CHARLOTTE — Another high-scoring game for the Richmond Senior High School boys’ basketball team Thursday ended in a close defeat.
Seeing their season-long losing streak reach five games, the Raiders came up short in a 90-83 decision at non-conference South Mecklenburg High School.
Despite the loss, a bright spot for the Raiders were two single-game career-high performances by senior Ahaiver McDonald and sophomore Chance Crowder.
McDonald finished with a team-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, while Crowder added 18 points with a 8-for-11 performance that included a couple of three-pointers.
The Raiders scored a season-high in points with the help of three more double-digit scorers — junior Amer Morrison (12 points), senior Keyonta Davis (11 points) and junior Jayden Hamilton (10 points).
Rounding out Richmond’s scoresheet were freshman Donovan Jones (5 points), senior Davion Ingram (3 points) and junior Domonic Tillman (2 points).
Similar to other losses this season, the Raiders were slow on both sides of the ball out of the gate. The Sabres (4-5) rolled out to a 36-22 lead after the first quarter.
Seven Raiders scored in the first, led by Davis’ five points on a three-pointer and two foul shots. Crowder and Hamilton each had four points, Jones netted his first three points and McDonald added a bucket.
Richmond entered the locker room at halftime down 49-35. Leading the team at the break in scoring were McDonald with nine points and Davis with eight points.
A 29-23 run by South Mecklenburg opened the Sabres’ lead to 20 points at the end of the third. Morrison’s six points on two treys and five points from McDonald paced Richmond.
The Raiders made a run at the victory in the final eight minutes, outscoring South Mecklenburg 25-12.
Crowder and McDonald both popped off from the floor, combining for 18 points. Sinking two buckets and two threes was Crowder, while McDonald made four field goals.
Richmond’s other seven points were courtesy of Morrison (four points), Hamilton (two points) and Davis (one point).
Richmond (1-7, 0-2 Sandhills Athletic Conference) plays at home Friday against Hoke County High School (4-4, 1-1 SAC). The game will start at 7:30 p.m.