WHITEVILLE- Whiteville bolted to an early 11-4 lead and held on for a 42-34 Three Rivers Conference jayvee boys basketball victory over West Bladen Friday night.
Javonta Matthews and Anthony Cowan tallied first quarter baskets for the Knights, but E. J, McLeod fired in 7 of his game-high 15 points in the period for Whiteville.
Matthews pumped in 2 baskets and a free throw in the second quarter, and Josiah Brown nailed a 3-point shot and another basket. Kearean Ballard worked the paint for a basket and a free throw to trim the Wolfpack lead to 21-17 at halftime.
Kearean Ballard drilled in a 3-point shot and made 2 free throws in the third period, and Matthews tossed in 2 baskets to keep the Knights within 34-26.
Keshawn Ballard connected on 5 of 6 free throws in the final quarter for the Knights, and Matthews sank a basket and a free throw.
Matthews topped the West Bladen scoring list with 14 points. Kearean Ballard followed with 8 points, and Keshawn Ballard and Brown finished with 5 points each.
The Knights, now 7-9 on the season, will travel to West Columbus Tuesday night.
West Bladen 4 13 9 8 – 34
Whiteville 11 10 13 8 – 42
WEST BLADEN (34) – Travail Baldwin, Javontae Matthews 14, Anthony Cowan 2, Amir Stepps, Jordan Underwood, Keshawn Ballard 5, Kearean Ballard 8, Anthony Mitchell, Aaron Thompson, Josiah Brown 5.