RALEIGH — For the first time since Jan. 2020, the Richmond Senior High School boys’ basketball team suffered back-to-back losses.
Trying to earn third place in the Devonte Graham bracket of the John Wall Holiday Invitational, the Raiders lost 84-68 to Cannon School Saturday afternoon.
The 16-point loss was the team’s largest margin of defeat since losing by 14 points to Myers Park in March, which comes on the heels of a three-point loss to Northwood High School on Friday.
The last time Richmond dropped consecutive games was Jan. 10 and Jan. 11, 2020, to Lumberton and South Mecklenburg high schools. None of the Raiders’ current players were on that roster.
The Cougars, who compete in the NCISAA, controlled the game from the opening tip. After the first quarter, they held a 15-8 lead.
Cannon widened its lead to double-digits, 36-20, at halftime. Richmond found itself down 20 points, 58-38, entering the fourth quarter.
In the final eight minutes, the Raiders outscored the Cougars, netting their final 30 points. Cannon scored 26 points.
Atop the scoresheet for Richmond was senior wing Paul McNeil Jr. with 21 points, five rebounds and two assists.
A trio of seniors also scored in double-figures — Javian Drake (12 points, three boards), David McNair (11 points) and Jamarion Wall (10 points, three rebounds).
Senior Braylon Barfield dropped eight points and added a team-high nine rebounds.
Rounding out the Raiders’ scoring were junior Davion Ingram (four points) and sophomore Jayden Hamilton (two points).
The Cougars were led by Isaiah Henry and Austin Swartz, both of whom recorded 21 points. Lincoln Vinson contributed 12 points.
Richmond was outscored 48-26 in the paint and 34-15 on fastbreak chances.
The Raiders (7-4, 2-0 SAC) will regroup and return to Sandhills Athletic Conference action next Friday at Hoke County High School (8-1, 1-1 SAC). Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Stats and game information provided by the John Wall Holiday Invitational’s official scorers. Article updated at 00:51 12/31/2023 to add caption for the featured image.
