Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — All the drama going into the Portsmouth Lady Trojans at Rock Hill Redwomen game on Monday was resolved quickly.

Rock Hill senior Kaci Russell needed one point to reach 1,000 points for her career. Any drama about who would win was settled in the first half.

Russell hit a 3-pointer at the 6:43 mark for the first basket of the game to achieve her milestone and the Redwomen built a 28-13 halftime lead en route to a 65-31 Ohio Valley Conference win.

“I’m not going to complain anytime we get a win,” said Rock Hill coach Greg Damron who quickly turned his attention to Russell.

“I’m extremely happy for her. It doesn’t surprise me a bit what’s she’s done on and off the basketball court. She doesn’t say a lot. She just nods and goes about her business. She’s been a pleasure to coach. She’s shown a lot more patience in her game the past two years and she sees the floor well.”

Russell finished with 23 points and three steals for the Redwomen (7-4, 3-3) who had 10 different players in the scoring column.

Anna “The Rebounding Machine” Darby grabbed 17 rebounds to go with 8 points. Jill Hairston also had 8 points and Sami Dillon had 6 rebounds.

Jasmine Eley scored 15 to lead Portsmouth (2-8, 1-5).

Russell scored 7 points as Rock Hill took a 10-4 lead and she poured in 12 points in the second quarter to open up the 15-point halftime lead.

Rock Hill extended its lead to 46-20 after three quarters. Taylor Hall and Kyleigh Noel scored 6 points each in the fourth quarter to lead the Redwomen.

On Thursday in league games, Rock Hill visits South Point while Portsmouth goes to Gallipolis.

Portsmouth 4 9 7 11 = 31

Rock Hill 10 18 18 19 = 65

PORTSMOUTH (2-8, 1-5): Jasmine Eley 6 0 3-7 15, Kylisha Kearns 2 0 0-0 4, Shania Kearns 2 0 0-0 4, Shai Howard 1 0 0-0 2, Destiny McKenzie 1 0 4-7 6, Jordan Pelfrey 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 0 7-14 31. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: K. Kearns, S. Kearns, Eley.

ROCK HILL (7-4, 3-3): Kelsey Olderham 0 0 1-2 1, Taylor Hall 3 0 0-2 6, Anna Darby 4 0 0-2 8, Samantha Stamper 2 0 0-0 4, Caitlyn Meadows 1 0 0-2 2, Sami Dillon 1 0 1-2 3, Abbi Kline 0 1 1-4 4, Kyleigh Noel 1 1 1-2 6, Jill Hairston 1 2 0-0 8, Kaci Russell 5 2 7-8 23. Totals: 18 6 11-24 65. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.