[caption id="attachment_34718" align="aligncenter" width="960"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Whale-Branch-Early-College-High-School-head-coach-Jerry-Hatcher-was-recognized-during-the-Covert-Bowl-Series-All-Area-ceremony.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-34718"><img class="size-full wp-image-34718" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Whale-Branch-Early-College-High-School-head-coach-Jerry-Hatcher-was-recognized-during-the-Covert-Bowl-Series-All-Area-ceremony.jpg" alt="Whale Branch Early College High School head coach Jerry Hatcher was recognized during the Covert Bowl Series All-Area ceremony." width="960" height="640"></a> Whale Branch Early College High School head coach Jerry Hatcher was recognized during the Covert Bowl Series All-Area ceremony.[/caption]
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>GYMNASTICS</b></span></p>
<b>Sports Academy to&nbsp;</b><b>host showcase event</b>

Sports Academy Gymnastics, 20 Maxine Lane, Beaufort will be the host site for the 2018 Sparkler Showcase to be held on Saturday, Jan 20, at 5:30 PM.&nbsp; The purpose of the event is to give members of the local community an opportunity to see competitive gymnastics at the grass roots level. The Sparklers, Beaufort’s only competitive girls gymnastics, will compete against each other by level, the meet will have a SCUSAG NAWGJ Judge and be similar to a college format. The 2018 Sparklers are:&nbsp; Level 3 (Beginner) Shannya Davidi, November McCollough, Kira Dobbs, Julia Dention, Brianna and Haydan Silva.&nbsp; Xcel Platinum’s (Intermediate Optional) are: Paige Hennessy, Elaina Polley, Kaileh Gentle and Zariyah Henry,&nbsp; The Xcel Diamonds (Advance Optionals) are Ashley Gavigan and Lauren Angus.&nbsp; The Sparklers are coached by LtCol David M. Kirkwood, USMCR, Ret. and Kaitlin O’Sullivan.
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>BOYS' HIGH&nbsp;</b></span><b><span style="color: #ff0000;">SCHOOL BASKETBALL</span></b></p>
<b>Coleman leads&nbsp;</b><b>BA over HHCA</b>

Dawson Coleman erupted for a game-high 32 points to lead Beaufort Academy past visiting Hilton Head Christian Academy 45-43 in a boys' high school basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Coleman was the only Beaufort Academy player to reach double figures in the scoring column.&nbsp;

<b>BA sweeps visiting&nbsp;</b><b>Faith Christian</b>

Three Beaufort Academy players reached double figures in the scoring column as the Eagles rolled past Faith Christian 60-31 in a boys' high school basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 13. Dawson Coleman paced Beaufort Academy with a game-high 24 points, while Jaxon Spratling contributed 14 points and David Mathai added 10 points. With the win, BA improved to 4-4 overall.&nbsp;

<b>Colleton County 97, Beaufort High 55</b>

In a boys' high school basketball game, Colleton County pulled away to beat Beaufort High 97-55.&nbsp;
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>GIRLS' HIGH&nbsp;</b><b>SCHOOL BASKETBALL</b></span></p>
<b>Battery Creek knocks&nbsp;</b><b>off Bluffton, 48-42</b>

Battery Creek won its Region 8-3A opener on Tuesday, Jan. 9, upending host Bluffton 48-42 in a girls' high school basketball game. With the win, Battery Creek improved to 12-2 overall and 1-0 in Region 8-3A. Starr Reed led Battery Creek with 14 points and seven rebounds. Ta'Quasia Lampkin turned in a solid all-around performance, scoring nine points, pulling down eight rebounds, dishing out four assists, recording seven blocks and registering three steals. Kevea Sanders added eight points and five rebounds for Battery Creek in the victory.

<b>Beaufort Academy 59, Faith Christian 22</b>

Beaufort Academy moved ahead early and eventually pulled away to defeat Faith Christian 59-22 in a girls' high school basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 13. Kendall Duncan led Beaufort Academy with 14 points. Karolina Struharova and Emily Ann Hiers added 12 points apiece. Beaufort Academy improved to 7-4 overall with the win.

<b>Hilton Head Christian Academy 51, BA 29</b>

Beaufort Academy was limited to five field goals after halftime as Hilton Head Christian Academy prevailed 51-29 in a girls' high school basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 9. The Eagles were forced to play from behind throughout the contest. Hilton Head Christian Academy controlled the second half, outscoring Beaufort Academy 34-12.

<b>BA edges Thomas Heyward Academy</b>

Beaufort Academy edged visiting Thomas Heyward Academy 46-44 in a girls' high school basketball game on Friday, Jan. 12. Familiar foes, Beaufort Academy and Thomas Heyward Academy swapped leads on multiple occasions during their latest regular-season meeting. Karolina Struharova led Beaufort Academy to the hard-fought win, scoring 17 points for the Eagles. Following Struharova, Amelia Huebel posted 15 points for the Eagles, while Emily Ann Hiers netted nine points. Six BA players provided scoring in the winning effort.&nbsp;

<b>Linton leads Beaufort High to victory&nbsp;</b>

Brittany Linton scored a game-high 19 points to lead Beaufort High past Colleton County 39-36 in a back and forth girls' high school battle on Friday, Jan. 12. Linton was the only Beaufort High player to reach double figures in the scoring column. But Beaufort High delivered a balanced offensive effort and Darien Watkins netted nine points.
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>HIGH SCHOOL&nbsp;</b><b>WRESTLING&nbsp;</b></span></p>
<b>Beaufort High ranked sixth in Class 4A</b>

The Beaufort High School wrestling team is ranked sixth in the latest Class 4A poll released by South Carolina Wrestling (SCMat.com).&nbsp;

Battery Creek is ranked ninth and May River is 20th in Class 3A. Whale Branch is ranked 13th in Class 2A.