Needing seven points to reach 1,000 in her final regular-season home game, it was destined to be Jasmine Campbell’s night. The star Hilton Head Christian Academy senior poured in 20 points Tuesday night to pass the coveted mark in a 45-22 win over rival Hilton Head Prep.
Campbell is the third Eagle to hit the 1,000-point milestone this season, joining teammate Brielle McCarthy and Floyd Hargrove on the boys side.
“It’s a great accomplishment for Jasmine and Brielle,” HHCA coach Kenny Conroy said. “They work very hard, and it’s great to see them do it in their senior year.”
Campbell didn’t waste any time, scoring the first 14 Eagle points including a layup six minutes into the first quarter to pass the 1,000-point milestone. Even though the shots beyond the arc weren’t falling early, the Eagles were able to ride Campbell’s strength in the paint and their elite defense to a 19-7 halftime lead.
“She’s very difficult to stop inside and she does a great job at getting open inside,” Conroy said. “It’s really just a matter of our other girls getting the ball to her.”
After it looked like the Dolphins were showing signs of life with an impressive three by Ella Clark and a layup by Kierstin Clark cutting the lead to single digits, the home Eagles quickly flew away with the game, going on a 19-0 run midway through the third and into the fourth.
It was sparked by more drives to the basket from Campbell, fantastic rebounding, and unending hustle. And then, as everything else began to churn, the threes started falling courtesy of fellow 1K club member McCarthy and Abby Peduzzi. When the juggernaut comes alive like that, there is almost nothing opponents can do. The Clarks, Haylee Hopman, and Maddie Frank kept fighting until the final buzzer, but the damage was already done.
McCarthy finished with nine for the Eagles, while Mary Yanker chipped in with six. Ella Clark led the Dolphins with eight points, and Kierstin Clark added six.
HHCA (26-2, 10-0) has won 40 consecutive region games and is 61-1 in region play during its streak of six consecutive region titles. The Eagles will open their SCISA 2A title defense Saturday against The King’s Academy or Dillon Christian.
The Dolphins (11-14, 2-8) open the state tournament Saturday against Marlboro Academy.
Story by Wes Kerr / 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.