The Bucks got the win even without leading scorer Tarique Thompson, who spent much of the game on the bench in foul trouble.

“We played against some quality teams, and the best in Wilmington,” Hoke County coach Tarique Thompson said. “That’s a good feather in our cap to have.”

Hoke County led most of the game even without Thompson, and even with Hoggard junior and tournament MVP Trevor Singleton scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bucks took control in the second quarter, turning a one-point lead into a 16-point one with a 15-0 run.

“It was just too much for us to overcome,” Hoggard coach Brett Queen said. “All that happened in one quick little stretch at the end of the first and beginning of the second quarters. You lose the game in a 3-to-4 minute stretch.”

Four Hoke County players finished in double figures, including Tymell Blue, who poured in nine of his 13 points in the third quarter after Thompson picked up his fourth foul. Blue’s scoring was enough to give the Bucks a 15-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

“He was huge. He probably should have been the MVP because he was on the winning team,” Patterson said. “When Tarique was out he picked us up.”

Hoggard cut the lead to eight points late in the game, but could not come any closer.

 

All-Tournament team

Boys

Trevor Singleton, Hoggard (MVP)

Tarique Thompson, Hoke County

Tymell Blue, Hoke County

Trevon Brown, New Hanover

Grant Stafford, Ashbrook