Basketball was the main sports focus for the early part of 2022. All four Bladen high school varsity teams qualified for the NCHSAA playoffs, and East Bladen’s Lady Eagles advanced to the Class 2A Eastern semifinals. The Lady Eagles finished with a 26-4 record with all 4 losses coming against conference rival St. Pauls.
Covid-19 was still a problem in January causing postponements, delays and cancellations. East Bladen Coach Patty Evers received a national honor, and former Lady Eagle star Lacey Suggs had her number retired. Bladenboro’s boys and girls basketball teams both won middle school conference championships with unbeaten seasons.
Here are some of the more memorable games of the first two months of 2022:
Southeastern Athletic Conference Boys Basketball Tournament: West Bladen 53, Fairmont 50
Southeastern Athletic Conference Boys Basketball Tournament: East Bladen 52, Clinton 42
Southeastern Athletic Conference Tournament Girls Semifinals: East Bladen 45, Fairmont 43
Couch Potato: Tuesday was quite a night for Bladen basketball
NCHSAA Class 2A Girls Basketball Playoffs: East Bladen 67, East Carteret 58
NCHSAA Class 2A Girls Basketball Playoffs: East Bladen 71, North Lenoir 62
