LANCASTER – Stretches of poor shooting and turnovers led the Nation Ford Lady Falcons basketball team to fall 42-31 to the Lancaster Lady Bruins.
The start was slow for both teams as they combined for five points through the first four minutes of the opening period.
Both teams had opportunities but struggled from the field. Nation Ford hit just one shot from the field as Aubrey Barney opened the game with a 3-pointer. The Lady Falcons shot 1-of-13 from the field as they trailed by three at 9-6 to open the second quarter.
Aubrey Marrow tied the game for Nation Ford opening the second quarter with a 3-pointer. The Lady Falcons were able to keep pace with Lancaster despite them being able to get to the basket more. Nation Ford did shoot better in the period and went into the locker room at the half tied at 15.
Unlike the first half, both teams came out hitting baskets and trading the lead. The Bruins had a little surge and went up 29-20. Turnovers started to become an issue for Nation Ford which led to Lancaster capitalizing even more so.
Nation Ford was able to play their way back into the game going on a 6-0 run. The run kept things close but Lancaster outscored the Lady Falcons 18-11 in the quarter and led by seven to enter the final quarter.
Scoring became a rare occurrence in the fourth quarter for both teams, which didn’t help the Nation Ford cause. The Lady Falcons didn’t score until two minutes left in regulation. Lancaster outscored Nation Ford 9 to 5 in the quarter.
“Our biggest problem was coming off playing last night,” said Nation Ford head coach Kelly Bennett. “We haven’t had a break. That is a great Lancaster team. Our youth showed through.”
Barney led the Lady Falcons with nine points. The loss dropped Nation Ford to 4-3 overall.
Falcons struggle to keep up
The Nation Ford boys’ basketball team fell after a fast start by Lancaster losing 80-67.
“We got to believe in what we can do,” said Nation Ford head coach Charles Brown. “We have to grow in situations like this. We have to be confident from beginning to end.”
Nation Ford was able to hang with Lancaster midway through the first quarter, but the Bruins went on a 10-2 run using their quickness and height to get the advantage. The Falcons tried to regroup with a timeout, but wasn’t able to make up any ground. Lancaster hit 10-of-14 shots in the first quarter to go up 25-10 at the end of the period.
Scoring slowed to start the second quarter. Turnovers started to become an issue for the Falcons giving Lancaster even more opportunities to widen their lead. Nation Ford played better in the second quarter, but the Bruins quickness led to issues for them.
The Falcons started hot in the third quarter, but had a big hole to dig out of. Lancaster matched Nation Ford nearly shot-for-shot as the Falcons did most of their scoring in the third quarter from the foul line in the early portion of the period.
Seven consecutive points by Chase Walters for Nation Ford did get them within 13 points of the Bruins before the end of the third quarter.
Lancaster opened the fourth quarter on a 9-5 run. Nation Ford did cut the game to 10 points with four minutes left in the third 3-pointer of the quarter by Walters. Ben Chuttey then cut the Bruins lead to just seven with about two minutes left in the game, but that was as close as they could get.
Walters led with 24 points for the Falcons. Anthony Pryer had 13 points and Chuttey added 12 points for Nation Ford. The Falcons dropped to 2-3 on the season.
Dec. 10 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge girls’ basketball team beat York Prep 49-17 to improve to 4-2 overall on the season.
The Fort Mill boys’ basketball team beat York 67-28 to improve to 5-1 on the season. Wallace Campbell led the Jackets with 15 points.
The Fort Mill girls’ basketball team beat York 57-20 to improve to 4-2 on the season.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
