Even though the Region 7-4A boys basketball race appeared to be wide open entering region play, Hilton Head High’s chances at a region title seemed like a longshot.
Until Tuesday.
The Seahawks opened region play with a 58-52 road win at rival Bluffton, showing they belong in the conversation about who could emerge from a competitive region.
“It gives us a lot of momentum going into region play,” first-year Seahawks coach Chane Brown said. “It helps that it’s a rival. The kids get geared up for that. Hopefully they believe in themselves after the win tonight.”
The Seahawks displayed great balance in the region-opening win, as Gaston Moore led the way with 15 points, but Dean Seelbach and Sam Summa each added 11, and Adam Smith had nine.
Lee Kirkland led the Bobcats with 16 points, Tyler Rice added 14, and Jatelvayn Mosley had nine.
The Bobcats and Colleton County had looked like the presumptive favorites to compete for the region crown, but the Seahawks seem to have altered those expectations.
“From here on out, who cares who we play, we just want to win,” Moore said. “We haven’t been doing that the past couple years. We need to change that.”
UP NEXT
HHIHS (8-7, 1-0) plays at Beaufort High at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Bluffton (8-7, 0-1) plays at Colleton County at 7:30 p.m. Friday.