ELIZABETHTOWN – Laila Smith fired in 4 of her game-high 15 points in the final quarter as Elizabethtown edged Whiteville Central 27-26 Thursday in Waccamaw Middle School Conference girls basketball action.
Iveonna Ward added a basket in the fourth quarter and finished with 8 points for the Lady Cougars.
Mykelliona Shipman put Central ahead 8-4 with a couple of baskets in the opening period. Ward and Laila Smith dropped in baskets in the first quarter for Elizabethtown.
Laila Smith tossed in 2 baskets and a free throw in the second quarter, and Ward and Zoe Smith added baskets as the Lady Cougars trimmed the Central lead to 14-13.
Lainey Hughes and Ward threw in baskets in the third quarter, and Laila Smith sank 2 free throws and a basket to push the Lady Cougars in front 21-20 at the quarter break.
Coach Chris Davisson’s Lady Cougars raised their unbeaten record to 4-0 and will play at Tar Heel Monday in the Bladen County Tournament.
Whiteville 8 6 6 6 – 26
Elizabethtown 4 9 8 6 – 27
ELIZABETHTOWN (27) – Lainey Hughes 2, Iveonna Ward 8, Zoe Smith 2, Calise Jackson, La’Tosha Melvin, Brianna Phillips, Laila Smith 15, Aniya Thompson, Amari Richardson, Amyah Jackson.