The Nation Ford boys’ basketball team won their 10th game in a row to finish their non-region schedule.
Nation Ford beat the River Bluff Gators 52-41 to improve to 13-3 overall on Wednesday, Jan. 7
“We have been working,” said Falcons head coach Charles Brown. “It is good to see this level of winning.”
Chase Walters came out white hot for Nation Ford hitting three 3-pointers to open the game on a 9-0 run by the Falcons.
River Bluff went on a run of their own with an 8-0 rally to lull within one before Nation Ford again pulled away. Walters scored 12 of the Falcons 16 first quarter points, all off 3-pointers.
The Falcons lost the lead in the second quarter as the Gators found their shot to go up. Nation Ford subbed most of their starters back into the game as they were able to slow the Gators offense and tie the game at 20.
The Falcons were able to regain the lead and led 26-24 at the break.
Offensively both teams slowed to a crawl in the second half to start the third quarter. Nation Ford took the ball inside more than relying on shooting from beyond the arc in the third quarter. The Falcons also played at a faster pace and relied on the gators turnovers to aid them. Nation Ford started the third quarter on a 10-2 run.
River Bluff kept pace and made it a two-possession game to start the fourth quarter.
Garrin Brookover got things started in the fourth quarter for the Falcons, but consecutive 3-pointers by the Gators kept them in striking distance. Brookover scored the first six points for Nation Ford to open the final period.
Makai McKnight also started to find some rhythm for the Falcons as they pulled ahead by 13 with about two minutes left in the game.
Walters led the Falcons with 15 points. Brookover had 12 points McKnight added 11 points in the win. Nation Ford will host Rock Hill on Friday, Jan. 9.
Girls’ basketball
A fourth quarter rally by the Nation Ford Lady Falcons allowed them to get a 48-37 win over River Bluff.
“We are on the cusp of being good,” said Nation Ford head coach Kelly Bennett. “We have to put it all together. The girls have bought into what we are doing.”
Nation Ford improved to 7-8 overall with the win.
Turnovers became an issue early for the Lady Falcons giving River Bluff extra opportunities to start the game. Aubrey Morrow guided the offense early for Nation Ford. Both Morrow and Haven Land each hit 3-pointers within the final minute of the quarter to give Nation Ford an 11-9 lead to enter the second quarter.
The Lady Falcons were able to maintain the lead early in the second quarter as the Gators started to turn the ball over more. Once they cut down on the turnovers, River Bluff was able to make their way back into the game.
Trips to the foul line kept Nation Ford ahead by a bucket at the half 21-19.
The Lady Falcons struggled to find separation against River Bluff to start the second half as the Gators tied the game at 23. Nation Ford struggled hit shots in the third quarter as River Bluff went on an 8-2 run.
This time it was the Lady Falcons that played its way back into the game with the help of a Kaitlyn Garvin 3-pointer.
River Bluff doubled up Nation Ford outscoring them 12-6 in the third quarter to take a 31-27 lead going to the fourth quarter.
The offensive struggles continued to start the fourth quarter for Nation Ford, but that didn’t last long. The Lady Falcons were able to go on a 5-0 run to tie the game at 32. After tying the game, Nation Ford kept their foot down to score six more points and go up 38-32 before a Gators timeout.
The Lady Falcons were able to ice the game down the stretch at the foul line going 10-for-10 in the quarter. Nation Ford outscored the Gators 21-6 in the fourth quarter.
Morrow scored 20 points to lead the Lady Falcons and Land added 11 points in the win.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
