HOBBTON — The Hobbton High Wildcats played host to the Clinton Dark Horses on Wednesday night in a non-conference game with Clinton picking up two wins and the Hobbton junior Wildcats holding off the junior Horses for a one-point victory.

The Dark Horse varsity boys basketball team seemed to struggle a bit in the first half attempting to deal with Hobbton’s 2-3 zone defense and the Wildcats appeared to be stronger off the offensive boards to keep the score close at the break with Clinton in the lead 29-23. Clinton picked up the intensity during the second half and began to take control of the scoring during the third quarter to pick up their seventeenth win for the season.

“I thought Hobbton played well tonight,” shared Clinton varsity boys basketball coach Brad Spell. “Their 2-3 zone defense gave us a fit in the first half and they out rebounded us on the offensive boards. We started to play better in the second half pulling out to a more comfortable lead during the third quarter. We are now looking forward to our last East Central Conference game Friday night at Southwest Onslow. It will be a big game for us and the conference standing.”

Hobbton head varsity boys basketball coach Kenny Bass stated, “I am really proud of how well our kids played tonight. We started off with our seniors in they did a tremendous job for us. Clinton has a very well coached and talented team. I have enjoyed playing them this year and am glad they are back on our schedule. Coach Spell and his team are one classy group and I wish them well in the remainder of their season. We are working to develop our program into one comparable the one at Clinton’s in the future.”

Scoring: 1 2 3 4

CHS: 16 13 14 20

HHS: 9 14 7 15

Leaders for Clinton: Vic Register, 2 points; C. J. Melvin, 13 points; Dominic Quarterman, 5 points; Terry Farrior, 7 points; Tray Raynor, 17 points; Laquan McCoy, 7 points; D. L. Miller, 4 points; Marques Lee, 4 points; Draquan Peterson, 2 points; Quentin Hill, 2 points.

Leaders for Hobbton: Tyler Sinclair, 4 points; Bobby Parker, 2 points; Terence Robinson, 11 points; Jay Joyner, 1 point; Michael Williams, 6 points; Joe Schoonmaker, 6 points; Angelo Surles, 2 points; Ra’Quis Mallety, 6 points; Demarkus Phillips, 7 points.

The Dark Horses are now 17-5 in overall play and stand at 10-3 in their conference.

Hobbton’s junior Wildcats pulled a one-point win 41-40 over the Clinton junior squad on Wednesday at Hobbton.

According to Wildcat junior varsity boys basketball coach Angelo Surles it was a defensive battle the entire game. Surles added, “It was a slow-paced half-court type of game. I am very proud of the guys and the effort they gave. Anytime you can beat Clinton it is a good win. It has been a while since we have been able to accomplish that feat. Now we have to be ready to go to Union on Friday night and hopefully succeed at picking up another win to insure us a spot in the conference tournament.”

Scoring: 1 2 3 4

CHS: 6 10 9 15

HHS: 7 15 9 10

Leaders for Clinton: Tykevin Boykin, 10 points; Michael Smith, 6 points; Kalif Tillery, 4 points; Trashawn Raynor, 4 points; Jeston Thompson, Avery Gunn, 2 points; Cornelius Lamb, 2 points; Theodore Foye, 2 points; Matthew Evans, 1 point; James Miller, 6 points.

Leaders for Hobbton: Eli Chestnutt, 12 points; Josh Armwood, 9 points; Brad Evans, 8 points; Henry Barnes, 6 points; Hunter Rose, 4 points; T. J. Devone, 2 points.

The Lady Dark Horses defeated the Lady Wildcats in possibly one of the best games the Hobbton team played all season. Stats were unable however at press time.

The Dark Horses will travel to Southwest Onslow on Friday for their final conference battle and Hobbton travels to Union in their last Super Six game of the season.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@intrstar.net.