ROCK HILL – The Catawba Ridge Copperheads basketball teams picked up their first Region 3-5A wins of the season.
The Copperheads boys team edged the Northwestern Trojans 57-55 to improve to 10-4 overall and 1-1 in the region, but the game was far from an easy win.
“Any road region win is good,” said Catawba Ridge head boys’ coach Brett Childers. “I was proud of how our bench played. The starters handled the pressure well.”
Northwestern opened the game on a 7-0 run, while the Copperheads struggled with turnovers early. Fouls and self-inflicted turnovers aided the Trojans as Catawba Ridge went down 14-5 after the first quarter.
The Copperheads were unable to get the ball to their 6’11” big man Mark Caslaru as much as they wanted in the first quarter, while the other Copperhead starters missed their shots for the most part.
Catawba Ridge started to claw their way back into the game in the second quarter. Caslaru got into foul trouble midway through the second quarter and had to come out.
Despite that, the Copperheads continued to chip away at the Trojans lead. Catawba Ridge’s Isaiah Thomas tied the game at 15 with about 2:30 left in the half. From there, the Copperheads went on a 6-0 run before the Trojans pulled within two points at 21-19.
Caslaru started the third quarter for Catawba Ridge with a 3-pointer. The Trojans started just as hot, but couldn’t keep pace with the Copperheads. Northwestern went to a press to slow the Copperheads down. It worked some, as the Trojans pulled within six points.
Caslaru and Thomas continued to power Catawba Ridge by getting to the basket, however, the Trojans continued to hang around and pulled within six heading into the fourth quarter. Caslaru scored 12 of the Copperheads 21 points in the third quarter.
Catawba Ridge surged to a 10-point lead to open the fourth quarter. The Trojans didn’t respond like they had earlier in the game as the Copperheads were able to create some space on the scoreboard against them.
After a timeout, Northwestern went on a 5-0 run to cut the Copperheads lead to just four points. Late turnovers by Catawba Ridge continued to aid the Trojans with extra opportunities on offense.
The Trojans pulled within three points with about a minute left as Catawba Ridge went to a four-corners type offense to milk time off the clock. The Copperheads were able to hit their foul shots down the stretch to ice the game and pick up the win.
Caslaru led with 23 points for Catawba Ridge. Catawba Ridge plays Indian Land next Friday, Jan. 9 on the road.
Girls’ basketball
The Lady Copperheads were looking for their first Region 3-5A win as well having not played in a holiday tournament. Catawba Ridge started slow since their last game on Friday, Dec. 20.
Catawba Ridge used long distance shooting to get a 51-40 win to improve to 1-1 in the region and 7-5 overall.
“I was pleased,” said Lady Copperheads head coach Sheridan Pressley. “We shot the ball with a lot more confidence.”
The Copperheads started slow, but Northwestern wasn’t much better as the two teams combined for 16 points through the first six minutes of the game.
Brooke Berninzoni and Kayleigh Freeman led the Copperheads offense in the opening eight minutes. Northwestern led 12-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Freeman kept Catawba Ridge close to start the second quarter with her second 3-pointer of the game.
Turnovers hurt the Copperheads offense as they struggled to establish any rhythm. Berninzoni tied the game at 15 midway through the second quarter on a three-point play.
Northwestern scored two consecutive baskets, before Catawba Ridge went on a 9-0 run with the help of back-to-back 3-pointers from Jolina Bowen and Camryn Davis to take a 23-19 lead at the half.
The Trojans came out in the second half more aggressive on defense, but Bowen continued to be strong behind the 3-point line. Catawba Ridge turnovers allowed the Trojans to keep it close and tied the game at 29 with 3:15 left in the third quarter.
The Copperheads went on a 6-0 run with two more 3-pointers by Davis and Bowen. Catawba Ridge took a four-point lead to the fourth quarter at 36-32.
Northwestern pulled within one about three minutes into the final period. But again, long distance baskets were beneficial for the Copperheads. Catawba Ridge was also strong at the foul line in the fourth quarter as they went up by seven points at one point. The Copperheads went 8-of-10 in the quarter at the charity stripe.
Berninzoni was clutch down the stretch for the Copperheads, where she scored six of her 15 points in the fourth quarter. Bowen also scored 15 points in the game as well for Catawba Ridge.
Jan. 2 Roundup
The Fort Mill boys’ basketball team improved to 2-0 in Region 3-5A with a 64-48 win over Clover at home. Fort Mill was led by 20 points from Jermier Nelson and 12 points from both Wallace Campbell and AJ Washington. Fort Mill is 13-3 overall.
The Fort Mill girls’ basketball team lost 42-34 to Clover and dropped to 1-1 in Region 3-5A and 6-10 overall on the season.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
