ROCKINGHAM — The first postseason accolade for the Richmond Senior High School boys’ basketball program rolled in on Tuesday.
Junior forward Nygie Stroman was recognized for his 2019-2020 campaign by the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association. The 6-7 standout for the Raiders was named to the All-District 8 second team.
“It’s a great feeling to be one of many talented players to make the team,” Stroman said to ROSports. “I honestly had no idea I made it. Coach Pettigrew called me and told me.
“I was shocked, but it also gave me another goal,” he added. “That goal is to be player of the year next year.”
The announcement by the NCBCA came after Stroman had his best season in green and gold, leading Richmond in scoring following his second season at the varsity level. In 29 games played, Stroman scored 428 points and averaged 14.8 points per game.
He eclipsed the 20-point scoring mark five times, and waited for the second round of the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs to net a new career high. Against Independence High School, an eventual season-ending loss, Stroman did all he could to help the Raiders by posting 29 points.
The other 20-plus point scoring performances came against Anson (21 points, Nov. 21), Weddington (21 points, Dec. 26), Jack Britt (27 points, Jan. 3) and Scotland (26 points, Feb. 14).
In the game against Jack Britt, Stroman impressed with his best double-double of the season, adding a career-high 16 rebounds to his 27 points.
Other key double-doubles he posted were against Weddington (21 points, 10 rebounds) and Butler in the opening round of the playoffs (18 points, 11 rebounds).
Following Richmond’s exit from the state playoffs, Stroman received his first college offer from North Carolina A&T University.
Stroman’s efforts helped the Raiders secure a 20-9 overall record this winter, and a 10-4 mark against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents. That was good enough for Richmond to earn its second straight third-place finish in the standings.
The 20 wins were the most for the program in a single season since the 2016-2017 slate when the Raiders went 20-7 under former head coach David Laton.
Joining Stroman on the All-District 8 second team were fellow juniors Ethan Smith (Southwestern Randolph) and Nate Cassidy (Randleman). Rounding out the five-man crew were seniors Quincy Drake, Jr. (Montgomery Central) and fellow SAC player Garret McRae (Scotland).
Pinecrest High School’s Bradlee Haskell spotlighted the first team selections, earning “player of the year.” Scotland’s Mandrell Johnson was the final SAC player to earn recognition, getting placed on the third team.
“Although I’ve been receiving a lot of recognition, I don’t let it get to me,” Stroman explained.
“I know a lot of people would be satisfied, but this only motivates me to work harder and push my teammates to be the best on and off the court,” he closed.
