In a tense and hard-fought second-round playoff matchup, the Greenville Red Raiders defeated the Fort Mill Yellow Jackets 40-35 on Friday night.
Greenville came out firing, establishing a dominant 13-0 lead in the first quarter, fueled by a relentless full-court press and strong rebounding. Fort Mill struggled to find their offensive rhythm, facing intense defensive pressure.
However, the Yellow Jackets demonstrated resilience, making crucial adjustments in the second quarter. Fort Mill outscored Greenville 14-10 in the second period, showing improved rebounding and offensive execution. Though still missing some high percentage shots, they began to close the gap, entering halftime trailing 23-14.
Fort Mill continued their momentum in the second half, tightening their defense and finding their shooting touch. They narrowed the deficit to just four points late in the third quarter, creating a palpable sense of excitement in the gym.
Greenville, however, maintained their composure, relying on their defensive pressure to generate turnovers. At the end of the third period, Greenville held a narrow 31-23 lead.
The fourth quarter was a nail-biting affair. Greenville shifted to a strong man-to-man defense, focusing on controlling the clock. With five minutes remaining, they held a 33-25 advantage. Fort Mill refused to back down, battling back to narrow the score to within four points in the final minutes.
In the final minute of play, with Greenville holding a four-point lead and possession of the ball, Fort Mill called a crucial timeout. Despite Fort Mill’s best efforts, Greenville held on for the 40-35 victory.
Greenville’s strong defensive pressure and ability to maintain composure proved to be the difference in a tightly contested game. Fort Mill displayed tremendous heart and resilience, making a strong comeback effort that fell just short.
This victory advances the Greenville Red Raiders further in the playoff tournament.
