Freshman Brinson Baker (2) defends a Wardlaw pass. 
Freshman Drew Spires (21) goes up under pressure. | Photos: Millie Lambert
JOHNSTON – After a four-game dry spell, Richard Winn’s boys got back in the win column in Monday’s matchup at Wardlaw, taking their second region win with a 68-66 final.
Richard Winn jumped out to a 17-7 lead after the first quarter, thanks to a hot hand by senior Derek Branham, who scored 15 of his 26 points in the opening period.
Wardlaw regrouped, outscoring Richard Winn 16-13 to close the gap to 30-23 at halftime. The Patriots still found themselves down 46-38 heading into the final quarter, but outscored Richard Winn 28-22. The comeback wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit, and the Eagles took the two-point win.
Branham led the offense, followed by Lawson Wade with 20 and Drew Spires with 11.
The Eagle girls (10-1, 4-1) picked up their tenth win in Monday’s decisive win over Wardlaw. Richard Winn went up 17-8 in the first, but Wardlaw held them to only four points in the second quarter, all from the charity stripe.
With the lead closed 21-15 at halftime, Richard Winn looked to ignite in the second half. Pope put up nine of her 22 points in the third, helping the Eagles stretch their lead to 37-25. Wardlaw resorted to a physical game to try to make up the deficit in the fourth, sending the Eagles to the foul line seven times. Richard Winn tallied eight of their 10 points in the period from free throws.
Pope added 8 rebounds, three assists and a steal in the contest. Spires put up seven points and added 12 rebounds, six steals and three assists. Freshman Brinson Baker shot 67% from behind the arc.
The Eagles were set to host Laurens on Friday, but that game has been postponed. They will travel to Newberry for a Feb. 2 game and return to host Wardlaw on Feb. 4 and Cambridge on Feb. 5. Details have not been released on when postponed games will be rescheduled.
BOYS
RWA – 13-13-16-22 – 68
WARDLAW – 7-16-15-28 – 66
RWA: Branham 26, Wade 20, Spires 11, Miller Stuck 6, Rob Wilson 3, Preston Williams 2
GIRLS
RWA – 17-4-16-10 – 47
WARDLAW – 8-7-10-1 – 35
RWA: Pope 22, Baker 8, Spires 7, Mikaela Miller 6, Meagan Brigman 4
