Basketball Recap: Kobi Quarles' Big Game Can't Quite Lead Ninety Six over Batesburg-Leesville

Ninety Six was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their tenth straight defeat. They came up short against the Batesburg-Leesville Panthers, falling 66-46. Sadly, that's the second time they've come up short against the Wildcats this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 43-41 back in January.

Ninety Six lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Kobi Quarles, who went 5 of 8 en route to 12 points. That's the most points Quarles has posted since back in December of 2024. Another player making a difference was Carson Reynolds, who posted six points and nine boards.

Batesburg-Leesville found their leader in sophomore Braylen Davis, who almost dropped a double-double on 20 points and nine steals. Those nine steals set a new season-high mark for Davis. Ta'Maj Gilliam also deserves some recognition as he posted his first block of the season.

Ninety Six's loss dropped their record down to 3-16. As for Batesburg-Leesville, they are on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six games, which provided a massive bump to their 12-7 record this season.

Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. A feisty cat fight is on tap when the Ninety Six Wildcats challenge the Saluda Tigers at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Saluda will roll in looking for their fourth straight victory, something Ninety Six surely won't give up without a fight. As for Batesburg-Leesville, they will look to defend their home court on Friday against American Leadership Academy at 7:30 p.m. Batesburg-Leesville is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 50.9 points per game this season.