GIRLS: Joyner leads Farmville past Heritage

By Junious Smith III

Farmville Central's Amiya Joyner had a game-high 19 points in the Jaguars' win over Heritage Tuesday. Photo by Laieke Abebe / WJG Sports

CARY — This time, the Farmville Central girls found the late push.

The Jaguars defeated Wake Forest Heritage Tuesday, 55-50, in The John Wall Invitational. Farmville Central will play Garner Wednesday while Heritage plays North Pitt.

The first half was tightly contested, although Heritage had the advantage throughout the entire second quarter. Caroline Ishman’s 3-pointer to start the frame put the Huskies ahead 11-8 and while the Jaguars stayed close, Heritage went into the break ahead 19-18 — Farmville Central trailed by one at halftime Monday as well against Apex Friendship.

FC took a 25-23 lead midway through the third on an Amiya Joyner floater before Heritage’s Chloe Williams scored on the ensuing possession and followed with a 3-pointer. The baskets were part of a 7-0 run as the Huskies took a 36-32 lead into the fourth and Williams’ steal and layup made it 44-36 with 5:41 to play.

The Jaguars exploded with a 13-0 run, including a Kayln Baker 3-pointer to put the team up for good.

“The fourth quarter really counts — that’s what Coach tells us all the time,” Farmville Central’s Journee McDaniel said.

Farmville Central was led by Joyner’s 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks. McDaniel added 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Baker had 17 points and three assists.

For Heritage, Williams had 15 points, four assists and three steals and Sky Donaie added 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals.