The Whale Branch boys are growing accustomed to winning ugly, but it beats the alternative.
Devonta Barnard scored 14 points to lead a balanced effort, and the Warriors took advantage at the foul line down the stretch to hang on for a 51-44 road win over Lowcountry Leadership in Region 7-1A play on Friday.
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The Warriors built a 29-12 halftime lead and appeared poised to cruise to an easy win before the NaviGators heated up from 3-point range to close the gap to 38-35 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Warriors have struggled at the foul line early in the season, but they were 11-of-19 from the stripe Friday, including 8-of-13 in the fourth quarter. Barnard went 6-for-8 from the line.
Jaylen Reeves, Jaquan Gillison and Jashuan Gillison each scored nine points for Whale Branch, and AJ Singleton added five, all in the fourth.
Clay Schaffer hit four 3-pointers en route to 21 points for the NaviGators.
Whale Branch (3-1) hosts Wade Hampton on Monday.
