A surge by the Fort Mill Yellow Jackets in the third quarter led them to open the season now at 3-0.
The Jackets beat the Charlotte Latin Hawks 71-50 led by their big three – Wallace Campbell, Jermier Nelson, and AJ Washington.
“It makes it hard to guard them when they are all near the 20s,” said Fort Mill head coach Myron Lowery. “You got 60-70 points from three guys. We got three number one guys. That makes it nice.”
Charlotte Latin was the Jackets’ second Tar Heel state opponent in three games. They started the season 2-0, but Latin looked to be their toughest competition in the three-day stretch early on. Both teams started out strong and matched each other shot for shot in the opening period. Latin took a small two-point lead after the first quarter at 18-16.
Fort Mill opened the second quarter with a 9-3 run to regain the lead at 27-19. Latin tried to stop the Jackets with a 2-3 zone, but Fort Mill was able to break through it and maintain control.
While Charlotte Latin remained competitive, staying within striking distance, Fort Mill was also able to slow the pace and allow both Washington and Nelson to get inside for higher percentage shots.
Campbell was also able to do damage in the paint for the Jackets as he scored eight of their 21 second quarter points. Fort Mill led 37-27 at the half.
The Hawks made some adjustments at the half and started the third quarter on a 5-0 run in the first two minutes.
Fort Mill responded with a run of their own with a 7-0 streak before Latin would score again. The Jackets would keep pushing the pace and went up by 14 at 48-34 before a Hawks timeout.
Fort Mill was able to continue to pull away as both Campbell and Nelson ended the third quarter with 18 points and the Jackets held a 19-point lead.
George Stewart boosted the Jackets lead to 62-42 with five consecutive points about three minutes into the fourth quarter. Fort Mill didn’t let up and kept the commanding lead to win by 21.
The Jackets were led by Nelson with 19 points and 18 points from Campbell. Washington finished with 17 points.
Up next for Fort Mill is a game against Gaston Christian at Lake Norman High School on Friday, Nov. 28.
Nov. 25 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge girls’ basketball team picked up their first win of the season with a 56-30 win over High Pointe Academy in a tournament at Spartanburg High School. The Lady Copperheads are 1-2 on the season.
The Fort Mill girls’ basketball team improved to 1-1 on the season with a 58-48 win over Dreher on the road at part of the Thanksgiving Classic at Heathwood Hall.
The Nation Ford girls’ basketball team fell to 0-2 on the season with a 60-45 lost to Clinton High School in a tournament at Spartanburg High School.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
