High School Sports

Wakefield girls’ basketball survives defensive slugfest against Hoggard, reach 4A state final

By Alex Bass Correspondent
The Wakefield bench reacts to a call against Hoggard during the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
The Wakefield bench reacts to a call against Hoggard during the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Winston-Salem

Wakefield will remember the lowest scoring N.C. 4A girls’ basketball Eastern Regional final (or state semifinal) forever, because the Wolverines won.

It happened Wednesday at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where Wakefield defeated Wilmington Hoggard, 31-23, to advance to the program’s first state final. The Wolverines will meet Lake Norman on Saturday.

“We had to do everything in our power to win this game,” Wakefield coach Jason Lee said. “Hats off to these girls, who worked that hard in the fourth quarter.”

Wakefield’s Nicole Amend (3) congratulates Sydney Conti (1) after her shot against Hoggard in the first half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025.
Wakefield’s Nicole Amend (3) congratulates Sydney Conti (1) after her shot against Hoggard in the first half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy

Wakefield (26-3) outscored Hoggard 14-2 in the fourth quarter, and erased the four-point deficit (21-17) the Wolverines faced entering the final stanza. Six Wakefield players scored in the game-clinching run, beginning with two free throws by Nicole Amend (6:00), and a second-chance layup by Jaya Hamilton that tied the count at 21 with 5:29 remaining.

Aly Schaffer converted the quarter’s lone trifecta, and Maddison McIntyre and Heaven Briggs scored one basket each. Lyla Bagwell, who scored a team high nine points, netted three of four free throws in the final 42 seconds.

The Wakefield bench reacts to their 31-23 victory over Hoggard in the Girls East Regional. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025.
The Wakefield bench reacts to their 31-23 victory over Hoggard in the Girls East Regional. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy

“Our defense is all about communication, because we’re not as big.” Bagwell said. “We just spread all over the court, and we’re always in help with each other, just trusting each other that they’ll be there.”

The Wolverines made seven free throws, while Hoggard attempted just four. Wakefield, despite shooting just 34 percent from the field, limited the Vikings to 21 percent. Wakefield and Hoggard exchanged one-point leads after the first (8-7 Hoggard) and second (14-13 Wakefield) quarters.

Tristan Shivers scored a game high 14 points for Hoggard (30-2), which fell in the state semifinals for the second straight year. The Vikings defeated Wakefield in the 2024 state tournament’s second round.

The teams’ combined 54 points reduced by five what was the previous scoring low for a 4A Eastern Regional final. In 2011, two Raleigh schools — Millbrook and Southeast Raleigh — tallied 59 points in a 33-26 Millbrook win.

Wakefield’s Lyla Bagwell (2) brings the ball downcourt to set up a play against Hoggard during the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
Wakefield’s Lyla Bagwell (2) brings the ball downcourt to set up a play against Hoggard during the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Wakefield head coach Jason Lee congratulates his team at the end of the first half against Hoggard. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025.
Wakefield head coach Jason Lee congratulates his team at the end of the first half against Hoggard. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Wakefield’s Maddison McIntyre (22) celebrates with the East Regional Championship trophy and teammates after their 31-23 victory over Hoggard. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025.
Wakefield’s Maddison McIntyre (22) celebrates with the East Regional Championship trophy and teammates after their 31-23 victory over Hoggard. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Wakefield’s Heaven Briggs (5) and Nicole Amend (3) defend Hoggard’s Tristan Shivers (14) during the first half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
Wakefield’s Heaven Briggs (5) and Nicole Amend (3) defend Hoggard’s Tristan Shivers (14) during the first half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Wakefield’s Heaven Briggs (5) drives to the lane against Hoggard’s AK Chance (32) during the first half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
Wakefield’s Heaven Briggs (5) drives to the lane against Hoggard’s AK Chance (32) during the first half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Wakefield’s Jaya Hamilton (10) looks to shoot ahead of Hoggard’s Avery Fitzgerald (23) during the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
Wakefield’s Jaya Hamilton (10) looks to shoot ahead of Hoggard’s Avery Fitzgerald (23) during the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Hoggard head coach Boubacar Aw and the bench react to a call against Wakefield in the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
Hoggard head coach Boubacar Aw and the bench react to a call against Wakefield in the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Wakefield’s Sydney Conti reacts to a call against her team for Hoggard during the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
Wakefield’s Sydney Conti reacts to a call against her team for Hoggard during the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Wakefield’s Jaya Hamilton (10) looks to shoot against Hoggard’s Ella Jones (33) and Avery Fitzgerald (23) during the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
Wakefield’s Jaya Hamilton (10) looks to shoot against Hoggard’s Ella Jones (33) and Avery Fitzgerald (23) during the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Wakefield head coach Jason Lee reacts to action on the court against Hoggard in the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
Wakefield head coach Jason Lee reacts to action on the court against Hoggard in the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Wakefield’s Nicole Amend (3), Jaya Hamilton (10) and Hoggard’s Tristan Shivers (14) contrast reactions to the Wakefield free throws in the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
Wakefield’s Nicole Amend (3), Jaya Hamilton (10) and Hoggard’s Tristan Shivers (14) contrast reactions to the Wakefield free throws in the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Wakefield’s Maddison McIntyre (22) dives for the ball against Hoggard’s Avery Fitzgerald (23) in the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23.
Wakefield’s Maddison McIntyre (22) dives for the ball against Hoggard’s Avery Fitzgerald (23) in the second half. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Wakefield wins 31-23. Steven Worthy
Wakefield’s Maddison McIntyre (22) celebrates with the East Regional Trophy, head coach Jason Lee, and teammates after their 31-23 victory over Hoggard. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025.
Wakefield’s Maddison McIntyre (22) celebrates with the East Regional Trophy, head coach Jason Lee, and teammates after their 31-23 victory over Hoggard. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Wakefield’s Jaya Hamilton (10) celebrates with teammates in front of the Championship series bracket after defeating Hoggard 31-23. for the East Regional Title. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025.
Wakefield’s Jaya Hamilton (10) celebrates with teammates in front of the Championship series bracket after defeating Hoggard 31-23. for the East Regional Title. The Wakefield Wolverines and the Hoggard Vikings met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy

This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 10:10 PM.

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