ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Schools’ middle school basketball season kicked off Thursday and rivals Hamlet and Rockingham met for the first time in over a year.
The Rockets and Lady Rockets would sweep the Red Rams and Lady Red Rams to start the season with a win. Teams played four 10-minute quarters with a running clock and will play an in-county only schedule this season.
Rockets win by double digits over Red Rams
Rockingham’s boys’ team edged the Red Rams 43-31, with Kedrion Crump leading the way with 15 points. Teammates Keyonta Davis and Jason Lee each tallied seven points in the win.Â
A.J. Covington, one of head coach Julius Bowden’s returning starters, notched six points. Joe Parsons scored four points for the Rockets and both Ke’onta Pegues and Landon Taylor had two points.
For head coach Keith Parsons, the Red Rams were led by Amer Morrison and Jordan Bostick, both of whom scored eight points. Jason Walker and Gage Stewart tacked on six points apiece, with Stewart’s coming on a pair of triples in the first quarter.
Ali West added two points for Hamlet and Jabari Douglas knocked in a free throw. The Red Rams forced 21 turnovers in the loss.
Hamlet (0-1) will host Cordova Middle School on Monday. Cordova didn’t play Thursday because Ellerbe Middle School doesn’t have a boys’ team this year. Rockingham (1-0) won’t play until next Thursday.
Lady Rockets cruise past rival Hamlet
In the girls’ game, the Lady Rockets defeated the Lady Red Rams 49-15 to open their season. Eighth grader Jamyia Lindsey went off for 32 points to help Rockingham earn the win.
Contributing to the Lady Rockets’ scoring were J’Nasia Neal (9 points), Madisen Jackson (6 points) and Kaylan Parsons (2 points).
Saquanna Bostic was Hamlet’s leading scorer, netting six points for head coach Mitch Coe. O’Rena Drake added three points, and Jakayla Steele, Riley McDonald and Amaya Harrington each scored two points.
Rockingham (1-0) will host the Cordova/Ellerbe team that is composed of players from both schools next Thursday at 4 p.m. The Lady Red Rams (0-1) will welcome in Cordova/Ellerbe on Monday at the same time.
