By squaring off against one another, Laney and Hoggard aparently prepared one another for the State Tournament.  Photo: Eric Bartsch

The Hoggard girls’ basketball team defeated Clayton 58-50 on Monday night in the first round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs.  

The Vikings (19-8) kept up their winning ways after winning the conference championship last week.  They have now won five games in a row and will travel to undefeated Durham Hillside on Wednesday night for a second round game at 7:00 p.m.  Hillside won their first game of the States 90-20.

Laney rebounded from their loss in the conference championship game and posted a first round win Monday night as they topped Durham Riverside 41-39.   

As the top seed from the Mideastern Conference, the Bucs, now 20-6, will be rewarded with a second round home game against Greenville Rose which finished second in their conference.

New Hanover was defeated by Apex in their opening round game 74-55.