North men win easily at home over Uwharrie Charter, 86-53

Published 11:50 pm Wednesday, January 2, 2019

The North Stanly men’s basketball team returned to Yadkin Valley Conference play Wednesday night in strong fashion, pulling away in the second quarter en route to an 86-53 home win over the Uwharrie Charter Eagles.

Bryson Childress had a big night for the Comets (6-4, 3-1 YVC) with 30 points, including 22 in the first half. Nalik Veasley added 13 for North, including hitting 5-of-6 at the free throw line.

Garrett McCollum scored 13 of his team-high 15 for the Eagles (2-8, 1-3) in the second half.

The Comets’ offense shot around the 50-percent mark for the first three periods, finishing the game 33-of-69 overall (47.8 percent). North was 4-of-15 on 3-pointers and 16-of-24 at the free-throw line.

North Stanly’s Carson Lowder drives to the basket for a layup in the Comets’ win Wednesday over Uwharrie Charter. (Photo by Charles Curcio)

Uwharrie Charter was 21-of-54 overall from the floor and 5-of-18 from long distance. The Eagles were 6-of-14 at the foul line.

After Elijah Glover opened the game with a steal and bucket for Uwharrie, the Comets scored the next nine points of the game, including seven in a row from Childress. North led by as much as 14 in the first period before a late 7-0 run by the Eagles got the visitors within seven after one quarter.

North’s offense put the foot down on the gas pedal in the second period helping the Comets pull away. The hosts scored 13 straight points over the first three minutes and led by as much as 29 points in the period. At halftime, North led 48-22.

North’s best shooting period percentage wise came in the third when the Comets were 9-of-14 overall, outscoring the Eagles by eight in the quarter.

Both teams substituted liberally in the fourth quarter with the Comets’ bench all putting points up on the board.

“We feel awfully good about Nalik, Carson and Garrett contributing as the year goes along,” North coach Greg Childress said.

“We don’t compete if we don’t have Malik and Garrett (Clark) on the boards. Carson has been solid all three years on varsity…we have a lot of what I call ‘glue guys.’ They play their role, sometimes scoring, sometimes defending, sometimes rebounding.”

North Stanly hosts South Stanly on Friday night. The Bulls (6-6, 4-1) won at home over South Davidson on Wednesday, 84-68.

UC 15 7 14 17 53
NS 22 28 22 16 86

UC – Rorie 7, Glover 2, Dunn 5, Garrett McCollum 15, Christian 3, Brady 4, Brewer 3, N. Williams 4, A. Williams 6, B. Williams 4.
NS – Bryson Childress 30, Nalik Veasley 13, Lowder 8, Clark 7, Poole 7, Hogan 6, Smith 5, Bell 4, Watkins 4.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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