HOGGARD CAN’T STOP NEW HANOVER

Both local rivals came into Friday night’s meeting in Brogden Hall undefeated in Mideastern Conference play, but achieved their 4-0 league records using different strategies.

New Hanover has used their size while Hoggard has used their shooting.Friday’s clash started out with each team trying to establish their style of play. New Hanover got the ball down low to their seven foot center, Ty Walker, who scored New Hanover’s first two baskets, while Hoggard benefited from three pointers from Griffin Leuke and Zack Allen to take a 6-4 lead.

New Hanover played some of their best half court defense of the season, putting great pressure on the ball, and after the Vikings executed a lovely backdoor basket, the Wildcats used a 9-0 run to assume a 13-8 lead at the end of the quarter.

Based on their up-tempo styles of play, what seemed like it would be an up-and-down game with plenty of offense, wound up being a tough nosed half-court battle.

Hoggard, who always seems to have great focus on defense, dug in and didn’t let New Hanover get their first hoop of the second quarter until the 2:28 mark. After narrowing the margin to 18-15, Hoggard’s Griffin Leuke hit a three pointer just before the buzzer evening the score at halftime.

Coming out of the locker room, New Hanover went on a 10-2 run and opened up the game’s biggest lead, eight points, 28-20. But there was no quit in the Vikings and after two Ryan Abrams baskets, Hoggard showed that they weren’t going away.

But up 30-27, Jermaine Jones brought the Wildcats fans to their feet with a steal and break away dunk. While Logan Cain hit a three to cut the score to 32-30, it was the closest the Vikings would get.

The fourth quarter was full of intensity, but not a lot of scoring. After the Jones dunk, each team seemed to really be bringing it at one another, but Hoggard could not score late and had a untypically tough night from the floor. They ended the night 11 for 48 (23%) and after hitting their first two three pointers, made just 3-24 from beyond the arc from there on out.

Hoggard head coach Brett Queen told the Cape Fear Sports Report, “I thought our kids did an incredible job on the defensive end. We rebounded well and did not turn the ball over. I was also happy with the shots we got. They just didn’t fall. But I was extemely proud of our kids for the way they played. They were disappointed because our goal was to win, not just to keep the game close.”

Despite the fact they hauled in more offensive rebounds than the much taller ‘Cats and only turned the ball over eight times, they couldn’t overcome their poor shooting. While the Vikings struggled with their jumpers, New Hanover continued to get the ball down low, with Nick Becton doing most of the damage. While Hoggard struggled from the field, the Wildcats shot over 50% from the floor, as they were able to score close to the basket.

The 6′8″, 290 pound Becton led the Wildcats with 12 points, while Jackiel Moore, who transferred from Hoggard, scored 11 against his former mates. Ryan Abrams was the only Viking in double figures, as he finished with 12 points.

Both teams return to the court on Tuesday. New Hanover (15-2, 5-0) will play West Brunswick while Hoggard (11-6, 4-1) has a big league game against Jacksonville, who like the Vikings, have just one loss in league play. According to Coach Queen, “Jacksonville is extremely talented. They don’t have a seven-footer, but they have several guys in the 6′4 to 6′6 range. They rebound well and run the floor well so it will be a challenge for our guys. I’m confident that we will be focused in practice on Monday and we will be ready to go on Tuesday.”

LANEY - ASHLEY

Meanwhile, on the south side of town, Laney rebounded from their loss to one Wilmington rival by beating another. After suffering a loss at Hoggard, Laney went down to Ashley on Friday night and got back on the winning track by defeating the Eagles 66-56. Ashley has had a difficult season and it continued on Friday night as they were handed their third straight loss since their 48-44 win over West Brunswick on January 4.

The Eagles (4-13,1-5) return to the court on Friday when they play at Jacksonville and Laney (9-6, 2-3) will host White Oak on Tuesday and then step out of conference on Friday when they play at Pender.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The New Hanover girls basketball team looked like they were ready on Friday night for their big game with Hoggard, but in the end it was the Lady Vikings that came out on top.

The Lady Wildcats jumped out to a 10-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended their lead to 14-8 early in the second quarter. However Hoggard used an 11-0 run capped by a Danielle Bongiorno basket to take a 19-14 lead which they would extend to 23-16 going into the halftime intermission.

New Hanover held Hoggard to just four points in the third quarter, but could only muster five points of their own, but were in the game, 27-21, as the teams entered the final period. And from there, it was all Vikings.

Hoggard outscored the Cats 16-0 to open the fourth quarter and they extended their lead to 43-21, before coasting to the 47-29 win. Shelby Goerne led Hoggard with 13 points while Chanel Davis added 12. Kiarra Brewster, 8, and Morgan King, 6, paced New Hanover.

The Vikings (10-6, 3-2) have alternated wins and losses for some time and will look to get a winning streak going as they face Jacksonville on Tuesday while the Wildcats (8-8, 2-3) face West Brunswick.

Laney 47, Ashley 25

The Lady Eagles held a lead into the second quarter against Laney Friday night, but the Lady Bucs ran away with the game from there on out. With the win, Laney remains unbeaten in conference play at 5-0 and now have an impressive 12-3 overall record. Ashley fell to 4-13 overall and have a 2-4 record in Mideastern Conference play.