P.J. McLaughlin has been named the Daily Journal Athlete of the Week for Jan. 20-25.
McLaughlin is a two-year starter at the point guard position for the Richmond Senior boys basketball team.
He played a pivotal role in the team’s 2-0 record last week.
During last Monday’s tilt with Red Springs at the Martin Luther King Classic, the Raiders were down six points midway through the fourth period when McLaughlin dropped 10 of his 15 points to pace the 57-51 win.
“I had to sit out the beginning of the fourth with four fouls and I saw my team wasn’t scoring,” said McLaughlin. “So when I got in, I just tried to play smart and just help my team get the win.”
The junior guard put in another 15 points in a blowout win at Purnell Swett on Friday, including two of the team’s season-high 10 3-pointers.
McLaughlin says the scoring outburst in Pembroke, especially during the third quarter where the Raiders outscored the Rams 26-7, was much-needed for his confidence as well as the team overall.
“To see the ball go through the hoop, it just boosted my confidence more. And for us to get that big win, we needed that because we were struggling really bad,” said McLaughlin.
Richmond coach Donald Pettigrew has battled through frustration with his group’s inability to score before last week’s hot streak and says his veteran lead guard is a big part of the turnaround.
“How he’s been playing this year has been big for us,” Pettigrew said of McLaughlin.
“He’s just been consistent all year for us and that’s what we need. And we especially need one of those point guards that can take us on one of those deep runs.”
The Raiders can take a giant step towards a postseason run with a victory at conference-leading Pinecrest on Tuesday.
“Just take it game by game and get these wins that will help us get home-court advantage for the playoffs,” said McLaughlin.
Below are McLaughlin’s responses to a list of fun questions asked by the Daily Journal staff.
1. Who got snubbed as a starter for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game?
McLaughlin: Russell Westbrook (Houston Rockets).
2. What’s your favorite Kobe Bryant memory?
McLaughlin: I just liked how he encouraged people…and told us to just forgive people in life.
To hear more from McLaughlin and Pettigrew, watch this short video.
