By Justin Jarrett
LowcoSports.com
It’s been a while since The Palace was a place no visiting team wanted to play, but the glory days of Battery Creek boys basketball might be coming back around.
The Dolphins ran their win streak to five games with a 55-43 win over Colleton County on Monday, improving to 5-1 after a tough loss to Savannah power Calvary Day to open the season in the Savannah Hoops Showcase.
And the best part? The Dolphins are doing with a young roster loaded with sensational sophomores.
The hot start has coach C.J. Brown’s team rekindling the magic that filled the gym when Brown himself was starring for legendary coach John Drafts, whose name has been added to the rebooted BC Classic tournament that will be played at Creek from Thursday through Saturday.
The field includes area private-school power Hilton Head Prep — a potential opponent for the Dolphins if both make the finals — as well as an undefeated May River squad that could await Creek in the semifinals.
Junior Ethan Cox has been the breakout star of the early season for Battery Creek, averaging 15 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while displaying an improved outside shot and more well-rounded skillset, while sophomore Michael Wiliams, Tyjuan Simmons, and Tyrese Smith are all making huge contributions at both ends of the floor.
JPII knocks off Bucs; Young hits 1K
Bridges Prep’s boys started the season as the fifth-ranked team in Class 2A and bolted out to a 4-0 start before dropping two straight games this week, including another impressive win for John Paul II.
The Golden Warriors jumped out to a quick double-digit lead and held off Bridges Prep for a 52-43 road win Friday, and JPII followed it up with a 49-43 victory at Bethesda Academy on Monday.
Bridges also fell 58-46 at May River on Saturday, but the Bucs bounced back to beat Savannah Classical Academy 65-57 on the road Monday night.
Bridges Prep guard QJ Young went over 1,000 career points with the Bucs’ first basket against JPII.
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL
Beaufort (0-5)
Last week: L 44-76 vs. Battery Creek, 12/10; L 56-80 at Battery Creek, 12/14
This week: vs. Stall, 12/19; at Whale Branch, 12/20; vs. Cross High, 12/21; at Goose Creek, 12/23
Battery Creek (5-1)
Last week: W 76-44 at Beaufort, 12/10; W 69-47 at Whale Branch, 12/13; W 80-56 vs. Beaufort, 12/14; W 55-43 vs. Colleton Co., 12/16
This week: vs. Beaufort Academy, 12/19; vs. May River/Military Magnet, 12/20; vs. TBD, 12/21
Bridges Prep (5-2)
Last week: W 60-45 at Memorial Day, 12/10; L 43-52 vs. John Paul II, 12/13; L 46-58 vs. May River, 12/14; W 65-57 at Savannah Classical, 12/16
This week: at Lowcountry Leadership, 12/17; vs. Savannah Classical, 12/20
Whale Branch (4-4)
Last week: W 68-33 vs. Hardeeville, 12/10; L 47-69 vs. Battery Creek, 12/13; L 43-59 at Bluffton, 12/14
This week: vs. Beaufort, 12/20
John Paul II (6-2)
Last week: L 43-45 at May River, 12/10; W 42-43 at Bridges Prep, 12/13; W 49-43 at Bethesda Academy, 12/16
This week: No games scheduled
Beaufort Academy (0-3)
Last week: L 11-66 at Hilton Head Prep, 12/12; L 41-74 vs. Charleston Math & Science, 12/13
This week: at Battery Creek, 12/19; vs. May River/Military Magnet, 12/20; vs. TBD, 12/21
Holy Trinity (0-6)
Last week: L 18-51 vs. Coastal Homeschool, 12/10; vs. Lowcountry Leadership, 32-53
This week: No games scheduled
