DUBLIN – Senior Eian Hines posted a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds, and guard Denzel Johnson added 20 points and 8 steals as they led East Bladen’s Eagles to their first basketball win of the season 68-55 over North Brunswick Friday in the Woodmen Life Christmas Tournament.
Eian Hines and Johnson combined for 21 points in the final period as the Eagles outscored the Scorpions 25-15 to claim the victory. Johnson opened the period with a driving lay-up, but North’s Ian Hinson answered with a 3-point shot to keep the Scorpions within 45-43.
After Eian Hines hit a free throw, twin brother Ethan Hines banked in a runner, and Johnson stole the ball and raced for a lay-up and a 50-43 lead. Eian Hines hooked in a follow, canned 4 free throws and flipped in a floater to keep the East lead at 58-49 with 2:51 left.
North closed the gap to 58-52, but Johnson grabbed a long rebound and sprinted for a transition lay-up and a 60-52 lead at the 1:47 mark. Johnson made 5 of 6 free throws in the final 1:14, Demetrius Wooten hit two and Eian Hines added one to seal the victory.
“The kids found some energy somewhere,” said Eagle Coach Kenzil McCall. “It was an afternoon game, not many people in the stands, 3 games in 3 days – I told them they had to play for each other. I believe this might lead to some more wins down the road in the conference.”
Sophmore Adonis Avery fired in a trio of 3-point shots in the second quarter and finished with 13 points and 7 rebounds for the Eagles. Demetrius Wooten contributed 6 points, and teammate Deondre Harris came off the bench to grab 6 rebounds as the Eagles held a 44-27 advantage on the boards.
Avery tossed in a twisting lay-up, Eian Hines drove for a lay-up and Demetrius Wooten sank 2 free throws then put back a rebound for an early 8-2 East lead.
Eian Hines drove for 2 more lay-ups, and Johnson stole the ball and dashed to the basket for a lay-up and a 14-7 lead, but North’s Travis Lowe bombed in a 3-point shot to slice the lead to 14-10 at the quarter break.
Thomas Jackson and Hinson sparked an 8-0 run that vaulted the Scorpions ahead 18-14. Avery rallied the Eagles by nailing 3 straight 3-point shots from the left wing that edged East ahead 23-22. Baskets from Jackson and Bison Hibbert put North on top 26-23.
Eian Hines popped in a floater from the lane, and Johnson drilled a 3-point shot for a 28-26 Eagle lead. Ethan Hines’ free throw tied the game 29-29 at halftime.
Ethan Hines turned a Johnson assist into a lay-up to start the third quarter. Harris scored on a follow shot, Eian Hines made 2 free throws, and Johnson turned another steal into a lay-up and a 37-32 East lead.
Johnson drove for another lay-up, Avery flipped in a runner, and Eian Hines worked the baseline for a reverse lay-up and a 43-40 Eagle lead at the quarter break.
Eddie Smith led the Scorpions with 17 points. Jackson tallied 14 points before fouling out, and Hinson finished with 11 points.
East Bladen will resume Four County Conference play at Pender Tuesday night
EAST BLADEN (68) – Demetrius Wooten 6, Eian Hines 22, Ethan Hines 5, Xavier Wooten, Sadrique Ingram, Denzel Johnson 20, Aaron Laforte, Adonis Avery 13, Majuan McKoy, Deondre Harris 2.
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