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The Hilton Head High standout scored a game-high 23 points while adding 11 rebounds and seven blocked shots as the Seahawks boys basketball team cruised to a 49-35 home win over Battery Creek on Friday night.
It came just four days after Hilton Head High suffered a disappointing one-point setback at Cane Bay to open up region play. The Seahawks were down by 17 points heading into the fourth quarter and had a shot to win it at the buzzer before coming up short.
"We saw a young team kind of grow up a little bit," coach Ken Updike said.
The Seahawks (7-9, 1-1 Region 7-AAA) clung to a two-point lead at intermission, thanks in part to Julian's seven first-half points, before pulling away in the third period. Hilton Head High started the second half on an 11-0 run and Battery Creek (3-13, 0-2) never seriously threatened after that.
The decisive run was highlighted by Julian's alley-oop layup from point guard Jacob Coltrane, who in turn pushed the lead to nine moments later with his 3-pointer from the top of the key. Julian would add two big dunks in the final period to put the finishing touches on the 14-point victory.
"Getting to the basket is good for Mike," Updike said. "He's got a really good first step. He's long. He's athletic. We're getting him to really work on finishing above the rim and attacking the basket."
But the turning point was on the defensive side of the ball. The Dolphins managed just seven points in the third quarter, and three of those came on a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Miguel Crawley.
"We decided that we were going to pressure the ball a little bit more," Updike said. "We were going to pick up full, three-quarter court, pressure the ball, make them work a little bit harder."
The decision paid off. Battery Creek managed just 19 points over the final 16 minutes, and several of those came in the waning moments.
Leading scorer Justice Oliver -- averaging 23 points per game -- was held scoreless, as Hilton Head High's Robbie Iulo and Chris MacMurray took turns shutting him down.
The Seahawks return to action Tuesday night at home against Lake Marion. The Dolphins host Cane Bay on Tuesday.
Hilton Head High boys 49, Battery Creek 35
Hilton Head High (7-9, 1-1 Region 7-AAA) -- Michael Julian 23, Alex MacDonald 12, Bennett Murphy 6, Jacob Coltrane 4, Robbie Iulo 4
Battery Creek (3-13, 0-2 Region 7-AAA) -- Miguel Crawley 12, DeVontae Wilson 9, Tayvon Jennette 7, Michael Robinson 4, Tyrone Kelson 2, Travon Heyward 1
Hilton Head High girls 47, Battery Creek 12
The Hilton Head High girls basketball team has been a different group since its return from Atlanta.
The Seahawks remained perfect since their 1-2 showing in the Atlanta tournament over Christmas break, this time knocking off Battery Creek, 47-12, Friday night at home.
"Three of the four games we've played in since we've been back, we've really played pretty well I think," coach Dave Greenberg said. "We're starting to play better as a team."
Hilton Head High (12-4, 2-0 Region 7-AAA) had been winning its fair share of games before departing for Georgia's capital, but Greenberg didn't think the Seahawks had played particularly well.
That's no longer the case.
"I thought that trip was real positive for us," he said. "Since we've been back, I think the kids understand a little better what we're trying to do."
What the Seahawks are trying to do starts with defense. That showed on Friday, as Battery Creek (2-11, 1-1) managed just 12 points, including four in the first half. All of those first-half points came from Daisja Cannon.
"Going up there, we saw better teams and we saw the level they played at and the effort they gave and how well they played together," Sabrina Drammis said of the Atlanta tournament. "We realized we can bring back those elements and place them in our game to make us a better team as well."
Drammis notched 18 points and eight rebounds in the win while Americal Jenkins added 10 points and nine boards.
The Seahawks host Lake Marion on Tuesday, while the Dolphins take on Cane Bay.
Hilton Head High (12-4, 2-0 Region 7-AAA) -- Sabrina Drammis 18, Americal Jenkins 10, Lauryn Bush 7, Macy King 6, Shy Flemming 2, Jamese Franklin 2, Rachel Friend 1, Brennan O'Gorman 1
Battery Creek (2-11, 0-2 Region 7-AAA) -- Daisja Cannon 5, Alisha Varela 4, Jasmine Wallace 2, Diamon Smalls 1
