After starting 0-2 in conference play, the Fort Mill boy’s basketball team rebounded and are now Region 3-5A champs after their eighth straight win.
Fort Mill clinched the title outright by beating rivals Nation Ford 53-43 to finish region play at 8-2 and the regular season at 15-10 overall.
At one point this season, Fort Mill was 7-10, but head boy’s basketball coach Dwayne Hartsoe knew what he had.
“I though we had the right pieces,” he said. “I am pleased with how the overcame adversity. All that early season stuff prepares you for this.”
In an already humid gym, Fort Mill came out even hotter and hit three first quarter 3-pointers to jump out to an early lead. AJ Washington started with the hot hand for Fort Mill and scored seven of his team leading 14 points in the opening quarter.
The Jackets went up early 13-6 before Nation Ford took their first timeout. Fort Mill came out of the time out and still held the advantage as they led 17-10 to end the first quarter.
In the second quarter, things slowed down tremendously for both teams as each team struggled from the field. Fort Mill hit just three shots, while Nation Ford hit just two shots in the quarter. Still Fort Mill held a 24-16 lead at the half.
The third quarter was more evenly matched between the two teams as both teams seemed to be able to find their stroke from beyond the 3-point arch. Nation Ford hit two, while Fort Mill hit three with two of them coming from Washington. Fort Mill’s Gabe Tooper was consistent all night on the boards and in coming up with big shots as he added 12 points in the win.
At one point in the third quarter, Nation Ford pulled within five points at 39-34, but Fort Mill ended the quarter on a 5-0 run of its on to go up 44-34.
In the fourth quarter, there was no offensive surge from either team as both struggled from the field once again combining for just three field goals. Each team did the majority of their damage from the foul line where Fort Mill was 6-for-11 in the fourth quarter and the Falcons were 2-for-6.
Nation Ford was led by JJ Rembert, who scored 15 points, as the Falcons finished the regular season at 9-17 overall and 2-8 in region play.
“It is going to take time for us to be where we need to be,” said Nation Ford head coach Charles Brown. “I am proud of the way they fought back in the second half. We didn’t match their energy to start the game.”
Nation Ford is scheduled to open the playoffs next week with a road game at Dorman in the first round.
Fort Mill will be hosting a home game in the first round and should take on an at-large team, which will most likely be region foe Spring Valley.
The 5A boy’s playoffs are set to begin Thursday, Feb. 16.
Lady Jackets get second region win
The Fort Mill girl’s basketball team swept the season series against Nation Ford with a 48-42 win Friday night.
The sweep gave Fort Mill their only two region wins on the season as they finished region play at 2-8 and the regular season at 9-17 overall.
Fort Mill was led by Reagan Reyes as she scored 24 points in the game, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter as the Jackets rallied after being down 33-32 to start the final period.
The Jackets hit 6-of-8 shots in the fourth quarter and outscored Nation Ford 16-9. Nation Ford started the fourth quarter going up 37-32, but Fort Mill fought back as Reyes tied the game at 37 with about four minutes to go in the game.
Reyes hit a second 3-pointer of the quarter with 2:04 left as Fort Mill went on an 8-0 run to close the game out.
“It always feels good to win on senior night against your rivals,” said Fort Mill girls head coach Nathan Wruble.
Nation Ford was led by Camielle Kerridge with 16 points, but none coming in the second half. The Falcons struggled to shoot in the second half hitting just six field goal and went 1-for-7 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons finished 12-13 overall in the regular season and 3-7 in the region. Like their male counterparts, they will open on the road at Dorman in the first round.
Fort Mill should get the at-large spot and if they do would open on the road at region foe Spring Valley.
The 5A girl’s playoffs are schedule to start Wednesday, Feb. 15.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
