ROCKINGHAM — Friday’s season-opening basketball game went much like Teddy Moseley and the Lady Raider basketball team anticipated.
A fast-paced offense paved the way to smooth sailing for the Lady Raiders, who earned a 72-37 win over Red Springs High School.
The non-conference matchup against the 2A Lady Red Devils resulted in nine players finding the basket, including a game-high 25 points by junior point guard Jamyia Lindsey, who also had five rebounds.
Sophomore point guard Jasiah Gilchrist chipped in 19 points in her Lady Raider debut, as she and Lindsey led a decisive second quarter that saw Richmond outscore Red Springs 27-10.
Admitting the team started “flat,” Moseley was encouraged by the Lady Raiders’ ability to settle in and take control when needed.
Richmond started the game on an 8-0 run, using three free throws from Lindsey and a bucket from senior forward MaKailah Jackson.
Fellow senior Ryelan Lyerly rattled a three-pointer from the left corner to force a Red Springs timeout with 4:36 left on the clock.
The Lady Red Devils (0-1) cut the lead in half with buckets from Monica Washington, who had a team-high 16 points, and Nakira Hunt (six points).
Freshman forward Madisen Jackson netted her first career varsity points on a drive through the paint and made the ensuing and-one opportunity to make it a seven-point lead.
Senior C’Niya Hinson made a free throw to give Richmond a 12-9 advantage going into the second quarter.
Six different players added to Richmond’s lead in the second, as Gilchrist found her groove for 13 points. Lindsey scored nine points and the two guards combined for 22 of the Lady Raiders’ 27 points in the quarter.
Gilchrist had the first five points, completing an and-one followed by a steal and transition layup. A Lyerly free throw was added to by a Gilchrist triple from the top of the arc to make it 21-11.
A Lidsey drive and a mid-range jump shot from Madisen Jackson increased the lead to a dozen points. Keeping Red Springs within shooting distance was Leeangelo Cobb, who finished the game with 11 points.
Weaving through the paint from two more points was Lindsey with 3:02 left before the half. MaKailah Jackson, who had two rebounds, added a free throw.
Another Gilchrist three-pointer, this one from the right wing, extended the lead to 14 points. Junior shooting guard Rena Drake knocked down a free throw, the first of her five points.
In the final minute of the half, Lindsey notched a pair of free throws and Gilchrist hit her third three-pointer of the quarter and laid in an easy basket following another steal. At the break, Richmond led 39-19.
The third quarter resulted in 15 more points for the Lady Raiders, starting with a pair of transition buckets from MaKailah Jackson and Gilchrist. A Lindsey triple from the middle of the floor grew the lead to 46-26.
Six more points from Lindsey gave her 21 points through three periods. Madisen Jackson, who recorded four boards, chipped in two free throws for the final of her seven points.
In the final quarter, four players each had four points for Richmond — Lindsey, Gilchrist, Drake and senior Yasmen McLaughlin. Senior Ciara Marshall scored the final two points at the buzzer.
Hinson pulled in four rebounds, Lyerly recorded three boards and Marshall had two.
The Lady Raiders (1-0) will travel for the first time this season on Monday to non-conference Grace Christian School (1-0), the reigning NCISAA state champion. The opening tip is set for 6 p.m. in Sanford.
The Richmond Observer will publish a photo gallery of the Lady Raiders’ season-opening win soon.
