Alyssa Atkerson (11) goes in for the basket. (Photo/Martha Ladd)
SUMTER (Feb. 21, 2017) – The Richard Winn Lady Eagles went into the second round of SCISA Class A state playoffs looking to continue their winning trend. Despite Curtis Baptist’s late run in the fourth quarter, Richard Winn pulled out the close victory, 49-44, to knock out the No. 1 seeded Curtis Baptist.
“I felt we got fatigued during the game tonight,” Lady Eagles head coach Jessie Stidham said. “Despite those late runs by Curtis Baptist I am really happy with how our girls lit a fire on the inside to overcome those late pushes to advance in the state playoffs.”
Richard Winn started off the first quarter with a 10-2 run. They finished the quarter with a 16-6 lead as senior Alyssa Atkerson led the way with 6 points. The Lady Eagles used defense to key their offensive production forcing 10 Curtis Baptist turnovers in the first half.
“Our defense really set the tone for us in the first half,” Stidham said. “Curtis Baptist is a fast-tempo team and the girls did a great job slowing their pace down throughout course of the game.”
Richard Winn would be outscored in the second quarter 11-10 as Curtis Baptist fought back to get the Eagle lead under 10 points. The Lady Eagles went into the half leading 26-17 after another 6-point effort by Atkerson.
Curtis Baptist outscored Richard Winn in the third quarter as well, 15-8, to go into the final frame down just 34-32.
“Fatigue after half-time almost crept up on us during the third,” Stidham said. “I had to go with our bench a little longer than usual to get some of our starters a chance to regain their selves so we could close out the game.”
Atkerson scored 13 of her game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter, mainly hitting key free throws as Richard Winn went into the bonus for the remainder of the game.
“Alyssa played a tremendous game for us tonight,” Stidham said. “Her resilience to make sure we did not lose this game tonight showed why she is our leader on this team.”
Richard Winn’s late free throws pulled out the victory against Curtis Baptist, 49-44.
Curtis Baptist was led by Dynazsa Roberson 22 points. The Lady Eagles will face Dorchester in the semifinals Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Wilson Hall “B” gym in Sumter.
RW: 16-10-8-15 – 49
CB: 6-11-15-12 – 44
RWA – Meredith Pope 1, Gracie Atkerson 2, Lydia Wilder 5, Alyssa Atkerson 27, Calee Thigpen 6, Taylor Spires 8.
CB – Jordan Ashley Johnson 2, Shania Robinson 7, Dynazsa Roberson 22, Taryn Gaskill 4, Natalie Cabrit 5, Destini Robinson 4.
