Reflecting on showdown

Our high school basketball game of the week didn't exactly live up to its billing.

Statesville's girls basketball team prevailed 49-38 over Lake Norman on Tuesday, despite numerous poor decisions with the basketball. The Greyhounds turned the ball over 32 times.

The saving grace for Statesville was its ability to dominate the glass. The Greyhounds' 34 rebounds doubled that of the Wildcats.

Having Keyrra Gillespie didn't hurt either.

Gillespie came off the bench -- she was sick and missed practice the day before -- and provided an instant spark with her presence. Statesville began the second quarter on a 14-2 run to take a 20-15 lead.

Lake Norman had bright spots, too, but I think the Wildcats missed an opportunity in the first quarter. With Gillespie sitting on the bench that period, Statesville turned the ball over nine times. Yet the Wildcats only led 13-6 at the end of the quarter.

Had the Wildcats pressed the Greyhounds' other ballhandlers, Lake Norman may have built an insurmountable lead, even with Gillespie checking back into the game after the first eight minutes were in the books.

On the whole, I think Statesville and Lake Norman will be better the next time they meet. (It was unfortunate that the two top teams in the North Piedmont 3A last year had to play in the league opener).

But Tuesday's game should be encouraging for other conference championship hopefuls, like North Iredell.

I think the door is open for a third team -- maybe even a fourth -- to challenge Lake Norman or Statesville this season in the NPC. I don't believe it will be a two-horse race for the conference title like it was last year, when the Greyhounds went undefeated in conference play, and Lake Norman lost twice (both times to Statesville).