Contributed
BLADENBORO – Burly J’vian McCray pumped in 24 points to lead West Brunswick to a 70-53 victory over West Bladen Friday in the Adidas Christmas Tournament.
After senior Keshawn Lewis sank 2 free throws to start the first quarter, junior Tyre Boykin knocked down a pair of pull-up jumpers and dropped in a trio of lay-ups to spark the Knights to a 12-6 lead.
Senior Kerron Washington banked in a runner for a 14-8 lead, but 6-6 junior Jadyn Parker’s 3-point play pulled the Trojans to within 14-11 at the quarter break.
Senior Jaheim Lesane flipped in a runner then bombed in a 3-point shot, and junior Nolan Bryant drained a 3-pointer to keep the Knights on top at 21-17.
McCray powered in a trio of lay-ups as the Trojans closed the half with a 9-2 spurt that produced a 26-23 halftime lead.
The Trojans began the second half with a 17-6 spurt that featured 3 baskets and a free throw from McCray as their lead grew to 43-29. Bryant and sophmore Shyron Adams buried 3-point shots for West Bladen.
Boykin hooked in a lay-up, Lewis drained a 3-point shot, and Lesane sank a trio of free throws to pull West Bladen within 45-39. Trojan senior Alex Younts turned a turnover into a lay-up for a 47-39 lead at the quarter break.
Adams drilled in a 3-pointer to whittle the West Brunswick lead to 47-42 early in the final period, but McCray dropped in a 2 lay-ups and 2 free throws to ignite a 14-2 Trojan run that stretched the lead to 61-44 with 3:33 remaining.
Boykin led the Knights with 14 points and 4 rebounds. Adams finished with 12 points and 3 steals. Lesane added 10 points and 5 rebounds. Bryant followed with 6 points. Senior Jackson Norris pulled down 5 rebounds, and senior Drew Harris blocked 3 shots and had 3 rebounds. Washington was credited with 3 steals.
“We played hard,” said Knight Coach Travis Pait. “We forced 15 first-half turnovers (24 in the game), but they just overpowered us inside.” The Trojans held a 46-28 rebound advantage.
Parker scored 13 points for the Trojans, and Younts contributed 9 points.
West Bladen will play East Bladen in Saturday’s 2 p.m. game, while West Brunswick advances to a 4 p.m. game Saturday against First Flight.
West Bladen (53) – Kerron Washington 4, Jaheim Lesane 10, Shyron Adams 12, Tyre Boykin 14, Trenton Lyons, Donovan Stone, Keshawn Lewis 5, Eddie Perez-Ortiz, Trashawn Ballard, Drew Harris, Nijeah McKoy 2, Jackson Norris, Nolan Bryant 6, Cameron Taylor.
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