ROCKINGHAM — Senior basketball player Jai’Maya Ratliff has earned her second recognition of the season as the Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
The Lady Raiders played just one game last week against rival Scotland High School, but it was a pivotal win for the team in the Sandhills Athletic Conference standings.
Ratliff has consistently been Richmond’s No. 2 scorer and top rebounder all season, and her career-high in points, as well as double-digit rebounds, against the Lady Scots moved the Lady Raiders into first place.
Athletic Profile
Age: 17
Birthday: May 27, 2004
Year: Senior
Winter Sport: Basketball
Position:Center
Height & Weight: 5-10, 140 pounds
Years on Varsity: 4 years
Experience: 6 years
CAREER HIGH WITH JAI’MAYA RATLIFF
When Richmond traveled to Scotland last Tuesday, both teams were undefeated in SAC play. That changed when the Lady Raiders edged the Lady Scots 59-53 and overcame a fourth-quarter deficit.
Ratliff netted a career-high 24 points and added a double-double with 12 rebounds. Her previous career-high was 22 points, which she set against Avery County earlier this season.
Combining her performance with a game-high 25 points from teammate Jamyia Lindsey, Ratliff was consistent through the first three quarters before putting an exclamation point on the win in the fourth.
Ratliff opened the game with four points in each of the first two quarters, and added five points in the third. Heading into the final period, she had 13 points.
With Richmond trailing to start the fourth, Ratliff scored the next 9 points for the team, including a three-pointer that tied the game at 47 points. With the Lady Raiders on a 19-8 run, Ratliff added her final two points on a putback with 1:56 to play.
Ratliff’s 11 points in the final eight minutes, coupled with six converted free throws by Lindsey and two jumpers from Ryelan Lyerly helped put the game away.
Through 15 games this season, Ratliff is averaging 11.9 points per game, second to Lindsey (22.2 PPG). Richmond (11-4, 5-0 SAC) will have a big road game at third-place Pinecrest on Wednesday, followed by a home game against last-place Hoke County on Friday.
Jai’Maya Ratliff (24) blocks a shot in the first half against Madysan Hammonds (right) in Richmond’s win over rival Scotland. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
RAPID RESPONSES WITH JAI’MAYA RATLIFF
ROSports: You had a big night against Scotland with 24 points and 12 rebounds. What fueled you in that win to help the team? How important was that win?
Ratliff: “It was the energy the team was giving off, and the fact that both of us were undefeated when the game started.
“We really wanted to be in first by ourselves, and it was a huge win. We felt so good afterward, and I was able to have a lot of opportunities to score on putbacks.”
ROSports: The Lady Raiders are now at the top of the SAC standings. What’s it taken to get here and what will it take to stay there, especially with Pinecrest on Wednesday?
Ratliff: “It’s taken not giving up and staying on the right track. And we have to continue to bring the same positive energy each game no matter who we play.
“For us to stay in first, we have to do what we normally do, run our plays and go into each game with a lot of confidence.”
ROSports: The goal is to win the team’s first conference title since 2010 and return to the playoffs. What is special about this year’s group that will allow that to happen?
Ratliff: “We have great team chemistry, we all get along and it’s really like a family. That should help carry us, but also our skill level is definitely improved this season.”
The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week soon.
