BOYS BASKETBALL
Eagles hang on in region battle with Sharks
Every game has been a battle, but Beaufort High boys basketball is still standing tall atop Region 7-4A. Michael Dennison and Zyrin Odom posted double-doubles, and the Eagles took care of business at the foul line to hold off May River for a 74-66 home win Tuesday to stay perfect in region play.
Michael Dennison racked up 26 points and 10 rebounds, Odom collected 21 points and 13 boards to go with three steals, and James Dennison contributed 14 points, eight rebounds, and six assists for the Eagles, who got off to a quick start and kept the scrappy Sharks at arm’s length the rest of the way despite 20 points from James Layman.
James Dennison scored six of his 14 points in the fourth, hitting both ends of a key 1-and-1 before adding a couple of late buckets to help Beaufort hang on. Jake Alvarez also had six points for the Eagles as he works his way back from injury.
Golden Warriors work OT for two region wins
Thomas Heyward’s Brandon Howard had a huge second half to help the Rebels erase a double-digit deficit and force overtime, but John Paul II’s Jackson Ogden was too much in the extra period, scoring eight of his game-high 25 points to lead the Golden Warriors to a 68-62 home win in a key SCISA Region 4 matchup.
The Golden Warriors held a two-point lead with three-tenths of a second left in regulation, but Howard perfectly executed a lob on an inbounds pass under the Rebels’ basket, and Tony O’Banner tipped it in to force another five minutes. Ogden took over in the extra period, and Mark Knight hit 4 of 5 from the line down the stretch to help the Golden Warriors close it out.
Ogden finished with 25 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, to go with eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Knight added 20 points, four boards, and five steals, and James Keefer drilled three triples en route to 13 points for JPII.
Howard scored 17 of his 23 in the second half and overtime to fuel the comeback, and O’Banner added 11 points for the Rebels.
It was the second straight region victory for JPII, which also picked up big road win Thursday at Bethesda Academy with a hard-fought 52-50 triumph in double overtime.
Ogden went coast-to-coast and knocked down two free throws with 1.5 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, and Knight capped a 24-point night with a go-ahead 3-pointer with 25 seconds left in the second extra period to lift the Golden Warriors to a key region win.
Knight led JPII with 24 points, six rebounds, and four steals, while Ogden added 20 points, five boards, and three assists, and Finn Mahoney had 12 rebounds.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Golden Warriors run away from Rebels
A long holiday hiatus combined with a COVID-19 pause and a tough schedule coming out of the break left John Paul II hankering for a win for more than six weeks. The Golden Warriors finally got a taste Monday, pulling away in the second half for a 53-20 home win over Thomas Heyward.
Cayce Graves led the way with 14 points and four steals, while Brady Mahoney added 10 points, nine boards, and five steals in a terrific effort. Henderson hit a trio of triples for nine points, Caroline Gilmour added six points and four boards and provided excellent post defense, and Maddie Heathcott had four points and eight rebounds.
Brooke Smith scored six points, and Keleigh Bowers and Macey Taylor added five each for the Rebels.
Dolphins come up short vs. OCA
Battery Creek girls basketball put up a valiant road effort against a tough Oceanside Collegiate squad Tuesday, falling to the Landsharks 39-36.
Kiara Wilson impressed for the Dolphins in a hard-fought battle, putting up 20 points on the night.
Eagles can’t complete comeback
May River girls basketball got back in the win column Friday with a Region 7-4A road victory, coasting to a 42-32 win at Beaufort High.
After trailing by 14 at halftime, the Eagles clawed back within eight heading to the fourth, and Quinn Wilson scored six of her 15 points in the fourth quarter to try to close the gap further, but Morgan Scott closed out a 21-point night with eight fourth-quarter points to help the Sharks seal the win.
Topaz Fripp-Williams added six points for the Eagles.
Mighty Lions win defensive struggle
Holy Trinity girls basketball would not accept defeat against Cross Episcopal on Tuesday night, holding on for a 29-23 victory.
The Lions were up three after the first quarter, but the Stingrays pulled within 14-13 at halftime. The third quarter had the crowd on the edges of their seats, ending with an 18-18 score, but the Mighty Lions pulled away down the stretch for a six-point win.
Lilly Cooler collected 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead Holy Trinity, while Mary Bozard added eight points and eight rebounds, and Eliza Gaillard put up seven points and 13 rebounds.
