ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Senior High School junior varsity girls’ basketball team entered the win column Saturday.
Using a fast start, the JV Lady Raiders defeated New Hanover High School 41-27.
“The girls came ready to play today,” said head coach Tonia Breeden. “Their nerves didn’t seem to be all over the place. We had a really strong first half.
“Their strong defense creating turnovers was the key. Free throws were also an important part of the win. I’m proud of how they came back from the loss and played well today.”
Six different players found the basket for Richmond, led by freshman Mary Little’s 16 points. Sophomore Kaniah Little hit double figures with 10 points.
Sophomore Iyana Little and freshman Erin Drumwright each netted six points. Rounding out the scoring were sophomores NyAziah Wilson (two points) and Kenya Bailey (one point).
Richmond rolled in the first quarter, taking an 18-3 lead. Free throws were crucial early on, as six of Mary Little’s eight first-quarter points came from the line. Kaniah Little went 4-for-6 on free throws to start the game.
Drumwright scored a pair of field goals to build the lead and Iyana Little netted her first basket of the day.
An 11-6 run during the second quarter put Richmond up 29-9 at halftime. Three more free throws from Mary Little were combined with two buckets from the freshman.
Kaniah Little and Wilson each added a field goal in the second quarter.
Despite being outscored in both the third and fourth quarters, Richmond still had the lead firmly in hand.
Scoring just three points in the third, the JV Lady Raiders used a Drumwright basket and a Mary Little free throw, who went 10-of-15 from the charity stripe in the win.
Up 32-17 to begin the final quarter, Richmond scored nine more points in the closing eight minutes to New Hanover’s 10 points.
Kaniah and Iyana Little connected on two baskets each and Bailey joined the scoring with a free throw to cap the team’s scoring.
The JV Lady Raiders (1-1) will have some time off before returning to the court Dec. 6 to host Southern Lee High School to begin Sandhills Athletic Conference action.
