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ELIZABETH CITY – It seems that a three-week lay-off due to COVID-19 issues would leave Hertford County High School’s varsity boys basketball team a bit rusty.

That wasn’t the case here Wednesday night.

Daylan Askew’s 23 points led the way as the Bears pounded Pasquotank High School, 70-39, in their Northeastern Coastal Conference opener.

Two other HCHS players struck for double figures – Israel Powell (16) and Ashton Lassiter (10) – to help the Bears improve to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in league play.

HCHS led 17-10 after the first period of play and held a 38-19 advantage at halftime. The Bears put the game away in the third quarter where they outscored their hosts, 19-5, to take a commanding 57-24 lead into the final period of play.

Rounding out the HCHS scoring were Keondre Rodgers (6), Quinton Wright (5), Demari Guess (4), and two points each from Keveon Rodgers, Quadre Douglas, and Antoine Lawrence.

After a home game Friday vs. league rival First Flight, the Bears will hit the road for two conference games next week: Tuesday at Northeastern and Thursday at Currituck.