CHARLOTTE — The Richmond Senior High School junior varsity boys’ basketball team opened its season at Myers Park on Tuesday.
Boasting a freshman-heavy roster this season, the JV Raiders battled but fell short 52-45.
“We have a really young team this year and only have two sophomores returning,” first-year head coach Travis Byers said. “The guys played hard in their first game and we have talent. But we have some growing to do.”
The JV Raiders were led in scoring by sophomore guard Amer Morrison, the lone returning starter from last season. He netted 25 points, including 15 points in the second half.
Also reaching double figures in his high school debut was freshman guard Chance Crowder, who chipped in 11 points. He scored seven of those points in a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter.
A slow start to the game yielded a 16-5 deficit for Richmond after the opening quarter. Morrison had all five points on a field goal and a three-pointer, the first of five made triples for him during the game.
The JV Raiders started to pick up some momentum in the latter part of the first half, entering the break down 30-17.
Five more points on a bucket and three-ball from Morrison gave him 10 points at the half. Crowder started his scoring going 4-for-4 from the foul line.
Freshman Eric Lagrande chipped in his two points of the game and fellow freshman Elijah Peterkin, who finished with five points, knocked down a free throw.
Eight more points in the third quarter came courtesy of three-pointers from Morrison and Peterkin, coupled with a bucket by freshman BJ Hinson.
The JV Mustangs outscored Richmond by just two points in the third, setting up a 19-12 run by Richmond in the closing eight minutes.
Morrison captained the rally attempt, knocking down two more three-pointers. He added three field goals to secure his final 12 points.
Crowder picked up his scoring again, sandwiching two triples around a made free throw. Richmond’s other point in the fourth came courtesy of a Peterkin shot from the charity stripe.
The JV Raiders (0-1) will get an extended break before their next game, which will be played against Pinecrest High School on Dec. 5.
