CLOVER – The Clover Blue Eagles edged the Nation Ford Falcons in the closing seconds Friday.
The Blue Eagles won 56-54 after hitting two foul shots with seven seconds left in the game.
“We didn’t do what we needed to do to finish,” said Nation Ford head coach Charles Brown. “When we had a four-point lead, I thought we could push that, but we kept turning the ball over and shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Neither team could make anything happen in the first three minutes of the game missing shots and free throws.
Once the two teams started scoring the game was close through the majority of the first period. Nation Ford counted on mid-range jumpers to keep pace. Ben Chuttey’s 3-point shooting kept the Falcons close to Clover as they trailed 14-10 after the first quarter.
Clover picked up the defensive intensity in the second quarter leading to Nation Ford turnovers and Blue Eagle points off those turnovers.
The Falcons stayed close, but weren’t able to put together a run before the end of the first half as they trailed 28-22.
Both teams came out throwing up shots to start the second half and had a hard time hitting anything.
Nation Ford went to their big man Caden Giles and he often went to the foul line in the third quarter.
Chuttey’s 3-pointer put the Falcons up by one at 33-32 with about three minutes left in the quarter. From that point it was a back-and-forth contest until Clover closed the quarter on a 6-0 run to go up 46-41.
That small run to end the third quarter was part of a 9-0 run for Clover as it gave the Blue Eagles some momentum in the fourth quarter.
Chuttey continued to power the Falcons and again tied the game at 49 on another 3-pointer with 5:30 left in the game.
The Blue Eagles would score two straight baskets and turnovers by the Falcons in the latter portion of the fourth quarter stymied Nation Ford’s momentum.
Clover went to a four-corners type offense in the final two minutes milking the clock and clinging to a one-point lead.
Nation Ford tied the game at 54 with less than a minute left in the game. Clover then went to the line with seven seconds left in the game and drained two free throws to clinch the game. The Falcons had two opportunities in that final minute to score but failed to do so on both occasions.
Chuttey led Nation Ford with 20 points as the Falcons dropped to 3-3 in Region 3-5A and 10-11 overall.
Shooting issues hurts Lady Falcons
The Clover Blue Eagles pulled away from the Nation Ford Lady Falcons in the second half to get a 54-33 win Friday night to open the hoops doubleheader.
The Lady Falcons hit three early foul shots to go up early, but Clover then scored the next seven points to take the lead of which they would have for the entire game.
Nation Ford had trouble getting shots off and was unable to hold on to the ball leading to early turnovers.
The Falcons hit just 2-of-7 shots in the opening quarter, but hit 5-of-8 foul shots in the quarter to keep
them in the game as they trailed 13-9 after the first quarter.
Offenses for both teams slowed down in the second quarter. Nation Ford kept it close, but was unable to get the ball inside and were forced to shoot outside shots.
Clover’s offense picked up as the quarter wore on, while the Falcons’ shooting and turnover troubles continued.
Clover took a 25-14 lead to the locker room at the half ending the second quarter on a 10-2 run.
The Blue Eagles weren’t overwhelming In the third quarter, but were still strong enough to hold Nation Ford off. The Falcons’ conversion problems and struggle to get to the basket continued to be an issue for them.
Clover took a 17-point lead to the fourth quarter. The Blue Eagles continued to control possession and the game in the final period as they won by 21.
The Falcons continued to do well and get to the foul line in the fourth quarter as they hit 7-of-8 and scored a game high 13 points in the period. Nation Ford was led by Ariah Heard who scored 8 points and Aubrey Morrow added 7 points.
The Falcons dropped to 10-11 overall and 0-6 in the region. Nation Ford next host Blythewood at home Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Jan. 26 Roundup
The Fort Mill boys’ and girls’ basketball teams were swept at Blythewood Friday night. The Lady Jackets fell 47-38 and dropped to 16-6 overall and 2-4 in Region 3-5A. The Fort Mill boys fell 51-46 to drop to 3-3 in the region and 13-9 overall. A.J. Washington led Fort Mill boys with 23 points in the loss. Fort Mill next plays Tuesday, Jan. 30 at Rock Hill High School.
The Catawba Ridge girls’ and boys’ basketball teams split with South Pointe Friday night. The Lady Copperheads fell to the Stallions 82-31 and fell to 3-3 in Region 3-4A. They are now 5-16 overall. The Catawba Ridge boys beat South Point 60-45 behind 34 points from Lance Barnes. The win puts the Copperheads at 19-2 on the season and 6-0 in the region. Catawba Ridge next host York on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
