ROCKINGHAM — Helping the Raider basketball team to another Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament win, Zion Baldwin has been named the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
Going 2-0 in last week’s conference tournament, Richmond defeated Hoke County and then Scotland High School to retain its crown. Over the weekend, the Raiders earned the No. 2 playoff seed in the 4A East.
Baldwin, who is a three-year varsity player, was a presence on offense and defense for Richmond, leading to his second career selection.
Athletic Profile
Year: Senior
Winter Sport: Basketball
Position: Center
Years on Varsity: 3 years
“ONTO THE PLAYOFFS” WITH ZION BALDWIN
Remaining the top team in the SAC, Richmond cruised past the Bucks and Fighting Scots to finish the season with a 14-0 mark against conference opponents.
Riding a season-long 16-game winning streak into the postseason, No. 1 Richmond cruised to a 79-50 win over No. 4 Hoke County in the semifinals.
Baldwin, who has accepted his role as the team’s center, had nine points and finished with seven rebounds to lead the team. He split his scoring with six points in the first half and added three more in the third quarter.
Part of an 18-5 run in the first quarter, Baldwin scored his first basket off the glass from mid-range with 2:42 to play. In the closing minute, he muscled up for another two points from down low.
At the 2:00 mark of the second quarter, Baldwin carved up the defense to lay in two more points, helping the Raiders take a 41-17 lead into the break.
Capping his scoring with another shot from under the hoop and a free throw, Baldwin’s final point made it a 33-point advantage.
Two nights later, Baldwin recorded a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) in an 86-71 win over Scotland. His first two points came in the first quarter as part of a 16-14 lead.
Baldwin’s biggest contribution in the win was his eight second-quarter points. He started and ended the quarter with a pair of old-fashioned three-point plays, and added a shot off the glass in the middle of the period.
Another bucket and successful and-on opportunity in the fourth quarter gave him his final three points.
Through 25 games this season, Baldwin is averaging 7.3 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game.
No. 2 Richmond (23-2) will host No. 31 Purnell Swett High School (12-13) on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the first round of the state playoffs.
RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO WITH ZION BALDWIN
In his interview, Baldwin talks about his productive week on the court, the upcoming playoffs, his first college offer and which player he’d most want to play 1v1.
The Richmond Observer will publish the Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week soon.