Beaufort Academy girls basketball bounced back from a humbling loss earlier in the week to close out the regular season with a 51-44 home win over John Paul II on Friday.
The Eagles used a strong second quarter to open up a double-digit lead at halftime, but the Golden Warriors clawed back within one heading to the fourth. JPII scrapped to stay in it down the stretch, but Arianna Gonzalez scored a big bucket and drew a foul on BA’s last possession to seal it.
Mike’Ala Washington led BA with a game-high 17 points, and Mary Hanna Hiers came up big on her Senior Night with several key buckets down the stretch to finish with 10 points. Tahleea Heyward and Kamirah Freeman each added eight points for the Eagles.
JPII coach Karen Floyd was also pleased with her team’s play, as Maddie Heathcott collected nine points and 10 rebounds, going 7-for-10 from the line, and Brady Mahoney put up a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and six steals. Caroline Gilmour had her best game of the season for the Golden Warriors with nine points and five boards, Cayce Graves racked up eight points, nine rebounds, and four steals, and Gracie Henderson contributed seven points along with steady ball-handling and excellent defense.
“Wow, what a game,” Floyd said. “BA came out swinging, but we did too. The girls played at a much higher level tonight and it was fun to watch.”
BA (17-6, 6-2 SCISA 4-2A) now awaits its matchup in the SCISA 2A playoff bracket, while JPII (7-10, 4-4) plays a non-region road game against the Coastal Hurricanes on Monday.
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