Ford drives Chargers into semis

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on February 26, 2010 1:47 PM

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WINSTON-SALEM -- Not done yet.

Catherine Ford pumped in 17 points and reigning state champion Wayne Country Day knocked off United Faith Christian 39-29 in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A girls' basketball playoffs Thursday evening.

The seventh-seeded Chargers (16-12 overall) continue play today against 11th-seeded Shannon Forest (S.C.), which stunned third-seeded Oakwood 58-48 in overtime.

Tip-off is 7 p.m. at Forsyth Country Day School.

In the boys' draw, WCDS couldn't overcome a horrendous shooting night in a season-ending, 76-25 loss to Flora MacDonald Academy. It was the Chargers' third loss against the Cougars this season.

Wayne Country Day's girls captured their sixth consecutive postseason victory with old-fashioned, man-to-man defense. UFC shooters got looks at the basket, but couldn't convert the shots.

"They (UFC) slowed the pace down and we played smart," said third-year Chargers head coach Eric Perry. "The refs let us play. It was a physical game and our girls didn't back down. We didn't force a lot of turnovers, but just played position defense.

"They have a lot of spot shooters and we wanted them to put it on the floor. Our game plan worked."

Kim Martell just missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Ford had seven rebounds, a team-best six assists and two steals. Sarah Best contributed eight points, three rebounds and four assists.

Mack Thompson supplied two points and two steals. Hannah Pearson hauled down seven rebounds.

WCDS is making its second consecutive final four appearance and just the third overall in program history.

Terry Jones and his assistant coaches watched in disbelief from the bench as short-range jumpers and layups either clanged off the iron or completely missed the rim against FMA.

"We've been in a slump anyway, to be honest," said Jones. "We just couldn't put the ball in the hole. Layups went over the rim. It was just one of those nights that you just can't believe."

The senior tandem of Reco McCarter and Tim Hobbs led the Chargers' offense with nine and seven points, respectively.

Wayne Country Day (22-11) lost in the elite eight for the third consecutive year, and finished 2-6 against teams on its schedule that advanced to the 1-A playoffs this season.

"One of the things we can definitely do during the course of the regular season is getting over the hump by beating those top teams (on our schedule)," said Jones. "Then we can go in (the playoffs) with a better seed and have more favorable matchups. We've been stuck on this step for a couple of years now."