How one bad quarter factored into the Carolina Forest girls basketball team’s playoff fate
In what started as a back-and-forth affair and finished with a flurry of action, Carolina Forest’s girls basketball team couldn’t overcome a scoreless third quarter in its season-ending loss to River Bluff, 54-48.
The Panthers (14-15) came into the second round Class 5A matchup winning 11 of their past 12 games, including a 9-1 blitz through region play and an opening round 51-39 victory over Cane Bay. On Friday, a talented and tough River Bluff team forced Carolina Forest to play fast and make mistakes.
“We were just a little bit sloppy in some of our execution at times tonight,” said Carolina Forest coach Stacy Hughes. “We came out strong and played a really good first half, but the third quarter really didn’t do us any favors. I don’t think we scored a point; credit (River Bluff) for that, they’re a really good team.”
River Bluff came out of the gates strong, building a 5-0 lead behind playmakers Samira Khalil and Japonica Wilson, with center Reagan Rozier cleaning up inside. Carolina Forest wouldn’t bow down, as Reilly Ward and Kennedi McLean provided a spark to keep the opening quarter at one possession.
The second quarter was more wide open, with each team netting at least twenty points. Khalil and Wilson combined for 18 points in the frame for River Bluff, who built a 6-point halftime advantage.
“The first half, our shooters were hitting and we crashed the boards really well,” Hughes said. “The second quarter especially saw us open up some spacing by hitting outside shots and then we were able to get some putbacks for easy points.”
Unfortunately for the Panthers, the Gators’ defense came out with a renewed focus and put the clamps on to build a lead as large as 18-points. Although Carolina Forest didn’t score in the frame, River Bluff mustered only a dozen points and failed the shut the door on the Panthers.
“That fourth quarter was a glimpse of how we can play when we’re focused and sharp,” Hughes said. “Unfortunately, it was too late and we ran out of time. We were able to push the pace and turn them over, which helped us cut it down to (4 points).”
The loss ends a season that saw Carolina Forest reach incredible highs like winning a region championship and valleys in starting the season 2-13. In the end, Hughes’ team came together and fought to becoming a tough out in the Class 5A playoffs.
“In this class, you have to beat really good teams like Goose Creek and River Bluff to keep going,” Hughes said. “I’m proud of how far we came this year, fighting with injuries early in the season and really gelling around region play to become a competitive team. This season was a ride and I enjoyed every bit of it.”
Carolina Forest will say goodbye to three seniors as it moves to next season. River Bluff advances to face Goose Creek in the Class 5A playoffs.
Leading scorers
CF - Carlie Skolsky 15 pts 3 rbds
RB - Japonica Wilson 19 pts, 5 rbs
Leading rebounders
CF - Ally Niles, Kennedi McLean 7 each
RB - Reagan Rozier 12, 6 offensive