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Tuesday's Top Performers
NIKKI BURTON, W. CHARLOTTE GIRLS: Had 28 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals in 73-66 loss to Butler.
KRISTA GROSS, CONCORD CANNON GIRLS: After scoring 84 points in two games, Gross only had 20 last night but had her third straight triple double (15 points, 12 blocks).
PAUL LARSEN, LAKE NORMAN: Had 23 points and 10 rebounds in 98-65 win over Gastonia Forestview Tuesday. Garinger transfer Reggie Price added 17.
SHANNON SMITH, GASTONIA FORESTVIEW GIRLS: Scored 35 points in season-opening 65-60 win over Lake Norman.
JERMAINE WHITE, BUTLER: Triple-double in 68-64 win over West Charlotte (10 points, 15 rebounds, school-record 12 blocks).
LAUREN WHITE and CHELSEA DOUGLAS, HICKORY GROVE GIRLS: White had 37 points and Douglas 27 in 96-39 win over Charlotte Latin.
By the Numbers
29.6 Average points allowed by Concord Cannon's girls this season.
30.1 West Charlotte girls' shooting percentage against Butler Tuesday.
9, 4, 7 Points scored by Covenant Classical in first, third and fourth quarters of 92-37 loss to United Faith.
4 Dunks by Hickory Grove 6-6 junior Evan Shelton against Charlotte Latin
3 Dunks by Butler's Jermaine White against West Charlotte.
Observations
If we're handing out player of the year awards right now, it's a wrap for Cannon's Krista Gross, averaging 34.6 points and a triple-double per game. They're going to love her in Chapel Hill next year.
I've never seen a player improve so much in an offseason as Butler's Clair Watkins (22 points, 13 rebounds against West Charlotte Tuesday). The 6-4 junior center was N.C. good last year. She's national good now. I see why Duke offered her early.
I hope West Charlotte's girls and Butler meet again. The first time was too good to not have a replay. It would make an unforgettable Western Regional final.
Concord Robinson's girls have a nice one-two punch in Tabby Koerner (17 points, 9 rebounds, 7 steals in 59-36 win over Northwest Cabarrus) and 5-10 point guard Kelsee Cheek (19 points, 57 percent shooting). They will cause some problems in the ME-CA 7 this year.
