Foti’s late basket lift Fort Mill boys over Rock Hill

Despite scoring 12 points, Fort Mill senior AJ Foti didn’t score a field goal until two seconds left in the game, but it was the most important points he scored as he hit a layup to give the Yellow Jackets a 54-52 win Friday over the Rock Hill Bearcats.

Neither team came out too hot and it was scoreless for the first two minutes of the game. Fort Mill soon took a 5-0 lead with the help of a Tanner Mitchell 3-pointer.

Rock Hill took its time in trying to get its offense moving, but things took awhile for the Bearcats to get any momentum going.

On the other end, Fort Mill used a slashing offense to get open looks at the basket and took 9-2 lead about five minutes into the game. Rock Hill’s Lance Crayton had the only offense for the Bearcats early, scoring the first five points.

Rock Hill struggled with turnovers early which aided the Fort Mill offense as it was able to hoist up more shot opportunities. The Bearcats also struggled with fouls sending Fort Mill to the line five times in the first quarter, where they hit seven of nine shots.

In the third quarter, Rock Hill was able to catch the Jackets and tied the game at 36-36 with about five minutes left in the quarter as part of an 11-4 run to open the second half. Rock Hill went up 44-37 as Fort Mill allowed baseline shot opportunities and second chance shots for the Bearcats. Rock Hill’s Tay Brevard was a big influence in the quarter for the Bearcats as he scored nine of Rock Hill’s 21 points.

Turning point

Fort Mill opened the fourth quarter trailing 50-44, but went on a 7-0 run to regain the lead 51-50 on an Austin Grainger reverse layup. Rock Hill missed its first three shots to start the quarter and only scored two points the entire eight minutes of play.

Critical

Rock Hill started the second quarter by going on a 7-2 run before the Jackets put its starters back in the game with the score 20-14 in Fort Mill’s favor. The Jackets scored six straight points, while the Bearcats’ turnover woes returned. Rock Hill out scored Fort Mill 22-15 in the quarter.

Foul trouble by Fort Mill started sending Rock Hill to the line more often during the second quarter. The Bearcats were also able to close the gap with the help of 3-pointers from Andrew Barber and Bryson Shipp. The combination of foul trouble by Fort Mill and 3-pointers from Rock Hill put the Bearcats back in the game 33-29 at the half, despite the Jackets lead. Rock Hill hit four 3-pointers in the period.

Star contributions

Fort Mill was led in scoring by Mitchell, who had 13 points. Foti was right behind him with 12 points of his own. Rock Hill was led by three players who scored in double digits. Both Brevard and Barber had 11 points and Japree Perry added 10 points for the Bearcats.

Overheard

Fort Mill coach Dwayne Hartsoe said it came down to composure and experience for his team.

“Our experience shows,” Hartsoe said. “They keep an even keel about themselves. We made some big plays.”

On deck

Fort Mill travels to Northwestern on Tuesday and faces rival Nation Ford next Friday. Rock Hill has region games against Clover and rival Northwestern next week.

Box score

Rock Hill 50, Fort Mill 34: The Bearcats pulled away in the fourth quarter to improve to 5-0 in Region III-4A play.

Rock Hill was led by Rikoya Anderson with 12 points and Fort Mill was led by Meredith Christopher with 12 points.

The loss drops Fort Mill to 1-4 in region play.

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 10:30 PM with the headline "Foti’s late basket lift Fort Mill boys over Rock Hill."