When you take a look at a Box Score from a college Basketball game 🏀 there is so much information about a player that it can be difficult to choose what is the most relevant number. That was not the case yesterday afternoon as both Alyssa Ervin and Elijah Cox finished with 29 minutes played in their 40 minute contests.

Starting with Ervin and Furman University, their coach needed a victory after an early season challenging schedule had the team entering its home game versus UNC – Ashville needing a win. The victory took the 2-5 team and moved it to 3-5 on the young season and Coach Curtis limited his bench considerably to secure it as only seven Paladins saw the court.

Furman University, liked many schools around the country, had to completely overhaul their roster this past off-season. The ” new ” team includes 11 Freshman and Sophomores on the roster, leaving a large number of players trying hard to prove themselves in hopes of being part of the rotation.

Borrowing from the Tag Line for the Lottery – you cannot win if you don’t play, Ervin cannot score if she’s not in the lineup. After a season low in minutes played in their last game it was imperative that Ervin landed on the right side of the playing time bubble.

Clare Coyle picked up two quick fouls and was forced to take a seat on the bench. This opened up a window of opportunity for Ervin and our former Lady Cavalier took advantage of the moment. The defensive effort kept her on the floor and the two Caitlin Clark distance 3-pointers she made gave folks something to talk about ( Bonnie Tyler song 🎵 reference).

Ervin led the team in scoring with 15 points on a day where four Paladins finished up in double figures. Being the game was still in doubt until the closing minute, adds value to the effort. Shooting 6 of 11 from the floor and 2 of 3 from distance produced percentages of 55 and 67%.

Five rebounds, three Assists, one steal and an early block put a check ✔ in every box 📦 for our 5’11 Sophomore.

Watching 👀 the games thus far has been fun but not everyone has a spare two hours multiple times a week but want to follow along with the All-Time scoring leader in Carroll County High School history. There has been 86 points scored across the eight games (10.7 ppg ) and the 15 points was one of her season high of 16 against Vanderbilt University but trust me when I say that the 29 minutes played is the number that should pop.

There had been a three consecutive game reduction in minutes before Saturday so the 29 minutes came at a great time ! We know that Ervin can score when given the opportunity and yesterday afternoon, she seized said opportunity !

Elijah Cox and the Randolph College Wildcats traveled to Virginia Beach ⛱ Saturday for a game versus Regent University.

The Junior also played 29+of the 40 minutes and made great use of his time

Cox started out on fire 🔥, scoring 11 of his 13 points by the second Media timeout. The scoring leveled out as the game moved on but Cox played 31 minutes in the road victory as the Wildcats evened their mark at 3-3.

Cox also went 2 of 3 from Deep and added four rebounds ➕ one assist to his stat line. While its year three in college for the 6’5 Junior, its year two at the Lynchburg school 🏫 for our oldest member of the Carroll County Five that are on College Basketball teams this winter. It would appear that Cox has found himself a home within the Wildcats program. Cox is averaging just over 10 ppg and has started four of the six six contests.

The two teams met three weeks ago in the Wildcats gym with Regent earning a 10 point victory. The 36 point swing speaks volumes about the development of the team.

Cox and Company return to action 🎬 next week when it hosts cross town rival University of Lynchburg.

Katie Lam, Bryce and Brayden Smoot all enjoyed the day off but will be back at it next week as well.