CHAPEL HILL — Getting back to the postseason was never a doubt for the Richmond Senior High School boys’ basketball team this season.
Even though the team lost seven of its first eight games, the Raiders and head coach Donald Pettigrew expected to be in contention for a conference championship and a return ticket back to the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs.
Thanks to a strong run through Sandhills Athletic Conference play, which ended in Richmond tying Southern Lee High School for the conference title, the Raiders will have a first-round playoff game Tuesday.
Securing that home game was also aided by Richmond securing the SAC’s 4A automatic bid to the postseason.
The NCHSAA finalized its playoff brackets around 7 p.m. Sunday and Richmond received the No. 8 seed in the 4A East bracket. The Raiders will host No. 25 South View High School in the opening round.
While they may not be ranked as high as they have been the past two seasons, which resulted in trips to the state championship (2023) and regional championship (2024), the Raiders are hoping to make another strong run through the postseason.
The No. 8 Raiders (15-9) will host the No. 25 Tigers (16-10) Tuesday, two teams that match up similarly on paper.
Richmond finished tied for first in the SAC standings with a 9-3 record, while South View took third in the United 8 Conference with a 10-4 record.
Averaging 65.1 points per game, the Raiders will match up with the Tigers who have averaged 66.6 points per game this season. On the other side of the ball, Richmond is allowing 60.3 points per game to South View’s 60.6 points per game.
Both teams lost two of their final five games of the season, although Richmond was on a 13-game winning streak before losing to Pine Forest High School Feb. 12.
One advantage that may work in the Raiders’ favor this season is their 7-1 record on their home court. The Tigers have gone 8-6 on the road this season.
Entering the playoffs, the Raiders are led in scoring by a trio of double-digit scorers — senior Ahaiver McDonald (13.3 PPG), junior Jayden Hamilton (12.7 PPG ) and senior Keyonta Davis (10.6 PPG).
Leading scorers for South View this season include senior Antrell Gilmore (17.1 PPG), senior Demarcus Spearman (9.6 PPG) and junior Yabniel Cheveres (9.5 PPG).
The playoff game between the two teams will be the first time they’ve met on the hardwood since the 2009-2010 season, which resulted in a 66-56 win for Richmond.
Tip-off for Tuesday’s first round game is slated for 7:30 p.m., following the completion of the No. 3 Lady Raiders’ first round game against No. 30 Heritage High School.
