GASTONIA, N.C. — The Raider basketball team didn’t bring home the Ashbrook Holiday Hoopfest title like it did last week in the Anson Shootout, but it managed to close out the three-day tournament with its second consecutive win.
Squaring off against No. 6 Hickory Ridge High School, the No. 7 Raiders won their fourth of five games over the two holiday break tournaments, ending their trip to Ashbrook High School with a last-minute 58-57 victory over the Ragin’ Bulls.
The night previous, sophomore point guard Patrick McLaughlin netted seven points in double-overtime to lift the Raiders past Berry Academy. Though overtime wasn’t need against Hickory Ridge, a clutch free throw by junior center Jarvis Tillman in the closing minute proved to be the difference maker.
“It was a back-and-forth game tonight,” Richmond head coach Donald Pettigrew said following the game. “Our young guys really stepped it up. Quamir Sivels stepped up and and got us 12 points, and he hit three big shots down the stretch.”
The 12 points for the junior guard were the most he’s had in a game this season, as Sivels had 10 of those points in the fourth quarter. He drained four field goals and added two free throws ahead of Tillman’s game winner.
Tillman was the only other Raider to make it to the double-digit scoring mark, as he matched Sivels’ 12 points. The big man netted seven points in the first half, a field goal in the fourth quarter, but no points were bigger than the three shots from the charity stripe.
The Raiders finished the first quarter with a 15-10 lead, as six different players hit buckets, including a quarter-high four points from senior forward Xavier Pettigrew. The Ragin’ Bull responded with 22 points in the second quarter to take a 32-31 halftime lead.
Richmond held a 57-54 lead with 11.8 seconds left in regulation, but a untimely foul by senior shooting guard Rod Newton sent Hickory Ridge’s Jordan Marsh to the line with a chance to tie the game. Prior to his free throws, Marsh had 10 points on the night.
Pettigrew and company watched as Marsh tallied all three shots to tie the game. On the next Richmond possession, Tillman got the ball and was fouled, sending him to the line for the ultimate game-winning bucket.
“PJ (McLaughlin) was big for us the whole tournament,” Pettigrew said. “He controlled the game so well. As a guard, he didn’t turn the ball over and that helped us (win two games).
“The guys are learning how to play close games and finish them,” he added. “We were able to make plays down the stretch. Going 2-1 is good for us, and our only loss came to (Hunter Huss High School) the second place team. Our confidence is up.”
Newton and Pettigrew each finished the night with eight points, while sophomore Nygie Stroman tacked on six more.
Entering the holiday break, the Raiders had an unsatisfactory 1-5 overall record. But following their title at Anson and their fifth-place finish at the Ashbrook Holiday Hoopfest, they now sit at 5-6 with a renewed freshness heading into Sandhills Athletic Conference play following the break.
Xavier Pettigrew, who had the team’s most points in any game of the tournament with 21 against Berry, was awarded a spot on the Second Team All-Hoopfest Tournament team. He was the only Raider to make it, and was joined by Deaven Lowery (Huss), Tyler Fearne (Hickory Ridge), Maurice Brown (Berry) and James Dotson (Ashbrook).
The Zebulon B. Vance High School Cougars took the Hoopfest crown, defeating Huss 75-42 behind a crushing defensive effort in the championship game.
Richmond will be back in action at home on Friday, Jan. 4, as they look to win their first SAC game of the year. Tip off against Jack Britt High School is set for 7:30 p.m.
