The Dillon Lady Wildcats returned home Friday, December 8, from Latta with a hard-fought 59-52 victory over the Latta Lady Vikings.
The Latta Vikings drew first blood with a 2-point basket that was answered by 2 free throws from Ja’Rhonda McCrimmon of Dillon. The battle goes back-and-forth until Dillon gets the upper hand and leads 19-13 after the first period of play.
The second quarter of play began on a 2-pointer by Latta’s Arica Gandy who was fouled on her next attempt and also shot technical fouls that were called against Dillon. Gandy connected on all 4 shots to tie the game. The game was once again back-and-forth with each team scoring before Dillon could take a slight 25-21 lead.
The action was fast and furious as each team scored again and again. The Latta Lady Vikings fought back and closed the gap to only 2 before Dillon managed another point and took a 3-point, 32-29, lead at halftime.
Dillon’s Jykya Bell connected on a 2-point basket to start the third period of play followed by 2 free throws by Ja’Rhonda McCrimmon.
Dillon was leading 35-32 when Jayla Goodwin hit one for 2 to give Dillon a little breathing room before Tamera Campbell connected for 2 points for the Lady Vikings followed by a free thrown by Moya McDuffie.
Up and down the court the players drove until the third period ended with Dillon with a 3-point lead, 39-36.
Dillon’s Chyna Pouncey put 2 on the scoreboard to open the last period of play followed by a 2-pointer by Latta’s Keosha James and a basket by Moya McDuffie for Latta.
The Vikings’ Riana Green hit a 2-point basket to cut Dillon’s lead to only 1 point, 43-42. Latta’s Moya McDuffie connected for 2 points to give Latta a 1-point lead with 5:51 remaining in the game.
With 4:57 remaining in the game, Ja’Rhonda McCrimmon made two foul shots to once again give Dillon a 1-point lead.
Latta’s Keosha James hit one of two free throws to knot the score. However, Dillon’s Jykya Bell went the distance and laid one in for 2 points followed by Ja’Rhonda McCrimmon who hit 2 free throws for Dillon that gave Dillon a 4-point lead, 49-45.
Both teams continued to battle until the final basket was made by Dillon’s Chyna Pouncey giving Dillon a 59-52 victory.
The Dillon Lady Wildcats committed 9 team fouls in the first half to Latta’s 7 team fouls. In the second half Dillon committed 8 team fouls to Latta’s 10 team fouls.
Dillon’s Jykya Bell led all scorers with 23 points. Ja’Rhonda McCrimmon added 15 of which 10 points were from free throws. Chyna Pouncey added 7 points for the Lady Wildcats while A’doshia Graves and Adrianna Ervin each had 6 points. Jayla Goodwin garnered 2 points in the win.
The Latta Lady Vikings were led by Arica Gandy with 14 points followed by Riana Green with 13 points and Moya McDuffie with 12 points. Tamera Campbell connected for 8 points while Keosha James added 5 points.
Dillon will travel to Marlboro County on Thursday, December 14, and Latta will travel to Johnsonville today (Tuesday, December 12).