Ashley 60 New Hanover 54
Possession of first-place atop the Mideastern Conference was on the line Monday night at Brogden Hall as the Ashley Screaming Eagles grabbed its first win against New Hanover in five years. The garnet and gold built a double-digit lead at the break before holding off a second half surge by the Wildcats to pick up a 60-54 triumph.
Ashley remains unbeaten inside league play at 4-0 in the division and 10-5 overall. New Hanover dropped to 4-1 in conference and 13-4 this season.
The Screaming Eagles opened the game with a hot hand, building a 19-7 cushion after the first quarter. Three players finished in double figures for Ashley. Altavon Mack hit a team-high 16 points.
Trailing 32-21 moving into the second half, New Hanover used a quick 6-0 spurt to close the gap to four. The Wildcats pulled to within two with 2:50 to play in the third period as Ashley scored just six points during the eight-minute stretch.
With the Screaming Eagles in front 44-39, Mack drove the lane to extend the cushion and key free throws down the stretch held the New Hanover comeback attempt at bay. Daitreon Daye aided the winning effort with 14 points. Jordan Gagum added 11.
South Brunswick 50 Laney 47 (OT)
Three players finished in double figures for South Brunswick on Monday as the Cougars grabbed its first conference win following a 50-47 overtime victory against Laney.
The seesaw battle saw both teams go back-and-forth for much of the night until South Brunswick outscored Laney 4-1 in the extra frame. Brandon Gonzales paced the Cougars with a game-high 19 points. Jace McKenney and Xavier Williams chipped in with 11 points apiece. McKenney recorded the games only field during overtime.
Kareem Randolph sank two early treys to help South Brunswick build a 19-12 lead after the opening period. Laney erased the seven-point deficit to take a one-point advantage at the break as the game stayed within one possession for most of the second half.
The Bucs have now dropped three straight by a combined six points. Cam Sidbury and Chris Bennett had 11 points each for Laney as the Bucs fell to 1-3 in conference and 7-8 overall. South Brunswick improved to 1-3 in conference and 7-7 this season.
Laney 16-10-14-6-1=47
S. Brunswick 19-6-16-5-4= 50
West Brunswick 63 Topsail 52
The Trojans knocked down five treys in the opening eight minutes to build an early lead en route to a 63-52 victory at home against Topsail. Brandyn Parker led all scorers with a game-high 26 points.
West Brunswick moved to 3-1 in league play and 11-3 overall. Meanwhile, Topsail dropped to 0-5 in the division and 8-7 this season.
Nine different players found the scoring column for the Trojans. Parker sank three shots from long range during the first quarter to help West Brunswick build a 25-17 lead. Topsail battled back to make it a two possession game at the break, but the Trojans extended its cushion to 48-40 moving into the final period.
Bryce Ahrens added 10 points in the result. Parker went 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Caleb Bloodworth had a team-high 18 points for Topsail. Johnny Tartaglione chipped in with 15.
Topsail 17-14-9-12=52
W. Brunswick 25-8-15-15=63
Girls basketball
New Hanover 55 Ashley 33
New Hanover extended its win streak to seven straight on Monday night following a 55-33 result at Brogden Hall. Ayonna Cotten put in an all-around effort with 11 points, four assists and four steals.
The Wildcats carried a 15-8 advantage after the opening period and built a double-digit lead at the break. A relentless full court press by New Hanover played a key role in the win as turnovers plagued Ashley throughout much of the night.
The Wildcats remain tied atop the conference with a 5-0 mark in league play, 14-2 overall.
Laney 48 South Brunswick 33
Jenson Edwards scored 18 points to lead Laney in a 48-33 victory at South Brunswick. Lexi Melville added 16 points in the win. The Bucs moved to 2-2 in conference and 11-5 overall.
West Brunswick 34 Topsail 30
