ROCKINGHAM — The continued never-give-up attitude by the Richmond Senior High School boys’ basketball team, along with the addition of a strong post player Tuesday, helped the Raiders keep their winning streak going.
Recording their sixth straight win after winning just one of their first eight games, the Raiders returned to the .500 mark with a home victory.
Hosting Union Pines High School to continue Sandhills Athletic Conference action, Richmond defeated the Vikings 66-48.
Junior Terande Spencer made his season debut for Richmond after recovering from an injury following football season. The big man finished with a game-high 18 points in his first outing and muscled his way to numerous rebounds in the paint on both ends of the floor.
Spencer shot 8-of-15 from the field, including a three-pointer in the fourth quarter.
With the added physicality from Spencer, Richmond was able to spread the floor and exploit the Vikings’ defense. Eight players scored for the Raiders, including double digits from junior Jayden Hamilton (12 points) and senior Ahaiver McDonald (11 points).
Sophomore Chance Crowder had nine points in the win, senior Davion Ingram scored six points and juniors Amer Morrison and Domonic Tillman both had four points. Adding a bucket senior Keyonta Davis.
The Raiders and Vikings traded buckets for much of the first quarter, ending with Richmond ahead 15-11. Davis opened the scoring with a jumper and Crowder scored the Raiders’ next four points on a three-pointer and a free throw.
Hamilton sank a three-pointer to extend the lead 9-4 near the midway point. Tied 9-9, Richmond started a 6-2 run to end the quarter.
Tillman made a shot underneath and Spencer, who entered off the bench, made a pair of shots from close range following two offensive rebounds.
Richmond used a 20-4 run in the second stanza to build a 35-15 lead at halftime. Using its transition game, Richmond scored the first 12 points before going on an 8-4 stretch.
A layup from McDonald was followed by consecutive fastbreak buckets from Ingram. Hamilton was responsible for the next four points on a layup and a tip, and Tillman powered up from down low for his final basket of the game.
After a basket for the Vikings made it 27-13, McDonald scored four of Richmond’s next eight points. Hamilton made another run through the paint for an easy bucket and Spencer brought his first-half total to six points with a shot in the final minute.
Union Pines (9-5, 1-2 SAC) outscored Richmond 19-15 in the third quarter. Spencer and Crowder each had four points for the Raiders.
Early in the quarter, Hamilton and Morrison scored a basket apiece from close range. McDonald tallied three more points on a basket and a free throw.
Leading 50-34 at the start of the fourth quarter, Richmond spent much of the final period slowing down the tempo and running out the clock.
Recording his final eight points, Spencer made a pair of field goals, a free throw and then connected on a wide-open triple from in front of the Raiders’ bench.
Ingram contributed the only other field goal in the fourth for Richmond. McDonald kept the lead in double digits with two free throws, while Crowder, Hamilton and Morrison each tacked on one shot from the line.
The Vikings were led in scoring by Jaylen Kyle (11 points) and Kingsley Donaldson (9 points).
The Raiders (7-7, 2-2 SAC) will travel to Lee County High School (6-6, 2-1 SAC) Friday for another conference contest. Scheduled for 7:30 p.m., the game may be moved due to the potential of inclement weather.
