<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Warriors stay hot going into postseason</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Whale Branch boys basketball rolled into the postseason with a 59-48 win at Charleston Math &amp; Science on Wednesday, the Warriors’ third straight win and their sixth in seven games to close out the regular-season slate.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>AJ Singleton scored 18 points and Jashaun Gillison added 13 to lead the way for the Warriors. Quintillion Fields contributed eight points, and Keith Chisholm had seven.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Onarae Grant scored 22 points and Thomas Tillman had 10 for the Riptide.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Whale Branch (16-7, 12-2) will be the No. 2 seed from Region 7-1A and host a first-round game in the Class 1A playoffs on Feb. 17.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>WB wraps up regular season with blowout win</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Whale Branch girls basketball wrapped up the regular season with a dominant road win Wednesday, routing Charleston Math &amp; Science 55-9.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>It was a six-point game after the first quarter, but the Warriors outscored the Riptide 21-0 in the second quarter to break it open and coasted to the finish.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Kynew Barnwell scored 24 points to lead the way for Whale Branch, while Kiana Smashum added 10, and Erin Rivers contributed eight.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Whale Branch (18-7, 11-3) will begin the Class 1A playoffs on Wednesday.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Dolphins crush Cougars to close regular season</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Battery Creek girls basketball wrapped up the regular season with a dominant road win Tuesday, routing North Charleston 60-26.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Dolphins played exemplary basketball on both ends of the court, taking a 22-10 lead after one period before doubling up the Cougars 34-17 at halftime. Battery Creek’s defense locked down its opponents in the second half, allowing just four points in the third quarter and five in the fourth as the Dolphins cruised to victory.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Ashante Shaw led a fantastic all-around effort, scoring 18 points while grabbing 13 rebounds. Kiara Wilson also notched a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards, and Amari Daise added nine points.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Battery Creek (10-12, 6-4) has secured the No.3 seed in Region 8-3A and will play at the Region 6 runner-up in the first round of the SCHSL 3A playoffs on Feb. 17.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Eagles flip script, split with Cougars</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Beaufort High girls basketball held off a furious fourth-quarter rally from visiting Colleton County on Tuesday to come away with a 47-44 home victory on Senior Night.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Eagles took control early on, playing terrific defense while building a 22-14 halftime lead. Beaufort pushed the margin out to 13 going to the fourth, but the Cougars came roaring back before their rally fell short.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Quinn Wilson and Jakaylah Webb scored 11 points each and Jayla Daise added nine to lead the Eagles, who avenged a 52-45 loss at Colleton County. Makayla Chisolm scored 17 points and Shandi Brown had 13 to lead the Cougars.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->