INDIAN LAND – Despite it being their last game of the season, the Catawba Ridge Copperheads proved they still had a lot more basketball in them.
The boys’ basketball team finished its season with runaway win over the Indian Land Warriors 90-69 on the road. Catawba Ridge ended the season 7-8 overall and 3-5 in Region 3-4A. The Copperheads finished third in the region and would normally have made the playoffs had coronavirus restrictions not been placed on the number of teams making the playoffs. Only the top two teams in each region went to the playoffs, which in this case was South Pointe and Lancaster.
Catawba Ridge head coach Brett Childers said he was glad to end the season on a positive note.
“It was a good way to go out,” he said. “The guys were excited for each other. With COVID, I am just happy we finished the season with no major issues. I am real proud of their efforts.”
Catawba Ridge jumped out to an early lead and cruised for most of the game, despite the fact that Indian Land played more competitively in the second half. The Copperheads cleared their bench and almost every player scored. Grant Lovette led Catawba Ridge with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Landon Foley and Jack Turnbow scored 11 points each in the win as well.
The Copperheads led 25-6 after the first quarter and started the game on a 10-0 run. Lovette scored eight of his 24 points in the opening quarter, as Catawba Ridge was able to get baskets in transition and run the floor with ease on breakaways.
Catawba Ridge dropped in another 26 points in the second quarter, as Indian Land shrugged off the bad start and scored 18 points in the quarter. At one point with about 3:45 left in the first half, Lovette had 14 points, as much as Indian Land did as a team at that same point in the game. The Copperheads took a 51-24 lead into the locker room at the break.
The second half was better for Indian Land as they outscored Catawba Ridge 24-22 in the third quarter, but the Copperheads were able to nearly match the Warriors shot for shot. Indian Land was more aggressive at attacking the basket and got to the foul line often in the second half. It took a while, but Catawba Ridge found their groove again with about four minutes left in the third quarter and was able to slow the Warriors attack.
Despite the Warriors playing better, Catawba Ridge still led by 25 points at 71-38 to open the fourth quarter. The Copperheads shot nearly 50 percent from the field hitting 30 shots out of 61 attempts unofficially for the game. They also shot well from the foul line going 21-for-26.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
