SANFORD — A double-overtime victory is how the Richmond Senior High School junior varsity boys’ basketball team started its season Tuesday.
Thanks to some clutch shooting late in the fourth quarter, coupled with quick scoring in the second overtime period, the JV Raiders defeated Southern Lee High School.
Erasing a halftime deficit, the JV Raiders powered themselves to a 69-59 win following the two four-minute overtime periods.
Trailing by two possessions late in the fourth quarter, freshman TJ Watkins hit a three-pointer with 1:01 to play to pull Richmond within two points 49-47.
Following one free throw on two attempts by the JV Cavaliers, Richmond used the remaining 36.7 seconds to set up the game-tying shot. Taking that shot was sophomore Kerick Hairston Jr., who hit a triple at the buzzer to send the game to overtime tied at 50 points.
Richmond led 54-51 early in the first overtime, but Southern Lee scored five points to go ahead 56-54.
Sophomore Devin Haynes knotted the score at 56 points with a layup with 40 seconds remaining. Neither team scored in the time left, forcing a second overtime.
This time the JV Raiders scored quickly again and didn’t relinquish the lead. Sophomore JaVeion Littlejohn, Hairston Jr. and Haynes each hit a layup to break the tie and put Richmond ahead 62-58 with 1:59 on the clock.
Haynes connected for the next three points, making a free throw before adding a shot under the bucket.
Icing the win were two baskets in the final 12 seconds, one each from Littlejohn and sophomore William Bryant, to make it a 10-point lead.
Three players scored double digits in the win — Hairston Jr. (23 points), Haynes (18 points) and Bryant (10 points).
Other scorers were Watkins (7 points), Littlejohn (5 points), sophomore Xander Chavis (4 points) and freshman Jazari Dawkins (2 points).
The JV Raiders (1-0) will return to the court next Tuesday at home against non-conference Scotland High School. The game will start at 6:30 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Game information provided by head coach Travis Byers and Kisha Murray.
