SEVEN STRAIGHT: Press defense ignites Raiders' running-clock win over Scots

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ROCKINGHAM — A month ago, during the throes of a 1-7 start to the season, Donald Pettigrew remained adamant that it was only a matter of time until the Richmond Raider basketball team found its new identity.

Two weeks into the new year, the Raiders are riding a wave of momentum that resulted in their seventh straight win Friday.

Ending a 10-day break between games, Richmond extended its season-long consecutive number of wins with its first running-clock victory of the winter.

Hosting Scotland High School to cap the first regular-season round of Sandhills Athletic Conference play, the Raiders utilized an effective press defense en route to a 65-29 win.

Eleven Raiders found the basket in the win, led by senior Davion Ingram (12 points) and junior Amer Morrison (10 points).

Senior Ahaiver McDonald and junior Jayden Hamilton both contributed eight points, while senior Keyonta Davis returned to full health and scored seven points.

Junior Terande Spencer chipped in five points off the bench and three Raiders scored four points — senior Ali Tyson and juniors Zamarion Robinson and Domonic Tillman.

Scoring two points was sophomore Chance Crowder and senior Tyshawn Harris netted a free throw to round out the scoring effort. As a team, Richmond shot 26-of-57 from the field (45.6%).

Ingram had the basket that made it a 40-point lead that started the running clock, scoring from close range with 2:21 to play in the third quarter.

Following the game, Pettigrew said the biggest change between early December and Friday’s win has been Richmond’s players’ ability to flourish in their new roles.

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Six players sprinkled the scoreboard in the first quarter for Richmond, which jumped out to a 20-10 lead after the opening eight minutes. Leading 12-10, Richmond closed the final 55 seconds on an 8-0 run.

Both teams took a while to find the basket, as Scotland took a 2-0 lead with 5:31 left in the quarter. Tillman answered with a transition bucket for the Raiders on the next run down the floor, which started a six-point stretch.

Crowder netted his two points of the game on a baseline jumper and Hamilton made a basket following a Scotland turnover.

Free throws from Tillman, a Spencer offensive rebound putback and a spin move from Hamilton in the paint later made it a 12-6 advantage. 

Scotland scored the next four points to pull within two points, but that started a scoring drought for the visitors that lasted 5:32 on the game clock spanning the first and second quarters.

Spencer ignited the high-scoring final minute with a move through the post. McDonald got on the board when he tipped the ball into the cylinder while collecting a rebound.

Ingram also got his scoring started with Richmond’s final four points thanks to an old-fashioned three-point play and another free throw.

The Raiders’ momentum carried over into the second, as they went on a 12-0 run to make it a 32-10 lead. McDonald and Ingram had all of those points for Richmond, scoring six points apiece.

Netting a trio of field goals was McDonald to give him eight points at the break, while Ingram scored two baskets and two free throws.

Ending Scotland’s scoring lapse was Jerrison Dixon with a field goal at the 3:44 mark of the quarter. 

Richmond continued to pour on the offense, capping a 20-5 second-quarter run to enter the half with a 40-17 lead. Hamilton and Davis had the next two baskets for Richmond on a reverse layup and a mid-range jumper, respectively.

Morrison and Tyson each scored a basket before the half, netting a baseline jumper and a transition bucket. Richmond’s largest lead of the first half was 25 points.

Continuing to use their press in the third quarter to force turnovers, the Raiders went on another scoring binge, this one a 20-4 run.

Hamilton started it with two free throws before Morrison scored his final eight points. He returned an offensive rebound for two points before splashing down a pair of three-pointers from in front of the Richmond bench to make it a 50-19 lead.

Five points from Davis featured a leaping basket on an inbound pass, a one-handed baseline jam and a free throw. Robinson scored his first two points after intercepting a pass near midcourt for a transition bucket.

Spencer capped his scoring with a free throw, and two possessions later, Ingram started the running clock.

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In the accelerated final stanza, Scotland outscored Richmond 8-5. Harris scored Richmond’s first point on a free throw.

Robinson and Tyson each followed with a drive through the paint for the Raiders’ final points.

Scotland (3-10, 1-5 SAC) was led in scoring by Tomek McFadden (eight points) and Dixon (seven points).

The Raiders (8-7, 3-2 SAC) are set to travel to Pine Forest High School next Thursday for the annual Jason Norton Classic. That game will get started at 8 p.m.

Sports editor’s note: Statistics provided by assistant coach Keith Parsons. The Richmond Observer will publish a photo gallery of Friday’s win over the weekend.

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