The Hoggard boys and girls basketball teams closed a two-game road swing to start the season with a trip to Leland on Wednesday and the Vikings cruised to a pair of victories over North Brunswick.
Hoggard 70 North Brunswick 50
A.J. Frye put in a game-high 16 points and six different players hit at least one shot from behind the arc in a 70-50 victory.
With Hoggard leading by one midway through the first period, the Vikings went on a decisive 17-0 run over a seven-minute stretch to gain a 25-7 advantage. Frye dominated in the paint for 12 points in the first half, while Jack Bagley hit four treys in the ballgame.
“I thought we made an improvement from last week to this week,” said Hoggard Coach Brett Queen. “I was really pleased with our effort through the first three quarters. We were much more active and aggressive on the defensive end and liked our pace offensively.”
Patrick Morrison tallied 15 points in the win, while Mitch Layton had 12 points to pace the Scorpions.
Hoggard stayed efficient on the offensive end of the floor to grab a 34-16 lead at the break. The Vikings improved to 2-0 and play host to East Carteret in their home opener on Friday, Dec. 4.
“Hunter Louthan and Patrick Morrison gave us some minutes tonight to help our post guys,” Queen added. “We can be really good offensively, but we’ve got to make sure that we’re working to get those good shots.”
Hoggard 60 North Brunswick 29
North Brunswick committed 27 turnovers in the girls’ game as nine players found the scoring column for Hoggard.
Emma Haywood went 8 of 10 from the floor and closed with a game-high 18 points. Freshman Blair Barefoot chipped in with 15 points, while Aleah Thompson and Keeley Britt added seven points apiece.
“Our signature is on the defensive end of the floor,” said Hoggard Coach Boubacar Aw. “I thought we were lazy defensively tonight and we are going to be playing a lot of defense at practice tomorrow.”
After Unique Hines hit 1 of 2 from the free throw line to put North Brunswick on the board early in the first quarter, the Vikings went on a 6-0 spurt thanks to a pair of steals by Tara Poteat. Both turnovers transitioned into points and Mia Boone found Thompson on the next possession to make it a five-point lead.
Back-to-back buckets from Haywood and a jumper from the elbow by Keeley Britt made it 15-5 after eight minutes of play. Britt and Thompson combined for 12 rebounds in the result. Thompson also had four blocks and four steals.
Hoggard had a 26-10 advantage at the half and outscored North Brunswick 16-7 in the third quarter to put the game away. Barefoot hit 4 of 6 from the field and went 4 of 5 from the free throw line.
“I think some of our younger players have grown up a lot over this past year and I like our depth,” Aw said. “We’re able to get other players in the game and they understand nobody is entitled to playing time. They have to earn that time and I think the girls are working hard. We have balance.”
The Vikings (2-0) entertain East Carteret on Friday. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. followed by the boys.
Other scores
West Brunswick 47 South Columbus 29 (girls)
West Brunswick 50 South Columbus 28 (boys)
