ROCKINGHAM — Setting the tone during the first half of Tuesday’s game, the Richmond Senior High School boys’ basketball team was able to get back in the win column against a conference opponent.
Following last Friday’s road loss to Jack Britt, the Raiders notched their second Mid-South Conference win in three tries this season on their home floor against Hoke County High School.
Thanks to a trio of double-digit scorers, Richmond defeated the Bucks 62-53.
Senior Jayden Hamilton led the team with 14 points, netting 12 points in the opening two quarters.
Sophomore Donovan Jones scored all of his 13 points between the second and third stanzas, and senior Amer Morrison had 11 points, including seven points before the break.
Spreading the scoring around, six additional Raiders helped in the win. Junior Chance Crowder netted nine points and freshman Cam’ron Coley added five points.
Scoring three points each were sophomore Kerick Hairston Jr. and freshman Jimmy Tillman. Senior Domonic Tillman and junior Eric Legrand finished with one field goal apiece.
The Raiders led 14-4 after the first quarter and entered halftime with a 32-16 advantage.
Hamilton had his first seven points in the first eight minutes, sandwiching two field goals around the first of his two three-pointers in the game.
Morrison began his night with a triple and added a bucket for five points. Coley helped make it a 10-point lead with a basket.
Outscoring the Bucks 18-12 in the second quarter, Richmond padded its lead going into the locker room.
Jones entered the scoring column with eight points in the quarter, connecting on a trio of field goals and two foul shots. Hamilton brought his first-half total to 12 points when he made one more field goal and three-ball each.
One basket apiece from Morrison and Crowder, along with a Coley free throw, gave the Raiders a 16-point lead at the half.
Both teams scored 15 points each in the third, with Jones again leading the scoring effort for Richmond. He made his final two field goals and tacked on another free throw.
Hairston Jr. contributed a three-pointer to maintain the double-digit lead, and Jimmy Tillman scored all of his points on a basket and a later free throw.
A bucket each from Crowder and Domonic Tillman secured a 47-31 lead entering the fourth.
The Bucks (7-9, 1-2 MSC) would try to rally late but Richmond’s defense held them at bay. Hoke County did, however, outpace the Raiders 22-15 in the final eight minutes.
Five players combined to score in the quarter for the Raiders, led by Crowder’s final five points. He had a field goal and a three-pointer.
Morrison chipped in two baskets, while Hamilton, Coley and Legrand each made one field goal.
Next for the Raiders (12-5, 2-1 MSC) is another home conference game Friday against conference leader Overhills High School (10-7, 3-0 MSC). Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Game information and statistics provided by head coach Donald Pettigrew.
