ROCK HILL – Charlotte Country Day handed the Fort Mill Lady Jackets their first loss of the season on opening day of the 2023 Winborn Showcase at Rock Hill High School Wednesday with a 54-39 victory.
Country Day hit their first shot, but then the offense for both teams slowed down. Fort Mill struggled to get any shots off early and had four turnovers in the first 2:30 of the quarter.
Country Day went up 8-0 and looked to run away with it, when Fort Mill hit back-to-back baskets to cut the lead in half.
Fort Mill started to get better shots by getting inside and went on a 5-0 run to go up 13-10, before Country Day tied it at 13 to end the first quarter.
The second quarter saw a close battle continue between the teams. Both teams traded baskets and turnovers switching the lead through the midway point of the period.
Turnovers gave the advantage to Country Day as they were able to take advantage of the Jackets miscues better. Country Day scored six straight points off three Fort Mill turnovers. Country Day was also more effective on the glass in the quarter grabbing key rebounds.
Country Day ended the half on a 9-0 run to take a 31-21 lead to the break.
Fort Mill opened the second half going on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to four. Country Day was still better at getting offensive rebounds which allowed them to stay ahead taking opportunities of second chance points.
The Jackets played better in the third quarter, but still had an issue with turnovers. That led to Country Day pulling away and taking a 46-32 lead after the third quarter.
Fort Mill refused to go quietly as they pulled within 10 at 48-38 opening the fourth quarter with an 6-2 run.
Despite the rally, Country Day was too strong as they continued to pull away to grab the win and drop the Jackets to 9-1 on the season.
Clare Moore led Fort Mill with 9 points. The Jackets play Butler Friday, Dec. 22 back at Rock Hill High.
Catawba Ridge falls to Lady Gators
The River Bluff Gators defeated the Catawba Ridge girls’ basketball team 51-35 in their first game of the Winborn Showcase.
The Copperheads came out firing, but wasn’t able to convert their opportunities. River Bluff went up 8-0 before Catawba Ridge got a basket by Taylor Reilly.
River Bluff had a 12-5 edge entering the second quarter, but the Copperheads opened on a 11-2 run to take the lead 16-14.
Catawba Ridge significantly cut down on turnovers and was able to attack the basket better in the quarter.
The Copperheads trailed by one to open the second half at 17-16, but River Bluff opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run before a timeout.
While Catawba Ridge scored, the Gators found another gear and was able to defensively stop the Copperheads causing turnovers and offensively pull away to go up 44-19 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Copperheads were led in scoring by Addison Cunningham with 17 points and fell to 1-9 on the season.
Catawba Ridge plays Country Day Friday back at Rock Hill High.
Dec. 21 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge boys’ basketball team advanced to the finals of the McDonalds Big Mac Classic at Byrnes High School with an 89-58 win over Mauldin. Zyan Hager had a school record seven 3-pointers and a school record 33 points. Lance Barnes had 24 points and Quh Webb had 15 points. The Copperheads play in the finals Friday, Dec. 22 against host Byrnes. Catawba Ridge is now 10-1 on the season.
The Nation Ford Falcons boys’ basketball team picked up a 75-65 win over West Charlotte High School to snap a four-game losing streak. Nation Ford is 5-5 on the season.
The Fort Mill boys’ basketball team fell to Panther Creek High School 55-52 in a game at Independence High School as part of the Border Classic. They are now 6-4 on the season.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
