ROCKINGHAM — Back-to-back postseason runs to the fourth round of the state playoffs is the standard the Richmond Senior High School girls’ basketball team is using as a starting point this winter.
Not forgetting their successes or heartbreaks from the past two campaigns, the Lady Raiders will try to push further into the playoffs this year — albeit with one major deficit in the lineup.
For the first time in four seasons, Richmond won’t be guided by former standout point guard Jamyia Lindsey.
The former multi-time All-Conference Player of the Year, East-West All-Star selection and Richmond’s all-time leading scorer has since graduated and is playing at North Carolina A&T State University.
Even with the loss of Lindsey and a few other seniors, second-year head coach Taneika Reader is optimistic that Richmond can maintain its forward trajectory both in a new conference and in the state playoffs.
A big part of the hopeful success in the team’s first season in the 8A/7A Mid-South Conference is the Lady Raiders’ depth with returning players. Four of the team’s top five scorers from last season are back again this winter.
Reader said the trust is there with the four returners — seniors Olivia Brown, Jasiah Gilchrist and J’Nasia Neal, along with junior Madison Jackson — in terms of running the system and knowing what it takes to be successful.
The new wrinkle in this season’s quest will be seeing those four returning starters, as well as the other varsity players, adapt to new roles.
A season ago, the Lady Raiders put together a 22-5 overall record and went 11-1 in the former Sandhills Athletic Conference, sharing the title with Union Pines High School.
As a No. 3 seed in the 4A state playoffs, Richmond cruised through the first three rounds before letting a late lead slip away on the road in the fourth round at No. 2 Wakefield High School.
One of Richmond’s biggest focuses during the pre-season has been how it will spread out its scoring. Lindsey led the team last year with 23.5 points per game and accounted for 44% of the team’s total scoring in 28 games.
All the signs point to Gilchrist to be the next player up to lead Richmond’s offense, both as its point guard and on the scoresheet. Chasing 1K career points, Gilchrist was the Lady Raiders’ second-leading scorer with 10.5 points per game.
A scrappy defender, many of Gilchrist’s points were scored following forced turnovers and via fastbreak points. Her 3.6 steals per game were second to only Lindsey and Gilchrist is also a threat from beyond the three-point arc.
Jackson (6.7 PPG), Brown (6.5 PPG) and Neal (3.7 PPG) return as the next leading point scorers.
A physical presence in the paint, Jackson will look to balance her defensive prowess with more points beneath the bucket. The forward also has a smooth pull-up jumper, something she’s developed over the past two seasons as a starter.
Brown and Neal were Richmond’s leading and third-leading shooters, respectively, from three-point land last season. Connecting on 36% of her shots from downtown was Brown, as Neal landed 29% of her three-point attempts.
Also a consistent weapon from the outside, Jackson was fourth on the team with a .270 shooting percentage on threes.
Hoping to continue using a strong defense as its identity this winter, similar to the past four seasons, Richmond will primarily rely on the efforts of Brown, Gilchrist, Neal and Jackson.
Going with a smaller roster this season, the only other returners who will look to make an impact are juniors Kaniah Little and Armonie Walden. Walden was a mid-season transfer and Little was called up for the playoffs, as both saw limited action.
Newcomers this season include junior Iyana Little and freshman Amiah Streeter, the latter of whom has made a strong case to round out the starting five.
Richmond will play a host of competitive non-conference teams in preparation for a run at the inaugural MSC title, and as Reader said, a hopeful state championship as well.
Some of those opponents include Grace Christian, New Hanover, South Mecklenburg and Westover high schools.
Reader and the team’s initial analysis of the new Fayetteville-centered Mid-South Conference is that the competition level will be tougher than the previous four years in the former SAC.
The Lady Raiders will begin their season Saturday on the road at non-conference New Hanover. Tip-off is slated for 2 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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