Zeus Batts' 27 point performance advances New Hanover to state playoff quarterfinals
New Hanover boys basketball is returning to the NCHSAA 4A East playoff quarterfinals for the first time since 2018 after defeating No. 24 Broughton 52-48 on Saturday.
The Wildcats raced into action in the first half, matching a talented Broughton attack that never let the Wilmington team breathe.
New Hanover's top scorer Rodmik Allen was the target of relentless defensive attention from Broughton, leading sophomore Zeus Batts to score a season-high 27 points.
New Hanover will host the winner of Holly Springs vs. Panther Creek on Tuesday at Brogeden Hall.
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Batts knocked down four 3-pointers after failing to hit a single shot from beyond the arch last game.
"Last game, I was 0-6 from three, and (my coaches and teammates) were telling me to keep shooting. I listened to them (and kept) shooting the ball, that's all I did," Batts said.
@NCHSAA 4A Round 3 playoffs: No. 1 @NHHSWildcatsMBB vs. No. 24 @BroughtonHoops . Big performances from @AllenRodmik and @Manning_Lasso on Thursday pushed both teams to this spot. Should be fun. pic.twitter.com/V6i5IWhyha
— StarNewsVarsity - Michael Cuneo (@StarNewsVarsity) February 25, 2023
New Hanover coach Kirk Angel said the Wildcats were able to recognize Broughton's defensive tactics and shift the ball to Batts.
"They definitely know who Rodmik Allen is," Angel said. "During a dead ball timeout, (Rodmik) told Zeus, 'You got to go do your thing' because they were locking him up and running bodies at him and doubling him. It was a good game plan on their part."
Much like Thursday's playoff win over Wake Forest, Angel said keeping the Wildcats mentally tough was his top priority.
"This time of year, I've told the kids, we've been in workouts all fall, you've been playing for four months, but so have they. They're tired, everybody's tired, and it's a mental battle. You're on your floor and you gotta protect your floor," Angel said.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New Hanover boys basketball advance to state playoff quarterfinals
