Raiders open season with win

WILLIAMSBURG — The 2023-24 edition of the Williamsburg girls’ basketball team should be a lot of fun to watch.

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Coach Steph Dacey’s Raiders are going to run, press and harass opponents from baseline to baseline as West Branch found out in the season opener for both teams last Tuesday night at Williamsburg.

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The Raiders held the Bears to 34% shooting, forced 27 turnovers and scored 12 more points than they did in any game last year while cruising to a 67-29 win.

Four players scored in double figures for Williamsburg, led by junior guard Carly Rich with 18 points. She made 7 of 13 shots from the field, was 3-of-4 at the line and had five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Freshman Taylor Sanchez pumped in 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting, sophomore Kennedy Skaggs scored 12 points, making 4 of 7 shots including two 3-pointers, and junior Makenna Hughes tossed in 10 points.

Sanchez also contributed three assists and three steals, and Skaggs blocked three shots.

Freshman Ava Hocker, off the bench, added five points, two rebounds, three assists and four steals.

Zoe Allen, with four points, and Taylor Heitman, with three, rounded out the scoring.

Williamsburg shot 43% (25-57) from the field, made 12-of-14 free throws, committed only five turnovers and built quarter leads of 18-11, 40-18 and 61-23.

Their lone downfall — rebounding, where West Branch held a 29-19 advantage.