The Richmond Hill High School Lady Wildcats are off to a fast start for the 2024-2025 season, as they sit at 12-3 on the year and 2-1 in Region 1-6A play, good enough for second place. With several athletes contributing to that success, first-year full-time starter Cullen McCormick has helped lead to that fast start.
“I really enjoy being on the floor more and I really feel comfortable,” McCormick said. “I worked hard to earn my starting position last year and am now building my minutes. I enjoy being out there with everyone. My teammates are a huge part of what makes it exciting for me.”
McCormick has really taken her game to the next level this season, as she is piling up the stats with several made baskets and blocked shots along the way. While she has worked hard in her own right, she does not take all of the credit for her great start to her junior year.
“Coach Jones [at Richmond Hill] has definitely been a huge part of that,” McCormick said. Especially helping me understand the game more and being able to read players and analyze situations. Coach Jazz, of Diamonds Basketball Academy, has really helped me develop and expand my shooting skills. All of this has really boosted my confidence, especially in tough situations.”
Coach Sarah Jones, the head girls’ basketball coach at Richmond Hill High School, has also noticed that McCormick has done a great job this season and attributes that to her hard work.
“She is a super hard worker,” Jones said. “She is always working hard at practice. She is a great player and she is really doing a good job at incorporating what we are teaching to the team.”
There are not many situations that are tougher than playing in Region 1-5A in any sport, and basketball is no exception. However, McCormick had one of the best games of her career against Camden. She finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, 1.84 VPS, 3 turnovers, 6 deflections and 1 block in the game on the road in Kingsland, Georgia.
“In our region, a win always feels great,” McCormick said. “Having a game like that made me feel like my work is paying off and it felt awesome. Also there is a whole team working just as hard and that gave me the opportunity to play that way.
“I never know what my numbers are until the next day - I just play, but I knew that one felt good. My goal is to keep growing as a player so that I can do the same for my teammates and we can keep winning together.”
While this year’s team may not have the depth of years’ past, they all seem to have a great bond and are sticking together to build a great season, says McCormick.
“I think this year’s team is very close,” McCormick said. “This year we all hang out off the court, not just on the court. We enjoy making practice more competitive and are always trying to get better together.
“We communicate and share the ball well. We have said all season that if another team wanted to face guard one of us it would not be smart because we can all score. I would say we are all very selfless, we love to see each other succeed.”
While she is only halfway through her junior year and still has another season and school year to go, McCormick is already thinking about college and what she wants to do when she leaves Richmond Hill High School.
“I am starting to explore my college options since I definitely want to play at the next level,” McCormick said. “The process can seem overwhelming at times but I try to focus on putting in the work and enjoy each game.”
McCormick and the rest of the Lady Wildcats will be on the road for the next few games, as they travel to three region foes in Tift County on January 11th, Valdosta High School on the 17th and to Moultrie to take on Colquitt County on the 18th before their next home game. That home game will be on January 24th as they take on Lowndes High School. Tip off will be at 4:30 pm.