Staff report

STATESVILLE — Statesvlle’s girls basketball team held off Carson 51-45 on Monday in non-conference action.

After a quiet first half, Carson shot better and played tougher in the second half. Carson made five 3-pointers in the second half.

The Cougars are 0-3, but they are much more resilient than last season and are making progress. They’ve had a chance in all three games.

The return to health of senior Allie Martin has been a big part of that.

Carson’s last lead of the night was 7-6 when Emma Carpenter scored inside, but the Cougars were able to stay in the game. Statesville (2-0) never led by more than 11, and it was a two-point game late in the action before the Greyhounds scored the last four points of the night.

Ava Waugh banked in a 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter ti give the Greyhounds a 9-7 lead.

Statesville, the only team that lost to the Cougars last season, overpowered Carson in the paint in the second quarter, made free throws and led 27-16 at halftime.

The third quarter was even. Statesville took a 39-29 lead to the fourth.

Martin made two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and back-to-back 3s by Julia Burleson, who got a great roll, and Laila Furr, who banked one, got Carson within 47-45, but coach Andrew Mitchell calmed down the Greyhounds and they were able to finish off the win.

Martin scored 15 for the Cougars. Rylee Hedrick had nine.

 

Carson           7    9      13     16    — 45

Statesville     9    18    12     12     — 51

CARSON scoring — Martin 15, Hedrick 9, Burleson 8, Carpenter 6, Furr 5, Snow 2.