Richland's defense fuels deciding run over Timber Creek

By Travis L. Brown

Special to the Star-Telegram

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS -- On the score sheet, the Richland girls' basketball team has one dominant player in senior forward Destiny Nunley.

Nunley had a team-high 19 points Friday in Richland's 52-43 win over Keller Timber Creek, but giving all the credit to one player isn't the way this Richland squad operates, coach Kate Goldberg said.

An all-around team effort led to a shutout in the third quarter and a 17-0 run that would give Richland (22-7, 9-2 District 4-5A) the win.

Timber Creek (17-12, 6-5) settled into the game in the second quarter, mounting an 8-0 run to start the frame. By halftime, Timber Creek had cut an early 12-point Richland lead to 27-26.

Nunley tallied five of her 19 points after the break as a part of the 17-0 run, but junior post Sydney Brock led the charge, netting six of her seven points.

After the game, Goldberg was quick to give credit where it was due, especially to Brock.

"Destiny scores a lot, but why does she score? Because Sydney sets a good screen or because Madi [Holcomb] gets the ball to her at the right time," Goldberg said. "It takes every person to get that ball in the net, not just the one that shoots it."

Timber Creek attempted to counter Richland's size with physical play, doubling the post players.

"They're awesome post players," Goldberg said. "People have figured that out and they tend to sandwich Sydney and when Destiny catches it, double-team her.

"They're trying to keep it out of Sydney's hands; our guards did a great job threading the needle getting it to her."

Timber Creek netted its first basket of the second half with six minutes left in the game, and managed to pull within nine by the final buzzer.

The race for the top three seeds in District 4-5A remains tightly contested between Southlake Carroll, Richland and Keller.

"We have three [games] left and I think all the girls want to play hard for each other," Goldberg said. "It's cool to be with a team where no one is selfish."

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