<strong>By Wes Kerr</strong>
<strong>LowcoSports.com</strong>

In their first game back in nearly a month, Beaufort Academy’s girls concocted a defensive masterpiece Friday night. Mike’Ala Washington and Tahleea Heyward put up 13 each, and the Eagles’ defense stymied Hilton Head Prep on the road in a 40-26 victory in their first region contest of the season.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Beaufort Academy raced out of the starting blocks, grabbing a 10-3 lead after the first quarter. Four different BA scorers chipped in during the opening period, including Washington with an early three-ball.

The Dolphins looked like they were on their way back after a pair of buckets from Haley Majors, but BA took full control to end the half. The Eagles employed a full-court press to perfection, forcing a flurry of Hilton Head Prep mistakes to open a remarkable 13-0 run lasting through the majority of the third quarter. Heyward banged home a three to stretch the lead before Washington punctuated a strong first half with an uncontested drive to the hoop as the clock expired, giving the Eagles a 10-point halftime lead.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The suffocating defense continued in the second half, as BA’s hustle all around the court turned into steal after steal. Washington’s quickness and fast hands were on display all night, forcing takeaways and setting up numerous opportunities for herself and her teammates. The stelar sophomore dropped a dazzling dime to Heyward for the finish inside before another forced turnover set up a layup of her own.

Shanese Bostick put on a show in the third quarter, faking out a defender and taking the rock to the hole to highlight a five-point period and give the Eagles a commanding 32-12 lead. Haylee Hopman provided a spark for the Dolphins with a trio of three-pointers late, but the scoring drought in the middle frames was far too much to overcome.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Bostick scored a huge eight points to support Washington and Heyward’s matching 13s, and Mary Hanna Hiers added four. Hopman led the way for Hilton Head Prep with nine points. Sami Heginbottom, who was honored after the game for Senior Night, added three points.

<strong>Eanes leads pod of Dolphins past BA</strong>

In order to make their claim for the SCISA 3A playoffs, the Hilton Head Prep Dolphins needed a statement win. They got it done in style Friday night.

Led by a monster 21-point outing from sophomore Kane Eanes, the Dolphins put four in double figures and shut down a dangerous Beaufort Academy attack, annihilating the visiting Eagles 61-21 to grab their sixth straight victory.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Eanes matched Beaufort Academy himself, scoring 21 points along with three rebounds and three steals. Hayes put together another brilliant outing on both ends of the court, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.

Chance excelled on his Senior Night, scoring 12 to go along with six assists and five steals. Mikell lit it up from deep on his way to an 11-point game. Senior Luke Foley was a rebounding force all night long, and fellow honoree Harrison Green gave the Dolphins hard-fought minutes to help grab the lead.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Sully Gay led Beaufort Academy with seven points in the Eagles’ first game since Dec. 21.