Jeff Davis photo

Jordan-Matthews’ Chad McSwain lets loose with a shot as he is surrounded by North Moore Mustangs Monday night. The Jets were hosting North Moore in Yadkin Valley Conference play with the Jets taking a 46-29 victory. The Jets travel to South Stanly this Friday night with a tip-off at around 7:30pm.

Chatham Central witnessed the bad side of that equation on Monday night as Albemarle outlasted the Bears 63-55 for a key league win.

The irony in the outcome was the fact that Central was entering the game off it’s best outing of the season, a 30-plus thrashing of East Montgomery just five nights ago, while the Bulldogs were coming in off one of its worst games of the year, a loss to North Moore that same night.

But in the Yadkin Valley it simply doesn’t matter what happens from night to night.

"This league is so balanced that anyone can win or lose on a given night," said CC head coach Bill Slaughter. "I feel like this loss could hurt us down the road with the league race so tight. But I thought we played hard, Albemarle just deserves the credit for playing a great game."

Rob McIntyre was the key figure in the Bulldog win as the AHS guard poured in 26 points, 22 of which came in the first three quarters.

But when Slaughter switched star Jason Thompson on McIntyre to being the fourth, E.J. Branch scored nine points in the fourth for the Bulldogs.

Against West Davidson, the locals fell in a heart-breaking 36-33 decision.

Leading 33-30, the Dragon’s Shane Condrey pinned Aubrey Johnson in the 130-pound tilt to give the visitors from Tyro a 36-33 win in the key Yadkin Valley clash.

Taking pin victories for Central on the night were Brandon Brown (152), Nick Ferguson (160), Eric Wilson (172), and Adam Safrit (189).

Securing decision wins for the Bears were Kyle Scott (140) at 12-8, Wes Little (119) at 7-0, and Dustin Austin (125) at 9-3.

SILER CITY – Defense has long been the trademark of John Phillips coached basketball teams at Jordan-Matthews High School.

On Monday night at Justice Gymnasium the Jets put on a clinic defensively as Jordan-Matthews completely stifled visiting North Moore en route to a key 45-29 victory over the Mustangs in Yadkin Valley hoops action.

Michael McMaster keyed the Jet defensive effort by holding 6’6, 280-pound Cameron Thomas to just four points the entire game. Thomas had been averaging close to 20 points a contest, and had pumped in 26 in a victory over Albemarle last Wednesday.

"Defensively I thought we played well, especially Michael McMaster," said Phillips. "Thomas has had a great season and is capable of scoring 20 points pretty easily. Michael set the tone for us with his effort on Thomas."

more- See Thursday, January 15 paper: Vol 83, No. 7