ROCKINGHAM — As a new season of basketball approaches later this month, the bar for the Richmond Senior High School girls’ program has been elevated.
Following a drop off during the 2022-23 campaign, which was riddled by injury, the Lady Raiders are prepared and hoping to become a dominant force this winter.
With a deepened roster, the return of some familiar faces and a few new additions, Richmond is eyeing to pick up and build onto what it accomplished two years ago.
In 2021-22, the Lady Raiders won 20 games, clinched their first Sandhills Athletic Conference championship since 2010 and made it to the second round of the state playoffs, their best season in over a decade.
A key piece of that success was then freshman point guard Jamyia Lindsey, who has since recovered from a knee injury that caused her to miss the majority of her sophomore season.
Now a junior, Lindsey committed to play Division I basketball earlier this school year, and will be the motor which will drive Richmond’s success. In four games in the latter part of last season, Lindsey averaged 14.8 points per game.
Around Lindsey will be senior Ryelan Lyerly and junior Rena Drake, as both shooting guards return after a year away from the team. Sophomore Jasiah Gilchrist, a transfer point guard with shifty defense, and returning leading rebounder senior MaKailah Jackson, highlight a well-rounded roster.
Teddy Moseley, who returns for his sixth season as the head coach, believes with the strengthened team that the Lady Raiders are primed to be a threat in the 4A East.
The key, he noted, would be Richmond’s explosive guard play led by Lindsey and Gilchrist and shutdown team defense.
A season ago, the Lady Raiders compiled a 9-15 overall record and finished tied for third place in the Sandhills Athletic Conference standings with a 6-6 mark. Aside from injuries, the team also featured a younger, less experienced core.
Hoping to flip the script with a year of growth in the books, Moseley will rely on a deep bench of players to contribute, including two returners from last year who played ample minutes.
They are senior forward C’Niya Hinson (4.2 PPG), who is a strong defensive player, and sophomore shooting guard J’Nasia Neal (5.5 PPG), who will move from the point to a more natural shooting position.
Other returners include seniors Jamia Crowder (forward) and Yasmen McLaughlin (shooting guard).
A trio of newcomers, all forwards, will add depth, physicality and basketball IQ — senior Ciara Marshall and freshmen Madisen Jackson and Kaylan Parsons.
Within the SAC, the Lady Raiders will compete against Scotland High School, which won the conference title last year with a 12-0 mark. Pinecrest High School (10-2) placed second and Union Pines High School (6-6) drew even with Richmond.
Other conference foes include Hoke County, Lee County and Southern Lee high schools.
Moseley feels confident that the Lady Raiders are the early-season favorite to make a run through conference play.
But the program won’t be satisfied with just a conference championship. Instead, Moseley noted the aspiration from the get-go has been to make a deep run in the postseason.
Two years ago, the Lady Raiders nearly advanced to the third round with a much younger roster. The promise and potential are unlimited this season, Moseley smiled.
To help get the team better prepared, the Lady Raiders will play a host of non-conference schools, including reigning 4A state champion Panther Creek High School and last year’s NCISAA state champion Grace Christian School.
Other playoff teams from last year include Myers Park, South Mecklenburg and Wilson (South Carolina) high schools.
The Lady Raiders will begin their season on Friday, Nov. 17, at home against Red Springs High School. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
Returning this season, after a year off, the Richmond junior varsity girls’ basketball team will also play at Red Springs. The team will be coached by Tonia Breeden.
The Richmond Observer will continue its award-winning coverage of the varsity and junior varsity girls’ basketball teams this fall.
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