The Nation Ford Lady Falcons used a 28-point second quarter to help get a first round 5A Division II playoff win.
The Falcons won 58-38 over the Eastside Eagles and will travel to Greenwood to play another Eagles team on Thursday, Feb. 20. The win for the Nation Ford girls was the first time they had advanced to the second round of the playoffs since the 2018-2019 season.
“That was our challenge to them,” said Nation Ford girls’ head coach Kelly Bennett. “We are too good not to get to the next level. Mia (Kurowski) stepped up. Ariah (Heard) is getting better. Our young ones are starting to understand. Greenwood is tough. They are gritty. We are in for a dog fight, but why not us.”
Both teams struggled to score early in the game. The first three minutes saw a lot of shots by both teams, but no one was able to convert.
After a Nation Ford timeout, the Falcons started to get things together and went up 7-0.
Eastside was able to make a run towards the end of the first quarter, cutting into the Falcons lead as they took a small three-point advantage to the second quarter.
Nation Ford’s Aubrey Morrow went down with an injury about 13 seconds into the second quarter. The Eagles continued their comeback and tied the game at 14 with about six minutes left in the half.
Nation Ford came out of the timeout and went on a 5-0 run before Eastside called a timeout. Morrow would return to the game as the Falcons started hitting 3-pointers to open their lead to 11 over the Eagles.
Nation Ford went on a 9-0 run midway through the second quarter, all with 3-pointers. The Falcons hit six 3-pointers in the second quarter to go up 39-20 at the half.
Nation Ford started slow in opening the third quarter, but still used a commanding defense to hold Eastside at bay. The Eagles had turnovers on their first four possessions of the second half.
Eastside started pressing to try and stop the Falcons. Nation Ford started getting in foul trouble towards the end of the quarter, as the Eagles were able to convert their foul shots.
The Falcons outscored Eastside 9-7 in the third quarter, but still managed an 18-point lead going into the fourth quarter.
Nation Ford pushed its lead to 23 to open the final period with a 5-0 start. The Eagles stayed competitive, but never were able to get within striking distance.
Heard led the Falcons with 25 points, as Kurowski added 11 points and Kayla Wilmore dropped in 10 points for Nation Ford, who improved to 13-14 on the season.
Feb. 17 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge girls’ basketball team fell to Woodmont in the first round of the 5A Division II playoffs on the road losing 58-30. The Lady Copperheads season ends at 8-17 overall on the year.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
