Holly Springs’ dream basketball season comes to end in loss to Richmond in East 4A final

Holly Springs and Richmond provided the 2,300 spectators who filled every seat in a packed Lee County High School gymnasium highlight after highlight Saturday in the teams’ N.C. 4A boys’ basketball East Regional final.

In a tough end to what has been a dream season for Holly Springs, the Golden Hawks, their flight ended with a 69-61 loss to the Raiders.

Holly Springs (26-6) erased a nine-point deficit after the first quarter and pulled within one at halftime. The Golden Hawks took a one-point lead (54-53) on Collin Kuhl’s layup that opened fourth-quarter scoring, setting up a thrilling finish.

“They were physical. Credit Richmond for playing really well,” Holly Springs coach L.J. Hepp said. “It made it hard for us to get the ball into Collin.”

Kuhl had six points in the final period, during which the Golden Hawks scored just nine. Richmond’s Jamarion Wall (14 points, four 3-pointers), himself, scored nine points on three 3-pointers in the final quarter.

The first of those trifectas put the Raiders ahead 56-54. Kuhl tied the game at 56, but Wall answered with three more. Holly Springs turned over a subsequent possession when Richmond’s Paul McNeil (an N.C. State commit) stole an inbounds pass and drove to the other basket for a dunk and 61-56 lead the Raiders held to the finish.

“We just know that we have to stay focused,” said McNeil, who finished with a game-high 27 points (four 3-pointers). “We know what it takes to win.”

So, too, does Richmond coach Donald Pettigrew. The Raiders’ win secured the program’s first state final berth since back-to-back championship game appearances in 1996 and 1997. Pettigrew was a starter on those teams. Still, Pettigrew said he sought to do everything possible to alleviate any pressure.

“If we go, we go. If we don’t, we don’t,” Pettigrew said was his postseason message about reaching the state final. “We’re trying to build memories, love each other, and just have each other’s backs all the time.”

Hepp had nothing but praise for Richmond, and his own players.

“That’s a very deserving opponent to advance to the state championship game,” Hepp said. “There’s no reason to hang their heads.”

Micah Jones led Holly Springs with 22 points. The Raiders’ Julien Cole added 11 points (10 with two 3-pointers in the second half) for the victors.

Richmond (28-2) will meet Myers Park for the state championship on Saturday, March 11, at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.. The Raiders fell to the Mustangs, 78-37, on November 22. That game was played before McNeil returned to his native Richmond.

The Raiders, winners of 21 straight, have not lost to a North Carolina school since the Myers Park outcome.

This story was originally published March 4, 2023 at 9:38 PM.