Staff report

SALISBURY — The North Hills Christian boys basketball team got a tough win and an easy one and improved to 8-1.

The tough game was against Statesville Christian. North Hills was able to win it 67-57 on Thursday.

Statesville Christian (1-3) focused on stopping high-scoring Champ Hayden and held him to 26 points on 8-for-23 shooting.

Hayden’s teammates came through, especially Malachi Strong, who had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Zachary Strickland scored 11.

•••

LOCUST — North Hills had a breezy 82-24 win on Friday against overmatched Carolina Christian (1-6).

Hayden scored 38 points on 17-for-29 shooting and pulled down 11 rebounds.

Jerrod Drye had 13 points, 10 assists and seven steals.

Strong scored 16 points, while Strickland had 10.

•••

Next on the schedule for North Hills is a trip to Lexington on Monday for a game with Union Grove Christian (9-3).

Union Grove Christian won a Thanksgiving tournament.