In perhaps the most high-energy matchup for both teams this season, Hilton Head High came out with a huge 35-24 home victory over rival Bluffton in Friday’s Bridge Bowl game.
The game started off slowly, as the teams were tied 5-5 after the first period. It was evident that the game would be all about defense, something Hilton Head High coach Chane Brown has emphasized all season long.
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In the first half, the Bobcat used their defensive intensity to maintain a small lead and continued defensive pressure on the Seahawk offense.
“Coming out of halftime, we knew that if we kept up our defensive intensity, our shots would start to fall, and we’d be able to come out with a win,” HHIHS junior Sam Summa said.
This same defensive pressure is what helped the Seahawks flip the switch in the second half, as their defense became too much for the Bobcats to handle. Lee Kirkland led the Bobcats with 10 points, while the Seahawks limited Tyler Rice, Bluffton’s top scorer, to five points.
Gaston Moore made big plays on defense during the win, but he credited leading scorers Dean Seelbach (13 points) and Summa (10 points) for their help at the other end of the court.
“(Dean and Sam) helped us out a lot tonight. All props to them,” Moore said.
Looking ahead towards a big game against Beaufort High next week, a strong defense will continue to be important for the Seahawks, who look to capture a region crown in Brown’s first year at the helm.
As for the Bridge Bowl, Hilton Head High walked away with a huge region win and a season sweep, earning bragging rights until next basketball season.
Story and photos by Brooke Simons
Brooke Simons is a student-athlete at Hilton Head Island High School and an aspiring journalist. She has a passion for photography and broadcasting.