Each Monday (or Tuesday) throughout the high school boys basketball season, we recognize the standouts from the previous week’s action with the Lowco Girls Basketball Spotlight presented by 4M Metals.
We select an offensive and defensive player of the week, as well as a Team of the Week, and highlight the biggest game of the upcoming 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
Tkai DeVore, JPII
DeVore has been a mainstay among the nominees and contenders for Player of the Week honors all season long, and her performance was undeniable last week. The senior led the Golden Warriors to a 3-0 week, averaging 24 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 5.7 steals, and she hit the clinching free throws in a two-point win over Beaufort Academy.
Also nominated: Miley Ray, HHIHS; Myra Smith, BCHS; Zhani Thompson, WB; Gracyn Drury, MRHS; Tkai DeVore, JPII; Sequoia Smalls, BHS; Brionne Anderson, BLHS
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kynew Barnwell, WB
Because she is the Warriors’ leading scorer, Barnwell’s defensive contributions are often underplayed. But she racked up eight steals in two games last week — both wins — as Whale Branch held two region opponents to an average of 20 points. Oh, and she put up 16 points per game, too, with seven assists and only two turnovers.
Also nominated: Kenzie Ryan, HHIHS; Starr Reed, BCHS; Kynew Barnwell, WB; Jordan Bigham, MRHS; Jasmine Hamilton, JPII; Layla Warren, BHS; Brionne Anderson, BLHS
TEAM OF THE WEEK
John Paul II Golden Warriors (3-0 last week, 16-2 overall)
The Golden Warriors started the week with a huge region game against Beaufort Academy, and after pulling out a thrilling 56-54 victory, they parlayed the momentum into an impressive 3-0 mark. Offensive Player of the Week Tkai DeVore did her thing, but it was the supporting cast that caught our attention. Jasmine Hamilton is becoming a problem in the paint, Abby Quinty had her best game of the season against BA, and Taylor Michael is heating up from outside, making JPII a difficult matchup.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Bluffton at HHIHS, 6 p.m. Friday
The Bobcats made it through the first half of the Region 7-4A round robin unscathed, while everyone else is sitting at 1-2. But the Seahawks were competitive in all three of their games — they were decided by a total of 13 points — including a 30-24 loss to Bluffton in the first meeting. This one is in The Nest, and if the Seahawks can steal one, the region race could get interesting.
March 27-28 at Beaufort Academy!
PAST WINNERS
(Offensive, Defensive, Team)
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
Jan. 7: Tacoya Heyward, BLHS; Amelia Huebel, BA; Bluffton
Jan. 14: Dior Shelton, HHCA; Chynna Sneed, MRHS; May River
Jan. 21: Zhani Thompson, WB; Tatyana Aiken, BLHS; HHCA
Jan. 28: Tkai DeVore, JPII; Kynew Barnwell, WB; John Paul II