ROCKINGHAM — Taking the latter part of the season “one game at a time,” the Richmond Senior High School girls’ basketball team put another tally in the win column Friday.
Completing the regular-season sweep of Sandhills Athletic Conference opponent Lee County High School, the Lady Raiders remained in a first-place tie in the standings.
Notching its sixth consecutive victory, Richmond coasted to a 70-11 win over the Lady Yellow Jackets.
The game was never close aside from the opening tip-off, as Richmond’s press defense and multitude of scorers led to a running clock victory.
Junior Olivia Brown, one of seven scorers in the win, hit a triple with 7:46 to play in the fourth quarter to start the accelerated clock.
Senior Jamyia Lindsey led all scorers with 21 points. Junior Jasiah Gilchrist also outscored the entire Lee County team, finishing with 17 points.
The Lady Raiders’ third and fourth double-digit scorers were Brown and sophomore Madisen Jackson, both of whom had 10 points. Also scoring were junior J’Nasia Neal (5 points), senior Quanna Bostic (4 points) and junior Ella Parker (2 points).
Head coach Taneika Reader said while the score may not have been close, Friday’s game was a good way for the team to work on its sets and develop better chemistry heading into the postseason.
On one of its best runs to start a game this season, Richmond kept the Lady Yellow Jackets off the board and jumped out to a 22-0 lead. Five players found the hoop in the first quarter for the Lady Raiders.
Gilchrist scored the game’s first bucket, a triple from the left corner, the first of her five first-half points. Brown echoed the three-pointer from the opposite side to double Richmond’s lead.
Lindsey, who scored 14 points before the break, scored a putback on a rebound, resulting in a Lee County timeout. The break didn’t work for the visitors, as a bucket from Neal out of the timeout made it a double-digit lead.
Lindsey had the next four points on a jumper and a pair of free throws. Jackson joined the scoring parade with baskets on consecutive possessions, posting up in the paint for her first four points.
In the closing minute, Richmond’s press defense continued to cause problems for Lee County. Gilchrist capitalized on a takeaway and an easy transition bucket and Brown made it 22-0 following a similar play.
Lee County’s first point was scored by Cherish Smith at the 7:39 mark of the second quarter on a free throw. Richmond continued to dominate both ends of the floor and took a 34-6 lead into halftime.
Lindsey had the first three points for Richmond on a free throw and a mid-range jumper. Parker powered her way to the basket for her two points and Jackson brought her halftime total to six points with a shot underneath on a bounce pass assist from Neal.
Leading 29-6, Lindsey made two shots from the charity stripe and hit a three-pointer with 1:35 to go in the quarter for the final points for either team.
An 11-2 run by the Lady Raiders in the third quarter brought their lead to 39 points, 47-8, by the end of the eight minutes.
A transition layup from Gilchrist was answered by Lee County (8-11, 3-7) for its only bucket of the quarter. Two free throws from Neal began a 9-0 spurt during the remaining 6:25.
Jackson collected a rebound for two points and Gilchrist connected on a three-pointer, her second of three in the game. In the closing 40 seconds, Gilchrist scored another breakaway layup following a steal and Bostic got her first two points on a layup.
Pouring on the offense in the fourth quarter, Richmond took a 42-point lead when Brown made the three-pointer that started the running clock. Neal, Jackson and Bostic all had one field goal in the fourth.
Lindsey, who didn’t score in the third, netted her final seven points on a triple and two buckets. Brown made a field goal to bring her total to five points in the quarter and Gilchrist recorded her final five points on a three-ball and a basket.
Three players had three points for Lee County — Smith, Yasmin Quick and Shianne Bennett. Nevaeh Baldwin had two points.
Richmond (15-5, 9-1) will look to make it seven straight wins in their final regular season home game Monday.
The Lady Raiders will host sixth-place Southern Lee High School (4-13, 1-8 SAC) on senior night. Jump ball is set for 6 p.m.
The Richmond Observer will publish photos of Friday’s win over the weekend.
