RICHMOND COUNTY — Three of the five Richmond County middle school basketball teams that made the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference playoffs were in action Tuesday, but only one of them advanced to the second round.
Lady Red Rams ease past East Hoke
Playing on their home court, the No. 3 Hamlet Middle School Lady Red Rams defeated No. 6 East Hoke 48-21 to advance to the semifinal round.
Head coach Mitch Coe and the Lady Red Rams scored 31 points in the second half to put away the Lady Eagles. Orena Drake would lead the team in scoring with 15 points, coming up big in the second half with 10 points.
Elise Dimery and Ryelan Lyerly would each contribute eight points in the win, as Saquanna Bostic and Amerah Primus chipped in six points apiece. Bostic scored all six of her points in the third quarter, which saw Hamlet break it open on a 17-3 run in the quarter.
Hamlet also outscored East Hoke 14-3 in the fourth, seeing Drake net her final six points.
Improving to 8-2 on the season, the Lady Red Rams will prepare for a semifinal matchup on the road at No. 2 Sandy Grove Middle School on Thursday.
The Lady Panthers handed Hamlet one of its two losses earlier in the season. A win would send the Lady Red Rams to their second-straight title game.
Hamlet boys edged by Carver
Despite an 18-point performance from point guard JV Drake, the No. 4 Hamlet Red Rams suffered a 43-40 loss at home to No. 5 Sandy Grove Middle School on Tuesday.
David McNair would add nine points for Hamlet, while Zach Gardner chipped in with seven points. Other Red Rams to contribute to the scoreboard were Tristan Wall, Jashton Harrington and Toby McInnis, all of whom scored two points.
“Hate the season had to end, it’s been a wonderful ride with this group,” head coach Keith Parsons said. “Each and every one of them game all we asked.
“I really appreciate the help of Chris Campolieta this season,” he added of his assistant coach. “Having him with us was great for our guys. I learned so much from him and I know they did as well.”
The Red Rams finished their 2019-2020 campaign with a 6-4 overall record.
“Our 14 players all have great things ahead of them,” Parsons closed. “And I can’t wait to watch it all unfold.”
Cordova loses ‘heartbreaker’ to Carver
Across the county at Cordova Middle School, the No. 3 Cavaliers suffered a 44-42 loss to No. 6 Carver Middle School.
Jamarion Wall led the Cavaliers with 22 points, Jamison Jones added 14 points and Chris Grey finished his season with six points.
“It’s been an exciting year and I hated to it end this way, but I am very proud of each one of the players,” Gerald Ratliff said. “Losing eight dedicated eighth graders is tough, but I look forward to seeing them play at the next level as we prepare to rebuild.
Note: The No. 1 Lady Rockets and No. 2 Rockets of Rockingham Middle School had byes in the first round and will get underway on Thursday.
