McCadden, Eagles open CIC with victory
By FOSTER LANDER
Sports Writer ROCKY MOUNT TELEGRAM
Scott Dunn knows that his Rocky Mount Academy team is capable of repeating as Coastal Independent Conference champions and of making a run in the NCISAA playoffs.
He knows the Eagles will have to be far better than what they showed on Tuesday night against Henderson Kerr-Vance Academy, despite what the final score might have indicated.
Dunn thought the Eagles came out sluggish and that the defensive effort was not up to par in Rocky Mount Academy’s 72-52 win over the visiting Spartans, though the Eagles forced 26 turnovers, including 16 in the first half alone.
“We had such a great, high-energy practice (Monday night), and I really thought we would see that carry over,” Dunn said. “So I don’t think we can blame the sluggishness on the holidays. What I told them is that we just have to be better.”
Elijah McCadden led Rocky Mount Academy with 21 points (16 in the first half) and six assists. Kyle Holland (16 points), Aubrey Mitchell (14) and Brendan Acker (10 points, 10 rebounds) all notched double-figure scoring nights for the Eagles.
Rocky Mount Academy, despite forcing nine turnovers in the opening period, led just 11-8. Dunn implored them to pick up the energy level, and the Eagles did.
“(Coach Dunn) just said we were looking lazy and not giving enough,” McCadden said. “He’s seen us play so much better than what we did. I think we responded a little better (after the first quarter).”
McCadden, a long, lanky sophomore with an early offer from Charlotte and interest from Old Dominion and Wake Forest, helped the Eagles take control in the second quarter with three straight layups and assists on layups for Holland and Acker. McCadden gave Rocky Mount Academy its first double-digit lead of the night at 26-15 with another bucket midway through the period, and Kerr-Vance never got back within single digits.
The Eagles made just 1 of 13 attempts from 3-point range, but McCadden’s ability to blow by defenders off the dribble and either score or create for teammates was Rocky Mount Academy’s offensive plan of attack.
That was by design against a smaller Kerr-Vance team.
“We thought Kyle and Brendan would be able to have success down there,” McCadden said. “So it was up to me just to get to the lane and create.”
Ronnie Brodie led Kerr-Vance with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and it was his ability to go by defenders that left Dunn frustrated by the Eagles’ defense.
“We couldn’t keep people in front of us all night,” Dunn said. “(Brodie) was tough, but it was too easy for him at times.”
Still, an ugly win is a win, especially in conference play.
The Eagles can be better – and they will be, McCadden said.
By FOSTER LANDER
Sports Writer ROCKY MOUNT TELEGRAM
Scott Dunn knows that his Rocky Mount Academy team is capable of repeating as Coastal Independent Conference champions and of making a run in the NCISAA playoffs.
He knows the Eagles will have to be far better than what they showed on Tuesday night against Henderson Kerr-Vance Academy, despite what the final score might have indicated.
Dunn thought the Eagles came out sluggish and that the defensive effort was not up to par in Rocky Mount Academy’s 72-52 win over the visiting Spartans, though the Eagles forced 26 turnovers, including 16 in the first half alone.
“We had such a great, high-energy practice (Monday night), and I really thought we would see that carry over,” Dunn said. “So I don’t think we can blame the sluggishness on the holidays. What I told them is that we just have to be better.”
Elijah McCadden led Rocky Mount Academy with 21 points (16 in the first half) and six assists. Kyle Holland (16 points), Aubrey Mitchell (14) and Brendan Acker (10 points, 10 rebounds) all notched double-figure scoring nights for the Eagles.
Rocky Mount Academy, despite forcing nine turnovers in the opening period, led just 11-8. Dunn implored them to pick up the energy level, and the Eagles did.
“(Coach Dunn) just said we were looking lazy and not giving enough,” McCadden said. “He’s seen us play so much better than what we did. I think we responded a little better (after the first quarter).”
McCadden, a long, lanky sophomore with an early offer from Charlotte and interest from Old Dominion and Wake Forest, helped the Eagles take control in the second quarter with three straight layups and assists on layups for Holland and Acker. McCadden gave Rocky Mount Academy its first double-digit lead of the night at 26-15 with another bucket midway through the period, and Kerr-Vance never got back within single digits.
The Eagles made just 1 of 13 attempts from 3-point range, but McCadden’s ability to blow by defenders off the dribble and either score or create for teammates was Rocky Mount Academy’s offensive plan of attack.
That was by design against a smaller Kerr-Vance team.
“We thought Kyle and Brendan would be able to have success down there,” McCadden said. “So it was up to me just to get to the lane and create.”
Ronnie Brodie led Kerr-Vance with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and it was his ability to go by defenders that left Dunn frustrated by the Eagles’ defense.
“We couldn’t keep people in front of us all night,” Dunn said. “(Brodie) was tough, but it was too easy for him at times.”
Still, an ugly win is a win, especially in conference play.
The Eagles can be better – and they will be, McCadden said.
