AMERICUS —
The Southland Academy Lady Raiders basketball team got off to a tough start on Tuesday night in the Melvin Kinslow Gymnasium when the Westwood Academy Lady Wildcats came to town. After scoring only eight points in the first half, the Lady Raiders battled back strong in the second half but still came up short as they dropped their first contest of the 2012-2013 season, 57-25.
Mary Melissa Rowland got the scoring started in the contest after being fouled and making one of her two free throw attempts. For the Lady Raiders, this was the only lead they would have in the early season match-up.
Westwood would go on a 9-0 run to take a 9-1 lead before a two-pointer from Rebekah Davis could stop the bleeding. Ella Hawkins would then make two free throws to narrow the Lady Wildcat lead to 11-5, but it would be an uphill battle from there for the Lady Raiders.
The Lady Wildcats would then go on a 15-0 run in the second period to take a commanding 28-5 lead before a shot by Dallas NeSmith would end the Westwood run. As the first half concluded, Southland would enter the locker room trailing 32-8.
The Lady Raiders would play much better in the second half as they began to shake off the early season rust. In the final two periods the Lady Raiders would only be outscored 25-17 as they went shot-for-shot with the Lady Wildcats. Unfortunately the first half hole was too deep for Southland to climb out of, and when the final buzzer sounded the Lady Raiders dropped their first contest 57-25.
Hawkins led the Lady Raiders in scoring with seven points, followed by Rowland and NeSmith with five points apiece. Davis, Hannah McCain, Madison McPherson, and Taylor Moore each added two points in the tough loss to round out the Lady Raiders scoring.
The Lady Raiders will face their first road test of the season today when they travel to Damascus to take on the SGA Lady Warriors. Southland will be looking for a quicker start on offense in their second game. The game will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Raider’s boys first game if the season at 8 p.m.
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Madison McPherson (13) goes up for a shot in the Lady Raiders season opening loss to Westwood on Tuesday. Scott Phillips
Westwood spoils Lady Raiders home opener 57-25
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