2022 Hoggard Holiday Classic Boys Preview
Daily Schedule
Tuesday, December 27
1:30 p.m.: Cape Fear Academy (8-2) vs. South Brunswick (2-6) in Sheila Boles Gym
3 p.m.: Topsail (2-7) vs. Heritage (0-10) in James Hebbe Gym
4:30 p.m.: New Hanover (6-0) vs. Cox Mill (6-5) in Sheila Boles Gym
6 p.m.: Ashley (2-4) vs. Hopewell (6-4) in James Hebbe Gym
7:30 p.m.: Hoggard (8-2) vs. George Marshall, Va. (7-1) in Sheila Boles Gym
Wednesday, December 28
Noon: Topsail vs. East Bladen (7-1) in James Hebbe Gym
1:30 p.m.: South Brunswick vs. Heritage in Sheila Boles Gym
3 p.m.: Cox Mill vs. Northern Guilford (2-6) in James Hebbe Gym
4:30 p.m.: Cape Fear Academy vs. New Hanover in Sheila Boles Gym
6 p.m.: Ashley vs. George Marshall, Va. in James Hebbe Gym
7:30 p.m.: Hoggard vs. Hopewell in Sheila Boles Gym
Thursday, December 29
10:30 a.m.: Ashley vs. Heritage in Sheila Boles Gym
Noon: New Hanover vs. Hopewell in James Hebbe Gym
1:30 p.m.: George Marshall, Va. vs. Northern Guilford in Sheila Boles Gym
3 p.m.: Hoggard vs. Cox Mill in James Hebbe Gym
4:30 p.m.: South Brunswick vs. East Bladen in James Hebbe Gym
6 p.m.: Cape Fear Academy vs. Topsail in Sheila Boles Gym
Tournament Notes and Stats
Area coaches closing in on milestone victories
A pair of area coaches – Wells Gulledge and Kirk Angel – are looking to claim milestone victories this week.
Gulledge, who has spent time at Jacksonville, Kinston, Arendell Parrott Academy an now Ashley, has a 399-200 career record. Gulledge claimed three state titles at Kinston (2008, 2010, 2012).
Angel is now in his 15th season at New Hanover, where he’s compiled a 297-83 record. If the Wildcats can win all three games at the event, Angel will join Gulledge and Hoggard’s Brett Queen (373-179) as the only active boys coaches in the Mideastern Conference with 300 victories.
Johnson makes return
Cox Mill coach Ty Johnson is no stranger to the area. He spent three years coaching at West Brunswick before leaving in 2019.
During his time in Shallotte, Johnson finished 26-25 in two years with the boys and 9-15 in his lone season with the girls.
Former West Brunswick coach Ty Johnson. [Tim Hower/Coastal Preps]
Cox Mill opens the event against New Hanover on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. They will also take on Northern Guilford and Hoggard.
Team points per game
New Hanover: 69.8
Cox Mill: 64.9
Hoggard: 61.3
Hopewell: 59.6
Cape Fear Academy: 57.7
East Bladen: 55.5
George Marshall: 55.5
Northern Guilford: 52.5
South Brunswick: 47.8
Topsail: 43.4
Heritage: 42.7
Ashley: 41.2
Team points per game against
New Hanover: 33.0
George Marshall: 35.0
Cape Fear Academy: 42.5
East Bladen: 42.5
Hoggard: 45.5
Ashley: 46.0
Hopewell: 58.9
South Brunswick: 59.1
Northern Guilford: 59.6
Heritage: 61.4
Topsail: 62.4
Cox Mill: 67.5
15 players to watch
Sophomore guard Rodmik Allen, New Hanover: The skilled guard is off to a remarkable season for the unbeaten Wildcats. Allen is averaging 17.8 points, 5.3 steals, 4.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds. He’s shooting 58 percent (45 of 78) from the field and 41 percent (7 of 17) from 3-point range.
New Hanover’s Rodmik Allen. [Tim Hower/Coastal Preps]
Sophomore forward Noah Billings, New Hanover: In his first season on the varsity roster, the 6-foot-5 forward is averaging 8.7 points and 7.2 rebounds through six games. Billings does a great job running the floor and keeping up with the fast pace the Wildcats love to play.
Senior guard Malcolm Bolden, East Bladen: Bolden is one of the top scorers in the event. Through eight contests, the guard is averaging 18.4 points. He’s scored at least 15 points eight times, including a season-high 28 against East Columbus on Nov. 30.
Junior guard DJ Boyce, Cox Mill: The Chargers’ top outside shooter, Boyce has put up big numbers through 11 games. He scored a season-high 33 points in a 72-71 win over A.C. Reynolds on Nov. 24 and followed that up with a 29-point performance in a three-point victory over Hough on Dec. 6.
Junior guard Parker Crittenden, Hoggard: One of the area’s best shooters, Crittenden has connected on 43 percent (15 of 35) of his 3-point attempts this season. During three games at the CCS Holiday Classic last week, Crittenden averaged 16 points while shooting 62.5 percent (15 of 24) from the field.
Sophomore guard Sean Dunn, Cox Mill: Dunn played a big role as a freshman, but his game has elevated to another level this season. He’s reached double figures in each of the past five games, averaging 15.2 points during that span.
Senior guard Matthew Lenert, George Marshall: The 6-foot-4 wing can score in a variety of ways. He’s been at his best during the Statemen’s past five games, averaging 20.8 points. Lenert scored a career-high 31 points on Dec. 16.
Junior guard Coen Locklear, Ashley: Now in his third season as Ashley’s starting point guard, Locklear leads the team with 10.5 points per game. He’s also one of the area’s best free throw shooters, where he connected on 17 of 21 attempts.
Sophomore guard Chris Mitchell, Northern Guilford: As a freshman a season ago, Mitchell averaged 5.7 points per game. He reached double figures twice in this event and was 9 of 16 from the field. This year, the point guard has taken on more of a scoring role and is averaging 12.1 points.
Northern Guilford’s Chris Mitchell. [Tim Hower/Coastal Preps]
Senior guard Jacob Nixon, East Bladen: Nixon is averaging 11.4 points per game for the Eagles, who are off to an 8-1 start. He poured in a season-high 22 points to help East Bladen secure a four-point victory over Whiteville on Dec.2.
Senior guard Markus Pastorcic-Straun, Cape Fear Academy: One of the area top guards, Pastoric-Straun lead the Hurricanes with 12 points per game. He has reached double figures in seven of 10 games.
Cape Fear Academy’s Markus Pastorcic-Straun. [Tim Hower/Coastal Preps]
Junior guard Quay Watson, Hopewell: Watson opened the season with back-to-back 30-point performances and he hasn’t slowed down since. The 5-foot-10 point guard is already generating interest from mid-major Division I programs and his stock will continue to rise.
