Brinson Baker hits a layup from the baseline. | Photos: Martha Ladd 
Lawson Wade goes in for a layup over an Anderson Christian defender.
WINNSBORO – Both Richard Winn varsity teams started the new year off with a bang with rather lopsided victories in a region match up against Anderson Christian. The Eagles hosted the Lions on Friday, January 7, in their first competition following Christmas break.
Behind the hot shooting of senior Mikaela Miller who led her team in the scoring column with 18 points, there were four other teammates who put up double digits for the Eagles as they cruised to the 65-19 victory.
First year head coach Emily McElveen guided her varsity girls to their fifth win of the season against only one loss (5-1) so far and their first region win (1-0).
“This has been a very tough season with having only 6 or 7 players each game,” McElveen said, “but I am proud of how hard my girls have worked thus far and the dedication that they have shown day in and day out at practice. I am excited to see how they continue to work together to be successful when the odds are against them.”
What the Lady Eagles lack in numbers (players), they make up for with their teamwork, aggressive style of play, and hustle on the court.
Richard Winn held the visitors scoreless in the second quarter to command the half time lead going into the locker room, 32-7. The Lady Eagles led 29-7 with under 3 minutes left in the first half when Miller knocked down two back-to-back three’s just before the half ended. She scored 14 of her 18 total in first half action.
Anderson Christian’s Mary Green opened up the third quarter with a 3-pointer, but the Lady Lions would only score one more 2-point basket in the quarter. RWA got balanced scoring in the third quarter from five players. Delaney Young nailed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer sounded to put the Lady Eagles up 47-12 going into the final 8-minute period.
Richard Winn went on to tally 18 more points in the final quarter to put the game far out of reach for the opponents.
Eighth grader Abby Lewis scored 14 points behind Miller’s game high of 18. Emma Steed tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds while teammate Brinson Baker pulled down 13 rebounds and added 11 points. Young rounded out the scoring with 10 points and snagged 6 rebounds. Miller also grabbed 10 rebounds and led the team with 5 assists.
ACS – 7-0-5-7 – 19
RWA -13-19-15-18 – 65
RWA: Miller 18, Lewis 14, Steed 12, Baker 11, Young 10
Richard Winn Boys
Richard Winn’s varsity boys controlled the opening tip off against the Anderson Christian Lions and went on to put up 8 unanswered points in the first two minutes of play to swing the early tempo in favor of the home squad.
Coach Nick Chaisson’s Eagles capitalized on their team’s height advantage, speed, and shooting skills, particularly of junior Lawson Wade, who single handedly posted 12 points in the first quarter and 11 more in the second period to help put his team up 44-16 at the half. Sophomore Drew Spires also added a double digit total of 10 points to the Eagles’ first half lead. Much of the second half was played with a running clock.
Throughout the game, the Eagles continued to dominate both the offensive and defensive game and racked up 67 points total to their opponents’ 27,
The RWA varsity boys improved their overall record to 8-3 and 2-0 in region action. Wade scored the game high 28 points and was followed by Spires with 16. Landon Caulder posted 9 points, Rob Wilson had 6, Jacob Chaisson and Wade also led the team in the rebound (8) category and tied Wilson with 5 assists apiece. Spires had the most steals (5) and was followed by Wilson and Caulder with 3 each.
ACS – 10-6-5-6 – 27
RWA – 20-24-17-6 – 67
RWA: Wade 28, Spires 16, Caulder 9, Wilson 6, Bonds 3, Chaisson 3, Nicholson 2
Due to Covid, the games scheduled for this week have been postponed, and it is uncertain at this time when these games will be made up and the season will resume.
