Morgan Davis for the Catawba Ridge Copperheads drives to the basket against Indian Land Wednesday night.

INDIAN LAND – After a two-week hiatus because of coronavirus related issues, the Catawba Ridge girls’ basketball team got back on the hardwood and earned a 56-46 win over the Indian Land Warriors Wednesday in a Region 3-4A game.

The win wasn’t pretty for the Copperheads, and at times it was a struggle for them to hold onto the ball, as they tried to find a groove. The team still isn’t at full strength as they had one player out due to illness and another out with COVID related family issues.

The rust that Catawba Ridge showed was at the foul line as they hit just 17-of-32 free throws, including going 9-for-21 in the fourth quarter.

“We had a couple of different pieces missing,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Kate Edwards. “Between the two-week break and playing some younger players, we knew it wouldn’t look pristine.”

Victoria Jordan led Catawba Ridge with 19 points, but didn’t heat up until the second half. The Copperheads were led by Morgan Davis in the first half as she scored nine of her 16 points to pace the team.

Both teams started slow, as Indian Land as well was coming off being in a state of suspended play because of COVID-19. Catawba Ridge struggled to get inside shots in the first quarter and trailed by three to open the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Copperheads were able to pressure the ball more and caused seven turnovers from the Warriors and in turn started the quarter on an 8-0 run to go up 15-9. As the game wore on, Catawba Ridge got better and took a 22-19 lead into the half.

Just as in the second quarter, the Catawba Ridge got off to a hot start opening the second half and went on a 7-0 run to open. The Copperheads shooting improved as they started dumping the ball inside on the block to Jordan, who scored eight third quarter points.

Indian Land played their best in the fourth quarter despite trailing 41-29 to start the final period. The Warriors outscored the Copperheads 17-15 in the final quarter, as Catawba Ridge struggled at the foul line and only managed a handful of field goal attempts. Indian Land opened the quarter on an 8-2 run and cut the Catawba Ridge lead to six at 43-37. The Copperheads were able to hold off the Warriors as both Jordan and Davis came up big in the fourth quarter scoring 12 of the team’s 15 points.

These two teams are scheduled to play again Friday at Catawba Ridge.  The Copperheads are now 9-2 overall and 2-1 in the region.

Just as the Catawba Ridge girls’ team returned from being out because of COVID-19, the boys’ team is now sidelined because of the virus. The boys’ team should be back in action next week. Because the coronavirus has committed havoc on the Region 3-4A schedule, there is a possibility that boys basketball teams could play an end of season tournament with the two teams reaching the finals being the two teams that qualify for the playoffs, and the winner of the tournament being crowned the region winner.

 Fort Mill boys fall to Gaffney

The Fort Mill boys’ basketball team lost to the Gaffney Indians 57-53 Tuesday night on the road. The loss dropped the Jackets to 7-6 overall and 3-2 in Region 3-5A play. Fort Mill was led by Reed Fanta, who scored 18 points and Kyle Neibch, who added 13 points, in the loss.

Gaffney started strong and never looked back playing a good first half and taking a 32-21 lead into the half. Fort Mill rallied some in the third quarter and outscored the Indians 24-16 in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t catch up enough for the win.

The two teams are scheduled to play again Friday at Fort Mill as the varsity girls’ team is scheduled to come back after being out because of COVID-19.  The girls will lead things off at 6:30 p.m. and the boys will follow afterwards.

Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep