MERRY HILL – Ridgecroft School earned two appearances in the junior varsity championship games.

The Rams defeated Lawrence Academy in the semifinals of the Lt. Nick Brantley Scholarship Tournament which is sponsored jointly by the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald and United Country Joe Murray Realty.

In the jayvee boys game, Jay Lane scored an even dozen to pace Ridgecroft by Lawrence. The Warriors were led by Trey Styons and Miller Trowell with six points each.

Lawrence actually jumped out to an early lead, getting four straight from Styons before Lane hit a three-pointer for the Rams. Trowell responded with a triple for the Warriors as the home team led 7-3 after one quarter.

Ridgecroft battled back in the second period. Austin Brinkley scored before Lane hit another triple to push Ridgecroft ahead 8-7. Lawrence came back with successive hoops by Ian Huddleston and Wood Mordecia to take an 11-8 lead.

Ridgecroft, however, tied the contest at the intermission thanks to another Lane three-pointer.

The Rams seized control of the game in the third period, scoring nine unanswered points led by four from John Taylor and three from Lane as they grabbed a 20-11 lead.

Lawrence closed the gap to six by the end of the third quarter, but never got closer than five as the Rams held on for the win.

In addition to Lane, the Rams got eight from Taylor, four from Brinkley and two from Nathan Askew. Lawrence had three from Oliver and two each from Mordecia and Huddleston.

In the junior varsity girl’s game, Emily Grace scored 14 points and Ruthie Daniels added 11 as Ridgecroft grabbed a 37-25 victory. Harley West led Lawrence with 11.

Ridgecroft started the game with six straight points, three coming from Daniels and three from Grace.

Taylor Wilson stopped the spurt with a field goal to close the gap to 6-2 after one quarter.

Kathryn Outlaw scored to start the second quarter for Ridgecroft and then Grace added a free throw to make the lead 9-2.

Lawrence came back with two straight hoops from West to close the gap to 9-6, but Outlaw scored the final four points of the first half and the Lady Rams led 13-6 at the intermission.

Lawrence closed to within four (15-11) early in the third quarter thanks to a bucket by Anna Gray and another by West, but never got closer. Ridgecroft led 22-13 after three quarters and went on to the 12-point victory.

Rounding out the scoring for the Rams were Outlaw (6 points), Mackenzie Brown (4) and Bailey Vann (2).

Lawrence go scores from Gray (4), Wilson (3), Clara Ward (3), Sydney Wilkerson (2) and Natalie Priest (2).