INDIAN LAND, S.C. – Free throws down the stretch helped the Nation Ford girls basketball team edge the Indian Land Warriors 44-40.
The win put Nation Ford at 11-11 overall and 5-3 in Region 3-5A.
“We could have played better coming off the flu and injuries,” said Nation Ford head coach Kelly Bennett. “We talked about being resilient. We want home court for the playoffs. We feel like we are In a good spot.”
The girls game got off to a slow start with Nation Ford scoring first, but then Indian Land going on a 7-0 run.
Nation Ford was able to fight their way back into the quarter and trailed by just a basket to open the second quarter. The Falcons kept chipping away and took a small lead about five minutes left in the first half. Nation Ford capitalized on Indian Land turnovers as was able to extend their advantage.
Indian Land made a game of it before the half going on a 9-0 run to regain the lead at 19-18 at the break.
Both teams struggled to score in opening the second half. Nation Ford was able to regain the lead but like in the final minute of the second quarter, Indian Land was able to hit their foul shots to get within one.
Nation Ford went up by seven at one point in the fourth quarter, but consecutive 3-pointers by the Warriors quickly erased that gap.
The Falcons were able to ice the game down the stretch by hitting free throws to get the win.
Ariah Heard led Nation Ford with 18 points and Kayla Wilmore added 15 points for the Falcons.
Warriors pull away early
The Indian Land Warriors used a strong attack and never looked back as they beat the Nation Ford boys’ basketball team 75-53.
Indian Land started the game jumping out to a 12-4 lead. The Warriors were too strong in transition and quickly was able to start pulling away.
Indian Land took a 19-6 lead into the second quarter and kept their foot on the gas.
Nation Ford was able to cut the Warriors lead to 10 about midway through the second quarter. That deficit would be all the Falcons could do in trying to cut into the Warriors lead.
The Falcons started the second half well and cut Indian Land’s lead to six with about five minutes left in the third quarter.
That was short lived off an 11-0 run by the Warriors. By the end of the third quarter, Indian Land led 59-38 with eight minutes to play.
Ben Chuttey and Anthony Pryer each had 11 points to lead Nation Ford. The Falcons fell to 9-13 overall and 1-7 in region play.
Jan. 31 Roundup
The Fort Mill girls’ basketball team fell 50-45 to the Rock Hill Bearcats dropping them to 6-3 in Region 3-5A and 12-9 overall. The Fort Mill boys’ basketball team beat Rock Hill 60-36 an was led by Jermier Nelson with 25 points. The win put Fort Mill at 20-2 on the season and 9-0 in the region.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
