State Champs! Hilton Head Prep boys top rival to win SCISA 3A championship

Hilton Head Prep won the season series against rival Hilton Head Christian and a state championship to go along with it.

The Dolphins got a big performance from Jason Cusano and their defense to defeat the Eagles, 39-21, on Friday to win the SCISA 3A boys basketball championship at Sumter Civic Center. It was Prep’s first championship since 2019.

“This is special. This is special for our seniors,” Hilton Head Prep coach Richard Barron told reporters after the game. “It is great to see them go out like this. This is their goal for a while.

“This is a great rivalry and Hilton Head Christian and Jason (Grunkemeyer) does a great job and they had a tremendous season. We had to play well to beat them.”

The game was the third meeting of the season before between the two teams. Hilton Head Christian won 57-47, on Jan. 20, while Prep won, 53-41, on Feb. 10.

After losing to the Eagles, the Dolphins didn’t lose a game the rest of the season and finished with a 10-game winning streak.

Cusano led Hilton Head Prep with 18 points and the Dolphins used an 11-1 run to close out the third quarter and lead 26-15. Hilton Head Prep held HHCA to nine points in the second half.

Kane Eanes added 12 points for HHP. Eanes and Cusano earned all tournament honors along with Andrew Helms.

All-tournament selection Isaiah Anderson led Hilton Head Christian with 11 points. Qayden Turner Hilton also earned all-tournament honors for the Eagles.

HHCA: Qayden Turner 3, Harrison Skinner 5, Maciah Hamilton 2, Isaiah Anderson 11. HHP: Ben Frey 1, Sean Cusano 18, Kane Eanes 12, AJ Barger 4, Jason Britschge 4.

This story was originally published February 24, 2023 at 11:01 PM.