ELIZABETHTOWN – Whiteville’s Wolfpack made just enough free throws (7 of 12) in the final period to squeak out a 55-51 non-conference boys’ basketball victory over East Bladen Friday night.
A trio of Eagle juniors posted outstanding performances in the game. Guard Malcolm Bolden topped all scorers with 23 points and had 5 steals. Zamar Lewis and Jacob Nixon both posted double-doubles. Lewis battled inside for 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Nixon pulled down a team-high 15 rebounds and added 11 points. Junior Malaki Monroe tallied 7 points for East. Senior Nazire Smith collected 3 steals and 3 assists.
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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong
The Wolfpack took a narrow 34-32 lead into the final period, and senior Zion Wilson, junior Kyan Ganus and sophomore Amari Best all scored 5 points in the quarter to keep the visitors on top. Wilson led the Whiteville scoring with 13 points. Ganus finished with 11 points, and Best followed with 9. Cade Little added 8 points.
Wilson and Best led the Wolfpack to an early 10-7 lead. Bolden pumped in 2 baskets and 3 free throws to account for all of the Eagle points in the 1st period. Bolden sank 4 free throws and a basket in the 2nd quarter, and Lewis powered in a pair of baskets to keep East within 21-18 at halftime.
Lewis worked the paint for 2 baskets and 2 free throws in the 3rd period, and Bolden drilled in a 3-ball and another basket to pull the Eagles to within 34-32.
Nixon fired in a 3-ball, 2 more baskets and 2 foul shots in the 4th quarter, and Bolden drove for a pair of buckets and a free throw but the East rally came up just short.
The Eagles, now 2-1, will visit Gray’s Creek Monday night.
Whiteville 10 11 13 21 – 55
East Bladen 7 11 14 19 – 51
WHITEVILLE (55) –Amari Best 9, Christian Rorie 3, Zion Wilson 13, Cade Little 8, Kyan Ganus 11, Montrez Holland 2, Kaeden Bunch 2, Shaheem Shipman 2, E. J. McLeod 5. Nikotis Gordan.
EAST BLADEN (51) – Malcolm Bolden 23, Dominick Collins 2, Jordan Mathis, Jacob Nixon 11, Cameron White, Nazire Smith 2, Malaki Monroe 7, Zamar Lewis 12.
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