Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — Free ended up costing the Rock Hill Redmen.

Unable to convert free throws cost the Redmen in a 66-60 loss to the Wellston Golden Rockets on Friday.

Rock Hill made just 12-of-28 attempts while the veteran Rockets were 16-of-24.

“That was the game. They made their free throws and we didn’t,” said Rock Hill coach Dave Hopper.

“We were chipping away at the lead but free throws killed us down the stretch.”

The Redmen trailed by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter before cutting the deficit to 63-60.

Mason Darby had a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Redmen (0-3). Tyler Damron scored 18 points while Jaret Bacorn added 10 points and 8 rebounds.

Chazz Davis had a game-high 23 points to lead four players in double figures for Wellston (2-0). Ryan Hawk had 12 points, Braydon Womeldorf 11 and Caleb Stanley 10.

Wormeldorf and Stanley had 4 points each in the first quarter as Wellston took a 16-10 lead. Damron had 4 for the Redmen.

Davis had 6 points in the second quarter as the Rockets extended the lead to 34-25 at the half. Darby scored 7 points to keep the Redmen close.

Each team had 17 points in the third quarter and it was 51-42.

Darby and Bacorn combined for 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Redmen cut the deficit to 3 points, but Davis had 9 points in the quarter to help the Rockets hold on for the win.

Hopper was pleased that the Redmen committed only nine turnovers.

“We played well. I’ll live with (nine turnovers) any day of the week,” he said.

Rock Hill hosts St. Joseph on Tuesday.

Wellston 16 18 17 15 = 66

Rock Hill 10 15 17 18 = 60

WELLSTON (2-0): Braydon Womeldorf 3 1 2-2 11, Logan Collins 0 0 0-0 0, Ryan Hawk 4 1 1-2 12, Noah Henry 0 1 0-0 3, Chazz Davis 6 0 11-16 23, Caleb Stanley 4 0 2-4 10, Blake Royster 1 0 0-0 2, Justin Rafferty 0 1 0-0 3, Caden Ervin 0 0 0-0 0, Matt Simpson 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 19 4 16-24 66. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: Ervin.

ROCK HILL (0-3): Tyler Damron 6 2 0-1 18, Nathan Turvey 0 1 1-2 4, Brady Knipp 1 1 0-2 5, Mason Darby 5 0 9-17 19, Jaret Bacorn 4 0 2-6 10, Cameron Barnette 2 0 0-0 4, Caden France 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 4 12-28 60. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Barnette.