ROCKINGHAM — Head coach Teddy Moseley described Wednesday’s girls varsity basketball game as a “tale of two halves.”
No. 1 Richmond Senior High School survived a first-half scare from No. 4 Lee County High School in the semifinal round of the Sandhills Athletic Conference championship tournament.
Despite trailing early in the third quarter, the Lady Raiders regrouped and advanced with a 57-32 victory over the Lady Yellow Jackets.
The win marked the 14th consecutive W for Richmond, while sending the Lady Raiders to their second SAC tournament title game in the past three seasons.
Using a 14-0 run in the third quarter, Richmond was able to shift the momentum for good.
Three players scored double-digits in the win — junior point guard Jamyia Lindsey (23 points), sophomore guard Jasiah Gilchrist (14 points) and freshman forward Madisen Jackson (11 points).
Jackson finished with a double-double, adding 12 rebounds. Lindsey had six boards and six steals, while Gilchrist’s eight steals led the team.
Junior Rena Drake scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds and senior Ryelan Lyerly rounded out the scoring with a three-pointer.
A first quarter that saw Richmond lead by as many as 11 points closed on a big run by Lee County to make it a 14-10 advantage for the home team.
Lindsey, Gilchrist and Drake each scored four points in the opening period, all on field goals. Jackson had the other two points, which started the scoring early in the quarter.
The Lady Yellow Jackets (11-11) carried the momentum over into the second quarter, tying the game and taking a two-point lead thanks to a 15-2 run that spanned to the 3:11 mark of the second.
The Lady Raiders netted just four points in the second stanza to go into the locker room tied 18-18.
Lindsey had all four points on a bucket and two free throws. Richmond didn’t score in the second quarter until Lindsey made a steal and a layup with 1:51 to go.
Lee County opened the third quarter with a four-point run to put the visitors ahead by two possessions.
But a putback by Jackson under the basket, along with a successful press defense, ignited the game-changing stretch for Richmond.
Lindsey scored the next four points on a drive and a putback to give the Lady Raiders a 24-22 lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish.
Trading buckets, Gilchrist and Lindsey combined for the team’s next eight points to close out the run and extend Richomnd’s lead to 32-22. Both players had four points, all from close range.
Kelyce McSwain, who finished with 10 points for Lee County, snapped the scoring drought for the Lady Yellow Jackets with under a minute to go in the third. One more drive from Lindsey put Richmond up 34-24 going into the fourth.
Making up for their lack of scoring in the first half, the Lady Raiders poured on the offense in the final eight minutes. Richmond outscored Lee County 23-8.
Five players found the hoop, including seven points apiece from Lindsey and Jackson. Both players netted a three-pointer and added a pair of field goals.
Gilchrist added her final four points, Drake made a mid-range jumper and Lyerly splashed down a triple from the left wing.
Matching McSwain in scoring, Gillian Garrison also scored 10 points for Lee County. Lilly Currin had five points in the loss.
Friday’s SAC tournament championship game is set for 6 p.m. No. 1 Richmond (21-4) will host No. 2 Scotland (21-3) for bragging rights and the tournament title.
Sports editor’s note: Unofficial statistics provided by assistant coach Tanekia Reader.
