1/7 Region 3-AAAA Roundup

At the start of the first full week of the new year, three teams that comprise the new Region 3-AAAA had yet to play in any region contests. Two of them were matching up against each other this past Monday in the Midlands.    Lancaster was looking to right the ship after experiencing a rough patch that saw the Bruins in the throes of a three-game losing streak. Those defeats came against 5A Nation Ford, 5A Spring Valley and 1A Denmark-Olar (the latter two came at the Lexington Christmas Classic).    Richland Northeast is also coming off a long layoff. Its last contest prior to the break saw the Cavaliers host 3A Fox Creek – and defeat the Predators by a final score of 62-48.    Getting into the win column for the first time this season in region play would be Lancaster in what was a nail-biting 51-50 defeat of Richland Northeast.    Records   Along with a (currently) unblemished region mark, the win also runs the Bruins record to 7-6 while that of the Cavaliers drops to 6-8.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   During the 2022-23 season, Lancaster and Richland Northeast were in different 4A regions but still met nearly two years ago to the day. It was a very forgettable contest for the Cavaliers as they fell to the Bruins with the final tally being 42-17.    Quarter-By-Quarter   The first few minutes was advantage home team as Richland Northeast jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. Lancaster responded by closing out the opening frame with a 12-1 scoring binge. With one complete, the Bruins led the Cavaliers by a margin of 12-5.   Early in the second quarter, the Bruins would see their lead balloon into the single digits. But as both teams entered their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, the Lancaster lead on Richland Northeast was back in the single digits – 21-14 to be exact.   Lancaster's defensive pressure made things difficult for Richland Northeast from the field – but the Cavaliers managed to stay in the contest via the free throw line. The Bruins lead over the Cavaliers was 39-29 with three in the books.   The Cavaliers continued to inch closer and closer but still trailed the Bruins 45-42 going into the final possession of regulation. Lancaster's only objective was to not give up a 3-pointer but Richland Northeast connected on a triple that gave them and their backers new life as the first contest of region play for both teams needed more basketball to settle it.   Momentum continued to stay with Richland Northeast as the team took a 48-45 lead early in overtime. It was 50-49 going into the final seconds before Lancaster connected on a go-ahead two to assume a 51-50 advantage. The Cavaliers try to win it in their final possession was unsuccessful and the Bruins would make the long bus ride back to Lancaster with a win secured.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_3595.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1132130" style="width:503px;height:auto" /></figure>   Every basket counted – and that included the 10 points the Bruins got courtesy of senior center Zatyra Walls. She is listed at 5-foot-11 on Lancaster's roster and she particularly made clutch plays in crunch time.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_3601.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1132131" style="width:509px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='253659' first='KeMarja' last='Peay'] played the role of the reliable sixth woman for the Bruins on Monday evening. Not only did she bolster Lancaster's attack with nine points, she delivered the go-ahead score late in overtime that sealed the victory or the Bruins.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_3598.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1132132" style="width:506px;height:auto" /></figure>   Peay and [player_tooltip player_id='562066' first='Eliza' last='Baskins'] are two of three for the Bruins that share the duties of team co-captain. Baskins concluded her evening with nine points – including five in the first half. She injured herself at the end of regulation but displayed her toughness by playing through the pain in overtime.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_3530-crop-1833x1204-1736285598.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1132134" style="width:500px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='811001' first='Sasha' last='Cebula'] did everything she could to get Richland Northeast that first victory. She concluded her evening with an 18-point performance. Thirteen of those 18 points occurred in either the second half of regulation or overtime. Ten of her 18 were at the free throw line.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_3540-crop-1840x1208-1736285687.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1132136" style="width:500px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Cavaliers also benefitted greatly from the nine points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of junior [player_tooltip player_id='1274761' first='Linda' last='Ellison']. She stands at 5-foot-5 and connected on one of the three 3-pointers Richland Northeast had for this game.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_3532-crop-1833x1204-1736285889.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1132142" style="width:496px;height:auto" /></figure>   With eight points, Latia Ray was another who continued to come through with big plays for Richland Northeast. Along with getting herself in position to corral rebounds, Ray also is tough to game plan for when she is playing defense.   Clean Sweep   Following the Lancaster girls defeat of Richland Northeast by the slimmest of margins, the Bruins boys made it a clean sweep for varsity teams over the homestanding Cavaliers as they defeated Richland Northeast by a final score of 60-43.   Up Next   Lancaster will return home on Wednesday to continue region play against A.C. Flora. Richland Northeast will make the short trek to Dreher that same day.   Other Region Scores   Camden def. Dreher 74-31 ([player_tooltip player_id='175325' first='Morgan' last='Champion'] 20 pts, [player_tooltip player_id='376018' first='Harmony' last='Jefferson'] 16 pts 6 stls, [player_tooltip player_id='637609' first='Jillian' last='Rush'] 15 pts 8 rebs, [player_tooltip player_id='324555' first='Braylin' last='Mungo'] 13 pts 5 stls, [player_tooltip player_id='480142' first='Shanaryah' last='Wright'] 6 pts 14 rebs)   A.C. Flora def. York 66-22 (Jailee McDowell 12 pts 4 rebs 1 stl)

At the start of the first full week of the new year, three teams that comprise the new Region 3-AAAA had yet to play in any region contests. Two of them were matching up against each other this past Monday in the Midlands.