Hilton Head Prep tops rival HHC for SCISA 3A boys crown

Prep survives a low scoring defensive struggle by limiting Hilton Head Christian to just 21 points

Jacob Phillips | Feb 25, 2023

SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA – It was a clash of rivals in the SCISA 3A boy’s basketball championship game Friday night when Hilton Head Prep faced off against Hilton Head Christian.

Hilton Head Prep came out on top after putting on a defensive showcase in a 39-21 victory.

Hilton Head Christian was held to one field goal for an entire quarter twice throughout the game.

Hilton Head Prep's Andrew Helms (1) breaks down in his defensive stance. The Dolphins limited rival Hilton Head Christian to just 21 points in capturing the SCISA 3A boys state championship. / Photo by Jacob Phillips

“Our defense has really been good and locked in, communicating and rebounding really well,” said Dolphins head coach Richard Barron. “You've got to finish with the boards, and certainly that helps a lot. That gives us a chance to really control the ball and take our time on offense.”

The Eagles scored three points in the opening quarter, finishing the last five minutes without a basket.

They scored nine in the second before being held to three points again in the third quarter. This time it came on two different scoring attempts. The first two points came from a layup early in the period, and the second from a split trip to the free throw line with under a minute in the period.

The Dolphins held the Eagles to six points in the final quarter, meaning Hilton Head Christian failed to score at least 10 points in every quarter.

“The goal was we had to go get every 50-50 ball,” Dolphin guard Sean Cusano said. “We can't allow anything to get in the paint. Everything has got to be tough, and I think we executed that.”

Cusano, who is 6-foot-9-inches and committed to Chattanooga, led Hilton Head Prep with 18 points. Guard Kane Eanes scored 12 points, including 6/6 on his free throw attempts, all of which came in the second half.

“I just didn’t want to lose,” Cusano said. “I wanted to do everything I could to get us a win.”

Sean Cusano, a 6-foot-9 Chattanooga University commit, lead the Dolphins with 18 points in the 3A final. — Sean Cusano, a 6-foot-9 Chattanooga University commit, lead the Dolphins with 18 points in the 3A final / Photo by Jacob Phillips

The game wasn’t out of hand until the final few minutes, despite the strong defensive outing from the Dolphins. Hilton Head Prep’s own offensive struggles kept the Eagles in the game.

Hilton Head Christian had 12 points at halftime, but Hilton Head Prep had just 15. The Dolphins held a double-digit lead heading into the fourth but it was just 11, despite holding their opponent to 15 points.

The Eagles amped up their press in the fourth quarter. Leading to fast-paced and sometimes sloppy basketball.

The Dolphins would either easily break the press and get an easy bucket in transition or chew clock, or the Eagles would force a turnover and slowly chip away at Hilton Head Prep’s lead.

The lead was under 10 with 4:30 left in the game. However, from this moment on the Dolphins grew their lead.

Within two minutes the lead went from 10 points to 18 points, and there was no time for the Eagles to come back.

Not only did the win give the team a championship, but it clinched the season series over their rivals.

It wasn't flashy, but Hilton Head Prep rode an outstanding defensive effort to the SCISA 3A state championship. — It wasn't flashy, but Hilton Head Prep rode an outstanding defensive effort to the SCISA 3A state championship / Photo by Jacob Phillips

This game marked the third meeting of the season between the teams. Hilton Head Christian won 57-47 in the first meeting on Jan. 20, while Hilton Head Prep won, 53-41, on Feb. 10.

“It's a big rivalry, and they're a great team and really well coached,” Barron said. “They've had a tremendous season, so we had to play really well.”

Hilton Head Christian ended its season 24-5.

Hilton Head Prep finishes 17-7, ending on a 10-game winning streak.

Barron said when he looks back on this season he’ll remember the journey and how he got to share that with his son, guard Billy Barron.

“That's a lot of fun having him on the team,” Barron said. “I think there were some great life lessons that we've been able to learn together.”