North Meck blows past Myers Park, to regional championship date with Weddington
The North Mecklenburg Vikings came out hot against Myers Park in a N.C. 4A state quarterfinal basketball game Tuesday. It was clear pretty early that Myers Park wouldn’t advance to its first regional final since 1966.
The Vikigns ran away for a 91-73 win and a regional championship date with nationally ranked and unbeaten Weddington, which rallied to beat Chambers 58-56.
The N.C. High School Athletic Association is expected to name the sites of all eight boys and girls regional finals Wednesday morning.
“We are really proud of our guys,” North Mecklenburg coach Duane Lewis said following the game. “We knew it was going to be our senior’s last game here, we talked about that a little bit. They were very locked in, very zoned in and focused.”
North Mecklenburg came out sharp taking a 9-0 lead just two minutes into the game after back-to-back 3-point baskets and an and-one finish.
Just when the Mustangs seemed to settle in, scoring four unanswered points, the Vikings matched it with two quick scores of their own. Senior guard Davion Cunningham led the way for the Vikings in the first quarter scoring easily around the rim.
After trailing by 14, the Mustangs ended the quarter on a 4-0 run in the final minute and tailed 19-9 after the first quarter.
The hot shooting continued for the Vikings in the second quarter as star guard Jordan Crawford got in on the action with tough finishes and showed off his deep range. The Vikings led 31-13 with 4:41 left in the first half.
“Jordan (Crawford) is so gifted offensively,” Lewis said. “It’s not just shooting the ball. He is able to get through tight spaces, get to the backboard. He picked his spots in that second quarter and really blew that lead open for us.”
Out of halftime, the Vikings opened up a 30-point advantage with 5:53 remaining in the third quarter. And that was essentially it.
THREE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE
Jordan Crawford, North Mecklenburg: Crawford, a finalist for Mr. N.C. Basketball, had 20 points in the second quarter alone. He finished with 25 on the game. His presence on the court just propels the team as a whole. His hot shooting in the second quarter was the catalyst to the Vikings’ large halftime lead.
Davion Cunningham, North Mecklenburg: The floor general for the Vikings had a great game scoring and passing. He had six assists on the game to go along with his 15 points.
Sir Mohammed, Myers Park: One of the bright spots for the Mustangs was the high-level play from the sophomore guard, Sir Mohammed. He finished with a game-high 26 points.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ Jordan Crawford did not score in the first quarter, but still ended up leading the Vikings in scoring.
▪ Sophomore sensation Isaiah Evans only scored 12 points for North Meck but contributed on the glass bringing down seven rebounds.
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