In a rare three team matchup, Catawba Ridge Copperheads played Greenwood and JL Mann Friday.
The Lady Copperheads played the Greenwood Eagles, while the boys took on JL Mann Patriots.
In the boys’ game, Catawba Ridge was propelled by a strong second half for a 52-47 win.
“We have really emphasized rebounding and foul shooting,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Brett Childers. “Tonight, we battled through. I told them chemistry always comes last. We are growing.”
JL Mann started 6-0 before the Copperheads got on the board. Catawba Ridge put together a 5-0 run to answer. Catawba Ridge stayed patient early on with their shot selection, but struggled to convert hitting just 3-of-12 shots from the field in the opening quarter.
The Patriots led 8-7 after the first quarter, but the Copperheads were able to start the second quarter well going up 12-7. Defensively, Catawba Ridge was able to keep JL Mann to just one shot per possession for the most part.
Isaiah Thomas got hot for the Copperheads scoring eight points in the quarter allowing them to take a 22-18 halftime lead.
Catawba Ridge kept momentum in their corner to start the second half. The Copperheads were able to get good looks at the basket and make higher percentage shots. Thomas continued to play well in the third quarter as Catawba Ridge held the Patriots at bay.
The Copperheads led 41-38 to open the fourth quarter. Elijah Peters came up with a big 3-pointer with about four minutes left in the game to give the Copperheads some space.
The Patriots tried to rally, but the Catawba Ridge foul shooting was clutch down the stretch.
The Copperheads shot 50 percent from the field and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe in the second half. Thomas led them with 16 points as Catawba Ridge improved to 2-4 on the season.
Eagles pluck Copperheads
Turnovers played a big factor in the Catawba Ridge Lady Copperheads falling to the Greenwood Eagles 73-29.
Greenwood opened the game on a 5-0 start. That was part of a 7-1 run before Addison Cunningham drained a 3-pointer for Catawba Ridge.
The Copperheads were able to stay close, but struggled with turnovers and wasn’t able to get consistency on offense. Greenwood doubled up Catawba Ridge leading 16-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Turnover issues continued for the Copperheads in the second quarter, limiting them to not get the shots they needed on offense.
Greenwood was consistent defensively as Catawba Ridge struggled to break the press. The Copperheads got outscored 25-7 in the second quarter and ended up shooting more free throws in the first half than getting shots off from the field.
Catawba Ridge couldn’t stop Greenwood on defense as they went up by 30 soon after the start of the second half.
The Copperheads were led by Brooke Berninzoni with nine points. Catawba Ridge dropped to 4-3 with the loss.
Dec. 13 Roundup
The Fort Mill girls’ basketball team beat Providence 58-40 on the road and are now 5-3 on the year.
The Fort Mill boys’ basketball team improved to 7-1 on the season with a road win at Providence 43-37. Fort Mill was led by Nas Berry with 20 points.
The Nation Fort girls’ basketball team lost 52-43 to Wren on the road and are now 4-4 on the season.
The Nation Ford boys’ basketball team also fell to Wren on the road by a score of 85-78. They are now 2-4 on the season.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
