TAYLORS – A consistent performance by the Eastside Eagles was enough to knock the Catawba Ridge Copperheads boys’ basketball team out of the opening round of the 5A Division II playoffs.
Eastside won 70-63 after putting together 35-points in both the first and second half, surging ahead in the third quarter to down the Copperheads.
Catawba Ridge started going up 6-2, but the Eagles quickly rallied to go up 7-6. Isaiah Thomas was pivotal early for the Copperheads getting to the basket. Kevin Butler hit a 3-pointer with about two minutes left in the quarter to put Catawba Ridge ahead starting an 8-0 run for them to go up 17-11 before an Eagles timeout. The run allowed the Copperheads to go up 20-14 after the first quarter.
Eastside opened the second quarter with back-to-back threes pulling within two of Catawba Ridge. Another 3-pointer tied the game at 23 with about 5:30 left in the second quarter.
The Copperheads struggled on the defensive glass allowing second chance opportunities to Eastside. Mark Caslaru led the Copperheads offense in the second quarter, scoring six of the first nine points for Catawba Ridge. However, the Copperheads struggled to stop the Eagles long range shooting as they would go up 30-29.
Catawba Ridge also allowed backdoor cuts which seemed to catch the Copperheads off guard adding to the Eagles offense. Catawba Ridge didn’t play bad on offense, but struggled on defense.
Eastside got seven 3-pointers in the first half and went into the locker room tied with Catawba Ridge at 35, outpacing the Copperheads 21-15 in the second quarter.
Catawba Ridge came out more patient on offense to start the second half. Eastside wasn’t as hot from the 3-point arc to start, and the Copperheads didn’t allow for as many rebounds on defense.
Catawba Ridge started scoring the first two baskets, but then Eastside went on a 5-0 run to regain the lead. Despite being such a strong force in the first half, Caslaru was held scoreless through much of the third quarter.
Eastside was able to score points in transition to take a six-point lead at 48-42. The Eagles would keep its lead through the third quarter as they went to the final period up by five.
Eastside kept the momentum to start the fourth quarter with a 4-0 run. Catawba Ridge tried to be patient, but the clock didn’t work to their favor. Thomas and Caslaru led a brief comeback for the Copperheads.
The Eagles seemed to come up with a big shot when it needed to as Butler kept the Copperheads close at 61-56.
In the final three minutes of the game, it was the Eagles that remained patient setting up good shots to extend their lead. Turnovers were also more of an issue for the Copperheads in the second half, leading to more Eastside points.
Eastside took an eight-point lead with about 48 seconds remaining giving them enough breathing room to stretch the game out to their advantage. The Copperheads pushed the Eagles to the foul line to create more chances on offense, but ran out of time as Eastside was able to convert their foul shots to ice the game.
Catawba Ridge was led by Butler with 17 points. Caslaru had 16 points, but only two in the second half. Thomas finished with 15 points for the Copperheads.
Catawba Ridge finishes the season at 16-10 overall. The Lady Copperheads will open its playoffs tomorrow on the road at Riverside High School.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
