Jessie Stidham (33) bangs in for the score Friday over King Academy. (Photo/Martha Ladd)
WINNSBORO – The Richard Winn Academy Lady Eagles ended their regular season undefeated at 22-0 with a dismantling 61-17 victory over the Lady Knights of Kings Academy.
The Lady Eagles opened the game on a 6-0 run as their defense forced multiple turnovers during the Lady Knights’ opening possessions. Jaycie Johnson scored 8 straight points as the Lady Eagles increased their lead 16-2 in the first. King Academy continued to struggle in the second as the Lady Eagles poured on the defensive pressure to frustrate the Lady Knights from scoring any points. Richard Winn’s defense led to easy buckets on the offensive end as the Lady Eagles led 28-2 at the half.
Richard Winn Academy began the third with their defensive pressure. The Lady Knights continued to sputter, failing to generate any points as the Lady Eagles defensive pressure continued to dominate on the defensive side of the court. Richard Winn continued with a 10-0 run as the Lady Eagles blew open the game to build a commanding lead going toward the end of the third quarter. The Lady Knights ended the third on a 9-0 run as the deficit was cut 44-11 at the end of the quarter.
As the fourth quarter came to an end the Lady Eagle seniors were given a standing ovation as they exited the game enjoying their last home victory. The Lady Eagles end the season with a perfect 22-0 regular season record and an 8-0 region record.
“Our seniors have worked hard for us their entire career and this season and I could not ask for a better group of players because of their hard work on and off the court,” head coach Jason Haltiwanger said. “We have worked hard this season to get back to the top but we still have a task to complete to getting back to the championship game and that begins with our run to the playoffs.”
Jaycie Johnson led all scorers with 22. Emily Brigman contributed 18 and Jessie Stidham added 13. Elie Parrish led the Lady Knights with 17. Richard Winn Academy’s next game is Feb. 13 at Laurens Academy for round one of the SCISA Class A Region II basketball tournament.
RWA: 16-12-16-17 – 61
Kings Academy: 2-0-9-6 – 17
RWA: Jessie Stidham 13, Jaycie Johnson 22, Emily Brigman 18, Alysia Atkinson 4, Cassidy Branham 2, Calie Thigpen 2. Kings Academy: Elie Parrish 17.
