The New Hanover girls basketball team showed no signs of rust after a 10-day break as the Wildcats grabbed a season sweep over West Brunswick following a 67-5 victory at Brogden Hall on Monday.
With the win, New Hanover improved to 6-1 in conference to remain tied atop the division standings. The Wildcats also moved to 13-5 overall. The four Wilmington schools are all within one game of first place in the Mideastern Conference.

“It’s always good to get a win in conference especially at home,” said New Hanover Coach Vertha Dixon-Wright. “We spent the last week at practice getting back to fundamentals, working on defense and used a few different schemes tonight.”
Sophomore Amani Muhammad put in a season best 20 points, with six steals and four assists. Classmate Essence Newkirk earned the start for the home side as three different players finished in double figures. The sophomore chipped in with 14 points and six rebounds, while Ayonna Cotten drained a pair of triples to finish with 13 points.
The Trojans went 1-for-20 from the floor during the opening 16 minutes of play. Natyra Gore sank a three-pointer from the corner to get within one after New Hanover scored the game’s first four points, but a 15-foot jumper from Cotten sparked a 10-0 run. Muhammad closed the push with a steal and coast-to-coast lay-in for the 14-3 advantage. An assist from Cotten to Elizbaeth Criner for a short jump shot as the Wildcats maintained a double-digit lead after the first quarter.
New Hanover outscored West Brunswick 30-0 during the second stanza to close a dominating first half of action, which forced a running clock through the second half of action.
The Wildcats get back in action with a trip to Hampstead for a date with Topsail on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
W. Brunswick 5-0-0-0=5
New Hanover 16-30-10-11=67
Hoggard 54 Topsail 14
Coming off their first loss in conference late last week, the Hoggard girls basketball team controlled tempo from the opening tip en route to a 54-14 win at home against Topsail.
Senior guard Emma Haywood led all scorers with 16 points for the Vikings. The senior captain went 4-for-5 from beyond the arc as Hoggard shot 49 percent from the field, converting on 24 of 49 attempts.
Hoggard kept pace in the division, improving to 6-1 in conference and 15-4 overall. The Vikings entertain South Brunswick on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
Ashley 49 South Brunswick 34
Dana Craig recorded a double-double with 14 points and 18 rebounds to help Ashley grab a 49-34 road win at South Brunswick.
The Screaming Eagles held serve in the division and remain one game out from the division’s top spot. Ashley moved to 5-2 in conference and 8-8 overall. Carly Baron added 10 points and Serenity Williams finished with eight.
Coastal Christian 37 Fayetteville Academy 35
The Coastal Christian girls basketball team picked up another huge conference win following a 37-35 over Fayetteville Academy.
After trailing the entire game until four minutes to go, the Centurions rallied down the stretch to improve to 5-1 in conference and 12-6 overall. Abby Parker had 10 points in the win.