Staff report

WINSTON-SALEM — In the end, the best 3A team in the eastern half of North Carolina had no more chance against Central Cabarrus than the schools the Vikings trampled in the South Piedmont Conference.

The Vikings annihilated (Fayetteville) Seventy-First 90-62 on Friday night in the 3A state title game played at Joel Coliseum.

Jim Baker, a North Rowan and Catawba graduate who coached the Catawba Indians for 20 seasons, has an incredible, senior-fueled team that has won back-to-back 3A championships, 65 games  in a row and 95 out of 96.

Central Cabarrus (32-0) shot 60.6 percent in a devastating first half and led 50-24 at the break. Central finished the game with 56 percent shooting, shot 8-for-18 on  3-pointers and forced 24 turnovers.

Josh Dalton scored 22 points, while DJ Kent had 20 for the Vikings, who made 10 turnovers.

Carson and Chase Daniel, Catawba recruits and amazing passers and defenders, combined for 37 points and 15 assists.

Emari Russe

Seventhy-First         11    13    21    17    — 62

Central Cabarrus     28   22   17  23     — 90

CENTRAL — Dalton 22, Kent 20, Chase Daniel 14, Carson Daniel 13, Russell 8, Edmisten 3, Smith 3, Baker 3, Lowry 2, Ezeigbo 2, Martin, Morrow, Burse-Jones.