Both of Anson’s varsity basketball teams lost their games to Richmond on Wednesday night, with Richmond taking the game with a 43-point gap.
Anson led the game for the early minutes, but Richmond tied them 6-6 early in the first quarter and pulled ahead from there. By halftime, the Raiders were already ahead 59-29.
The Raiders kept their lead throughout the game, finishing the third quarter 85-41. Halfway through the third quarter, the Raiders had a 40-point lead that signaled the start of a running clock.
The Bearcats lost to Richmond 92-49.
Micheal Kirby contributed 11 points for Anson, while Jatheria Coppedge made 10.
“Richmond has a very good basketball team and had 35 turnovers, which is key,” coach Brandon Rains said. “They scored most of their points that way.”
Rains said he is trying to get his team focused on the next game.
“I told the guys to have a short memory of this game and to get back to practice,” he said.
Anson will play at Chesterfield High School at 6 p.m. Friday and will face Forest Hills at Anson High School at 7 p.m. Saturday.
“We’ve played both teams and feel well-prepared,” Rains said. “I felt well-prepared for this, but they got subbing in and out. I guess we got a little winded. The guys will just have to go out and execute the game plan.”
GIRLS
Although Anson started out ahead, leading by up to 22-11 in the second quarter, the Raiders began to catch up in the third quarter.
The the two teams battled for the lead through the fourth quarter, when Richmond pulled ahead. With just over 5 minutes left on the clock, Richmond’s Zelda McLaughlin made a layup that gave Richmond its 55-50 win over Anson.
“We got off to a good start but had a letdown,” coach Crystal Trull said. “We didn’t execute plays like we should have. This is kind of a rebuilding year for us. We want to build up the program and give the kids confidence.”
Trull and assistant coach Patty Livingtson said they will have their team work on listening and being more aggressive for future games.
Calvinia Bennett made 18 of the points for Anson, while Brianna Bayseck made 12 for Richmond.
The team will play at Chesterfield High School at 6:30 p.m. Friday and at home against Forest Hills at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.
