LAURINBURG — The Richmond Senior High School junior varsity boys’ basketball team wasn’t able to even its series with Scotland High School Friday.
In another close game with the JV Fighting Scots, the JV Raiders lost the non-conference game 64-57.
Sophomores Xander Chavis and Devin Haynes, two of the team’s regular leading scorers this season, were atop the scoresheet again Friday. Chavis finished with 16 points and Haynes added 15 points.
Sophomore JaVeion Littlejohn and freshman Jazari Dawkins each had seven points and freshman Zakai Wilson scored five points.
Other scorers were freshman TJ Watkins (4 points), sophomore Zymere Gillespie (2 points) and freshman Samir Smith (2 points).
Richmond trailed 18-11 after the first quarter but pulled within two points, 28-26, to go into halftime.
Chavis had the majority of the team’s scoring in the first, netting seven points on two field goals and three free throws. Haynes and Watkins each scored their first two points.
A 15-10 run in the second stanza made it a two-point deficit at the half. Dawkins led the charge with all seven of his points on three buckets and one shot from the line.
Littlejohn and Haynes each scored three points. Netting one field goal apiece were Chavis and Gillespie to close out the half.
In the third quarter, Haynes connected on a three-pointer and a field goal for five of his 10 second-half points.
Chavis made a free throw and a bucket and Wilson got on the board with a three-ball to keep Richmond within seven points at the start of the fourth.
Richmond’s highest-scoring quarter was the fourth, which saw the team score its final 19 points, but it wasn’t enough.
Haynes scored another triple and a field goal for his final five points. Chavis and Littlejohn both added four points, and Smith, Watkins and Williams each scored two points.
Head coach Travis Byers said the JV Raiders “turned from team ball to me ball” late in the game, which he said prevented Richmond from getting the win.
The JV Raiders (1-2) will host Hillside High School Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Stats and game information provided by head coach Travis Byers and Deon Cranford.
