ABERDEEN — The Richmond Senior High School boys’ bowling team earned wins in two of its three matches Thursday.
In what was the Raiders’ only three-match Sandhills Athletic Conference meet of the season, it was also senior night.
Richmond recognized its five senior bowlers — Jabari Douglas, Ahjujuan Ewing, Dazion Moseley, Landon Summerlin and Landon Taylor — prior to the start.
Richmond faced Union Pines, Hoke County and Scotland high schools, earning a pair of victories over the Vikings and the Fighting Scots. That marked the third win against Union Pines this season and the first against Scotland in three tries.
“A couple of our seniors have been with the program longer than I’ve been the coach,” head coach Chris Larsen said. “Those guys have put a lot into this team the last three or four years and I appreciate all they’ve done to help us get better.
“Senior night is always a special occasion and all of our seniors have been instrumental in our success this season,” he added. “Getting two wins was helpful today, especially the one against Scotland. It showed we can compete with anyone in our conference.”
Following Thursday’s meet, the Raiders have 34 points in the SAC standings.
Pin count decides win over Union Pines
Starting the meet against Union Pines, the Raiders split the four games before using the final pin count to earn a 3-2 win. Game scores were 126-136, 160-132, 137-154 and 180-168 for a final count of 603-590.
Closing 24-of-46 frames as a team (52.2%), the Raiders rolled 14 strikes and 10 spares, while averaging a game score of 150.8 pins.
Douglas, who had his best meet of the season, led the team with an .880 closing percentage. He bowled four strikes and three spares in his eight frames.
From the anchor position, Summerlin wasn’t far behind, closing 11-of-14 frames (79%) with six strikes and a season-high five spares.
Adding to the win were Ewing (one strike), Taylor (one strike, one spare) and junior Owen Hancock (two strikes, one spare).
Raiders edged in loss to Hoke County
Also splitting their four games with the Bucks, Richmond suffered a 3-2 loss by coming up six pins short. The Raiders won games two (174-141) and four (209-167) but lost 655-649.
Averaging 162.3 pins per game, the Raiders had 16 strikes and nine spares. As a team, Richmond closed 25-of-43 frames for a .581 closing percentage.
Hancock took over to lead the team, closing 75% of his eight frames with four strikes and two spares. Taylor was second on the team with a .630 closing percentage, rolling three strikes and two spares.
Every Raider finished 50% or better against the Bucks. Summerlin (55%) had three strikes and three spares, while Douglas (four strikes) and Ewing (two strikes, two spares) both closed half of their frames.
Sweep of Scotland earns five points
For the first time in three tries this season, the Raiders defeated Scotland. Finishing a clean sweep of the Fighting Scots, Richmond earned five crucial points in a 5-0 win.
Game scores were 173-159, 214-189, 191-174 and 162-154 for a final pin count of 740-671. The final pin count was Richmond’s second-highest this season.
Douglas stayed in command and finished with single-match season-highs in strikes (5) and closing percentage (100%). He closed out the remainder of his eight frames with three spares.
Ewing was also dialed in for his best single match performance of the season, finishing 6-of-8 (75%) with a season-high three strikes to go along with three spares.
Hancock (two strikes, three spares), Taylor (two strikes, four spares) and Summerlin (seven strikes, three spares) all contributed to put the match away in Richmond’s favor.
The Raiders (6-7, 34 points) will wrap up the regular season Thursday at the Sandhills Bowling Center with their final two matches. Games will start at 4 p.m.
