The Ashley High School varsity basketball team (Wilmington, NC) will host New Hanover (Wilmington, NC) for a home conference game on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Game Details:
- Matchup: New Hanover vs. Ashley
- Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Live stream: Watch Here
- Live stream: Watch Here
New Hanover vs. Ashley: A Battle of Conference Giants in Wilmington
The high school basketball scene in Wilmington, North Carolina, is heating up as the New Hanover Wildcats and the Ashley Screaming Eagles prepare for their upcoming matchup. With contrasting records and stats, this rivalry has garnered significant attention, especially after New Hanover’s commanding win earlier this month. Let’s take a closer look at both teams’ performances and what we can expect as they face off once again.
New Hanover Wildcats: A Team Dominating the Court
With a stellar 14-2 overall record and an undefeated 7-0 mark in conference play, New Hanover has been on fire this season. The Wildcats have shown they are a force to be reckoned with, both at home and on the road. Their impressive 78.2 points per game, coupled with their solid defense allowing only 852 points across 16 games, paints the picture of a team that is hard to beat. The team has a notable offensive rhythm, averaging over 23 points per quarter.
The Wildcats have been led by standout player Rodmik Allen, who contributes significantly to both the scoring and defensive efforts. Allen averages 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.1 steals per game, making him one of the most well-rounded players in the conference. With a strong lineup and a perfect conference record, New Hanover enters the game against Ashley as the favorites, especially after their 84-62 victory earlier this month.
Ashley Screaming Eagles: Struggling But Resilient
On the other side, the Ashley Screaming Eagles have had a more challenging season, with a 8-10 overall record and a split 4-4 conference record. While their performance has been up and down, they’ve managed to hold their own, particularly in their recent game against Topsail, where they edged out a close 52-51 victory. Ashley’s offense has struggled to find consistency, averaging just 53.4 points per game. However, their defense has been slightly more reliable, allowing 1,062 points across 18 games.
Leading the charge for Ashley is Quinn Bentley, who averages 16.0 points per game. Although Bentley has been a key player for the Eagles, the team has struggled to maintain momentum in games against higher-ranked opponents. The Eagles will need a more balanced effort from their lineup to stand a chance against a strong team like New Hanover.
Key Stats and Trends
When comparing key stats, New Hanover clearly outpaces Ashley in nearly every category. The Wildcats average nearly 24 points per quarter, while Ashley manages just over 13. In terms of defense, New Hanover also holds a significant advantage with 14.9 steals per game compared to Ashley’s 7.9, and they have a slightly better rebounding and assist rate as well.
Head-to-Head: A Dominant Performance by New Hanover
In their first meeting this month, New Hanover outperformed Ashley in every quarter, ultimately winning 84-62. Ashley came out strong in the first quarter, but New Hanover quickly regained control with a 21-point second quarter and then never looked back, finishing with a 22-point margin of victory. This defeat highlighted some of Ashley’s weaknesses, particularly their inability to maintain a strong offensive output throughout the game.
Looking forward to their next encounter on January 31, 2025, Ashley will need to adjust both offensively and defensively. They’ve shown resilience in games against common opponents like Topsail and South Brunswick, but facing a team as dominant as New Hanover will require an exceptional performance.
The Road Ahead
For both teams, this game is crucial for their standings and potential playoff implications. New Hanover, with its high win percentage and conference dominance, looks to maintain its momentum and inch closer to a top playoff seed. Ashley, meanwhile, will look to prove that they can overcome adversity and put together a performance that can challenge one of the state’s best teams.
With New Hanover continuing their march toward an undefeated conference record and Ashley striving for consistency, this matchup promises to be another exciting chapter in Wilmington high school basketball.
Conclusion
As the teams prepare for the January 31 clash, all eyes will be on the court to see if Ashley can upset the highly-ranked Wildcats or if New Hanover will continue their dominance. No matter the outcome, it’s clear that this rivalry is one to watch, and the fans in Wilmington are in for an electric contest.
