RAEFORD — The Richmond Senior High School junior varsity boys’ basketball team suffered its third straight loss Friday.
Playing at Hoke County High School, the JV Raiders fell short by a final score of 80-56.
The team’s third consecutive loss, all of which have come against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents, is on the heels of the JV Raiders’ previous season-best five-game winning streak.
Outmatched early, especially in the first and second quarters, the JV Raiders trailed 24-17 after the first quarter and 49-29 at halftime.
The JV Bucks outscored Richmond 31-27 in the final two quarters of action.
Richmond was led in scoring by freshman guard Chance Crowder, who finished with 18 points. He scored 13 points in the first half.
Fellow freshman guard BJ Hinson reached double-figures, too, netting 15 points. Like Crowder, he scored most of his points in the first half, finishing with 12 points at the break.
Also scoring in the loss were Josiah Brewington (8 points), Mikai King and Andrae Streeter (6 points each), Adrion Pore (2 points) and Elijah Peterkin (1 point).
Aside from a bucket by King and a free throw by Streeter, Crowder and Hinson recorded most of the scoring in the first quarter to trail by seven points.
Crowder had his first eight points on a pair of field goals, a three-pointer and a free throw. Hinson drained two triples to give him six points.
Brewington got on the board with a free throw in the second quarter, as again Richmond was fueled by the scoring of Crowder and Hinson.
Combining for 11 points, Crowder made a basket and three free throws, while Hinson netted six more points on a free throw, a three-ball and a bucket.
A closer third quarter saw the JV Raiders outdone by only four points to trail 65-41 entering the final eight minutes.
Crowder recorded his final five points in the game thanks to two more field goals and a shot from the line.
Brewington (three-pointer) and Hinson (basket and foul shot) combined for six points. Peterkin sank one of his two attempts from the foul line for his lone point.
The JV Bucks, who have lost just one game this year, closed the door with an 15-15 run in the fourth quarter.
Scoring their final points for the JV Raiders were Streeter (5 points), Brewington and King (both with 4 points) and Pore (2 points).
The JV Raiders (6-6, 4-5 SAC) will try to get back in the win column Tuesday at Union Pines High School. The game will start at 6 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Scores and statistics provided by head coach Travis Byers.