By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Chas Cris had something to celebrate on his birthday – and that’s pretty much the norm for the Cummings boys’ basketball coach.
The Cavaliers turned away visiting Bartlett Yancey 70-52 on Friday night.
“I think we’ve lost once on my birthday,” Cris said. “Usually we do pretty well on my birthday.”
That was the case as Cris turned 43.
Cummings won its third game in a row, clinching second place in the Mid-Carolina Conference. and staying one game behind first-place Seaforth in the loss column.
“We had to get the win for him,” Cummings forward A.J. Gillespie said. “Couldn’t let him lose on his birthday.”
After the game, the Cavaliers gathered outside their locker room and sang “Happy Birthday” to their coach – and enjoyed cupcakes to mark the occasion.
Cris had other reasons to be pleased. Cummings is now 12-8, 8-2 Mid-Carolina Conference.
“Hopefully, that’s not our final form,” Cris said. “But we’re getting better. It was a little dicey earlier (in the season).”
Johnniyus Sharpe racked up 20 points, Kobie Stalder excelled from the perimeter for 15 points and Gillespie had 14 points.
“Just moving the ball around,” Gillespie said of one of the keys. “We played good on the press. When we went on a run in the first half it was because of our pressing.”
After finishing the regular season Tuesday at North Moore and Friday night at home vs. Graham, the Cavaliers will open the Mid-Carolina Conference Tournament with a home quarterfinal game February 13 or 14. The semifinals and final will be contested at Seaforth.
Other boys’ results …
Eastern Alamance dropped a 78-60 home game to Roxboro Person in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference. The Eagles dipped to 11-11, 4-6.
- Southern Alamance was an 82-50 loser at home to first-place Durham Jordan in the DAC-VII Conference. The Patriots are 6-16, 1-9.
- Burlington Christian Academy pulled out a 62-53 home victory against Legion Collegiate Academy of Rock Hill, South Carolina. King Dorsey scored 12 points and Ian Bush had 11 points for the Royals (14-7), who ended their regular season by tuning up for the Tri-TAC Conference Tournament.
Girls’ basketball
Southern Alamance still hasn’t lost consecutive games after a 47-38 home victory against Durham Jordan. The Patriots (15-7, 6-4) used a 14-0 third-quarter edge to wipe out a 27-20 halftime hole.
- Western Alamance edged visiting Cedar Ridge 69-64 despite junior Amiyah Ware of Cedar Ridge breaking her own school record with 54 points. Last season, Ware played for The Burlington School on the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association’s Class 2-A state champions. The Warriors improved to 16-6, 6-4.
- Eastern Alamance won its third straight game, blasting winless Roxboro Person 58-23 at home. The Eagles are 13-9, 6-4.
- Bartlett Yancey cruised past host Cummings 59-27 for its fourth straight win as Alannah Kelly poured in 25 points. Bartlett Yancey is 14-4, 8-2, while Cummings is 5-12, 4-6.
