Wildcats strut to tourney title

Fri. February 17, 2012 at 11:20 p.m. | By Powell Latimer | StarNews Staff Writer

New Hanover Wildcats came back with force in the 2nd half against Hoggard Vikings winning 74-43 Friday night in the MEC Tournament Final at New Hanover High School. (Photo by PHOTO BY: Jeff Janowski)

New Hanover blew Hoggard out of Brogden Hall with a huge third quarter as the Wildcats cruised to the conference tournament championship with a 74-43 win Friday night.
Hoggard trailed by seven at the half, but had threatened to take the lead several times on hot outside shooting.
In the third quarter, New Hanover (23-1) raised its defensive intensity and Hoggard (17-7) struggled. The Wildcats outscored Hoggard 28-8 in the third quarter, with many of those points coming in transition off Hoggard turnovers.
"Everything on the defensive end (came together)," New Hanover coach Kirk Angel said. "I don't think we called but two sets in the third quarter because we had so much defensive pressure."
Guards Mike Hickey and Daquan Barnes gave Hoggard plenty of trouble. The duo combined for eight of New Hanover's 13 steals in the game and combined for 15 points in the third quarter.
"Hickey was unbelievable on the ball," Angel said, noting that Hoggard's guards were so well defended late in the game, Hoggard forward Trevor Singleton brought the ball up the court.
"We talked about defensive pressure at halftime and they really stepped it up," Angel said.
The game ended on an ugly note after star New Hanover guard Kadeem Allen was fouled hard by Hoggard's Harrison James on a breakaway dunk attempt in the fourth quarter.
Allen came down on his back and stayed there for several minutes before limping off in obvious pain. James was called for an intentional foul and Allen did not re-enter the game. Angel and Hoggard coach Brett Queen exchanged heated words several times over the incident. However, Queen left the Hoggard bench to check on Allen later on. Allen's condition is unknown pending an MRI.
"This is life, it's not basketball," Angel said. "If your kid's got a broken bone or something, you've got to get it taken care of."
With the state playoffs starting on Monday, Angel said his players would have to step up if Allen isn't able to play.
"We can't be flattened by this tomorrow," Angel said. We've got to get a walk-through, get ready and play whoever it is on Monday."