ROEBUCK – The Nation Ford Falcons had a hoops doubleheader at Dorman High Wednesday to open the first round of the 5A state playoffs, as the red and black were swept.
Both the boys and girls teams fell to the Dorman Cavaliers in the opening round of the playoffs, despite hanging with the Cavaliers in the first half of each game.
The Nation Ford boys knew they would have their work cut out for them against the No. 1 ranked Dorman, and held their own in the first half, before falling 71-46.
Nation Ford led 32-31 at the half and managed just 14 second half points against the Cavaliers, who outscored them 40-14.
In the third quarter, both teams opened trading baskets and it looked as if the second half was going to be as close as the first, but then Dorman exploded for an 18-0 run to pull away.
When the Cavaliers scored the first five points of the run, Nation Ford head coach Charles Brown called a time out to try and regroup his players and slow the momentum, but it didn’t work.
Dorman came out of the time out and hit shot after shot to take a 52-38 lead after three quarters.
Nation Ford struggled in the fourth quarter as well as them managed to hit just five second half shots from the field and missed from long range to try and climb back in the game. The Falcons’ JJ Rembert led with 14 points. Nation Ford’s Nick Chuttey added 13 points, but none in the second half.
“They came out swinging,” Brown said of Dorman in the second half. “We still have to find a way to get ourselves over that hump.”
Brown in his first year led the Falcons back to the playoffs, where they had been missing that opportunity the past couple of years. The team finished 9-18 this season overall.
“I always set my expectations high,” he said. “I think this sets us up well for the future. They know what it takes to get here. I feel like we are in a good place to push the program forward.”
Bad fourth quarter hurts Lady Falcons
The Nation Ford girl’s basketball team held their own against Dorman until the fourth quarter where the Lady Cavaliers strength was just too much.
Dorman outscored Nation Ford 22-6 in the final period as they would go onto win 61-34.
The Lady Cavaliers started strong, but Nation Ford was able to keep pace rallying after being down 12-1 to open the game. Nation Ford went on a 10-0 to pull within one at 12-11 before Dorman was able to finish the first quarter leading 19-13.
The Lady Falcons struggled in the second quarter getting inside near the basket and hit just two shots form the field, but with their free throws managed to keep pace despite being down by 11 points at the half at 33-22.
The third quarter was difficult for both teams as they combined for 12 points with each team scoring six points.
Dorman started the fourth quarter going up 5-0 and pull away from there as Nation Ford struggled shooting the ball hitting just one field goal in the quarter.
“That is where our youth kicked in,” said Nation Ford head coach Kelly Bennett. “They fought hard. We just have to learn how to move on to the next play.”
Bennett, who was in his first year as head coach, said he was proud of how his team double their win total from last season and made it back to the playoffs. Nation Ford finished the season 12-14 overall.
Kayla Wilmore led the Lady Falcons with 15 points and Camielle Kerridge added 10 points in the loss.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
