Preview: Whale Branch Warriors vs. Bridges Prep Buccaneers
The Whale Branch Warriors will be playing in front of their home fans against the Bridges Prep Buccaneers at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, both teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Whale Branch only won by two when they last took the court, which might have inspired the 39-point they dealt Royal Live Oaks Academy on Monday. Whale Branch blew past Royal Live Oaks Academy, posting a 69-30 victory on the road. Given Whale Branch's advantage in MaxPreps' South Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 115th, while Royal Live Oaks Academy is ranked 239th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Whale Branch got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Greggory Gilbert out in front who scored 16 points along with five rebounds. Another player making a difference was Kevin Jenkins, who scored 13 points along with three steals.
Meanwhile, Bridges Prep scored the most points they've had all season to find success on Friday. They breezed by Royal Live Oaks Academy at home to the tune of 86-15. Bridges Prep has made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won eight matches by 20 points or more this season.
Bridges Prep's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but X Butler led the charge by dropping a double-double on 32 points and 13 rebounds. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Butler has scored all season. The team also got some help courtesy of Te'shaun Heyward, who dropped a double-double on 14 points and 14 assists.
Whale Branch has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won eight of their last nine contests, which provided a massive bump to their 15-9 record this season. As for Bridges Prep, the win was the third in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 16-4.
Whale Branch barely slipped by Bridges Prep when the teams last played back in January, winning 60-59. Does Whale Branch have another victory up their sleeve, or will Bridges Prep turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
