Larry Gamble Photo Editor Walterboro – Basketball is in full swing at Colleton Prep with the War Hawks first games starting at the end of November. Girls Basketball The War Hawks’ girls opened their season on Nov. 21 st with a win over Holly Hill Academy and kept this winning streak going for seven games until falling to Andrew Jackson Academy 42-39 on December 13 th . After that close game, they met Thomas Sumter Academy on Dec 20 winning 35-20 to start a three-game winning streak to close out 2024. Talking with head coach Belinda McCoy , who is in her second season with Colleton Prep, she acknowledged the early season fast start, but she’s also “excited to be in the position we’re in.” She has two returning seniors in Anne Hatcher White who is leading the team with 17 points per game, plus 10 rebounds per game. Senior Shelby Baker is averaging 6 points per game. Junior Ava Murray averages 9 points and 5 rebounds per game. Starters also include sophomore Millie Drew who averages 6 points a game and freshman Bre Cain averaging 4 points per game. Returning to the court this year is freshman Addie Busch who did not play last season. New faces on the War Hawks squad are freshmen, Anne Howell , Cecilia Williams , and Graycen Bryan . All three are up from last year’s junior varsity squad. Coach McCoy commented about the return of Busch to the team. “Addie is a talented player; she gives us a boost on defense and she is working hard to get back.” When asked about her vision for the season, Coach McCoy replied that she is “hoping to take the start we’ve had and improve on that as we go through the season.” With the new year, the War Hawks face three opponents this week, and two for the first time this season. On Monday, Jan 6, they host Orangeburg Prep followed by hosting Jefferson Davis Academy on Jan 7. Then, on Jan 9, the War Hawks travel to Thomas Heyward Academy who they defeated 46-34 on Dec 12. Boy Basketball First year as head coach of the War Hawks, John Caldwell is working on his inherited team. He brings a strong resume to that job. Coach Caldwell played college ball on the D-3 level at Roanoke College before transferring to Radford University and playing at the D-1 level in the Big South conference. This season Coach Caldwell is coaching both the Varsity and JV boy’s team. On the court, the War Hawks return seniors Blake Spears , Bryce Kinard who averages three points per game, and Braeden Hiers who averages five points per game and three rebounds. The team’s juniors are Colin Hiers , averages 12 points per game with 3 rebounds, Greyson Martin , and Mateo Castillo who leads the team averaging 24 points per game. Sophomores are Cale Owens , who averages 5 points per game, Charlie Walker , who averages 9 points per game, Perry Corbitt , who averages 6 points and 2 rebounds per game, and Tylor Riesnor . Plus, Nick Martin is the lone freshmen this season and averages 6 points per game. Starting the season with a 5-6 record, his team were close several times. They must keep the pressure up and take advantage of scoring opportunities as they come up. Coach Caldwell stated (we’re) “getting better every practice and game, we look to get better day by day. Next for the War Hawks is Jefferson Davis Academy on Jan 7 followed by a road trip to Thomas Heyward Academy on Jan 9.