WINNSBORO – The Richard Winn Eagles looked to bounce back on day two of their TruVista Christmas Tournament against the Holly Hill Raiders after a tough loss on day one. The Raiders had different plans and handed the Eagles a 51-45 loss, dropping RWA to 0-2 at the end of tournament play.
Richard Winn had a much better opening to game two than game one. They allowed 19 to South Aiken in the first of quarter of game one, but held Holly Hill to just seven first period points.
Sharp shooting Noah Edwards (22) shows off his finishing skills under the hoop. | DeAnna Robinson
Still, the Eagle offense struggled out of the gate and only scored five in the first, but exploded for 17 in the second. The Raiders and Eagles swapped the lead three times before Noah Edwards took charge.
Edwards scored the last six points of Richard Winn’s tremendous second quarter output. Edwards converted a successful three-point play to put RWA up 19-16, and then sank a buzzer beating three to give the Eagles a six-point halftime lead.
Holly Hill’s Alexander Harper opened the second half with one of his three third-quarter triples. Harper nailed another three that tied the game up at 23-23 and sparked a 10-0 Raider run.
The big Holly Hill run led to a 13 point-swing that put them ahead by seven at the end of three. Richard Winn clawed back within in one in the fourth, but the Raiders drained enough of their free throws to put the game out of reach.
Alexander Harper had 12 of his game high 20 points from behind the arc. Noah Edwards led the way for the Eagles with 15 points.
The Eagles are back in action Jan. 3 against Palmetto Christian and will host region foe King Academy on Jan. 5.
HHA: 7 – 9 – 25 – 10 – 51
RWA: – 5-17-12-11 – 45
Richard Winn – Noah Edwards -15, Ethan McManus -6, Zack Taylor -6, John Russell -6, Dru Caldwell -5,Hudson Wade -5, Lane Bickett -2.
Holly Hill – Alexander Harper -20, Demetrius Abraham -11, Nick Strickland -9, Grayson Hopkins -5, Hank Avinger -3, Josh Siau -3.