Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — There’s no truth that Rock Hill Redwomen coach Greg Damron decided to play the song “I like to move it, move it” sung by Timon the meerkat in the movie The Lion King during practice this week.

But after watching the Redwomen, maybe he did.

Damron credited ball movement to some strong shooting as the Redwomen beat the St. Joseph Female Flyers 49-40 on Thursday.

“We were hot the first quarter. We had good ball movement and when we have good ball movement we have open shots,” said Damron.

Kaci Russell scored 17 points to lead three Redwomen in double figures. Jill Hairston scored 11 points — she had three 3-pointers — and Madi Damron scored 10 points. Anna Darby grabbed 12 rebounds.

Amber Neal scored a game-high 19 points including five 3-pointers to lead St. Joseph. Bri Bridges scored 11 points and made three 3-pointers.

St. Joseph (10-3) was playing its third straight game without leading scorer and rebounder Hannah Miller.

Rock Hill was 4 of 4 from behind the arc in the first quarter as they jumped out to an 18-4 lead. Hairston hit a pair of triples while Damron and Russell hit one each.

Russell knocked down two more treys and Damron added another in the second quarter as Rock Hill opened up a 33-13 lead at the half.

St. Joseph cut the deficit to 38-21 after three quarters and then outscored Rock Hill 19-11 in the fourth quarter as Bridges scored all of her points.

“Give St. Joe credit. They didn’t quit,” said coach Damron.

Rock Hill hosts Zane Trace on Saturday. St. Joseph hosts Portsmouth Notre Dame on Monday.

St. Joseph 4 9 8 19 = 40

Rock Hill 18 15 5 11 = 49

ST. JOSEPH (10-3): Katie Roach 0 0 0-0 0, Ashley Bartram 1 0 0-0 2, Amber Neal 0 5 4-4 19, Alyson Johnson 1 0 1-2 3, Rachel Martin 0 0 0-0 0, Bri Bridges 1 3 0-0 11, Lynsey Bodmer 1 1 0-0 5. Totals: 4 9 5-6 40. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

ROCK HILL (5-6): Jill Hairston 1 3 0-0 11, Madi Damron 1 2 2-2 10, Taylor Hall 0 0 0-0 0, Anna Darby 2 0 0-0 4, Patty Riffe 1 0 0- 2, Caitlyn Meadows 0 0 0-0 0, Samantha Dillon 1 0 3-3 5, Abbi Kline 0 0 0-0 0, Kyleigh Noel 0 0 0-0 0, Kaci Russell 4 3 0-0 17. Totals: 10 8 5-5 49. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None.