Each Monday (or Tuesday) throughout the high school girls basketball season, we recognize the standouts from the previous week’s action.
We select an offensive and defensive player of the week, as well as a Team of the Week.
Here’s this week’s installment of the Lowco Girls Basketball Spotlight presented by 4M Metals.
ADDITIONAL BASKETBALL SPONSORSHIP PROVIDED BY
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kynew Barnwell, WB
Barnwell carried the Warriors at the offensive end during their 3-1 showing at the Blackville-Hilda Hawk Invitational. The sophomore guard averaged 22.5 points in four games, including 28 in a tough loss to Estill in the semifinals. She also topped 20 in wins over Allendale-Fairfax and Midland Valley and put up 19 in a win over Ridge Spring-Monetta for third place.
Also nominated: Chynna Sneed, MRHS; Dior Shelton, HHCA; Anna Genova, HHIHS
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Anna Genova, HHIHS
The sophomore was promoted to the starting lineup for three games at the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational, and she stepped up in a major way. Genova averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 steals, 5.7 deflections, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks during the tournament, including an outstanding effort in the Seahawks’ finale, as she collected 13 points, 14 steals, 15 deflections, 4 rebounds and a block in a win over host SLAM Tampa.
Also nominated: Jazmin Diaz, WB; Jordan Bigham, MRHS
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Hilton Head High Seahawks (2-1 last week, 6-6 overall)
After a disappointing showing in their own Seahawk Classic last week, Hilton Head High’s girls bounced back with a solid showing at the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational. After getting trounced by a strong Knoxville Catholic team in the first round, the Seahawks came back to win two straight despite playing without one of their leading scorers, giving them something to build on going into region play.
GAME OF THE WEEK
B-Town Classic at Bluffton High School, Jan. 2-4
It’s the girls’ turn to take over The Den, as coach Lonnie Roberts’ Bobcat girls host an eight-team tournament starting Thursday. Play begins at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, with Ridgeland-Hardeeville against Columbia High starting off a quadrupleheader. The host Bobcats open against Freedom (Fla.) at 7 p.m. Thursday, and the championship game is slated for 3 p.m. Saturday.
PAST WINNERS
Dec. 9: Zhani Thompson, WB; Tatyana Aiken, BLHS; HHCA
Dec. 16: Emma Peluso, MRHS; Tkai DeVore, JPII; Whale Branch
Dec. 23: Tacoya Heyward, BLHS; Layla Warren, BHS; Bluffton
Dec. 30: Kynew Barnwell, WB; Anna Genova, HHIHS; HHIHS