One seriously sore throat proved to be one big headache for the J.H. Rose boys’ basketball team.

The Rampants were forced to take on conference foe New Hanover Tuesday night without their key big man. Tyrece Little was in the hospital with an abscessed tonsil, and while he was laid up, the visiting Wildcats rode the broad shoulders of forward Detwon Rodgers to plenty of lay-ups and a 68-53 victory at the Rose Garden.

The Wildcats’ win capped a sweep for the visitors, as the Rampant girls let a close game slip away late, 55-44.

Rodgers’ presence was a constant as he compiled a game-best 25 points, including a couple of vicious dunks on a floor in which he seemed to be the only one playing above the rim.

“(Little) makes a big difference, but it was a chance for other guys to step up,” said Rose coach James Rankins, whose team settled for outside shots for much of the night. “Unfortunately, we played against a team that’s real strong on the inside. They had a lot of lay-ups and they got fouled a lot just because of the size. They went inside, where we are weak, and they beat us on the break.”

Right behind Rodgers and scoring seemingly dozens of the same lay-ups all night was Cole Daley, who added 23. Rounding out the New Hanover storm was Freddie Jackson, who steadily racked up 17 points, including 9-for-10 from the free throw line.

Rankins admitted his team’s weakness inside was exposed by New Hanover, but said he didn’t mind, knowing that’s where the hole is in his lineup.

“Unfortunately for us, we’ve put a lot of stock into our big kid to get back and stop (the fast break), and tonight he wasn’t there and other kids have to step in there,” Rankins said.

Rose (8-13, 5-4 Mideastern Conference) was led by 15 points apiece from Elon Edwards and Chris Best, followed by 13 from A.J. Freeman.

Rankins said Little’s status was day-to-day.

Rose hosts New Bern on Thursday.

GIRLS’ GAME

The game was deadlocked at 19-19 at halftime, and the Rampant girls grabbed a couple of one-point leads in the third quarter.

But even after trailing by just one at the third quarter turn, 31-30, and even sneaking back into the lead one last time early in the fourth, Rose was unable to make its free throws in order to survive in the final period.

Shante Williams tallied seven of her 10 points in the fourth as the Wildcats crafted a 10-point edge, 46-36, with 3:55 to play, and didn’t stop there.

The loss spoiled a valiant effort from Rose’s Lindsey Corbett, who rifled home a game-high 22 points, followed by seven apiece from Kellie Beres and Keosha Grimes.

Morgan King led the way for New Hanover with 17 points, and Williams and Jaylyn High each added 10 in the win.

As a team, Rose was 8-for-25 from the line.

Contact Nathan Summers at nsummers@reflector.com or (252)329-9595.

Girls’ Game

New Hanover 55

J.H. Rose 44

NEW HANOVER (55)

Rajine Burns 2, Kayla McLucas 3, Jaylyn High 10, Shanta Williams 10, Jhaniik Johnson 3, Morgan King 17, Shanique Toney 3, Miller Hales 7.

J.H. ROSE (44)

Kellie Beres 7, Rebecca Phillips 2, Keosha Grimes 7, Emily Lennon 1, Brittany Avin 2, Lindsey Corbett 22, Dreginalle Daniels 3.

Boys’ Game

New Hanover 68

J.H. Rose 53

NEW HANOVER (68)

Montrell Swett 1, Freddie Jackson 17, Marquan Gibbs 2, Cole Daley 23, Detwon Rodgers 25.

J.H. ROSE (53)

A.J. Freeman 13, James Nolen 3, Tyler Rankins 7, Elon Edwards 15, Chris Best 15.