<strong>By Justin Jarrett</strong>
<strong>LowcoSports.com</strong>

John Paul II’s boys beat back a challenge from a scrappy Colleton Prep squad Friday and pulled away in the second half for a 63-43 home win.

Mark Knight led the way for the Golden Warriors with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Jackson Ogden contributed 14 points, five assists, and five rebounds, and Austin McIntosh collected 10 points and 12 boards for JPII, which was without big man Malone Kinard-Huisinger.

The War Hawks were led by an influx of newcomers, including eighth-grader Melvin Teal, who poured in 20 points to keep Colleton Prep in the game. Naz Johnson added 11 points, and CJ Dixon had eight for CPA.

JPII (7-2, 2-1 region) raced out to a 17-9 lead after one quarter before Teal and Dixon heated up and led the War Hawks back in the second quarter, pulling within 30-26 at halftime.

Knight took over in the second half, though, pouring in 11 in the third quarter to help the Golden Warriors extend the lead back to double-digits, then helping close it out at the line.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>
<h4>JPII girls put it all together in win over War Hawks</h4>
John Paul II’s girls played their best game of the season and rolled to a 55-21 region win over visiting Colleton Prep on Friday.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

“All of the hard work, heart and determination paid off tonight and I couldn’t be more proud of these girls,” JPII coach Karen Floyd said. “We got it done on both ends and played great team basketball.”

Brady Mahoney posted her first double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds along with two steals, and Maddie Heathcott also had a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards. Taylor Michael scored a game-high 18 points along with four rebounds and three steals, and Bella Termini added five points, six rebounds, and two steals for the Golden Warriors (2-6, 1-1).

Taylor Tomedolskey scored 13 points and Rachel Wright added six to lead the War Hawks.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;

<em>Photo by Justin Jarret</em></span>