The 2009-10 Richmond Senior men’s basketball team has rejuvenated the program, and the Raiders seek to make the state playoffs for the first time in five years.

Richmond has failed to qualify for the state playoffs since the 2004 season, which was the last time the Raiders finished with a record above .500. The Raiders certainly have a chance to end those past failures: They are off to their best start in quite awhile at 11-3 overall, 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference.

Richmond has already won more games than a season ago, when it finished with a 9-16 mark. Raiders first-year coach David Laton has been pleased with the way the players have brought into the system.

“We’ve showed great improvement this season,” Laton said. “We’ve had long practices, which has helped in terms of improving our fundamentals. This team does a good job of playing team basketball.”

Laton added another factor that has contributed to the Raiders’ fast start has been the team’s ability to finish games. Richmond is 4-1 in games decided by seven points or less.

“We’ve learned how to win close games,” Laton said. “That’s shows we’ve done good under pressure and hopefully that will continue. I’m expecting a lot of games the rest of the way to be close.”

The Raiders’ longest losing streak this season has been two games, compared to seven a season ago.

“We’ve done a good job of bouncing back in games, and also coming back in a few others,” Laton said.

Last season, the Raiders had to incorporate five players off the football team onto the hoop squad. Tedarrius Wiley and Kasheem Reid are the only two players off the gridiron that have moved onto the hardwood this season. The core of the roster has been with Laton since the start of practice.

“Around here football is a positive and not a negative,” Laton said. “I think Tedarrius and Kasheem have done a good job of blending in and giving us good energy on the team. It certainly has helps to have many of these guys from the start understand what we wanted them to do.”

Richmond has been led in scoring by senior point guard Brian Love, who is averaging 22.0 points per game this season. According to Laton, Love has been a good leader.

“The thing that has impressed me about Brian is that he’s not about making the most points,” Laton said. “When he makes a mistake, it’s not because he’s not trying. He’s a hard worker and he certainly isn’t a lazy player. He told me, he wants the team to have a big year and go out as a winner.”

Laton added that senior swingman Anthony Keane has done a nice job in terms of giving the team rebounding, ball handling and shooting.

Laton added that senior guard Devontae Lindsey has emerged as a good playmaker, senior center Jide Reddick has improved his free-throw shooting and given the team a good shot blocker, junior forward Will Freeman has given the team a good offensive presence inside, senior guard Quinton Quick has made big plays in games and junior forward Deshawn Little has provided good minutes off the bench.

However, Laton said his team needs to improve in some areas.

“We need Will, Jide and Tedarrius to pick up their rebounding, and not just rely on Anthony to crash the boards,” Laton said. “We also need our guards to pick up some rebounds. We need to run our fast break better, which is a big part of our game. We also need to take more charges.”

The Raiders’ last seven games are all in the conference. Richmond stands second behind first-place Pinecrest in the SEC. Pinecrest is ranked eighth in the NCpreps.com basketball poll. with a record of 14-2 overall (3-0 SEC).

The two rivals meet in an important conference clash in Southern Pines on Friday. Richmond has won three of its last four games, while Pinecrest will come into the matchup on a four-game winning streak.

According to Laton, the Patriots spread the scoring around, as the team is led by senior Daquan Towns, who is averaging 13.1 points per game and James Baldwin, averaging 13.8 points a contest.

“They’re a veteran and deep team,” Laton said. “It’s going to be a huge challenge for us. Their team has had a lot of past success and been to the dance (tournament). Just like any game we play, the first thing we stress is playing defense and rebounding. We also have to shoot the ball well from the outside and play unselfish.”

Richmond understands a strong finish could lead to a chance at a conference championship. The Raiders only once won the now-extinct Mid-Southeastern Conference, in 2003.

“We know there are some good things that we can still accomplish,” Laton said. “But basketball is a long journey, and all I want us to do is concentrate on each game in front of us.”

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