West Rowan girls basketball team wins 22nd game, shares conference title

Falcons complete worst-to-first turnaround in South Piedmont Conference

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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West Rowan's girls basketball team cruised to a 61-27 victory over Carson on Saturday, completing a remarkable turnaround from a 2-21 record and 0-16 conference performance last season to a 22-1 overall record and 13-1 conference mark this year, tying for the South Piedmont Conference title with Northwest Cabarrus.

Why it matters

The Falcons' dramatic improvement, fueled by the return of key players Tiara Thompson and Aubrey Martin, showcases the team's resilience and the value of player development, as the younger players who endured last season's struggles have stepped up to provide a strong supporting cast for the senior standouts.

The details

West Rowan dominated Carson, who was playing without two starters. Tiara Thompson scored 22 points for the Falcons, while Aubrey Martin added 14 points with two 3-pointers. The Falcons' defense held Carson's leading scorer Julia Burleson in check after her hot start. West Rowan is the 2 seed for the conference tournament and will host 7 seed East Rowan on Monday.

  • West Rowan finished the 2024-25 season with a 2-21 record and 0-16 in the South Piedmont Conference.
  • This season, West Rowan is 22-1 overall and 13-1 in the conference, tying for the title with Northwest Cabarrus.
  • The Falcons' lone loss was a close game at Northwest Cabarrus.

The players

Tiara Thompson

A key returning player for West Rowan, Thompson has scored over 20 points in 11 straight games.

Aubrey Martin

Another important returnee for the Falcons, Martin has been alternating hot and quiet games lately, but had 14 points in this win.

Julia Burleson

A standout player for Carson, Burleson made two 3-pointers in the first quarter before West Rowan's defense shut her down.

Cambie Perry

The leading scorer for Carson with 9 points, as the Cougars were missing two starters.

Chloe Monroe

The head coach of the Carson Cougars, who acknowledged that her team was overmatched against the surging Falcons.

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What they’re saying

“We played hard. We were just overmatched.”

— Chloe Monroe, Carson head coach (salisburypost.com)

What’s next

West Rowan, the 2 seed for the conference tournament, will host 7 seed East Rowan on Monday.

The takeaway

West Rowan's remarkable turnaround from a dismal 2-21 season to a 22-1 campaign and conference co-championship showcases the power of player development and resilience, as the Falcons' younger players have stepped up to complement the return of key veterans Tiara Thompson and Aubrey Martin.