ROCKINGHAM — A three-game losing streak came to an end for the Richmond Senior High School junior varsity boys’ basketball team Wednesday.
Making up their game from the day prior, the JV Raiders ended the first round of regular-season play against Mid-South Conference opponents with a win.
Thanks to strong scoring in the second and fourth quarters, Richmond defeated Pinecrest High School 58-51.
Jimmy Tillman, who has played at the varsity level for much of the season, played Wednesday and led the JV Raiders with 18 points. Also reaching double figures with 13 points was Xander Chavis.
Richmond used other scoring performances from LaTavian Watkins (7 points), Devin Haynes and Zakai Wilson (5 points each), Zymere Gillespie and Ryder Spooner (4 points each), and Samir Smith (2 points) to notch the win.
Pinecrest led 9-8 after the first quarter. Haynes, Chavis and Gillespie each had a field goal, with Smith knocking in a pair of free throws.
An 18-9 run by the JV Raiders in the second quarter led to a 26-18 lead at halftime for Richmond, which proved to be the difference maker. Tillman scored his first eight points of the game in the quarter on three baskets and two free throws.
Wilson netted all of his points in the second thanks to a three-pointer and a field goal. Chavis had a bucket and a free throw, while Spooner and Watkins each hit one foul shot to extend the lead.
Both teams scored 14 points in the third quarter, which gave the JV Raiders another eight-point lead heading into the fourth. Tillman (two baskets) and Watkins (three-pointer, free throw) each had four points in the third.
Spooner’s final points of the game came in the third thanks to a foul shot and a bucket. Haynes made another field goal and Chavis connected on one free throw.
Pinecrest outscored Richmond 19-18 in the final eight minutes, but the JV Raiders didn’t give up the lead.
Chavis got hot from the field with a pair of buckets and a three-ball for seven points and Tillman capped his big performance with three more shots from the floor for six points.
Watkins and Gillespie each had two points in the fourth and Haynes netted a final free throw to help preserve the win.
The JV Raiders (3-8, 2-3 MSC) will start the second round of conference play at Pine Forest High School Friday. Tip-off is at 4:30 p.m.
