Lady Indians fall to R-S Central

Rutherford, N.C. The Gaffney press resulted in a split decision in lopsided games to open this week’s appearance in the Lady Hilltoppers Classic at R-S Central High School.

Tournament host R-S Central went on a 13-0 run in the third quarter en route to a convincing 62-42 win over Gaffney in Monday’s opening game. The Lady Indians were more effective with their press defense in a 62-34 victory over Chase on Tuesday.

Gaffney will play the winner of the Crest-Shelby game for fourth place tonight.

Gaffney is the only school from South Carolina playing in the Lady Hilltoppers Classic.

The majority of the tournament field are North Carolina high schools such as Crest, Shelby, and Gaston.

In their opening game, R-S Central and Gaffney played press defense the entire matchup.

“R-S Central was quick and very athletic,” coach Roger Patterson said. “We just had a lot of turnovers. It was pretty even until the third quarter.”

Doristine Norris led the Lady Indians with 17 points against R-S Central. Breanna Watkins scored 7 points.

Gaffney never trailed in their matchup with Chase on Tuesday. The Lady Indians led by as many as 30 points in the contest.

Norris led the Lady Indians with 24 points against Chase. Both Watkins and Tiffany Dukes scored eight points.

“We played a little better tonight. We were able to press Chase,” Patterson said. “Doristine Norris played a great game. She really carried the team.”

Gaffney enters tonight’s contest at 4-4. After returning home from the tournament, the Lady Indians will be back in action Jan. 4 against Dorman.

“This is good for our kids to play against some teams from North Carolina that we don’t normally get to play,” Patterson said. “It will help us a lot going into the game against Dorman.”