The Richmond women’s basketball team not only closed out the regular season with a win on Senior Night, but also reached a school milestone in the process.

The 2008-09 Lady Raiders tied the 2004 team for the most Mid-Southeastern Conference victories in a single season with nine after breezing to a 62-44 over Hoke County Friday at Raider Gym.

“It’s a great accomplishment, and I’m pleased with what this team has accomplished so far this season,” Lady Raiders coach David Laton said. “I’m happy for our three seniors (Patrice Legrande, Shaniqua Flowers and Abril Stroman) to be part of this turnaround.”

The win improved Richmond to 13-6 overall and 9-5 in the MSEC. The conference tournament seeding is still up in the air after Jack Britt knocked by Scotland. The loss by Scotland caused a three-way tie for second between Richmond, Jack Britt and the Lady Scots.

According to Laton, the seeds for the conference tournament with be decided on Sunday afternoon.

Coming into the Hoke contest, several of the Lady Raiders were battling illnesses, including Stroman. She didn’t allow it to affect her play, as she scored a game-high 16 points, including seven straight during one stretch in the first quarter.

Stroman’s first quarter play helped the Lady Raiders race out to a 23-15 advantage into the second period.

“I felt bad, but it was Senior Night and knew I had to step up and help my team win,” Stroman said.

The Lady Raiders added to its advantage in the second quarter to take a 34-25 lead into intermission.

After the Lady Bucks cut the deficit to 34-27, Stroman and LaShey Brown responded. The duo helped Richmond score the next six points to increase the lead to 40-27 with under five minutes remaining before the fourth to put the game away. Brown finished with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Flowers drained a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left in the third period to give Richmond a 50-31 lead to close out the quarter. Flowers finished with 10 points as every player on Richmond’s roster scored in the win.

The Lady Raiders finished with an 8-2 record at home and head into conference play riding a two-game winning streak.

“It’s good to head into the tournament playing well and having some momentum,” Laton said.

The Lady Raiders play in the first round of the MSEC tournament on Tuesday with the opponent to be determined.

Raiders win home finale

The Richmond men’s basketball team have struggled during conference play, but the Raiders continued its mastery over Hoke.

The Raiders were 2-8 against the rest of the Mid-Southeastern Conference, but swept the Bucks this season, including Friday’s 70-38 rout on Senior Night.

Richmond defeated Hoke 58-40 on Jan. 16, but the 32-point triumph in the regular season finale was the largest margin of victory this year.

“No doubt about it, this was by far our best game this season,” Raiders coach David May said.

Harold Sellers was one of seven Raiders’ seniors playing their last game and scored 13 points.

“We didn’t play well against Seventy-First, and we wanted to redeem ourselves,” Sellers said. “We wanted it more with this being the last game for some of us. It was a good way to go out in style.”

Senior Emerson Quick came off the bench to score a season-high 15 points, while senior Scooter McDonald netted 12 points.

Richmond (9-15, 4-10) jumped out to a 9-1 lead, and Brian Love’s steal and layup at the buzzer helped the Raiders take a 13-6 advantage into the second to ignite the offensive fireworks.

The Bucks were only able to cut the deficit to five points the rest of game as Richmond raced out to a 32-19 lead at halftime.

The Raiders continued the onslaught in the third quarter, outscoring the Bucks 21-6 to take a 53-25 cushion into the fourth on Quick’s 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“Our guys came out with a lot of emotion, and the effort was through the roof,” May said. “This was by far the best we shared the ball and the hardest we played all season. We talked at halftime at shutting the door closed in the first four minutes of third, and we were able to do that.”

The Raiders will play either No. 3 Pinecrest or No. 2 Jack Britt in the first round of the conference tournament at Jack Britt High School on Monday.

JV Lady Raiders close

out perfect season

RAEFORD — The Richmond women’s junior varsity basketball team finished off its perfect 17-0 season with a 61-51 victory over Mid-Southeastern Conference foe Hoke County on Friday.

Rasheda McNeil scored a game-high 26 points, while Shaquitta Covington netted 17 points.

JV Raiders win OT thriller

Richmond closed out its season with a 80-79 overtime victory over Hoke County.

The JV Raiders finished with a 9-10 record. Devonte Lindsey led the way with 18 points, while Darius Wall called up from the Ninth Grade Academy team scored 12 points. Antonio McNeil and Anthony Keane both scored 10 points.

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