Staff report

CHINA GROVE — Statesville’s boys basketball team had won five in a row, but had no chance against the surging Carson Cougars on Wednesday.

Carson got 56 points from freshmen guards CP Perry and Jacob Mills and blew away the Greyhounds 79-44 in a non-conference game.

Statesville (7-7) came into the game off a big overtime victory against rival North Iredell on Tuesday, but quickly ran into a buzz saw.

Carson (9-5) led 26-12 after the first quarter and was well on its way to its sixth straight win.

Mills, Colin Ball, Jay McGruder and Jonah Drye made 3s in the second quarter. After that bombardment, it was 48-27 at halftime.

Carson overwhelmed the visitors 26-6 in the third quarter, with Mills getting 13 in the quarter.

Carson led 74-33 after three quarters.The fourth quarter was played with a running clock,

Perry sat down after three quarters with 32 points, five short of the school record and one short of his career high. He made 13 2-point buckets and was 6-for-6 at the foul line.

The Cougars moved up to 19th in the 3A West RPI rankings. Statesville fell to 27th.

Statesville     12     15    6    11   — 44

Carson          26     22   26  5     — 79

STATESVILLE — Tillman 9, Davis 7, Lackey 6, Tucker 6, Sherrill 5, Gladden 4, Bryant 4, Clarke 3.

CARSON — Perry 32, Mills 24, Drye 5, McGruder 5, Neve 5, Ball 5, Walters 3.