ROCKINGHAM — Zion Baldwin, a junior basketball player, has been named the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
Richmond’s boys’ basketball team went 2-0 last week and won the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament. Defeating Pinecrest High School, the Raiders also clinched the top seed in the NCHSAA 4A East state playoffs.
A two-year varsity player, Baldwin served as a strong presence in the paint and on the boards during the Raiders’ two conference wins, helping him earn his first career recognition.
Athletic Profile
Age: 16
Birthday: April 4, 2005
Year: Junior
Winter Sport: Basketball
Position: Forward
Height & Weight: 6-2, 180 pounds
Years on Varsity: 2 years
Experience: 6 years
“ON THE BOARDS” WITH ZION BALDWIN
After finishing the regular season tied with Pinecrest as conference co-champions, the Raiders needed to win the SAC tournament to punch their ticket as the top seed in the playoffs. A pair of wins over Union Pines and the Patriots achieved that.
The Raiders opened the tournament in the semifinals with a 70-55 win over the Vikings on Wednesday. Baldwin had 6 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. His first two points came on a layup in the opening quarter.
Baldwin added four points in the second half, scoring on an inbound pass in the third and netting a baseline drive in the fourth. He also battled down low with Union Pines’ center Isaiah Robbins to collect his six boards.
Two nights later, Baldwin recorded 12 points and had double-digit rebounds in a 69-50 victory over the No. 2 Patriots. He scored the Raiders’ first points of the game off the glass and registered a putback in the second.
Netting 8 points in the second half, Baldwin had two free throws and a transition layup in the third. His biggest play of the night was a breakaway dunk with 2:18 left in regulation, which put Richmond up by 13 points.
Prior to the jam, Baldwin recorded two shots from the free throw line.
No. 1 Richmond (23-1) will open the state playoffs at home Tuesday against No. 32 Green Hope High School (10-15). Play will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Through 24 games this season, Baldwin is averaging 6.7 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Zion Baldwin (10) shoots the ball over Colby Wallace (20) in Friday’s SAC tournament championship. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
RAPID RESPONSES WITH ZION BALDWIN
ROSports: What was it like to win the SAC championship against a tough Pinecrest team? How do you think your play helped the team win?
Baldwin: “It was really big for the team. We wanted to get revenge after the loss to them (in January) and get our face back. When we beat them, we were really happy as a team. That win helped us get ready for the playoffs.
“I think I was big on rebounding the ball and helped the team get a lot of second-chance points. When I was getting rebounds, I was able to get some easy putbacks or kick it out to help other guys knock down shots.”
ROSports: What has allowed you to be successful in the paint scoring and rebounding this season?
Baldwin: “My jumping ability has helped, and the coaches have really helped me every day to get better at boxing out. Coach Frank (Harrington) has been teaching me what to do after getting the rebound, and Coach (Derrick) Wiley has been working on big man drills with me.
“I’m very aggressive in the paint, and am more thoughtful with my outside and mid-range shots. If they’re there, I’ll take them, but I also drive the ball well. And I’m a hustler who can play the whole game to help the team.”
ROSports: The Raiders are the No. 1 seed in the 4A East playoffs. What are some of the team’s expectations?
Baldwin: “It means a lot for us to be the top seed. As a team, we need to keep going and get better because we know we’ll see tougher opponents in the playoffs. Our expectation is to win the state championship.
“We want to build better chemistry, be sure to make extra passes and not play selfishly. And we want to treat one another as brothers because we’ll always have one another even after basketball. We’re excited for the playoffs.”
