ELIZABETHTOWN – Freshman Laila Smith posted her first career double-double, and seniors Alexus Mitchell and Maya McDonald combined for 23 points as East Bladen rode a 27-8 surge to a 49-35 Southeastern Athletic Conference girls’ basketball victory over Fairmont Thursday night.
Laila Smith pumped in a game-high 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Lady Eagle attack. Mitchell fired in 12 points and corralled 6 rebounds, and McDonald finished with 11 points and 7 rebounds. Junior Maegan Burney contributed 5 points and 2 blocked shots, and junior AnnaGrey Heustess added 4 points and 7 rebounds.
With East Bladen up 22-16, McDonald drilled in a corner 3-ball to start the 2nd half. Burney hit a free throw, McDonald drove for a lay-up, and Heustess drained a 17-footer. After freshman Iveonna “NeNe” Ward made a free throw, McDonald delivered assists to Heustess and Burney for lay-ups and a 35-18 lead.
Myasia Smith threw in a 3-ball for Fairmont, but Laila Smith turned a rebound into an old-fashioned 3-point play. Mitchell banked in an 8-foot runner to close the period with East ahead 40-22.
Laila Smith began the final period with a pair of lay-ups – one off of a McDonald assist. Mitchell raced for a transition lay-up that resulted in a 3-point play. Mitchell’s follow shot midway the quarter stretched the East lead to 49-24. Fairmont closed the game with an 11-0 run as East Coach Patty Evers cleared her bench.
“We had to turn it on. They are a good team,” said Coach Evers. “We had good defensive pressure, and the offense flowed better in the second half. It was nice to have the lead. We made some big stops and pushed the ball down the floor.”
“Laila is improving and learning our team concepts,” continued Evers. “Both her and NeNe are fitting in and making big contributions for us.”
Laila Smith and Ward bombed in 3-point shots in the 1st period. Mitchell and Burney dropped in baskets, and McDonald converted 2 foul shots as East built a 12-9 lead.
McDonald popped in 2 baskets in the 2nd quarter, and Mitchell and Laila Smith threw in a basket and a free throw each to keep the Lady Eagles on top 22-16 at halftime.
Myasia Smith led the Fairmont scoring with 8 points, and Zariah Locklear followed with 7 points. Fairmont star Amyrikal Vaught was limited to only 6 points.
The Eagles cemented their hold on 2nd place in the SAC-7 with the victory and are now 6-1 in league play and 17-1 overall. East Bladen will travel to Red Springs Tuesday.
Fairmont 9 7 6 13 – 35
East Bladen 12 10 18 9 – 49
Fairmont (40) – LaKayla Chavis 5, Destiny Melvin 2, Haley George 3, Niah Smith 2, Miah Smith 8, Amyrikal Vaught 6, Zariah Locklear 7, Myasia Simms 2, Taniya Simms.
East Bladen (49) – Iveonna Ward 4, Martha Simmons, Maya McDonald 11, Alexus Mitchell 12, AnnaGrey Heustess 4, Karli Priest, Zoe Smith, Maegan Burney 5, Laila Smith 13, Brianna Phillips.
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