The Nation Ford girls’ basketball team picked up their second win on the season with a 45-39 win over the Indian Land Warriors, while the boys’ team remains winless with a loss.
The Lady Falcons were led by senior Payton Brookover and freshman Harper McKain. Brookover dropped in 13 points, while McKain added 12.
Nation Ford (2-6) got off to a quick start and despite letting Indian Land hang around were able to hold them off down the stretch.
“We wanted to get everyone involved,” said Falcons’ head coach Coretta Richmond. “I see growth. I can see our bigs becoming dominate.”
Brookover dropped in nine of her 13 points in the first quarter as Nation Ford took a 14-5 lead. Indian Land rallied in the second quarter as the Falcons got just six shots off in the period. Still Nation Ford took a slim 23-18 lead into the half.
Both teams struggled in the third quarter combining for just 17 points, as Nation Ford again hit just two shots in the quarter with junior Elizabeth Cohen scoring six of her eight points in the quarter.
Nation Ford found their stride in the fourth quarter that they had in the opening period and again dumped in 14 points as senior Victoria Robinson scored four of her eight points, while the Falcons went inside the paint for higher percentage shots to go on a 10-0 run in the quarter.
Boys’ game
Nation Ford played well in the first half, but struggled in the second half hitting just six shots to fall 61-48 to Indian Land.
The Falcons were led by Quadeir Hand, who scored 14 points, as Nation Ford fell to 0-5 on the season.
Both teams went back-and-forth in the opening quarter as Indian Land took a slim 13-12 lead, but Nation Ford found their shot in the second quarter and controlled possession and didn’t turn the ball over as often leading to 50 percent shooting from the field.
That shooting allowed the Falcons to score 20 second quarter points and take a 32-28 lead into the locker room. The second half was a different story for Nation Ford.
“We had a good first half,” said Nation Ford head coach Jared Adamson. “Second half we ran out of gas. We have got to keep getting better. We need leaders to step up.”
In the third quarter, Nation Ford hit just two of six shots as Indian Land went on a 6-2 run during the period. Nation Ford also struggled with second half turnovers, which allowed for points in transition for Indian Land as they outscored the Falcons 17-7 and took a 45-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Falcons played a little better in the fourth, but Indian Land kept the momentum in the corner and beat Nation Ford on the boards.
Nation Ford will head to Lugoff-Elgin Friday, and then will play Rock Hill twice next week with their next home game being Dec. 11.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
