ROCKINGHAM — The first full week of the new year brings with it the return of local high school sports.
While most of Richmond Senior High School’s winter sports programs enjoyed the holiday break, four of the five sports teams will continue action when classes resume on Tuesday.
Basketball teams set for busy week of conference play
The Richmond boys’ and girls’ basketball teams both played in tournaments over the holidays, and are now gearing up for a pivotal three-game week against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents.
Opening with a home game on Tuesday against Hoke County High School, Richmond’s teams will then travel to Pinecrest High School on Wednesday. The week will close with another home game against Union Pines High School on Friday.
The Raiders are 8-2 overall and 1-0 in SAC play, and will face the Bucks (4-10, 1-1 SAC), the Patriots (5-5, 0-0 SAC) and the Vikings (6-3, 1-0 SAC). Head coach Donald Pettigrew’s team hasn’t played since Dec. 17.
The Lady Raiders are 3-7 and 1-0 SAC and will compete against Hoke County (2-12, 0-2 SAC), Pinecrest (2-4, 0-0 SAC) and Union Pines (2-5, 0-1 SAC). A win on Tuesday would make it two in a row.
Opening each night will be the junior varsity boys’ team (6-1, 1-0 SAC) at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity girls at 6 p.m. and the varsity boys at 7:30 p.m.
Bowling teams to start second round of SAC schedule
Two other teams that have gotten off to a strong start this season are the boys’ and girls’ bowling teams, which will resume SAC action on Thursday in Laurinburg.
The Lady Raiders are 5-0 (22 points) and the Raiders are 4-1 (18 points). In their last outing on Dec. 15, both teams earned two wins and collected 10 points in the standings.
When they bowl this week, starting at 4 p.m., the Raiders and Lady Raiders will wrap up the first round of SAC play against rival Scotland High School.
That will be followed by another match against Southern Lee High School, which both Richmond squads defeated in the season opener.
Wrestling ready for SAC dual
Looking to build off of its best outing of the season, a second-place finish in the Grapple at the Grove tournament on Dec. 17, the Richmond wrestling program will also return to face SAC opponents this week.
Traveling to Southern Lee High School on Wednesday, the Raiders (7-6, 1-1 SAC) will battle the host Cavaliers and Union Pines on the mat.
It will be the first meeting with Southern Lee and the second time the Raiders have faced the Vikings, although the first SAC contest of the winter. Action will begin at 6 p.m.
Swimming dialed in for first meet of season
After a couple of scheduling setbacks this season due to pool conditions at St. Andrews University, the Richmond boys’ and girls’ swimming teams will open their season on Wednesday.
Head coach Mike Way and the Richmond swimmers will face other SAC schools in the first meet at St. Andrews. Events are slated to begin at 6:15 p.m.
Note: The Richmond indoor track and field teams do not compete this week and will return to action on Jan. 11.
