WINNSBORO – Millie Lambert’s Lady Eagles were pitted in a home matchup on Tuesday night against Newberry Academy. Richard Winn’s offense struggled through the first three quarters, and, by the time they found their rhythm in the fourth quarter, it was too late. Kathryn Wilbanks’s team-high 13 points was a driving offensive force in Newberry’s 40-31 win.
Taylor Spires brushes off the defensive pressure to pop a mid-range jumper. | Martha Ladd
Newberry Academy ripped off a 7-2 run to begin the game, and Wilbanks scored six of Newberry’s first nine points. Taylor Spires snapped the run later in the quarter, but the Eagles could not build on the score. Richard Winn only scored 10 points in the first half, and only knocked down four first-half field goals.
RWA’s defense fell victim to a 6-0 run in the second quarter, and the Newberry defense continued its run of strong play for the remainder of the half and into the third. Newberry led 21-10 at halftime.
Spires had four points in the third quarter, including a trifecta, but she was the only Richard Winn player to find the bottom of the net in the quarter. The RWA offense finally broke the code in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles ripped off seven unanswered points to start the fourth, but Newberry’s 17-point lead was too much for RWA to overcome. Newberry Academy went 5-6 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.
King Academy will travel to Winnsboro Friday night for the Eagles’ regular season finale. In their last meeting, the Lady Eagles suffered a 25-26 loss to the Knights. The Eagles look to avenge the region loss on Senior Night.
RWA – 4-6-4-17-31
NA: 12-9-10-9-40
RWA: Taylor Spires – 15, Rayne Williams – 4, Mikaela Miller – 3, Kaleigh Dukes – 3, Gracie Atkerson – 2, Kaitlyn Thoma – 2, Hannah Gibbons – 2.
NA: Kathryn Wilbanks – 13, Daja Taylor – 9, Kailey Cheeks – 6, Madison Rivers – 4, Caroline Senn – 2, Michelle Brown – 2.