ROCKINGHAM — It took an overtime effort, but the Richmond junior varsity boys’ basketball team earned its first win of the new year Thursday.
Making up a postponement from earlier in the week, the JV Raiders defeated Union Pines High School 74-66 in overtime.
Richmond erased a fourth-quarter deficit to finish regulation tied 61-61. In the extra four minutes, the JV Raiders outscored the JV Vikings 13-5.
Freshman Chance Crowder led the team in scoring with 28 points, including a team-high seven points in overtime.
Also adding a big chunk of scoring was sophomore Amer Morrison, who netted 27 points. Six of his points helped seal the win in OT.
Other scorers for the JV Raiders were freshmen BJ Hinson (seven points), Andrae Streeter (six points) and Collin Hill (two points), along with sophomore Yusaun Harrison (four points).
Richmond took a 19-11 lead after the first quarter. Morrison scored 11 points in the opening stanza on four field goals and a three-pointer.
Crowder and Streeter combined for the other eight points, each scoring two buckets for four early points.
Despite being outscored 16-10 in the second quarter, Richmond entered halftime with a 29-27 lead. Crowder tacked on four more points to lead the team and give him eight points at the break.
Two free throws each from Morrison and Hinson, along with a basket from Harrison preserved the two-point lead.
Union Pines shifted the momentum in the third quarter to jump ahead 47-39. Four players combined for Richmond’s 11 points, including four from Morrison (field goal, two free throws).
Hinson splashed down a three-pointer, Crowder had a pair of shots from the line and Hill netted his bucket to cut the deficit to eight points.
A 21-14 run by the JV Raider in the final eight minutes of regulation saw the hole disappear and force overtime. Crowder heated up to score 11 points, mirroring Morrison’s first-quarter performance with four baskets and a three-ball.
Morrison dropped a pair of shots for four points, as two points each from Hinson, Streeter and Harrison extended the game.
From the opening tip of overtime, the JV Raiders stayed in control and carried over their late-game momentum.
Crowder (seven points) and Morrison (six points) did all of the scoring for Richmond. Adding another three-pointer, Crowder also scored a bucket and two free throws.
Morrison’s points came courtesy of two baskets and two made shots from the charity stripe.
The JV Raiders (2-3, 2-2 SAC) will play at Lee County High School Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Game stats provided by Richmond junior varsity head coach Travis Byers.
