Hopewell starts fast, hits road bump

The Titans continued their tough nonconference schedule with a road game at Myers Park on Nov. 28, but they lost, 47-30.

Hopewell trailed by two points at halftime in the opener against Providence but used a 16-5 scoring advantage in the third quarter. Titans coach Gary Richmond credited team defense for the rally.

Against Salisbury, Hopewell led the entire game. Bryanna Curry was 4-of-5 shooting on 3-point attempts and perfect on six free throws. She also guarded Salisbury’s Brielle Blair, one of the state’s top college recruits. Sharee Boyd’s 16 points and 11 rebounds were her second double-double in as many nights for Hopewell.

Hopewell sealed the victory by making 11 of 15 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Hough splits first two games

Hough’s girls basketball team rallied from a four-point first quarter to beat Independence, 45-37, in the Huskies’ season opener on Nov. 21.

The Huskies weren’t so fortunate with another four-point quarter on Nov. 28. Hough lost to Myers Park, 62-50, but struggled by being outscored 19-4 in the fourth quarter. The Huskies led 46-43 after three quarters. Sophomore Anna Diggs led Hough with 19 points, and Kelsey Dean scored 14.

North Meck’s Barrino has big night

North Mecklenburg’s Destiny Barrino scored a career-high 18 points in a 67-40 romp against Independence on Nov. 28. The Vikings improved to 2-1 after crushing Concord Cox Mill, 63-28, in the opener Nov. 21 and losing to West Mecklenburg, 58-42, on Nov. 22.

“We were able to apply and put together a lot of the things we have been working on in practice,” coach Jennifer Baker said, referring to the win against Cox Mill. “We forced 19 turnovers and only committed five ourselves. “The girls worked hard, led in scoring by Destiny Barrino and junior point guard Jasmine Bullock.
“The West Meck game was a different story. We beat ourselves turning the ball over way too many times and not controlling the boards on the defensive side. We also couldn’t throw the ball into the ocean.”