Whale Branch held off a late charge from Bluffton to win 59-53 on Dec. 9.

The Warriors won after Bluffton concluded the game on a 29-16 run.

With the win, Whale Branch improved to 4-3 overall

Following the loss, Bluffton fell to 1-4.

Whale Branch outscored Bluffton 14-6 in the opening quarter and led 301-7 at halftime. The Warriors managed to stretch their lead after intermission, outscoring Bluffton 13-7 in the third quarter.

Whale Branch, however, gave up 29 points to a hot-shooting Bluffton boys’ basketball team in the final quarter. Still, the Warriors held on to claim the win.

Mike Middleton led Whale Branch with a double-double. Middleton scored 19 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for the Warriors in the victory. David Lamb and Javell Coakley added 11 points apiece for Whale Branch. Fresh off of an exceptional football season, Nyles Pinckney netted four points.