HICKORY — Both of Hickory's varsity basketball teams took advantage of its homecourt advantage Friday night in their Northwestern Conference Tournament finals games.

Hickory got a basket from Aja Hoyle with 1.3 seconds left to take a 35-33 victory over South Caldwell in the girls' final. The Red Tornadoes' boys' team followed with a 61-56 victory over Alexander Central in an emotionally charged gamed that was physical enough to send several players to the floor, one courtesy of a hard intentional foul.

Both games were played in front of emotional crowds in packed David Craft Gym.

Hoyle's basket was scored after the Red Tornadoes were awarded possession of the ball after a jump-ball at mid-court with 16 seconds left. South Caldwell, which got possession of the basketball after Hickory's Yazmen Hannah made a foul shot with 52.4 seconds left, nearly lost possession on another jump ball, but the possession arrow was pointing the Spartans' way.

Hoyle dribbled the clock down to around six seconds left, and then drove to the basket before hitting a short jump shot. South Caldwell did not have a chance to get an answer to the shot.

Hoyle, who was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, finished with 11 points. Hannah added nine.

South Caldwell got 13 points from Tori Younce. Shaina Sams, a four-year starter for the Spartans, added nine points.

Hickory's boys got 19 points from Raheim Connelly, including five 3-point baskets. Connelly caught fire in the fourth quarter by making three 3-pointers, the final one giving the Red Tornadoes a 52-43 lead. His shooting broke open a hotly contested game between teams that had already played three times during the regular season.

Hickory was able to keep Alexander Central from coming back by making 7-of-8 free throws in the final 1:18 of the game. Jalen Byrd made 13-of-15 free throws and finished with a game-high 23 points. Hickory finished 22-of-27 from the foul line.

Alexander Central, which struggled with Hickory's physical play at the beginning of the game, struggled to fine any offensive rhythm until the second quarter. Nathan Birkedal, who scored a game-high 10 points, was clotheslined by Darius Malbon while going to the basket in the third quarter and left the game with two gashes close to his eye. Birkedal returned wearing a different jersey later in the third.

Hickory also limited Cougars center Alek Ayer to just nine points. Ben Ford also finished with nine points.