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Published: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 / Updated: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 03:22 PM

Fort Mill snaps Cougars’ four-game winning streak; next action at Clover tourney

YORK -- 

The York Comprehensive High School boys basketball team had its four-game winning streak snapped at Fort Mill Friday night.

Leading by double-digits midway through the third quarter, the home-standing Yellow Jackets withstood the Cougars’ fourth-quarter rally to chalk up the win, 63-57.

The Cougars had their moments in the fourth quarter, slicing the lead to five on three occasions.

“We pulled to within five points several times and needed a stop to move closer,” head coach Larry Dixon said.

Dixon was keenly aware of the shortcomings that led to defeat. “We lacked execution and our defense was atrocious,” declared Dixon. “Our youthfulness showed tonight.”

Dixon said the Cougars felt good about themselves coming into the game.

“We were on a four-game winning streak,” he noted. “We will continue to work hard and will get better.”

Sophomore forward DeShaw Andrews, the team’s leading scorer this season, echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“We need to step it up defensively,” Andrews said. “We can handle the offense.”

It was Andrews’ basket that drew the Cougars closer at 47-42 three minutes into the forth quarter.

Fort Mill scored and Josh McCoy answered, reducing the lead once again to five points at 57-52.

But the Cougars were unable to draw closer and the Yellow Jackets held the upper hand.

Later, with the Yellow Jackets leading 57-48, two free throws and a driving layup by playmaking guard Daurice Simpson reduced the lead to five once again.

But the Yellow Jackets held on down the stretch to win by six.

Andrews paced the scoring for the Cougars with 21 points. Kaiyon Schrouder and Simpson each scored in double figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively. McCoy scored 6 points, and Matt Rasom and Markell Castle scored 3 points each.

The Cougars defeated Nation Ford at home earlier in the week, prevailing 46-42.

Markell Castle scored 12 points and Schrouder finished with 10 to lead the scoring for the home-standing Cougars.

Dixon looks for the Cougars to gain valuable experience in the Clover Optimist Classic, a 16-team event that begins Thursday.

The Cougars will be pitted against Charlotte Christian Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Clover High School new gym.