KANNAPOLIS - The Carson Cougars came out with a bang on Tuesday night, defeating the A.L. Brown Wizards 77-41 on the strength of 15 three-pointers and a stifling 2-3 zone defense. While Carson's freshman trio of CP Perry, Jacob Mills and Drew Neve have been playing well as of late, it was juniors Colin Ball and Jonah Drye who were the stars of the game in this non-league rout.

BALL ON FIRE OUTSIDE THE BASKETBALL RING: Ball was on fire in the first half, sinking a slew of 3-pointers from the wing to set the tone for the game. He scored a season-high 22 points, including six 3-pointers, while Drye contributed nine points and six assists.

Drye Dishing Dimes: Drye not only scored, but also found his teammates accurately. His timely three-pointer tied the game at nine, and he assisted on Mills' rebound three-pointer to give Carson the lead for good.

SECOND HALF: The Cougars' defensive pressure didn't let up in the second half. They outscored A.L. Brown 20-2 in the second quarter and took a commanding 38-15 lead into halftime. Perry, still recovering from an injury suffered in the Christmas Day game, was active in the second half, contributing seven points, seven assists and seven rebounds.

DEFENSE DOMINATES: The Cougars' aggressive 2-3 zone shut down A.L. Brown for long stretches, limiting the Wizards' scoring chances, with DJ Williams anchoring the defense and Hall and McGruder battling the taller Wizards inside.

WIZARDS LACK KEY PLAYERS: Missing starters like Nazr Reeves and Derek Brazil, A.L. Brown struggled to find a rhythm on offense. Masiah Bennermon and TR Brewer each scored 10 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Carson's offensive firepower and tenacious defense.

Carson's Winning Statement The win marked Carson's second victory over A.L. Brown this season, further solidifying their status as a contender in the state playoffs. The Cougars proved with their impressive performance that they are capable of winning in different ways, relying on a strong offense and tight defense.

Key Stats

Carson: 77 points, 15 3-pointers, 20 in the second quarter
Brown: 41 points, 2 3-pointers, 2 in the second quarter
Ball: 22 points, 6 3-pointers
Dye: 9 points, 3 3-pointers, 6 assists
Perry: 7 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds
This game was a great example of Carson's well-rounded offense and ability to adjust their game plan to the opponent. The Cougars sent a message to the entire state that they are a force to be reckoned with with an impressive win.