Eleven different Catawba Ridge basketball players scored in the Copperheads’ 78-40 rout of Region 3-4A opponent the Indian Land Warriors Friday night.
Head coach Brett Childers was able to clear the bench in the lopsided win, allowing all 15 of his dressed players to take part in front of a sizable home crowd on Senior Night.
Sophomore Grant Lovette, led with 16 points. Juniors Jacobie Henderson and Carter Hendrick, each scored 11 points apiece, all while leading the way for the Copperheads, who improved to 6-7 overall and 2-4 in the region breaking a two-game skid. The win was their first since Jan. 18.
Lovette scored Catawba Ridge’s first 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting in the opening 2:30 of the game.
The Copperheads took the lead early, and never looked back. Catawba Ridge opened the game on a 19-4 run, then stretched its lead to 33-12 on two made free throws from Henderson midway through the second quarter. The Copperheads led 40-22 at the half.
Childers said his team could thank its defense for the win.
“We really thought we’d come out and let our defense create some offense,” he said. “And that’s how it turned out. We talked at halftime, I told them, ‘don’t let up, no matter what the score was.’”
The Copperheads really showed their fire in the third quarter, outscoring the visiting Warriors 26-4 to push the lead to 61-22 with eight minutes to play.
Seven different Catawba Ridge players combined to score in the third quarter, also helping to lock down Indian Land to 2-of-11 shooting from the floor coming out of halftime.
Junior forward DaLante McAllister checked in early in the fourth quarter to help himself to a bucket and a free throw, handing Catawba Ridge its largest lead of the night, 72-29, with about six minutes left in the game.
Landon Foley finished the night with eight points; Tyler Jones, Jacob Stevens, Zyan Hager and Tyler France all picked up six points each.
Catawba Ridge will play its final regular season home game against region foe Lancaster 6 p.m. Tuesday. After that game, the team will head to face Indian Land on their home court for the last game of the regular season 6 p.m. Thursday.
The Copperheads have an outside chance of reaching the postseason, but must win their remaining games and hope that other contenders falter down the stretch.
Indian Land, now 2-8 overall and 0-5 in region, finishes the regular season with three straight home region games against York on Monday, South Pointe on Tuesday, and Catawba Ridge on Thursday.
Falcons swept by Clover
The Nation Ford girls’ basketball team fell to Clover 60-31 to end their season. The Falcons were led by Harper McKain with nine points in the game. Nation Ford finish the season 6-14 overall and 3-5 in Region 3-5A play.
The Nation Ford boys’ basketball team also lost to Clover falling 61-31. The Falcons were led by Jackson Burnham, who had 10 points. Nation Ford is now 1-13 overall and 0-6 in the region. The Falcons boys’ team will play Gaffney at home Monday and then at Gaffney Wednesday to end their season.
