ROCKINGHAM — Junior teammates Patrick McLaughlin and Nygie Stroman have been named to the 2019-2020 All-Sandhills Athletic Conference boys’ basketball team.
Usually announced following the final conference team to be eliminated during the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4A state playoffs, this year’s squad was announced amid a statewide suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Before the NCHSAA canceled the state championship games, which were supposed to be played over the weekend, fellow SAC opponent Lumberton High School was slated to play North Mecklenburg.
Stroman, a 6-7 power forward, earned his second career selection, also having been named following his sophomore season. For McLaughlin, who had a breakout winter at point guard, it is the first time he’s made the all-conference roster.
The announcement for Stroman followed up another postseason accolade, seeing him placed on the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association’s All-District 8 second team last week.
“It’s a great honor knowing that everyone is taking notice of my game,” Stroman said to ROSports. “I feel like the work that I put in individually and with my teammates during the offseason really helped take my game to another level.”
Stroman was Richmond’s leading point scorer this winter, averaging 14.8 points per contest. He also netted 20 or more points in five games, etching a career-high 29 points against Independence High School in the second round of the playoffs.
McLaughlin grew in his role as the team’s floor general during his second varsity season, becoming a reliable ball handler and assists leader. Throughout the season, McLaughlin averaged a team-best 3.7 assists per game, while averaging 7 points per contest.
His highest scoring performance came against Hoke County High School in a 57-51 win on Jan. 7, which saw him land 14 points.
McLaughlin proved to be clutch late in games against Red Springs and Butler (in the playoffs), putting in 10 fourth-quarter points and nailing two game-winning free throws, respectively.
“I’m honored to be chosen for the All-SAC team, and I’m able to cross off a goal on my list,” McLaughlin said. “What helped me was working hard every day in the gym to get stronger and faster.
“I can’t forget my teammates and coaches,” he added. “They made sure they stayed on me so that I could be a good captain to the team.”
The junior duo was a big part of Richmond’s success this winter, helping lead the Raiders and third-year head coach Donald Pettigrew to a 20-9 overall record, the most wins in a season since the 2016-2017 slate.
Stroman and McLaughlin also guided the Raiders to their second straight third-place finish in a very competitive SAC.
“PJ is like a little brother to me, and we have a great relationship on and off the court,” Stroman said of McLaughlin. “We’ve been playing basketball together since we were five, and him being my cousin only makes our chemistry even stronger.
“He’s a great teammate,” he added. “And PJ is a leader on the court. He played a huge role in the success we had this season.”
Lumberton High School’s Jordan McNeill was named “Player of the Year,” while Pinecrest High School’s Ben Snyder earned “Coach of the Year.”
The Patriots had a team-high four players named: Bradlee Haskell (POY runner-up), JJ Goins, Will Bode and Dillon Drennan. Lumberton added three more names behind McNeill in Jadarian Chatman, Charlie Miller and Michael Todd.
Both Richmond teammates will look to use the spring and summer to prepare for their final high school season.
“This award motivates me knowing other people have recognized how different of a guard I was this year than last year,” McLaughlin closed. “I only want to get better from here.”
