the Nation Ford Falcons in their first meeting of the season on the hardwood.
The Catawba Ridge boys (2-2) won 52-41 as they were led by Jacob Stevens with 11 points, eight of which came at a much needed time in the fourth quarter. Carter Hendrick and Grant Lovette added nine points each in the win as well.
“We had a couple of good days of practice,” said Copperheads’ head coach Brett Childers. “We came out with the right intensity. All our guys stepped up.”
Nation Ford (0-4) was led by Quadeir Hand and Landon Coleman, both of which had 12 points each in the loss.
Catawba Ridge got off to a hot start to open the game as they held Nation Ford to just one field goal in the first quarter to take an 11-4 lead after one. However, Nation Ford got their field under them and took off in the second quarter to tie the game at 20 at the half.
Coleman scored seven of his dozen points in the second quarter and Hand added five points as well.
In the second half Catawba Ridge excelled and started both the third and fourth quarters on 6-0 runs. The Copperheads opened the third quarter with a 10-3 run, while Nation Ford again struggled from the field hitting just three of 11 shots.
Despite their struggles, Nation Ford stayed within striking distance of the Copperheads and trailed by just three to start the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Catawba Ridge struggled handling the ball resulting in seven turnovers. Stevens came on big hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to open the quarter. Catawba Ridge held the ball a lot in the final period and took just eight shots, making eight of them. They were also a perfect 6-for-6 from the line in the fourth quarter and outscored Nation Ford 18-10.
“Fatigue just set in,” said Falcons’ head coach Jared Adamson. “We are still getting our legs under us. We are still coming together as a unit.”
Girls’ game
The Catawba Ridge girls’ basketball team outscored Nation Ford 11-8 in the final quarter after starting the period tied at 37.
Catawba Ridge was led by Tatum Postel, who had 17 points, and Brielle Windisch, who had 11 points in the win.
Postel came up with two critical 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to open the period as Catawba Ridge started the period on a 7-2 run. Postel and the Copperheads jumped out to a big 21-12 lead after the first quarter as she scored 11 points in the opening frame.
Nation Ford fought back in the second and third periods being led by Elizabeth Cohen, who led with 19 points in the game. The Falcons outscored the Copperheads 12-7 in the second quarter and 13-9 in the third quarter to make it a game.
“Tonight, was a hard game to take in after a loss like this one,” said Falcons’ head coach Coretta Richmond. “Proud of both teams as they competed for a win.”
Catawba Ridge’s biggest problem in the game was their free throw shooting as they went 11-for-31 from the charity stripe in the game.
“That is the difference between a close game and not,” said Copperheads’ head coach Kate Edwards. “We are proud they hung in there. I am proud we didn’t give up the lead like we did against Rock Hill.”
Catawba Ridge is now 3-1 on the season, while Nation Ford falls to 1-6. The Copperheads will next play at home Friday hosting Fort Mill at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Nation Ford plays again today hosting Indian Land at 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Fort Mill splits with Lancaster
The Fort Mill girls’ basketball team beat Lancaster 39-28 and improved to 2-2 on the season Tuesday night, while the boys’ team lost in overtime to Lancaster 72-71. The Fort Mill boys had three players score in double figures as Kyle Neibch led with 31 points. Brandon Wingo had 15 points and Jackson Fewster added 12 points in the loss as the Jackets drop to 0-4 on the season. Fort Mill will play next at Catawba Ridge Friday.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
