Dutch Fork basketball’s title bid ends in OT against Fort Dorchester

Dutch Fork basketball’s bid for its second title appearance in three years came up short on Saturday.

Fort Dorchester defeated the Silver Foxes, 49-46, in overtime to win the Class 5A Lower State championship at the Florence Center.

The Patriots will play Ridge View in the state championship at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at USC Aiken. It is the first championship appaerance for Fort Dorchester in boys basketball.

“”We knew they were very athletic but we thought we could get into some of our sets offensively,” Dutch Fork coach Bret Jones told reporters after the game. “They let us play, a lot of holding and grabbing, which kind of threw us off.

“But I am proud of our effort and our will to win, even when things didn’t look too good for us. These are great kids. At Dutch Fork, we fight. Just didn’t have enough at the end.”

Dutch Fork trailed 28-21 at half and were down 34-28 going into the fourth quarter before making a comeback. Clemson football commit Antonio Williams tied it up for Dutch Fork at 34 and all-state selection Houston Jones’ jumper in the lane put the Silver Foxes up 36-34.

Jones added two free throws to put the Silver Foxes up 41-37. But the Patriots came back to tie at 42.

The Silver Foxes had a chance to win it in regulation but were called for an offensive foul with four seconds left.

In overtime, Dutch Fork lost starting guard Jarvis Green with a knee injury and Fort Dorchester scored five of the first six points before Jones hit a 3-pointer to pull within 47-46 with seven seconds left.

Jones finished with 19 points and Williams had 10.

Omarion Green led Fort Dorchester with 25 points, including all seven in overtime.

FD: Omarion Green 25, Joyner 7, Geddis 4, McPherson 4, Lee 2, Washington 2, Capers 2, Mitchell 3. DF: Houston Jones 19, Danley 4, Renner 4, Antonio Williams 10, Smith 7, Rivers 2.