbury-West Davidson boys game tonight on WSTP 1490-AM. The Coach, Bob Parker, is expected to be back as the analyst.
•
Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4287 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com.