SPORTS REPORT
The Hampton County Hurricanes saw their magical high school football inaugural season come to a halt with a 42-21 loss at Oceanside Collegiate. The Canes took a 21-14 lead and seemingly had the momentum before the Landsharks scored 28 unanswered points to take control and advance to fellow charter school power Gray Collegiate for the Class 2A title.
So on to basketball season we go!
The USCB Sand Sharks were back in The Tank on Saturday, hosting Paine College out of Augusta. The women got their first win since opening day, snapping a three-game skid with a 68-33 win over the Lions. Freshman Janiyah Heyward continued her strong play with 17 points, five rebounds and four steals, hitting double digits for the third straight game, while junior college All-American Brielle Bartelt scored 13 as she continues to work her way back from injury, and Savannah product Mahkayla Premo stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
The USCB men hit the century mark in three straight wins before stumbling against Savannah State, and they nearly reached triple-digits again Saturday, holding off Paine for a 94-81 win in the sort of track meet we’ve come to expect from this Sand Sharks team.
Freshman Marcus Overstreet continued to dominate inside with 21 points and 14 rebounds for his third double-double in five games, while Larry Bulluck added 13 points and Aussie sharpshooter Kobe Shewry scored 12. Point guard Dylan Lewis put up another solid line, as well, with nine points, five boards, and six assists.
High school basketball season starts to hit its stride this week with a busy slate that includes a number of Lowco-on-Lowco matchups. We’re still waiting to get our first look at most of the squads, but a few teams have already made a statement in the early going.
It’s no surprise that the five-time defending state champion Hilton Head Christian Academy girls are off to a quick start with three lopsided wins to begin the season. Led by the senior trio of Tamya Hutchinson, Morgan Scott, and Devon Yarde — who are averaging 52.7 combined points thus far — the Eagles are averaging 72 points per game and have allowed a total of 78 points. Tougher test coming Friday at home against Calvary Day.
The Bluffton Bobcats have been the gold standard for area public school girls teams in recent years, and they seem poised to retain that status after winning the Earl Campbell Preseason Tournament last week at Whale Branch Early College High School. The Bobcats routed Bridges Prep and Beaufort to reach the final before dispatching rival Hilton Head High 57-36 for the title. Tacoya Heyward and Amirah Brown had monster games against the Seahawks, who were without star Lynda Young, so the home-and-home rematch in region play should be interesting, but with bigs Ja’laina Mosley and Madi Washington alongside the dynamic duo of Heyward and Brown, the Bobcats will be tough to beat.
The more surprising 3-0 start on the girls side belongs to the Cross Stingrays, who have added Battery Creek transfer Genesis Wilson and HHCA transfer PJ Benson to a group of talented younger players to form a potential SCISA 1A contender.
After meeting for the SCISA 3A boys title a year ago, Hilton Head Prep and Hilton Head Christian Academy are both off to 1-0 starts, as the Eagles won at Coastal Homeschool and the Dolphins picked up an impressive 36-32 win at Calvary Day. We don’t get the first meeting of the rivals until Jan. 12 in Sea Pines, so sit tight.
The Dolphins and Eagles might face more competition from region mate John Paul the 2nd this season, too. After winning only three games last season, the Golden Warriors already have two dubs in three tries this season, led by senior multisport star Christian Tilton and an influx of newcomers.
The Earl Campbell Preseason Tournament provided some enticing Lowco-on-Lowco matchups, as Class 2A No. 5 Hampton County knocked off Class 1A No. 3 Whale Branch in a top-five battle, but the Warriors held off Bridges Prep in a preview of a Region 7-1A showdown we’ll get to see twice more. Colleton County’s boys also won their first two games in convincing fashion, and they have an intriguing test coming Saturday at home against Hampton.
Justin Jarrett, Lowco Sports
Last Night in the LowCo
843-540-9394
http://www.LowcoSports.com
LowcoSports@Gmail.com
WHHI Daily News Anchor: Bob Stevens
November 2023
WHHI Television: Your Hyperlocal South Carolina Television Station Serving the Lowcountry!
Hilton Head Island, SC | Bluffton, SC | Beaufort, SC | Pooler, GA
Beaufort County | Jasper County | Hampton County
WHHI-TV. Local News. Local Sports. Local Television. Live Local.
Spectrum Channel 3 & 1230 | Hargray Channel 8 & 418 | Over the Air 30.1
843-785-4545
http://www.WHHITV.com
http://www.Facebook.com/WHHITV
http://www.Twitter.com/WHHITV
WHHITV@Gmail.com
32 Office Park Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
