Austin Swartz’s big night leads No. 6 Cannon past No. 10 Chambers
BY CAMERON WILLIAMS AND LANGSTON WERTZ JR.
UPDATED DECEMBER 17, 2022 1
BY LANGSTON WERTZ JR. CONCORD
In a battle of two top 10 Sweet 16 teams Friday night, Cannon School junior Austin Swartz made a very big statement on a very big stage. Swartz absolutely dominated the second half of No. 6 Cannon’s 83-71 win over No. 10 Chambers at home in the Friday night showcase game at the Phenom Hoops Holiday Classic.
He finished with 30 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks. So, basically, if you’re doing rankings of the top N.C. players, just move Swartz up a little.
“We are going to go as he (Swartz) does,” Cannon coach Che’ Roth said.
“He is our playmaker. He is our quarterback. I think that has been the biggest adjustment for him coming into this year. He can do more than just score the basketball. He is a really elite level passer.”
Cannon (12-2) needed every bit of Swartz’s elite performance Friday. Buoyed by their coach, Brian Frasier asking for more energy, Chambers got control of the game late in the first half, rallying for a 34-33 halftime lead. With a packed house at Cannon going crazy, the Cougars seemed poised for another upset of a top ranked team after taking Myers Park at home when the Mustangs were top 30 nationally ranked and No. 1 in The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll.
But not Friday. Swartz -- and his teammates -- wouldn’t allow it. Jaylen Claggett had 17 points, Isaiah Henry 16 and Sean Birmingham added 12 in a balanced effort, while Chambers got 49 points combined from Nick Dorn and Maurio Hanson.
“I thought our kids played their rear ends off,” Roth said. “I’ve got a ton of respect for coach (Brian) Frasier and everything that Chambers does. They are a battle tested, elite level program.”
With Swartz heating up, Cannon worked its one-point halftime lead to 11 to start the fourth quarter. That was enough.
“We got out in transition and then the transition led to easy buckets,” Swartz said. “We just stayed composed and we were ready when our number was called.” ▪
Cannon has a quick turnaround as they play again on Saturday against Freedom in day two of the Phenom Hoops Holiday Classic.
THREE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE
Austin Schwartz, Cannon: Mister do-it-all for the Cougars was scoring, passing and rebounding efficiently all game long. Chambers really couldn’t really find an answer for Schwartz. He finished with 30 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds.
Nick Dorn, Chambers: In the absence of the Cougars two leaders from a year ago, Jaylen Curry and Daniel Sanford, Dorn has been the engine that keeps Chambers running this far in the season — and this game was no different. Dorn did what he did best: he shot the cover off the ball.
Maurio Hanson, Chambers: Chambers’ energy was different when Hanson was in the game. His rebounding was extremely effective for Chambers, keeping Cannon from getting second chance points.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ The referees were calling a very close game the entire game.
▪ Chambers was able to get out and run in the second quarter which played to their advantage and helped spur their comeback.
▪ Cannon was able to take advantage of the Chambers’ turnovers often, scoring effectively off of them. What’s Next? Cannon will play again on Saturday against Freedom while Chambers will play Providence Day on Dec. 20
BY CAMERON WILLIAMS AND LANGSTON WERTZ JR.
UPDATED DECEMBER 17, 2022 1
BY LANGSTON WERTZ JR. CONCORD
In a battle of two top 10 Sweet 16 teams Friday night, Cannon School junior Austin Swartz made a very big statement on a very big stage. Swartz absolutely dominated the second half of No. 6 Cannon’s 83-71 win over No. 10 Chambers at home in the Friday night showcase game at the Phenom Hoops Holiday Classic.
He finished with 30 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks. So, basically, if you’re doing rankings of the top N.C. players, just move Swartz up a little.
“We are going to go as he (Swartz) does,” Cannon coach Che’ Roth said.
“He is our playmaker. He is our quarterback. I think that has been the biggest adjustment for him coming into this year. He can do more than just score the basketball. He is a really elite level passer.”
Cannon (12-2) needed every bit of Swartz’s elite performance Friday. Buoyed by their coach, Brian Frasier asking for more energy, Chambers got control of the game late in the first half, rallying for a 34-33 halftime lead. With a packed house at Cannon going crazy, the Cougars seemed poised for another upset of a top ranked team after taking Myers Park at home when the Mustangs were top 30 nationally ranked and No. 1 in The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll.
But not Friday. Swartz -- and his teammates -- wouldn’t allow it. Jaylen Claggett had 17 points, Isaiah Henry 16 and Sean Birmingham added 12 in a balanced effort, while Chambers got 49 points combined from Nick Dorn and Maurio Hanson.
“I thought our kids played their rear ends off,” Roth said. “I’ve got a ton of respect for coach (Brian) Frasier and everything that Chambers does. They are a battle tested, elite level program.”
With Swartz heating up, Cannon worked its one-point halftime lead to 11 to start the fourth quarter. That was enough.
“We got out in transition and then the transition led to easy buckets,” Swartz said. “We just stayed composed and we were ready when our number was called.” ▪
Cannon has a quick turnaround as they play again on Saturday against Freedom in day two of the Phenom Hoops Holiday Classic.
THREE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE
Austin Schwartz, Cannon: Mister do-it-all for the Cougars was scoring, passing and rebounding efficiently all game long. Chambers really couldn’t really find an answer for Schwartz. He finished with 30 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds.
Nick Dorn, Chambers: In the absence of the Cougars two leaders from a year ago, Jaylen Curry and Daniel Sanford, Dorn has been the engine that keeps Chambers running this far in the season — and this game was no different. Dorn did what he did best: he shot the cover off the ball.
Maurio Hanson, Chambers: Chambers’ energy was different when Hanson was in the game. His rebounding was extremely effective for Chambers, keeping Cannon from getting second chance points.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ The referees were calling a very close game the entire game.
▪ Chambers was able to get out and run in the second quarter which played to their advantage and helped spur their comeback.
▪ Cannon was able to take advantage of the Chambers’ turnovers often, scoring effectively off of them. What’s Next? Cannon will play again on Saturday against Freedom while Chambers will play Providence Day on Dec. 20