Staff report

GRANITE QUARRY — The South Piedmont Conference opener for East Rowan’s girls didn’t go as planned.

East never got anything going offensively on Friday and took a 48-27 loss at the hands of Central Cabarrus.

East trailed 12-2 after a quarter. The middle two quarters were pretty even, but the Mustangs (2-2, 0-1) couldn’t make up that early deficit.

Nine Mustangs scored, but Hannah Waddell’s six points led the way. The Vikings were the first team to hold East’s Kady Collins to single digits.

Central didn’t shoot particularly well — 35 percent from the field, 1-for-6 on 3-pointers and 5-for-14 on free throws, but the Vikings made up for it with rebounding and defense.

Central got solid games from three players. Kyra Lewis had 17 points and nine rebounds. Daniyah Burton had eight points and 15 rebounds. Jalayah Ray had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Central (2-1, 1-0) lost 50-29 to 4A Cox Mill on Saturday.

Central Cabarrus    12    12    10    14   — 48

East Rowan              2      10   9        6    — 27

CENTRAL — Lewis 17, Ray 12, Burton 8, Cruz 4, Blanchard 3, Duncan 2, Pickett 2.

EAST — Waddell 6, Kluttz 4, Church 3, Collins 3, J. Featherstone 3, S. Featherstone 2, Miller 2, Smith 2, Marshall 2.