Warriors’ streak hits 9 before Eagles end it
Whale Branch racked up four region wins last week before the Warriors’ nine-game winning streak was snapped with a 48-26 loss to top-ranked Military Magnet on Monday.
The Warriors started the busy week by routing visiting St. John’s 65-18 on Tuesday. Kynew Barnwell scored 20 of her game-high 24 points in the first half, including 14 in the second quarter, as the Warriors built a 32-8 halftime lead. Heaven Grant splashed five 3-pointers en route to a career-high 21 points for Whale Branch, and Erin Rivers added eight points.
A night later, Whale Branch clobbered Baptist Hill 56-14 at home as the Warriors displayed their most balanced scoring effort of the season. Barnwell led the way with 18 points, Rivers added 10, Grant scored nine, and Jalaila Jenkins chipped in eight.
The Warriors rolled past the Bobcats again Friday on the road, winning 59-12 behind 29 points from Barnwell. Rivers added 11, and Zhane Shuler had 10.
Whale Branch capped off a 4-0 week with a 58-33 home win over Charleston Math & Science on Saturday, as Barnwell scored 21 points, Grant added 11, and Rivers had eight.
The streak ended Monday, as the top-ranked Eagles made a statement, opening with a 14-0 run in the first quarter and leading 22-6 at halftime before the Warriors found their rhythm on offense. Whale Branch pulled back within 11 going to the fourth quarter, but they couldn’t close the gap as the Eagles pulled away.
Rivers scored 10 points to lead Whale Branch, while Layla Love and Kiana Smashum added five each. Military Magnet did a terrific job on Barnwell, holding her scoreless until her lone bucket in the fourth quarter.
BA solidifies hold on 2nd in region
Beaufort Academy bounced back from a loss to powerhouse Hilton Head Christian Academy on Tuesday to pick up two region victories, beating Colleton Prep and Thomas Heyward.
The Eagles were no match for HHCA, which used its size in the paint to control the boards as Abby Peduzzi racked up 28 points on 10-for-18 shooting and ripped down 20 rebounds. Mikayla Washington led BA with 17 points and nine rebounds, and Tahleea Heyward added seven points.
The Eagles got back in the win column with a 76-43 home victory over Colleton Prep on Friday. Kamirah Freeman led four Eagles in double digits with a career-high 25 points, while Heyward added 15, Washington had 13, and Mary Hanna Hiers contributed 10.
BA made it two in a row with a 57-39 win at Thomas Heyward on Monday. The Eagles got off to a quick start, leading 17-6 after one quarter and pushing it to 33-17 by halftime. The Rebels dug in and kept it within 12 going to the fourth but couldn’t keep pace in the final period. Heyward scored 19 points to lead the way for BA, while Hiers added 10, Washington had nine, and Freeman contributed eight.
