WINNSBORO – The RWA Varsity Girls’ dominated in their season opener, knocking off the Providence Athletic Club Panthers, 48-9.
First year head coach Millie Lambert is confident in this year’s team. “These girls are tough. They want to win, and I hope they continue with that attitude,” Lambert said. “We have some new players in key positions, and some up and coming players. Keep an eye on Meredyth Melton and Meredith Pope. They are both a threat and are very quick. We also have a lot of speed among the defensive players. “
The tip off went to the speedy Hannah Gibbons, and after a few unsuccessful shots at the basket, ended up back with Gibbons hit for three. Both defenses held tight in the paint, forcing outside shots and resulting in a need for strong rebounding skills.
Foul shots made the difference in the first. Taylor Spires went to the line three times, and hit all but one. Meredyth Melton hit one as well.
The Eagles scored two more field goals, one by Spires and another by Calee Thigpen. Richard Winn managed to hang on to the ball most of the quarter, limiting PAC to just one foul shot and a three-pointer right at the buzzer by Jordan Thomas. After the first quarter the Eagles led 13-4.
Early in the second, RWA had three scoring opportunities in a row from PAC turnovers, but converted only one for points when Melton sped down the court solo for the easy layup.
Gibbons, Pope, Melton, Kaitlyn Thoma and Gracie Atkerson each scored two during the second quarter. Pope went to the line twice and sunk all four foul shots. PAC only managed two foul shots during the quarter. At halftime, the Eagles led 25-4.
During the second half, the Eagles’ younger players got in on the action, and most scored at least once. PAC came out of the locker room with a new strategy, pressing the Eagles hard down the whole court.
The only real effect of PAC’s full court press was to keep fewer defenders from the goal, resulting in more scoring opportunities for Winn’s superior rebounders. Even so, PAC held the Eagles to just three field goals, two by Pope and Spires and a three-pointer by Pope. The third was PAC’s best quarter with five points.
The final quarter was all Pope’s. She scored four field goals and was the leading scorer in the game with 15 points.
Melton and Cassie McKeown each had a goal. PAC failed to score at all in the final quarter.
The Lady Eagles face Thomas Sumter on the road Nov. 21.