Blackville-Hilda Hawk Invitational: New Year's Eve Results

The Hawk Invitational at 1A Blackville-Hilda is one of the more highly anticipated midseason tournaments across the Palmetto State among smaller schools.    Over the last several years, it has typically taken place the few days following Christmas but was moved a bit further back on the schedule a bit closer to New Year's Day.    A combination girls' and boys' tournament, an octet of teams were originally part of this year's field – including host Blackville-Hilda, Denmark-Olar, Allendale-Fairfax, 2A Whale Branch, 2A Barnwell, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Ridge Spring-Monetta and 3A Silver Bluff.    The Warhorses and Red Raiders were eliminated from competition entering Wednesday's play. We at Prep Girls Hoops made our annual trek to the home of the Hawks for the day's festivities. Here is what proceeded at the Hawks' nest on New Year's Eve.    Ridge Spring-Monetta vs. Whale Branch   The first of the two games which would decide which teams would vie for third place featured a team from the CSRA and another from the Lowcountry.    This year's Hawk Invitational for the Trojans started off on the right pair of sneakers as Ridge Spring-Monetta earned a close victory over Barnwell. Things progressed in the opposite direction when the Trojans were defeated by 15 at the hands of Denmark-Olar.    As for Whale Branch, its tournament began with a double-digit defeat to the Vikings but turned around on Tuesday when the Warriors earned a victory over Bamberg-Ehrhardt.    The first berth in the third place contest would be claimed by Whale Branch by virtue of a dominant 52-19 victory over Ridge Spring-Monetta.   Remember What Happened Last Time?   It was during the holiday season of 2019 when the Trojans and Warriors had their most recent get-together prior to Wednesday. That contest resulted in an 18-point, 45-27 victory for Whale Branch.    Quarter-By-Quarter   A combination of success from deep and in transition enabled Whale Branch to begin the contest with an 8-0 run, prompting a timeout from Ridge Spring-Monetta. With one in the books, the Warriors led the Trojans by a margin of 11-2.    The rout continued as the advantage for the Warriors ballooned into the 20s. As both teams discussed second half strategy, Whale Branch's lead over an overwhelmed and frustrated Ridge Spring-Monetta was a resounding 25-4.    More of the same was the name of the game in the third quarter as Whale Branch's lead over Ridge Spring-Monetta grew into the 30s. Following three frames, a contest devoid of much drama would see the Warriors ahead by a resounding 39-7.   As the fourth quarter arrived, it was no longer a question of if Whale Branch would be victorious but what the point margin would be. The margin of victory did not increase into 40 – meaning no turning clock but it was 33 for Whale Branch.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_5995.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603622" style="width:553px;height:auto" /></figure>   When one player scores more points than an entire team, it says plenty about said player and said opponent. Warriors freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1131790' first='Harmony' last='Prejean'] did exactly did for her Whale Branch assembling to the tune of a 22-point morning.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_5992.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603625" style="width:547px;height:auto" /></figure>   Prejean did not get it done all by herself. The 16 points that were tallied courtesy of senior big Miracle Quarles also helped the Whale Branch cause. Quarles is one of three team captains on this year's Whale Branch team.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_5991.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603627" style="width:540px;height:auto" /></figure>   A bright spot for the Trojans did appear in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='766378' first='Kennedy' last='Ligons']. The standout Ridge Spring-Monetta sophomore finished her morning at 1A Blackville-Hilda having scored nine of her team's 19 points.   Up Next   The Warriors would move on to the third-place matchup between the winner of Allendale-Fairfax and Blackville-Hilda. Ridge Spring-Monetta will return to the court on Jan. 6 against region rival Wagener-Salley.    Blackville-Hilda vs. Allendale-Fairfax   Whale Branch would go into the third-place contest with a bit of an advantage given it would have slightly more time to rest prior to that matchup. The second girls game on the day's card would determine the Warriors' adversary.    The host Hawks' portion of the tournament got out to a rocky start in the form of a 12-point, 46-34 defeat to Allendale-Fairfax. Blackville-Hilda then righted its ship with a 41-38 victory over Barnwell which eliminated the Warhorses from tournament competition.    As for the Tigers, along with that victory over Blackville-Hilda, Allendale-Fairfax was also on the wrong end of a 39-37 result at the hands of Silver Bluff.   Whale Branch would learn that its opponent for third place in this year's Hawk Invitational would be the host Hawks as Blackville-Hilda prevailed over the Tigers in overtime with the scoreboard reading 54-49 at the contest's close.   Quarter-By-Quarter   In similar fashion to the earlier matchup between Whale Branch and Ridge Spring-Monetta, Allendale-Fairfax jumped out to an 8-0 advantage. And in similar fashion to the earlier matchup between the Warriors and Trojans, that early Tigers run prompted a timeout from Blackville-Hilda. With one frame complete, the Tigers led the Hawks by a tally of 19-6.    At first, it appeared this contest would follow a similar theme as when Blackville-Hilda's boys team was routed earlier by 2A Hampton County. A late Hawks run trimmed its deficit to single digits. As both teams went into their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, Allendale-Fairfax led Blackville-Hilda by a margin of 29-21.    Blackville-Hilda's comeback effort continued into the third quarter where the Hawks managed to pull ahead of Allendale-Fairfax. It was somewhat fitting that at the end of the third quarter, both teams would be knotted up at 33 with a berth in the third-place game on the line.    Thirty-two minutes had elapsed in Wednesday's contest to determine Whale Branch's opponent in the ensuing game of the day. Following those 32, nothing was decided as Allendale-Fairfax and Blackville-Hilda needed four more minutes to decide this one.    Overtime stanzas are always about which team makes more of the plays. As more time ticked off the clock, it became clear that the Hawks would defend its home court en route to the third-place game with Whale Branch.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6006.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603632" style="width:564px;height:auto" /></figure>   Breyanna Williams was the big hero for Blackville-Hilda as she willed her Hawks to victory with 26 points. The veteran point guard for the Hawks showcased how tough she is via her ability to draw contact and get to the free throw line.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6002.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603634" style="width:558px;height:auto" /></figure>   Williams did not get the job done all by herself. Sanora Brown also came through with 11 points. In similar fashion as Williams, a good portion of what the freshman forward was able to get done also occurred at the free throw line.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6009.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603639" style="width:554px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another one of the Hawks' starters, JaFaith Johnson, also made her presence known as she scored seven points. Johnson is listed at 5-foot-4 on Blackville-Hilda's roster and is one of the six juniors for this season's Hawks.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6013.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603656" style="width:553px;height:auto" /></figure>   Allendale-Fairfax benefitted greatly from the 26 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of senior guard Micayah Carter. Out of the 26 she scored, 19 occurred in the first half of play.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2770.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1120850" style="width:545px;height:auto" /></figure>   Adding 15 points to the Tigers' cause was [player_tooltip player_id='1318828' first='Amyah' last='Badger'], a 2027. Out of the 15 that Badger scored, nine occurred between the second half and overtime. Badger is listed as a two guard but can also handle the ball and attack the rim with fearlessness.   Up Next   The Hawks come-from-behind effort against Allendale-Fairfax clinched a berth in the third-place game for the tournament host. As for the Tigers, they will return to action on Saturday against a non-region 1A opponent in Calhoun County.    Whale Branch vs. Blackville-Hilda   Only two girls' games remained on Wednesday's card – the first of which would determine which team would depart from the Hawks' nest with the third-place trophy.    Given the earlier developments, one would think that the get-together between the Warriors and the Hawks would be to Whale Branch's advantage. After all, not only was Whale Branch well-rested after its blowout victory over Ridge Spring-Monetta, but Blackville-Hilda just completed the grueling contest against Allendale-Fairfax – one that went into overtime.    When all was said and done, that third-place distinction for this year's Hawk Invitational would be bestowed upon Whale Branch following its 53-30 victory over Blackville-Hilda.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Whale Branch had a nine-point lead after the first quarter of its matchup with Ridge Spring-Monetta and had a nine-point lead after the first quarter of its matchup with Blackville-Hilda. The Warriors led the Hawks by a count of 12-3 following the opening frame.    One issue for Whale Branch is Blackville-Hilda was no Ridge Spring-Monetta. The Hawks managed to tie the game up at 16 which prompted a Warriors timeout. That timeout call worked as the Warriors closed the stanza with a 9-0 run. It was 25-16 in Whale Branch's favor at the break.    The two teams were evenly matched in the third quarter – one that saw Blackville-Hilda outscore Whale Branch by a margin of 11-9. Eight minutes were left to determine third place at this year's Hawk Invitational with the Warriors ahead of the Hawks by a score of 34-27.   The Warriors would outscore the Hawks by a margin of 19-3 to put this contest out of reach for Blackville-Hilda. A tournament that began inauspiciously for Whale Branch concluded with three consecutive victories.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_5995.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603622" style="width:568px;height:auto" /></figure>   After the 22 points she dropped against Ridge Spring-Monetta, [player_tooltip player_id='1131790' first='Harmony' last='Prejean'] saved some of her best for last as she scored 25 points to power the Warriors' offensive attack. She had 13 of her 25 in the first half.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6023.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603665" style="width:567px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Warriors also greatly benefitted from the 12 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of senior Larmore Pryor. She is one of three team co-captains on this year's Whale Branch team.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6025-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603671" style="width:566px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1319122' first='Kelis' last='Fields'] struggled in the matchup with Ridge Spring-Monetta but responded with an impressive eight-point performance against the Hawks. Fields is one of two sophomores on the Warriors roster.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6019.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603679" style="width:560px;height:auto" /></figure>   Blackville-Hilda's efforts were spearheaded by another one of its seniors in Tahlia Kinard. The 5-foot-2 Hawks guard concluded her New Year's Eve at the Hawks' nest with a 16-point performance.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6006.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603632" style="width:555px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Hawks also got another solid outing from Breyanna Williams. Following her 26-point heroics against Allendale-Fairfax, Williams contributed 10 points to the Blackville-Hilda cause against a tough Warriors team.   Up Next   The Warriors will be out of action for roughly a week before returning to the court on Tuesday to host Bridges Prep. As for the Hawks, their ensuing contest will be that same day as they host one of the premier 1A teams in North to commence region play.   Silver Bluff vs. Denmark-Olar   With the winner of third place having been determined, only one bit of business remained. That would be the most important item of business in determining a champion for this year's Hawk Invitational.    Either Denmark-Olar or Silver Bluff would depart from the Hawks' nest with that honor. The Vikings earned double-digit victories over Whale Branch and Ridge Spring-Monetta to clinch its berth into Wednesday's championship get-together.    As for the Bulldogs, they had a tougher path to arrive at Wednesday's contest as Silver Bluff eked out wins over Bamberg-Ehrhardt and Allendale-Fairfax.    Denmark-Olar would bring in the new year with Hawk Invitational championship honors. The Vikings left no doubt as evidenced by their 72-21 victory to close out the girls' portion of this year's Hawk Invitational.   Remember What Happened Last Time?   These two teams actually did battle two weeks ago at Silver Bluff. That Dec. 17 matchup between the Bulldogs and Vikings would see Denmark-Olar depart from Silver Bluff with the 56-45 victory.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Denmark-Olar may be a young team with three eighth graders on its roster – but looked like an assembling of seasoned veterans in the first quarter against Silver Bluff. With one stanza in the books, the Vikings assumed an 18-8 edge over the Bulldogs.    The second quarter would be all Denmark-Olar, all the time as the Vikings outscored Silver Bluff by a 20-2 margin. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms to discuss second-half strategy, the Vikings lead over the Bulldogs expanded to 38-10.    Quarter number three arrived – and Denmark-Olar continued to overwhelm Silver Bluff. The Vikings' lead ballooned into the 40s – which meant a continuously turning clock. It was 64-15 in the Vikings' favor after three frames.    As the fourth quarter arrived, there was not much doubt as to which team would be the winner of this year' Hawk Invitational girls' tournament. The only thing that was in doubt was what the final score would be. The margin of victory was 51 points.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6033.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603688" style="width:606px;height:auto" /></figure>   Four from Denmark-Olar finished in double-digits for points – all from the starting five. One of those was [player_tooltip player_id='843531' first='Joy' last='Johnson'] who contributed 19 points to the Vikings' offensive onslaught. Johnson also won co-MVP honors for the tournament.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6038.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603695" style="width:605px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another noteworthy 19-point scorer was Talita Jerido, the lone freshman on Denmark-Olar's eight-woman roster. Jerido can give a team productive minutes in the backcourt as a guard but will also operate in the frontcourt at the three.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6035.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603697" style="width:603px;height:auto" /></figure>   The lone 2026 on the Vikings' roster is Kalen Mayes who finished her evening at 1A Blackville-Hilda with an 18-point showing. Mayes previously played at 2A Barnwell and is a stalwart for the Vikings' backcourt efforts.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6036.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603700" style="width:598px;height:auto" /></figure>   South Carolina's youth movement is alive and well – Denmark-Olar has proof of that in the form of Zyriah McMillan. The eighth-grade standout was part of the starting five for the Vikings and contributed 13 points to the Denmark-Olar cause.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6027.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603705" style="width:594px;height:auto" /></figure>   Silver Bluff's time at Atkins Gymnasium may have had an inauspicious ending but junior two guard Kaylynn Walker still put forth a valiant effort for her Bulldogs. The 2027 shooting guard concluded Wednesday's game with eight points.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6029.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603710" style="width:592px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Bulldogs also benefitted from a seven-point effort courtesy of Fantasia Smith. She is one of three that is part of Silver Bluff's 2026 graduating class. Rebounding and defense are among the strong points to her game as a guard.   Up Next   Ironically, these same two teams will meet again at Denmark-Olar in roughly a week on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

The Hawk Invitational at 1A Blackville-Hilda is one of the more highly anticipated midseason tournaments across the Palmetto State among smaller schools.