Three Rivers’ Lamar Wilkerson was named the NJCAA Men’s Division I Player of the Week after leading the Raiders in scoring during a historic opening run to the season.

This was the first time in Raider history where they scored at least 100 points through their first four games. The record-setting start ended Wednesday with 83 points against Saint Louis CC.

“That’s fun. Playing high-scoring and pressing and fast is fun for fans. I don’t know if it means a lot more than that, but it is fun for fans and fun for players,” Three Rivers coach Brian Bess said. “That’s what I wanted to play, and (assistant coach Bryan Sherrer) has helped me implement, and so far it has been fun.”

The 1972-73 team scored 100 points in three of its first four games, as did several high-scoring rosters in the 90s.

The 91-92 championship team scored at least 100 in three of its first four, averaged 105.3 points through four games and 95.3 for the season but won its season opener 86-81 against Oakland (Mich.).

The 92-93 team did pretty much the same thing. It scored 77 points in its season-opening win and averaged 100.3 through four games.

But en route to a 32-2 season, those Raiders averaged 99.94 points for the season, with Belvis Noland leading the team with 20.7 points per game. They scored at least 100 points in five of their first six and at least 90 in 12 of 13 to open the season.

The 96-97 team opened the season with 256 points through two games, then scored 98 and 97 to average 112.8 through four games. It would score 100 points another 10 times and averaged 95.16 for the season.

Through four games, Wilkerson was averaging 26.3 points on 52.1% shooting, 46.9% on 3-pointers, and 94.1% on free throws to go with 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

“It’s a blessing for sure. I just have to keep progressing from here,” said Wilkerson, who initially committed to Division II school before joining the Raiders. “Our chemistry, everybody being on the same page and us trusting each other. Us being able to move the ball and run transition. Everything’s been going good.”

He entered Wednesday second in the nation in points per game behind only Mario McKinney’s 28 points.

When the Raiders lost to John A. Logan, then the top-ranked team in the country, 121-117 in double overtime on Jan. 28, McKinney finished with 52 points on 17 for 23 shooting while Wilkerson was got 28 points on 8 for 19 shooting.

Wilkerson has scored at least 22 points each game this season and had a season-high 30 on Saturday in a 103-91 win at No. 24 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

With that win, and perhaps a boost by a close loss to John A. Logan, the Raiders cracked the top-25 this week and are ranked 24th with 48 points.

Mineral Area, which beat John A. Logan, has risen to 11th, while Moberly Area has fallen out of the top 25 but is receiving votes after initially being ranked 21st in the preseason poll.

While Wilkerson’s season and college career are both in their infancy, it’s worth reiterating that he’s averaging 27.4 points after finishing with 32 points on Wednesday.

The Raider record holder, Latrell Sprewell, averaged 26.6 in 40 games as a sophomore and 22.9 over 65 games in his Three Rivers career for 1,488 total points.

Jentri Worley (Neelyville HS) played five minutes and got two assists, a rebound, and a free throw for Murray St. in a 77-58 win against Tennessee St. on Jan. 28.

After getting blanked two games in a row, Hannah Thurmon (Dexter HS, Three Rivers College) had five points in 11 minutes for Montana in a 70-60 loss to Montana State on Saturday. Despite shooting 2 for 16 in her past three games, Thurmon is averaging 5.2 points and 2.5 rebounds for the season, roughly in line with where she’s been for most of her junior season.

Hayden Sprenkel (Three Rivers College) scored six points over 31 minutes with an assist and a steal for Missouri Valley in an 80-77 loss to Baker (Kan.) on Monday.

Jordan Little (Three Rivers College) had three assists and a rebound in 18 minutes for Union in a 64-57 loss to West Alabama on Friday. Union won a rematch 58-48 Saturday, and Little had eight points and two assists.

Kiley Bess (Poplar Bluff HS) played three minutes for Saint Louis in a 65-50 win against St. Bonaventure on Friday.

Scott Borkgren - Daily American Republic