Chambers rolls on. Cougars fight off Myers Park upset, advance to regional finals
Myers Park hosted Chambers in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs in a game that both teams were probably a little surprised to be in.
The Mustangs had started their season 1-7 and advanced to the quarterfinal via forfeit after nationally ranked and top-seeded Lake Norman had to end it season because of an ineligible player.
Chambers, which has now reached the Elite 8 each of the previous four seasons, needed the strength of an eight-game win streak just to get to this point, but the Cougars were unfazed, winning 75-63 in front of a sold-out crowd at Myers Park
Junior forward Tarris Bouie scored Chambers’ first 10 points, and tallied 16 in the first half to stake the Cougars to a 31-28 halftime advantage.
“I’m happy to be be still playing,” said Bouie III, a top 75 national recruit who had a game-high 25 points. “The past two years we’ve been knocked out in the Elite 8, so I want to make sure I I can help any way I can.”
Myers Park would not go away; senior Bram Early led the team with 14 points. Despite their last lead being at 9-8 halfway through the first quarter, the Mustangs battled until Chambers pulled away in the end.
Markus Kerr made nine second-half free throws and added 19 points for the Cougars, who will play North Mecklenburg in the Western Regional final.
Three who mattered
Tarris Bouie, Chambers: Coming off a 30-point game in the win Tuesday against Independence, Bouie was again spectacular, finishing with 25 points, 16 of which came in the first half.
Markus Kerr, Chambers: The junior guard scored 13 of his 19 points in the second half, hitting all nine of his free-throw attempts down the stretch.
Myers Park freshmen: Ayo Awosanya scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half while Niles Nelson had nine of his 11 to keep the Mustangs in it.
They said it
“We had been to this point multiple times, but to advance is big for us and the program. To get over that hump is an accomplishment and we’re excited to do it.” — Chambers coach Brian Frasier
This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM.
