Basketball Recap: Ella Rose's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Ashley over New Hanover

Ashley was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their fifth straight loss. They fell 48-39 to the New Hanover Wildcats. While losing is never fun, the Screaming Eagle can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 221st, while the Wildcats are ranked 42nd).

Ashley's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Ella Rose, who went 6 for 8 on her way to 15 points. Rose continues to improve, besting her previous point total in each of the last three games she's played. Another player making a difference was Caroline Meaney, who posted 11 points and eight rebounds.

New Hanover got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Skylar Herd out in front who went 5 of 7 en route to 16 points. Those 16 points gave Herd a new career-high. Brianna Stanley was another key player, putting up 14 points.

Ashley's loss dropped their record down to 7-12. As for New Hanover, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they've won seven of their last eight matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 13-5 record this season.

Ashley didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 47-32 win against West Brunswick on the 4th. New Hanover has also already played their next contest, a 61-19 victory against North Brunswick on the 4th.