Gracie Atkerson (5) looks for an opening. (Photo/DeAnna Robinson)
NEWBERRY (Feb. 1, 2017) – The second match-up between the Lady Eagles of Richard Winn (10-7, 4-2) and the Lady Eagles of Newberry Academy (1-16, 0-6) was reminiscent of the previous meeting between them. Richard Winn used great defense to blow by Newberry Academy 51-15.
“Our intensity on defense gave us our spark plug to try putting them away early,” Lady Eagles head coach Jessie Stidham said. “Despite some early shooting troubles we were still able to get out in transition to score on a lot of fast break opportunities tonight. I think our fast tempo play kept them on edge the entire game, which led them to mistakes that we were able to capitalize on.”
Richard Winn started the first quarter going on a 10-2 run, led by senior guard Alyssa Atkerson who scored 4 points during this stretch.
“I felt Alyssa’s pressure on ball handlers helped push the lead out for us during the early stages of the game,” Stidham said.
Richard Winn started the second quarter as they began the first, on a 10-2 run as freshman guard Kaitlyn Thoma and junior guard Calee Thigpen each scored 4 points during the Lady Eagles’ scoring stretch. The run gave Richard Winn a commanding 20-4 lead at the half.
Newberry Academy still had no answer for Richard Winn’s full-court press as the hometown Lady Eagles were outscored 20-4 in the third after Richard Winn kicked off the quarter with an 18-2 run.
“We predicate our fast tempo off our defensive effort and I believe the third displayed that very well as we went on that big run to kind of put the hammer down on the game,” Stidham said.
Richard Winn’s big run in the third sealed the game’s fate as they closed out Newberry Academy 51-15 for their fourth region win of the season.
“I hope we can continue this trend as we get late into the season and with playoffs right around the corner,” Stidham said. “I just hope our girls use these late season wins as key motivation points to try to win us another state title.”
Calee Thigpen led all scorers with 14 points with Alyssa Atkerson adding 13 points. Lydia Wilder and Taylor Spires each scored 10 points. The Lady Eagles season finale will be this Friday against King Academy, at RWA.
RW: 10-10-20-11 – 51
NA: 2-2-4-7 – 15
RWA: Gracie Atkerson 2; Lydia Wilder 10; Alyssa Atkerson 13; Calee Thigpen 14; Hannah Gibbons 2; Taylor Spires 10.
NA: Michelle Brown 4; Amber Suber 6; Leigha Harbet 3; Morgan Bedenbough 2.
