CHAPEL HILL — Donald Pettigrew and his Richmond Senior boys basketball team are set to host a first-round playoff game for the second consecutive season as announced by the N.C. High School Athletic Association on Sunday.
The finalized NCHSAA postseason brackets have Richmond (19-8) as the No. 13 seed in the 4A West region, playing host to No. 20 Butler on Tuesday.
“Really good, man. I feel like we’re in a good spot,” said Pettigrew of a second straight trip to the postseason. “We just got to continue to get better and continue playing good ball.”
Pettigrew helped his alma mater to its best win total in four years, including a 10-2 home record.
Last season, Richmond defeated Hickory Ridge, 67-59, at home in the first round before falling to Independence on the road.
The current Raiders have won seven of their last 10 and made a run to the championship game of the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament, losing late to Pinecrest on Friday.
Forward Nygie Stroman leads the team in scoring and posted 26 points to pace a win over rival Scotland in the regular season finale. Meanwhile, starting guard Quamir Sivels has recently returned from an ankle injury and has led the Raiders in scoring the past two games, including a season-high 26 points in the semifinal win at Lumberton on Wednesday.
Butler (12-13) finished fourth in a competitive Southwestern 4A Conference that saw six teams make the state tournament field. The Bulldogs are coming off a loss to Porter Ridge in the league tourney on Tuesday.
Standout sophomore Patrick Wessler averages a double-double and leads the Bulldogs with 17.8 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. The 7-footer also boasts a team-high 3.1 blocks per game. Meanwhile, guards Jesse Taylor and Chastin Gatewood are capable scorers, averaging just over eight points per contest.
Tuesday’s tip from Rockingham is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The NCHSAA released the official state playoffs bracket on Sunday that included No. 13 Richmond Senior hosting No. 20 Butler in the opening round of the 4A West region on Tuesday.
