After a string of three wins, the Carolina Forest Panthers's good fortune finally ran out on Friday. They lost to Sumter at home by a decisive 52-35 margin. While losing is never fun, Carolina Forest can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' South Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 40th, while Sumter is ranked fourth).
Carolina Forest's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Madison Hoffman, who almost dropped a double-double on ten points and nine rebounds. Hoffman has been hot recently, having posted two or more steals the last four times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Ellie Yates, who scored nine points.
Carolina Forest struggled to get the ball back on offense and finished the game with only two offensive rebounds. That's the fewest offensive rebounds they've managed all season.
Sumter's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Kiara Croskey led the charge by scoring 18 points along with seven rebounds and three steals. Croskey hasn't dropped below two steals for 14 straight games. Araina Ross was another key contributor, scoring 14 points along with three steals.
Carolina Forest's defeat ended a seven-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 15-6. As for Sumter, they pushed their record up to 19-0 with that victory, which was their tenth straight on the road dating back to last season.
Carolina Forest will stay at home for another game and welcome Socastee at 6:00 p.m. on February 6th. Carolina Forest is facing Socastee at the right time seeing as Socastee is stuck on a eight-game losing streak. As for Sumter, they will head out on the road to square off against Conway at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.
