Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — The Rock Hill Redwomen won’t back down from a fight.

No, it’s not that kind of a fight. The Redwomen went through a gritty battle with an opponent again as they beat the Chesapeake Lady Panthers 52-48 Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“It was a battle. We just kept fighting them until the end. They put us at the line and we made our free. That was a big win for us,” said Rock Hill coach Greg Damron.

“These girls have learned not to quit. They just keep going and going.”

Kaci Russell had 16 points and five steals to lead the Redwomen (2-1, 1-0). Jill Hairston scored 11 points and Anna Darby had 16 rebounds to go with 9 points.

Chesapeake (2-1, 1-1) was led by Kaylee Curry with 17 points and Natalie Hall had 14.

“Chesapeake played really well the first half. We were able to stay out of foul trouble. That’s a big key for us,” said Damron.

Chesapeake took a 16-12 first quarter lead and was up 27-24 at the half.

Rock Hill rallied to take a 40-39 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Lady Panthers were up in the fourth quarter when Hairston hit a big 3-pointer to put Rock Hill ahead for good. Russell converted 5 of 8 in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

The Redwomen made 16 of 21 free throws for the game.

“Samantha Dillon took a charge that definitely swung the momentum. Everybody played a part. Anna Darby did a great job on the boards. Chesapeake is a good team. They can move up and down the floor,” said coach Damron.

On Thursday, Rock Hill visits Ironton and Chesapeake hosts Portsmouth.

Chesapeake 16 11 12 9 = 48

Rock Hill 12 12 16 12 = 52

CHESAPEAKE (2-1, 1-1): Atiya Spaulding 1 0 1-2 3, Kelsey Curry 0 0 0-0 0, Baylee Mills 2 0 0-0 4, Kelsey Huff 2 0 0-0 4, Kaylee Curry 5 2 1-3 17, Brooke Webb 0 0 0-0 0, Crawford 0 0 0-0 0, Jozy Jones 2 0 0-0 4, Sydnee Hall 1 0 0-0 2, Natalie Hall 5 1 1-2 14. Totals: 18 3 3-7 48. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: S. Hall.

ROCK HILL (2-1, 1-0): Jill Hairston 1 2 3-4 11, Madison Damron 1 1 0-0 5, Anna Darby 3 0 3-3 9, Patty Riffe 0 0 3-4 3, Samantha Dillon 3 0 2-2 8, Kyleigh Noel 0 0 0-0 0, Kaci Russell 4 1 5-8 16. Totals: 12 4 16-21 52. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.