Hilton Head High girls basketball let a late lead slip away in its home finale Thursday, falling to a motivated James Island team 40-35.
The visiting Trojans got an early jump in the first quarter, as Andrea Duncan and Tiana Graf each hit a three to take a 14-8 edge. Hilton Head responded with a strong defensive effort in the second period, holding the visitors to five points while cashing in at the free-throw line to get within two at halftime.
Lynda Young scored on a beautiful bank shot to trim the deficit to 21-20, but her team struggled to box out on the other end, giving up numerous offensive rebounds and second-chance buckets to the Trojans. Despite the many chances, James Island failed to cash in from the stripe and Janiya Ferebee took advantage with a corner jumper to put Hilton Head on top by one.
The momentum continued to swing to the home side on a stellar Anna Genova block, and Gianna Timko went 2-for-2 at the line to head into the fourth quarter up 27-25. Hilton Head’s chances of victory suffered a blow early in the final quarter with Young’s fourth foul, and the Trojans quickly scored a pair of layups including a Duncan putback to retake the lead.
Deja Godsun responded with a floater to tie it at 29, but James Island capitalized on a string of Seahawks turnovers to pull ahead on a 7-2 run. Timko put some life right back in her squad with an and-one before a Young free throw made it a one-point game with 42 seconds to go, but the Trojans successfully ran clock and closed it out at the line to deny the Seahawks a chance at stealing the second seed in Region 7-4A.
Young scored 14 points to lead the Seahawks in the defeat, and Godsun added 10.
Hilton Head High (10-12, 5-6) concluded the regular season Friday at Lucy Beckham. Check back to LowcoSports.com later for a full recap.
By Wes Kerr
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