FAYETTEVILLE — Monday marked the official beginning of the Richmond Senior High School boys basketball season, as the Raiders made a trip to non-conference opponent Pine Forest High School.
Although both teams got off to a fast start, the Trojans were able to continue their stride in the second half as Richmond’s offense went stagnant, as Pine Forest defeated the Raiders by a final score of 74-57.
It marks the second straight year that Richmond has dropped its season opener, as they lost to Fairmont High School a season ago.
Using a roster of just eight players, it was senior shooting guard Roderick Newton who led second-year head coach Donald Pettigrew’s team in scoring with 14 points. Newton, who hit a team-high two three-pointers, had seven points in each half, as junior center Jarvis Tillman, who had a spectacular preseason, cashed in with 12 points of his own.
Also getting substantial points for the Raiders (0-1) were sophomore Nygie Stroman (nine points), senior guard Alex Quick (eight points) and senior Xavier Pettigrew (also eight points).
As good as the Raiders were, they couldn’t match up offensively with Pine Forest’s senior guards Miles Ray and Adrian Elliott, who scored 23 and 22 points, respectively. Ray had 15 of his points before halftime, with nine coming in the first quarter, as Elliott tacked on 12 of his points in the fourth quarter, including four free throws down the stretch.
The Trojans (4-1) also got big baskets from senior Erwin Montgomery (11 points) and nine more points from junior Marquis Eskew in the win.
The Raiders trailed by only two points at the end of the first quarter, 19-17, but Pine Forest outscored the visiting team 15-9 in the second frame to take a 34-26 lead into the halftime break.
In the second half, the Trojans kept their offense in tune, netting 40 more points to Richmond’s 31 points.
Monday’s game was the first of six straight games the Raiders will play on the road to open the 2018-19 campaign. They’ll get their next shot at a win Wednesday, Dec. 5, as they’ll travel to Southern Lee High School (Sanford, N.C., 5-1).
Along with Pine Forest, Southern Lee, as well as Richmond’s third opponent Ronald Reagan High School, all made the NCHSAA playoffs a season ago. Pettigrew noted his team is up for the challenge, and hopes to rebound against the Cavaliers.
