Nick Field didn’t waste any time challenging his Beaufort Academy boys basketball squad with a busy early-season slate. On Friday night, his team was more than prepared for a difficult region road test.
Braydon Dineen led an impressive effort with 17 points, and Beaufort Academy held off Hilton Head Christian Academy 54-41 on the road to open SCISA Region 4-2A play.
It was a high-paced and back-and-forth contest in the opening minutes. Dineen made his presence known with a layup off a feed from Zeke Gonzalez, and Jaxen Porter added a crafty bucket for a quick 8-4 BA lead. But the home squad fired up the Cage with a terrific 10-0 run.
Big man Brady Bagenstose was the spark, converting a putback before Isaiah Anderson rebounded a missed free throw for a layup to make it 14-8. Despite the quick setback, a resilient Beaufort Academy responded right away, coupling a pair of Dineen buckets with high-energy hustle on defense to force a flurry of HHCA turnovers and go on top 25-20 at halftime.
BA stretched the lead in the third quarter thanks to the stellar play of Gavin Midyette, who scored on a putback before banging in a three to build the margin to nine. Hilton Head Christian worked hard to get some stops and cash in at the stripe to cut it back to five, but the home team couldn’t capitalize on some open looks as the third quarter came to an end.
Jason Grunkemeyer’s squad continued to battle in the final eight minutes, but BA closed out the game in textbook fashion, going 5-for-5 at the line while Midyette added six more points to close out a well-deserved victory.
Dineen was outstanding on both ends, scoring 17 points to go with three assists, four steals, and six deflections. Midyette put up 11 points with three offensive rebounds while shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, and Eddy Gonzalez added seven points and three steals.
BA took advantage of its terrific defensive pressure, scoring 21 points off turnovers while posting an efficient 10-of-13 night at the free-throw line.
Anderson led Hilton Head Christian with 14 points, and Bagenstose added 11.
Beaufort Academy (18-4, 1-0) is back in action on Saturday at First Presbyterian Christian Academy. Hilton Head Christian (3-5, 1-1) battles rival Hilton Head Prep at home Tuesday.
By Wes Kerr
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