Another big night from Brock Rose, another big W for Ardrey Kell. Knights stop South Meck
After having just one practice since Dec. 21, the Ardrey Kell knights came out a little rusty against South Mecklenburg Tuesday night.
The Knights’ star guard Brock Rose couldn’t get things going early, but he got hot late.
The Knights would go on to win 62-52 behind Rose’s 20 points. It was his fourth straight game scoring at least 20 points.
“I was very concerned coming in because we haven’t practiced since December 21 because of Covid protocols,” Knights head coach Mike Craft said. “I thought our 21-3 run in the second half was the difference in the game right there.”
The Sabres got going in the first quarter, looking to upset No. 7 Ardrey Kell by forcing a series of bad shots. The game appeared to be headed for a very low final score until both teams started to find their rhythm in the second quarter.
After outsourcing the Knights down the stretch in the second quarter, South took a narrow two-point lead into halftime. Peter Moye led South Mecklenburg in the second quarter with six points.
Coming out of halftime, however, the Knights seemed to have find their stride, going on that 21-3 run. After only scoring three free throws in the first half, Rose had 17 in the second half and nine in the third quarter.
“We came out slow in the first half,” Rose said. “We really just turned it on in the second half and really executed the game plan.”
Knights point guard Evan Smith carried most of the load in the first half scoring 12 points in the first half.
“You can’t say enough about Evan Smith,” coach Craft said. “He always guards the other team’s best player and he runs the show for us.”
Smith did an excellent job facilitating for his teammates in the second half. The Sabres were doubling down on Smith often in the second half, but Smith stuck with the game plan and made the right passes at the right time.
Coach Craft’s message to the team following the game was, “Steal one on the road. If you play ugly, that’s ok. Let’s get better. We’ve got two days of practice then we’ve got a tough Harding team coming in on Friday night.”
THREE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE
Brock Rose, Ardrey Kell: Besides scoring 17 points in the second half to propel his team, Rose also did an excellent job on the glass finishing with seven rebounds in the game. Despite his scoring struggles in the first half, he never lacked hustle and continued to play at a high level.
Evan Smith, Ardrey Kell: Smith’s defense against South Mecklenburg’s Sincere Rasul was a big key to this game. He forced the ball out of Rasul’s hands for the majority of the second half, and it proved to be a difference-maker.
Peter Moye, South Mecklenburg: Finishing with 17 points to lead all scorers for the Sabres, Moye did just about everything. He was able to finish through contact, knock down the mid-range jumper and hit a few three-pointers.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ A technical foul on Sabres head coach Gary Hall in the third quarter stymied what was a 5-0 Sabers run to cut the lead under 10 for the Knights.
▪ Knights’ big man Toni Akinyelu had a double-double this game with 12 points and 11 rebounds. He was able to tip the ball back out to his teammates often for second-chance points.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Ardrey Kell improves to 10-2 on the season while South Mecklenburg falls to 7-4. The Knights face Harding on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. The Sabers will host Olympic on Jan. 7, also at 7 p.m.
Girls Game Summary
The South Mecklenburg girls squad defeated Ardrey Kell 51-42 behind Selani Moss’s 19-point outing. Ardrey Kell’s Molly Burns was scorching from behind the three-point line finishing with 15 points on five shots. Her shooting kept the Knights close.
Moss started the game by scoring 10 straight for the Sabers. She cooled off a bit in the second quarter scoring, but her impact remained the same because her defense stepped up. She had four steals alone in the second quarter.
“I’m proud of my team,” Moss said following the game. “We didn’t shoot too well but I think we stepped up in different areas.”
South Mecklenburg improves to 10-1 on the season with the win. Their only loss came to Winston Salem Christian’s national team.