ROCKINGHAM — Even though it’s been a little more than eight months since its magical playoff run during the 2023-24 season, the pain is still fresh for the Richmond Senior High School girls’ basketball team.
The fervent squeaking of basketball shoes were in rhythm with the chirping of a whistle during Thursday’s practice, one of the many signs that the Lady Raiders are pointed north for what they expect to be a comeback season.
Less than a week until the program opens the new campaign, Richmond is shouldering the weight of that fourth-round playoff loss in March that many of the returning players still feel was a winnable game.
As the focus in Richmond County shifts more squarely on the potential success of the Lady Raiders this winter, the bar has been set even higher than before by the players and coaches.
For the first time in six seasons, the Lady Raiders will be under the direction of a new head coach. Taneika Reader was named the interim head coach following the departure of former head coach Teddy Moseley earlier this school year.
Reader, a three-year varsity starter for the Lady Raiders and a 1998 graduate of Richmond, has served as an assistant coach the past several seasons. Locally, she’s made her mark by developing players through her Richmond Jammers travel league.
A season ago, the Lady Raiders had their best run in recent memory. Going 25-5 overall, the team won its second outright SAC title in three seasons by going an undefeated 12-0 against conference opponents.
Richmond rattled off an 18-game winning streak that started Jan. 5 and ran until the Lady Raiders’ departure from the 4A East state playoffs March 8. As a No. 5 seed, Richmond made the Elite 8 and won its first three playoff games before falling to top-seeded Hoggard High School.
Among the players who felt that heartbreak are all the pieces of the “Big 3” — senior point guard Jamyia Lindsey, junior guard Jasiah Gilchrist and sophomore forward Madisen Jackson — all three of whom were named to the All-Sandhills Athletic Conference team last year.
Lindsey, who was crowned the SAC’s Player of the Year in 2023-24, is back for her final campaign, suiting up as the reigning 4A East leading scorer (24.8 points per game).
Also named first-team All-District 4, Lindsey, a North Carolina A&T commit, will team up with Gilchrist, a third-team All-District 4 selection, to spearhead a fierce backcourt and what Reader called a “guard-heavy team.”
Gilchrist proved to be a feisty defender during her sophomore season, her first with Richmond, returning this year with the hopes of being even stronger defensively. She was Richmond’s second-leading scorer last year (13.5 points per game) and was third in the 4A East with 4.9 steals per game.
Starting all but one game as a true freshman, Jackson emerged as a tough player in the paint who could add supplemental scoring to compliment her defensive prowess. She was responsible for 8.6 points per game (third on the team) and had three double-digit rebound performances.
Something Jackson and the rest of the team understands is that the offense doesn’t get into a rhythm without a strong defense. With the departure of her older sister MaKailah Jackson, one of the team’s leading rebounders last year and an All-Conference selection, Jackson anticipates filling that void.
Another player Reader expects to step into a larger role in the starting five is junior J’Nasia Neal. While she made appearances in almost every game last season, Neal is a quick guard who Reader said has shown a “different motor” during the preseason.
The Lady Raiders have a couple other returning players who collected varsity minutes last season. The bench’s depth is something Reader and the rest of the coaching staff expect to be a difference maker in close games.
Among those returning are senior guard Rena Drake and sophomore forward Kaylan Parsons, both of whom are known for their defensive playmaking abilities.
A host of Lady Raiders are making the jump to varsity this season. They include juniors Olivia Brown and Ella Parker, and sophomores Iyana Little and Kaniah Little.
Returning for her senior season after a year away is guard Quanna Bostic, who carried the team as a point guard during Lindsey’s absence two years ago with a knee injury. The team’s only newcomer is freshman Alexis Mosley, who along with Parker, adds size under the rim.
The mixture of veteran leadership and younger talent is something Reader believes has the potential to carry the Lady Raiders to their “ultimate goal” — the program’s first NCHSAA 4A state championship.
Along the way, Richmond will face tough non-conference opponents like Panther Creek, New Hanover, Seaforth, Grace Christian, Overhills and South Mecklenburg high schools to better prepare for postseason play.
Grace Christian won the 2023-24 NCISAA state championship with a perfect undefeated record and Seaforth was a 2A Final Four team. New Hanover, Overhills, Panther Creek and South Mecklenburg were all 4A playoff teams last winter.
Knowing a long road lies before them, Reader and the Lady Raiders are ready to take on the new slate.
The Lady Raiders will begin their season Tuesday at home against non-conference Panther Creek High School. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
The Richmond Observer will continue its award-winning coverage of the varsity and junior varsity girls’ basketball teams this winter
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