ROCKINGHAM — A defensive battle took place between the Richmond Senior and Fairmont girls’ basketball teams on Wednesday.
Continuing their tough non-conference slate to start the season, the Lady Raiders handed Fairmont High School its first loss of the season.
Thanks to defensive pressure and a game-high 18 points from junior point guard Jamyia Lindsey, Richmond won the low-scoring affair 41-31.
Head coach Teddy Moseley said the Lady Raiders expected Fairmont to be difficult defensively, which proved true for most of the game.
It took some time to figure out, he said, but Richmond used a pivotal 20-7 run in the second quarter to tilt momentum in its favor.
The Lady Golden Tornadoes (3-1) took the edge following the first quarter of play. Fairmont erased an early deficit and took a 7-6 lead, which was one of two six-point quarters by the Lady Raiders in the game.
Three Lady Raiders found the basket in the first, including a game-opening three-pointer from senior forward Ryelan Lyerly from the left corner.
Freshman forward Madisen Jackson, who finished with six points and four rebounds, laid in a shot on one of Lindsey’s four assists. With 30 seconds to go, Lindsey knocked down one of two free throws.
The foul line proved important for the Lady Raiders, who finished 16-for-22 from the line. The team connected on 8-of-12 from the charity stripe during the second quarter.
After Fairmont scored the first two points of the second, Richmond went on a 12-0 run. Jackson had her final four points on a shot off the glass and two free throws.
Senior center MaKailah Jackson, who led the Lady Raiders with eight boards, sank a free throw.
Two free throws from sophomore Jasiah Gilchrist, one from senior C’Niya Hinson and four points from Lindsey (two free throws and a jumper) put Richmond up 18-9. A three-pointer by Myasia Simms stopped the run.
In the closing two minutes of the half, an 8-2 spurt put Richmond up 26-14 at the intermission. Junior forward Rena Drake netted her four first-half points on transition baskets.
Lyerly capped her five-point night with a layup and Lindsey made a steal deep in the defensive half and scored on a fastbreak.
A six-point third quarter yielded a 32-27 lead for Richmond entering the fourth quarter. Lindsey had all six points courtesy of two free throws and two field goals.
The Lady Golden Tornadoes kept their deficit within two possessions for a majority of the final stanza, even cutting Richmond’s lead to as few as four points.
Lindsey scored Richmond’s first five points of the period on three foul shots and a drive. The Lady Raiders called a timeout leading 37-29 with 1:50 to play.
Moving the ball around the floor, Richmond played keep-away for the remainder of the game. Out of the timeout, Drake was fouled and drilled both of her chances from the line.
In the closing seconds, MaKailah Jackson netted a field goal on an offensive rebound to put Richmond ahead by 10 points.
Adding to the rebounding stat sheet were Lindsey (4), Hinson (3) and Gilchrist (2). Madisen Jackson led the team with three steals and Lindsey had two takeaways.
Leading Fairmont in scoring were Taniya Simms (nine points), Miah Smith (seven points) and Zariyah Locklear (six points).
The Lady Raiders (2-2) are set to play at Panther Creek High School (1-0) on Friday, the reigning NCHSAA 4A state champion. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.
The Richmond Observer will publish a photo gallery of Wednesday’s win over Fairmont soon.
