AHOSKIE – Northampton County swished a three-point basket less than two minutes into their game with Hertford County here Friday night.

It was their only lead and as close as they came to the Bears the rest of the night.

A dozen players got their names in the scorebook as Hertford County completely dominated the Jaguars 87-38. Out of sportsmanship, the game-clock ran the entire second half.

Senior Talik Totten had his second game scoring 25 points or better as he hit that number to lead all scorers.

Jaheim Wiggins was the only other Bears’ scorer in double-figures with 10. Zion Kendall led Northampton County with 14 points.

“I was very pleased with our effort,” said Hertford County coach Charles Simmons. “Offensively we looked for the open man and made the right passes. On defense we created turnovers and scored at the other end.”

Michale Cooper opened the night’s scoring with a put back for the Bears before Eric Robinson’s three-pointer gave the Jags their only lead of the night, 3-2. Hertford County then went on a 10-0 run to make it 12-3 before Elijah Holland broke the string with a lay-up for Northampton. Holland’s other first quarter field goal was sandwiched between another Bears’ run: this one for 14 points that staked the home team to a 26-7 lead after one quarter of basketball.

The defense Simmons praised earned it in the second quarter when Hertford County limited Northampton to just two points, coming in the final two minutes of the first half. Totten took over the game on the Bears’ end, scoring nine points in the quarter as the game turned into a lay-up drill. Lance Hunter added six points in the frame as the Bears raced off the court at halftime leading it 59-9.

Totten scored 11 points in the third quarter as Simmons opted to leave his starters in since the clock was running. With the reserves anxiously awaiting their turn on the floor, the top-8 upped the margin to 73-16 by the end of the period.

The bench cleared and everybody got some quality playing time for the home team. The substitution allowed Northampton to get their first run going and they outscored Hertford County 14-5, but by then the Bears had a 50 point lead, 80-30. The Jags outscored the Bears 8-7 in the last three minutes to make sure they held the final scored under 50 points – at 49!

Hertford County (2-2) hosts Gates County tonight (Tuesday) and then is at South Central in Winterville on Wednesday. Their next home game will be Friday against Norfolk Christian. The Jaguars (0-3) are at Rocky Mount Prep Tuesday and host Plymouth on Friday.

 

HERTFORD COUNTY   (87)

Talik Totten-25, Jahein Wiggins-10, Michale Cooper-9, Keyshawn Taylor-8, Michael Savage-7, Justin Futrell-6, Lance Hunter-6, Delmonta Cherry-6, An’ron Bond-4, Zach Wise-3, Jamari Lassiter-2, Zion Riddick-1.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY   (38)

Zion Kendall-14, Antrelle Barnes-6, Deijion Daye-6, Eric Robinson-5, Elijah Holland-4, Na’Jae Newsome-3.