Mallard Creek vs. Hoggard: 8A Championship

The 4A classification used to be that which comprised of North Carolina's largest schools. Because of North Carolina High School Athletic Association realignment, that changed with the introduction of 5A, 6A, 7A and 8A classifications.    In that 8A classification, the two teams that would emerge to vie for this season's state crown at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum would be Mallard Creek and Hoggard.    Both teams earned first-round byes, meaning the Mavericks and Vikings only had to win three games to qualify for the state championship in Winston-Salem. Mallard Creek defeated Providence, Myers Park and Ardrey Kell to win the West Regional. Hoggard won the East Regional championship after defeating Green Level, Wakefield and Willow Spring.    The big prize of the state's biggest classification would be claimed by the Mavericks after its 49-45 overtime victory over the Vikings.    We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand for the festivities on the Wake Forest campus. We recognize some of the standout performers from Wednesday's state get-together.     When Hobbs stepped into the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, it would be her final time in a Mallard Creek uniform. Hobbs saved some of her best for last in an entertaining matchup with Hoggard. Hobbs was two rebounds shy of a double-double but concluded her evening with 17 points and eight rebounds to life the Mavericks to the victory. Hobbs played the entire game – including all four minutes of overtime. She also came through for her team from the free throw line. Hobbs was responsible for eight of her team's 11 tries from the charity stripe. She made six of said attempts. Hobbs also won Kay Yow Most Valuable Player honors.     Wednesday evening's matchup was also the final time in a Mallard Creek uniform for Young. She played over 30 minutes for the Mavericks and recorded a double-double of 14 rebounds and 11 points. A pair of steals were also part of Young's performance. Young also earned Most Outstanding Player honors for the West. Out of the 11 points she scored, nine occurred between the second half and overtime. Young is one of seven seniors on this season's Mallard Creek team. Even though she is listed as a shooting guard, she attacked the rim consistently ala a point guard and also had no problems drawing contact and getting to the free throw line.     Anderson is another of the seven seniors that comprise this season's Mallard Creek team. She logged over 29 minutes of court time and contributed nine points to the Mavericks' winning effort. Seven rebounds were also part of Anderson's evening and five of those took place in the first half. Anderson was also one of two for Mallard Creek that dished out a pair of assists. She paced the Mavericks' efforts in the first half with seven of those nine points when Mallard Creek had built a 21-18 advantage over Hoggard. Anderson's travel career includes time with Team Hickory and she received several Division I offers.     Mallard Creek having a veteran-laden team was a major element to its state success this season. McGuire is one of three juniors on this season's team and she placed eight points on the scoreboard. All eight of her points occurred between the second half and overtime. Mallard Creek connected on four of its attempts from behind the 3-point arc. Two of those 3-pointers were McGuire's – a testament to how she can play in the backcourt at either the one or the two. McGuire's evening also included a pair of assists and a pair of steals. She also made two free throws in overtime that put the contest away for Mallard Creek.     Shivers did everything she could to ensure Hoggard would be the last 8A team standing. That may not have been the case, but Shivers saved some of her best for last as the senior led the Vikings' way with 16 points. Shivers also won Most Outstanding Player honors for the East Region. Much of what Shivers got accomplished at the free throw line. The Vikings attempted 20 shots from the free throw line and 13 of them were successful. Shivers made eight of her 12 attempts from the charity stripe. She is one of four that is part of Hoggard's 2026 graduating class.     Fitzgerald was one of three players for Hoggard that finished in double digits for points. She was also one of four for the Vikings that played all 32 minutes of regulation and all four minutes of overtime. Fitzgerald concluded her evening with 13 rebounds and also with six rebounds. She is also one of three team co-captains on this season's Hoggard version. The Vikings connected on six of their attempts from behind the 3-point arc. Four of those were courtesy of Fitzgerald. Her performance also included a steal. Fitzgerald is another of the five seniors for this year's Hoggard team.     The Vikings' standout sophomore guard take a massive leap from her freshman campaign to her sophomore season and that was on display under the bright lights of Wake Forest. Altman also played all 36 minutes of Wednesday's game and she was the third of the double-digit point-getters for the Vikings. She concluded her evening with 11 points. Three rebounds and three steals were also elements to her performance on Wednesday evening. Altman attempted six shots from the free throw line and was true on four of those attempts. She is one of two sophomores on this year's Hoggard team. Basketball is not the only sport that Altman partakes in as she also plays varsity soccer at Hoggard.

The 4A classification used to be that which comprised of North Carolina's largest schools. Because of North Carolina High School Athletic Association realignment, that changed with the introduction of 5A, 6A, 7A and 8A classifications.