ROCKINGHAM — When the Richmond Senior junior varsity girls’ basketball team hit the hardwood Friday, it had been nearly three weeks since the Lady Raiders played in a game.
Having not played since Dec. 17, a regular practice schedule over the holiday break allowed the Lady Raiders to return to Sandhills Athletic Conference action with a much-needed win at home over Jack Britt High School.
Freshman Nyla Stroman would net a game-high and career-high 22 points to give Richmond a 48-28 win over the visiting Lady Buccaneers.
“Our focus point for the game was to score,” head coach Demi Watkins said. “We have been having trouble putting the ball in the basket.
“Nyla stepped up and played outstanding on offense and defense,” she added. “We really played together as a team and everyone gave a great effort on defense and hustle plays.”
Stroman, who was the team’s leading scorer last time out against Cheraw High School, netted 11 points in both halves. Fellow freshman Joy Styles had a strong performance with eight points, seeing six of them come in the final stanza.
Nine Lady Raiders would find the basket in the win, and freshman C’Nedra Hinson was next on the team with four points.
The Lady Raiders didn’t have trouble finding the basket early, outscoring the Lady Bucs 12-6 in the first quarter. Stroman connected for four of her points, while teammates Hinson, Styles, Daveah Robinson and Devaeh Wall each added a field goal.
Stroman scored seven points in the second stanza, the first of two straight quarters she would do that. Adding two more points in the second was Hinson, as Richmond took a 21-13 lead into the break.
Jack Britt netted just seven points to Richmond’s 10 points out of the break, as Stroman matched the Lady Bucs’ efforts. Freshman EJ Davis hit a field goal and Daniah McDonald put in a free throw.
Richmond ended the game with 17 points in the fourth quarter, cementing the win. Styles and Stroman combined for 10 points, while Jasmen Williams knocked down a three-pointer. McDonald and Mariah Waddell scored a basket apiece.
With the win, the JV Lady Raiders improved to 3-4 on the season and are 1-2 in SAC play.
“We now have to focus on being this constant in our conference games,” Watkins closed.
The Lady Raiders will host Hoke County High School on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
