GIRLS BASKETBALL
BA takes down another crosstown foe
Beaufort Academy’s girls picked up another win over a crosstown public school rival on Tuesday, winning 36-28 at Battery Creek.
The Eagles held the Dolphins to 19 percent from the field, including 1-of-18 from 3-point range, to win the defensive struggle, giving BA wins over Beaufort High and Battery Creek this month.
Creek did a nice job of limiting opportunities for BA star Mike’Ala Washington, who was held to a season-low 10 points and grabbed six rebounds, but Washington’s backcourt mate took advantage. Tahleea Heyward poured in a season-high 17 points and grabbed five boards, while Mary Hanna Hiers snagged nine rebounds and Ari Gonzalez had six boards to help the Eagles seal the win.
Noni Singleton had eight points and six boards to lead the Dolphins, while Ashante Shaw added four points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
BA (4-2) hosts First Baptist at 6 p.m. Friday. The Eagles will celebrate Senior Night and hold their state championship ring ceremony to honor last year’s SCISA 1A champs. Battery Creek (2-3) travels to May River for a non-region matchup at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Warriors blow by Bamberg-Ehrhardt
Kynew Barnwell had another huge game with 27 points, seven steals, and three assists to lead Whale Branch to a 54-12 rout of visiting Bamberg-Ehrhardt on Friday.
Barnwell averaged 31 points in two wins this week after pouring in 35 in a victory over Estill on Tuesday.
Zhani Thompson added nine points and three steals for the Warriors, while Erin Rivers had eight points and three boards.
The Warriors are off to a 4-0 start going into region play.
Barnwell drops 35 as WB routs Estill
The Whale Branch girls backed up their season-opening win over Estill with a 66-42 road win in the rematch of Class 1A top-five teams Tuesday.
Kynew Barnwell poured in 35 points to lead the way for the fifth-ranked Warriors, banging in a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter and then torching the No. 4 Gators with a series of slashes to the bucket and breakaways created off turnovers.
Erin Rivers continued her dominance in the paint for Whale Branch with 15 points and unofficially recorded her third straight double-double to start the season, and Zhani Thompson added 14 points.
Tamyia Hutchinson scored 23 points to lead the Gators.
Creek can’t find range in loss to Vikings
Battery Creek’s girls took a tough home loss Friday night, falling 38-23 to visiting Denmark-Olar.
The Vikings pulled away in the second half of a defensive struggle that saw a combined 48 turnovers.
The Dolphins brought good energy early on and trailed 9-8 at the end of the first quarter, but Battery Creek just couldn’t find a rhythm at the offensive end. Creek made just six field goals all night and shot 11 percent overall, including 1-for-20 from 3-point range.
Creek’s defense kept it in the game, holding the Vikings to 27 percent from the floor. The Dolphins were within 20-17 at halftime before going frigid in the second half.
A 3-pointer from Sophia Felix gave Creek a flash of hope in the fourth quarter, pulling the Dolphins within five, but Denmark-Olar used a strong performance on the boards to neutralize the comeback and close it out.
Felix had five points and nine rebounds, Myra Smith and Iesha Shaw each scored five points, and Emonee Johnson had four points and nine boards for the Dolphins.
– Gabriel Jenkins
Golden Warriors pick up first win
John Paul II’s girls used a dominant defensive effort to earn their first victory of the season Thursday, winning 26-19 at Charleston Collegiate.
Paige Weniger collected 10 points and five steals, and Maddie Heathcott just missed a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds to lead the way for the Golden Warriors. Cayce Graves swiped 10 steals to lead JPII’s strong defensive showing, while Bella Termini had five steals and three points, and Ru Bennett grabbed six rebounds.
“The girls have been working so hard and it’s paying off,” JPII coach Karen Floyd said.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Warriors rally to knock off Gators
The Whale Branch boys continued their trend of slow starts followed by second-half surges Tuesday, escaping with a 40-35 win at Estill after erasing a 12-point halftime deficit.
AJ Singleton scored six of his game-high 10 points in the fourth quarter of the defensive struggle to help the Warriors outscore the Gators 29-12 in the second half and 13-2 in the final period.
Devonta Barnard added eight points for the Warriors, who had to look for other offensive options with the Gators focused on shutting down star point guard Jaylen Reeves. Reeves finished with just five points, but he was 3-of-4 from the foul line in the fourth quarter to help seal the win.
JPII stays perfect with 3 in double digits
John Paul II’s boys continued their undefeated start to the season with a 67-41 win at Patrick Henry on Friday.
Mark Knight posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead three players in double figures for the Golden Warriors.
Christian Tilton added 14 points and five rebounds, and Jeremiah Young had 13 points and five assists for JPII.
Above: Battery Creek’s Sophia Felix, far right, keeps her eye on Denmark-Olar’s Aveion Stukes during the third quarter of their basketball game Friday night. The Lady Vikings went on to defeat the Lady Dolphins, 38-23. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
