The Whale Branch girls were able to knock off the rust before a huge matchup this weekend, beating visiting Palmetto Scholars 59-42 in a region matchup Friday.
Kynew Barnwell poured in 25 points, Jazmin Diaz added 14, and Zhani Thompson had eight for the Warriors, who were without center Erin Rivers in their first game since Dec. 21.
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Barnwell scored 21 of her 25 in the first half to help the Warriors build a 33-17 halftime advantage. The Phoenix rallied within six heading to the fourth quarter, but Diaz scored all of her 14 points in the second half to help Whale Branch hang on.
The fourth-ranked Warriors (6-0, 1-0) host No. 8 Cross for a matchup of Class 1A powers at 6 p.m. Saturday.