RAEFORD — A rare situation unfolded during the Richmond Senior High School junior varsity girls’ basketball game Friday at Hoke County.
Despite leading by one point, 37-36, with close to three minutes left in regulation, the JV Lady Raiders had to forfeit to the Lady Bucks.
As they have for most of the season, the JV Lady Raiders played with just five players. Foul trouble led to four of those players fouling out late in the second half.
Due to just one eligible player, the officiating crew decided to call the game, with Hoke County taking the victory.
Richmond committed eight fouls in the first half and a combined 16 fouls in the third and fourth quarters.
“Friday night was tough for us,” head coach Tonia Breeden said. “We were still up by one when it had to be called because we didn’t have enough players to continue. My girls are warriors and definitely not quitters. They didn’t give up even when it was just two of them on the court.
“The girls should definitely hold their heads high because they play with all heart,” she continued. “I’m so proud to say these are my fab five.”
Sophomore guard Olivia Brown led the way with 22 points, including 19 points in the first half. Freshman forward Kaniah Little chipped in 12 points, spreading her scoring evenly across all four quarters.
Freshman Iyana Little scored two points and fellow ninth grader Ny’Aziah Wilson, the lone member not to foul out, had one point.
The JV Lady Raiders led 14-6 after the first quarter. Brown had 12 points on three three-pointers and three free throws. Kaniah Little added two points on a field goal.
A 14-4 run in the second stanza led to a 28-10 lead at halftime for Richmond. Brown scored seven points, Kaniah Little chipped in five points and Iyana Little made her lone bucket.
The JV Lady Bucks closed their gap by outsourcing Richmond 13-8 in the third quarter. Kaniah Little’s four points came on a pair of free throws and a basket.
Brown had her final three points, using a free throw to go along with a field goal. Wilson went 1-for-2 at the foul line.
Leading 36-23 to start the fourth, Kaniah Little made one more free throw for Richmond’s final point.
Hoke County took advantage of the numbers on the floor to make it a one-possession game before the JV Lady Raiders got down to one player.
The JV Lady Raiders (6-5, 4-2 Sandhills Athletic Conference) will travel to Union Pines High School Tuesday and start at 5 p.m.
