Each week throughout the high school girls 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
Layla Warren, BHS
Warren accounted for 19 of her team’s 34 points in a critical 34-30 road win over Hilton Head High on Friday, giving the Eagles a shot at second place in Region 7-4A. Warren has scored in double figures in all 19 games this season and leads the team with 16.6 points per game.
Also nominated: Tatyana Aiken, BLHS; Miley Ray, HHIHS; Gracyn Drury, MRHS; Starr Reed, BCHS; Kynew Barnwell, WB; Dior Shelton, HHCA; Tkai DeVore, JPII; Amelia Huebel, BA
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tatyana Aiken, BLHS
Aiken put together a phenomenal line Friday against Colleton County, collecting 10 points, 10 rebounds, 11 steals, and four assists to record her second triple-double of the season and lead the Bobcats to a fourth consecutive victory and clinch a Region 7-4A title. Aiken has posted double-digit steals four times this season.
Also nominated: Sequoia Smalls, BHS; Chynna Sneed, MRHS; Jazmin Diaz, WB; Mary Yanker, HHCA; Abby Quinty, JPII; Mike’Ala Washington, BA
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Whale Branch Warriors (3-0 last week, 18-7 overall)
The Warriors can’t seem to get any love from the state’s basketball coaches, so we’ll give them some in this space instead. Coach LaToya Mack’s team closed out the regular season in fashion with three straight wins, claiming the No. 2 seed from Region 5-2A. Still, the Warriors can’t seem to crack the SCBCA Top 10, so they’ll be off the radar going into the Class 2A playoffs.
GAME OF THE WEEK
HHIHS at Colleton County, 6 p.m. Tuesday
The Seahawks’ season all comes down to this game — but it’s not as simple as “win and get in.” Unless a Hilton Head victory is coupled with a Beaufort High win over Bluffton, the Seahawks will also need some help in the tiebreaker department. To ensure a playoff spot, HHIHS will need to win 14 or more *or* hold the Cougars to 23 points or fewer. Grab your abacus on the way out the door tonight.
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
Feb. 4: Dior Shelton, HHCA; Jasmine Campbell, HHCA; May River
Feb. 11: Layla Warren, BHS; Tatyana Aiken, BLHS; Whale Branch