Nation Ford boys basketball finishes strong, holds off Clover
Despite not getting a good start to the season, the Nation Ford Falcons boys basketball team opened Region III-4A play with a clean slate Friday beating the Clover Blue Eagles 66-56.
The win was just the Falcons’ second, and they had three players in double digits.
Neither team got out of the gates smoothly. Each team did match the other shot for shot as the Falcons’ Cameron Holmes tied the game early at 7-7 on a 3-pointer.
Clover showed quickness in the first quarter causing some Nation Ford turnovers, which led to Blue Eagle points. Quise Robbins led Clover scoring with two 3-pointers in the opening quarter pushing them ahead to make it 12-9.
A Falcons’ 3-pointer by Zeb Graham again closed the gap to just a two point game to start the second quarter for Nation Ford, as it trailed 16-14.
Nation Ford shot 44 percent from the field in the first half, while Clover shot about 42 percent, as neither team was able to get much of a lead. The main difference between the two teams in the first half was that the Blue Eagles were a perfect 4-for-4 from the foul line, while Nation Ford never attempted a foul shot in the first half.
In the second half, both teams again came out trading baskets, but Nation Ford edged ahead with the help of a two Holmes’ 3-pointers to go up 37-33.
Holmes led the charge for the Falcons in the third quarter as Nation Ford sent Clover to the line often, where it struggled at times. Clover did use its height to get shots inside the paint.
The Blue Eagles’ Noah Lindsay gave Clover the lead again with about 90 seconds left in the third quarter on a 3-pointer to make it 43-41.
Turning point
Tied at 46-46 to start the fourth quarter, Nation Ford scored 10 points in four minutes to go up 56-48. The Falcons went on a 10-2 run to start the final quarter and take a commanding lead. Nation Ford was helped with fast break points and the hot shooting of Holmes, who drained his sixth 3-pointer of the game.
Critical
Nation Ford started the second quarter on an 8-0 run causing three straight Clover turnovers to go up 19-16. Even after Clover stopped the run, Nation Ford was able to still keep the lead with the help of a 3-pointer by Ben Tuipulotu.
Clover was able to keep its composure and stayed within arms length of the Falcons making sure the game didn’t get out of hand. Robbins hit two 3-pointers in the final minute of the first half to put Clover back ahead before the break.
Star contributions
Holmes scored 24 points for Nation Ford and both Terry Galloway and Will Lawhon had 12 each for the Falcons as well. Clover was led by Robbins, who scored 28 points, and Aaron Milner, who added 15 points for the Blue Eagles.
Overheard
Nation Ford coach Michael Tew said finally getting a full team together after the football season helps.
“We rebounded the ball well,” Tew said. “Defensively we played better. We have our whole team in tact and that is a big thing. I am happy for our kids.”
Nation Ford 66, Clover 56
Nation Ford | 11 | 15 | 20 | 20 | - | 66 |
Clover | 16 | 12 | 18 | 10 | - | 56 |
Nation Ford-Cameron Holmes 24, Terry Galloway 12, Will Lawhon 12, Ben Tuipulotu 7, Grayson Loftis 5, Hank Tuipulotu 3, Zeb Graham 3.
Clover-Quise Robbins 28, Aaron Milner 15, Noah Lindsay 3, Jeremiah Bass 3, Andrew White 2, Justin White 2, Dre Starr 2, Willy Clark 1.
3-pointers-Nation Ford: Holmes 7, Graham 1, B. Tuipulotu 1; Clover-Robbins 5, Lindsay 1.
Team fouls-Nation Ford 17, Clover 10.
Records Nation Ford 2-5, 1-0 Region III-4A; Clover 5-2, 1-1 Region III-4A.
On deck
Clover heads to Greenville for a holiday tournament next week, while Nation Ford heads to Bluffton for a tournament as well.
This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 10:35 PM with the headline "Nation Ford boys basketball finishes strong, holds off Clover."