ROCKINGHAM — The Lady Rocket and Rocket basketball teams of Rockingham Middle School hosted their in-county competitors from Ellerbe Middle School Monday in the teams’ first taste of action since before Christmas break.
Rockingham easily took care of business on its home court, beginning with Teresa Mason’s Lady Rockets opening the day with a 38-19 victory over Derek Anderson’s Lady Wildcats.
Anderson noted his team had a “really good first and fourth quarter,” but the visiting Lady Wildcats went cold in the second and third quarters, scoring just four combined points. Eighth graders Curtia Crump and Nyla Stroman each led Ellerbe with eighth points on the day.
For the Lady Rockets, it was Jamyia Lindsey who netted a game-high 12 points. Seven other Rockingham players scored points in the win, including Keyoni Nichols (9 points), C’Niya Hinson (5 points) and Layla Morman (4 points).
With the win, the Lady Rockets improved to 3-0 on the year, while the Lady Wildcats fell to 1-2.
Following the girls’ game, Julius Bowden’s Rockets breezed past Tommy Shelton’s Wildcats, picking up their first win of the season after an 0-2 start. Rockingham (1-2) won by a final score of 56-18. The loss by Ellerbe kept the boys team winless at 0-3.
The Wildcats got off to a promising start, netting the game’s first four points, but it was soon all Rockingham. The Rockets climbed out to a 30-point lead early in the second half, which allowed a running clock to start.
Rockingham’s Dakota Chavis and Rondell Durant each scored a game-high 10 points for the Rockets. Teammates who chipped in during the win were Talan Stoner (9 points) and Emmanuel Gilliam and Zion Baldwin, both of whom had 8 points. For Ellerbe, Emoni McBride and Daquan Young each had six points in the loss.
All four teams will continue Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference action on Thursday, Jan. 10. Rockingham Middle will host Anson Middle School, while Ellerbe Middle will return home to play Sandy Grove Middle School. Both girls’ games are slated for 4 p.m., followed by the boys at 5 p.m.
Note: Area middle school coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to email scores and game details to sports editor Kyle Pillar at kpillar@richmondobserver.com. Game information provided by Allen Adeimy, Julius Bowden and Teresa Mason.
