ROCKINGHAM — Junior basketball player Keyoni Nichols has been named the Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
The Richmond Senior High School girls’ basketball team opened its season last week and Nichols proved to be the team’s leading scorer in a loss to Purnell Swett.
Despite the team coming up short, Nichols kept the Lady Raiders competitive in her role as point guard, notching her first career selection.
Athletic Profile
Year: Junior
Winter Sport: Basketball
Position: Guard
Years on Varsity: 1 Year
Other Sports: Volleyball, Softball
“ON THE COURT” WITH KEYONI NICHOLS
Making the jump to varsity this season, Nichols is one of several Lady Raiders serving as a point guard in the absence of sophomore Jamyia Lindsey (injury). During Friday’s season opener, she scored 9 points.
Using her ability to drive the lane and shoot from outside, Nichols scored her first two points on a charge through the paint in the final minute of the first quarter to cut Richmond’s deficit to 19-4.
In the second quarter, Nichols added four more points before halftime. Her next two points came on a drive in the opening 10 seconds of the period, and she also added a bucket from close range midway through the quarter.
Trailing 32-18 at the break, Nichols capped her scoring in the third quarter. She netted one of Richmond’s two three-pointers in the game, pulling up from the top of the arc. That basket came with 4:25 remaining in the third.
The Lady Raiders (0-1) return to action with two more home games this week, starting with Myers Park on Tuesday and Jack Britt on Wednesday. Both games will begin at 6 p.m.
RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO WITH KEYONI NICHOLS
In her video interview, Nichols talks about her performance against Purnell Swett, what the Lady Raiders need to do to break into the win column and explains which ice cream flavor best describes her personality.
The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week soon.
