The Nation Ford Lady Falcons used a strong second half to pull away from the Indian Land Warriors to improve to 2-0 in Region 3-5A play.
Nation Ford won 50-40 and was led by 16 points from Ariah Heard.
The match up started out evenly in the girls’ game. Nation Ford pulled away some going up 7-4 before the Warriors battled back. Indian Land tied it at nine. The Falcons were unable to pull away as Indian Land consistently was able to answer them.
The offense for both teams slowed to start the second quarter as shots stopped falling. Despite dealing with turnovers, Indian Land was able to go on a 5-0 run midway through the second quarter.
This time it was the Falcons that were able to keep up staying one step behind Indian Land. Heard got a 3-pointer with about a minute left in the second quarter to put Nation Ford ahead. The Falcons would take a 23-20 lead heading into the half.
Another slow start hampered both teams to open the second half. Indian Land again struggled with turnovers giving the Falcons extra possession.
Nation Ford was able to get points in transition to help widen their lead thanks to Heard. Those buckets turned into a 35-28 lead for Nation Ford entering the fourth quarter.
Turnovers continued to aid the Falcons in the fourth quarter as the Warriors struggled to score.
Indian Land also struggled early from the field to convert shots in the final period. The Warriors were able to cut the lead to just five with about two minutes remaining in the game. However, the Falcons used consistent foul shooting to again widen their lead before going on for the win.
“Indian Land is a very capable team,” said Nation Ford girls head coach Kelly Bennett. “It is a tough region. Indian Land is getting better. Everyone in the region is getting better.”
Nation Ford girls varsity basketball team is now 8-7 overall.
Nation Ford boys struggle
The Indian Land Warriors used a third quarter surge to pull away from Nation Ford.
Indian Land won 73-55 to improve to 2-0 in Region 3-5A, while dropping Nation Ford to 0-2 in the region and 7-7 overall.
Nation Ford went up 6-1 early to open the game, but Indian Land stormed back on a 12-0 run to gain the lead.
The Warriors took a 18-8 lead into the second quarter. Indian Land opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run on back-to-back 3-pointers.
Despite the big lead, Nation Ford started to chip away at the lead and was able to match the Warriors point-for-point as Indian Land led by 10 at the half 35-25.
The good run by Nation Ford in the second quarter slowly faded away in the third quarter as Indian Land started on a 11-0 run in the first two minutes of the second half. That run put the Warriors up by more than 20.
Nation Ford tried to stay competitive, but it was hard to match Indian Land’s firepower. The Warriors outscored Nation Ford 22-12 in the third quarter and took a 20-point advantage into the fourth quarter and cruised from there.
Nation Ford was led by Chase Walters with 20 points. The Falcons return to play on Thursday, Jan. 9 at Rock Hill High School. The game was originally scheduled for Friday, Jan. 10, but moved up due to the threat of snow.
Jan. 7 Roundup
The Fort Mill boys’ and girls’ basketball teams swept Rock Hill in Region 3-5A action. The Lady Jackets edge Rock Hill 42-41 to improve to 2-1 in region play and 8-7 overall. The boys won 62-42 to improve to 14-2 overall and 3-0 in region play. Nas Berry let the Fort Mill boys’ team with 18 points. Fort Mill will host Northwestern on Thursday, Jan. 9 for their next contest.
The Nation Ford wrestling team dropped a dual against Indian Land 54-30 to fall to 5-8 on the season and 0-1 in Region 3-5A.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
