South Carroll coach Ryan Hutchinson admits his team is still searching for consistency this season.
With new players in the rotation, veterans adjusting to different roles and others returning from injury, Hutchinson has yet to consistently put his ideal lineup on the floor.
The group that played Francis Scott Key on Thursday night, however, delivered its best county performance of the season.
“That’s a good FSK team. Even though they lost a lot from last year, they still have a ton of talent,” Hutchinson said. “So to come out and play as well as we did tonight was great for us.”
After falling behind early, South Carroll erupted for a massive second-quarter run that flipped the game and sent the Cavaliers on their way to a 45-26 win over the Eagles.
Gabby Evans finished with a game-high 12 points, but her impact went beyond scoring. Embracing her new role as the primary ball-handler, Evans helped South Carroll settle in after a shaky first quarter.
FSK applied heavy full-court pressure that disrupted the Cavaliers’ offensive rhythm early, but Evans attacked the press, blowing past aggressive defenders and finding open teammates for easy baskets.
“I know I can always look up and find my teammates,” Evans said. “I’ve got some good players down low, and our offense flows very easy and works well.”
Playing in just her second game of the season after a knee injury ended her 2024-25 campaign, former All-County selection Harley McKee gave the Cavaliers a different look. Known for her perimeter shooting, McKee provided an inside presence, teaming with Emma Meisenkothen to form a tandem that controlled the boards.
“She does a great job in the post for us,” Hutchinson said. “We were able to get the ball down low to her for some easy layups, and it sparked us to go on a run.”
McKee didn’t need a big shooting night to make an impact. When defenses collapsed, she kicked the ball out to open shooters as she and Evans orchestrated an offense that dominated the second half.
The 3-pointers soon followed. Evans connected from deep, then Caden Curtin joined in with an outside shot of her own. Rowan Miller capped the third quarter by burying a corner 3, putting the Cavaliers firmly in control.
From there, South Carroll turned up the pressure defensively with a full-court press of its own. The Cavaliers frustrated the Eagles, limited clean looks and cruised to their fourth win of the season — and most importantly, an above-.500 mark in county play.
Looking ahead, Hutchinson knows his team still has room to grow, but he believes the Cavaliers are trending toward the identity he envisions — one that can once again disrupt the county standings in typical South Carroll fashion.
“We are going to have some shooters, some good post play and we’re always going to play hard defense,” Hutchinson said. “We’re going to give teams trouble.”
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