Basketball Game Preview: Neuse Charter Cougars vs. Hobbton Wildcats

Neuse Charter is 10-0 against Hobbton since January of 2019 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. A feisty cat fight is on tap when the Neuse Charter Cougars face off against the Hobbton Wildcats at 6:00 p.m. Neuse Charter is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 56.3 points per game this season.

Last Tuesday, Neuse Charter was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 60-54 to North Duplin. The Cougars have struggled against the Rebels recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive lost matchup.

Lily Temple

Points

01/14/25 @ North Duplin	19
01/08/25 @ Ascend Leadership	22
01/06/25 vs Wayne Country Day	15
12/27/24 vs North Johnston	21
12/26/24 vs Martin County	21

Despite the loss, Neuse Charter saw an underclassman step up: freshman Lily Temple posted 19 points and six steals. Temple's evening made it five games in a row in which she has scored at least ten points. Another player making a difference was Yedidia Tsolenyanu, who scored ten points along with five boards and five steals.

Even though they lost, Neuse Charter smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 11 offensive rebounds in four consecutive matches.

Meanwhile, Hobbton was not able to break out of their rough patch on Wednesday as the team picked up their fifth straight defeat. They came up short against Harnett Central, falling 32-12.

Hobbton's loss dropped their record down to 1-7. As for Neuse Charter, their defeat dropped their record down to 14-5.

Everything came up roses for Neuse Charter against Hobbton in their previous matchup back in February of 2024, as the team secured a 66-26 victory. Will Neuse Charter repeat their success, or does Hobbton have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.