CHAPEL HILL - The Garrett Young-Wright Fan Club met in open session last week, giving throaty voice to its pleasure in how well undefeated and No. 1-ranked Chapel Hill has been playing basketball.

Young-Wright, a 6-2 junior, usually sits well down the bench as part of Chapel Hill's experienced roster, which sometimes runs as deep as 18 players for a game. Playing time can be precious.

But the Tigers have been hitting stride of late, and the margins of victory have been getting wide enough to allow coach Tod Morgan to use his entire lineup.

When Chapel Hill opened up a 62-24 lead last Friday night on Northern Vance, Young-Wright's friends at Chapel Hill High School's Alumni Gym began to chant à la the Cameron Crazies' sing-song: "GAR-rett YOUNG-Wright ... GAR-rett YOUNG-Wright..."

Their delight when he bounced up from the bench early in the fourth quarter turned into near ecstasy when he banked in a 3-point shot from atop the key.

His basket, putting Chapel Hill up 70-28, drew wild cheers from his schoolmates in the stands and raucous applause from his teammates on the bench.

Encouraged by his schoolmates' support, Young-Wright quickly popped in a jumper from the lane and another 3-pointer from near the lane's elbow, the baskets coming barely 30 seconds apart.

In all, Young-Wright scored eight of the Tigers' last 10 points as they finished off Northern Vance for a 77-35 victory.

"I have a good time, even when I'm not playing; everyone keeps it very positive on the bench, but it still means a lot to get some playing time and get out onto the floor," Young-Wright said.

Notably, Chapel Hill's reserves did not let up on the defensive end, even in the late going. Chapel Hill held Northern Vance to 3-for-8 shooting and forced four turnovers in the game's last 6:35.

"We definitely take pride in our defense," Young-Wright said. "Every day we have a defensive emphasis in practice. For the past week or so, we've really harped on boxing out. We know we're not the tallest team, so we have to work extra hard to get rebounds."

Facing a Northern Vance team that was able to go 6-8, 6-5, 6-5 across the front-court, Chapel Hill still out-rebounded the Vikings 34-33 and held a 15-8 advantage on the offensive boards.

Chapel Hill (16-0 overall, 2-0 conference) forced the Vikings into 30 turnovers total Friday. The Tigers held Northern Vance (9-6, 1-1) to a single field goal for 10:17 of the first half on their way to 41-13 lead by halftime.

CHHS took its biggest lead, 62-24, after a 7-0 run to end the third quarter, sparked by back-to-back 3-pointers by Stephen Himmelberg and Denzel Ingram

Ingram, who didn't play in the game's final 9 minutes, led all scorers with 16 points. Andrew Grant went 4-for-5 on 3-pointers and added 12 points. Anthony Vanhook was one of seven Tigers to hit at least one trey and finished with 11 points.

"It felt good to have my shot back," Grant said. "It's been off some this season."

Chapel Hill may need some outside shooting tonight. The Tigers host Oxford Webb (11-2, 2-0) at 7:30 p.m., and they might be the first team to see UNC recruit Isaiah Hicks suit up for the Warriors.

Hicks, 6-8, 200 pounds, is considered one of North Carolina's top players from the Class of 2013 and one of the nation's top power forwards. He transferred from Raleigh's Body of Christ Academy to Oxford shortly after receiving a scholarship offer from UNC, but he did not play in any games for Webb last semester.

Tigers 79, Vikings 43

Chapel Hill's No. 7-ranked girls basketball team scored early and often last Friday on Northern Vance, running away with a 79-43 Carolina 3A victory over the Vikings.

Catherine Romaine scored a season-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Chapel Hill (12-2, 1-1 conference), helping the Tigers bounce back from a 44-42 upset loss to Cardinal Gibbons on Jan. 10.

"Catherine finished some good shots. She had an outstanding game," Chapel Hill coach Sherry Norris said. " I wish we had those points the other night against Cardinal Gibbons."

Jessica Wall had 11 points and three assists for CHHS. One of 12 Tigers to score at least two points, Arianne Jacobs chipped in seven points and another three assists.

"We got a lot of playing experience for a lot of people," Norris said. "Jessica got some more experience at point guard because of some foul trouble for Ari.

"We've got to learn to come out and play smart all the time - not reaching in and committing fouls away from the basket that aren't stopping a score."

The Tigers burst out to a 29-9 lead in the game's first 10:30 and led 45-14 at the halftime break. Much like the boys' game that followed, the Tigers held Northern Vance (3-9, 0-2) to two field goals and a free throw for the last 10:19 of the first half.

Northern Vance's Jasmine Evans scored 13 points in the second half, most of those coming on good outside shooting after Chapel Hill pulled its starters, and she finished with 17 points. Kendall Wilson had 11 for the Vikings.