By Jeff Moeller, Sports correspondent

Getting into region play, making the most of your chances is a key to success. Unfortunately, the Richmond Hill girls’ team couldn’t convert enough of them Monday night.

In an opening-round Class 6A Region One matchup, the sixth-seeded Wildcats couldn’t slow down third-seeded and host Camden County, as they dropped a 58-32 decision.

The Wildcats (10-16) trailed from the start, and they couldn’t lower Camden County's double-digit lead throughout the game. Their early exit marked the first time since the 2021-22 season the Wildcats didn’t make the state playoffs.

Head coach Sarah Jones was pleased with her team’s overall effort, but she soon realized they would fall short. The Wildcats thought they could gain an advantage at the free-throw line, but they sank just nine of 20 attempts. Cullen McCormick led the Wildcats with 11 points and Bristol Machgan added 11. 

“We played really hard, but we just didn’t capitalize on opportunities,” noted Jones. “They knocked down big shots and increased their lead on our missed opportunities. We got to the free throw line a bunch, which was one of our goals, but we didn’t hit enough of our attempts.”

Jones thought her club could get back into the game during the second half. 

“We couldn’t get the lead,” added Jones. “We could have cut it to single digits early in the third quarter with our start, but between missed free throws and layups when we got stops, we just couldn’t cut the lead.”

McCormick, the team’s co-captain and leading scorer averaging close to 10 points a game, was appreciative of her team’s effort.

“I’m really proud of how we competed and left it all out there,” offered McCormick. “It’s definitely hard realizing my high school career is over, and it doesn’t fully feel real yet. I’m super thankful for everything this program has given me though.”

The post player, who will continue her career at Georgia College and State University next year, saw her game develop gradually and successfully over the past four seasons. 

“Over the four years, I have seen my game grow in so many ways,” reflected McCormick. “As a freshman, I was just trying to find my role and adjust to the speed and physicality of high school basketball. Each year, I became more confident, more consistent, and more aware of the game."

She added, “I feel like my leadership improved, my decision-making got better, and I really learned how to control the pace instead of rushing. I have improved a lot overall not just in my skills, but in my mindset and understanding of the game. I am proud of the progress I have made.”

Fellow senior and co-captain Faith Evans, who will pursue a degree in radiology at the College of Coastal Georgia, was impressed with her team’s constant grit and determination. 

“I saw a team who fought until the end, and played with their heart,” emphasized Evans. “ Even though we lost, there has been a lot of growth throughout this whole season. As a senior, I’m proud of how we represented our program and supported each other.”

Like McCormick, Evans also saw her game and responsibility reach another level.

“I believe I progressed every year,” said Evans. “ I played basketball from motivating my teammates, to becoming a better offensive and especially defensive player. I wasn’t always at the level I was at my senior year all four years of basketball, and I can say I have worked hard throughout this season even though I went through many challenges.

“I saw my role on the team as the teammate and captain that is supportive,  but I was also there to make people feel better in rough times whether that be on or off the court. However, when it comes to the basketball court, I believe my roles were both rebounding and playing defense.”

Despite losing McCormick and Jones, the Wildcats  will return a solid core. Jones believes McCormick and Jones helped form a four-year foundation that their teammates can continue to build.  

“Those two seniors definitely mean a lot of us and will be greatly missed,” stressed Jones. “They were great leaders for us and helped us continue to grow the program. We told the girls who are returning tonight, that it’s now their turn to pick up where Cullen and Faith have taken the program and continue to build it. We couldn’t have asked for better kids or leaders on the team. They worked hard and grew individually every year, which helped grow our program.”