Beaufort beats Battery Creek on road, ends skid
It has been a tough start for Beaufort High girls basketball under new coach Dominique Cureton, but a young Eagles squad broke through for a satisfying win Friday, beating crosstown rival Battery Creek, 32-30, on the road to snap a four-game losing streak.
Topaz Fripp-Williams collected eight points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, and Quinn Wilson added seven points to lead the Eagles, who are finding their way after losing star guard Layla Warren to graduation and breakout candidate Ki’Ayisa Moultrie to injury.
Kiara Wilson posted 11 points and two others had five, but Battery Creek couldn’t close out a second-half comeback.
It looked as though Beaufort would run away with the game early, as the Eagles went up 10 heading into the second quarter, but the Dolphins battled throughout to keep it close.
Beaufort started the quarter an 8-0 and kept the Dolphins off the board until there were 19.6 left in the opening frame. Ashante Shaw knocked down both ends from the free throw line to finally score for Creek.
Creek’s defense picked it up during a strong second period, only allowing Beaufort to score six points. Felix and Wilson combined for seven of the Dolphins’ 11 points and the score was 18-13 at the half.
The defense for Battery Creek continued its strong play during the third quarter, only allowing four points throughout the frame. Wilson drove to the basket and scored to put the Dolphins up for the first time at 23-22.
Beaufort scored the first bucket of the fourth period, but Wilson drove to the hole and found Iesha Shaw, who found the basket for her first points of the night. The Eagles pulled ahead 31-29 with only 90 seconds remaining, and Wilson made it a one-point game with only 10 seconds remaining, but the Eagles went 1-for-2 from the charity stripe with just 0.4 seconds left to ice the game.
Whale Branch 53, Estill 31
Kynew Barnwell shined with 22 points, and Whale Branch’s girls rebounded at home Tuesday with a 53-31 victory over Estill.
After finishing the first quarter tied at 9, the Warriors grabbed the advantage with a 12-7 run to go up 21-16 at halftime. Whale Branch grew the lead to double digits after the break and finished strong with a 17-7 surge in the final period.
Barnwell was outstanding on both ends for the Warriors, dropping 22 points to go with six assists and five steals. Erin Rivers recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Kiana Smashum showed her versatility with nine points, five boards, four steals, and two assists.
Holy Trinity 44, Bridges Prep 29
Holy Trinity girls basketball bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 44-29 home win over crosstown foe Bridges Prep on Monday.
Eliza Gaillard recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Mighty Lions, while Lily Cooler added 10 points and five rebounds, and Lele Cooler had 10 points and four steals. Selah McGrew contributed eight points and seven rebounds for Holy Trinity.
Holy Trinity improved to 7-1. Bridges dropped to 1-6
