Darlington puts first Region win in book against Hartsville
By Don Gearhart
Anytime that Darlington and Hartsville square off in an athletic contest, rivalry bragging rights are at stake. Such was the case when the Falcons visited the Red Foxes in a boy’s basketball game. Both teams were in need of a win in the Region that is currently led by Crestwood and Wilson. The other schools in the Region have at least two wins whereas Darlington and Hartsville began the night with zero Region wins.
Darlington jump-started the night when LaHenry Yarborough drilled a 3-point shot from the wing. Khalil Green made it 5-0 with a score and Shiquavion Robinson made the second of two free throws to give the Falcons a 6-0 lead before Tristian Spann made two free throws to get Hartsville on the board. Another Green score made it 8-2 prior to Spann driving to the hoop to make it 8-4. That was all the scoring in the first period as numerous turnovers and poor shooting by both teams resulted in little offense.
Things picked up a bit in the second stanza. Robinson scored at the outset but a Casey Hawkins basket kept the Red Foxes within four points at 10-6. Robinson got into the act again with a 3-pointer from the corner. Spann, however, kept his team in the game with two trifectas sandwiched around a basket by Jamyari Scipio-Bishop. The second long shot gave Hartsville their first lead at 14-13. Yarborough helped Darlington regain the lead with a pair of free throws and Green scored to put the Falcons ahead at 17-14. Kelly Price-Emegbusim came off the bench and made a 3-pointer to tie the score and Braden Crawley connected from downtown to push the Red Foxes ahead at 20-17. Kayson Dawson gave Hartsville a five-point lead with a basket but Darlington fought back with a 3-pointer by Rodney Spears, a free throw by Robinson, and then a Robinson layup to take a 23-22 into the halftime locker room.
The third period was as evenly matched as possible with both teams scoring 13 points to keep the Darlington lead at one point. Yarborough and Jaquez Hamilton each scored four points for the Falcons, Thompson had three points, and Deron Ross scored the other two points. For Hartsville, Dawson scored five points, and EJ Smith and Spann each scored four points.
With both teams flying up-and-down the court in a furious fourth period, Darlington won the turnover battle. Green was fouled after scoring and calmly sank the free throw to give the Falcons a four-point advantage at 39-35. A Spann free throw cut into that margin by a point. Hamilton scored and was fouled. He, too, made the bonus shot to make it 42-26. Hawkins scored for the Red Foxes, then Dawson made a 3-pointer to get Hartsville within one at 42-41. At that point, Ross put his team on his back by scoring eight points down the stretch. Meanwhile, Hartsville only managed a conventional 3-pointer from Dawson. Yarborough made a free throw and Green was good on two charity shots to set the final margin of victory at 53-44 in favor of the purple-and-black.
Darlington had three players in double figures. Green scored 11 points and both Yarborough and Ross finished with 10 points. Spann led all scorers with 15 points. Dawson scored 13 points in the losing cause.
Darlington shot a poor 54.5% from the line hitting only 12 of 22 free throws. Hartsville lacked volume but shot an excellent 81% from the line making 13 of 16.
In other sports news, The Darlington Girls beat Hartsville 42-29 and they played Crestwood on Friday night, January 17th. Darlington will play Wilson Tigers at home on Wednesday, January 22nd. Hartsville will play South Florence Bruins at home on Wednesday, January 22nd.
