Rockets soar past Bucks, 53-7

ROCKINGHAM — When Allexis McRae made 12 of her game-high 17 points in the final two minutes of the first quarter, all momentum shifted toward Rockingham. It never went anywhere else.

No. 1 Rockingham scored the first 26 points of the game en route to a 53-7 victory over No. 8 Sycamore Lane on Monday in the opening round of the Southeastern Middle School Conference tournament.

McRae grabbed eight rebounds in the win, while Keionna Love added 10 points and 10 boards.

Asia Campbell bucket with 3:16 remaining in the second quarter put the Bucks on the board. Rockingham led 35-3 at halftime.

Jadyn Johnson scored all six of her points in the third quarter for Rockingham, when she drove to the basket with 3:37 left in the third to score the first basket of the quarter, and then two minutes later when she made two layups.

The Bucks forced the ball over numerous times, mainly because of Rockingham’s pressure defense. Rockingham scored many points off of turnovers.

“Once we started (to score), it was like, the lid came off the basket. They just opened up and continued to score. They played well,” said Rockingham coach Teresa Mason.

The win puts Rockingham at 11-0 on the season. The Bucks finished their season 3-8.

Other scorers for the Rockets were, Keionna Love (10), Taliah Wall (5), Hailey Miller (5), Ralayah McRae (3), Kayla Hawkins (3), Jessi Mathenson (2), and Hannah Bennett (2).

Campbell scored all seven of the Bucks’ points.

In other games, No. 3 Hamlet pummeled No. 6 East Hoke, 36-6 while No. 7 Rohanen fell to No. 2 West Hoke. Score not reported.