If there was any doubt in your mind that the Richmond Red Devils are for real, ask the Marion Giants.
The Red Devils traveled to Bill Green Arena on Friday, Dec. 8, and easily defeated longtime North Central Conference opponent Marion by the score of 82-62.
The ‘Devils took a 25-13 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. The Giants were unable to contain the high-octane Richmond offense. Mason Carpenter and Cedric Horton were especially effective, combining to score 52 points.
Marion head coach James Blackmon was not around to see the second half: he was ejected just before the start of the third quarter.
Horton led the Devils with a game-high 29 points. Carpenter scored 23 points and Ryder Cate added 10 points. Braiden Hogg scored 8 points in his season debut in a Red Devil uniform.
Jaymen Townsend led the Giants with 24 points. Amar Rogers scored 12 points and Tim Jones scored 10 points.
Richmond (3-0, 1-0 NCC)
Zion Deloney 3, Carpenter 23, Cate 10, Hogg 8, Julien Smith 5, Gavin Haynes 2, Deante Smith 2, Horton 29 -Total 82
Marion (2-2, 0-1 NCC)
Jones 10, Logan Barnes 7, Lukias Warner 3, Townsend 24, Tusi Jackson 3, Rashad Mccullum 0, Jace Freshwater 3, Rogers 12 – Total 62
A version of this article appeared in the December 13 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.