LAURINBURG — Completing the series sweep of its rival Friday, the Richmond Senior High School junior varsity girls’ basketball team won big again.
Securing their second straight running-clock win over Scotland High School, the JV Lady Raiders earned a 56-21 win.
Richmond pulled ahead by 35 points in the third quarter, which started the accelerated clock.
Five players scored in the win, including a game-high 31 points from sophomore Amonie McNeil. Fellow sophomore Erin Drumwright chipped in with 13 points.
The team’s other three scorers were freshman Emani Ingram (9 points), sophomore Alexis Mosley (2 points) and freshman Lyra Newton (1 point).
“We started out slow tonight and I think in their mind they thought this was going to be an easy game because of the last game,” head coach Tonia Breeden said. “But they picked up the energy and turned it around.
“I'm proud of how they did that. Turbo (McNeil) had a great game offensively and defensively for us. Of course, Erin gives 110% every game. I’m proud of all the girls.”
A close first quarter ended in a 12-11 lead for the JV Lady Raiders. McNeil led the team with seven points on three buckets and a free throw. Ingram made a shot and a free throw, and both Drumwright and Newton hit a shot at the line.
Using a 24-6 run in the second quarter, Richmond opened its lead to 36-17 at halftime. McNeil kept her scoring going with 15 points on seven field goals and a free throw.
Ingram scored a pair of field goals for four more points and Drumwright netted a bucket and a free throw. The team’s other two points in the second came from Mosley.
Thanks to a 20-2 scoring stretch in the third, the JV Lady Raiders sped up the game and scored all of their remaining points of the night.
Drumwright heated up and dropped 10 points in the third, netting a triple, two field goals and three free throws.
McNeil ended her career night with her final nine points on four shots from the field and one from the line. Ingram rounded out the quarter with a basket.
Letting the clock do the work in the fourth quarter, Richmond didn’t add to its lead. Scotland had two free throws to end the scoring.
The JV Lady Raiders (3-2) will not play Hillside High School Saturday as previously scheduled. Their next game will be Tuesday at Grace Christian School at 4:30 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Game information and statistics provided by head coach Tonia Breeden and Deon Cranford.
