ROCKINGHAM — Starting its season with its second straight win against a playoff team from last winter, the Richmond Senior High School girls’ basketball team stayed perfect Saturday.
Hosting New Hanover High School, the Lady Raiders pulled away in the middle quarters for a 48-35 victory.
Netting over half of Richmond’s points was senior point guard Jamyia Lindsey, who nearly outscored the entire New Hanover team with 26 points.
Helping pad the lead were sophomore Madisen Jackson (seven points), junior Olivia Brown (six points), junior J’Nasia Neal (five points) and two points each from senior Quanna Bostic and junior Jasiah Gilchrist.
“This was another great win for us to start the season,” head coach Taneika Reader said. “I’m proud of the ladies and their effort, and being able to hang on for the win.
“We are still a work in progress early in the season, but we most definitely are working.”
RIchmond and New Hanover (2-1) battled point-for-point during the first quarter and headed into the second eight minutes tied 14-14.
Brown was the team’s leading scorer early on, sinking a pair of three-pointers for all six of her points in the win.
Lindsey added five points on a bucket and a three-ball, and Neal started her scoring with a free throw.
A 15-7 run during the second quarter helped build some distance for the Lady Raiders. Lindsey turned up the scoring dial with 10 points, splitting her scoring between two triples and two field goals.
Jackson added a bucket under the rim with a free throw and Bostic’s two points gave the Lady Raiders a 29-21 lead at the break.
A closer third quarter yielded nine more points for Richmond to the Lady Wildcats’ eight points.
Scoring four points apiece were Neal and Lindsey, all of which came on field goals. Gilchirst made her first of two free throws in the second half.
Leading by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, Richmond relied on its free throw shooting to put the game away.
Lindsey scored her final seven points in the last stanza, going 7-for-8 from the charity stripe. Gilchrist added another free throw and a bucket from Jackson ended the scoring.
Leading New Hanover in scoring were Brianna Stanley (18 points), Zirhe Sellers (six points) and Justine McCague (five points).
Now 2-0 to start the season, the Lady Raiders will travel to Fairmont High School (2-0) Monday for a non-conference game. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
