Both the Hoggard boys’ and girls’ basketball teams started conference play with wins over West Brunswick Tuesday night at Hebbe Gym.  Will Keistler, pictured, led the way for the boys with 20 points.  (Click image for box score.)

In the boys game, Will Keistler scored a career-high 20 points to lead Hoggard to a 70-44 win.  Logan Cain added 16 points and eight rebounds for Hoggard (4-2, 1-0) while Zack Allen scored 14.  The Viking JV team also defeated West Brunswick on Tuesday, winning 72-31 in Shallotte.

Hoggard jumped out to an early 7-2 lead and never trailed in winning their conference opener for the fourth consecutive year.  The win was also their 11th in a row over West Brunswick (2-5, 0-1).  The Vikings built a 13 point halftime lead by forcing 14 turnovers and getting three three-pointers from Allen.  For the game, Hoggard forced 25 West Brunswick turnovers while committing just nine of their own.  20 of the Trojans’ 25 turnovers were steals by Hoggard.  Keistler had five steals while Cain had four.

West Brunswick was able to cut Hoggard’s lead to 49-40 with around 6:30 remaining in the game, but the Vikings closed with a 21-4 run to seal the win.

Hoggard will be back in action on Saturday when they host Cary in an NCHSAA Endowment Game at 5:30 p.m. in Hebbe Gym.

In the JV game, Drew Combs led Hoggard with 21 points while Jovon Genwright added 17.  The JV’s are off until next Monday when they travel to New Hanover for a 6:00 game.

The Hoggard girls came out strong.  Their relentless scoring attack and stymieing defense helped them race out to a 31-9 halftime lead.

The Lady Vikes, paced by Katy Norris’ 14 points, never looked back and cruised to a 52-35 win.  Danielle Bongiorno and Hailey Black each scored nine points, while McKenzi Edwards and Shiyana Houser finished with six.

-Boys’ write up courtesy hoggardbasketball.com.

Photos: Rodney Williams