The Richmond Ninth Grade Academy Green boys’ basketball team played its third game of the week on Thursday, and the contest against Hoke County provided more drama than an Academy Award nominated picture.

After the Green team rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take the lead, the Bucks managed to send the game into overtime. Richmond recovered in the extra frame to edge Hoke 63-62 in a wild affair at Rockingham Middle School.

The difference in the contest was at the free throw line. Richmond had 32 attempts from the line, compared to Hoke’s seven.

The Raiders went to the line 20 times in the final quarter and overtime combined . Jesse Simpson, who finished with a game-high 20 points, was 9-for-11. Justin Gleen added 15 points and drained the game-winning foul shots with seven seconds remaining in OT.

“The Hoke coach felt the game was lopsided, but I’ve been part of some games where I felt the same way,” Green team coach Jay Jones said. “I glad that we came out on the other end this time around. It was my birthday, and this was the present I wanted them to give me.”

Richmond (6-6) went into the fourth trailing 43-33, but started its comeback on the defensive end. The Green team forced nine turnovers took its first lead at 50-49 with 1:24 remaining on Glenn’s steal and layup.

According to Jones, the defense was lacking in Monday’s 55-40 loss to Pinecrest., but returned in the team’s 48-44 win over South View on Wednesday.

“I told the boys after Monday that we simply have to play better defense, which meant hands in the passing lanes and challenging shots,” Jones said. “That Hoke team was much more athletic, but the boys wanted it and I’m glad that we didn’t run out of gas.”

The Green team will play host to Purnell Swett on Monday at Rohanen MIddle School.

Girls team wins

The Richmond Ninth Grade Academy Green girls’ basketball team has been stingy on the defensive end allowing only 41 points in their last two wins, including Thursday’s 50-20 rout of Hoke.

On Wednesday, the Green team downed South View 43-21.

Richmond nearly blanked Hoke in the first quarter until the Lady Bucks hit a 3-pointer just before the end of the period. The Green team forced 13 turnovers in the first.

“Before Wednesday, we were on a two-game losing streak, and we had to get back to our style of playing solid defense,” Green team coach Phillip Waddell said. “We fine tuned our press, and the girls got back at doing what they were taught to do.”

Tiara Ellerbe hit two 3-pointers and scored nine of her game-high 13 points in the first half. Jacqua Brown netted 10 points in the win for the Green team (7-2).

“I know we’ve got a good inside game with Jacqua, but I’ve been wanting us to stop dribbling the ball around and shoot,” Waddell said. “We started the season shooting it well, and we got back to that as well. Tiara Ellerbe did an excellent job running the point. She likes to get everyone involved, but she got us going with her scoring.”

The Green team will face Purnell Swett Monday at Rohanen Middle beginning at 5 p.m.

Gold team

victorious

LUMBERTON — The Richmond Ninth Grade Academy Gold girls basketball team stayed undefeated, and improved to 10-0 with a 56-31 victory over Lumberton.

Deshantia Bell scored a game-high 22 points, while Taylor Diggs grabbed 17 rebounds to go along with seven points.

The team plays Purnell Swett on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Contact sports reporter Corey Davis at 997-3111, ext. 44; e-mail cdavis@yourdailyjournal.com