ROCKINGHAM — An offseason of uncertainty for the Richmond Senior High School boys’ basketball team has, in a postive way, made the Raiders certain of one thing as the new season begins this week.
The 2021 season is grounded in team unity as Richmond and fourth-year head coach Donald Pettigrew have battled the rough waters of the pandemic and losing former teammate Jalen David in August.
Not forgetting their fallen teammate, the Raiders are dedicating their shortened, 14-game regular season in David’s memory. And they hope to clinch the Sandhills Athletic Conference title for the first time since the 2016-2017 season in the process.
“We have the saying that we’re doing this for Jalen,” Pettigrew said. “We lost him earlier this year and the guys are playing with him on their mind and they have an extra chip this year. This season is dedicated to him and the guys are going to play hard every game for Jalen.
“In practice and in the fall league the guys have shown that extra energy,” he added. “When they are tired, guys will ask each other what would Jalen do if he was here. We can’t quit or make excuses.”
Richmond is coming off a 20-win season, which featured an eight-game winning streak to start the year. The Raiders finished second in the SAC standings, one game behind state championship qualifying Lumberton High School, and played in their second straight SAC tournament title game.
Last season, Richmond made a second-round appearance in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s 4A playoffs, but exited after an overtime loss at Independence High School.
Since Pettigrew took over the program in 2017, the Raiders have prided themselves on improving their defensive game, holding teams to 51.3 points per game last season. Richmond stood tall with a 10-4 conference record, and will look to better that record during this year’s conference-only slate.
“We need to be consistent in all of our games,” Pettigrew said. “We have a good group of guys with three returning starters and two talented freshmen. And our bench is deep with great players.
“Defensively, that’s what’s going to put us over the top. It all starts in practice and holding the guys accountable for what they are doing. We are going to have them in the right spots and better prepared.”
The Raiders will be without former seniors Quamir Sivels and Jarvis Tillman, and former starting forward Caleb Hood has enrolled early at UNC Chapel Hill. Other players not returning are Jakolbe Baldwin and Dalton Stroman, both of whom are Division I football signees, and junior wing Kellan Hood.
But coming back for Richmond is a strong core of five seniors, including All-SAC selections Patrick McLaughlin (point guard) and Nygie Stroman (forward). Joining them is Dylan Lewis, a wing who started as a junior, C.J. Tillman and newcomer Travis Thomas.
Stroman, who is 6-7, returns as Richmond’s leading point scorer, averaging 14.8 points per contest. He netted 20 or more points in five games last year, and etched a career-high 29 points against Independence.
McLaughlin, the team’s floor general, averaged a team-best 3.7 assists per game, while also averaging 7 points per contest. He said that the team’s depth and playmaking abilities will make the Raiders a contender for the SAC title.
“It was good to play in the fall league because we were able to build our chemistry and we know how to all play together,” McLaughlin said. “Every game will need us to bring unlimited energy and we all get each other really hyped up.
“Everyone on this team can control the ball so that helps me out,” he added of the depth. “We can run the floor and a lot of guys can score the ball. I’m excited for my senior season.”
Other players returning with some varsity experience are juniors Xavier Collazo and Deshon Watson, as well as sophomore guard Dakota Chavis. All three were instrumental in Richmond winning the 9 Dime Fall League championship.
Looking to contribute will be freshmen Paul McNeil and Jamarion Wall, two players Pettigrew expects to make a splash.
“PJ had a good scrimmage with 19 points and we’re expecting a lot out of him,” Pettigrew said of McLaughlin. “Nygie will do what he does, and they are both guys who have been with this program since they were sophomores.
“Dylan is playing with a lot more confidence, scoring the ball, defending and rebounding. He’s been more of a vocal leader for us. Paul is probably one of the top five in his class right now and he’s a shooter that comes around only once in a while. Jamarion is another freshman who will be tough and isn’t afraid in the moment.
“Dakota can get to the rack and shoot it, Xavier does a great job hustling and Deshon will contribute for us,” Pettigrew added. “CJ is back and healthy, and Travis is athletic and gives us another 6-6 guy in the post.”
For Lewis, adapting to a shortened season has been a challenge, but he said the key will be for the Raiders to rely on one another.
“We are used to playing 24 or 25 games, so this year will be different,” he said. “There won’t be a lot of fans or a lot of energy, so we’ll have to go into every game with good energy with our teammates.
“We talk about playing for Jalen and we’re trying to make the best out of this season,” he continued. “This team is really dedicated and we feed off of that and I hope I can do what I can do to help the team win.”
The Raiders, along with all other teams in the state, will be required to wear masks during games. There will be no jump balls to start games, mask breaks will be given throughout the game and spectators will be limited to just 25 fans.
“Adjusting to the masks is more of a mental thing,” Stroman explained. “It’s harder to breathe, but once we get over it mentally, we should be good to go. I’m just happy to have a season and I think we are really strong. We gel together really well and we should be able to win a lot of games.
“We can spread the floor on offense and we’ve worked really hard getting better at defense,” he added. “The new Dr. Dish machine has really helped us become a better shooting team. From start to finish, if we don’t let up at all, we can win the conference championship.”
Richmond will have to contend with SAC foes Lumberton and Pinecrest high schools, both of which have claimed the last two conference titles, respectively. Pettigrew didn’t discount rival Scotland High School, and said the shortened season with no non-conference games could make for a competitive slate.
“I tell them that I’m glad that we get to play, especially our seniors,” Pettigrew closed. “We are going to play 14 games and have to have a fast start. Hopefully we can make the playoffs and we’re making no excuses about this season.”
Helping Pettigrew out this season will be assistant coaches Frank Harrington, Maurice McLaurin and Tony Terry. Richmond will open its season on the road at Purnell Swett High School on Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Note: a full roster will be made available shortly.
