Two turnovers in the final 44 seconds by the Fort Mill Yellow Jackets cost them their first Region 3-5A game of the season.
The Indian Land Warriors edged Fort Mill 45-38 dropping the Jackets to 4-1 in Region 3-5A and 15-4 overall on the season.
Fort Mill struggled with their shots falling in the fourth quarter hitting just two of 10 from the field.
“We didn’t make plays, that’s the bottom line,” said Fort Mill head coach Myron Lowery. “We didn’t draw fouls. They were more physical than us. They did a good job defensively.”
The turnovers put the Warriors ahead by four as they would hit free throws down the stretch to get the win. Indian Land took an early lead on Fort Mill as ball handling by the Jackets was an issue leading to turnovers and a 9-4 Warriors lead. Fort Mill also struggled with their shot missing high percent shots.
The Jackets opened the second quarter on an 8-1 run to take the lead at 12-10. Fort Mill then continued to pull away with another small run to go up 17-11 before an Indian Land timeout.
During the run, AJ Washington was able to lead the Jackets in the second effort. Fort Mill was also better from the field hitting six shots compared to just one in the first quarter. Defensively, the Jackets were also better on the glass holding the Warriors to mostly one shot per possession as Fort Mill went into the half leading 20-13.
Both teams started slow and matched each other shot for shot early in the third quarter. Indian Land was able to catch up tying the game at 24.
Then three consecutive turnovers by the Warriors led to a 6-0 run by the Jackets and completely shifted the momentum of the game. Fort Mill went up 34-26 to start the fourth quarter.
That momentum was short lived as Indian Land opened the fourth quarter going on a 5-0 run.
The Warriors then took a 37-36 lead as the teams started trading baskets again. That trend would take the game into the final minute of the game before Indian Land pulled away.
Fort Mill was led by Jermier Nelson with 13 points. Washington added 11 points, as Wallace Campbell was held to four points.
Girls’ basketball
For the second consecutive game, the Fort Mill Lady Jackets cruised to an easy Region 3-5A win.
Fort Mill routed Indian Land 64-15 to improve to 8-11 and 3-2 in the region.
Fort Mill opened the game with an 8-0 start before a timeout. After the timeout, the Lady Jackets kept rolling to go up 17-0 before another Indian Land timeout.
Indian Land finally got on the board ending a 20-0 start by Fort Mill. By the end of the first quarter, the rout was on as the Lady Jackets were up 25-2.
Fort Mill was able to break any defensive pressure from the Warriors, which wasn’t much. Most of the Lady Jackets’ points came off turnovers and just being able to get good looks at the basket.
The Lady Jackets outscored Indian Land 16-6 in the second quarter and took a 41-8 lead into the half. Fort Mill hit nearly 50% of their shots in the first half.
A running clock was used in the second half as the Lady Jackets slowed down some, but still managed to be effective. Colbie Wolf led Fort Mill with 24 points.
Up next for Fort Mill is a home game against rival Nation Ford on Tuesday, Jan. 20 with the varsity girls leading things off at 6:30 p.m. followed by the boys.
Jan. 16 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge boys’ basketball team beat Rock Hill 69-48 to improve to 13-5 overall and 3-2 in Region 3-5A play. The Lady Copperheads fell to Rock Hill 72-42 to drop to 9-7 overall and 2-3 in the region.
The Nation Ford girls’ basketball team lost to Clover 52-37 to drop to 8-10 overall and 3-2 in Region 3-5A play. The boys’ basketball team fell to Clover also 68-64 to drop to 14-5 overall and 3-2 in region play.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
