Hilton Head Prep girls basketball delivered a statement performance against a strong Beaufort Academy squad Tuesday, hammering the visiting Eagles 75-46.
The Dolphin offense blazed out of the gates, scoring the first seven points of the game with crisp passing and strong free-throw shooting from Courtney Campbell. Beaufort Academy battled to stay afloat by hitting some tough jumpers and finishing strong at the rim, but the Dolphins feasted in transition to set up easy looks at the other end and quickly raise the lead.
Mike’Ala Washington got going for BA late in the first with a deep 3-pointer before Ella Clark responded with a layup to take a 20-13 advantage. The Eagles got the lead down to three on a pair of buckets from Mary Hanna Hiers, but a stifling Dolphin defense began to overwhelm BA’s ball handlers to spark a 15-2 run and go up 37-21 at halftime.
Hilton Head Prep kept the foot on the gas pedal to start the third quarter, as Katie Campbell drained a three before Abi Mendoza scored underneath to push the lead to 21. Beaufort Academy found a much-needed spark in junior Tahleea Heyward, who snatched the ball away on two straight HHP possessions to convert a pair of layups, but the Dolphins continued to put the pressure on with their effort on both ends, as Haylee Hopman tapped in a layup from a beautiful Katie Campbell feed before Courtney Campbell showed her phenomenal hustle on a buzzer-beating putback to end the third quarter with a commanding 59-30 advantage.
Washington found her groove for Beaufort Academy in the fourth with eight points, but it wasn’t even close to enough to stop a dialed-in and determined Dolphin squad.
“The team was mentally ready to play tonight,” HHP coach Phillip Hartman said. “Our press was good and our designated break was excellent. We got what we deserved.”
Courtney Campbell was outstanding for Hilton Head Prep, scoring 21 points while making all five of her free-throw attempts. Katie Campbell impressed with 16 points, and Haylee Hopman joined the two sisters in double figures with 12. Heyward paced Beaufort Academy with 19 points, and Washington scored 17.
Hilton Head Prep (14-7, 4-3) plays its third game in three days Wednesday at John Paul II. Beaufort Academy (16-6, 6-3) returns home to face John Paul II on Friday.
By Wes Kerr
Some local sports content that is not sponsored is now available only to LowcoSports.com’s Patreon supporters. Pledge your monthly support here for as little as $1 per month to ensure you have access to all of our grassroots LOCAL sports coverage!
