By Will Bryan
MaxPreps.com
While MECA 7 4A conference teams are battling for the top spot, West Mecklenburg has claimed complete ownership over the Queen City 3A/4A classification.
The Hawks (13-3, 6-0) crushed Charlotte Catholic 83-64 on Monday night to remain unbeaten in conference play and hand a team on a five-game winning streak a humbling, double-digit defeat.
Four West Meck players scored in double figures with Charles Morrison and Aaron Bennett combining for 43 points.
Morrison scored most of his points in the first half, tallying 20 points, including 12 in the first quarter, to give the Hawks a sizeable lead early.
The Hawks built their advantage based on a speedy tempo and accurate shooting. Their inside-outside game allowed the spot-up shooters to get good looks which in turn kept the defense from doubling the ball on the interior.
“We know if we play well, we put a lot of pressure on the other team,” West Mecklenburg coach Donald Kirby told the Charlotte Observer. “Tonight was just one of those nights we were on fire offensively from outside and I think we kind of wore them down.”
Although Catholic closed to within six points in the third quarter at 48-42, West Meck’s hot shooting blew the game open again in the final minutes. Bennett helped that run by scoring 15 in the second stanza and adding seven assists, six rebounds and four blocks.
Catholic’s Pat Harrington led his team with 12 points.
West Meck will not play again until next Friday when it travels to Harding.
Here is a look at the some of the other match-ups coming up in the next week;
North Meck (13-3, 3-1) at Hopewell (16-0, 5-0), Friday
Hopewell continued its climb up the area’s Sweet 16 poll by knocking off top-seeded Vance on Monday, 48-44.
Hopewell has developed a reputation as a dominant defensive squad as head coach Eric Davis has adopted a start slow-speed up philosophy to his game plan.
“We wanted to slow them down and really play hard in the first quarter and not get behind,” Davis told the Charlotte Observer after Monday’s win over Vance.
The Titans’ front court has been led by 6-6 DeMon Brooks, who had 15 points and 15 rebounds on Monday. Point guard Brandyn Curry had nine rebounds, 10 points, four assists and two steals, while Jordan Downing made clutch plays after every critical moment, finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Forsyth Country Day School (16-3) at Providence Day (6-8)
Providence Day improved its record to 6-8 with a win over Wesleyan Christian on Tuesday. Although this team hasn’t found consistent success this year, they feature the area’s top scorer in Ryan Conrad.
Conrad entered this week averaging 27.0 points per game and 4.0 assists per game. He raised that average by dropping 33 points on Wesleyan.
Forsyth Country Day’s strong record includes wins over Ravenscroft and Northwest Guilford.
