<b>Whale Branch rally falls short vs. Tigers</b>

The host Whale Branch girls made a strong second-half comeback but came up short in a 51-48 loss to Allendale-Fairfax on Tuesday in the Earl Campbell Preseason Tournament.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The Warriors trailed 16-6 after one quarter and 28-17 at halftime before clawing back. They were within six going to the final period but could’t close the gap.

Kynew Barnwell scored 17 points, and Zhani Thompson added 15 for the Warriors. Khaaliyah Brown had 20 and Atova Johnson added 14 for the Tigers.

Whale Branch (0-1) hosts Ridgeland-Hardeeville in the consolation game at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

<b>Creek loses<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Elam’s opener</b>

Battery Creek’s girls couldn’t keep pace with a strong Berkeley team in Anntionette Elam’s head coaching debut Monday, falling 61-18 to the visiting Stags.

Trezure Siplin led Battery Creek with four points.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The Dolphins (0-1) play at Beaufort High on Friday.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<b>Boys&nbsp;</b><b>Jags hold off Warriors for tourney title</b>

Ridgeland-Hardeeville held off a fourth-quarter charge from host Whale Branch for a 51-47 win Wednesday in the boys championship game of the inaugural Earl Campbell Preseason Tournament.

Mauriq Singleton poured in 20 points — including six 3-pointers — to lead the Jaguars, and Rashard Baker added 12 points.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The Jags led 26-23 at halftime but extended the margin to nine entering the fourth quarter.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Shawn Chisolm scored 20 points and Nick Pringle had 14 to lead the Warriors.

Whale Branch rolled to a 68-30 win over Allendale-Fairfax in opening round Tuesday.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Chisolm scored 18 points, Shemar Williams added 16, and Pringle had 12 to lead a balanced effort for the Warriors.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Whale Branch (1-1) hosts Ridgeland-Hardeeville at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6.

<b>Dolphins fall short<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>in Brown’s debut</b>

Battery Creek’s boys lost 63-42 to visiting Berkeley on Monday in coach CJ Brown’s debut.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

“First game of the season jitters are out,” Brown said. “Playing against the 5A state runner-up will only get us where we need to be in 3A.”<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

AJ Waring scored 18 points, and Daviyone Sanders added 8 for the Dolphins.

Battery Creek (0-1) plays at Beaufort High on Friday.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;

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<em>Colleton County’s Ashley Salvage (4) collides with an Allendale-Fairfax player during the second half of their championship bracket game of the Earl Campbell Preseason Basketball Tournament on Wednesday night at Whale Branch Early College High School. Colleton County went on to win 39-35 to become tournament girls champions. Photo by Bob Sofaly</em>

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