Dragon slayers: Polk girls romp past Science & Math-Morganton

Polk County delivered a near-record defensive performance Thursday in handing North Carolina School of Science & Math-Morganton a 52-8 setback in a non-conference girls basketball matchup at Polk.

The eight points represented the second-fewest ever allowed by a Polk County team, only topped in the Wolverines’ 65-3 win in 2018 over Piedmont Community Charter.

The game was the first in school history for the Dragons as the Morganton campus opened in August.

How they did it: Polk County scored the first 35 points of the game, with NCSSM-M not getting on the scoreboard until Diacione Moore’s free throw with a minute left in the second quarter. The Wolverines led 37-2 at halftime.

Polk played its entire varsity roster except for injured starter Mia Bradley and much of its junior varsity roster in reaching a 40-point lead, and running clock, in the third period.

Scoring: Bailey Staton had 12 points for Polk County, with Charley Dusenbury and Sarah Gray each scoring eight. Kylie Lewis had seven points while Jayden Duncan scored six.

Avia Cunningham had four points, with Gavionna Carson scoring three and Kayleigh Wilson and Citlhaly Guerrero each scoring two.

Next up: Polk County (2-0) travels Friday to Landrum (3-2) for a non-conference clash between the border rivals.