SANFORD — A tight back-and-forth game came down to the wire for the Richmond Senior High School boys’ basketball team in its first game of the season Tuesday.
Able to erase a halftime deficit, the Raiders and head coach Donald Pettigrew earned a season-opening win on the road at Southern Lee High School.
Completing the three-game sweep over Southern Lee, including both junior varsity teams, Richmond used timely free throws and a pivotal three-pointer late in the game to earn a 66-61 non-conference victory.
“The boys played so hard tonight,” Pettigrew said. “We knew Southern Lee had a couple games under their belt and we had some first game jitters. We settled in and we did a lot of growing up in the last two minutes.
“It was just one of those games that was back and forth and full of runs all night for both teams. But the guys dug in and found a way to finish it out. I’m proud of all the guys and was pleased to see a full team effort to get our first win.”
It was a productive night for senior shooting guard Jayden Hamilton, who splashed down a single-game career-high 31 points. Dialed in, Hamilton netted six three-pointers, six field goals and one free throw.
With his first career 30-point game, Hamilton surpassed his previous career-high of 28 points, which he scored against Lee County last season.
Seven other Raiders found the bucket in the win, including 10 points from senior Amer Morrison, all of which came in the pivotal second half.
Senior center Domonic Tillman had eight points, followed by five points from freshman Cam’ron Coley in his high school debut.
Sophomore Donovan Jones had four points, juniors Chance Crowder and Josiah Brewington each scored three points, and freshman Jimmy Tillman added two points.
“Jay played so well and just let the game come to him,” Pettigrew said. “He has the ultimate green light to shoot the ball. He was really efficient tonight and didn’t force his shots.
“Jay got some key offensive rebounds for us in the fourth quarter that helped out a lot,” he added. “He’s been a true leader as a senior. Amer did a good job, too, and it’s always good to know we have a player out there who is like another coach on the court.”
Both teams got off to a slow start, with Richmond leading 14-8 after the first quarter. Southern Lee used a scoring run in the second quarter to take a 24-20 lead at halftime.
Hamilton had three of his three-pointers in the first half, including two in the opening stanza to help give Richmond the early lead.
A close high-scoring third quarter saw Richmond outscore the Cavaliers 23-20 and cut their deficit to 44-43 entering the final eight minutes.
Hamilton was responsible for the majority of the Raiders’ scoring in the third, connecting on five field goals and another three-ball for 13 points. Morrison and Domonic Tillman each had four points to keep Richmond close.
With the game tied at 56 points with 2:41 to go in the fourth quarter, Jones was fouled and went to the line. He sank both free throws to give the Raiders a two-point lead, an advantage that held the rest of the game.
Adding to the lead with his final three-pointer of the night, and second of the quarter, Hamilton connected from downtown with 1:31 to go to extend the lead to 61-56.
Coley completed an old-fashioned three-point play with 44.3 seconds left in the game and added another field goal to help seal the deal. Netting his final six points in the fourth quarter, all on field goals, was Morrison.
The Raiders (1-0) are set for their home opener Friday against non-conference Westover High School (2-3). Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. after the Lady Raiders’ home opener at 6 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Game information provided by head coach Donald Pettigrew and Kisha Murray. The Richmond varsity girls’ basketball team didn’t play Tuesday.
