Basketball Game Preview: Hoggard Vikings vs. Northern Guilford Nighthawks

The Hoggard Vikings will head out to challenge the Northern Guilford Nighthawks at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Hoggard knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past three matchups -- so hopefully Northern Guilford likes a good challenge.

Last Friday, Hoggard didn't have too much trouble with West Brunswick as they won 57-42.

Hoggard's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Hunter McGrath, who went 10 for 19 on his way to 24 points and four steals, and Will Seward, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and 13 boards. McGrath is crushing it when it comes to steals: he's grabbed at least two every time he's taken the court this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Desyn Durand, who posted six points in addition to six rebounds and three steals.

Hoggard smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 13 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive boards in three consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, Northern Guilford came up short against Chapel Hill on Saturday, falling 64-44. While losing is never fun, the Nighthawks can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 305th, while the Tigers are ranked 27th).

Hoggard pushed their record up to 5-1 with the victory, which was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 71.8 points per game. As for Northern Guilford, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-5.

Hoggard came up short against Northern Guilford in their previous matchup back in December of 2021, falling 59-52. Can Hoggard avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.