ROLESVILLE — Playing in one of the premiere holiday invitational tournaments in the state Saturday, the Richmond Senior High School girls’ basketball team picked up another win.
The Lady Raiders and head coach Taneika Reader traveled to Rolesville High School for the Queens of the Court Showcase.
Facing off against Overhills High School in the first game of the six-game showcase event, the Lady Raiders earned a 54-45 victory.
Staying in the win column for the second game in a row, Richmond used strong scoring in the second and third quarters to overcome a first-quarter deficit.
In addition to winning the game, Richmond’s senior point guard Jamyia Lindsey was named the showcase’s Queen of the Court. She scored a team-high 19 points.
“It was another good win for us,” Reader said. “Juicy won the Queen of the Court award and Olivia Brown stepped up with a back-to-back great game for us. She provided a much-needed spark off the bench and played a great offensive and defensive game.
“We will get back in the gym to prepare for another big conference game on Tuesday. I’m proud of the girls’ fight and effort against Overhills.”
Brown was the second of three double-digit scorers for Richmond. She followed her single-game career-high performance from Friday (15 points) with 14 points against the Lady Jaguars (4-4).
Also reaching double figures was sophomore Madisen Jackson, who finished the game with 10 points. Other scorers were juniors Jasiah Gilchrist (8 points) and J’Nasia Neal (2 points) and sophomore Kaylan Parsons (1 point).
Richmond trailed 15-8 after the first quarter. Lindsey had her first six points on a three-pointer and three free throws. Gilchrist had the other two points on a field goal.
An 18-8 run in the second quarter by the Lady Raiders gave them a 26-23 lead at halftime. Lindsey netted seven more points, five of them coming from the charity stripe.
Jackson got on the board with a trio of baskets for her first six points. Adding five points was Brown, who connected on a three-pointer and a field goal.
Continuing their momentum in the third quarter, the Lady Raiders went on a 17-13 run to build their lead to seven points entering the final quarter.
Brown’s seven points on a triple and two baskets led the way for the team, while Gilchrist found the hoop three times for her final six points. Two free throws from Neal and another basket from Jackson made it a 43-36 lead.
That cushion proved to be enough to hold on for the win, as Richmond was able to outscore Overhills 11-9 in the fourth.
Richmond’s final points were scored by Lindsey (6 points), Brown and Jackson (2 points each) and Parsons (free throw).
The Lady Raiders (4-3, 1-0 Sandhills Athletic Conference) start a three-game week Tuesday at Pinecrest High School (3-3, 0-0- SAC). That game will begin at 6 p.m.
