By Mike London
Salisbury Post
Fourth in a series of previews on local teams …
LANDIS — South Rowan’s girls haven’t had a strong basketball run since the 2017-18 season when coach John Davis, Janiya Downs, Riley Corriher and Tazah Hardin led the Raiders to an 18-9 record.
South went 13-13 the following season after Davis stepped down, even with the legendary Downs pouring in 32.3 points per game as a senior.
Since Downs graduated, it’s been mostly an uphill fight for the Raiders. South was 7-10 heading down the stretch last season, but dropped its last six games to finish 7-16 and 4-12 in the South Piedmont Conference.
South coach Alex Allen Downs, who is entering her seventh season as head coach, has hung in there through some tough nights against Carson, West Rowan, Northwest Cabarrus and Robinson powerhouses, and it’s possible her patience will be rewarded this season. South graduated Kynlee Dextraze, a dependable post presence and a 900-point career scorer, but the Raiders have a lot of girls back and have a realistic opportunity for their best season since 2017-18.
There’s even a chance South could do this season what East Rowan did last season with its special class of 2025. East was the county’s best team last season and won the Christmas Tournament.
“This preseason I had a sense of calm like I haven’t felt in a long time because we do have such an experienced team,” Coach Downs said. “We’ve got a lot of seniors, a lot of hard-working girls who have played a lot of minutes together. I’m not having to teach the game as much. These girls already have learned what we want and how we want to play.”
South’s problem last season can be summed up by in word — offense. South turned it over too often and didn’t shoot a high enough percentage to compensate. That led to averaging a modest 40 points per game, and it’s not easy to win when you score 40.
South brings back five seniors who averaged between 4.0 and 5.5 points per game. They’re all good players who can do different things, but the Raiders really need two or three to step forward this season and average 8 to 12. That could happen. If it does, it could be a big season.
South also has a sixth senior, who is making a comeback after not playing last season. Ari Alston scored almost 200 points during her freshman and sophomore seasons, so she’s going to help. She makes South taller and bouncier and provides more lineup options. She also gives the Raiders five more fouls to use in the fight for rebounds and put-backs.
South post player Dabrianna “Day” Pharr is probably the Raider most likely to average double figures. She’s the leading returning scorer and she a 21-point game last season.
“She’s only about 5-foot-7, but she’s a great force inside,” Downs said. “She battles hard in the paint.”
Avery Fisher and Meghan Eagle are bookend forwards, who can swing to the backcourt if South plays a tall lineup. Fisher scored 95 points last season, while Eagle scored 94.
Danica Krieg, a Coker softball signee, is a long, athletic forward who can have big games, especially if the Raiders can get out in transition some. She missed the opening-night romp against Gray Stone with a concussion, but she was expected to return this week.
The final senior is Ella Morgan, who will be as important as anyone on the roster, as she will be the primary ball-handler.
“She’s grown a lot,” Downs said. “She’s gotten calmer and more confident, and she’s always been talented.”
Junior Christine Wilhoit will provide some help for the senior class. She can play inside or outside and is a good shooter. She made two 3-pointers and scored 12 in the blowout of Gray Stone.
Leisha Carter, one of the school’s softball stars, will help out the basketball team mostly as a ferocious defender.
Ruby Reta, a cross country runner, will provide energy and will back up Morgan at point guard.
Jazz Saint Juste is a freshman post player with long arms.
Freshman Wrigley Benfield is small but is a guard who adds quickness to the roster.
Freshman Zayna Cherry and sophomore Allison Landaverde provide more backcourt depth.
“I think we’ve got some pretty good depth in our young players,” Downs said. “I think we’ve got a lot of things in place to have a very good season.”
