GREENSBORO – The Lady Raiders closed out the Carolina Christmas Classic in Greensboro with a strong third place finish, posting a 2-1 record against tough competition and ending the tournament on a high note with a decisive 51-27 win over Ashe County.
Head coach Taneika Reader said the tournament provided exactly what the team needed heading into conference play.
“I think we played well overall,” she said. “We had the opportunity to play against some tougher competition, which gave us the chance to see our strengths and weaknesses as we head into conference play. Overall, I’m proud of the team’s effort and finishing out strong with a 2-1 record.”
The tournament opened with a dramatic 45-44 victory over Rockingham County, a game that showcased the team’s resilience. Trailing by as many 10-12 points late, the Lady Raiders refused to fold.
“The first game revealed our fight and determination,” Reader said. “They kept fighting to get it back in reach, played really hard on defense in those closing minutes, and we were able to steal the win with a big game-winning shot by Jo Jo (Gilchrist).”
After a setback against Winston-Salem Christian, the team regrouped and responded with renewed energy.
“We talked about playing with purpose and energy, which we lacked in the Winston-Salem game,” she said. “Going back out the next day and playing our style of basketball, playing with energy, being aggressive, everyone looking to attack… allowed us to bounce back with a big win.”
Junior guard Jo Jo Gilchrist was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 18 points per game and delivering key performances on both ends of the floor. Her impact went beyond the stat sheet.
“Jo just has that dawg mentality and just wants to win,” Reader said. “She’s the leader of this team and our motor on both ends of the floor.”
Looking ahead, the Lady Raiders hope to carry their momentum into conference play by focusing on a simple but powerful approach.
“I tell them all the time to win the first four minutes of each quarter,” Reader said. “Those first four minutes can set the tone for the entire game. Be aggressive, execute our offense, and play good defense, that puts you in a position to control the tempo and flow of the game.”
With confidence, leadership, and a strong finish to the holiday tournament, the Lady Raiders enter conference play battle-tested and ready to compete.