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The second round of the NCHSAA 2026 basketball state playoffs is in the books, and Wilmington-area teams delivered again.
Five local squads punched their tickets to the third round, including both Hoggard’s boys and girls programs. Each Vikings team will host an 8A East quarterfinal on Saturday, Feb. 28, with a trip to the regional finals on the line.
New Hanover’s boys protected their home floor in a rivalry matchup against North Brunswick, securing their third win over the Scorpions this winter.
Below is every Wilmington-area high school basketball Round 2 playoff score from Thursday, Feb. 26.
PLAYOFF BRACKETS See 2026 Wilmington-area NCHSAA basketball playoff brackets and scores
The Wildcats (19-7) shut down any thoughts of a historic playoff upset from their rivals across the bridge, leaning on a balance over flash. Ny'Zion Ballard poured in a game-high 17 points, while junior Dylan Fortun knocked down three 3-pointers on his way to 15.
New Hanover will host Garner in Round 3 on Saturday, a team it handled comfortably in a 79-51 win on Dec. 5, 2025.
"Once we just started holding onto the ball, it just clicked for us,” Fortun said. “We have some of the best fans in the county, but we can’t take Garner lightly. They really want to beat us.”
Garner, the No. 13 seed, earned the rematch by knocking off No. 4 Knightdale 69-60 on Thursday night. Saturday’s winner advances to the 7A East quarterfinals, scheduled for Tuesday, March 2.
The Vikings (21-6) are off to the quarterfinals of the NCHSAA 8A East bracket after cruising past No. 8 Wakefield at home Thursday. Hoggard will now host No. 12 Green Level on Saturday, Feb. 28, with a trip to a regional championship on the line.
After trailing 32-25 at halftime, Laney (20-9) mounted a comeback that put the Bucs in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs for the first time in recent memory.
Laney will travel to No. 2 Apex Friendship on Saturday. A win could set up a potential regional championship rematch with Wilmington rival Hoggard.
The No. 10 Trojans' (18-10) tremendous postseason continued in Round 2 thanks to a huge 27-point first-quarter showing over No. 7 Terry Sanford. West Brunswick will look for yet another upset in a Round 3 road matchup with No. 2 J.H. Rose Saturday.
The top-seeded Vikings (26-1) took a 24-8 halftime lead before cruising past No. 8 Green Level at home. The Vikings are back in a playoff quarterfinals for a third straight season and host No. 5 Wakefield, the team that eliminated them in last winter's 4A East regional final, at home Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington, NC NCHSAA playoff basketball Round 2 results, scores
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Five local squads punched their tickets to the third round, including both Hoggard’s boys and girls programs. Each Vikings team will host an 8A East quarterfinal on Saturday, Feb. 28, with a trip to the regional finals on the line.
New Hanover’s boys protected their home floor in a rivalry matchup against North Brunswick, securing their third win over the Scorpions this winter.
Below is every Wilmington-area high school basketball Round 2 playoff score from Thursday, Feb. 26.
PLAYOFF BRACKETS See 2026 Wilmington-area NCHSAA basketball playoff brackets and scores
Wilmington, NC NCHSAA Round 2 playoff scores
Boys
New Hanover 72, North Brunswick 56
The Wildcats (19-7) shut down any thoughts of a historic playoff upset from their rivals across the bridge, leaning on a balance over flash. Ny'Zion Ballard poured in a game-high 17 points, while junior Dylan Fortun knocked down three 3-pointers on his way to 15.
New Hanover will host Garner in Round 3 on Saturday, a team it handled comfortably in a 79-51 win on Dec. 5, 2025.
"Once we just started holding onto the ball, it just clicked for us,” Fortun said. “We have some of the best fans in the county, but we can’t take Garner lightly. They really want to beat us.”
Garner, the No. 13 seed, earned the rematch by knocking off No. 4 Knightdale 69-60 on Thursday night. Saturday’s winner advances to the 7A East quarterfinals, scheduled for Tuesday, March 2.
Hoggard 63, Wakefield 42
The Vikings (21-6) are off to the quarterfinals of the NCHSAA 8A East bracket after cruising past No. 8 Wakefield at home Thursday. Hoggard will now host No. 12 Green Level on Saturday, Feb. 28, with a trip to a regional championship on the line.
Laney 49, Leesville Road 47
After trailing 32-25 at halftime, Laney (20-9) mounted a comeback that put the Bucs in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs for the first time in recent memory.
Laney will travel to No. 2 Apex Friendship on Saturday. A win could set up a potential regional championship rematch with Wilmington rival Hoggard.
West Brunswick 63, Terry Sanford 43
The No. 10 Trojans' (18-10) tremendous postseason continued in Round 2 thanks to a huge 27-point first-quarter showing over No. 7 Terry Sanford. West Brunswick will look for yet another upset in a Round 3 road matchup with No. 2 J.H. Rose Saturday.
More scores
- Eastern Alamance 73, South Brunswick 63
- Farmville Central 81, Trask 36
Girls
Hoggard 54, Green Level 42
The top-seeded Vikings (26-1) took a 24-8 halftime lead before cruising past No. 8 Green Level at home. The Vikings are back in a playoff quarterfinals for a third straight season and host No. 5 Wakefield, the team that eliminated them in last winter's 4A East regional final, at home Saturday.
- Willow Spring 76, Laney 73
- South Garner 58, Ashley 45
- Southeast Raleigh 54, Topsail 43
- Heritage 52, New Hanover 32
- CB Aycock 61, South Brunswick 53
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington, NC NCHSAA playoff basketball Round 2 results, scores
Continue reading...
