No. 1 New Hanover 68 No. 4 Laney 47
The New Hanover boys’ basketball team continued its run through crosstown opponents this season as the Wildcats picked up a 68-47 result over Laney on Wednesday night.
With the win, New Hanover advanced to the Mideastern Conference Tournament Finals, improving to 21-4 overall. The Wildcats are 13-0 against division teams this season.
It took New Hanover a few minutes to dust off the rust, returning to the floor for the first time in more than one week. Laney went up 7-0 early, but the Wildcats used a 15-3 push through the rest of the first quarter to grab a lead they would not relinquish.
Sophomore Malique Jacobs went 8 of 16 from the floor to finish with a team-high 18 points. Shaq Hampton added 12 points, while Freddie Taylor grabbed six steals.
New Hanover took a 36-27 advantage at the half and put the game away after the break to advance to Friday’s final against Hoggard.
Acchaeus Fields also pulled down six rebounds, while Blake Smith knocked down two treys to finish with six points.
Laney now awaits the tournament selection for the 4A state playoffs, which takes place on Saturday. The Wildcats get back into action on Friday in the Mideastern Conference Tournament Finals. Tip-off at Brunswick Community College is set for 7:30 p.m.
No. 2 Hoggard 46 No. 3 West Brunswick 41
Hoggard used a big push late in the first half to gain some breathing room as the Vikings held off a pesky West Brunswick squad in a 46-41 victory at Brunswick Community College on Tuesday.
With a one-possession advantage after the opening eight minutes of play, Hoggard used an 8-0 run in the second quarter to build a 21-13 lead at the break.
Patrick Morrison had six points in the first quarter to help the Vikings grab an 11-8 edge, while Xavier Johnson scored 13 of his team-high 16 points in the second half. A.J. Frye added 14 points in the win.
Xavier Gause had 11 points in the third period to pull the Trojans to within six heading into the fourth quarter, but the Vikings kept pace in the final frame to grab the five-point win. Gause led all scorers with 18 points.
West Brunswick saw its four game winning streak come to an end as the Trojans fell to 17-7 overall.
Hoggard has won eight of their last nine, with their only setback during that stretch coming against New Hanover in a 40-37 defeat on Feb. 5.
Finals at Brunswick Community College
No. 1 New Hanover (21-4) vs. No. 2 Hoggard (18-8) at 7:30 p.m.
