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Published: Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 / Updated: Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 05:20 PM

Yarborough leads Nation Ford to 5th place finish at 'Shootout'

LITTLE RIVER -- 

Led by a 25-point performance from junior Taylor Yarborough, the Nation Ford Lady Falcons beat North Brunswick (N.C.) 42-30 to finish fifth in the 2012 Shootout by the Sea basketball tournament at North Myrtle Beach High School.

Yarborough, who was named to the All-Tournament team, scored 20 points in the first half and single handily outscored North Brunswick as Nation Ford led 32-14 at the half.

The Lady Falcons’ defense caused 20 first half turnovers from North Brunswick as Nation Ford capitalized most of the extra opportunities.

At one point in the first half, Nation Ford went on a 10-0 run to push the score to 29-9. But North Brunswick showed signs of life periodically in the first half and reversed the momentum to go on a 5-0 run of its own to make it 29-14.

Nation Ford shot 33 percent in the first half, as the two teams played two 16-minute halves instead of four eight-minute quarters.

Despite small adjustments, the majority of the second half was North Brunswick’s as it outscored Nation Ford 16-10.

Yarborough, who scored five of the 10, struggled, hitting just two of eight shots as the Lady Falcons’ somewhat balanced scoring went by the wayside in the second half.

North Brunswick was the one that made the most of second chance opportunities by consistently out-bounding Nation Ford.

North Brunswick started the second half scoring the first two baskets to make it 32-18.

The Lady Falcons struggled offensively, missing shots as North Brunswick went to a full-court press, slowing them down.

North Brunswick was able to cut Nation Ford’s lead to less than 10 points at one point, but the gap between the two schools was too great to make up.

“We found a way to win,” said Nation Ford head coach Mike Smith. “We got the job done. I am pleased with the effort.”

Smith said he will use the next week to try to work on mistakes made while in the tournament and look forward to the second half of the season.

Nation Ford will have a game Friday at home against Indian Land at noon. All local youth girls teams are invite and will get in free to the game. After the game, there will be a one-hour free clinic hosted by the Lady Falcons for the youth in attendance.

Nation Ford 42, North Brunswick 30

Nation Ford;32;10;-;42 North Brunswick;14;16;-;30

Nation Ford – Taylor Yarborough 25, Tiaira Potts 6, Briley Prince 4, Chelsea Gant 3, Zippy Lincoln 2, Abbey Bjerken 2. North Brunswick – Katrina Brown 11, Nikayla Ramsey 8, Tiffany Keaton 4, Ajene Mays 2, Tyre Cheatham 2, Gracan Deal 2, Annabel Hsia 1. 3-pointers – Nation Ford 3 (Yarborough 3). Team Fouls – Nation Ford 17, North Brunswick 11.

Records: Nation Ford 6-5.