It wasn't until the Huskies held North Meck scoreless for the final five minutes of last Friday's contest that they were able to pull away, 52-43. And Tuesday at West Charlotte, Hough, 14-6 overall, trailed by 18 points in the first half and 14 at the intermission before methodically bouncing back to win 54-52.
"They know we've got a big bullseye," said Hough coach Sonja Tate. "I think they are doing really good. They just go out, play hard, work hard in practice and keep playing."
With three I-Meck games to go, Hough is alone in front with a 10-1 league record.
Hopewell and Mallard Creek, tied for second with 9-2 marks, are close behind.
The Huskies' next two games are against two of the bottom three teams in the conference. Hough hosts eighth-place Mooresville Friday. The Blue Devils have beaten only Vance in 11 I-Meck games. The Huskies then host sixth-place Lake Norman (3-8) Tuesday.
The I-Meck title might not be decided until Hough visits Mallard Creek next Thursday. The Huskies won the first meeting, 44-42 on Jan. 13.
Hopewell's place in the standings will likely depend on Friday's performance. The Titans, fresh off a 41-27 win over Mooresville, play at Mallard Creek.
North Meck (4-7 I-Meck) has lost three straight, including a 55-51 loss to Mallard Creek Tuesday, and is alone in fifth entering Friday's game at Vance.
Vikings drop a game
North Meck's I-Meck title hopes in the boys' basketball race took a hit Tuesday night when Mallard Creek beat the Vikings 52-47.
The loss dropped North into a tie with the Mavericks in second place with 8-3 records, one game back of West Charlotte (9-2). North, which lost both games to West Charlotte, beat Mallard Creek 66-44 on Jan. 3, but struggled shooting the ball and on the offensive boards in the rematch.
North was coming off a 79-61 win over Hough from last Friday.
The Vikings play at Vance Friday, host Mooresville Tuesday, then close out the regular season at Hopewell Feb. 9.
Hopewell is sixth in the I-Meck with a 4-7 record. The Titans trailed Mooresville 22-21 at the half Tuesday, but fell victim to an 18-3 run and lost 63-39.
Hough is at the bottom of the I-Meck, 1-10 in league play after Tuesday's 81-42 loss at West Charlotte.
Patriots lead SPAA
Davidson Day improved to 24-3 overall and remained unbeaten in the Southern Piedmont Athletic Association (8-0) with a 60-38 win over Victory Christian Tuesday.
The Patriots were to host Carolina Day on Wednesday and play at Statesville Christian Friday.
LNC girls in second
Lake Norman Charter's girls are 8-3 in the Southern Piedmont Conference and in second place entering their home game with Highland Tech Friday.
The Knights are coming off back-to-back wins over East Lincoln (49-34) and West Lincoln.
With 11 league wins in as many games, North Lincoln leads the SPC. LNC, which is a game ahead of Lincolnton for second, travels to North Lincoln on Tuesday.
LNC boys tied for 3rd
The LNC boys, at 6-5 in league play, are in a three-way tie for third in the SPC, along with East Lincoln and North Lincoln.
Lincolnton leads the SPC, followed by Highland Tech.
LNC most recently defeated West Lincoln 55-18 on Tuesday.
— Staff
