2021 Hoggard Holiday Classic Day 1 Boys Recaps

***The rankings by each area team come from the Coastal Preps Power Rankings***

No. 11 Ashley 50, East Bladen 43

***Click here to view a gallery of 21 photos from the action***

Senior guard Blake Lewis connected on three 3-pointers en route to a game-high 20 points to help the Screaming Eagles become the lone area team to come away with a victory on the opening day of action.

Ashley (2-5) held a slim led 17-15 lead after the opening quarter. The advantage grew to 30-25 at halftime.

During their five-game losing steak, the Screaming Eagles blew a pair of halftime leads. They were able to hold on Tuesday afternoon, which Lewis hopes is a sign of maturity for a relatively inexperienced team.

“That’s pretty much the first game all season we’ve been able to keep the momentum and not have to fight back into it,” Lewis said.

Blake Widenhouse also reached double figures with 13 points, while Coen Locklear added eight.

East Bladen (3-4) was led by Malcolm Bolden, who scored 15 points. Jacob Nixon hit three 3-pointers for his nine points.

Northern Guilford 59, No. 2 Hoggard 52

***Click here to view a gallery of 21 photos from the action***

UNCW signee Nolan Hodge scored a team-high 16 points and the Knighthawks led for nearly the entire 32 minutes.

Northern Guilford (7-3) also got 13 points a piece from Chris Mitchell and Jackson Helms. Manny Elliott chipped in eight points and Vance Bolyard added seven.

“I was really proud of how well we stayed locked in defensively,” Northern Guilford coach Kent Phillips said. “Hoggard makes you guard for 30 or 40 seconds on a single possession, but we did really well.”

Both teams connected on seven 3-pointers, but struggled from the line. The Knighthawks were 6 of 17, while Hoggard (8-2) finished 3 of 7.

The Vikings’ only lead of the game was 3-2 following a 3-pointer from Shane Hawkins early in the first quarter. Northern Guilford responded with a 10-2 run to grab the lead for good.

Hoku Fisher led all scorers with 20 points. Hoggard also got 16 from fellow senior guard Alonzo Dyson.

Holly Springs 82, No. 8 Trask 49

***Click here to view a gallery of 24 photos from the action***

The Golden Hawks exploded for 48 points over the middle two quarters to cruise to an emphatic win.

Five Holly Springs (8-3) players reached double figures, led by 6-foot-7 junior forward Collin Kuhl’s 21 points. 

Micah Jones scored nine of his 18 points in the third quarter, while Ryan Crotty chipped in 14 points. Jordan Kearney and Jake Fields both finished with 10.

“Pass up a good shot for a great shot has out offensive emphasis of the day every practice this season,” Holly Springs coach L.J. Hepp said. “We’ve be preaching, asking and hoping and I think it’s getting there because they do move the ball well.”

Trask (5-5) was led by Isaac Turner, who finished with 16 points. Jamiel Davis also reached double figures with 12.

Panther Creek 76, No. 10 Topsail 27

***Click here to view a gallery of 21 photos from the action***

The most lopsided contest of the day was never in question as the Catamounts opened on a 20-0 run and continued to pull away.

All 11 players on the roster reached the scoring column. Jordan Snell led the balanced attack with 14 points, while David Tator and Tyler Thompson both chipped in 12.

Amari Odom scored eight points and Rashaun Robinson added seven.

Panther Creek (7-2) led 37-9 at halftime and 55-24 after three quarters.

Demark Howell and Austin Hobson each finished with six points to lead Topsail (3-6).