FORT MILL – There is nothing like a rivalry game to determine the final playoff spot, but that was exactly what happen between the Nation Ford and Fort Mill girls’ basketball teams.
Tied with a 3-4 record heading into the final regular season and Region 3-5A game, both teams needed a win to clinch third and the final playoff spot. Only the top three teams in the region were guaranteed a playoff spot, while the loser would have to rely on a potential at-large bid that wasn’t certain.
The Falcons would be the fortunate ones coming away with a 67-53 win over Fort Mill at Fort Mill High. Nation Ford was led by Adrienne Ruffalo, who scored 21 points. Fort Mill was led by Calli Wells and Nadia Dial, who both scored 19 points.
Fort Mill kept the game close for the most part and trailed by four at 49-45 entering the final quarter. In the final period, Nation Ford outscored the Jackets 18-8 with the help of Kelci Adams, who scored 10 of those points.
“I knew she (Jackets’ coach Heather Klipa) was going to do a box and one on Kelci and she did the whole game,” said Nation Ford head coach Coretta Richmond. “This is why everyone has to contribute.”
Nation Ford finishes the regular season at 14-11 and 4-4 in the region. Fort Mill finishes 12-11 and 3-5 in the region. Klipa said she would be filing for the at-large bid.
“I feel like we got a good shot to get it,” she said.
On the boy’s side of things, both teams were already eliminated by not finishing in the top three, but Fort Mill was playing to help their case for a potential at-large bid. The Jackets were ahead of Nation Ford in the standings and finished fourth overall with a 2-6 record. The Falcons finished last in the region at 1-7, but did pick up a 54-41 win over Fort Mill to end their season for their only region win of the season.
Nation Ford used a 22-10 third quarter to pull away from Fort Mill and started the quarter on a 12-1 run. The Falcons were led by Ty Strawhorn and Tyler Thaxton, who both scored 17 points in the win. Fort Mill was led by Keyan Mims, who scored 20 points in the loss. Fort Mill finished the regular season 11-12 overall and Nation Ford finished 9-17.
Despite the loss, Fort Mill head coach Dwayne Hartsoe said he will file for the at-large bid.
“I will throw our hat in there,” he said. “It’s the right thing to do.”
Catawba Ridge girls in, boys out
The Catawba Ridge boys and girls team needed to win in a very uncomfortable environment at Chester High to lock themselves into the playoffs in their last regular season game of the season. The girls team also needed help from Fairfield-Central in beating Indian Land to make sure they got in.
Things went right for the Copperhead girls’ team, but not so much for the boys’ team. The Catawba Ridge girls struggled early against Chester, and entered the fourth quarter down 25-24, before outscoring Chester 25-3 in the fourth to win 49-28.
The Copperheads were led by Brielle Windisch, who had 22 points, 14 of them in the fourth quarter, and Elly Zeanchock, who has 19 points, nine of that coming in the fourth quarter, to rally for the win. Catawba Ridge head coach Kate Edwards sternly talked to her team during the huddle between the third and fourth quarters.
“They responded the right way,” Edwards said. “I told them it looked like some of them was ready for the spring. I was frustrated because we have seen their potential throughout the year and they weren’t showing it.”
Catawba Ridge started four freshmen on their varsity squad in the final game of the regular season as junior forward Victoria Jordan is still in a walking boot on her left foot, having missed the last two weeks. Catawba Ridge finished the regular season 13-13 overall and 3-7 in Region IV-3A play. The Copperheads got the fourth and final playoff spot in the region with the win and with the help of Fairfield Central beating Indian Land 63-24 in their game. The Copperheads girls will take on the Clinton Red Devils in the first round of the playoffs Monday, Feb. 17 on the road.
The Catawba Ridge boys’ team had to win against Chester and they were in as their final regular season game came down to two teams battling for the final playoff spot. The game came down to the final 2:56 seconds as both teams were tied at 54. From that point, Chester outscored Catawba Ridge 9-3 to get a 63-57 win and clinch a playoff spot.
Catawba Ridge turned the ball over nine times in the fourth quarter, seven of those by their point guards, as they were outscored 18-11 in the final period. The Copperheads were led by Carter Hendrick, who scored 15 points, all in the first half and Jacobie Henderson, who added 13 points.
“Every time out we talked about executing,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Brett Childers. “We just couldn’t get the ball up the floor. I told the guys in the locker room after the game not to let the ending spoil what we were building. We are so much better today than we were in January and December. They have laid a good foundation for the future.”
The Copperheads season ended at 10-16 overall and 3-7 in the region.
Mac Banks: mbanks@comporium.net, @MacBanksFM
