Risner, Redwomen cruise to victory in season opener

PEDRO — J’lynn Risner had a daily double and a trifecta going at the same time.

Risner posted a triple-double as she led the Rock Hill Redwomen to a season opening win Thursday over the Fairview Lady Eagles. 65-9.

Risner — one of only two returning starters — racked up a career-high 31 points to go with 10 rebounds and 10 steals.

Emma Scott scored 12 points for the Redwomen while Hope Easterling added 8 points and 9 rebounds.

“Risner lived up to her name. She made her game rise up to the occasion,” said Redwomen coach Eric Bailey. “She didn’t play a whole lot, but she played great defense and our defense sparked our offense.”

Rock Hill jumped in front 28-3 in the first quarter as Risner hit a 3-pointer and scored 19 points. Scott hit a trey and scored 5 points and Easterling added 4.

The lead ballooned to 52-6 at the half as Blayr Knipp drained a trifecta and scored all 8 of her points. Risner scored 6 more points with Abby Schug and Easterling getting 4 each.

“It was a good victory. It was the first game of the season and we had a lot of young, inexperienced girls. We have a tough schedule ahead of us the next week or two, so we needed this game,” said Redwomen coach Eric Bailey.

“Fairview’s kids played hard and they showed great character. They’ll get better.”

Rock Hill will now host Portsmouth on Monday and Fairland on Thursday, two teams expected to battle for the Ohio Valley Conference title.

Fairview 3 3 2 1 = 9

Rock Hill 28 24 11 2 = 65

FAIRVIEW (0-1): Madison Loving 1 0 4-9 6, Madison Caskey 0 1 0-0 3, Karly Caldwell 0 0 0-0 0, Micah Crum 0 0 0-0 0, Julia Wallace 0 0 0-0 0, Riley McCormick 0 0 0-0 0, Paige Vanbibber 0 0 0-2 0, Abby Cox 0 0 0-0 0, Molly Caudill 0 0 0-0 0, Mia Grant 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 1 1 4-11 9. Fouls: 6. Fouled out: None.

ROCK HILL (1-0): Shelby Wigandt 1 0 0-0 2, Kassidy Lyons 0 0 0-2 0, Emma Scott 3 2 0-0 12, Samantha Bamer 0 0 0-0 0, Blayr Knipp 2 1 1-1 8, Hope Easterling 4 0 0-0 8, Abby Schug 2 0 0-0 4, J’lynn Risner 12 1 4-5 31, Gabby Ward 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 24 4 5-8 65. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.