A gritty Nation Ford boys basketball team finished their season one game above .500 last year which included a second-round playoff appearance.
This year the Falcons are looking to take another step in multiple ways. Nation Ford boys head coach Charles Brown is optimistic about the season.
“It is going to be a great year for us,” Brown said. “Guys are going to play together and play for each other. We are playing with a chip on our shoulder because I feel like we got something to prove.”
Nation Ford finished 14-13 last year falling to TL Hanna in the second round of the playoffs. They have lost a lot of scoring due to graduation of players like Jackson Burnham and Caden Giles that needs to be replaced.
One scorer that they have back that isn’t afraid to throw it up from any place on the court is senior Ben Chuttey. Chuttey said his team has something to prove.
“Expectations are high,” Chuttey said. “We lost two big names. I think we are top three for sure. Everyone is ranking us lower, but I know our ability as a team and I think we are going to finish high and have a great year.”
Senior Anthony Pryer said the season starts with how practice goes.
“It starts at practice, pushing teammates,” he said. “Getting better to compete and put in the work.”
Nation Ford will open the season early next month hosting Charlotte Latin on Dec. 3 in their first game. They will then have a heavy Charlotte area schedule with games against Charlotte Catholic, Ardrey Kell, and Ballantyne Ridge, all on the road.
The Falcons stay on the road at Lancaster and at Wren before finally returning home on Dec. 17. Nation Ford opens Region 3-5A play at Northwestern on Dec. 20. They will also play in a nearby tournament at Blacksburg over the winter break on Dec. 27 and 28.
Nation Ford restarts their region schedule Jan. 7 hosting Indian Land.
Lady Flacons still young, but back with more experience
Nation Ford was a young team last season, and while they are still young this year, they are more experienced.
The Lady Falcons started well, but finished 10-16 overall and were winless in region play dropping their last 11 games of the season including a first-round playoff game to Gaffney.
“We are still young, but we are capable of being one of the top teams in the state,” said Nation Ford girls head coach Kelly Bennett. “We have to play to our ability. The harder we work the more we will prove that.”
Back this season for Nation Ford is sophomore Aubrey Morrow and freshman Ariah Heard, both of which saw a lot of playing time last season. Senior Aubrey Barney said the team should play well.
“We have good chemistry,” she said.
Nation Ford will get off to an early start this season tipping the season off this weekend at Spartanburg in a pre-season tournament. They will open the regular season against Charlotte Latin with the boys and then will be on the road until they play Lancaster at home Dec. 17.
The Lady Falcons head back to Charleston this season to play in a tournament Dec. 27, 28, and 30, before starting the heart of their region schedule with Indian Land on Jan. 7.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
