ROCKINGHAM — This season is begining to look a lot like the one before for the Richmond Senior boys tennis team.
At the midway point last year, the Raiders were 6-3 overall and 3-2 in Southeastern Conference play and earned an at-large berth to the 4A dual-team state playoffs.
This go-around, Richmond is 5-3 and once again 3-2 in the SEC following its 9-0 victory over rival Scotland Thursday afternoon. The Raiders dropped just two sets in the match.
The win against the Fighting Scots capped a tough stretch for the Raiders against what Richmond coach Paula York called “three of our toughest competition.” Richmond went 2-1 versus East Montgomery, Pinecrest and Scotland.
“After a disappointing loss on Tuesday, it was a great way to finish the week,” York said. “The guys played hard every point and continued to hustle. We didn’t let up whether we were winning or losing.”
In the No. 1 singles contest, Colt Auman downed Jacob Blackman, 6-3, 6-3. Andrew Balzer rolled past Walker Davis, 6-1, 6-3 and Brandon Ingram breezed to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Carter Dold. Logan Deese claimed a 7-5, 6-4 win against Victor Still in the sixth singles match.
The closest matchups were at four and five. John Pittman rallied to defeat Robert Beacham, 5-7, 7-6 (7-0), 10-1, while Gary Boyette edged Stone Phillips, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 10-7.
Richmond rolled in doubles as well. Balzer and Ingram stopped Blackman and Davis, 8-4. The team of Auman and Pittman remained undefeated on the season with a 6-2 victory over Dold and Beacham. Boyette and Deese downed Phillips and Still, 8-4.
“Scotland is a young team like we are,” York said. “It is good to get back to winning. Both of our (conference) losses were disappointing. We could very easily be 5-0.”
Richmond will return to the courts 4 p.m. Tuesday when it plays host to Lee County. The two teams were scheduled to face off earlier this season, but the match was canceled.
Richmond girls track takes second
PEMBROKE —The Richmond Senior girls track team finished second behind Pinecrest in a three-team Southeastern Conference meet Tuesday afternoon at Purnell Swett.
Asiana Douglas took first in two events — the long jump and triple jump. CeCe McDonald captured the 100-meter dash besting teammate Tia Smith. Richmond’s 4x100-meter relay team of Dominique Ingram, Brianna Everett, Keyshawn Jones and McDonald came in first.
— Sports editor Shawn Stinson can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 14, or by email at sstinson@civitasmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.
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