2025 Hoggard Holiday Classic Day 3 Girls Recaps

***The rankings by each area team come from the Coastal Preps Power Rankings***

James Kenan 59, No. 6 Topsail 57

***Click here to view a gallery of 21 photos from the action***

The Tigers used a familiar formula to finish the event with a perfect 3-0 record. 

In all three contests, James Kenan (6-1) trailed after three quarters before exploding for 23 points over the final eight minutes. 

Y’anna Rivers scored 13 of her game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter. She finished third at the event in scoring average at 20.7 points per game.

The Tigers, who trailed 46-36 after three quarters, also got 15 points from Gabii Outlaw as well as 12 from Aleyah Wilson. 

Topsail (8-4) sophomore Ava Kita matched Rivers with 21 points. She also set the single-game scoring record with a 32-point performance on the opening day against Jacksonville. 

Charley Moore chipped in 12 points. The Pirates finished 9 of 22 from the free throw line. 

No. 2 Laney 42, Mount Tabor 35

***Click here to view a gallery of 21 photos from the action***

India Williams connected on three 3-pointers and led all players with 20 points to help the Buccaneers end 2025 with a victory. 

Laney (7-4) trailed 9-8 after the opening eight minutes before taking a narrow 22-20 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

Both teams scored 10 points in the third quarter, but the Buccaneers increased their defensive intensity and allowed only five points in the fourth.

Freshman Julia Pepper scored 11 points. She has reached double figures in nine of her first 11 games. 

Mount Tabor (1-10) got 14 points from Kayden Grayson.

No. 1 Hoggard 40, Porter Ridge 27

***Click here to view a gallery of 21 photos from the action***

The marquee matchup of the event between teams with top-five RPI rankings went to the Vikings, who allowed only five points in the second half. 

Hoggard (11-1) currently has the No. 1 RPI in 8A, while Porter Ridge (11-2) is No. 4 in 7A.

Ella Jones led the Vikings in scoring for the third straight game by finishing with 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting. 

Tristan Shivers added 10 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while AK Chance had eight points and eight rebounds. 

Porter Ridge standout junior Ashanti Taylor scored all 13 of her points in the first half. 

Ballantyne Ridge 56, No. 3 New Hanover 46

***Click here to view a gallery of 21 photos from the action***

Seven 3-pointers from four players helped the young Wolves secure their first win of the event. 

Freshman Sara Simko connected on four of them and finished with 14 points. Kaiya Dodson scored 17 points, while Natanya Chando and Madi Franklin added seven apiece.

Ballantyne Ridge (7-6) is a second-year school in Charlotte that features a small senior class. Twelve of the 14 players on the roster are underclassmen. 

Jazziyah Smith capped a stellar tournament with an impressive 18-point performance for New Hanover (5-3). She averaged 19.7 points in three games. 

Wakefield 58, No. 7 Ashley 48

***Click here to view a gallery of 21 photos from the action***

The Wolverines built a 23-5 lead after the opening quarter and held off a late charge. 

Three players reached double figures, led by Quinn Pope with 14 points. Wakefield (5-7) also got 12 points from Kate Benson as well as 11 from Nikki Amend. 

Jakicey Gardner continued her impressive play for Ashley (8-5) by pouring in 26 points, including 17 in the second half. 

East Duplin 45, Jacksonville 35

***Click here to view a gallery of 18 photos from the action***

Kinsey Cave and Andraia Scarborough each scored 14 points for the victorious Panthers. 

Zakoya Farrior also reached double figures with 10 points. East Duplin (7-2) could have had an even bigger margin of victory, but it went just 12 of 21 from the free throw line. 

Jacksonville’s (6-5) Izabella Hernandez led all players with 22 points. 

Tournament Scoring Leaders

Ava Kita, Topsail: 25.3 (76 points in 3 games)

Jakicey Gardner, Ashley: 22.7 (68 points in 3 games)

Y’anna Rivers, James Kenan: 20.7 (62 points in 3 games)

Jazziyah Smith, New Hanover: 19.7 (59 points in 3 games)

Aleyah Wilson, James Kenan: 18.7 (56 points in 3 games)

Izabella Hernandez, Jacksonville: 18.3 (55 points in 3 games)

Ella Jones, Hoggard: 16.3 (49 points in 3 games)

Destini Brown, Jacksonville: 15.7 (47 points in 3 games)

Nikki Amend, Wakefield: 14.7 (44 points in 3 games)

Julia Pepper, Laney: 14 (42 points in 3 games)

All-Classic Team