Foxes lose second straight to Bulldogs

The Red Foxes fell to Marlboro County for the second time this season Tuesday night in the semi-final round of the Pepsi Carolina Classic at West Florence High School by a score of 66-60.

Hartsville trailed nearly all of the game, mainly because the Bulldogs held such a large advantage rebounding. The Foxes were out rebounded 44-26 in the game and gave Marlboro County plenty of second chance opportunities.

The game was a low-scoring affair as the two teams combined for only eight points in the first four minutes of the game.

The score after the first quarter had Marlboro County ahead 14-8.

Hartsville had trouble protecting the ball on offense and lost the battle for loose balls due to Marlboro County hustle. The Foxes pressured the Bulldogs on defense for most of the game, but Marlboro County used its rebounding advantage and was also able to find holes in the Hartsville defense.

Hartsville cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 24-18 with 1:43 remaining in the half, but Gavin Thomas was called for a foul and then ejected for disputing the call with the referee.
Marlboro County took a 30-23 lead into the locker room at the half.

Hartsville’s Jordan Scott scored 13 points in the first half, but he was outdone by the Bulldogs’ Daerelle Deese and Tyrone Harrington. Scott finished the game with 21 points despite missing much of the second half, while Deese and Harrington scored 17 and 14, respectively.

In the second half, the Foxes attempted to close the gap, but Harrington kept Marlboro County ahead with timely three-point shooting. The Bulldogs’ Trimane Quick dominated the boards as he finished with 9 points and 13 rebounds.

In the fourth quarter, the Foxes found themselves behind by as many as 15 points. Then, head coach Aric Samuel substituted for his starters and put the game in the hands of his bench.

In a span of three minutes, Hartsville cut the lead from 15 to five points. However, when the starters returned, the Bulldogs opened the lead again.

Hartsville’s Lawrence McPhail played well in the fourth quarter in an attempt to bring the Foxes back into the game. But when Hartsville tried to close the gap Marlboro County found ways to score through the Hartsville defense and keep the lead.

McPhail finished with 21 points, with 17 of those coming in the second half. Chris Ketter added six points in the game, and Darian Hudson contributed 6 as well.

Marlboro County head coach James Pate said Kinsman Thomas made a difference in the game. “(Thomas) makes a big difference,” he said. “He’s strong and athletic, and it’s a big difference having him in.” Thomas finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Pate also mentioned the play of Deese. “We had some good guard play. Our seniors stepped up and handled the ball well, and that’s what you need to do against that kind of pressure.”

Samuel said he is trying to get more effort out of the team . “You have to play hard and match the intensity of the team (you are facing),” he said. “We have to figure out a way to get everybody playing hard.”

Samuel said he used nearly all of his bench in the game in an attempt to get the most effort from the team. “I went deep in the bench to find some effort, and we found it. The kids came back (in the fourth quarter) and played hard, and that’s what it’s all about.”

The coach said one positive note for the team was the play of the bench, and that demonstrates depth that he has believed they had all year.

Samuel said he is consistently trying to raise the tempo of the team.

The Foxes faced Hemingway High School Wednesday night in the third-place game.

Hartsville returns to regular season play on Monday, Jan. 5, when they travel to Myrtle Beach to face the Seahawks.