A 3-pointer with about 10 seconds left by Nation Ford’s Noah Patrick allowed the Falcons to edge the Indian Land Warriors to sweep the season series.
The Falcons won 62-59 and improve to 4-4 in Region 3-5A and 15-7 overall.
“We fought hard,” said Nation Ford’s head boy’s basketball coach Charles Brown. “They did what they needed to do. It was much needed. We were hanging on by a thread.”
Nation Ford scored on their first two possessions early, but Indian Land stayed right on their heels.
The Falcons were able to limit the Warriors to just one shot per possession early in the first quarter, while being patient on offense and getting to the basket. That allowed Nation Ford to lead 14-6 after the opening quarter.
The deficit didn’t affect Indian Land as they opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run to pull within one before a Falcons timeout.
Nation Ford was able to keep a slight edge for much of the first half after the time out. Indian Land tied the game at 19 with about 2:30 left before halftime.
Indian Land then went on a little run before the half to go up by two at halftime. The Warriors outscored Nation Ford 20-10 in the second quarter.
Indian Land controlled the momentum early in the third quarter and kept things moving in their direction. Nation Ford tied the game at 36 off a Patrick 3-pointer. The Falcons shooting beyond the 3-point line was beneficial for them in the third quarter.
The game started going back and forth as Indian Land took a small four-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Indian Land struggled to pull away as Nation Ford used turnovers to stay on the attack and keep the game close in the fourth quarter. The two teams eventually ended up tied and then traded baskets down the stretch heading into the final minute of regulation tied at 59.
Patrick led with 17 points for the Falcons, as Chase Walters chipped in 14 points as well for Nation Ford.
Girls’ basketball
The Nation Ford Lady Falcons cruised to a 67-25 win over Indian Land.
“We put together a team win,” said Lady Falcons head coach Kelly Bennett. “We showed we aren’t a one-person team. We showed we are a team. I feel like we are capable of winning the region.”
Nation Ford jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter, before Indian Land scored.
Indian Land rallied to pull within five and make a game of it as the quarter went on. Nation Ford finished the quarter with a little surge to again widen their lead.
The Lady Falcons opened the second quarter on a 15-0 run as they went up 30-7. The rout was on from there as Nation Ford went up by 30 at one point and led 41-12 at the half. The Lady Falcons outscored Indian Land 26-5 in the second quarter.
Scoring slowed for Nation Ford in the third quarter. The Lady Falcons had a tougher challenge in the third quarter from Indian Land, but still led by more than 30 to enter the fourth quarter.
Nation Ford played the final four minutes of the game after going up by 40. The Lady Falcons had three players in double figures.
Haven Land led the Lady Falcons with 23 points as they improved to 10-11 overall and 5-3 in region play. Jordyn Kerr added 14 points and Makayla Washington scored 11 points.
Jan. 30 Roundup
The Fort Mill girls’ basketball team got their second key Region 3-5A win in a row with a 54-48 home win over the Rock Hill Bearcats. Fort Mill is now 7-2 in the region and 12-11 overall. On the other end of things, the Fort Mill boys’ basketball team lost their second game in a row falling 81-78 in overtime to Rock Hill to drop to 6-3 in the region and 17-6 overall.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
