ROCKINGHAM — The junior varsity boys’ basketball team impressed in front of its home crowd Tuesday to earn a season-opening win.
Hosting Sandhills Athletic Conference opponent Purnell Swett High School, the Raiders and second-year head coach Kenta Hutchinson held off the Rams for a 62-40 victory.
Prior to the game, the Raiders’ bench displayed a No. 22 jersey to honor fallen teammate Jalen David, who would have been a junior this season. Members of the team also wore customized Nikes with David’s number on them.
Freshman point guard Javian Drake made his high school debut with a team-high 13 points, and fellow freshman guard Jamerson Jones hit double figures with 10 points. Drake also picked up six steals and sophomore Zion Baldwin had 10 rebounds to accompany his four points.
“We played well for our first game,” Hutchinson said. “We have a lot to work on moving forward, but it was good just to be back and get a feel for the game again.
“Adapting and adjusting to everything that’s been going on this year, I commend our guys for being able to play at the level we did for the first game with a mask. I think they did a pretty good job at that.”
The Raiders started off with 19 points in the first quarter to set the tone early. Richmond’s defense collected three steals and turned them into six easy transition points. Drake scored 12 of his points in the first half.
Jones scored seven first-half points, including two triples, to keep the Raiders ahead. Sophomore Emoni McBride added a field goal and a three-ball for all five of his points in the first two stanzas.
In the opening half, sophomore Zay Wall and Baldwin each contributed a bucket and freshman David McNair added the first of his two three-pointers in the game before the break. At the half, Richmond led 32-19.
“JV (Drake) set the tempo early,” Hutchinson said. “On defense, Zion battled in the post the entire game. I was also very impressed with the play of Jamerson — he did all the little things that matter that make a difference in a game.”
Richmond kept its foot on the gas to open the third frame, netting 19 more points. Freshman Toby McInnis joined the scoring parade, netting four of his six total points in the third.
McNair tacked on another triple and a field goal to complete his eight-point night, and Wall and freshman Zay Hubbard each drained a three-pointer. Jones wrapped his night with a bucket and a free throw.
Closing the deal for the Raiders were field goals from Baldwin, Hubbard, McInnis and freshman Tristan Wall in the fourth.
“I told our guys after the game just to make sure during the course of the season we are progressing each and every game,” Hutchinson closed. “I want us to take the good and the bad and correct our mistakes along the way.”
Richmond (1-0) will not play its home game against Pinecrest High School on Friday due to COVID precautions. No make-up date has been announced.
The Raiders will return to action Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Jack Britt High School, starting at 5 p.m.
