High School Girls Basketball Class 1-A playoffs: Warriors start with easy win

The first basketball playoff game at Whale Branch High School didn't carry the pressure of the postseason.

The Warriors joked at the free throw line during warmups. Guard Kemoni Jenkins pointed to a teammate and accused her of stepping over the line.

And Jenkins bounced through player introductions, bumping fists with officials before trotting to midcourt.

High School Basketball: Girls squads gearing up for postseason play

The area's girls basketball teams enjoy a clean slate as they open the S.C. High School League playoffs tonight.

Hilton Head Island High School -- the No. 1 seed in Region 7-AAA -- will face Socastee at 6 tonight to start the Class 3-A playoffs.

The Seahawks (19-5, 9-1) are coming off a disappointing loss to archrival Bluffton High School on Friday night. Hilton Head High led by 12 points early in the fourth period before the Bobcats rallied to claim a two-point victory.

Prep Roundup, Feb. 11

Andrea Daring turned in a three-point play to push the lead to six and give Thomas Heyward Academy some breathing room with about a minute left to play, and the Rebels went on to claim a 41-33 win over Charleston Collegiate in girls basketball on Friday.

With the victory, Thomas Heyward (22-0) clinched Region 1-AA.

Kayla Canavan led the Rebels with 10 points. Brielle Jungblut had nine points and seven steals, and Ashley Layman scored six and grabbed 10 rebounds.

• Photo: Whale Branch's Deborah Fields goes up for a rebound during the Warriors' game with Bamberg-Ehrhardt on Wednesday.
  Jay Karr -- The Beaufort Gazette

Whale Branch basketball teams win, prepare for postseason

Whale Branch High School celebrated its first senior class Wednesday, lining up the Warriors and their friends and family between games.

A lot has changed for the better for the girls since they first suited up for the inaugural season. The first-year team resembled its recreation ball roots, and coach Wilbert Bryant spent much of the season instilling discipline and fundamentals.

A new season brought much-needed components -- a capable ball-handler and depth in the post. And Whale Branch heads for uncharted territory, the school's first girls basketball playoff game. A 57-31 home victory Wednesday over Region 5-A foe Bamberg-Ehrhardt clinched the Warriors a No. 2 seed and home playoff game Monday. Whale Branch will host Charleston Math and Science in Seabrook.

D'Amato resigns as Whale Branch football coach

Rob D'Amato completed perhaps the toughest task of a coach's resignation Monday, breaking the news to his players.

Whale Branch High School's first football coach is leaving after two seasons to pursue an assistant coaching opportunity in the Charleston area. He declined Monday to reveal the school, pending a contract being finalized.

D'Amato told his players they had been part of building something, that his research showed the average records of some of the state's other first-year programs was 5-15 over the first two seasons. The Warriors were 12-10 under D'Amato, with two playoff berths.

Prep roundup, Feb. 7

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Whale Branch 54, Bethune-Bowman 21: Shaniqua Johnson had a double-double, putting up 14 points and 10 rebounds, to lead the Warriors to victory.

S'nitra Mack added 10 points and five steals, and Sherrin Reed also had 10 points for Whale Branch (10-6 overall, 8-3 Region 5-A). Deborah Fields finished with eight points and nine rebounds, Kenyada Moultrie had eight points, and Kemoni Jenkins had four points, seven assists and 10 steals.

Prep Roundup, Feb. 5

WRESTLING

White Knoll 49, Beaufort High 18: The Eagles' team season came to a quick halt Saturday, as White Knoll defeated them in the opening round of the Class 4-A playoffs.

The match was closer than the final score might indicate, with Beaufort High (28-9) holding an 18-16 lead at one point. According to coach Bill DaMude, only one of the first nine matches of the day was decided by pin. But with three forfeits soon to follow, the Eagles' chances faded fast.

Prep Roundup, Feb. 4: HHCA's Conroy wins 200th game

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Hilton Head Christian 40, Bible Baptist 37: The Eagles fought off a challenge from their Savannah visitors, getting their record to .500 and giving Kenny Conroy his 200th career victory as a girls basketball coach -- against his former team, no less.

Hilton Head Christian led 28-16 at the half, but struggled to put away Bible Baptist in the non-region matchup.

Prep Roundup, Feb. 1: Bluffton boys rally for win at Cane Bay

BOYS BASKETBALL

Bluffton 72, Cane Bay 62: Trailing by 18 in the first half and 15 during the third quarter, the Bluffton High School boys basketball team mounted a furious comeback at Cane Bay to remain on top of Region 7-AAA with a 72-62 win Tuesday night.

"It just wasn't going our way," Bluffton coach Brett Macy said. "We were flat."

Prep Roundup, Jan. 28: Ridgeland boys take out Whale Branch

BOYS BASKETBALL

Ridgeland 75, Whale Branch 62: The Jaguars broke open a back-and-forth game with a big third quarter, taking control of second place in Region 5-A.

Ridgeland's Torray Amlett led all scorers with 32 points. Terrance Frazier added 22 points. Jeremiah Nelson scored eight, and Tyron Mikell added five for the Jaguars.

Prep Roundup, Jan. 25: Beaufort High boys basketball team wins at Fort Dorchester

BOYS BASKETBALL

Beaufort High 43, Fort Dorchester 42:

Joey Chaplin hit the go-ahead basket with under a minute to play, and the defense stayed strong to help the Beaufort High School boys basketball team pick up a road win Tuesday night at Fort Dorchester, 43-42.

Prep Roundup, Jan. 21

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Hilton Head High 45, Berkeley 28: The Seahawks used a strong first half to remain undefeated in Region 7-AAA.

Sabrina Drammis scored 17 points and added eight rebounds to lead Hilton Head High. Americal Jenkins scored 10 points and Lauryn Bush contributed six.

Prep Roundup, Jan. 18

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Hilton Head Prep 31, Memorial Day 29: The Dolphins won their third game of the season, holding off the visitors despite playing more than three minutes in the final quarter with only four players.

Taylor Kent had nine points and eight rebounds for Hilton Head Prep, which dressed seven players to start the game.

Prep Roundup, Jan. 14

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Thomas Heyward 83, Cathedral Academy 20: The undefeated Rebels shared the wealth in an easy region win, as six players scored in double figures, led by Brielle Jungblut's 12 points and nine steals.

Jamie Malphrus added 11 points, Caitlyn Cooler had 10 points and six assists, and Ashlie Layman had 10 points for Thomas Heyward (13-0 overall, 2-0 region), which shot 62 percent from the field.

2-Minute Drill with Leroy Perry

Whale Branch senior Leroy Perry has been a force in the post for the Warriors the past two seasons.

Perry averages a double-double this season, with 14.1 points per game and 10.7 rebounds. He says the Warriors have developed their chemistry over the school's first two years and that they hope to compete for a Region 5-A title.

Perry has thoughts of joining the Army after high school. The Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet this week subjected him to an early drill.

Prep Roundup, Jan. 11

BOYS BASKETBALL

Cane Bay 52, Hilton Head High 51: A furious comeback in the fourth quarter Tuesday night came up just short for the Hilton Head High boys basketball team, as the Seahawks dropped their Region 7-AAA opener at Cane Bay, 52-51.

Cane Bay led by as many as 20 points and had a 17-point lead going into the fourth quarter. The Seahawks, led by Jake Coltrane, outscored the Cobras 23-7 in the final period.

Beaufort High wrestlers perfect in Battery Creek tournament

The Beaufort High and Eastside wrestling teams were on a collision course.

Each team took the mat Saturday morning at Battery Creek with unblemished records in the Coach Trap Memorial tournament, and a win would likely determine the overall champion.

Enter Beaufort's Tyler Wilson.

Prep Roundup, Jan. 5

BOYS BASKETBALL

Hilton Head High 46, Ridgeland 43 (2OT): The Seahawks trailed 30-18 going into the fourth quarter, but outscored the Jaguars 12-0 in the period to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Jake Coltrane made three of four free throws in the second overtime to help the Seahawks (6-7) seal the victory. Michael Julian finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and four steals to lead Hilton Head High. Alex MacDonald added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Prep Roundup, Jan. 4

BOYS BASKETBALL

Whale Branch 48, Ridgeland 47: Ridgeland's furious fourth-quarter rally came up inches short Tuesday night at Whale Branch, as Terrance Frazier's shot at the buzzer was ruled a 2-pointer instead of a triple, sending Whale Branch to a 48-47 win over the Jaguars in a Region 5-A matchup.

Andre Watson grabbed 15 points and three assists for Whale Branch (7-4) while Leroy Perry notched 14 points, 10 rebounds and six steals.

Prep Roundup, Dec. 29

From staff reports

The tournament hosts started well at the inaugural Island Classic.

The Hilton Head High boys basketball team rolled over Hilton Head Prep 53-26 on Wednesday. The Seahawks advance to play Hilton Head Christian Academy at 7:30 p.m. today.

Prep Roundup, Dec. 28

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Warrior Classic: Whale Branch girls overcame a slow start to defeat Battery Creek 58-42 and advance to today's championship game of the Warrior Classic.

2011 Island Packet/Beaufort Gazette Fall Sports MVPs

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Coach of the year: Bill Wrightson, Hilton Head High

All-area team: Harris Reeves, Bluffton; Joshua Tierney, Bluffton; Alex Couch, Hilton Head High; Sean McMahon, Hilton Head High; Colton Hennessey, Hilton Head High; Sam Beattie, Hilton Head High; Noa Pagatpatan, Hilton Head High

2011 Island Packet/Beaufort Gazette All-Area Football Team

Three weeks after playing for the Class 3-A state football championship, Bluffton High School players and coaches sill haven't had much time to reflect on their team's record-breaking season.

Many players transitioned to basketball. Head coach Ken Cribb prepared for and coached on the Shrine Bowl staff. And linebacker Michael Grant started in the all-star game.

But given a moment, in the quiet confines of a school deserted for the holiday break, three of the Bobcats' key components reflected on a 14-1 season, which ended with a loss to South Pointe in Clemson's Memorial Stadium.

Three county wrestlers win titles at USMC Seahawk Slam

Nick Bautista knew his opponent well entering the championship match of the individual finals of the USMC Seahawk Slam.

And how could he not? The Hilton Head High wrestler faced the same opponent, White Knoll's Jake Beckett, earlier in the season and lost a decision. The defeat spurred Bautista to work on specific moves in practice, with the Beckett match in mind.

Given the chance to redeem himself Thursday on his home mat, Bautista avenged the previous loss, earning a decision over Beckett to claim the 182-pound title on the final day of the Seahawks' grand event.

Prep Roundup, Dec. 22

BOYS BASKETBALL

Spruce Creek (Fla.) 50, Whale Branch 41: Spruce Creek, hailing from Port Orange, Fla., broke open a close game by going on a 13-point run in the second half to send Whale Branch to a loss on the final day of West Ashley's holiday tournament.

Leroy Perry had 16 points, five rebounds and three steals to lead the Warriors (6-4). Michael Middleton added six points, four blocked shots and three steals, and his brother Simeon Middleton had six points, six rebounds and two assists.

Prep Roundup, Dec. 18

BOYS BASKETBALL

Bluffton 59, Ridgeland 42: Bryson Bell rang up 20 points and 13 rebounds to propel the Bobcats, who led 19-15 at halftime.

"We were a little off to start the game," Bluffton coach Brett Macy said. "In the third quarter, we got our press working and really took it to them."

Prep Roundup, Dec. 17

BOYS BASKETBALL

Battery Creek 61, Savannah Calvary Day 53: Justice Oliver had 23 points, freshman forward Devontae Wilson chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds, and the Dolphins notched a win to open play at the Christmas Classic in Savannah.

Senior Michael Robinson scored nine for Battery Creek, which erased a 26-23 halftime deficit.

Prep Roundup, Dec. 16

BOYS BASKETBALL

Bluffton 95, Beaufort Academy 20: The Bobcats rolled at home against their SCISAA foe. Bryson Bell led Bluffton with 14 points. Jeremy Scott and C.J. Frazier each added 10. And B.J. Hill and Marquis Webber each scored nine points for the Bobcats.

Preston Suber led the Eagles with six points.

Prep Roundup, Dec. 14

BOYS BASKETBALL

Whale Branch 71, Hardeeville 62: Leroy Perry piled up 30 points and 13 rebounds to help the Warriors open Region 5-A play with a victory.

Senior guard Eric Frazier added 14 points, four steals and four assists for Whale Branch (6-1, 1-0), and Stedmon James had eight points.

Prep Roundup, Dec. 10: Hilton Head High holds off Whale Branch in OT

BOYS BASKETBALL

Hilton Head High 47, Whale Branch 43 (OT): The Seahawks held the hosts scoreless in overtime, handing the Warriors their first loss of the season.

Michael Julian had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Alex MacDonald had 12 points and six boards to lead the Seahawks (2-2). Bennett Murphy added nine points for Hilton Head High, which had a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter until Whale Branch's Dee Delaney got the hot hand.

Whale Branch boys rally past rival Battery Creek

Linc Lyles believes winning close games to be among the later steps in a program's progression, that the ability to regularly close out an opponent might not come until tough lessons are learned.

And so he might sound a little surprised the way his Whale Branch boys basketball team is finishing off teams during its undefeated start. The Warriors trailed most of the game Wednesday in their home gym before coming back to take out rival Battery Creek, 57-52.

"I tell our team we can be a special team at the end of the season," Lyles said. "It's frustrating when you get behind, but our guys just never let up."

Prep Roundup, Dec. 8

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Thomas Heyward Academy 49, Colleton Prep 43: Jamie Malphrus and Caitlyn Cooler had double-doubles to help the Rebels remain unbeaten. Malphrus finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and four steals, and Cooler had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Kayla Canavan contributed nine points -- seven of which came in the fourth quarter -- to help Thomas Heyward (6-0). Ashlie Layman added 11 rebounds and five steals.

Prep Roundup, Dec. 3: Carpenter's 3 lifts Beaufort High over Edisto

BOYS BASKETBALL

Beaufort High 48, Edisto 46: Keith Carpenter sank a 3-pointer -- his only three points of the game -- with little more than 10 seconds to play, and the Eagles knocked off an Edisto team featuring University of North Carolina-committed Brice Johnson in the Shoney's Invitational.

Jordan Broussard led Beaufort High with 11 points, Keion Marshall scored nine and Anthony White and Henry Jenkins chipped in eight points each.

Prep Roundup, Dec. 2

BOYS BASKETBALL

Laurence Manning 72, Hilton Head Christian 56: Brad Meccariello scored 20 points and Conner Millen added 13, but the Eagles were handed their first loss of the season in the second round of the Colleton Prep Shoney's Invitational.

Taylor MacDonald had nine points, and Kyle Weaver, Jamario Williams and Clay Oliver scored four each for Hilton Head Christian (2-1), which faces either Thomas Heyward Academy or Dorchester Academy at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Prep Roundup, Dec. 1

BOYS BASKETBALL

Whale Branch 43, Hilton Head High 26: Leroy Perry put up 17 points and 16 rebounds to guide Whale Branch to a win over visiting Hilton Head High in both teams' season opener.

Stedmon James added nine points, nine rebounds and three assists for the Warriors (1-0). Andre Watson finished with five points and four steals, and Eric Frazier came up with five points, three assists and three steals for Whale Branch, which plays at Battery Creek on Friday.

2011-12 girls basketball team preview capsules

BATTERY CREEK

Coach (record at school): Bernadette Ulmer (12-12, second season)

2010-11 record (playoff results): 12-12, 6-4 Region 7-AAA, lost in first round of Class 3-A playoffs

Prep Roundup, Nov. 20

VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL

Whale Branch 42, Bishop England 29: Leroy Perry had 12 points and 13 rebounds to help the Warriors open their season with a win Saturday at Charleston Math & Science's Riptide Classic.

Eric Frazier added eight points and four steals, and Andre Watson had six points and two steals. Stedmon James added five points and a pair of steals, and Leon Hazel tallied five points and three assists for Whale Branch (1-0), which faces Stall at 1 p.m. today in the tournament.

High School Football Notebook: War of words under way in build-up to Bobcats' game at Myrtle Beach

It didn't take long for the trash-talking between Bluffton High School and Myrtle Beach High School to begin -- and the Seahawks have gotten creative in their methods.

On Saturday night, the team's website featured a photo of Bluffton coach Ken Cribb leading a post-game prayer after last year's Class 3-A Lower State championship game at Bluffton, which the Seahawks won 47-0.

The caption below Cribb's photo read, "Coach Cribb praying after last year's lower state championship lost to Myrtle Beach!!! Hope we don't have to play them again !!! Seahawks are coming!!!"

Clark, Scott, Fields picked for Palmetto Champions team

Three area football players have been recognized for their standout seasons.

Beaufort High's Kyle Clark, Ridgeland's Wesley Scott and Whale Branch's Josh Fields have been named to the South Carolina Football Coaches Association Palmetto Champions All-Star football team.

Clark made the team as a kicker, Fields as a kick returner and Scott as a defensive lineman. The Palmetto Champions, a team made up of 25 high school football players and 10 coaches, will be honored Dec. 1 at a banquet in Columbia.

High School Football Notebook:Warriors look to add muscle in offseason

The sign hanging at the end of the hallway to the Whale Branch High School football team's locker room asked the Warriors every day where they would be on Nov. 25.

After a 60-40 home loss to visiting Scott's Branch in the first round of the Class 1-A Division II playoffs Friday, Warriors coach Rob D'Amato hopes his players will be in the weight room.

Whale Branch was dominated physically in the second half against Scott's Branch, as Eagles running back Leon Mathis rolled up 320 rushing yards and six touchdowns.