East Bladen juniors Zamar Lewis and Malcolm Bolden and West Bladen senior Javonta Matthews and sophomore Malachi Allen have been named to the All-Southeastern Athletic Conference boys’ basketball team.
Lewis controlled the paint for Coach Aking Elting’s Eagles who were SAC-7 runners-up and made the play-offs with a 15-9 record. The high-flying center scored 9.5 points per game and recorded 7 double-doubles including a monster performance of 21 points and 20 rebounds against Clinton.
Other Lewis highlights included: a 10-point, 20-rebound and 8-blocked shot performance in a key win at Fairmont; 14 points and 12 rebounds at SAC-7 champ St. Pauls; 14 points and 10 rebounds in a win over West Columbus; 12 points and 11 rebounds against Whiteville; 10 points and 10 rebounds in another win over Fairmont.
Bolden led the Eagle scoring averaging 16.2 points per game. The speedy guard fired in 22 of his season-high 26 points during a 30-9 East closing run that overcame a 17-point West Bladen lead. Bolden scored in double-figures in 21 of East Bladen’s 24 games.
In a key win over Midway, Bolden poured in 25 points and added 6 steals and 5 assists. Bolden threw in the deciding basket and finished with 18 points in one of the Fairmont wins. He also totaled 16 points and 7 assists at Clinton then finished off the regular season with 10 assists in a Senior Night win over the Dark Horses.
Matthews was a battler inside for Coach Travis Pait’s Knights and averaged 10 points per game. He pumped in the go-ahead basket then sank the clinching free throws in a 44-40 win at Whiteville. Matthews also posted a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds against West Columbus.
Allen was a top rebounder and provided a 3-point shooting option for the Knights averaging 10 points per game. He lit up the scoreboard with six 3-point baskets and 20 points in a 59-52 win at Midway and just missed a double-double with 12 points and 9 rebounds against Fairmont.
Against Whiteville Allen totaled 13 points and 8 rebounds, and racked up 17 points and 6 rebounds in a win over Clinton. Another near double-double came against East Bladen when Allen provided 13 points and 9 rebounds.