Hertford County sweeps First Flight

Published 1:44 pm Tuesday, January 16, 2018

AHOSKIE – Hertford County High School swept visiting First Flight High in varsity basketball action here Friday night.

In the girls game, D.L. Watford and Brianna Howard combined for 26 points to lead the Lady Bears to 39-25 win. With the victory, HCHS evened their conference record at 1-1 while improving to 4-8 overall.

The boys game turned into a fast-paced track meet. HCHS saw five of its players score in double figures en route to a 92-71 victory. The win allowed the HCHS varsity boys to remain unbeaten in league play (2-0) and evening their overall record at 6-6.

The Lady Bears were in control for the majority of their contest. The lone exception was a 10-3 run by First Flight to close out the second quarter, which allowed the visitors to take a 22-21 halftime lead.

HCHS reclaimed the lead for good on a basket by Destiny Chavis to open the third quarter. By the time Watford and Daysha Holloman each added a basket, the Lady Bears had extended their lead to 28-25.

Watford made sure the visitors would not pose a challenge down the stretch as she scored eight straight points in the fourth quarter. Seven of those came off a trey and a pair of two-point baskets.

First Flight did not score over the final eight minutes.

Watford finished with a game-high 14 points. Howard added 12.

In the boys game, Hertford County rallied from a 29-27 deficit midway the second quarter, picking up the pace offensively en route to the 21-point win.

Talik Totten (20 points); 16 each from Zion Riddick and Jaheim Wiggins; and 12 apiece by Lance Hunter and Delmonte Cherry led the HCHS attack.

“This was the best effort we’ve had all year,” said Bears head coach Charles Simmons. “We did a great job forcing turnovers and finishing in transition.”

That was apparent during Hertford County’s answer to their second quarter deficit….an 11-0 run fueled by three baskets by Totten. Those 11 points were the difference at halftime where the Bears led 46-35.

After First Flight got as close as nine (59-50) late in the third quarter, HCHS got their offense back in high gear, scoring 15 of the game’s next 16 points, resulting in a 74-54 lead entering the final period of play. Totten and Riddick each scored a pair of baskets while Wiggins buried a three-pointer during that offensive surge.

First Flight used the “long ball” to attempt a comeback, draining four, three-pointers in the fourth quarter, but Hertford County had too many offensive weapons as seven different players scored to deny the visiting Nighthawks.

First Flight was led by Dylan Blake’s game-high 26 points and 21 from Jordan High.