CHARLOTTE — A highly-anticipated state championship rematch eight months in the making between the reigning two best 4A teams was dampened on Tuesday.
Richmond Senior High School’s boys’ basketball team saw its season opener at Myers Park High School postponed late in the first half.
Following a timeout called by the Mustangs, it was reported to the officials that water was dripping from the ceiling onto the court near the Raiders’ bench.
After a 10-minute delay, head coaches Donald Pettigrew and Scott Taylor, athletic directors Mike Way and Brian Poore, and a host of school officials met near the scorer’s table.
It was decided that due to the continued dripping of water onto the court, along with the forecasted wet weather, the game would be postponed.
Pettigrew said no make-up date has been decided at the time of publication. The game was stopped with 2:59 to go in the second quarter with Richmond trailing 27-21.
In the 13:01 of basketball played, fans got what they were looking for. The Raiders and Mustangs put on a series of high-intensity scoring runs featuring a cast of some of the state’s best players.
Richmond opened the game on a 6-0 run, starting with a transition layup by senior point guard Javian Drake off the opening tip.
Senior wing Paul McNeil Jr., who officially signed with N.C. State a day earlier, added to the lead with a three-pointer from the left side. Fouled on the play, he drained the and-one opportunity.
McNeil Jr. put on a clinic in the first half, shooting 6-of-9 from the field for 17 points with three free throws.
Myers Park (0-1) answered with a 21-6 run of its own to take a nine-point lead into the second quarter. Sadiq White, an uncommitted top 25 prospect, scored eight points on three field goals and two free throws.
Bishop Boswell, who’s committed to Tennessee, connected on four free throws. Adding a pair of triples to the run was Jacob Paraison and Bram Early had a three.
Scoring on a drive through the paint with 50 seconds to go in the quarter was McNeil Jr for the final of his 10 points in the first.
Starting the second quarter on a 4-0 run, Richmond used a drive and a mid-range jumper from McNeil Jr.
Down 25-16, McNeil Jr. dropped a three-ball from the left wing. Richmond’s scoring was capped by sophomore guard Jayden Hamilton, who drained a jump shot.
Following two free throws by Adam Barnes, the Mustangs took a timeout, which led to the eventual postponement.
McNeil Jr. nearly had a double-double, adding seven rebounds to his stat line. Senior post player Braylon Barfield pulled in three boards.
The Raiders (0-0) continue their five-game road trip to start the season by traveling to Fayetteville State University on Friday to play Fayetteville Academy (3-0). Action will start at 7:30 p.m.
The Richmond Observer will publish a photo gallery of Tuesday’s postponed game at Myers Park soon.
Sports editor’s note: The Richmond Observer will update any information regarding the postponement when it’s made available.
