Spartans win LIT title thriller
Richmond senior Candiace Claypole had what she called a “quite nervewracking” moment the afternoon of Jan. 17.
With Richmond leading Lawson 46-42 and 2.7 seconds left in the final quarter of the Lawson Invitational Tournament (LIT) girls title game, Claypole was awarded two foul shots. She missed her first attempt, but made the second.
“I was really nervous,” Claypole said. “I usually make my free throws.”
In making her second free throw, Claypole helped the Spartans win 47-45 – and win the tournament for the first time since January 2016. Richmond went on to finish the 2015-16 season 24-3.
“They played awesome,” said Richmond coach Kaylee Vantrump, who played on the 2016 LIT championship team. “They haven’t been in the championship for 10 years. They repped Richmond really well. We played hard.”
Richmond had to rally to claim the title. Leading 12-11 after one quarter, the Spartans were outscored 13-6 the second quarter and trailed 25-17 at halftime.
“In the second quarter, we…