RHS VS NORTH CENTRAL PREVIEW

Richmond will get a real test Friday night when they travel to Indianapolis to play the Panthers of North Central.  The Panthers lost to Pike in their opener 82-77 with Freshman guard  Eron Gordon scored 31 in the loss.  RHS coach Joe Luce says Pike may be the best team in the state and North Central took the Red Devils to the brink of a possible upset.

Richmond didn’t get tested in their first game beating an outmanned Northeastern team 95-34 in a game not as close as the score may indicate.  The Red Devils hit on 19 three pointers and shot the ball as well as any Richmond team I have seen in 23 years especially in the first game of the season.  One thing you have to like about Richmond is the teams’ ability to score at will and in many ways.  Not only can they shoot the three but they can score in transition off of missed shots and they can score off their defense and in the half court. 

RICHMOND GUARD DAVIOUS WEBSTER

But remember, this will be a different animal Friday night.   North Central is ranked 7^th in 4A and beat Richmond last season behind Purdue recruit Ronnie Johnson’s 31 and Iowa recruit Pat Ingram scoring 20.   Eron Gordon has already received an offer from Tom Crean at Indiana so you know he is special.  They will be quick, play with speed and will be as athletic of a team as Richmond will see all season.  Joining Gordon will be post player Darius Latham (IU football), Perry Poindexter, Chandler Rowe and Wade Stallings.  All are athletic and play big inside. 

Richmond forward Abdul Shabazz told me during practice Thursday that the Red Devils will have to stay even with North Central in the rebounding department because of their size and the lack of size for Richmond.    Richmond will be in the spotlight Friday night.  Many of these players haven’t played on this platform before.  How they respond early may be the key.  Will Richmond get caught up in the distractions?  Will they be able to play at the same pace as North Central?   They will have to  if they plan on walking out of there with a win.  

RICHMOND FORWARD ABDUL SHABAZZ

A side note for Richmond…Guard Joel Okafur has his right wrist wrapped during practice Thursday.  He told me he fell on it during practice Wednesday.  He says it doesn’t bother him and will be ready for the game Friday.  During shooting practice Thursday, Okafur wasn’t shooting as well as I have seen this season so I am not so sure that wrist is bothering him more than he is letting on.