Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — When they say it’s free, there’s usually a catch.

In the case of Monday’s Ohio Valley Conference game between the Rock Hill Redwomen and Chesapeake Lady Panthers, each team shot a lot of free throws. The catch? You had to make them.

Rock Hill converted 16 of 22 attempts while Chesapeake made only 13 of 34. The Redwomen’s free throw shooting success enabled them to beat the Lady Panthers 57-48.

“It came down to us on the free throw line and everyone on our bench,” said Rock Hill coach Greg Damron. “I keep saying this is a team effort, but that’s the way it is with this team. I’m extremely proud of the kids’ effort.”

Brook Knipp had 16 points and 3 steals for the Redwomen (4-7, 2-2) and Katie Johnson had 14 points and 5 rebounds. Each made three foul shots in the fourth quarter.

Kaci Russell added 13 points and 6 steals, Sami Dillon had 4 rebounds and Tommi Butler had 3 blocked shots and 5 rebounds.

“That was a very impressive performance by the Rock Hill girls. My hats off to them,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball.

“As for us, we were 13 of 34 at the foul line and had 21 turnovers. That says it all. We just have to keep working to correct our mistakes.”

Sydnee Hall scored 15 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for Chesapeake (7-5, 0-3). Jordan Porter scored 13 points, Kaylee Curry had 7 rebounds and Atiya Spaulding contributed 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.

Rock Hill took a 10-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. Russell and Johnson scored 5 points each in the second quarter and the lead was 25-22 at the half.

The Redwomen extended the lead to 40-34 after three quarters. Hall scored 6 points in the fourth quarter for Chesapeake, but Rock Hill converted 7 of 9 free throws to seal the win.

Rock Hill 10 15 15 17 = 57

Chesapeake 9 13 12 14 = 48

ROCK HILL (4-7, 2-2): Sarah Travis 1 0 0-1 2, Kelsey Blagg 0 0 1-2 1, Lindy Simpson 2 1 0-0 7, Brook Knipp 5 0 6-9 16, Kaci Russell 5 0 3-3 13, Katie Johnson 4 0 6-7 14, Tommi Butler 2 0 0-0 4, Madison Damron 0 0 0-0 0, Sabrina Henderson 0 0 0-0 0, Brooklyn Massie 0 0 0-0 0, Sami Dillon 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 1 16-22 57. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: Butler.

CHESAPEAKE (7-5, 0-3): Kelsey Curry 0 1 0-2 3, Atiya Spaulding 0 0 1-4 1, Kaylee Curry 2 0 3-4 7, Jackie Nelson 3 0 0-3 6, Taylor Martin 1 00-0 2, Sydnee Hall 6 0 3-7 15, Mackenzie Moore 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Porter 4 0 5-12 13. Totals: 16 1 13-34 48. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Hall, Porter.