Richards rolling

The Richards High School varsity boys’ basketball team has been on a roll this season.

Under first-year head coach Justin Bane, the team had a 17-5 record as of Thursday. “It’s probably the best team Richards has ever had,” assistant coach Bill West said.

The Panthers placed third in the North Zulch tournament and won the consolation bracket in the Cypress Christian tournament. Senior returnee Josh Barrett was named to the all-tournament team at the latter.

“The boys have been working extremely hard during practice and have been giving max effort during games,” Bane said. “They are showing excellent work ethic and love being in the gym.”

West credited Bane for the team’s impressive start. “He’s a very good basketball coach,” he said. “He works the boys hard and trains them well. He’s made a big difference in the quality of the team.”

The Panthers have a balanced offensive attack that has been energized by the addition of transfer Darrell Lovings. “He’s a very good athlete and has really contributed,” West said.

Lovings and Barrett have been the squad’s “most consistent players with both of them averaging over 20 points a game,” Bane said.